I love research, it throws up so many oddities and interesting facts that you can add to your writing. Recently I've been researching witchcraft for a novel and came across an article about the witch pits of Cornwall.
Archaeologist Dr Jacqui Wood found dozens of shallow rectangular holes in a Cornish village.
These "pits" were about 15" x 10" and carved into the clay. They were lined with animal skins, bird carcasses, feathers and stones.
The pebbles found in some of the pits are particularly interesting. They come from swanpool beach, which is near Falmouth, 15 miles or so away from the site.
Although every pit is slightly different there are many similarities. The items are always fur, feather and animal related - some pits contained bones and the heads of goats or pigs.
One pit lined with the skin of a swan turned inside out, came from the 1640s as you might expect. Another made from cat fur, was from the mid 18th century but a third pit containing the skeleton of a dog laid on top of its own pelt, was dated at no earlier than the 1950s.
The freshest hole contains animal bones wrapped in a synthetic twine only used since the 1970s which means that the people who made it may still be alive.
It is believed that these holes were made by a secret coven of local witches possibly as an offering to the saint of newborn babies to aid fertility.
Cornwall is steeped in folklore, myth and legend. It has always been inhabited by piskies, fairies and elves. So it's no surprise that it has also, from time to time, happily dipped into the darker side of magic.
I'm making lots of notes for my next Middle Grade mystery. The title? I think it might be, "The Witch Pit".
Email:sharontregenza@gmail.
www.sharontregenza.com
2 comments:
How interesting. I'm also researching anything to do with witchcraft. My novel is set in English Civil War.
Hi Anonymous. It's fascinating stuff isn't it. I'm Cornish so particularly interested in witchcraft in Cornwall for my next book. Good luck with yours, it sounds really interesting.
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