On Wednesday 10 October, Professor Ronald Hutton of the University of Bristol gave CTC staff and students a lecture on ‘The Great Witch Hunt’ of the late 16th-early 17th century. Drawing on research for his latest book, The Witch (2017), Professor Hutton explained how a conjunction of catastrophic events –global cooling, crop failures and religious conflict – led to the persecution of outsiders.

A stimulating lecture was followed by penetrating questions from students and staff.

Professor Hutton, who has already written a biography of King Charles II, is now working on another English ruler, Oliver Cromwell. As he told Dr Oliphant, “I like to hunt big game”.