Magic in the Middle Ages (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) [Paperback]

Richard Kieckhefer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521312027 | ISBN-13: 978-0521312028 | Publication Date: January 26, 1990 | Edition: Reprint

This textbook deals with magic, both natural and demonic, within the broad context of medieval culture. Covering the years c. 500 to 1500, with a chapter on antiquity, it invesigates the way magic relates to the many other cultural forms of the time, such as religion and science, literature and art. The book begins with a full discussion of the social history of magic and of the ways in which magical beliefs borrowed from a diversity of cultures. Thereafter, within a wider study of the growth and development of the phenomenon, the author shows how magic served as a point of contact between the popular and elite classes, how the reality of beliefs is reflected in the fiction witchcraft led to changes in the law. The chapter on medieval literature, and how the permagicalsecution of magic and er on necromancy is the most original, based largely on unpublished manuscripts and arguing for a new interpretation of the material. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach Professor Kieckhefer has taken magic from its cultural isolation and placed it firmly at the crossroads of medieval culture, as a focal point for our understanding of many other aspects of medieval history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... an insightful account of magic ...'. Danny Yee's Book Reviews

Book Description

How was magic practised in medieval times? How did it relate to the diverse beliefs and practices that characterised this fascinating period? Richard Kieckhefer surveys the growth and development of magic in medieval times. He examines its relation to religion, science, philosophy, art, literature and politics before introducing us to the different types of magic, the kinds of people who practised magic, and the reasoning behind their beliefs. This book places magic at the crossroads of medieval culture, shedding light on many other aspects of life in the middle ages. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; Reprint edition (January 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521312027
• ISBN-13: 978-0521312028
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great scholarly review of the subject., May 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic in the Middle Ages (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

If you need a basic review of the beliefs and practices surrounding magic and its use in late antiquity through the witch hysteria of the 17th century, buy this book. It is well-written, fascinating, covers ground not dug up elsewhere, and will lead you to explore the subject further on your own (a hallmark of a great book, I think).

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introductory History of Magic, September 20, 2002

By 

Matthew S. Schweitzer "zohoe" (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic in the Middle Ages (Canto) (Paperback)

Richard Kieckhefer's "Magic in the Middle Ages" is a relatively short but comprehensive scholarly summary of the long and fascinating history of magic during Europe's middle ages and its relationship to witchcraft. The author analyzes the many varied influences on magical beliefs from classical literature, folk beliefs, magical texts, biblical sources, and contemporary scholarly and theological treatises. He shows how the beliefs in magic changed over time and how each area influenced the popular and scholarly beliefs in magic and the supernatural. Ultimately, he shows that beliefs in magic, like relgion to which it is closely related, changes over time as people's perceptions change. He also shows the relationship between magic and witchcraft and how they both played roles in the witch craze of the early modern period. This book is required reading in many witchcraft and medieval studies classes and justly so.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be fooled by the short length, November 21, 2010

By 

Christopher R. Travers "Einhverfr" (Chelan, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magic in the Middle Ages (Canto) (Paperback)

I will admit to being somewhat disappointed when this book arrived and it was as small as it was. A mere 200 pages of text plus a bibliography isn't much space to address a complex subject such as this. Also as someone who is relatively familiar with a lot of the source material he describes, I figured it would be at best a very simple overview. I was wrong.

This is one of the most accessible yet informative books I have come across on the subject. In many ways it is more informative than many other books in my library of greater length. The author engages in a brief but comprehensive survey of the major influences of medieval magic and discusses their origins and roots. Continuity with pagan sources (both classical and Northern European) takes up more than quarter of the book, and in that area he discusses sources ranging from Pliny the Elder to the Norse Sagas, from defixions (cursing tablets) to runic amulets.

The rest of the book is devoted to the Arabic influences, to the rise of demonology in the Middle Ages, and to patterns of persecution. While the Arabic section is fairly standard in approach and thesis, the chapter on demonology offers refreshing and unique insights into the rise of this ritual form in the Middle Ages. The chapter on legal prohibitions and persecutions attempts to tie the main theses of the book together.

All in all, this is a book I'd highly recommend reading to anyone interested in the development of medieval magical practices.