Many historians , notably Hugh Trevor-Roper , have said that the witch trials of the 16th and 17th century were a result of the religious struggles of the period . During this time , both the Catholic and Protestant Churches wanted to stamp out what they saw as heresy . Many historians , notably Hugh Trevor-Roper , have suggested that the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries were a consequence of the religious struggles of the period , with both the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church determined to stamp out what they regarded as heresy .