Open AccessWitchcraft against Royal Danish Ships in 1589 and the Transnational Transfer of Ideas
Author(s) -
Liv Helene Willumsen
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international review of scottish studies/international review of scottish studies.
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1923-5763
pISSN - 1923-5755
DOI - 10.21083/irss.v45i0.5801
Subject(s) - danish , narrative , context (archaeology) , history , genealogy , classics , ancient history , literature , archaeology , art , philosophy , linguistics
This article deals with transnational transfer of ideas about witchcraft at the end of the sixteenth century. The outset is alleged witchcraft performed against a royal Danish fleet that was to carry Princess Anne across the North Sea to her husband, King James VI of Scotland, autumn 1589, and following trials in Copenhagen. These include court records from witchcraft trials and diplomatic correspondence between Denmark, England and Scotland. By close-readings of these texts, a multi-layered narrative emerges. The article sheds light on the routes for transmission of witchcraft ideas, as well as the contemporary context for interpreting witchcraft notions.