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UID:1076@nicholaspriory.com
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261009T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261009T200000
DTSTAMP:20260625T161822Z
URL:https://nicholaspriory.com/events/it-could-be-witches-witchmarks-and-p
 rotection-magic-in-medieval-england/
SUMMARY:‘It Could Be Witches’: Witchmarks and Protection Magic in Medie
 val England
DESCRIPTION:A talk by F. Crawford\nThis talk will discuss the use of ‘wit
 ch marks’ – protective markings used to ward against hostile forces 
 – and similar apotropeia\, during the Middle Ages and Early Modern perio
 d\, and their continuities within the present day.  It will look at the p
 rotection marks\, including hexafoils and burn marks\, which have been fou
 nd in St Nicholas Priory\, while recognising the challenges that arise in 
 identifying such marks.\nIn the Middle Ages\, protective symbols and other
  practices later classed as superstition were far more commonplace than th
 ey are today (when they are still far from uncommon) and there was nothing
  unusual about a religious building incorporating such defences into its p
 hysical space.  Perhaps particularly prior to the Reformation\, there was
  little distinction between the so-called ‘supernatural’ and the natur
 al world\, and magic itself was not seen as anti-scientific\, but rather a
 s a form of science.  This talk will examine how beliefs about magic were
  an intrinsic\, accepted part of an everyday world which has gradually bec
 ome less enchanted since then.\nThe talk will look at the ways in which pr
 otective magic has continued to be used in living spaces over the centurie
 s since – for example in the form of witch bottles\, written charms and 
 concealed shoes – up until the present\, when teddy bears and gnomes wer
 e scrambled to strengthen the ranks in the battle against Covid-19.\n£10\
 , Drinks included.\n Doors at 6pm for 6:30pm start.\nDirections\nSt Nicho
 las Priory is on Mint Lane with walking access from Fore Street or Barthol
 omew Street West.\n\nThe nearest car park is Mary Arches Street\, which is
  a five-minute walk. Exeter Central railway station is a ten-minute walk
 . The bus station is a 15-minute walk with many buses stopping on the Hig
 h Street which is ten minutes away.\n\nAccess\nUnfortunately\, due to the 
 nature of this historic building\, there is no wheelchair access for our u
 pstairs rooms.\n\nFacilities\nOur outdoor toilet block can be made availab
 le on request.\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns about your visit p
 lease email admin@nicholaspriory.com
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nicholaspriory.com/wp-content/uploads/20
 26/06/Untitled.jpg
CATEGORIES:History
LOCATION:St Nicholas Priory\, Mint Lane\, Off Fore Street\, Exeter\, Devon\
 , EX4 3BL\, United Kingdom
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 \, Exeter\, Devon\, EX4 3BL\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=St
  Nicholas Priory:geo:0,0
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DTSTART:20260329T020000
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