Witchcraft in various historical, anthropological, religious and mythological contexts, is the use of certain kinds of supernatural or magical powers. Witchcraft has not been punished by death for nearly 300 years. The classical period of witch-hunts falls into period of time 1480-1700. During the time of Reformation and thirty-years-war, thousands of people (mainly women) were executed for being accused of witchcraft. As CNN reports, the campaigners in London plan to ask the British government to issue a posthumous pardon for the hundreds of people executed for witchcraft between the 16th and 18th century in England. The petition asks Justice Minister Jack Straw to recommend that Queen Elizabeth II issue a pardon. CNN quotes the petitioners:
We were gobsmacked to discover that though the law was changed hundreds of years ago and society had moved on, the victims were never officially pardoned.