Wales’S History With Magic And Witchcraft?

The untold history of Wales’s rich gallery of magical specialists suspected of harmful witchcraft and how they were tracked down by a vengeful community is explored in Richard Suggett’s book, “A History of Magic and Witchcraft in Wales”. The book covers various topics during and after the Reformation, such as cursing (cursing wells), witchcraft trials, conjurers, grimoires, and demonologists. Popular belief in witchcraft in Wales did not decline with the advent of the Reformation.

Witchcraft studies are central to the study of the history of religion, power, and community in early modern Europe. Witch-hunting in Europe tended to fall into two categories: witches and wizards, and witches and witches. Wales had a rich gallery of magical specialists, including prophets, cunning-men, physicians, and others, including many who were suspected of harmful witchcraft.

The earliest case of witchcraft in Wales was recorded in the very early 16th century. A new book documenting the history of Welsh witchcraft, “A History of Magic and Witchcraft in Wales”, examines all types of magical specialists, including those regarded as beneficial as well as harmful. Popular belief in witchcraft in Wales did not decline with the advent of the Reformation.

In conclusion, the untold history of Wales’s rich gallery of magical specialists, including those suspected of harmful witchcraft, provides valuable insights into the history of religion, power, and community in early modern Europe.

What are the witch marks in Wales?

Witch marks, or apotropaic marks, have been found in various materials, including wooden beams, panelling, stonework, and ancient plaster. These marks were believed to indicate potential entry points for witches and evil spirits. Marian marks, involving overlapping v’s, invoking the protection of the Virgin Mary, and two mesh designs known as ‘demon traps’ were also found. Most of the marks are deliberate scorch marks, which were initially dismissed as accidental. One attic space, once a servant’s bed chamber, has over 130 scorch marks on the beams and door frame alone.

Were there any witch trials in Wales?

Welsh witches were a significant issue in the 16th and 17th centuries, with around forty prosecutions and five fatal hanged. The Court-house at Beaumaris, where Margaret ferch Richard was convicted and executed, is a notable example of a witch’s trial. The beautiful west window and sixteenth-century roof at Dyserth Church in Flintshire were familiar to witnesses who testified against Gwen ferch Elis, who was hanged for witchcraft in 1584.

Ffynnon Elian, a well known for its curse, remains a feature of the historic landscape. Richard Suggett will discuss the people and places associated with witchcraft in Wales at the National Library’s Drwm on 31 October 2018.

What is a Welsh witch called?

The term “wits” or “witch” is derived from the English language. It is a documented fact that the term “witch” is primarily used in Wales.

What is the Welsh name for witches?

During the Witch trials in Wales, there was no native term for witches, with the accused being referred to as Wits or Witshes. The most common term for a Witch is Gwrach, but this term is more aligned with the fairy tale archetype of the hag. However, the Welsh language had a native term for magical specialists, such as Dewin, Consuriwr, Dyn Hysbys, Gwiddan, Rheibies, Swyngyfareddwyr, Planedydd, and Daroganwr. These were skilled in conjuration, divination, blessing, cursing, and curing.

The term Swynwraig, which means spell, charm, or incantation, is used to describe a Swynwraig, a charmer, healer, and diviner in the community. They used their skills and knowledge of healing herbs, divinatory techniques, and charms or incantations to help the community in various ways. A male equivalent of the Swynwraig would be a Swynwr, while a gender-neutral equivalent would be a Swynydd. The term Swynwraig was a significant part of the Welsh cultural heritage.

What is a Welsh fairy called?

Tylwyth Teg, also known as “Fair Family” in Welsh and Irish folklore Aos Sí, are mythological creatures corresponding to the fairy folk of Welsh and Irish folklore. They are also known as Bendith y Mamau, Gwyllion, and Ellyllon. The term “Tylwyth Teg” is first attested in a poem by Dafydd ap Gwilym, where the principal character gets lost while visiting his girlfriend. Later sources describe the tylwyth teg as fair-haired and covet golden-haired human children they kidnap, leaving changelings in their place.

They dance and make fairy rings, live underground or underwater, and bestow riches on those they favor. Fairy maidens may become the wives of human men, but they are bound by traditional taboos, such as avoiding touching iron or returning to their realm. The term “Tylwyth Teg” is a common term in Wales for these mythological creatures.

What is a devil’s mark?

In the late 17th century, several hundred people were tried for practicing witchcraft in Salem Village, Massachusetts. Twenty-four people died before the Superior Court of Judicature dismissed the remaining cases, and Governor Phips granted amnesty to all accused and convicted. Evidence used to convict a person of being a witch included spectral evidence confessions, apparent proof of alleged supernatural abilities, and skin lesions characteristic of “devil’s marks” or “witch’s marks”.

It was believed that the devil would confirm his pact with a witch by giving her or him a mark of identification. Devil’s marks included flat or raised, red, blue, or brown lesions, sometimes with unusual outlines, while witch’s marks were most likely supernumerary nipples. It was believed that familiars (agents of the devil, usually in animal form) would receive sustenance by being suckled. However, there is no indication in the trial transcripts that anyone was convicted based on this evidence alone.

Who is the Welsh god of magic?

In the Welsh Mabinogion, Gwydion, a master of magic and poetry, is a dubious character who rapes a virgin servant girl of King Math. As punishment, he is made to live as a stag, sow, and wolf, with the rapist as his counterpart. Later, he is the cunning protector of his sister Aranrhod’s unwanted child, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, possibly the Welsh version of the pan-Celtic deity Lugus. Gwydion tricks Aranrhod into giving him a name and weapons, presumably as a mother.

What is Welsh for magic?

The search results for English and Welsh magics have been identified at various universities, including UWTSD Carmarthen, UWTSD Lampeter, and UWTSD Swansea. For further information regarding admissions, contact details, and additional details about the course of study, please contact the respective campus.

What is the Welsh word for magic?

The Welsh language has a number of nouns and adjectives, including hud2, cyfaredd, hud1, hudoliaeth, lledrith, and swyngyfaredd. Such nouns may be classified as feminine, masculine, feminine, or plural. To obtain further information, please either sign in or register to view the full entries from the English-Welsh section of the dictionary, which include synonyms, thesaurus entries, translations, and additional content.

How do I know if I have a witches mark?

Witches and sorcerers were believed to have a witch’s mark waiting to be found, and accused individuals were scrutinized thoroughly. The entire body was suspected as a canvas for a mark, an indicator of a pact with Satan. Witch’s marks were believed to include moles, skin tags, supernumerary nipples, and insensitive patches of skin. Experts believed that a witch’s mark could be easily identified from a natural mark, and protests from victims that the marks were natural were often ignored.

Authorities in witch trials routinely stripped accused witches of clothing and shaved their body hair to prevent potential marks from being hidden. Pins were driven into scars, calluses, and thickened areas of skin, known as “pricking a witch”. The search for witch’s marks had disappeared by 1700.

Violence against accused witches included torture, as seen in the case of Catherine Boyraionne, who died in prison from injuries after being repeatedly applied hot fat to her eyes, armpits, stomach, thighs, elbows, and vagina.

What is a Welsh girl called?

A Welshwoman is defined as a woman who was born in Wales and identifies herself as Welsh. She is a diminutive, slender woman of noble bearing who has captured the heart of her people, thereby exemplifying her distinctive attributes and defining herself as a Welshwoman in the context of British English.