During the Victorian era, the belief in witches was still prevalent, although it had significantly diminished compared to earlier centuries. Witches were generally viewed as evil individuals who had made a pact with the devil in exchange for supernatural powers. This perception had been shaped by centuries of religious beliefs and societal fears. The majority of witch trials and persecutions had taken place during the 16th and 17th centuries, but remnants of this fear persisted into the 19th century. However, the focus had shifted from actively hunting down witches to a more superstitious fear of their existence. The Victorian era was a time of great social change and progress, but also one of strict moral values and religious adherence.
Occult ideas In addition to physicality, witchcraft methodology often found itself inexorably linked to idiosyncratic ideas of occultism. For example, Gale’s Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers archive includes an article from 1851 that described supernatural communication in occultist terms, linking interactions with “spirits” to certain sounds and knocks. Individuals would “establish confidence” in a “guardian spirit”, using pencils and sounds to inquire questions toward the supernatural entity from beyond the grave. Indeed, nineteenth century preternatural methodology built upon a mixture of such occultist and traditional ‘witchy’ concepts.
Bodily Magic A notable distinction I found in the sources were those that discussed witchcraft in relation to the body, either inflicted upon or released from it. Morley Adams claimed to have collected a version of the story of the witch of Loddon from an old lady particularly well up in the local history of witchcraft, and a firm believer in the existence and power of witches.
The Victorian era was a time of great social change and progress, but also one of strict moral values and religious adherence. People held strong beliefs in the supernatural and the occult, with many considering themselves vulnerable to the powers of witches. This fear was fueled by popular literature and plays that depicted witches as malevolent beings.
Double, double, toil and trouble Witchcraft methodology in nineteenth-century Britain and the U.S.
│By André Buller, Gale Ambassador at the University of Portsmouth │ Ideas of sorcery, witchcraft and incantations have persisted in intriguing me throughout my years of study. The ways in which the supernatural arose and manifested alongside historical events has always fascinated me, and consequently I’ve found myself studying subjects that considered the mystical in both the literary and historical units of my degree. The topics I’ve studied in these classes have ranged as widely as manifestations of the supernatural have in the past. One week I’d study the seventeenth century, witch-hunts of Salem and the pursuits of Matthew Hopkins, but by the next week be focusing on the rise of Occultism. Though definitely interesting, the famous contention between sceptical magician Harry Houdini and stalwart believer Arthur Conan Doyle did not discuss specific methods of magical practise at that time, leaving something of a gap in my knowledge of how the mysticality of witchcraft persisted in the nineteenth century. However, Gale Primary Sources proved bountiful once again, and through exploring this wealth of documents it is possible to answer methodological questions – such as how people cast spells – to those of a more analytical nature, such as how witchcraft was defined in the Victorian era. Bodily Magic A notable distinction I found in the sources were those that discussed witchcraft in relation to the body, either inflicted upon or released from it. The Morning Chronicle of 1828, one of the periodicals in Gale’s British Library Newspapers collection, describes the actions of one Rose Pares, who “enjoyed the reputation of being a witch,” as she treated an ill peasant girl. Marching into the room, Rose was swift to diagnose the child as “bewitched” before ordering those present to help her arrange the room for her magic. The writing is useful in showing contemporarily agreed constants of witchcraft; “Little as we are initiated into the secrets of magic, we know that odd numbers, and especially the number three, have singular virtues; therefore, three, multiplied by three, must be a number prodigiously powerful.” For this reason, the witch used nine heated stones to make a mystical vapour, before using coins to extract the spiritual malevolence from the girl’s body.
“CASE OF WITCHCRAFT.” Morning Chronicle [1801], 28 Sept. 1829. British Library Newspapers, http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/8AAYQ3#.XGq77cQL-Yc.link
Similarly, in 1848, the Boston Investigator, a periodical in Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers, provides more magical constants that witchcraft ascribed to the body. It describes the energies that emit from the body, as a form called “effluvia,” and determines that the eye, an imperative tool in the craft of sorcery, manipulates and slings this energy in order to cast spells. In these ways, methods of witchcraft persisted through relation to physical needs and attributes, either in illness or in physiology.
