ROUGH INJUSTICE

WELCOME

Tens of thousands of people across Europe have

1977 A MAMMOTH TASK

GETTY IMAGES In 1977, a miner in the

c1925 MAMBO ITALIANO

GETTY IMAGES Dancing is a fantastic way to

1936 MOVE OVER, MAD MEN!

GETTY IMAGES Clever Copenhagen clothier Christian Troelstrup certainly

THE HISTORY OF WITCHCRAFT

QUIZ Would you have been accused of witchcraft

WICCA’S WORLD

Claire Slack reveals how a new magical movement flourished in the 20th century

TEMPLES, TRADITIONS AND... TIKTOK?

Today’s witches come in all shapes and sizes, with many sharing their beliefs online

GET HOOKED

If we’ve whetted your appetite for the history of witchcraft, why not explore the topic further with our pick of books, films and podcasts

ONLINE AND AUDIO

► Salem: Investigating the Witch Trials: A fascinating

THINGS WE LEARNED THIS MONTH...

RECENT HISTORY HEADLINES THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE

Jouster at the Royal Armouries

MEET THE PEOPLE BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE

Ramblers take part in the Kinder Scout trespass

ANNIVERSARIES THAT HAVE MADE HISTORY

PARANORMAL COLD CASE

INVESTIGATING HISTORY’S MOST SPINE-CHILLING ENCOUNTERS

The Declaration of Arbroath

YOUR BRIEF EXPLAINER TO HISTORY’S HOT TOPICS

George Washington: the father of a nation

THE LIVES OF HISTORY’S MOST FAMOUS FIGURES

Q&A YOU ASK, WE ANSWER

HISTORY’S GREATEST CONUNDRUMS AND MYSTERIES SOLVED

TV, FILM & RADIO

THE LATEST DOCUMENTARIES, BLOCKBUSTERS AND PERIOD DRAMAS

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO VISIT IN THE WIDER WORLD OF HISTORY

BOOKS & PODCASTS

THIS MONTH’S BEST HISTORICAL READS AND LISTENS

PODCAST: WHAT TO LISTEN TO...

Each month we bring you three of our favourite podcast offerings from the BBC and HistoryExtra

HISTORICAL FICTION...

Theatre of Marvels By Lianne Dillsworth Hutchinson Heinemann,

CROSSWORD

LETTERS

Reader Stanfield Hill was inspired to share his

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Explore the dramatic story of American independence, and the men and women who made it happen

PHOTO FINISH

ARRESTING IMAGES FROM THE ANNALS OF THE PAST

SIX CENTURIES OF FEAR AND PERSECUTION

A CAULDRON OF CULTURES

Professor Ronald Hutton reveals how ancient civilisations helped shape early modern beliefs about witches and witchcraft

TWO NOTORIOUS WITCH TRIALS

A 1794 engraving of Elizabeth Sawyer, published more

ON THE PROWL

Hunting witches was a lucrative profession, giving plucky vigilantes the opportunity to earn high wages and gain social standing within communities gripped by fear and worry

SCOTL AND’S WITCH HUNTS

Astonishing numbers of suspected ‘witches’ faced trial, torture and execution north of the border, as these stories and statistics demonstrate

FACT OR FICTION?

Most people’s knowledge of ‘witches’ stems from popular horror tropes involving warty-faced women stirring cauldrons, or innocent young girls being drowned in ponds. But how much of this is based on pure mythology? Professor Owen Davies addresses eight popular misconceptions about the history of witchcraft in Europe

ISLAND OF THE DEAD

In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, some people still claim they have the ability to practise magic and command zonbi spirits. Professor Lauren Derby explores the history behind this unique form of Caribbean sorcery

AN AMERICAN HORROR STORY

In 1692 and 1693, the New England settlement of Salem was gripped by a witch-hunting frenzy that would leave more than a dozen people dead – and countless lives ruined

WHY DID THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS HAPPEN?

A complex mixture of factors only left the settlers feeling more unsettled

SARAH BIFFIN: Artist, writer, trailblazer

Nige Tassell explores the life and career of the disabled English painter whose work is set to be the focus of a major new exhibition later this year

Biffin’s legacy today

Art dealer, art historian, writer and broadcaster Philip Mould OBE explains why he has decided to hold an exhibition dedicated to Sarah Biffin’s achievements, which will open at his London gallery later in 2022

WHAT GREAT PAINTINGS SAY

Vincent van Gogh’s stark portrayal of physical and mental ill-health carries an important message of hope and determination

SEEING DOUBLE

As German aircraft attacked Paris during WWI, one man had an idea: what if you could fool the enemy into dropping their bombs elsewhere? Gavin Mortimer tells the story behind an audacious wartime ruse

WWII’S PHANTOM ARMY

Deception would also play a crucial role during the Allied invasion of France in 1944

WHAT IF... THE OTTOMANS HAD WON AT LEPANTO?

Professor Marc David Baer talks to Jonny Wilkes about the infamous 1571 naval battle, and whether or not an Ottoman victory against the Catholic Holy League would have made a substantial difference to the empire’s ambitions anyway