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Cunning-folk : popular magic in English history / Owen Davies.
Van Pelt Library BF1622.G7 D385 2003
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Davies, Owen, 1969-
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Magic--England--History.
- Magic.
- Magicians--England--History.
- Magicians.
- Witchcraft--England--History.
- Witchcraft.
- Witches--England--History.
- Witches.
- History.
- England.
- Physical Description:
- xiv, 246 pages ; 24 cm
- Other Title:
- Popular magic in English history
- Place of Publication:
- London ; New York : Hambledon and London, 2003.
- Summary:
- Local practitioners of magic, providing small-scale but valued services to the community, cunning-folk were far more representative of magical practice than the arcane delvings of astrologers and necromancers. Mostly unsensational in their approach, cunning-folk helped people with everyday problems: how to find lost objects; how to escape from bad luck or a suspected spell; and how to attract a lover or keep the love of a husband or wife. While cunning-folk sometimes fell foul of the authorities, both church and state often turned a blind eye to their existence and practices, distinguishing what they did from the rare and sensational cases of malevolent witchcraft. In a world of uncertainty, before insurance and modern science, cunning-folk played an important role that has previously been ignored.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages [219]-237) and index.
- ISBN:
- 1852852976
- OCLC:
- 50402874
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