In the late 16th century, Europe was in the grip of a brutal witch hunt fever. Thousands were tortured and burnt at the stake. Up to 40,000 people may have been killed in France and Germany. England and Scotland were almost untouched by witch persecutions until King James decided to launch his own personal war on witchcraft. It likely fueled the Salem witch trials in the US a hundred years later.

In the late 16th century, Europe was in the grip of a brutal witch hunt fever. Thousands were tortured and burnt at the stake. Up to 40,000 people may have been killed in France and Germany. England and Scotland were almost untouched by witch persecutions until King James decided to launch his own personal war on witchcraft. It likely fueled the Salem witch trials in the US a hundred years later.