Hic Mortui Loquuntur: Studying Lithuanian Witchcraft
摘要
Chapter 2 reviews scholarly literature and sources on witch trials in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, providing various approaches to the research of witchcraft. It tracks the historical development of this research, starting in the nineteenth century, moving through its decline during the Soviet era, and highlighting the renewed interest and interdisciplinary efforts after the USSR’s collapse, which have so far yielded limited results. The discussion emphasizes the importance of court materials as key primary sources. While these materials hold significant research potential, their fragmentation and limitations pose challenges. The analysis also covers the publication of court records across different editions and collections, ranging from the nineteenth century to the present. Legal sources, including ecclesiastical regulations and secular laws, play a crucial role in clarifying the official stance on witchcraft and the introduction of Western concepts into the region. Narrative sources, such as chronicles, memoirs, treatises, and, to a lesser degree, folklore collections, provide valuable contextual information and alternative perspectives on societal beliefs regarding witchcraft.