In honour of the witching hour, and this one is timely in so many ways: I was delighted to team up with Wayne Shepheard on an article on how the chilling climate of the Little Ice Age fuelled a frenzy of witch hunts across Europe. In our latest piece for Family Tree (UK) magazine, Wayne and I dive into the historical link between a cooling world and rising accusations of witchcraft, unraveling how desperate communities sought scapegoats to explain failed crops, harsh winters, and inexplicable hardships.
We discuss the work of the original proponents of this theory and have included an extensive list of references on our respective websites for anyone interested in doing their own further research. A Canadian geologist and genealogist, Wayne Shepheard is the author of two books on the Little Ice Age, so be sure to check out his work on the subject. We hope you enjoy the read, and discovering how climate fear fed into superstition – and shaped history!
To obtain a copy of the article and/or subscription information contact the publisher at www.family-tree.co.uk
Selected References & Further Reading:
Main Image: Johann Heinrich Füssli, Die drei Hexen (The Three Witches), 1783
Cover Family Tree: © Warners Group Publications Plc