In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692In January 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts, two young girls began to suffer from inexplicable fits. Seventeen months later, after legal action had been taken against 144 people--20 of them put to death--the ignominious Salem witchcraft trials finally came to an end. Now, Mary Beth Norton--one of our most ad-mired historians--gives us a unique account of the events at Salem, helping us to understand them as they were understood by those who lived through the frenzy. Describing the situation from a seventeenth-century perspective, Norton examines the crucial turning points, the accusers, the confessors, the judges, and the accused, among whom were thirty-eight men. She shows how the situation spiraled out of control following a cascade of accusations beginning in mid-April. She explores the role of gossip and delves into the question of why women and girls under the age of twenty-five, who were the most active accusers and who would normally be ignored by male magistrates, were suddenly given absolute credence. Most important of all, Norton moves beyond the immediate vicinity of Salem to demonstrate how the Indian wars on the Maine frontier in the last quarter of that century stunned the collective mindset of northeastern New England and convinced virtually everyone that they were in the devil's snare. And she makes clear that ultimate responsibility for allowing the crisis to reach the heights it did must fall on the colony's governor, council, and judges. A vivid, authoritative historical evocation and exploration that will alter forever the way we think about one of the most perennially fascinating and horrifying events in our history. |
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Common terms and phrases
Abigail accused afflicted Andover apparition appeared asked attack August bewitched Boston Burroughs chapter charges church Colony complaints confession confessors convicted Corey Cotton council court crisis daughter death described Devil DHSM earlier early Elizabeth England English Essex County evidence examination fits formal four George George Burroughs girls Goody governor hand Hathorne Hobbs ibid identified Indian indictments John judges July June jury killed late later letter Lewis lived magistrates Maine March Martha Mary Mary Warren Massachusetts Mather meeting minister months named Narratives noted Nurse observed Parris person Phips Point probably Proctor Putnam question Quotations Rebecca recorded reported residents revealed Richard Salem Village Samuel Sarah Satan September Sewall specter spectral statement stories suffered suspects testimony Thomas told torments Town trials Wabanakis Walcott Warren weeks wife Willard witchcraft witches witnesses woman women York young
References to this book
Exploring American History: From Colonial Times to 1877 Tom Lansford,Thomas E. Woods, Jr. Limited preview - 2007 |
Native American Song at the Frontiers of Early Modern Music Olivia A. Bloechl No preview available - 2008 |