Book one of the New York Times-bestselling All Souls trilogy—"a wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy with all the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight” (People). All three seasons of the hit TV series “A Discovery of Witches” are streaming now on AMC+, Sundance Now and Shudder. Deborah Harkness's sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, and concludes with The Book of Life. The story now comes alive in an incredibly lush eponymous TV series, starring Teresa Palmer (I Am Number Four, Hacksaw Ridge) and Matthew Goode (Match Point, The Imitation Game).

Scholarly reprint of the writings of the Witchfinder General and his accomplice.

Thomas Potts, a prominent figure in the legal world of the early 17th century, penned 'Discovery of Witches. The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster' to meticulously document the infamous Pendle witch trials of 1612. Written in a straightforward and factual style, the book provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the trials, the testimonies of witnesses, and the proceedings in court. Potts's work serves as a valuable historical and legal resource, shedding light on the superstitions and fears surrounding witchcraft in that era. The book's significance lies in its role in shaping public perceptions of witchcraft and the justice system during that time. Readers will find themselves immersed in a gripping narrative that explores the intersection of law, superstition, and societal norms in 17th-century England. 'Discovery of Witches' offers a captivating glimpse into a dark chapter of history, making it a must-read for those interested in the occult, legal history, and cultural practices of the past.

Between 1645-7, John Stearne led the most significant outbreak of witch-hunting in England. As accusations of witchcraft spread across East Anglia, Stearne and Matthew Hopkins were enlisted by villagers to identify and eradicate witches. After the trials finally subsided in 1648, Stearne wrote his only publication, A confirmation and discovery of witchcraft, but it had a limited readership. Consequently, Stearne and his work fell into obscurity until the 1800s, and were greatly overshadowed by Hopkins and his text. This book is the first study which analyses Stearne’s publication and contextualises his ideas within early modern intellectual cultures of religion, demonology, gender, science, and print in order to better understand the witch-finder’s beliefs and motives. The book argues that Stearne was a key player in the trials, that he was not a mainstream ‘puritan’, and that his witch-finding availed from contemporary science. It traces A confirmation’s reception history from 1648 to modern day and argues that the lack of research focusing on Stearne has resulted in misrepresentations of the witch-finder in the historiography of witchcraft. This book redresses the imbalance and seeks to provide an alternative reading of the East Anglian witch-hunt and of England’s premier witch-hunter, John Stearne.

From the author of The Black Bird Oracle comes a fully illustrated guide to the #1 New York Times bestselling All Souls series—“an irresistible . . . wonderfully imaginative grown-up fantasy” (People). Look for the hit series “A Discovery of Witches,” now streaming on AMC+, Sundance Now, and Shudder! A world of witches, vampires, and daemons. A manuscript that holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future. Diana and Matthew—the forbidden love at the heart of the adventure. In The World of All Souls, Deborah Harkness shares the rich sources of inspiration behind her bewitching novels. She draws together synopses, character bios, maps, recipes, and even the science behind creatures, magic, and alchemy—all with her signature historian's touch. Bursting with fascinating facts and dazzling artwork, this essential handbook is a must-have for longtime fans and eager newcomers alike.

The Discovery of Witchcraft is an exposé of the early modern witchcraft. Originally published in 1584, the book was written against the belief in witches, to show that witchcraft did not exist. Part of its content exposed how feats of magic were done, and the book is often deemed the first textbook on conjuring. Moreover, the book contains a small section which describes how the charlatans were able to fool the public and why the prosecutions of the accused were unwarranted for and un-Christian. The author also provocatively held the Roman church responsible to the prosecutions. The book became highly popular as an exhaustive encyclopaedia of contemporary beliefs about witchcraft, spirits, alchemy, magic, and legerdemain. William Shakespeare also drew from his study of Scot's book hints for his picture of the witches in Macbeth, and Thomas Middleton in his play of The Witch likewise was indebted to this source.