... 1630, almost all women - in itself not surprising as church authorities and priests were all male. Theologians and judges sought to demonstrate that accused witches embodied the kingdom of the Devil. To some extent the Catholic Reformation wanted to create the idea of a satanic kingdom of evil on earth with which to juxtapose orthodoxy. "Witches", identified by common reputation sometimes stood accused of saying Latin prayers backward, or performing "black masses" while standing facing congregations", instead of facing the alter, defiantly inverting the kingdom of God. One woman was accused of consuming several husbands. Often "witches were blamed for evil that had befallen villagers: a fire, unexplained deaths of animals, or a male suddenly smitten with impotence. Most of those accused were rural, poor and single women who confronted the hostility of other villagers, particularly small town officials and wealthy peasants. It has been noted that some "witches" confessed under ...

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