Skip to content

Witch Hunt 1649

Scotland, 1649. Rumour has it that witches are scheming against your community...

Developed by a team at the University of Warwick, Witch Hunt 1649 offers a fun and educational exploration of the early modern witch hunts. The first edition included two card games, The Dregs of Days and Lying Lips, both of which are suitable for use at home or in school or university classrooms (recommended age range 14+). The games aim to provide a sensitive, non-sensationalised exploration of the witch hunts, promoting understanding of the historical backdrop and empathy for victims. The project was conducted on a not-for-profit basis; all proceeds from the first edition were donated to the Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

The second edition of Witch Hunt 1649, published by Central Michigan University Press, comprises an updated version of The Dregs of Days. It has a more polished ruleset, and additional material, including a much wider range of characters. A curriculum guide will be available shortly.

Women whispering

On this site you can find discussion of the historical context (including reflections on how accurately the games reflect historical reality), and further resources, including for teaching.