According to my husband, who spends his life in the 17th century (in a Welsh living history museum) and knows of what he speaks ... the Welsh were not as superstitious as people were in other parts of England and Scotland, and quite a few prosecutions were thrown out as they were considered to be blackmail rather than "genuine" proof of witchcraft. The wise women and wise men were a valued part of society, and it was only deemed illegal to do magic if it harmed someone. As to "male witches" - they were generally known as "cunning men" rather than "witches".