Witchcraft, Magic and Culture 1736-1951

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Witchcraft, Magic and Culture 1736-1951
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Owen Davies
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:352
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreWitchcraft
Satanism and demonology
ISBN/Barcode 9780719056567
ClassificationsDewey:133.430942
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational
General

Publishing Details

Publisher Manchester University Press
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publication Date 15 July 1999
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Most studies of witchcraft and magic have been concerned with the era of the witch trials, a period which officially came to an end in Britain with the passing of the Witchcraft Act of 1736. However, the majority of people continued to fear witches and put their faith in magic long after this law was passed. This book traces the history of witchcraft and magic from 1736 to the year 1951, when the passing of the Fraudulent Mediums Act finally erased the concept of witchcraft from the statute books. This study examines the extent to which witchcraft, magic, and fortune telling influenced the thoughts and actions of the people of England and Wales in a period when the forces of "progress" are often thought to have vanquished such beliefs.

Author Biography

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

Reviews

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