Overview
Magic, both benevolent (white) and malign (black), has been practiced in the British Isles since at least the Iron Age (800 BCE-CE 43). ""Curse tablets""--metal plates inscribed with curses intended to harm specific people--date from the Roman Empire. The Anglo-Saxons who settled in England in the fifth and sixth centuries used ritual curses in documents, and wrote spells and charms. When they became Christians in the seventh century, the new ""magicians"" were saints, who performed miracles. When William of Normandy became king in 1066, there was a resurgence of belief in magic. The Church was able to quell the fear of magicians, but the Reformation saw its revival, with numerous witchcraft trials in the late 16th and 17th centuries.
Full Product Details
Author: Robin Melrose
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint: McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:
Width: 17.80cm
, Height: 1.40cm
, Length: 25.40cm
Weight: 0.472kg
ISBN: 9781476674001
ISBN 10: 1476674000
Pages: 270
Publication Date: 26 March 2018
Recommended Age: From 18 years
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
Melrose presents a concise historical survey of magic practices in Britain. Using archaeological and written sources, Melrose explores how magic was practiced from Britain's Iron Age through the Reformation.... The work is entertaining, insightful, and well researched, offering an excellent overview of the development and practice of magic throughout Britain's history.... recommended --Choice The author allows the reader to see how the relationship between magic and the church changed over time...a collection of fascinating stories about people, places, and practices --Booklist Well-researched presentation of each category of magical practice connected to its geographical and archeological roots. For every category discussed in Melrose's work, he provides an extensive exploration of its people and place names, demonstrating an encyclopedic knowledge of British geography and early British history --SMART: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching
The author allows the reader to see how the relationship between magic and the church changed over time...a collection of fascinating stories about people, places, and practices --Booklist; Melrose presents a concise historical survey of magic practices in Britain. Using archaeological and written sources, Melrose explores how magic was practiced from Britain's Iron Age through the Reformation.... The work is entertaining, insightful, and well researched, offering an excellent overview of the development and practice of magic throughout Britain's history.... recommended --Choice.
Author Information
Robin Melrose is a retired senior lecturer in English and linguistics at England’s University of Portsmouth. He lives on the Isle of Wight in southern England.
