A guide to magic in the Middle Ages

Before the age of modern medicine or science, residents of medieval Europe (c. 500 – 1500 CE) used spoken or written charms to fend off danger and cure illnesses.

In her book, Textual Magic: Charms and Written Amulets in Medieval England, Asst Prof Katherine Hindley of NTU’s School of Humanities introduces the various charms that were part and parcel of life in medieval England.

Drawing on a collection of over 1,000 charms, Asst Prof Hindley examines the relationships between language, belief and power. The variety of written charms and spoken incantations used to address different conditions, from bleeding to fever, illustrates the pervasive influence of charms on medieval society.

Through these examples and their uses in everyday life, Asst Prof Hindley highlights the perceived power of words in changing the world. Her analysis also reveals the effect of shifting cultural landscapes on the use of charms to heal and protect, shedding light on this fascinating aspect of medieval culture.