Welcome to Historical Frictions, a historical fiction podcast.
This is a fortnightly podcast where we delve into the nitty-gritty of history, fiction, and everything in between, hosted by Hilary and Tess.
This week, we discuss Tidelands by Philippa Gregory, read by Tess. We delve into the historical setting of the Sussex marshlands in 1648, during the English Civil War, where ideas about witchcraft and midwifery, and many more elements of this novel (and its author) that stood out to us.
Please be aware when listening that we discuss some potentially triggering content, specifically abortion near the end of the episode, and a mention of suicide. Also, apologies as Tess's chair does some random creaks at random moments during the episode.
Sources mentioned
Philippa Gregory's article on J-Stor
Recommended Further Reading:
Oxford Handbook of Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe and Colonial America, edited by Brian P. Levack (there is a preview on Google Books, including Levack’s Introduction chapter!)
The Witch-hunt in Early modern Europe by Brian p. Levack (more traditional history of witchcraft)
The Witch in History by Diane Purkiss (book)
“Managing Our Darkest Hatreds and Fears: Witchcraft from the Middle Ages to Brett Kavanaugh” in Athenaeum Review
“Cunning Histories: Privileging Narratives in the Present” Helen Cornish article, currently open access not sure if always
David Harley, “Historians as Demonologists: The Myth of the Midwife-witch” Society for the Social History of Medicine, 1990
“Other Sides of the Moon: Assembling Histories of Witchcraft”, by Helen Cornish in Magic and Witchery in the Modern West, pp 65-83
“The Wise-Woman as Healer: Popular Medicine, Witchcraft and Magic” chapter by Leigh Whaley, in Women and the Practice of Medical Care in Early Modern Europe, 1400–1800 pp 174-195.
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