Description
Vexed with Devils: Manhood and Witchcraft in Old and New England by Erika Gasser offers a groundbreaking exploration of the role of men in witchcraft and demonic possession cases in early modern England and colonial New England. While much of the historical scholarship on witch trials has focused on women as primary victims, Gasser shifts the lens to examine how patriarchal power, manhood, and authority shaped accusations, trials, and public perceptions of witchcraft and possession.
During this period, those believed to be possessed by the devil often displayed violent fits, visions, vomiting, unnatural speech, and an aversion to prayer—symptoms that could either mark them as victims of supernatural affliction or as conspirators in witchcraft. Public interpretation of these symptoms was deeply influenced by gender and societal structures. The infamous Salem witch trials and other cases of demonic possession blurred the line between suffering and subversion, revealing deeper tensions surrounding masculinity, power, and religious authority.
Gasser argues that witchcraft accusations and possession cases were not just about religious hysteria, but about who held power in a community—who could judge, control, and maintain order. While women were overwhelmingly the ones accused of witchcraft, men also played key roles in these cases—whether as accusers, possessed individuals, or authors of possession narratives. Gasser examines how men invoked concepts of manhood to defend themselves, assert dominance, or challenge authority, ultimately demonstrating that witch trials were a battleground for contested ideas of masculinity as much as they were for religious orthodoxy.
Drawing from an extensive range of primary sources, court records, and possession narratives, Gasser presents a compelling and deeply researched account of how patriarchal power shaped the decline of witchcraft trials. Vexed with Devils is an essential read for those interested in witchcraft history, gender studies, and the socio-political dynamics of early modern England and America.
Reviews
“Gasser’s book is a necessary response: a convincing treatment.” – Times Literary Supplement
“A fresh perspective on how gender influenced the trials and broader societal discussions of witchcraft.” – Reading Religion
“An important topic approached through excellent research.” – Marion Gibson, University of Exeter
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