ABSTRACT

The positive image of Dutch tolerance would seem to be confirmed by the low intensity of witch-trials in the Northern Netherlands and the Republic, and by the early cessation of the executions for witchcraft (around 1600). Nevertheless, one may well ask whether these moderate reactions to witchcraft should be included under the heading of ‘tolerance’. The answer to this question depends partly on the definition of the term tolerance. I propose to use the term tolerance, and its opposite, intolerance in a very general way. Accordingly, I take these terms to refer to the extent and the manner in which people allow each other scope for living, thinking and acting. Given this broad conception, there should be no obstacle to analysing reactions to witchcraft in terms of tolerance and intolerance.