About the author
James Sharpe is a British historian, Professor Emeritus at the University of York, specialising in crime, society, and witchcraft in early modern England. His books, including Instruments of Darkness: Witchcraft in Early Modern England and Witchcraft in Early Modern England, trace the legal persecution of witches in England from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, examining how accusations arose, how trials proceeded, and how belief in witchcraft eventually declined among the educated classes. He also edited English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, a multi-volume chronological collection of primary sources on the subject, and wrote The Bewitching of Anne Gunter, a case study of a documented English witchcraft accusation from 1604. Sharpe's work is grounded in archival legal records rather than folklore or occult practice, and his books are standard references for readers studying the social and legal history of witch persecution in England.
📖 Where to start with James Sharpe
💬 What our editors say about James Sharpe's books
“This volume is a dense, academic exercise in archival recovery rather than a casual exploration of magical practice. It demands patience from readers seeking narrative drama or practical witchcraft insights, as it focuses…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Instruments of Darkness: Witchcraft in Early Modern England
“Sharpe delivers a dense, authoritative account that prioritizes legal and social analysis over narrative flair. While indispensable for academic study, it may disappoint readers seeking atmospheric storytelling or practical…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Witchcraft in Early Modern England Sharpe, James
“Sharpe delivers a rigorous academic text that prioritizes historiographical debate over narrative flair. While it serves as an excellent resource for understanding the judicial system and gender roles in early modern England, it…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Witchcraft in Early Modern England Sharpe, James
📋 Editions by James Sharpe in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instruments of Darkness: Witchcraft in Early Modern England | — | University of Pennsylvania | 384 | 9780812216332 |
| Witchcraft in Early Modern England Sharpe, James | 2019 | Routledge | 132 | 9781138831155 |
| Witchcraft in Early Modern England Sharpe, James | 2019 | Routledge | 132 | 9781138831162 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736 | — | Routledge | 2896 | 9781851967353 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, Vol 1 | 2003 | Routledge | 436 | 9781138753235 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, Vol 6 | 2003 | Routledge | 576 | 9781138753280 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, vol 3 | — | Routledge | 544 | 9781138753259 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, Vol 4 | 2003 | Routledge | 576 | 9781138753266 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, vol 2 | 2003 | Routledge | 368 | 9781138753242 |
| English Witchcraft, 1560-1736, Vol 5 | 2003 | Routledge | 412 | 9781138753273 |
| The Bewitching of Anne Gunter: A Horrible and True Story of Dece | — | Routledge | 256 | 9780415926911 |
