Wicked Enchantments: A History of the Pendle Witches and Their Magic

by Joyce Froome

This book offers a detailed account of the extraordinary events that took place in Lancashire in 1612, focusing on James and Alizon Device, the teenage brother and sister at the center of the case.

It draws on a wealth of sources, including books of magic and trial records, to evoke a world of magicians and cunning folk, of charms, divination and familiar spirits. It is illustrated with photographs of magical objects in the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall, and of a modern family recreating seventeenth-century spells and rituals.

Taking a thought-provoking new approach to the history of witchcraft, it conjures a vivid picture of what it was like to be someone who practiced magic during the witch-hunts.

Genres: History, Witches, Nonfiction, Witchcraft, Occult

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[S. Policar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Wicked Enchantments: A History of the Pendle Witches and Their Magic
Genre: History/Study/Pagan/Witchcraft
Author: Joyce Froome
Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1oWdzuM

I bought this book on the recommendation of a trusted friend who's a fellow Pagan. While I don't normally read studies since I find them far too similar to school work, this one was slightly different. This one was about a topic I wanted to know about. This book is about the Witch Trials that took place in England in 1600's, more specifically the case of the Device family of Malking Tower in the Pendle Forest.
I will begin this review by saying that while, again, I'm not a fan of studies, this book has so many interesting things in it, that even with it being a history lesson, it was still intriguing. I particularly liked the remakes of the spells the Cunning Folk used in the 1600's. I found it fascinating to see how much spell casting has changed through centuries and yet still even though we cast differently today, they are still very similar to each other in so many ways.
The study itself is heart wrenching. Witch against Witch, accused against enemy, worst of all; young children forced to testify against their families; and forced to live with the knowledge that their statements helped get them killed. It didn't help that the Assizes were a madhouse and hardly anyone was able hear what they were accused of.
I also liked how snippets of the actual propaganda pamphlets were integrated into this book along with actual statements, and photographs of re-enacted spells. It gives the reader a better understanding of how things were done or made to seem.
I found a single error in this work on page 145, other than that the editing was flawless.
This book would be an asset to any witch that enjoys reading up on our histories even if they aren't from England, after all, we are all brothers and sisters in the craft.
I would also suggest this book to anyone curious to understand why we witches stand so united now and why we always remember the Burning Times.

I give this book 5 of 5 paws.

[Kit Perriman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the Lancashire Witches were actually guilty of practicing magic? Joyce Froome's book, Wicked Enchantments: a history of the Pendle Witches & their magic (Lancaster: Carnegie,2010) explores this possibility from the prespective of the two teenagers involved, James and Alizon Device.

Froome's website describes her methodology. She uses "quotations from a wealth of original sources, such as trial records and books of magic," alongside "photographs of magical artifacts."

This unique compilation - based on the sound scholarly research of an assistant curator at the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall - focuses on the seventeenth-century rituals and spells that the poor cunning folk of Pendle may have used to eek out a living: love potions, healing tonics, protection charms, curses, good-luck talismans, fertility magic, and fortune-telling paraphernalia. In addition to multiple illustrations, there are also photographs of a modern family recreating many of the ancient rituals.

The only negative comment I have is that the binding of my book fell apart from frequent use! But aside from this, Wicked Enchantments is a fascinating, well-documented, alternative portrayal of the Device family. Their spells are clearly explained. And I fully concur with Froome's conclusion that centuries later "there were still cunning folk around Pendle Hill . . . . Magic had survived both demonisation and ridicule" (310).

Wicked Enchantments could have become a dry, intellectual, historical examination, were it not for the clever organization, and Froome's subtle humor shining through the pages.

I love her opening warning: "You are strongly advised NOT to attempt any of the spells described in this book - particularly the one that involves removing a tooth from a live wolf" (iv). Reader beware!

[Seonaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who could resist a book that comes with an initial warning: 'You are strongly advised not to attempt any of the spells described in this book – particularly the one that involves removing a tooth from a live wolf'?

This is a dense and well researched study of not only the infamous Pendle witchcraft trial, but also of the cunning folk of England and Scotland, and their role and position in society. Using the Pendle trial as a framework, Froome explores the art of the cunning folk, their potions, spells and curses, and, ironically enough, their frequent stance of using counter-magic against witchcraft. With chapters on Black Dogs and the power behind curses, there is plenty of scope here for folklorists as well.

The book also examines in close detail other infamous cases from across Europe, such as Matteuccia di Francesco (1428) and Gilles de Rais (~1440), analysing the environments in which both witchcraft and the witch hunts, developed, and the punishments meted out by a church-controlled, patriarchal establishment. These ranged from a year in jail and 4 six hour sessions in the stocks, to being hanged; make no mistake though, the likelihood of surviving a year in prison was not very high.

Illustrated throughout with black and white photos from the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall, and with pages of thorough notes and bibliographies covering both ancient and modern texts, this is the book for anyone with a serious interest in both Pendle and an older witchcraft than that often practised today; the folk magic discussed and analysed here bears little resemblance to many modern Wiccan beliefs and rituals, though you can certainly trace strands.

[Lauren]

I've had this sitting on my currently reading list for ages now, but its only been gathering dust on my bookshelf, so I'm finally giving it the boot. I don't want that to be thought of as a slight against the book, though. Wicked Enchantments is a really well researched and interesting read. I got about two thirds of the way through it before I had to put it down, and since then I've been too distracted to pick it back up. I intend to get through the rest some day ... in the distant future :|

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting read,as it not only tells of The Pendle Witches, but gives an informative, insight on the way, women,were seen, and the history of Witchcraft, throughout England,and Scotland. It uses,fantastic pictures, from The Museum of Witchcraft, to enlighten the reader.
If like me,you have an interest in Witchcraft, this is a book to dip into,,

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant book, very informative and very entertaining.