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History Medieval

Magic in Medieval Manuscripts

by (author) Sophie Page & The British Library Board

Publisher
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Initial publish date
Oct 2017
Category
Medieval, History, History, Medieval
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781487502942
    Publish Date
    Oct 2017
    List Price
    $28.95

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Description

Magic existed in diverse forms in the Middle Ages, from simple charms to complex and subversive demonic magic. Its negative characteristics were defined by theologians who sought to isolate undesirable rituals and beliefs, but there were also many who believed that the condemned texts and practices were valuable and compatible with orthodox piety.

Magic in Medieval Manuscripts explores the place of magic in the medieval world and the contradictory responses it evoked, through an exploration of images and texts in British Library manuscripts. These range from representations of the magician, wise-woman and witch, to charms against lightning, wax images for inciting love, and diagrams to find treasure. Most elaborate of all the magical practices are rituals for communicating with and commanding spirits. Whether expressions of piety, ambition, or daring, these rituals reveal a medieval fascination with the points of contact between this world and the celestial and infernal realms.

About the authors

Sophie Page is a lecturer in the Department of History at University College London.

Sophie Page's profile page

The British Library Board's profile page