text: You are absolutely correct.  The vast majority of individuals accused and prosecuted--and executed--for "witchcraft" were women.  Most frequently, they were single, older, financially independent women.  And, yes, they may have been regarded as "eccentric", particularly because they were single and not dependent on a man.  These women were often midwives and herbalists who served as doctors to their neighbors.  For this, men with official medical degrees would decry these women as witches; the doctors were motivated by pure professional jealousy.  
  
  The bottom line here is that, from the beginnings of post-Roman European history--read Christian--women who were not subject to a man were suspect.  If she managed to survive and--God forbid!--prosper on her own, so much the worse for her. She must have made a pact with the devil.  
  
  Moral of story--history exists to prop up the male ego.  Right folks???
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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