Baguette Magic downtown is a bakery located in the heart of the city. It is famous for its delicious and freshly baked baguettes that draw customers from all over. The bakery has become an iconic establishment in the downtown area, and locals and tourists alike flock to experience its magic. The moment you step inside Baguette Magic, you are greeted by the warm and inviting aroma of freshly baked bread. The bakery showcases an extensive selection of artisan baguettes, each with its unique flavor and texture. From traditional French baguettes to innovative creations infused with various herbs and spices, there is something to satisfy every palate.
Ergot derivatives are the principal drugs used today to hasten labor and aid in the recovery from childbirth.
Digitalis Foxglove properties on the heart and circulation are said to have been discovered by an English witch and is still an important drug in treating heart ailments. These toxins include scopolamine and hyoscyamine, which cause bizarre delirium and hallucinations 1 and are also used as pharmaceutical anticholinergics.
From traditional French baguettes to innovative creations infused with various herbs and spices, there is something to satisfy every palate. Customers are often spoiled for choice with the array of baguette toppings available at Baguette Magic downtown. From classic options like butter and jam to more gourmet choices like smoked salmon and cream cheese, the bakery caters to a diverse range of preferences.
What do witches and nurses have in common?
Between 1563 and 1736, nearly 4,000 people were accused of being witches under Scotland’s Witchcraft Act. An estimated two-thirds of the accused, mostly women, were strangled and burned at the stake.
People were accused of witchcraft for many different reasons, but for some, actions taken to help care for sick neighbours or assist with childbirth would ultimately contribute to their downfall. At the 2021 RCN Foundation lecture, Professor Nicola Ring from Edinburgh Napier University will present new research into the connections between these witchcraft trials and early nursing and midwifery practices.
Using the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft (SSW), the research has identified those accused of witchcraft due to their folk healing or midwifery, and uncovers details about their caring and healing techniques.
Above: Three witches with a cat, a dog and a bird. Engraving, ca. 1800, after a woodcut, 1619. Wellcome Collection.
“Nursing history is my absolute passion,” says Nicola, who’s usually found teaching or supervising nursing students and conducting research into long-term conditions. “I think it’s important that we learn from and critique our history because it helps us understand how things are today.”
During the first lockdown, Nicola heard about the Witches of Scotland campaign – Claire Mitchell QC’s attempt to secure a posthumous pardon for those executed under the Witchcraft Act. Nicola contacted Claire to highlight links between witches and healers, and was introduced to the SSW. “Despite me being knowledgeable about the history of nursing, I never thought we could research these people, because I didn’t think records existed,” Nicola explains. “This conversation with Claire made me realise: actually, there’s data that we could access to find out more about these early practitioners. That gave me the idea for the project.”
There’s tantalising glimpses of what these healers and midwives were doing
Nicola teamed up with two colleagues, midwifery lecturer Nessa McHugh and child health nursing tutor Rachel Davidson-Welch. The trio secured funding from the RCN Foundation and embarked on “the perfect lockdown project” – with all the research conducted online, it was completely COVID-secure. Of 3,000 people on the SSW database, they found 142 whose witchcraft crimes related to their healing or midwifery practices.
In the witchcraft trial records, the focus was often on harm the healers or midwives were perceived to have caused. Perhaps they’d been caring for a neighbour who later died and were accused of poisoning them. Or, conversely, they’d overseen a recovery, which was then used as evidence of a pact or association with the devil. “Often there’s tantalising glimpses of what these healers and midwives were doing,” says Nicola. “You know they were giving out health drinks… but the trial records wouldn’t then say what was in the drink or what it was given for.”
Above: A witch holding a plant in one hand and a fan in the other. Woodcut, ca. 1700-1720. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark
But there were some “patterns and trends”, such as the use of herbalism. “There were also a lot of traditional folklore-type practices or rituals reported. Maybe if somebody was giving birth, the midwife would put a protective circle of honeysuckle or woodbine around them; things like that were recorded. There were quite a lot of male healers as well, but often records would just say that they were using salves and unguents. You’re left thinking: ‘What for? What was in these?’”
The introduction of the Witchcraft Act intersected with Scotland’s religious Reformation – the move from Catholicism to Protestantism in 1560 – and the researchers found many people being accused of witchcraft due to their continued use of pre-Reformation healing practices. “They weren’t just providing physical healing, there was an element of addressing spiritual wellbeing as well, for example by using prayers,” Nicola says. “So some of what they were doing would have been acceptable practice pre-Reformation, but post-Reformation was not.”
We found records of healers and midwives whose curing and caring work has previously been overlooked in history
Nicola is interested in the parallels between these early nurses and modern nursing history. The spiritual side of 16th-century Scottish healing suggests connections to Florence Nightingale and other Victorian nurses who championed holistic care of the body and soul, something that is still considered essential in nursing today.
Being nurses and midwives, Nicola and her colleagues were able to spot hints of modern nursing and midwifery practice, which researchers from other disciplines might have missed. For example, mentions of dressings, and the importance of cleaning and washing patients and their clothes.
“Sometimes specific things they were using still apply, sometimes it was the principles of what they were doing that still resonate,” Nicola says. “Some of the women accused were also being assertive, standing up for themselves or their families. Others did not conform to social norms. Seeing all this, it’s fair to say that being accused as witches would’ve been the fate of myself, Rachel and Nessa.”
