Man As Witch: Male Witches In Central Europe -

While popular memory often associates witchcraft almost exclusively with women, the historical reality in Central Europe shows a different distribution:

: Approximately one in four (25%) accused witches in Central Europe was male. Man as Witch: Male Witches in Central Europe

Men accused of witchcraft often shared specific social characteristics that made them vulnerable: The Social Profile of the Male Witch :

: Most were poor peasants or artisans, representing a sample of the ordinary population rather than social elites. Man as Witch: Male Witches in Central Europe

: In many Catholic territories, the number of male witch cases rose markedly in the 17th century as the traditional female witch stereotype began to break down. The Social Profile of the Male Witch

: In certain areas of the Holy Roman Empire between 1530 and 1730, the percentage of male victims ranged from 13% to 27%. In some specific regions like Carinthia, men formed the majority at 68% of those accused.