The Discoverie of Witchcraft

5RR Reginald Scot, introduction by Montague Summers. Great Britain, John Rodger: Publisher, 1930. Copy No. 229/1275

Notes

The Discoverie of Witchcraft, first published in 1584 by Reginald Scot, was groundbreaking in its approach to witchcraft and the persecution of alleged witches. In a time when belief in witches was widespread and witch hunts were common, Scot’s work was radical for its skepticism about witchcraft and its challenge to the legal and religious authorities who endorsed witch trials. Scot argued that witches did not exist and that many of the supposed magical acts attributed to them were nothing more than tricks, illusions, and natural phenomena misunderstood by the ignorant. He also criticized the witch hunts, particularly their brutal and unjust nature, and he believed that the persecution of supposed witches was both un-Christian and harmful to society.

At the time of its first publication, The Discoverie of Witchcraft was controversial and met with resistance. It was considered heretical by many religious and political authorities, including figures like King James I, who had written his own book Daemonologie in 1597, which endorsed the belief in witchcraft. Scot's book was banned, and he faced backlash for his arguments against witch trials. Nonetheless, it laid an early foundation for rationalism and skepticism about the supernatural, setting the stage for later Enlightenment thinkers who would further challenge superstitions and promote scientific inquiry.

The significance of The Discoverie of Witchcraft only grew over time, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries, as it was revisited by those critical of witch hunts and witch trials. In later dates, such as the 19th and early 20th centuries, the text became an important part of historical and philosophical studies, as it was seen as a precursor to Enlightenment skepticism and a valuable critique of social and legal systems that allowed for the persecution of innocent people. The book was also revisited in the context of the growing interest in rationalism, science, and the rejection of superstition, becoming a key reference in the study of the history of witchcraft and its role in shaping modern attitudes toward reason and justice.

Description

Green canvas boards with red leather spine. Red embossed design on the front cover. Deckled edges. Gilt lettering on the spine. Fraying to the upper and lower spine, bumped corners, and rubbed extremities. Printed on specially made Dutch paper. Some scuffing, spots of discoloration, and general wear to the boards. Spine is slightly loose but fully intact. Fine condition overall.