Introduction; 1. 'Britain indulges in magic': the origins of occult traditions in Britain; 2. The secrets of the king: occult and royal power in medieval Britain; 3. Arthurian dynasty: the Tudors and occult power; 4. House of the unicorn: Stuart monarchy and the contest for occult authority; 5. Politics and the decline of magic, 1649-1714; 6. Emanations of Albion: politics and the occult in modern Britain; Conclusion.
Boldly argues that magic has throughout the history of Britain been at times as culturally and politically significant as religion.
Francis Young holds a PhD in History from the University of Cambridge and is the author of 14 books including Magic as a Political Crime in Medieval and Early Modern England (2017). He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and routinely broadcasts for BBC radio on history, religion and folklore.
'The history of magic – in comparison to the history of witchcraft
in Britain – has been under-researched in the Anglophone academy.
The relationship of occult traditions to the politics of the realm
has thus far been virtually ignored. A ground-breaking study of the
history of occult traditions – of 'high' magic (elite, literate,
clerical and courtly) as compared to 'low magic' (popular,
non-literate, non-clerical) – is therefore to be warmly welcomed.
This book is full of fascinating and previously little-known
vignettes on the significant influence of the role of magic and the
occult in the history of British politics, most of which will be
unknown to the non-specialist. It would be an excellent text for
undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the history of the
occult.' Philip. C. Almond, University of Queensland
'A terrific book. Francis Young is quite correct to say that no
such survey has been done before, and the evidence presented by him
unequivocally demonstrates that politics in pre-modern Britain
cannot be fully understood without some attention to the notion and
practice of magic and the occult sciences in general such as
alchemy and astrology. The author has also brought together a
tremendous amount of scholarship in this volume which is
commendable in its own right.' Frank Klaassen, University of
Saskatchewan
'This is an important and accomplished project which demonstrates
that – contrary to received opinion, and in modernity as well as
the past – magical beliefs are central to political, religious and
social lives, as conventionally categorised. I think the book will
provoke much interest and comment with its claim that magic is as
important as religion, and think too that there are likely to be
over the next few years a series of books and theses that render
that claim stronger. Magic's time has indeed come: and in that
development the book will lead from the front. It will be
accessible to a wide range of readers, written as it is with a
light and engaging touch. The scope and detail never overwhelm,
while the author's definition of magic and his inclusions and
exclusions are convincing.' Marion Gibson, University of Exeter
'Thought-provoking' William Tipper, The Wall Street Journal
'… an immensely readable book with an engaging style, and likely to
capture the attention and curiosity of anyone who explores its
pages … it is well researched and referenced, striking an excellent
balance between scholarship and entertainment.' Helen Hall, Law and
Justice, the Christian Law Review
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