Witchcraft and witches throughout history have long captured the imagination, yet hidden away in archives are records of long forgotten cases. Many of these are tragic, some are unusual – perhaps even inexplicable – but all are fascinating in their own right.
Devon’s Forgotten Witches 1860–1910 takes a deep dive through these records, bringing to the surface accusations of witchcraft in the county that have languished, unacknowledged, in the British Newspaper Archive for decades. These are the stories of ordinary people whose lives were touched in some way by witchcraft.
Tracey Norman and Mark Norman examine these cases within their historical context, pulling together details from various news reports to explore what might really have happened. This work provides an intriguing snapshot of press coverage in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, showing how the public were urged to view those who still put their faith in ‘incredible superstition’. Most importantly, the retelling of these stories gives a new voice to those whom the historical record has silenced.
About the Author :
Mark Norman is a folklore author and researcher. He is a Council member of The Folklore Society, creator and host of The Folklore Podcast and Founding Curator of The Folklore Library and Archive. His podcast has received over 1.5 million downloads and is listed in the top 5% globally in its genre for audience share. Tracey Norman is an historian and author with a particular interest in witchcraft cases. She is the author of the acclaimed play WITCH, using actual witch trial documents to tell the story of a (fictional) woman accused of witchcraft by a neighbour. Tracey co-authored Dark Folklore with Mark for The History Press in 2020 and has also published the pamphlet ‘Cards, Cocoa and Charms’ which examines some obscure Devon witchcraft cases. Both Tracey and Mark give talks on folklore related subjects and write columns and articles for newspapers, periodicals and websites.
Review :
‘This is a very useful addition to the growing body of data on witchcraft belief in Victorian and Edwardian England, and a further testimony to the great value of newspaper reports as a source for the subject.’
‘Tracey and Mark have written an incredible guide to the rich history of witchcraft in Devon ... history enthusiasts will delight in a captivating exploration of the magical beliefs of yesteryear.’
‘This important volume will introduce readers to those figures at worst completely forgotten or at best mentioned briefly. Figures such as the White Witch of Exeter, often approached in the stories of Devon and Cornwall by pellars and layfolk alike, is brought into three dimensional reality by the Normans'. Expertly sourced, elaborated upon, and entertainingly written, Devon's Forgotten Witches promises to reacquaint modern readers to these figures from just over the hill... which it fulfills in leaps and bounds. Simply outstanding.’
‘A reader might be forgiven for asking whether there can be anything left to say on a topic so frequently written about as witches. With Devon’s Forgotten Witches, Tracey and Mark Norman prove that the answer to that question is a resounding yes. With this new offering, the authors’ track record for presenting meticulous research in an accessible and engaging fashion remains unbroken. Far from being restricted by the localised focus, the narrative greatly benefits from such a carefully chosen approach: the result is an evocative and intimate snapshot of attitudes towards witchcraft during an often overlooked period.’
‘This book is a fascinating read.’
