Witch trials and witch related accusations were at a high during the early modern period in britain a time that spanned from the beginning of the 16 th century to the end of the 18 th century witchcraft in this article refers to any magical or supernatural practices made by mankind. Now a leading historian of crime and society in early modern england offers the first scholarly overview of witchcraft in that country in over eighty years examining how tensions between church state and society produced widespread distrust among fearful people. Witchcraft in early modern england provides a fascinating introduction to the history of witches and witchcraft in england from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Witchcraft in early modern england provides a fascinating introduction to the history of witches and witchcraft in england from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century