Ælfthryth’s prominence in history largely derives from her marriage to King Edgar the Peaceful, one of the most influential Anglo-Saxon monarchs. Edgar reigned as King of England from 959 to 975 CE and was instrumental in consolidating the English kingdoms and establishing centralized authority. Edgar’s first marriage was to Æthelflæd, wh

Introduction In the tapestry of English history, many figures loom large—kings, conquerors, and legendary heroes. Yet, behind many of these dominant figures stand women whose influence shaped the political and social landscape in profound ways. One such figure is Ælfthryth (also spelled Elfrida or Alfreda), often recognized as the first crowned

Witchcraft accusations frequently served as tools of social control, used to punish deviant behavior, settle scores, or scapegoat individuals during times of crisis. Hutton stresses the importance of local context in understanding the dynamics behind witch-hunts. The Decline of Witch-hunts By the 18th century, witch-hunts began to decline due to

Hutton’s scholarship has had a profound impact on both academic and popular understandings of witchcraft. Challenging Myths: He dispelled many long-held myths, such as the idea that witchcraft accusations were purely the result of misogyny or irrational fear, highlighting the multifaceted causes behind them. Linking Witchcraft and Pagan