History of Magic by Karen J Burch
EDIT: I have recently learned that the primary author of this manuscript was in fact Robert Ashle... more EDIT: I have recently learned that the primary author of this manuscript was in fact Robert Ashley, founder of the Middle Temple Library in London. While I have not yet had a chance to return to this paper in order to correct it, I would like to thank Renae Satterly of the Middle Temple Library for letting me know that she has identified Ashley's handwriting. I hope someday to write a corrected and more complete version of this paper which relates this manuscript to Ashley's life and book collecting.
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This paper is a full transcription, annotation, and in-depth analysis of Newberry Manuscript 5017, referred to as "Book of Magical Charms." Based on my detailed analysis of the contents, I propose that this manuscript was the notebook of at least one early 16th century male witch, who was probably active in the East of England or the East Midlands. As I will argue, this witch was most likely what we today know as a cunning-man, whose primary business was to assist locals with everyday problems ranging from stomach aches to cheating spouses. As I will demonstrate, the primary owner of this notebook was a typical cunning-man, who employed various kinds of magic - both benign and malignant - for his business purposes. This manuscript offers a unique glimpse into the world of everyday Renaissance magic, some of which I hope to uncover here.
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History of Magic by Karen J Burch
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This paper is a full transcription, annotation, and in-depth analysis of Newberry Manuscript 5017, referred to as "Book of Magical Charms." Based on my detailed analysis of the contents, I propose that this manuscript was the notebook of at least one early 16th century male witch, who was probably active in the East of England or the East Midlands. As I will argue, this witch was most likely what we today know as a cunning-man, whose primary business was to assist locals with everyday problems ranging from stomach aches to cheating spouses. As I will demonstrate, the primary owner of this notebook was a typical cunning-man, who employed various kinds of magic - both benign and malignant - for his business purposes. This manuscript offers a unique glimpse into the world of everyday Renaissance magic, some of which I hope to uncover here.
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This paper is a full transcription, annotation, and in-depth analysis of Newberry Manuscript 5017, referred to as "Book of Magical Charms." Based on my detailed analysis of the contents, I propose that this manuscript was the notebook of at least one early 16th century male witch, who was probably active in the East of England or the East Midlands. As I will argue, this witch was most likely what we today know as a cunning-man, whose primary business was to assist locals with everyday problems ranging from stomach aches to cheating spouses. As I will demonstrate, the primary owner of this notebook was a typical cunning-man, who employed various kinds of magic - both benign and malignant - for his business purposes. This manuscript offers a unique glimpse into the world of everyday Renaissance magic, some of which I hope to uncover here.