Witchcraft was persecuted in the United Kingdom in the 17th century the same way it was persecuted in Colonial America. King James I of England ruled America until 1625, during which time he impacted and was influenced by laws throughout the rest of the United Kingdom, including Ireland. As Great Britain had such a powerful and lasting effect on America, especially Salem, reading about the opinions and laws regarding witchcraft is a great way to gain context for the Salem Witch Trials. This book looks in-depth at famous witches and wizards of 17th-century Ireland, as well as at the beliefs about witchcraft and demonology at the time. Additionally, this book looks at what were thought to be cures for witchcraft, and includes some information about American witchcraft during the later 1680s. It also brings up rulers in the United Kingdom and Irish witch trials.
