.jpg) Title page of the first edition (1584) | |
| Author | Reginald Scot |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Published | 1584 |
| Publication place | England |
The Discoverie of Witchcraft is a book published by the English gentleman Reginald Scot in 1584, intended as an exposé of early modern witchcraft. It contains a small section intended to show how the public was fooled by charlatans, which is considered the first published material on illusionary or stage magic.
Scot believed that the prosecution of those accused of witchcraft was irrational and not Christian, and he held the Roman Church responsible. Popular belief held that all obtainable copies were burned on the accession of James I in 1603.[1]
- ^ Almond, Philip C. (2009). "King James I and the burning of Reginald Scot's The Discoverie of Witchcraft: The invention of a tradition". Notes and Queries. 56 (2): 209–213. doi:10.1093/notesj/gjp002.