Name: Cunning Folk : Life in the era of practical magic
Start: 2025-10-28T12:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-10-28T14:00:00+00:00
Location: The Mary Rose

Cunning Folk : Life in the era of practical magic

The sea can be a dangerous place. How did travellers in the past cope with the risks and dangers that they faced? Especially in the sixteenth century, when sailors were at the mercy of the wind and waves, relying on stars to find their way across the ocean, it’s not surprising that magic and superstitions abounded.
Join Dr Tabitha Stanmore in an exploration of practical magic in English history. We will hear about the role magic played in everyday life, and especially the spells used aboard ships like the Mary Rose. There were charms to call the wind and calm the waters, amulets to protect against the sea, and magical contracts to bring sailors safely home. By the end of the talk, you’ll know how important the supernatural was to our ancestors’ lives and why it made sense to them.