Daemonologie, written by King James VI of Scotland and I of England and first published in 1597, is a treatise on witchcraft, sorcery, and the powers of demons. Cast as a dialogue, it defends the reality of witches, describes their supposed practices, and argues for their prosecution, reflecting the king’s personal preoccupation with the subject.
The work influenced English and Scottish witch trials and shaped popular ideas of the demonic; it is often cited as a background to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. As a royal contribution to demonology, it is a striking document of early modern belief. This free EPUB edition offers the complete text for readers of religious and cultural history.