Owen Davies is a reader in Social History whose research delves into the history of modern and contemporary witchcraft and magic. His academic interests were initially sparked by folklore and mythology, leading him to explore the persistent and declining belief in witchcraft and magic throughout the modern era. Davies's work investigates the enduring influence of ritual practices and belief systems on society. He offers a scholarly perspective on the evolution of these fascinating historical phenomena.
Criminal Bodies and the Gallows in Popular Medicine
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Cunning-folk were local practitioners of magic, providing small-scale but valued service to the community. They were far more representative of magical practice than the arcane delvings of astrologers and necromancers. Mostly unsensational in their approach, cunning-folk helped people with everyday problems: how to find lost objects; how to escape from bad luck or a suspected spell; and how to attract a lover or keep the love of a husband or wife.While cunning-folk sometimes fell foul of the authorities, both church and state often turned a blind eye to their existence and practices, distinguishing what they did from the rare and sensational cases of malvolent witchcraft. In a world of uncertainty, before insurance and modern science, cunning-folk played an important role that has previously been ignored.
A copiously illustrated global history of magic books, from ancient papyri to pulp paperbacks
The story of how widespread belief in fortune-telling, prophecies, spirits, magic, and protective talismans gripped the battlefields and home fronts of Europe during the First World War.
Magic continues to be an enduring topic of fascination, managing to pervade the popular imagination. In this Very Short Introduction Owen Davies explores the definitions and practice of magic over the millennia; highlighting the controversy, conflict, and debate it has caused.
Cofiant a Llythyrau y Parch Robert Jones Llanllyfni is a Welsh biography of Robert Jones Llanllyfni, an influential Welsh preacher, and pastor. The book provides rare insights into the life and work of Robert Jones Llanllyfni, including his contributions to Welsh literature. The book is written in Welsh and will appeal to Welsh scholars and fans of Welsh literature.
Challenging conventional interpretations, this book delves into the intriguing discoveries of concealed objects in post-medieval buildings, such as old shoes and mummified cats. It critiques the common tendency to categorize these finds as mere survivals or protective talismans. Instead, the author investigates the deeper meanings and evolving traditions surrounding these practices, offering fresh insights into the cultural significance of building magic. Through this exploration, readers gain a nuanced understanding of historical beliefs and rituals related to architecture.
The 19th century was a time of extraordinary scientific innovation, but with the rise of psychiatry, faiths and popular beliefs were often seen as signs of a diseased mind. By exploring the beliefs of asylum patients, we see the 19th century in a new light, with science, faith, and the supernatural deeply entangled in a fast-changing world.
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The 4000-year story of witchcraft and magic - from the ancient world to Harry Potter... and beyond...