Magic as a Political Crime in Medieval and Early Modern England

A History of Sorcery and Treason

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, History
Cover of the book Magic as a Political Crime in Medieval and Early Modern England by Francis Young, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Francis Young ISBN: 9781786722911
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: October 30, 2017
Imprint: I.B. Tauris Language: English
Author: Francis Young
ISBN: 9781786722911
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: October 30, 2017
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Language: English

Treason and magic were first linked together during the reign of Edward II. Theories of occult conspiracy then regularly led to major political scandals, such as the trial of Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester in 1441. While accusations of magical treason against high-ranking figures were indeed a staple of late medieval English power politics, they acquired new significance at the Reformation when the 'superstition' embodied by magic came to be associated with proscribed Catholic belief. Francis Young here offers the first concerted historical analysis of allegations of the use of magic either to harm or kill the monarch, or else manipulate the course of political events in England, between the fourteenth century and the dawn of the Enlightenment. His book addresses a subject usually either passed over or elided with witchcraft: a quite different historical phenomenon. He argues that while charges of treasonable magic certainly were used to destroy reputations or to ensure the convictions of undesirables, magic was also perceived as a genuine threat by English governments into the Civil War era and beyond.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Treason and magic were first linked together during the reign of Edward II. Theories of occult conspiracy then regularly led to major political scandals, such as the trial of Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester in 1441. While accusations of magical treason against high-ranking figures were indeed a staple of late medieval English power politics, they acquired new significance at the Reformation when the 'superstition' embodied by magic came to be associated with proscribed Catholic belief. Francis Young here offers the first concerted historical analysis of allegations of the use of magic either to harm or kill the monarch, or else manipulate the course of political events in England, between the fourteenth century and the dawn of the Enlightenment. His book addresses a subject usually either passed over or elided with witchcraft: a quite different historical phenomenon. He argues that while charges of treasonable magic certainly were used to destroy reputations or to ensure the convictions of undesirables, magic was also perceived as a genuine threat by English governments into the Civil War era and beyond.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book The Discovery of Albania by Francis Young
Cover of the book Driver's License by Francis Young
Cover of the book Fashionable Childhood by Francis Young
Cover of the book Reich by Francis Young
Cover of the book Dance Divas: Let's Rock! by Francis Young
Cover of the book Democratic Peace Across the Middle East by Francis Young
Cover of the book Theory of International Law by Francis Young
Cover of the book Sir Dancealot by Francis Young
Cover of the book On Love, Confession, Surrender and the Moral Self by Francis Young
Cover of the book The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I by Francis Young
Cover of the book The Art Instinct by Francis Young
Cover of the book The Dreyfus Trials by Francis Young
Cover of the book Criminalising Cartels by Francis Young
Cover of the book The Image in Mind by Francis Young
Cover of the book 50 Bosses Worse Than Yours by Francis Young
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy