Abstract This paper examines witchcraft in England during the Middle Ages and the arguments used by historians Macfarlane and Caporael on the possible reasons for hallucinogenic properties of ergotism. The paper discusses the Essex, England and Salem, Mass., USA witch-trials.
From the Paper "European witchcraft emerged only at the end of the middle ages; the great witch craze occurred during the renaissance, reformation and ended at the end of the 18th century. During these periods at least 100,000 men, women, children and animals were tortured and burnt as witches. However, although this period of persecution of witches was known as the burning times, there were no witches burnt in England or during the famous Salem Witch craze, all offenders found guilty during this time were either imprisoned for a period or hanged."
