SEED Talks: The History of Witchcraft and Feminism
Schedule
Wed Aug 27 2025 at 05:45 pm to 09:30 pm
UTC+00:00Location
The Middlesbrough Empire | Middlesbrough, EN
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SEED TALKS Presents...The History of Witchcraft & Feminism
The image of the witch is often portrayed as a female figure, closely tied to the perception of witchcraft as a female crime. Throughout centuries of European witchcraft history, women were the main targets of accusations, trials, and executions, reinforcing the connections between witchcraft and societal expectations of women.
When examined through a feminist lens, the history of witchcraft reveals how patriarchal structures have weaponised the fear of witchcraft to control and oppress women. Many feminist scholars argue that the persecution of witches served as a means to enforce gender roles, limit female autonomy, and maintain male dominance. But was this truly the case?
This talk will look at the real-life stories of individuals tried by the Roman Inquisition during the early modern period, exploring the lives, beliefs, and magical practices of both women and men accused of witchcraft by their communities. We will ultimately challenge the idea that witchcraft was solely a female crime.
Doors open at 6:45pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!
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Speaker Bio
Dr Debora Moretti is a historian and archaeologist, and is currently a researcher at the University of Hertfordshire and the Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (CREMS) at the University of York. After a career in both academic and commercial archaeology, focusing on the material evidence of magic and witchcraft in archaeological contexts, Debora completed her PhD in History at the University of Bristol (UK). Her research, which formed part of the Leverhulme Trust-funded project "The Figure of the Witch," supervised by Professor Ronald Hutton, was dedicated to the image of witches and witchcraft in late medieval and early modern Italy.
Testimonials from our guests
⭐ Truly riveting talks, always enjoy these - a great way to spend an evening with some pals. Already looking forward to the next one. - Alexander P
⭐ Expertly run, talks are always super informative and a lot of fun! Couldn’t recommend these enough! 5 star. - Owen S
⭐ Been to a few talks and all have been super interesting. An enjoyable evening to go to either alone or with friends. The talks make for stimulating conversation. Highly recommend! - Daisy J
Disclaimer:
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Where is it happening?
The Middlesbrough Empire, The Middlesbrough Empire, Middlesbrough, EN, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
