Daemonologie

Daemonologie, In Forme of a Dialogue, Divided into three Books, usually known as Daemonologie, is a philosophical dissertation by James VI and I on contemporary necromancy and the historical relationships between the various methods of divination used from ancient black magic, first published in 1597. It was reprinted in 1603 when James took the throne of England. The widespread consensus is that King James wrote Dæmonologie in response to sceptical publications such as Reginald Scot's The Discoverie of Witchcraft. Dæmonologie included a study of demonology and the methods demons used to bother troubled men. The book frames witchcraft as "treason against God" and endorses the practice of witch hunting. This book is believed to be one of the main sources used by William Shakespeare in the production of Macbeth. Shakespeare attributed many quotes and rituals found within the book directly to the Weird Sisters, yet also attributed the Scottish themes and settings referenced from the trials in which King James was involved.