“Witchcraft.” Boston Investigator, 12 Jan. 1848. Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers, http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/99LZj9#.XGq7mB87H3I.link
Occult ideas In addition to physicality, witchcraft methodology often found itself inexorably linked to idiosyncratic ideas of occultism. For example, Gale’s Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers archive includes an article from 1851 that described supernatural communication in occultist terms, linking interactions with “spirits” to certain sounds and knocks. Individuals would “establish confidence” in a “guardian spirit”, using pencils and sounds to inquire questions toward the supernatural entity from beyond the grave. Indeed, nineteenth century preternatural methodology built upon a mixture of such occultist and traditional ‘witchy’ concepts.
“Spirit Rappings.” Cleveland Daily Herald, 21 Feb. 1851. Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers, http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/8AAhD1#.XGrDw5ALT38.link
In the Portland Oregonian in 1892 an article discussed hypnotism and puppetry: “It will be remembered that the genuine “witches” of the Puritan era had, or were alleged to have had, a tantalizing habit of maltreating their victims by making little dolls or “poppets,” as they were called, giving them the names of the persons whom they wished to persecute, and then sticking pins in them”. Though aged by the time of authorship, such methods had persisted – albeit evolving over time. The column describes how a Dr. Luys “claimed to have succeeded in transferring the sensibilities of a hypnotized person to an inanimate object”. Apparently, he managed to place a woman’s mind into a glass of water, who winced when the water was touched or drank. Thus, it becomes clear that these supernatural methods and views survived the century, though evolved to mirror the trends of the times.
“Modern ‘Witchcraft’.” Portland Oregonian [Oregon Territory], 22 Dec. 1892, p. 4. Nineteenth Century U.S. Newspapers, http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/99LZ48#.XGrFKYuTp5g.link
Undeniable humanity Though supernatural methods shifted in mysticism, in some ways witchcraft remained a distinctly human affair. Recorded in the British Library Newspapers archive is the violence of Annie Gilroy, who was charged with assaulting Jane Forden in 1874. According to Anne, she acted out of defence; “The defendant fancied that she was “bewitched” by the complainant, and determined to “draw blood” as the approved method of dispelling the witchcraft. This she succeeded in doing by committing the assault.” Though there is no real supernatural discussion, Anne felt she could make the case for her actions with witchcraft, giving credence to the idea that it was, at least to some extent, still a believed phenomenon with rules and exceptions to subvert.
Authors like Shakespeare and Sheridan Le Fanu commonly explored the theme of witchcraft in their works, further contributing to the anxiety surrounding witches. Although the systematic persecution of witches had ceased, accusations and suspicions still arose in small communities. In rural areas, witchcraft was often associated with folk medicine and herbal remedies, leading to suspicion among villagers. In some cases, individuals who practiced these healing traditions were unfairly accused of witchcraft. While public hangings and witch trials were rare during the Victorian era, instances of ostracism and isolation of alleged witches still occurred. It is important to note that the belief in witches was not universally held during this time. Many educated individuals and members of the burgeoning scientific community dismissed witchcraft as mere superstition. However, these progressive ideas did not entirely eradicate the fear and belief in witches among the general population. In conclusion, although the fear of witches had diminished during the Victorian era, remnants of this belief still lingered. The influence of literature and popular culture, along with lingering superstitions, perpetuated this fear. While witch trials were no longer common, accusations and suspicion of witchcraft still cast a shadow over some communities..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and the Victorian gothic novel"
- John - 2/5 Rating - I was really excited to read "Witches during the Victorian Era" as I am a fan of both historical novels and fantasy. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. The writing style was dull and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. Additionally, I found the depiction of witches in the Victorian era to be cliché and unoriginal. Overall, I felt that the book failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.
- Sarah - 2/5 Rating - I had high hopes for "Witches during the Victorian Era" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The character development was weak, making it difficult to form any emotional connection with them. The writing style felt amateurish and lacked sophistication. I was hoping for a captivating historical fantasy, but instead, I found myself bored and disinterested. I would not recommend this book to others looking for an engaging and well-written novel.
- Emily - 1/5 Rating - "Witches during the Victorian Era" was a complete disappointment. The story was slow-paced and lacked any excitement or intrigue. The world-building was insufficient, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the magical aspects of the Victorian era. The characters were bland and forgettable, making it difficult to care about their journey. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and uninspiring read. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and well-developed novel.