A number of historians have linked the rise in concerns about magic and witchcraft during the early modern period to the constant state of insecurity brought about by bad weather, religious conflict, inflation, famine, disease, and war. Especially during wartime, death was always close at hand. For those most vulnerable to the fortunes of war and poverty, resort to magic for protection was a logical choice. This talk will explore the commonplace art of enchanting weapons in early modern Germany. This category of magic included not only magic swords, arrows, and bullets, but also the use of weaponry (especially swords and knives) as tools for conjuring, casting spells, and treasure-hunting. Weapons spells were overwhelmingly used by male actors, and often employed ingredients and methods associated with learned fields including medicine, theology, and alchemy. Demonization of magical practices in periods of witch-hunting only upped the bravado factor, as men chose personal agency over obedience, directly challenging both worldly and spiritual authority in order to attain a supernatural advantage over their adversaries.

B. Ann Tlusty is a social and cultural historian and Professor of History (emerita) at Bucknell University who specializes in gendered behaviors and social identity in early modern Europe. Her current research project examines the construct of masculinity in early modern Germany especially as it related to the relationship between magic and science. Her publications include The Martial Ethic in Early Modern Germany: Civic Duty and the Right of Arms (2011); Bacchus and Civic Order: The Culture of Drink in Early Modern Augsburg (2001); and numerous anthologies, articles, and source editions on social-historical topics including drinking, gambling, fighting, martial sports, civic defense, martial magic, and the social history of language "from below."

We cordially invite you to our public lecture in Vilnius.
Language: English

The lecture will be held at the Vilnius University Faculty of History, auditorium 211.

Moderation: Dr. Kirill Lewinson (Max Weber Netzwerk Osteuropa)

The event is organized by our branch office in Vilnius, in cooperation with the Max Weber Netzwerk Osteuropa.

Abb. Schatzsuche. Illustration aus Francesco Petrarca, Von der Artzney bayder Glück (1532), fol. 71r.