‘This book remains a masterpiece in its combination of close source readings and excellent microanalysis. It corrects the popular misconception of a widespread witch craze in Europe and offers deep insights into the history of witchcraft and gender relations using the case study of early modern Rothenburg ob der Tauber.’—Professor Rita Voltmer, University of Trier, Germany‘Historians of witchcraft often investigate the rise of persecution. This book explores the opposite, untold story of how rumours of witchcraft were stopped from becoming witch trials, and how witch trials were prevented from escalating into witch hunts. Its approach is both brilliantly innovative and tragically useful for modern readers!’—Professor Raisa Toivo, University of Tampere, Finland
