Witchcraft, magic and culture 1736-1951

by Owen Davies

Overview

The only serious study of witchcraft and magic from 1736 to 1951

Brings together matters ranging from upper class spiritualism to rural witchcraft in an exciting and intellecually stimulating way

Essential reading for all social historians and all h. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780719056567
Publisher:	Manchester University Press
Publication date:	07/15/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Owen Davies is a cultural historian who has published widely on the subject of witchcraft and magic

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Educated attitudes towards the popular belief in witchcraft and magic
2. Popular justice and witchcraft
3. The witch
4. Cunning-folk, astrologers, and fortune-tellers
5. Magic and medicine
6. Witchcraft, magic, literacy and literature
7. Cultural Change
Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Davies presebnts an often stimulating... survey of witch-belief.... Choice

From the Publisher

Owen had no academic position while writing a good portion of the book, so he had to slip into university libraries and gather his information surreptitiously<-->not quite midnight beneath the gallows, but still a suitable practice for the subject matter. His goal is to spark serious scholarship on magic and witchcraft in England and Wales after the witch trials and to review recent studies that apply new theories and techniques. He discusses educated attitudes towards the popular belief, popular justice, popular literature, the witch, occult practitioners, and the declining belief. He does not cover the Occult Revival of the second half of the 19th century<-->the Golden Dawn and all<-->because other scholars have done so and continue their studies. US distribution is by St. Martin's Press. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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