Discoverie of Witchcraft

Scot had watched witch accusations in Kent, including those heard at local assizes. He saw that the accused were usually old, poor women, often quarrelsome or isolated, blamed when a neighbour's cow died or a child fell ill.

Scot argued that many supposed wonders were natural events, illness, misunderstanding or deliberate deception. He included detailed explanations of conjuring tricks, such as the illusion of a severed head, making the Discoverie an important early source for the history of stage magic.

Scot's views were unpopular with many authorities. In 1597 King James VI of Scotland published a treatise attacking sceptics including Scot. A popular story claims James later ordered copies of the Discoverie burned, but there is no firm evidence for this. The book survived and was reprinted, and it is now seen as a humane voice in a century of persecution.