The Witchcraft of Dame Darrel of York.
Providence, Rhode Island: The Witches' Almanac Ltd., 2011. Limited edition, Signed. Hardcover. Quarto. xxxvi + 362pp. Maroon cloth with gilt titling to spine, blind stamped device to upper board, matching maroon endpapers, ribbon marker. Housed in a matching gilt embellished cloth slipcase. Complete color facsimile of Leland's original highly decorative manuscript. This edition limited to 400 copies, signed and numbered by Robert Mathiesen one of a series of special bookplates designed at The Witches' Almanac specially for this issue of this edition. From the publishers:"'The Witchcraft of Dame Darrel of York' purports to be the full account of the Witchcraft practiced in medieval England. In truth, Dame Darrel was an imaginative recreation of how witchcraft was practiced in medieval England. Based on Leland’s years of prodigious research, the structure of this work leaves room for readers to create their own practice rooted in tradition, yet responsive to twentieth century needs and sensibilities." Philadelphia-born Charles G. Leland was a scholar and folklorist who moved to England in 1870 where he learned to speak the Romany language of the Gypsies, and was accepted into Gypsy circles, who freely shared their knowledge of traditional witchcraft, talismanic magic, amulets, etc. with him. He went on to publish two books on the subject, although he is best known for his "Aradia: Gospel of the Witches," a book that is often cited as the starting point of the twentieth century witchcraft revival. That work comprised a translation of an Italian manuscript, the 'Vangelo' (or witches' 'Gospel' of the title) supposedly given to Leland by a mysterious woman named "Maddalena" during a residence in Florence, along with an account of the history, beliefs, rituals and practices of an ancient witchcraft tradition that Leland claimed had survived clandestinely in Tuscany throughout the centuries. It could be said that "The Witchcraft of Dame Darrel of York" seeks to do for British folk-magic traditions what "Aradia" did for the Tuscan. This, the first publication of "The Witchcraft of Dame Darrel of York" includes a color facsimile of Leland's original highly decorative manuscript, along with a transcription of the text and an Introduction by Robert Mathiesen, Professor Emeritus at Brown University and renowned scholar of the occult. An important work for historians and folklorists, as well as modern neo-Pagans and practitioners of the Craft. An unused copy thus Fine condition in Fine dust jacket and in matching near Fine clothbound slipcase. Large, heavy book - additional shipping may be needed for US orders and will be needed for international orders. Item #65520
ISBN: 9780982432310
Sold