The Discoverie of Witchcraft

A landmark sceptical treatise by the Kentish gentleman Reginald Scot, who argued that most accused witches were innocent, deluded or victims of malice, and that the claims of demonologists were unscriptural. Scot also exposed conjuring tricks and printed charms and spirit-lists that later influenced English ritual magic. Essential reading for the history of scepticism, stage magic and the English witchcraft debate.