Belief in the powers and effects of magic
was widespread in medieval and early modern
Europe.
But what eventually led to its decline?
Published in 1971, Keith Thomas’ book, Religion
and the Decline of Magic, tries to answer
that question by examining the complex relationship
between magic, religion and science in England
in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Thomas draws on numerous sources to assert
that magic had a pragmatic function – it
was a rationalised response that offered solutions
to problems for which the medieval period
had no other answers – it helped give meaning
to events such as disease or crop failure.
For Thomas, magic was intrinsically linked
with the accepted world-view of the time – and
therefore part of ‘normal’ medieval life.
Although we may find it difficult to understand
this medieval mind-set, people have – throughout
history – always been subject to influences
and beliefs that now seem absurd or unusual.
So, what modern comparisons can we draw on,
to show how a belief might once have been
deemed logical – even though it now seems
irrational, thanks to advances in knowledge?
In the early 20th century, tobacco was still
perceived as being an effective stimulant.
Tobacco companies even launched advertising
campaigns to promote an image of cigarettes
as being harmless pleasures – and even helpful
in soothing sore throats.
But, over time, scientific studies began to
unravel the many health issues associated
with smoking tobacco.
As a result popular consensus began to change
– and soon the belief that cigarettes were
harmless, was turned on its head.
In medieval times, similar shifts in belief
began to take place.
Thomas argues that this period saw a gradual
decline in magic and superstition.
He investigates the factors behind this decline
– the Protestant Reformation challenged
and attacked magical belief and was certainly
an important factor.
Science was also expanding medieval peoples’
knowledge of the world around them.
Evidence that contradicted previous beliefs
regarding supernatural powers and beings,
slowly led to people abandoning magic, in
the light of these new discoveries.
The tobacco analogy demonstrates how new evidence
overturned a previously accepted ‘norm’.
But Thomas explains that the decline of magic
was not as straightforward as the tobacco
story.
Rather than being a linear process, he says,
there was actually a substantial overlap between
magical, religious and scientific belief – they
were not always in opposition with each other.
In fact, in the 16th century, magical and
scientific practitioners were often one and
the same.
Keith Thomas’ book helps us to understand
the complex interaction of differing belief
systems – and shows us how they both competed
and complemented each other.
He helps us to understand the complex cross
currents of thought and belief in the early
modern period.
A more detailed examination can be found in
the MACAT analysis.
