Martha Rampton

About the Author

Martha Rampton is a distinguished historian and scholar of medieval Europe, with a particular focus on the enigmatic worlds of magic, witchcraft, and popular beliefs. Holding a PhD in History from the University of Toronto, she has dedicated her career to unraveling the complex interplay between folklore, religion, and societal norms in the Middle Ages. As a professor emerita at Carleton University, Rampton has authored numerous articles and books that illuminate the lives of ordinary people through primary sources, challenging conventional narratives of superstition and persecution. Her work bridges academic rigor with accessible storytelling, making the arcane accessible to both scholars and general readers. Passionate about interdisciplinary approaches, she draws on anthropology, literature, and theology to explore how magical practices shaped European culture from the early medieval period through the witch hunts.