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The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet: A 17th Century London Cunning-man's Book of Charms, Conjurations and Prayers — Grimoires

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The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet: A 17th Century London Cunning-man's Book of Charms, Conjurations and Prayers

Name: The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet: A 17th Century London Cunning-man's Book of Charms, Conjurations and Prayers
Price: 29.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Rankine, David
ISBN: 9781905297382

✍️ Rankine, David

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review) 98 sold

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This remarkable volume unveils the private magical record of Arthur Gauntlet, a London cunning-man from the 17th century. It offers an unparalleled glimpse into the eclectic practices of a practitioner who served his community through charms, herbal remedies, and spiritual interventions. Gauntlet's personal grimoire is a rich tapestry of biblical prayers, angelic conjurations, and protective magic circles, demonstrating a unique fusion of practical folk magic with deeply spiritual Christian and Kabbalistic influences. It highlights the ingenuity and syncretism inherent in historical magical traditions.

Rankine, David

📚 all books by this author (11) →

📕

Grimoires

🏛 Avalonia 📅 2011 📖 334 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781905297382

Fun Fact

This meticulously presented edition offers an unparalleled, authentic look into a 17th-century cunning-man's actual working grimoire. It excels at illuminating the practical, syncretic nature of historical folk magic and its spiritual underpinnings. While not a 'how-to' for the casual modern practitioner, it is an essential resource for scholars and serious students of esoteric history, traditional witchcraft, and grimoire studies, revealing the complex, community-focused role of cunning-folk in their era.

📝 Description: The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet: A 17th Century London Cunning-man's Book of Charms, Conjurations and Prayers

The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet is an outstanding example of a seventeenth century London Cunning-man's book of practice. Cunning-folk were practitioners of magic and herbal medicine who dealt with problems in their local communities. Cunning-man Arthur Gauntlet was based in Gray's Inn Lane in London, and his personal working book contains a fascinating diverse mixture of herbal remedies, prayers, magical and biblical charms, with previously unseen angelic conjurations and magic circles, in an eclectic blend of practical magic for health, wealth, love and protection. This unique manuscript demonstrates both the diverse and spiritual nature of such Cunning-folk's books of practice, as well as their magical emphasis on Biblical scripture, particularly the Psalms, and their opposition to witchcraft, found in charms and conjurations. Arthur Gauntlet worked with a female skryer called Sarah Skelhorn, and drew on numerous preceding sources for his craft, including the Arbatel, the Heptameron, Folger Vb.26, The Discoverie of Witchcraft, the Book of Gold, the writings of the German magus Cornelius Agrippa, the astrologer William Bacon and Queen Elizabeth I's court astrologer Dr. John Dee, as well as other London Cunning-folk. In his introduction, the author provides fresh insights into the hidden world of seventeenth century magical London, exploring the web of connections between astrologers, cunning-folk and magicians, playwrights, authors and church figures. These connections are also highlighted by the provenance of the manuscript, which is traced from Arthur Gauntlet through the hands of such notable angel magicians as Elias Ashmole (founder of the world's first public museum, the Ashmolean in Oxford), Baron Somers (the Lord Chancellor), Sir Joseph Jekyll (Master of the Rolls) and Sir Hans Sloane (founder of the British Museum), as well as the astrologer John Humphreys and the cunning-woman Ann Savadge. This is a unique work which draws attention to the often neglected place of women in seventeenth century magic, both as practitioners (such as skryers and Cunning-women), and customers. It also emphasises the vital and influential role played by Cunning-Men and Women in synthesising and transmitting the magical traditions of medieval Britain into the subsequent centuries, as well as their willingness to conjure a wide range of spiritual creatures to achieve results for their clients, including angels, demons, fairies, and the dead.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This title offers a compelling glimpse into the eclectic practices of a 17th-century cunning-man, blending biblical prayers with angelic conjurations. While historically significant for its demonstration of syncretism between folk magic and Kabbalistic influences, it may not suit readers seeking modern, streamlined magical systems or purely academic dry texts. Those expecting straightforward instruction without historical context might find the dense spiritual tapestry challenging. However, enthusiasts of esoteric history will appreciate the candid portrayal of a practitioner’s life. It is a valuable addition for those who enjoy deep dives into specific periods and personal accounts of occult practice.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of history, religion, and practical magic will find immense value in this unique window into the past. This book is ideal for those interested in how ordinary people navigated spiritual crises using a blend of faith and folk wisdom. You will appreciate the authentic voice of Arthur Gauntlet, offering a rare, unfiltered look at the daily life of a 17th-century practitioner. It serves as an essential resource for scholars of esotericism and anyone curious about the syncretic nature of historical magical traditions. By exploring his personal grimoire, you gain insight into the ingenuity and resilience of those who served their communities through charms and prayers. This is not merely a collection of spells but a profound study of spiritual survival and cultural fusion in early modern London.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of historical magic, a practitioner seeking authentic traditional methods, or simply captivated by the practical occult arts of bygone eras, this book offers an invaluable window. It’s perfect for those curious about the everyday magic of a 17th-century Londoner.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This title offers a compelling glimpse into the eclectic practices of a 17th-century cunning-man, blending biblical prayers with angelic conjurations. While historically significant for its demonstration of syncretism between folk magic and Kabbalistic influences, it may not suit readers seeking modern, streamlined magical systems or purely academic dry texts. Those expecting straightforward instruction without historical context might find the dense spiritual tapestry challenging. However, enthusiasts of esoteric history will appreciate the candid portrayal of a practitioner’s life. It is a valuable addition for those who enjoy deep dives into specific periods and personal accounts of occult practice.

