Popular Magic: Cunning-folk in English HistoryCunning-folk were local practitioners of magic, providing small-scale but valued service to the community. They 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 malvolent witchcraft. In a world of uncertainty, before insurance and modern science, cunning-folk played an important role that has previously been ignored. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accused Agrippa amongst astrological belief bewitched Blécourt certainly chapbook charmers charms church courts claimed Clavicule Clegg clergy clergymen clients concerning conjuration conjuror consulted cunning Cunning Folk cunning-folk cunning-man cunning-person cunning-trade Davies Denley detection devil diabolic Discoverie divinatory divine doctor early modern ecclesiastical eighteenth century England English evidence evil example fairy Folklore fortune-telling Fourth Book grimoires Hawkins healing herbal History of Skipton James John Parkins knowledge later literary London love magic Magic and Culture magical healers magical practitioners magicians manuscript Maria Giles Mary Bateman medicine modern period named Newbury Weekly nineteenth century occult Occult Philosophy physicians popular magic practice prosecuted published records Reginald Scot Religion reported Richard ritual Scot Scot's Secrets seventeenth century shamanism shillings social Somerset sorcery sources spell spirits statute stolen táltos thief Thomas Thomas Ady trade treasure treasure-seeking unbewitching usually white witches William wise-woman Witch Trials Witchcraft Act wizard woman words Yorkshire