The History of The Salem Witch Trials

About this event

Uncover what really happened in Salem, why accusations spread, and how fear, conflict and power turned suspicion deadly. Followed by Q&A. How did the testimony of a few young girls lead to the deaths of 20 people? The Salem witch trials are among history’s most mythologised events, but the reality is stranger and more revealing than the legend. Step into late-17th-century Massachusetts, where small Puritan settlements were under immense pressure. War and displacement strained resources, the surrounding forests were associated with danger and the devil, and fear threatened already fragile communities. When three girls began suffering mysterious fits, suspicion first fell on outsiders before spreading through Salem. Learn how accusation, religious anxiety, conflict and local power combined to make the Salem witch trials possible. Explore why attention turned towards older women with influence and what this reveals about gender and power. Discover the difference between popular myth and historical reality. Gain a deeper understanding of what Salem can teach us about scapegoating and the speed at which fear becomes deadly. Diane Purkiss is Professor of English at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Keble College. She has published widely on witchcraft, fairies and the English Civil War. This period saw England’s largest witch hunt. She has appeared in more than a dozen television documentaries and regularly speaks to general audiences at literary festivals and local history societies. Will I get a recording of this event? Yes, all tickets will gain access to the recording. We will email out the recording 24-48 hours after the event. Please check the same email address you used to book your Eventbrite tickets (check your junk folder too!) Where can I find my Zoom link for livestream events? Your Zoom link will be included in the order confirmation and reminder emails which are sent to you by Eventbrite. If you cannot find these emails, please ensure you check which email address you have used to sign up to eventbrite as it will always be sent to that email address.