❓ Frequently asked questions

This volume presents the authentic, previously unseen personal working manuscript of Arthur Gauntlet, directly transcribed and analyzed. It is not a modern creation but a direct window into 17th-century practice, offering unparalleled historical accuracy.

Gauntlet's grimoire is a treasure trove of diverse practices, including herbal remedies, protective charms, biblical prayers, and unique angelic conjurations, alongside instructions for creating magic circles for various purposes like health, wealth, and love.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

17th-Century Cunning-Craft

This grimoire serves as a direct portal into the daily workings of a historical cunning-man. Gauntlet’s methods reflect the practical, community-oriented magic prevalent in 17th-century England, addressing common concerns like health, wealth, and protection. It showcases how these practitioners blended folk remedies with more formal magical traditions, offering a holistic view of their craft.

Syncretic Magical Traditions

Gauntlet's manuscript masterfully weaves together disparate magical threads. You'll discover a fascinating synthesis of Christian biblical scripture, particularly the Psalms, with elaborate angelic conjurations and traditional folk charms. This eclectic approach highlights the adaptive and inclusive nature of historical magical practice, drawing from various spiritual and occult sources to create a cohesive system.

Protection & Counter-Magic

A significant portion of Gauntlet’s work is dedicated to protective magic and charms aimed at countering malevolent influences, including witchcraft. This aspect reveals the prevailing anxieties of the era and how cunning-folk positioned themselves as defenders against perceived dark arts, offering solace and practical solutions to their clients' fears and vulnerabilities.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from 17th-century London, Arthur Gauntlet’s work exemplifies the widespread practice of cunning-craft, a blend of folk healing and ceremonial magic. His grimoire stands in a lineage connecting to influential figures like Cornelius Agrippa and John Dee, alongside texts such as the Arbatel and Heptameron, demonstrating the rich intellectual and magical currents flowing through his era.

📚 Glossary

Cunning-man/Cunning-folk
Grimoire
Skrying/Skryer

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does Gauntlet's blend of spirituality and practicality, particularly his use of biblical scripture, resonate with or challenge your modern understanding of magical practice?
Considering the numerous historical sources Gauntlet drew upon, what does this tell us about knowledge transmission and adaptation within magical communities of the past?
In what ways do the 'cunning-folk' tradition and its community-focused services compare to contemporary forms of spiritual or alternative healing and protection in our current world?