Prophets and Witches
Witchcraft, Gender, and Politics in Revolutionary England

By (author) Debra Parish

ISBN13: 9781032579672

Imprint: Routledge

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Published: 01/08/2025

Availability: Not yet available

Description
Prophets and Witches offers an exploration of female prophecy and witchcraft during the political and religious upheavals of the English Revolutionary period from 1640 to 1660. The religious fervour and End of Days enthusiasm precipitated by the Civil War opened the door for unprecedented numbers of women to achieve visibility and spiritual authority as prophets. However, as self-proclaimed instruments for God’s spirit, these women were also exposed to the charge of demonic possession or witchcraft. This book explores both the gender and political elements at work in the construction of the prophet as a witch. It uncovers the role of witchcraft in the dominant political and religious debates and power conflicts of the times which provides a crucial framework for the female prophet’s transformation from divine instrument to demonic witch. This study of the early modern prophet and witch reveals the fluidity, and at times close relationship of these assumed opposites. This book is a valuable resource to students and scholars of early modern England, the English Civil War and all readers interested in female religiosity, prophecy, witchcraft, demonology and early Quakerism.
Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter One: ‘There is No Self in this Thing’: The Power of Female Prophecy Chapter Two: The Prophet and the Witch: Slippery Categories Chapter Three: ‘Believe Not Every Spirit’: The Witch as the False Prophet Chapter Four: ‘I will make thee an Instrument’: The Visionary Performance Chapter Five: ‘The Devil is Broke Loose’: God’s Instruments/ Satan’s Instruments Chapter Six: ‘Quaking Witches’: Quakerism and Witchcraft Chapter Seven: ‘Rebel Witches’: Witchcraft, Rebellion and Politics Conclusion Index
  • English Civil War
  • Witchcraft
  • Tertiary Education (US: College)
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Weight:453.00
List Price: £145.00