Professor Diane Purkiss Explores Witchcraft’s Past at Sold Out Event 

By Jasmine Selbie 

EVENT COVERAGE

Last night, Professor Diane Purkis delivered a lecture on “The History of Witchcraft & Women: Magic, Rituals, and the Patriarchy” in Bonar Hall.  

Professor Purkiss, who is affiliated with the University of Oxford as a Tutorial Fellow at Peebles College, specialises in various topics, including the Civil War, witchcraft, feminist literature, and folklore.  

The lecture was divided into three parts. The first part focused on the broader history of witchcraft and folklore, particularly in Scotland.  

It was striking to learn that many witches were executed in the northeast of Scotland. Purkiss has a unique approach that presents historical issues while connecting them to contemporary figures, making the history of witchcraft more relatable and easier to understand. 

Purkiss also conducted a mock witch trial, allowing the audience to experience what the questioning process would have looked like during the era. The final segment featured a Q&A session, where attendees had the opportunity to ask Purkiss about their interests. 

At the end of the session, I asked Purkiss for recommendations on where students should start their research. She suggested focusing on primary sources related to witchcraft, as these provide factual accounts of the trials.

After examining primary sources, students can explore secondary resources to understand the perspectives of critics and academics.

Purkiss also emphasised the importance of identifying personal interests within the history of witchcraft and expanding research from there. 

She recommended a recently published book titled “Contagious Enemies: The Aberdeen Witch Trials” by Dee Lawlor.  

This book delves into the history of witch trials in Aberdeen, illustrating how witches were often ordinary people, such as neighbours, herbal medicine practitioners, or midwives, who faced punishment after the Witchcraft Act was enacted in 1563.  

The book includes real transcripts from that era, translated from old Scots into modern English. 

The event was organized by Seed Talks, an independent events company founded in London in 2021. Seed Talks hosts events throughout the United Kingdom, aiming to offer the public a safe and relaxed space to learn about a variety of topics, including science, philosophy, and wellness.