The works selected for this volume are taken from topical literature representing the prosecution of English women for witchcraft between 1566 and 1712. The stories are unique, full of questions, anomalies and confusing details and they appeared in large enough numbers to show that they were fascinating to a public that included both the literate and those who could listen to others read. The texts here were chosen to represent all the ways in which women"s activities as witches were presented in "popular" literature rather than texts aimed at a more leisured and literate readership.