The end of the 18th century saw the end of witch trials. This volume charts the processes and reasons for decriminalizing witchcraft. It also surveys the social role of witchcraft in European communities to the end of the 19th century.

Part 1 The decline and end of witchcraft prosecutions, Brian P. Levack. Part 2 Witchcraft after the witch trials, Marijke Gijswijt-Hofstra. Part 3 Witchcraft and magic in enlightenment, romantic and liberal thought, Roy Porter.