frontispiece and 17 illustrations. 1526. Wellcome Images ©
Your first question is, no doubt, what is a cunning man or cunning woman? Is it just a description for a crafty, untrustworthy someone? Or is it so much more. Two centuries ago, you would not be asking these questions. Instead, you would know who and where to find such a person in your town or village.
The Cunning-folk were individuals who practised magic. They could
be both male or female, and sometimes very rarely children! Cunning-folk often healed the sick or bewitched. They often told fortunes, enchanted love, and identified thieves. Cunning-folk’s knowledge of magic was used for good and for bad. They often fought with and against magic as well. Sounds confusing right? All will become clear!
The Cunning-folk, used natural magic. Demons or the devil did not control them.
Instead, they worshiped, prayed, and enchanted spirits to do their bidding.
During the persecution of Witchcraft in the sixteenth century, Cunning-folk often went unnoticed; this is purely because the magic they practised was useful and most often helpful to the community. This is how they got the name ‘Good Witches’. On the other hand, ‘Bad Witches’, were seen as malicious and hurtful, but more on them later! In Essex, only eleven out of 503 Witch trials included cunning-folk. Unless the cunning-folk got themselves involved in dodgy dealings, treason, or murder, their practice
remained out of the law.
Considering that most magic was illegal during the seventeenth to the eighteenth century, ‘“Good Witches were rife in everie parish.”
Historian Owen Davies believes you would be no more than five miles away from a witch at any time during this period!
Cunning-folk were everywhere. They were usually tradesmen, farmers, or craftsmen, self-employed and able to provide twenty-four-hour services to their customers.
Cunning-folk often inherited their talents from their parents or elder relatives. Some taught themselves. Others learnt magic as apprentices of physicians, surgeons, astrologists or herbalists. Most cunning-folk knew how to read. Magical books were called Grimoires; these included spells, charms and rituals that helped provoke the spirits. Almanacs also helped practitioners of weather magic or divination, as they would help cunning-folk predict weather forecasts, harvests and high and low tides. In order to have these books, you –often- needed to know how to read them.
Cunning-folk have been forgotten in history, but they were people of great importance to their community. They held a number of roles in society, from Doctor’s and Surgeons to Astrologers and Vets. Their knowledge of plants, water, animals, charms, amulets and rituals highlight how people engaged with and interacted with magic throughout the ages. They were the go-to people for almost every situation, and their involvement shows us the hopes, fears and dreams of past generations, making cunning-folks position in history truly captivating.
Bewitching Britain 