[MR] Performace Magic in the middle ages

[Michael Bresnahan]

There is lots of stuff, Google magic in medieval
Or Magic in the Middle Ages

I would contact these people they may have done the research you seek and be
able to tell you what tricks were performed in your period.

http://imaginationworks.net/magic/medieval.htm
During the 11th to the 15th centuries magic took many forms. Astrologers,
alchemists, sorcerers, and wizards claimed mystical powers and knowledge of
the occult. Kings often employed these advisors in their courts and depended
upon their wise council. The church, apparently threatened by magic, tried
and executed witches and other practitioners of the so-called black arts.
These trials soon degraded into vendettas against unpopular townsfolk. 
    At the same time there were magicians who performed at fairs and at
court. These harmless tricksters were much in demand for their unusual and
mystifying entertainment. Many of the magical effects we enjoy today, even
"new ones" we see on TV specials, were first performed by medieval
magicians. Our Renaissance Magic Shows recreate the lighthearted spirit of
those early entertainers. Much of the actual magic we perform was also
performed then and the methods are largely the same. 

http://dannyreviews.com/h/Magic_Middle_Ages.html

And more

http://www.magiczoom.com/history-of-magic.htm?sid=&lang_site=en
"It wasn't until 1584 that the first book about magic was published by the
Englishman Reginald Scott Entitled "The Discovery of Witchcraft" the book
gives detailed analysses of magic tricks in order to refute
superstistions...

I would look for the book above too, it may be recreated somewhere.


Michael 
"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Alex and Kier Kenlon
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 11:21 AM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [MR] Performace Magic in the middle ages

Hi. I'm looking for information regarding performance magic during period.
I've been picking up little slight-of-hand tricks here and there and love
entertaining children (of all ages). The problem is that as far as I can
see, it looks as if there is quite a bit of documentation for conjuring
tricks pre-period and in the 18th century but little during period since it
was *evil* and *witchcraft* and one could end up a little warmer than they'd
like to be (*cough*burnedatthestake*cough*).

About the only thing I can find is a painting by Hieronymus Bosch (real name
of Jeroen van Aken) who painted "The Conjurer" in the 1500's depicting
someone performing what apears to be the "cup and Ball" trick to a crowd of
amazed people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conjurer_(painting)

He looks rather like a street magician with the pack on his belt for his
tools and even a nifty little wand looking thing on the table.

I was wondering if there is any documentable evidence of performance magic
somewhere in period. I'd hate to think that *everyone* back then was so
desperately cold that they were looking for any excuse to toss some poor
soul on the barbie as fuel.

Lord Alsandair O'Caoindealbhain
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