Francis Hutchinson - An Historical Essay concerning
Francis Hutchinson - An Historical Essay concerning Witchcraft - R.Knaplock, D. Midwinter - pages - re-bound in half-leather, cm.Francis Hutchinson () was the Bishop of Down and Connor, who fought against the popular belief in witchcraft. He also opposed the infamous Salem witch trials in the Bay Colony, late .The full title of the book is: An Historical Essay Concerning Wichcraft: With Observations Upon Matters of Fact; Tending to Clear the Texts of the Sacred Scriptures, and Confute the Vulgar Errors about that Point. And Also Two Sermons: One in Proof of the Christian Religion; the Other Concerning Good and Evil Angels.At the time of the publication of the book, witch trials and executions had already become rare. In England the last ‘witch’ was executed in . Nevertheless, there were still accusations that led to witch trials. One of them was against Jane Wenham in ; the case was acquitted, but caused great social unrest. Many people were convinced of her guilt and were prepared to execute her themselves.Hutchinson was convinced that witch persecution was a serious hazard to social stability and hence for the political stability necessary in times of war.Condition: the book is re-bound in half-leather. The page “A Dialogue betwixt a...” (see picture) is a copy of the original, and so is page 117. The page edges are soiled (see picture), the pages XV, (see pictures) show spots, but the text has remained legible. See also the title page. At the top right of the title page a piece of paper is missing.The book will be sent by registered mail. Read More