New Books Network Steven Veerapen, "Witches: A King's Obsession" (Birlin, 2025)
Sep 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, historian Steven Veerapen dives deep into the historical obsession with witches during the reign of King James I. He unpacks the cultural implications and the interplay of politics and religion that fueled witch hunts in Scotland and England. Veerapen challenges modern perceptions of figures like James and witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins, revealing their complex roles in society. Tune in to explore how mass panics around witchcraft shaped legal standards and societal norms, all tied to a fascinating era of fear and intrigue.
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From Biography To Deep Dive
- Steven Veerapen followed a rabbit hole from his King James biography into the deeper topic of witchcraft.
- He wrote Witches to explore James's obsession and its wider historical meaning.
Witch Hunting Not Just Medieval
- Witch-hunting wasn't purely medieval; critics argued the Church had not been strict enough.
- Both Catholic and Protestant voices pressured authorities to define and police witchcraft.
Witchcraft As Ordinary Crime
- By the mid-16th century England and Scotland had Witchcraft Acts but no mass panics followed immediately.
- Witchcraft became a criminal category treated alongside other crimes like theft or murder.
