Mention witchcraft, and most people immediately think of black hats, bubbling cauldrons and cackling hags who hatch evil ...

The 43-year-old said: 'We did a bit of research on them and they are in there to ward off evil spirits and witches ... He said: 'It has got some real historic interest to it and it is one ...

the powers of evil were thought to be absolutely real; to most people Hell was an actual place and the Devil a constant threat to their souls. In particular there was a fascination with witches ...