King James I

No other monarch has had the impact on English literature of King James VI of Scotland, and later James I of England. His version of the bible is still widely available, and praised for its poetic imagery. In this earlier book (first published in 1597), James took on the task of proving witches were real, and dangerous.Around this time other authors (such as Reginald Scott) were arguing that the fear of witchcraft was irrational and unfounded, and that any proof available was the result of panic, prejudice and sleight of hand. James however, who had prosecuted witches personally, believed that they were all too real, and servants of Satan besides. He would inspire later witch hunters, and also Shakespeare, who used the book as the basis for the witches in Macbeth.

This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. So that the book is never forgotten we have represented this book in a print format as the same form as it was originally first published. Hence any marks or annotations seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.

Although he did not know it at the time, the author of this book, King James, was to become one of the most influential people in mankind's religious history. He was responsible for the widely accepted King James Bible, based in part on the beliefs set forth in this book. Written directly by his own hand, it is shown that he believed himself to be an instrument of God. He believed in Satan and that his mission was to seek out and kill "witches" (the Devil's ministers). He was convinced that they had tried to cast spells and kill him on numerous occasions. This book provides the reader with an interesting psychological profile of this man -- revealing his mindset and the tactics used to hold sway over his people.