The Witch: A History

Overview

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” – Exodus 22:18 

For thousands of years, humans have been fascinated by witches; magical creatures who draw from malevolent forces to subvert the natural order.  

Witches and witchlike figures have been a pervasive presence throughout history and provide a fascinating lens through which to explore societies of the past and present – from mythical figures of antiquity such as Hecate, Circe and Medea, and the late medieval text Malleus Maleficarum, to early modern witch trials, Victorian spiritualism and modern popular culture.

Over the course of four stimulating lectures, this hybrid day school examines how witches have been represented over time – from the classical world to modern times. In doing so, we’ll unravel a cultural history with far reaching effects and ask: why do witches hold society in such thrall? How have ideas about magic and unnatural power intersected with justice, stigma and literature? And, what do historical manifestations tell us about the time in which they appear?   

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT (UTC) on 30 October 2024.

Programme details

9.45am    
Registration at Rewley House reception (in-person attendees)

10am     
Witches in the classical world 
Mai Musie 

11.15am
Tea/coffee break

11.45am
The witch-hunt in early modern Europe: myth and reality 
Malcolm Gaskill  

1pm     
Lunch break

2pm     
Witchcraft since 1800: old fears, new beliefs and evolving traditions 
Thomas Waters  

3.15pm    
Tea/coffee break 

3.45pm  
‘Weyward Sisters’ to Wanda Maximoff: witches in popular culture 
Rebecca Rideal  

5pm     
End of day  

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee - in-person attendance (includes tea/coffee) £120.00
Course Fee - virtual attendance £110.00
Baguette Lunch £7.30
Hot Lunch £19.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutors

Dr Mai Musié

Speaker

Mai is a humanities researcher and public engagement specialist. Her research explores race and ethnicity in the ancient world. She combines academic rigor with her practical experience to enhance community engagement, outreach and education. Mai has received numerous awards for her impactful public engagement projects; and has experience in the media through her television and radio appearances. 

Prof Malcolm Gaskill

Speaker

Malcolm Gaskill is an Emeritus Professor of Early Modern History at the University of East Anglia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and author of six books, including Witchfinders (2005), Witchcraft: A Very Short Introduction (2011) and The Ruin of All Witches (2021), a Sunday Times Bestseller shortlisted for the Wolfson Prize for History. 

Dr Thomas Waters

Speaker

Dr. Thomas Waters is a Lecturer in History at Imperial College London and author of Cursed Britain: A History of Witchcraft and Black Magic in Modern Times (Yale, 2019). He read History at the universities of Leeds and then Oxford, and has lectured at Oxford, Derby, Hertfordshire, and Leeds, as well as for the Workers' Educational Association. He has authored a wide range of scholarly articles about the modern history of witchcraft and magic, and regularly writes and speaks for audiences beyond academia. Tom is currently working on a new history of nineteenth-century Britain.

Rebecca Rideal

Speaker and Course Director

Rebecca Rideal is a historian, award-winning podcast and TV producer and the author of 1666: Plague, War and Hellfire (2016).

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms. Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices. For more information, please see our website: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/accommodation

IT requirements

For those joining us online

We will be using Zoom for the livestreaming of this event. If you’re attending online, you’ll be able to see and hear the speakers, and to submit questions via the Zoom interface. Joining instructions will be sent out prior to the start date. We recommend that you join the session at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time – just as you might arrive a bit early at our lecture theatre for an in-person event.

Please note that this course will not be recorded.