History Main / WitchHunt

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Yes, it wasn't all just wild accusations from superstitious peasants. Some people actually claimed to ''be'' witches and possess magical powers. Such people were condemned not as witches but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Yes, it wasn't all just wild accusations from superstitious peasants. Some people actually claimed to ''be'' witches and possess magical powers. Such people were condemned not as witches but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Yes, it wasn't all just wild accusations from superstitious peasants. Some people actually claimed to ''be'' witches and possess magical powers. Such people were condemned not as witches but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Yes, it wasn't all just wild accusations from superstitious peasants. Some people actually claimed ''to be'' witches and possess magical powers. Such people were condemned not as witches but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but also was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Yes, it wasn't all just wild accusations from superstitious peasants. Some people actually claimed ''to be'' witches and possess magical powers. Such people were condemned not as witches but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but also was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Yes, some people actually claimed to ''be'' witches and possess magical powers. Such people were condemned not as witches but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but also was primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches for help and revert to paganism. Such people were therefore condemned simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods or powers). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century understanding. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims from lynchings, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Such people were therefore condemned simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods or powers). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims from lynchings, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Such people were therefore condemned simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods or powers). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. It's true the condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims from lynchings, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Such people were therefore condemned not as "witches" but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods or powers). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Such people were therefore condemned not as "witches" but simply as heretics (i.e. believing in false gods or powers). Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Such people were condemned therefore not as "witches" but simply as heretics. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The condemnation of belief in witches was partially to protect innocent victims, but primarily out of concern that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby revert to paganism. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our more current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant by "witch" does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The fear was less that innocent victims would be lynched, and more that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby continue in pagan beliefs and practices. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our more current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, this seemingly straightforward condemnation can be misleading today, as what they meant does not correspond exactly to our 21st century idea of witches. "Witchcraft" at the time was connected with paganism, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The fear was less that innocent victims would be lynched, and more that peasants would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and thereby continue in pagan beliefs and practices. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Gradually, the idea of witchcraft moved away from "invoking pagan gods" and more towards our more current understanding of witchcraft as a "deal with the Devil," and actual witch hunts started receiving official sanction only (ironically) at the start of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, while this was partially out of concern for innocent victims, it was not the primary reason. "Witchcraft" was connected with pagan rituals, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The fear was less that peasants would lynch innocent victims, and more that they would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and continue observing pagan beliefs and practices. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread. Actual witch hunts didn't start receiving official sanction until (ironically) the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, while this was partially out of concern for innocent victims, it was not the primary reason. "Witchcraft" was connected with pagan rituals, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The fear was less that peasants would lynch innocent victims, and more that they would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and continue observing pagan beliefs and practices. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that ''only'' the Christian God was legitimate. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread, and sporadic lynchings did take place. However, actual witch hunts didn't start receiving official sanction until (ironically) the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, the situation with witchcraft and witch hunts in the medieval period was far more nuanced than many expect. Throughout the Middle Ages, the official position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. However, while this was partially out of concern for innocent victims, it was not the primary reason. "Witchcraft" was connected with pagan rituals, and belief in pagan gods and spirits remained widespread among the common people even after the Christianization of Europe. The fear was less that peasants would lynch innocent victims, and more that they would ''willingly'' turn to witches and sorcerers for help and continue observing pagan beliefs and practices. Claiming witchcraft did not exist at all was an attempt to impress on them the idea that the ''only'' supernatural power that existed was the Christian God. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread, and sporadic lynchings did take place. However, actual witch hunts didn't start receiving official sanction until (ironically) the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, witch hunts in Europe were a fairly ''un''-medieval phenomenon. Throughout the Middle Ages, the position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. Joan of Arc, for example, was condemned on charges of heresy (i.e. claiming false divine visions), not witchcraft. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread among the common people and even some clergy, and sporadic lynchings did take place. However, actual witch hunts didn't start receiving official sanction until (ironically) the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Despite the stereotype, witch hunts were a fairly ''un''-medieval phenomenon. Throughout the Middle Ages, the position of the Church was that witches and witchcraft did not exist. Believing and teaching that witches existed was actually considered heresy, and killing anyone for "being a witch" was considered murder. Joan of Arc, for example, was condemned on charges of heresy (i.e. claiming false divine visions), not witchcraft. Nevertheless, despite the official Church position and their efforts, belief in witchcraft remained widespread among the common people and even some clergy, and sporadic lynchings did take place. However, actual witch hunts didn't start receiving official sanction until (ironically) the Renaissance and Early Modern Era.

