Author

Jan Machielsen

Browse every available title by Jan Machielsen on one shelf.

4 titles in the catalog 1 related series 84/100 editorial score

See the books

Selected shelf

Cover of The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History

Cover of The Science of Demons: Early Modern Authors Facing Witchcraft and the Devil Machielsen, Jan

Series by this author Routledge Studies in the History of Witchcraft, Demonology and Magic 2

About the author

Jan Machielsen is a historian at Cardiff University working on early modern demonology, witchcraft, and intellectual history. The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History, published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2024 and winner of a 2025 PROSE Award in European History, reconstructs the 1609 trials in the Pays de Labourd, in which two judges oversaw the execution of up to eighty people in four months. The Science of Demons: Early Modern Authors Facing Witchcraft and the Devil examines how physicians, lawyers, and theologians across early modern Europe argued over the reality and limits of demonic power. His earlier study, Martin Delrio: Demonology and Scholarship in the Counter-Reformation, published by the British Academy, recovers the broader scholarly career of the Jesuit demonologist best known for his 1599 treatise Disquisitiones magicae. Machielsen's books are archival, source-based studies aimed at readers of early modern religious and legal history rather than at practitioners of magic.

📖 Where to start with Jan Machielsen

The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History If you're captivated by the untold stories behind historical events, or seek a deeper understanding of the social complexities that fueled European witch-hunts, this book is… Open the book → The Science of Demons: Early Modern Authors Facing Witchcraft and the Devil Machielsen, Jan If you're fascinated by the history of ideas, the interplay of religion and science, or the dark currents of early modern European thought, this book is for you. Open the book → Martin Delrio: Demonology and Scholarship in the Counter-Reformation Machielsen, Jan If you're captivated by the intersection of occult history, religious studies, and early modern scholarship, this book is essential. Open the book →

Esoteric Meaning

Concepts in these books

Witchcraft →Demonology →Demons →

💬 What our editors say about Jan Machielsen's books

“Machielsen delivers a rigorous, evidence-based reconstruction that dismantles the myth of the lone bigoted judge. However, this academic depth may alienate casual readers seeking narrative flair or simple moral clarity. It is not…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History

“Jan Machielsen provides a rigorous academic analysis that may feel dense to casual readers or those seeking sensationalist accounts of witchcraft trials. This book is not suited for individuals looking for practical magical…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Science of Demons: Early Modern Authors Facing Witchcraft and the Devil Machielsen, Jan

“Machielsen provides a rigorous academic resurrection of Martin Delrio’s intellectual legacy, meticulously detailing his contributions to philology and classical text editing. This is a dense, scholarly reconstruction that demands…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Martin Delrio: Demonology and Scholarship in the Counter-Reformation Machielsen, Jan

More authors on this shelf: Witchcraft & Wicca Books

Rachel Patterson (25)Arin Murphy-Hiscock (23)Melusine Draco (22)Montague Summers (21)Christopher Penczak (19)Morgan Daimler (19)Deborah Blake (18)Marion Gibson (16)

📋 Editions by Jan Machielsen in the catalog

Edition	Year	Publisher	Pages	ISBN
The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History	2024	Bloomsbury Academic	344	9781350441507
The Science of Demons: Early Modern Authors Facing Witchcraft an	2020	Routledge	324	9781138571839
Martin Delrio: Demonology and Scholarship in the Counter-Reforma	2015	British Academy	450	9780197265802
The Science of Demons: Early Modern Authors Facing Witchcraft an	2020	Routledge	324	9781138571815

❓ Jan Machielsen: frequently asked

How many books by Jan Machielsen are in the catalog?

We carry 4 books by Jan Machielsen, all available to order with fast US shipping.

Which book by Jan Machielsen should I read first?

Start with “The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History” — If you're captivated by the untold stories behind historical events, or seek a deeper understanding of the social complexities that fueled European witch-hunts, this book is… The rest of the shelf is on this page.

How much do books by Jan Machielsen cost?

Books by this author run $35–$170. Current price and availability are shown next to each title.

Does Jan Machielsen have a book series?

Yes — Routledge Studies in the History of Witchcraft, Demonology and Magic. The series are listed at the top of this page, each with its reading order.