Spellbound: Magic, Ritual and Witchcraft

by Sophie Page, Marina Wallace

A unique look at how people have viewed magic and superstition, both historically and in the present day. Images are drawn from many private collections and have not been published before. Objects will include 'Witches in Bottles' spell books and other rare manuscripts. Spellbound explores the concept of 'magical thinking', which describes how people in all ages and cultures have sought to connect with an unseen world of perceived power. This concept of magical thinking is used here to explore the history of medicine and the mind, focusing in particular on magic's secular expressions. Spells, magical objects and rituals are engines of hope, and hope is essential to physical and mental health, indeed to survival. These ideas are explored and conveyed through the extraordinary visual culture of magic, offering an introduction to diverse magical objects, from the exquisite, such as engraved rings and illuminated manuscripts, to the unsettling - a shoe embedded in a wall or a bull's heart pierced with nails.

Genres: History, Art, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2018

About the author

Dr Sophie Page joined UCL History as a permanent lecturer in 2002 after studying at the Warburg Institute, UCL and Cambridge.

Sophie works in the area of European medieval magic and astrology, especially in relation to orthodox religion, natural philosophy, medicine, and cosmology. She is also interested in the imagery of medieval magic, especially diagrams, and in the history of animals in the Middle Ages.

Sophie's most recent book, Magic in the Cloister: Pious Motives, Illicit Interests, and Occult Approaches to the Medieval Universe, was published in October 2013. In addition, she has published an edited collection, The Unorthodox Imagination in Late Medieval Britain, articles on learned magic, astrology, and the cultural history of animals, and two books with the British Library: Astrology in Medieval Manuscripts and Magic in Medieval Manuscripts. Sophie is currently working on a book on animals and demons in the Middle Ages and an article on diagrams in medieval magic texts.

Reviews

[Joss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't seen the exhibition yet but glad I bought this first. Many images of exhibits of course, but worth having for the scholarly articles on magic, ritual and witchcraft from the Middle Ages to the present day. One interesting example out of many is the custom of placing ritual objects up the chimney - when modern folk are renovating their houses and find these curious objects, many acknowledge their significance by returning them after the renovations are complete or exhibiting them in their homes.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbound: Magic, Ritual & Witchcraft is one of the most captivating exhibition catalogues I’ve ever read. Beautifully designed and richly researched, it guides the reader through centuries of magical practice—from protective charms and ritual objects to the darker histories of fear, accusation, and witchcraft. The essays strike a perfect balance between academic depth and readability, making complex cultural histories feel immediate and alive.

The catalogue’s visual material is stunning: amulets, talismans, poppets, manuscripts, and spellbooks are all presented with care, giving a rare glimpse into the lived experience of magic across Europe. What I loved most is how the book treats magic as an integral part of human life—something creative, dangerous, hopeful, and deeply emotional.

Whether you’re interested in folklore, anthropology, medieval belief systems, or simply love the aesthetics of magical objects, Spellbound is a treasure. I highly recommend it for anyone curious about the intertwined worlds of ritual, fear, and wonder.

[Anne Lydolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful exhibit that I would love to see some day. The pictures and their matching descriptions are a wonderful source of information about magic and superstition through the ages. Mainly focussed on the UK but with the occasional mention of other countries and their traditions.

[Holly Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent companion to a magnificent exhibition.