Witchcraft and Counter-witchcraft between 1500 and 1900 in Europe...

Humanities Research Centre, University of York

Witchcraft and Counter-witchcraft in Europe: Historical, Archaeological and Folkloric Approaches

King's Manor - University of York

This Symposium will explore witchcraft beliefs and counter-witchcraft practices and perceptions in medieval and post-medieval Europe by drawing on historical, archaeological, and folkloric sources. There are both online and in-person ticket available.In-person location: Room K/159, King's Manor, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EPOnline joining details: Those who have registered to attend online will receive the Zoom joining details via email 2 days before the event.The new wave of witchcraft studies characterising the last 10 years, has shown the fundamental importance of interdisciplinary approaches in the understanding of witchcraft narratives. Since the very creation of the witch hunt phenomenon in the 15th century, material culture and folklore beliefs have contributed not only to the survival of witchcraft beliefs in post-medieval Europe but have become a research tool for the understanding of such beliefs.The debate on the importance of interdisciplinary studies in historic research, and in witchcraft studies more specifically, goes back to the 1970s with Mary Douglas and her Witchcraft: Confessions and Accusations (London: Tavistock Publications, 1970), providing one of the first examples of a fruitful collaboration between history and anthropology. The debate was then expanded to include folklore, as summarised by Peter Burke in his History and Folklore: A Historiographical Survey published in 2004. The archaeological approach to witchcraft studies stemmed from the work of Ralph Merrifield, The Archaeology of Ritual and Magic (London: Batsford, 1987), and the development of the ‘cognitive archaeology’ theoretical approach by Colin Renfrew in the early 1990s.Since then, the interdisciplinary debate has developed even further, and the continuing work of dedicated academics has tightened and resolved methodological issues creating a platform upon which a new generation of interdisciplinary academics and scholars have had the opportunity to step on and push forward.This event will bring together some of the most influential and dedicated academics who have tirelessly worked for decades on the interdisciplinary approaches to witchcraft studies. Professor Ronald Hutton (University of Bristol, UK), Professor Owen Davies (University of Hertfordshire, UK), Professor Marina Montesano, University of Messina, IT) and Professor Emeritus James Sharpe (University of York) will share with us their latest works and hopes for the future of the discipline in academic circles and among wider audiences.Schedule10:45 – 11:15 Registration and coffee11:15 – 11:30 Kevin Killeen (University of York): Introduction11:30 – 12:10 Debora Moretti (CREMS University of York): Betweenmaterial culture and folklore: the interdisciplinarity of historical witchcraft and magic12:10 – 12:50 Owen Davies (University of Hertfordshire): Exploring the witch bottle tradition: An exercise in contextual archaeological and historical interpretation12:50 – 14:00 Lunch14:00 – 14:30 Tabitha Stanmore (University of Exeter): Locating the supernatural: incorporating physical space into witchcraft and magic studies14:30 – 15:10 Marina Montesano (University of Messina): Folkloric and literary traditions on witchcraft: From Classical Antiquity to the Mediterranean Middle Ages15:10 – 16:00 Ronal Hutton (University of Bristol) The Cailleach16:00 – 16:15 Coffee break16:15 – 16:50 Roundtable discussion chaired by James Sharpe (University of York)17:00 EndFor more information contact Dr Debora Moretti at dm1483@york.ac.uk