🕯️ Occult Philosophy −27%

Elizabethan Demonology

✍️ Spalding, Thomas Alfred
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$34.99 $48.00 Save $13.01 (27%)
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A hardcover reprint of Thomas Alfred Spalding's classical work on Elizabethan demonology.

This volume preserves classical literature from over two thousand years ago. It focuses on general fiction subjects related to the occult. The author, Thomas Alfred Spalding, compiled these works for the Tredition Classics series. The book examines historical views on witchcraft and mysticism. It is designed for readers who want access to texts that have been unavailable for decades. The physical format is a compact hardcover. It contains one hundred twenty-four pages. The dimensions are specific and precise. This edition does not offer new interpretations. It simply republishes the original material. Readers seeking modern analysis will find this text purely archival. It serves as a direct link to older literary traditions regarding demonology.

Key Themes
Elizabethan demonology classical literature preservation historical witchcraft studies
Literary Context

This book sits within the Tredition Classics series, which aims to preserve classical literature works from over two thousand years. It was published on December eleven, two thousand twelve, as a hardcover edition. The content focuses on general fiction subjects related to the occult and witchcraft during the Elizabethan period.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Reginald Scot · Thomas Nelson · Keith Thomas's Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe
🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Tredition Classics 📅 2012 📖 124 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9783849158750
Fun Fact
Spalding’s "Elizabethan Demonology" remains an indispensable resource for understanding a pivotal period in the history of occult beliefs. It meticulously dissects the era's fears and fascinations with infernal powers, offering an academic rather than sensationalist perspective. Those seeking a practical guide to magic will be disappointed, but serious scholars and curious readers interested in cultural history, literature, and the evolution of supernatural thought will find it profoundly enlightening and a cornerstone in their library.

📝 Description: Elizabethan Demonology

Thomas Alfred Spalding presents Elizabethan Demonology as a hardcover volume within the Tredition Classics series. This publication preserves classical literature works that have remained out of print for decades. The text draws on sources spanning over two thousand years to examine historical perspectives on the occult. Readers will find a structured exploration of witchcraft and mystical traditions during the Elizabethan era. The book offers a glimpse into how demonology was understood in that specific period. The volume contains one hundred twenty-four pages bound in hardcover format. It measures twelve point seven centimeters in width, twenty point three two centimeters in length, and zero point seven nine centimeters in height. The physical object weighs zero point two five kilograms. Spalding compiles these classical works to keep them accessible to modern audiences. The content focuses on general fiction subjects related to the occult. This title suits readers interested in historical occult texts and those seeking preserved classical literature. It may not appeal to those looking for contemporary witchcraft practices or new mystical theories. The book provides a static view of past beliefs rather than active guidance. It stands as a physical archive of older writings on demonology. The publication date is December eleven, two thousand twelve. The ISBN number is ninety seven eight three eight four nine one five eight seven five zero.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Spalding’s text serves as a dense, academic survey of Elizabethan demonology rather than a narrative history. While it excels in analyzing theological treatises and legal frameworks, readers seeking dramatic storytelling or accessible popular history may find the tone dry and overly scholarly. The work is best suited for those with a background in history or theology who appreciate detailed dissections of primary sources. It does not cater to casual readers looking for entertainment or straightforward explanations of witchcraft trials without extensive contextual analysis. Those expecting vivid anecdotes about specific executions may be disappointed by the focus on broader intellectual trends and societal impacts rather than individual case studies.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars of early modern history, students of religious studies, and enthusiasts of esoteric literature will find profound value in this meticulous examination. Thomas Alfred Spalding provides a rigorous dissection of theological treatises, legal documents, and literary references that reveal the pervasive social anxieties of the time. By tracing how demonic obsession shaped the cultural imagination from the pulpit to the public stage, this book offers essential context for understanding the foundations of early modern occult thought. It is particularly rewarding for those seeking to move beyond superficial horror tropes to grasp the serious intellectual landscape where divine and diabolical boundaries were fiercely contested. This resource empowers readers to comprehend the complex interplay between faith, fear, and law that defined an era obsessed with infernal powers.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
If you're drawn to the intellectual history of the occult, the intricate beliefs surrounding early modern magic, or the cultural anxieties that shaped Shakespeare's era, this meticulous study offers profound insights. It's perfect for students and enthusiasts of historical demonology and English…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Spalding’s text serves as a dense, academic survey of Elizabethan demonology rather than a narrative history. While it excels in analyzing theological treatises and legal frameworks, readers seeking dramatic storytelling or accessible popular history may find the tone dry and overly scholarly. The work is best suited for those with a background in history or theology who appreciate detailed dissections of primary sources. It does not cater to casual readers looking for entertainment or straightforward explanations of witchcraft trials without extensive contextual analysis. Those expecting vivid anecdotes about specific executions may be disappointed by the focus on broader intellectual trends and societal impacts rather than individual case studies.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is a scholarly examination and analysis of primary sources from the Elizabethan era, offering interpretation and historical context rather than presenting the original documents themselves.
Absolutely not. Spalding's work is an academic study of historical beliefs and their societal impact, not a grimoire or a guide to engaging with the infernal.

