| William W. Coventry |
| Demonic Possession On Trial: |
| Case Studies From Early Modern England |
| and Colonial America, 1593-1692 |
It may cast some Light upon the Dark things now in America, if we just give a glance
upon the like things lately happening in Europe. We may see the Witchcrafts here
most exactly resemble the Witchcrafts there; and we may learn what sort of Devils do
trouble the World.
Reverend Cotton Mather
Wonders of the Invisible World (1693)
Demonic Possession on Trial demonstrates that the phenomenon of demonic possession
reflects a society's cultural characteristics, intellectual perceptions, religious concerns, and popular
beliefs. In this work, William W. Coventry analyzes seven legal cases of alleged demonic possession
from England and colonial America during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These
examples reveal the political and religious rivalries, medical controversies, and inter-communal
conflicts that influenced the development and prosecution of the cases. The book also sheds light on
the Salem proceedings, which many times have been viewed only in their distinctive and radical
sense. The Massachusetts colonists brought their opinions, memories, traditions, and laws over from
England, so these earlier cases almost certainly affected the mindset at Salem. After describing and
comparing these case studies, the author draws some interesting conclusions. Though possession
cases all shared certain commonalities, the fascinating interplay of diverse influences and issues
created vastly different outcomes, culminating with the executions during the Salem witchcraft trials.
Two conditions are necessaryevack comme
| History / Political/Religion Price: $14.95 Author: William W. Coventry ISBN: 0-595-26589-8 150 Pages Available from Ingram Book Group, Baker & Taylor, and from iUniverse, Inc. To order call 1-877-823-9235 or click on: http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0%2D595%2D26589%2D8 |
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