You are hereThe Occult / Traditions / Witchcraft
Witchcraft
Sir David Llwyd of Yspythi Ystwyth
The village of Ysbyty Ystwyth is thought to have been the property of the Knights Hospitallier ( Order of the Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem) and also, maybe the home of one of Wales infamous magicians. Read More »
Spynie Palace
Spynie Palace was the seat of the bishops of Moray for over 500 years; the atmospheric ruins now a shell of its former glory. The Palace - like many old historical buildings - has its share of traditions and ghost stories. Read More »
The Initiate: Journal of Traditional Studies - Issue 2
In his editorial David J. Wingfield expressed his hopes that 'The Initiate' would become a forum to discuss the nature of tradition in a quasi-academic context. Well I think he is on the right path and I certainly found all the articles to be both fascinating and thought provoking.
Read More »
The Lamb Inn
Demolished in 1905, The Lamb Inn became a centre of attention during the 18th century with an investigated and well reported poltergeist like haunting that lasted over a year. The Lamb Inn dated from 1651 and stood between Gloucester Land and Lawford Street. There is I believe nothing remaining of the old building now. Read More »
The Tea Set Of Lizzie Baty, Brampton Witch
The following article entitled ‘Cumbrian witch's cursed tea set promises disaster for new owners’ appeared in the Cumberland News on Friday 10 December 2010. It concerns a legacy left by Lizzie Baty (The Brampton Witch) in the 19th century. Read More »
The Wise Woman Of Littondale
The following legend of 'The Wise Woman Of Littondale' appeared in 'The Table Book' (1827) by William Hone (Born 3 June 1780 – Died 8 November 1842) and partially reprinted in ‘Yorkshire Legends and Traditions’ by Rev Thomas Parkinson (1888). Read More »
The Witch Of Laggan
A hero celebrated for his hatred of witchcraft, was warming himself in his hunting hut, in the forest of Gaick, in Badenoch. His faithful hounds, fatigued with the morning chase, lay stretched on the turf by his side,--his gun, that would not miss, reclined in the neuk of the bothy,--the skian dhu of the sharp edge hung by his side, and these alone constituted his company. Read More »
The Witches Of Delnabo
IN the time of my grandmother, the farm of Delnabo was proportionally divided between three tenants. Read More »
Upper Denton
The local church made from the distinctive stones taken from Hadrian's Wall dates back to Saxon times. The churchyard holds the grave of Margaret Teasdale who died aged ninety-eight in 1777. Items found in her home after her death led the locals to believe she had an interest in the occult and she has been regarded as a witch since then.
Ursula Kemp and the St Osyth’s Witches
In Chelmsford, 1582, fourteen women from St Osyth were put on trial. The charge was witchcraft. Ten of those women faced charges of 'bewitching to death'. Seperate skeletons found in St Osyth during 1921 were thought to belong to two of these women, executed as witches. Read More »
Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm?
On 18th April 1943 four Stourbridge teenagers, Fred Payne, Tommy Willetts, Robert Hart and Bob Farmer discovered the remains of a woman inside a hollow Wych Elm (also known as Scots (Scotch) Elm or Ulmus glabra) in Hagley Wood. It has been suggested that ritualistic magic or even wartime espionage may have been behind this murder mystery that after sixty years is still a focus of interest. Read More »
Wilden and Ravensden
On a minor road between Wilden and Ravensden a strange figure dressed in black has been seen in broad daylight.
The figure has been identified as a witch with a malevolent character.
Directions: The haunted road is a minor road off the B660 between Ravensden and Wilden
Witch's Cottage, Barley
In December 2011 a 17th century cottage complete with an entombed mummified cat was unearthed in Barley, near Pendle Hill, an area which is of course famous for the Pendle Witches. Read More »
Witchcraft Act 1542
The Bill ayest conjuraracons & wichecraftes and sorcery and enchantmants. Read More »
Witchcraft Act 1547
An Acte for the Repeale of certain Statutes, etc. Read More »
Witchcraft Act 1563
An Act agaynst Conjuracons Inchantments and Witchecraftes. Read More »
Witchcraft Act 1580
An Acte against sedicious Wordes and Rumours uttered againste the queenes moste excellent Majestie. Read More »
Witchcraft Act 1604
An Acte against conjuration Witchcrafte and dealinge with evill and wicked Spirits. Read More »
Witchcraft Act 1763
An Act to repeal the Statute made in the First Year of the Reign of King James the First, intituled, An Act against Conjuration, Witchcraft, and dealing with evil and wicked Spirits, except so much thereof as repeals an Act of the Fifth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, Against Conjurations, Inchantments, and Witchcrafts, and to repeal an Act passed in the Parliament of Scotland in the Nint Read More »
Witchcraft In Middleton
Around 1630 a man named Utley, presumably from Middleton was accused of witchcraft, tried at Lancaster, found guilty and hanged. It was thought that he had bewitched to death Richard Assheton (before 1625 – 1630), first son of Sir Ralph Assheton Esq, Lord of Middleton and his wife Elizabeth Kaye. Read More »
Yarrow
There is a story about a witch from Yarrow. Each night a young boy was transformed into a horse when a local witch slipped a magical bridle over his head whilst he slept. She would ride the boy to her sabbat. One night the boy's older brother tricked the witch and managed to bridle her instead. Read More »
