Witchcraft accusations were an ‘occupational hazard’ for female workers in early modern England

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Witchcraft accusations were an ‘occupational hazard’ for female workers in early modern England

Women’s working conditions increased the odds of them being suspected as witches, according to a new analysis of an English astrologer’s case files from the early 17^th century.

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While both men and women have historically been accused of the malicious use of magic, only around 10–30% of suspected witches were men by the 16^th and 17^th centuries.*  

This bias towards women is often attributed to misogyny as well as economic hard times. Now, a Cambridge historian has added another contributing factor to the mix.  

Dr Philippa Carter argues that the types of employment open to women at the time came with a much higher risk of facing allegations of witchcraft, or maleficium.

Read More: University of Cambridge