Articles by Gunnar W Knutsen
Writing Witch-Hunt Histories, 2013
Pathways of the past. Essays in Honour of Sølvi Sogner on her 70th Anniversary 15. March 2002, 2002
Books by Gunnar W Knutsen
I århundrene etter den osmanske erobringen av Konstantinopel i 1453 var Europa preget av en rekke... more I århundrene etter den osmanske erobringen av Konstantinopel i 1453 var Europa preget av en rekke kriger og konflikter som kan defineres som religionskriger. I noen av disse stod kampen mellom kristne og muslimer, selv om bildet ikke er like entydig når vi ser på sammensetningen av de kjempende hærene. Andre konflikter stod mellom forskjellige kristne denominasjoner, som kalvinismen, lutheranismen og katolisismen. Felles for disse krigene var at religion var en del av motivasjonen for og rettferdiggjøringen av krigføringen.
I Religionskrig i Europa 1450–1700 tar Gunnar W. Knutsen leseren med på en reise i religionskrigenes historie fra Konstantinopels fall og den kristne gjenerobringen av Granada, via sjøkrigen i Middelhavet, franske religionskriger og engelsk borgerkrig, til en tid hvor religion gradvis mistet betydning for krigføringen i Europa.
This book offers a systematic study of the trials for superstition in the Spanish Inquisition’s t... more This book offers a systematic study of the trials for superstition in the Spanish Inquisition’s two tribunals in Valencia and Barcelona in the period 1478-1700. One of the most intriguing contrasts between the trials in northern and southern Spain is that while both areas saw a large number of trials for superstition, Valencia did not conduct trials for demonological witchcraft. Catalonia, on the other hand, saw a large number of such trials, the majority of which occurred in secular courts.
These contrasts bring into focus significant differences in culture and mythology. The Barcelona Inquisition was unable to enforce its jurisdiction over trials for diabolical witchcraft, while the Valencian Inquisition was able to do just that because Valencians rejected the demonological concept of witchcraft. This was due mainly to the Valencians’ own magical culture which emphasized man’s ability to control and force demons, but also to the fact that Moriscos formed the majority of the rural population, which was the primary focus of witchcraft trials in Europe. By comparing the Catalan and Valencian tribunals, the book thus seeks to explain the absence in the southern half of Spain of brujas, witches who gave their souls to the devil, flew through the night, took part in wild orgies at the witches’ sabbat, and caused death and destruction through magical means.
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Articles by Gunnar W Knutsen
Books by Gunnar W Knutsen
I Religionskrig i Europa 1450–1700 tar Gunnar W. Knutsen leseren med på en reise i religionskrigenes historie fra Konstantinopels fall og den kristne gjenerobringen av Granada, via sjøkrigen i Middelhavet, franske religionskriger og engelsk borgerkrig, til en tid hvor religion gradvis mistet betydning for krigføringen i Europa.
These contrasts bring into focus significant differences in culture and mythology. The Barcelona Inquisition was unable to enforce its jurisdiction over trials for diabolical witchcraft, while the Valencian Inquisition was able to do just that because Valencians rejected the demonological concept of witchcraft. This was due mainly to the Valencians’ own magical culture which emphasized man’s ability to control and force demons, but also to the fact that Moriscos formed the majority of the rural population, which was the primary focus of witchcraft trials in Europe. By comparing the Catalan and Valencian tribunals, the book thus seeks to explain the absence in the southern half of Spain of brujas, witches who gave their souls to the devil, flew through the night, took part in wild orgies at the witches’ sabbat, and caused death and destruction through magical means.
I Religionskrig i Europa 1450–1700 tar Gunnar W. Knutsen leseren med på en reise i religionskrigenes historie fra Konstantinopels fall og den kristne gjenerobringen av Granada, via sjøkrigen i Middelhavet, franske religionskriger og engelsk borgerkrig, til en tid hvor religion gradvis mistet betydning for krigføringen i Europa.
These contrasts bring into focus significant differences in culture and mythology. The Barcelona Inquisition was unable to enforce its jurisdiction over trials for diabolical witchcraft, while the Valencian Inquisition was able to do just that because Valencians rejected the demonological concept of witchcraft. This was due mainly to the Valencians’ own magical culture which emphasized man’s ability to control and force demons, but also to the fact that Moriscos formed the majority of the rural population, which was the primary focus of witchcraft trials in Europe. By comparing the Catalan and Valencian tribunals, the book thus seeks to explain the absence in the southern half of Spain of brujas, witches who gave their souls to the devil, flew through the night, took part in wild orgies at the witches’ sabbat, and caused death and destruction through magical means.