Devon Witches And Cunning Folk: A Talk By Keith Wallis

About

In this talk we’ll be exploring some of the history, customs and superstitions surrounding witchcraft in Devon over the centuries. Drawing upon a range of contemporary accounts, as well as the works of various writers and folklorists, we’ll take a closer look at individuals who were thought to be witches, what role they had to play in their community, and how we think they were perceived by those around them.

From stories of alleged ‘white witches’ and ‘black witches’, to the concept of the ‘evil eye’, as well as charms and cures, we’ll delve into a range of local beliefs and customs around magic, considering how many of these traditions still survive, and why they remain an important part of local history and heritage.

Keith Wallis is host of ‘The Piskie Trap’ - a podcast series exploring the folklore, history and legends from across Devon and Cornwall. His recent work has involved a number of collaborations with leading folklorists, historians, writers, and storytellers, as part of a movement to preserve local folklore traditions, and to promote the history and heritage of the south west.