* Because UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition had [[FairForItsDay insisted that ordinary standards of evidence applied in witchcraft cases]], they didn't have witch hunts as France or Germany did. The sole witch hunt was the Basque witch trials, which was more limited than most, with some judges expressing open skepticism of the charges. In the end, although some ''5,000'' were accused of witchcraft, only 15 were actually convicted and burned. The Spanish Inquisition therefore abandoned its prosecutions of witchcraft a century before Protestant governments.

* ''Monster Girl Quest'' has a "Witch Hunting Village" and its officers going around accusing people into witchcraft then take them to the mayor's manor. Ironically, the mastermind is a [[MadScientist mad witch and scientist]] herself.

* In Creator/DanAbnett's Literature/GauntsGhosts novel ''Ghostmaker'', Gaunt's enemies Sturm and Gilbear tell the Inquisition of Brin Milo's knacks. Inquisitor Lilith investigates him to see if he's a psyker, Although she knows that his enemies have already tried to murder him and his regiment and are doing this to bring him down. She drags Gaunt in, to shoot Milo if the suspicions are founded. This will allow her to keep Sturm from using it as an excuse to turn the regiment over to the Inquisition, which very few would survive. (Fortunately, Milo escapes.)
* Creator/RobinHobb's ''Literature/{{Farseer}}'' books include a specific form of magic, the Wit, which is basically animal-communion abilities and some empathy abilities rolled into one. Witted get all sorts of benefits from their magic, and it sounds as if it would be completely awesome to have... if it weren't for the fact that Witted are treated in much the same way as "real life" witches, blamed for using their magic in completely absurd (and impossible) ways. As it stands, even being ''suspected'' of being Witted is enough for a good old-fashioned lynching.
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer around Witch Mountain in Creator/AlexanderKey's ''Literature/EscapeToWitchMountain'' join in the hunt for the kids - carrying guns, not TorchesAndPitchforks. Father O'Day points out to them that they could very easily kill their own neighbours' kids in their desire to kill witches.

* In ''Literature/TheWitchOfBlackbirdPond'', when a serious illness sweeps the town, angry residents begin looking for someone to blame as children start dying. They immediately go to fetch Hannah Tupper, whom the town has always whispered about being a witch. When Kit helps her escape, their anger and accusations turn on her.

--> The humans you rightfully distrust will rise to arms in their fear and hatred to obliterate Scornubel, all drow they find, and anything else up and down the Sword Coast that they can call 'drow', or 'friend of drow'.
* In Creator/DevonMonk's ''Literature/DeadIron'', [=LeFel=] resorts to this when magical means fail to control Mae.
* Inverted in ''[[Literature/SixteenThirtyTwo 1635: The Dreeson Incident]]''. Here, the targets of the angry organized mobs ''are the witch-hunters'', along with the anti-Semites. The usual excesses are mostly averted, as the mob has an actual (and accurate) list of names.
* Happens in Ellery Queen's novel ''The Glass Village'', in which a mob goes after a tramp they believe [[spoiler: murdered a local woman. The village was so certain he was guilty and would get off on a technicality if the state police took him into custody that they insisted the trial be held in the town. A judge conducts the trial but does everything "wrong" so that the man can later be freed on appeal. It turns out the tramp didn't commit the murder, which was revealed during the first trial]].
* Literature/FirstLight: As part of the backstory, the Settlers who founded Gracehope were accused of witchcraft. This was the reason for creating the city.
* The Creator/KimNewman short story "The [=McCarthy=] Witch Hunt" is set in a world where the [=McCarthyists=] are actually hunting real witches rather than communists, but everything else about them is the same. The plot of the story is two FBI agents hounding a suburban housewife named [[Series/{{Bewitched}} Samantha Stevens]].
* ''Literature/BornWicked'' takes place in an AlternateUniverse version of America that is ruled by the Brotherhood, a very conservative group of men. The Brotherhood is on an ongoing witch hunt, and the witch protagonists are permanently in danger of being found out and executed.
* Tiffany Aching, main character her own mini-series within the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' books, got started on the path to witchdom as a result of a small witch-hunt, in which her community took out their frustrations on a defenseless old widow and burned down her house, then shunned her until she starved to death. Tiffany largely became a real witch to prevent any such tragedy from happening again.
** ''Literature/IShallWearMidnight'', a later Tiffany Aching book, concerns the Cunning Man, who used to be an extravagantly zealous witch hunter and whose spirit has become essentially the AnthropomorphicPersonification of a Witch Hunt.
** Miss Tick is a witch who appears mainly in the Tiffany Aching books. In the Ramtops witches are, for the most part, highly respected if not always ''popular'' members of society, but Miss Tick travels extensively and often finds herself in places where witches are anathema. She's written books and disseminated stories on how to kill witches which tend to amount to "Feed them well, keep them overnight in a warm, dry place with a comfortable bed, then kill them in the morning by tying their hands and feet with this special knot and drowning them in a river." Miss Tick is an escape artist (and the particular knot specified is easy to untie) and always carries a breathing straw.

* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E21TheDrumhead The Drumhead]]", the Enterprise suffers the near-catastrophic failure of a critical engine part in the wake of uncovering a Klingon spy. Suspecting sabotage as well, and armed with reams of circumstantial evidence, TheFederation investigator rapidly begins searching for scapegoats. In the end, it turns out that the part that failed was merely defective, not sabotaged. Unfortunately, the investigator refuses to accept the evidence as presented, going after a promising young crewman shortly before she self-destructs by way of a hateful, mindless tirade against a "suspect" merely for being a Romulan. A note for such villains, don't play political/diplomatic games with [[TheCaptain Jean-Luc Picard]]. After this, the visibly distraught investigator comes to her senses, realizes that her entire case has just ''collapsed'' because of her outburst, and follows up with a small 'I have nothing more to say'. Surely the best way to end a Witch Hunt.

* An episode of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' saw the Enterprise suffer the near-catastrophic failure of a critical engine part in the wake of uncovering a Klingon spy. Suspecting sabotage as well, and armed with reams of circumstantial evidence, TheFederation investigator rapidly begins searching for scapegoats. In the end, it turns out that the part that failed was merely defective, not sabotaged. Unfortunately, the investigator refuses to accept the evidence as presented, going after a promising young crewman shortly before she self-destructs by way of a hateful, mindless tirade against a "suspect". A note for such villains, don't play political/diplomatic games with [[TheCaptain Jean-Luc Picard]]. After this, the visibly distraught investigator comes to her senses, realizes that her entire case has just ''collapsed'' because of her outburst, and follows up with a small 'I have nothing more to say'. Surely the best way to end a Witch Hunt.

* UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict: Supporters of the pro-Palestinian movement have accused their opponents (supporters of the pro-Israeli movement) of inciting a political witch-hunt against them. This is because pro-Israeli activists frequently criticize pro-Palestinian activists for making actions or statements which they allege to be evidence of the pro-Palestinian side having antisemitic beliefs, which the pro-Palestinian side vehemently denies and considers to be a slanderous campaign designed to silence all criticism of Israel (not helping matters is that some legitimate antisemites have mingled with the pro-Palestinian side in the past). Within Israel, some accusations of this are made too, with Israelis opposed to the government policies on Palestinians asserting they are being persecuted for it. Naturally, they are called [[CategoryTraitor traitors]] by the government supporters. And in Palestine, Palestinians in favor of the two-state solution idea are labelled traitors by the extremist side of the pro-Palestinian movement.

* UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict: Supporters of the pro-Palestinian movement have accused their opponents (supporters of the pro-Israeli movement) of inciting a political witch-hunt against them. This is because pro-Israeli activists frequently criticize pro-Palestinian activists for making actions or statements which they allege to be evidence of the pro-Palestinian side having antisemitic beliefs, which the pro-Palestinian side vehemently denies and considers to be a slanderous campaign designed to silence all criticism of Israel (not helping matters is that some legitimate antisemites have mingled with the pro-Palestinian side in the past). Within Israel, some accusations of this are made too, with Israelis opposed to the government policies on Palestinians asserting they are being persecuted for it. Naturally, they are called [[CategoryTraitor traitors]] by the government supporters.

* UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict: Supporters of the pro-Palestinian movement have accused their opponents (supporters of the pro-Israeli movement) of inciting a political witch-hunt against them. This is because pro-Israeli activists frequently criticize pro-Palestinian activists (or at least a VocalMinority of them) for making actions or statements which they allege to be evidence of the pro-Palestinian side having antisemitic beliefs, which the pro-Palestinian side vehemently denies and considers to be a slanderous campaign designed to silence all criticism of Israel. Within Israel, some accusations of this are made too, with Israelis opposed to the government policies on Palestinians asserting they are being persecuted for it. Naturally, they are called [[CategoryTraitor traitors]] by the government supporters.