Deposition of Abigail Williams v. George Jacobs, Sr, 1692

Trial of George Jacobs, August 5, 1692, Thomkins H. Matteson, painter, 1855 (Collection of the Peabody Essex Museum) George Jacobs, Sr. (c.1620–1692) was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials in Salem Village, Massachusetts, in 1692, and was found guilty and hanged on August 19, 1692. His son, George Jacobs, Jr. was also accused but evaded arrest. His accusers included his daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Margaret.

Theatre scene depicting two women making a call on a witch (the three of them wear theatre masks), Roman mosaic from the Villa del Cicerone in Pompeii

Hecate, the ancient Greek goddess of magic Hecate or Hekate is an ancient goddess, frequently depicted in triple form and variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, fire, light, the Moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery. She has rulership over earth, sea and sky, as well as a more universal role as Saviour (Soteira), Mother of Angels and the Cosmic World Soul.

Witch Riding Backwards On A Goat by Albrecht Dürer c. 1500

Front piece from Matthew Hopkins' The Discovery of Witches (1647), showing witches identifying their familiar spirits Matthew Hopkins (c. 1620 – 12 August 1647) was an English witchhunter whose career flourished during the time of the English Civil War. He claimed to hold the office of Witchfinder General, although that title was never bestowed by Parliament. His witchhunts mainly took place in the eastern counties of Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, and occasionally in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and Huntingdonshire.

Prince Rupert of the Rhine accompanied by his 'devil-dog' Boye in a pro-Parliamentary woodcut condemning the pair The dog Boye (died 2 July 1644 at the battle of Marston Moor), also Boy, was a celebrated and iconic white hunting poodle belonging to Prince Rupert of the Rhine in the 17th century. Puritan or Roundhead propagandists alleged that the dog was "endowed" with magical powers.

Currently writing an essay on the English witch-hunts of 1645-47. Anyone have any interest in this period?

Feel free to share any interesting facts or any wider interests in witchcraft in history :)

Giles Corey being accused in court by one of the "afflicted" girls Giles Corey (also spelled Cory or Coree, c. 1611 – September 19, 1692) was a prosperous farmer and full member of the church in early colonial America who died under judicial torture during the Salem witch trials. Corey refused to enter a plea, and was crushed to death by stone weights in an attempt to force him to do so.

Title page of A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft by John Hale, 1702