Feminine strategies to solve love problems: witchcraft processes of the Lisbon Inquisition (17th century)

Abstract

Witchcraft was one of the crimes punished by Inquisition between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. Through the analysis of the inquisitorial processes against the witches, we are able to understand which practices were and what were the reasons that led them to resort to practices worthy of condemnation.

The existence of women who resorted to superstitions and magical practices in order to solve love problems, triggered denunciations against them and condemnations. Based on the analysis of five cases of women convicted of witchcraft by the Court of the Holy Office of Lisbon between 1664 and 1698 that we will understand what were the magical practices used by the defendants to maintain romantic relationships, which were shared among them, forming a possible women's solidarity network to resolve everyday issues.

The inquisitorial sources will be essential to understand what the institution's position was in the cases studied, besides showing strategies of personal resistance on the part of the defendants in relation to the charges against them.

In short, we intend to contribute to the expansion of historiographical knowledge about the magical practices shared among women convicted of witchcraft and reflecting on their resistance strategies in the course of their processes.