Carlo Ginzburg, Who Told the History of the Obscure, Dies at 87

Obscure? Carlo Ginzburg had definite themes and interests as a historian. A strong thread is pre- or non-Christian paganic beliefs and practices in Europe, including witchcraft. Night Battles is wild, it describes gangs of witches in Italy performing spiritual battles in a field, the result of which will affect the prospects of good or bad harvest in that year. Also, werewolves. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiess_of_Kaltenbrun

The Cheese and the Worms was lovely. It also dissuades you of any notion of the idyllic past, the sheer weight and organization of the totalitarian church was impressive.