Weyward

In Weyward, Altha stands trial for witchcraft in 1619. The timing is significant because it mirrors the peak historical period of witch persecution in Europe. Between 1560 and 1670, it is estimated that 40,000 accused witches (most of them female) were put to death. The Christian idea of demonic witchcraft and consorting with Satan emerged in the 13th century, though accusations were sporadic until the 16th century. While inquisitions, wars, and reforms were happening throughout Europe, witch trials were not universal and were concentrated in countries like Germany, England, and Scotland. They also reached North America through colonization, with the most famous American witch trials being the Salem witch trials in 1692.

The ferocity of the legal prosecutions during the mid-16th century is hard to explain. Various reasons have been given for the phenomenon, including mass hysteria, chronic petty warfare, anxiety over changing cultural norms, natural disasters, and the power struggle between Catholic and Protestant ideology. Contemporary feminist theorists argue that the changing social norms in this period—the enclosure of the commons in Europe, the emergence of capitalism, and strict Christian doctrines that dictated specific roles for women—converged into a patriarchal society that oppressed women. Alongside the Scientific Revolution, knowledge and practices that were typically passed between women, like natural healing, were viewed with suspicion. These theorists argue that witch hunts primarily served to control women’s behavior, either through direct accusations or a culture of fear. Older, unmarried women were the chief targets, and Altha’s story spotlights how healing practices were twisted into accusations of dark magic.

In the 1970s, a new theory emerged about the cause of this mass hysteria. During the era of the witch trials, Europe was experiencing a period of glacial buildup called the Little Ice Age. Lower temperatures across the continent produced cold, wet summers with a shorter growing season, and cereal crops became infected with a fungus called ergot. Ergot is toxic and has psychoactive properties when ingested. A person who eats contaminated grains might experience convulsions, hallucinations, and psychosis—symptoms similar to those described as affecting victims of witchcraft. Those who promote this theory assert that Christian religious dogma, unable to explain these symptoms, would suggest that the devil was responsible. Proponents of this theory note that the Little Ice Age reached its maximum intensity by 1650, and temperatures began to rise afterward, presumably causing a smaller quantity of infected grain to circulate in the food supply. This timeframe corresponds with the decline in witch trials in Europe.

Ergot theory is contested for various reasons, especially in the American context. Ultimately, there is no single explanation for why these events occurred; enduring over centuries across many countries, they were the result of various cultural, political, and possibly scientific factors. Considering their rich history, they are a popular lens for exploring related topics like misogyny or mass hysteria, as seen in Weyward.