Witchcraft and Folk Magic in Cornwall

Witchcraft and Folk Magic in Cornwall

Jason Semmens

10 April 2019

“Everybody has their own thoughts of what a witch was” (or is!).  So said Jason Semmens, the speaker at our April meeting.  Story book pictures of old women with crooked noses, black pointed hats riding on broomsticks do not bear out the reality!

In 13th and 14th century Cornwall, people believed that witches were in league with the Devil and would sell their souls for earthly treasures. This belief formed the idea in peoples minds that witches had the power to cause harm and spread ill amongst the populace.  Farming communities blamed witches when their cattle died mysteriously or crops failed. Breakdown in family relationships would also be blamed on the witch’s curse.

Witch trials were held in the 17th century when both women and men were accused of witchcraft and sent to the assizes.  If found guilty, they would be sent to Launceston gaol.  In Cornwall records show that eight witches were sentenced to death by hanging, contrary to popular belief that witches were burned at the stake.

The most well known witch in Cornwall was Thomasine Blight (aka Tammy Blee) who was born at the end of the 19th century.  Thomasine started her business in Redruth and then moved to Helston, a more affluent town, where she ‘helped’ people with all manner of troubles.  But in contrast she would also cast a spell on anyone who displeased her. She married James Thomas, a former miner, and they worked together to form a very lucrative business.  There is a story told about Thomasine raising a dead woman from her grave in order that she could be questioned about some missing money.  Apparently this was a collusion between her and James, being similar to activities performed by those known as cunning people or conjurers.

To protect themselves from the witches curse, people would wear talismans or amulets, the most common being the word Abracadabra written within two crossed triangles which formed a star.  Another protection would be to keep a witches bottle in your house containing pins and filled with one's own urine.

Witchcraft continued in Cornwall into the 20th century when ‘witches’ continued to be known as cunning people or conjurers.  Witches who were literate were considered to be clever and said to be able to raise spirits as in the case of Thomasine Blight.

This was a most interesting and thoroughly researched talk from Jason on the subject of Witchcraft in Cornwall.