📖 Who should read this

If you're drawn to the intellectual history of the occult, the intricate beliefs surrounding early modern magic, or the cultural anxieties that shaped Shakespeare's era, this meticulous study offers profound insights. It's perfect for students and enthusiasts of historical demonology and English literature.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Witchcraft Accusations & Fear

This volume meticulously chronicles the pervasive fear of witchcraft that gripped Elizabethan society, exploring how theological pronouncements fueled accusations and trials. It investigates the purported powers of witches, their supposed pacts with the devil, and the devastating societal impact of these widespread beliefs on communities and individuals.

The Nature of Demons

Spalding delves into the complex theological and popular understanding of demonic entities during the period. The book dissects various classifications of infernal spirits, their perceived abilities, and the myriad ways they were believed to interact with the human world, from temptation to possession, offering a comprehensive view of the era's demonological cosmology.

Literature's Dark Reflections

Beyond mere theological debate, the work illuminates how demonological beliefs permeated Elizabethan literature and drama. From Shakespeare's Macbeth to other contemporary plays and pamphlets, it analyzes how writers employed demonic figures and witchcraft narratives to explore moral dilemmas, societal anxieties, and the profound spiritual struggles of the age.

📜 Historical context

Published at a time when scholarly interest in historical occultism was burgeoning, Spalding's work stands as a foundational text in the study of early modern demonology. It helped establish a rigorous academic approach to understanding the complex interplay of theology, superstition, and burgeoning scientific thought that characterized Elizabethan England's unique spiritual landscape.

📚 Glossary

Familiar
Incubus/Succubus
Daemonologie

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on how the pervasive fear of the demonic in Elizabethan England compares to modern societal anxieties or conspiracy theories. What functions do such fears serve?
  2. Consider the role of prominent figures (like King James I) in shaping public and legal perceptions of witchcraft. How does authority influence belief systems today?
  3. How might the portrayal of supernatural evil in historical literature, as discussed in the book, have both reflected and reinforced the beliefs of its contemporary audience?

✍️ More books by this author Spalding, Thomas Alfred

All books by this author →
Elizabethan Demonology
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Spalding, Thomas Alfred
Elizabethan Demonology
$19.99
81

🏛 Books from this publisher Tredition Classics

All books from this publisher →
Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Miller, Gustavus Hindman
Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition
$49.99
81
In Search of the Unknown -46%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Chambers, Robert W
In Search of the Unknown
$24.99 $47.00
81
Palmistry for All -32%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Cheiro
Palmistry for All
$24.99 $37.00
81
The Superstitions of Witchcraft -20%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Williams, Howard
The Superstitions of Witchcraft
$19.99 $25.00
81
Elizabethan Demonology
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Spalding, Thomas Alfred
Elizabethan Demonology
$19.99
81
Telepathy Genuine and Fraudulent
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Baggally, W W
Telepathy Genuine and Fraudulent
$29.99
86

You might also like

See more →
Elizabethan Demonology
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Spalding, Thomas Alfred
Elizabethan Demonology
$19.99
81
Telepathy Genuine and Fraudulent
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Baggally, W W
Telepathy Genuine and Fraudulent
$29.99
86
In Search of the Unknown -46%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Chambers, Robert W
In Search of the Unknown
$24.99 $47.00
81
The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants -23%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Wood, Matthew
The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants
$32.95 $43.00
92
The Healing I Took Birth for: Practicing the Art of Compassion -20%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
6
Levine, Ondrea
The Healing I Took Birth for: Practicing the Art of Compassion
$22.95 $29.00
92
The Ultimate Medicine: Dialogues with a Realized Master -12%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Nisargadatta Maharaj, Robert Powell, Peter Madill
The Ultimate Medicine: Dialogues with a Realized Master
$21.95 $25.00
92
Key of the Mysteries
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Eliphas Levi, Aleister Crowley
Key of the Mysteries
$18.95
92
The Nectar of Immortality: Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj Discourses on the Eternal -38%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
3
Maharaj, Nisargadatta
The Nectar of Immortality: Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj Discourses on the Eternal
$18.95 $31.00
92
Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
2
Osborne, Arthur
Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi
$18.95 $22.00
92
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches 🏆 Bestseller
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Audre Lorde, Cheryl Clarke
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches
$17.99
92

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Esoteric Meaning

Concepts in this book

Demonology →
Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist