Witchcraft and Secret Societies of Rural England

The Magic of Toadmen, Plough Witches, Mummers, and Bonesmen

By: Nigel Pennick

Narrated by: Andrew Panebianco

Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

A comprehensive account of the rich folk culture preserved in the rural secret societies of the British Isles

• Describes the secret rites, ceremonies, and initiation rituals of guilds and rural fraternities such as the Shoemakers, Horsemen, Toadmen, Mummers, and Bonesmen 
• Explains their use of masks, black face, and other disguises to avoid persecution
• Draws not only on scholarly research but also the author’s personal contacts within these still living traditions  

Centuries ago the remote, marshy plains of eastern England--the Fens--were drained to create agricultural land. The Fens remained isolated up until the nineteenth century, and it was this very isolation that helped preserve the ancient traditions of this area, traditions ruthlessly eradicated elsewhere in the British Isles. These magical folk traditions also owe their survival to secret rural societies, from craft guilds and trade unions to Morris dancers and village bands.  

Exploring the folk customs and magical traditions of guilds and rural fraternities such as the Shoemakers and Horsemen and the secrets guarded by the Free Gardeners, Witches, Toadmen, and Bonesmen, Nigel Pennick shows how the common working people of the Fens belonged to secret societies based on their specific trade. He details the hidden aspects of rural life that most historians ignore - the magical current that flowed through the lives of working people - and describes the secret rites, ceremonies, oaths, and initiation rituals of the guilds and fraternities to which the folk belonged.  

Drawing not only on scholarly research but also his personal contacts within these still living traditions, Pennick explains their use of masks, black face, and other disguises to avoid persecution and describes how wise woman healers and witches in rural villages were sought-after for their remedies. He shares the secrets of the toad-bone rite, which gave the Toadman control over animals and members of the opposite sex, and explores the guardian spirits thought to inhabit the Fens, including those of the Wild Hunt.  

Providing insight into a world that has largely disappeared, one whose magic still echoes in lore and legend, Pennick shows that the rites, customs, and ceremonies of guilds and rural fraternities connect individuals to a wider community and, through collective action, to the power of Nature and the Cosmos.

©2019 by Nigel Pennick. All Rights Reserved. (P)2020 Inner Traditions Audio. All Rights Reserved.

Critic Reviews

“Nigel Pennick is a true initiate who can demonstrate to the reader how nature and cosmos correlate to each other. I regularly return to Nigel Pennick’s books...” (Thomas Karlsson, PhD, author of Nightside of the Runes) 

"This book reminds us that one need look no further than modern day secular cultural celebrations that survived because they are so sacred, they transcend religion. It is a reminder that magic and witchcraft need not be fraternal, hidden, or done in circle, although it certainly can be. It does not necessarily entail candles, incense, or even religion at all. Sometimes, it’s just the living communing with the dead by doing what they did, and remembering events past, as the Wheel of the Year turns. It’s not necessarily mysterious at all, and can be as simple as what celebrates earth, people, and nature. It can be just for fun, and fellowship, as there are times when bonding with community and family, celebrating who we are, where we have come from, and teaching the children, is the most magical practice of them all. Pennick has written not only this fascinating masterpiece, but various others. Highly recommended reading!" (Saoirse, PaganPages.org) 

"Well researched and wonderfully illustrated, Pennick’s telling of local history and mythology is written in an accessible, interesting and enthralling way and kept me engrossed from beginning to end. Very highly recommended!" (June Kent, editor of Indie Shaman magazine)

Excellent!

The most fascinating book I have ever heard! I highly recommend it for all history lovers

An American narrating a book on Britain

This is a rich, detailed and well researched book, the author clearly knows his subject. However it is narrated by Andrew Panebianco who is from the US with a strong accent. Many place names are mispronounced (e.g. The river Ouse, gets pronounced “oos”) and the classic mispronouncing of any place name finishing in ‘borough’ where he says “boro”. Andrew Panebianco is a perfectly good narrator but just not for a book on British history and custom, and after a while it became jarring and distracting.

Terrible pronunciation of British language

I bought this as I love Nigel Pennick and his insight into the traditions , customs and folklore history of England, especially in the Eastern regions. However, for some utterly unfathomable reason, the publisher decided to narrate this uniquely British work with an American voice artist. This isn’t dreadful in itself, if a little baffling, but his lack of knowledge about how British terms and place names are pronounced is just poor and incredibly distracting! What compounds this is that nobody thought to check and coach him! Did everyone just think Wycombe is said ‘why coom’ because a brief conversation with anyone who’s from the country can tell you! Sometimes, he seems to think he has it when he pronounces Priors Hardwick, which is said how it’s spelt, as har-wic! WTF?!
This would be superb if the narrator at least had a handle on English and the place names therein. He can be forgiven for a thick American accent when discussing deeply rural and pastoral British things if he can say the words properly. A Scots rhyme that rhymes (the clue is on the name) thread with speed is pronounced as written. Again, nobody read it or heard it and thought, “do you think that rhymes?” In a Scots dialect it’s threed!!

Interesting but ...

Shame a book about British history and culture, set in East Anglia is narrated by an American. It frustrates and the “quote” “unquote every five minutes ruined the flow