Witch trials

[katssirius]

No: HPFGUIDX 154771

Witch trials had been going on in Europe for 100's years prior to the 
Salem witch trial and estimates from 100,000 to one million people were 
tortured and murdered in Europe during that time.  JKR consistently has 
shown a grasp on history that would indicate a knowledge of this early 
holocaust.  Making it unlikely that a handful of people dying an ocean 
away would have bothered anyone in Europe. The actual history of witch 
persecution does explain Slytherin's hatred of Muggles.  Of course at 
the time midwives, non-Christians, women who inherited estates, and 
inconvenient wives were the targets.

katssirius