Religion and the Decline of Magic

Thomas on astrology, witchcraft, cunning folk, prophecy and healing charms in early modern England, and on how those beliefs receded without being refuted.

Why it’s on the list: Named in the “best history book” thread, where the reply added “or anything by Frances Yates” — the neighbouring body of work on Renaissance hermeticism and the art of memory.

Where I saw it: In Kyle’s “Books To Read” Apple Note, recovered from the reply thread to @typesfast asking “What’s the best history book you’ve read?” (June 5, 2025). The full recovered list lives on What’s the best history book… (tweet).

The recommendation also pointed to Frances Yates (Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition, The Art of Memory) as an alternative entry point; no separate card was made for that open-ended suggestion.

Connections

• What’s the best history book… (tweet) — the thread this came out of; the full recovered list lives there.
• Religion · Christianity — the frame the magic sat beside.