
Magic in Medieval Manuscripts
Sophie Page(Author)
University of Toronto Press
2nd Edition
Published on 24. October 2017
Book
Hardback
277 pages
978-1-4875-0294-2 (ISBN)
Description
Magic existed in diverse forms in the Middle Ages, from simple charms to complex and subversive demonic magic. Its negative characteristics were defined by theologians who sought to isolate undesirable rituals and beliefs, but there were also many who believed that the condemned texts and practices were valuable and compatible with orthodox piety.
Magic in Medieval Manuscripts?explores the place of magic in the medieval world and the contradictory responses it evoked, through an exploration of images and texts in British Library manuscripts. These range from representations of the magician, wise-woman and witch, to charms against lightning, wax images for inciting love, and diagrams to find treasure. Most elaborate of all the magical practices are rituals for communicating with and commanding spirits. Whether expressions of piety, ambition, or daring, these rituals reveal a medieval fascination with the points of contact between this world and the celestial and infernal realms.
Magic in Medieval Manuscripts?explores the place of magic in the medieval world and the contradictory responses it evoked, through an exploration of images and texts in British Library manuscripts. These range from representations of the magician, wise-woman and witch, to charms against lightning, wax images for inciting love, and diagrams to find treasure. Most elaborate of all the magical practices are rituals for communicating with and commanding spirits. Whether expressions of piety, ambition, or daring, these rituals reveal a medieval fascination with the points of contact between this world and the celestial and infernal realms.
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
50 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
440 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4875-0294-2 (9781487502942)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sophie Page is a lecturer in the Department of History at University College London.
Content
Introduction
The Medieval Magician
Natural Magic
The Power of Magic
The Magical Universe
Necromancy & Sorcery
Bibliography
The Medieval Magician
Natural Magic
The Power of Magic
The Magical Universe
Necromancy & Sorcery
Bibliography