The Devil and Demonism in Early Modern England

Nathan Johnstone looks at the ways in which beliefs about the nature of the Devil and his power in human affairs changed as a consequence of the impact of the Reformation. Departing from the established focus on demonology as a component of witchcraft he examines a wide range of religious and political milieux such as practical divinity Puritan godliness anti-popery polemic and propaganda and popular culture. The concept of the Devil that emerges not only had a profound impact on the beliefs and practices of committed Protestants but influenced the political debates of the reigns of Elizabeth I James I and Charles I as well as popular culture