Above: The history of witches and wizards: giving a true account of all their tryals in England, Scotland, Swedeland, France, and New England; with their confession and condemnation / Collected from Bishop Hall, Bishop Morton, Sir Matthew Hale, etc. By W.P. Wellcome Collection.
Going into the project, Nicola was aware of the witch stereotype: “There is a ‘witch healer’ perception of an old, poor, uneducated woman.” Although many of the 142 accused did conform to this stereotype, many did not, for example they found a surprising number of men (17% – a higher proportion than in nursing and midwifery today).
Some cases were very harrowing. It’s clear that confessions were forced
“As we did the work, some people stood out, so we did more in-depth investigation of original sources for a few,” Nicola says. They conducted further research into 12 women and four men, including Agnes Sampsoune, who was: “one of Scotland’s best-known witches… a renowned midwife, who was caught up in the North Berwick witchcraft trials.”
King James VI and I was a driving force behind Scotland’s pursuit of alleged witches. In 1597 he published Daemonology – a book about black magic including arguments for why witches should be persecuted in a Christian society. “The king himself interrogated Agnes and was involved in her court procedures,” says Nicola. “But we also found records of healers and midwives whose curing and caring work has previously been overlooked in history. There are some interesting people, both women and men, and often doctors were practising in a similar way to them at the time.”
Above: Witchcraft: a bewitched woman vomiting. Woodcut, 1720. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark
Conducting the research was disturbing at times. Those accused of witchcraft were often subjected to sleep deprivation during the trial process and some would be examined by witch prickers – people paid to find the mark of the devil on accused witches by stabbing them with long needles.
“We found examples of miscarriages of justice,” Nicola says. “Some cases were very harrowing. Many of those who were accused confessed, but it’s clear that their confessions were forced. Some of them were also accused of being in a demonic pact or seeing fairies, but if you hadn’t slept for several days, had been tortured, were in pain, had a wound infection, hadn’t been fed – it’s quite clear that would’ve contributed to why people said what they said. They didn’t deserve their fate.”
Nicola believes that analysing nursing history is good for the profession: “Too often the history of nursing is seen as starting with Florence Nightingale, but that’s not true. This project tells us more about early practitioners. It shows that many of the principles of what they were doing still apply within nursing today and has given us insight into the early history of our professions.
“We’re hoping that it sparks more interest in the history of nursing and midwifery and how knowing about the past helps us to understand our professions today.”
Words by Rachael Healy. Images courtesy of the Wellcome Collection.
Find out more
- Find out more about RCN Foundation and how to apply for research funding.
- Read more about the Witches of Scotland legal campaign and listen to their podcasts.
- Find out how to join the RCN History of Nursing Forum.
- Do you have any ancestors who were accused of witchcraft? Search the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft to find out.
Conducting the research was disturbing at times. Those accused of witchcraft were often subjected to sleep deprivation during the trial process and some would be examined by witch prickers – people paid to find the mark of the devil on accused witches by stabbing them with long needles.
The staff are always happy to make recommendations and guide customers in selecting the perfect baguette to complement their desired toppings. Baguette Magic downtown is also known for its freshly brewed coffee, which perfectly complements the flavorful baguettes. The combination of a warm, crusty baguette and a rich cup of coffee is a match made in heaven for many who frequent this bakery. Apart from its mouthwatering baguettes, Baguette Magic downtown also offers a range of delectable pastries and desserts. From croissants to eclairs, these treats are made with the same love and attention to detail as the baguettes. The ambiance of Baguette Magic downtown is cozy and welcoming, with rustic wooden furniture and soft lighting. It is a haven for those looking to indulge in a moment of culinary pleasure or catch up with friends over a delicious meal. The bakery also provides outdoor seating, allowing customers to bask in the city's atmosphere while enjoying their baguettes and coffee. Overall, Baguette Magic downtown is a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about good food and quality ingredients. Its authentic baguettes and cozy ambiance create an experience that is truly magical. So, if you find yourself in the downtown area, be sure to make a stop at this one-of-a-kind bakery and let yourself be captivated by the baguette magic..
Reviews for "Baguettes on the Go: Discovering Downtown's Quick Bites"
1. Alice - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Baguette Magic downtown, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The bread was stale and lacked the flakiness that I love in a good baguette. The fillings were also underwhelming, with minimal seasoning and flavor. Additionally, the service was slow and unattentive. Overall, I was disappointed with my experience and do not plan on returning.
2. John - 1/5 - Baguette Magic downtown was a complete letdown for me. The baguette I ordered was dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for days. The filling was sparse and lacked any real flavor. It felt like I was eating plain bread with little to no toppings. The portion size was also disappointing considering the high prices. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a satisfying baguette experience.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to try Baguette Magic downtown, but it just didn't live up to the hype. The bread was mediocre at best, lacking the crusty exterior and soft interior that I was expecting. The filling options were limited and didn't offer anything unique or exciting. The customer service was also lacking, with staff members seeming disinterested and unengaged. Overall, I was unimpressed with my visit and won't be returning in the future.
4. Michael - 3/5 - Baguette Magic downtown was okay, but nothing extraordinary. The baguette itself was decent, but nothing to write home about. The fillings were average, with some lacking in flavor. The prices were reasonable, but for the quality received, I expected better. The service was friendly, but the overall experience left me underwhelmed. I might give it another try, but I'm not in a rush to return.