European witch hunts

European witch hunts were a series of medieval and early modern episodes from the 15th to 17th centuries, involving the persecution and often execution of individuals accused of practicing witchcraft or heresy. Driven by religious, social, and political factors, these hunts targeted mostly women, but also men, based on fears of malefic magic, superstition, and societal control. Trials often relied on dubious evidence, such as confessions extracted under torture. These hunts resulted in thousands of deaths and reflect the period’s turbulent interplay of religion, fear, and authority, leaving a lasting impact on European history and legal practices.