Notes on witchcraft

by George Lyman Kittredge

"Notes on Witchcraft" by George Lyman Kittredge is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work focuses on the witchcraft phenomenon in New England, particularly the Salem Witch Trials, providing an analysis of the sociocultural context of witchcraft beliefs and how they manifested during this period. Kittredge aims to explore the belief in witchcraft as a universal human concern rather than an anomaly of Puritan thought, emphasizing that the events at Salem should be interpreted within the broader historical framework of witchcraft. The opening of the book discusses the historical tendency to view New England colonists as uniquely separated from European thought patterns, particularly concerning beliefs in witchcraft. Kittredge sets the stage by asserting that witchcraft was a globally recognized superstition, not exclusive to Puritan belief, and that the events of 1692 should be viewed as part of a larger pattern of witch trials throughout history. He critiques the idea that the Salem witch trials were driven by uncommon fanaticism, arguing instead that they were emblematic of the broader societal beliefs and tensions of the time, shaped by the shared fears and influences that permeated 17th-century thought globally.