{"product_id":"magic-in-merlins-realm-a-history-of-occult-politics-in-britain-paperback-softback-9781009065870","title":"Magic in Merlin's Realm; A History of Occult Politics in Britain (Paperback \/ softback) 9781009065870","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eMagic in Merlin's Realm\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eA History of Occult Politics in Britain\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBoldly argues that magic has throughout the history of Britain been at times as culturally and politically significant as religion.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eFrancis Young (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781009065870, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 31 July 2025\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e420 pages, 2 b\/w illus.  13 colour illus.\u003cbr\u003e21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.58 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e'… an immensely readable book with an engaging style, and likely to capture the attention and curiosity of anyone who explores its pages … it is well researched and referenced, striking an excellent balance between scholarship and entertainment.' Helen Hall, Law and Justice, the Christian Law Review\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eBelief in magic was, until relatively recent times, widespread in Britain; yet the impact of such belief on determinative political events has frequently been overlooked. In his wide-ranging new book, Francis Young explores the role of occult traditions in the history of the island of Great Britain: Merlin's realm. He argues that while the great magus and artificer invented by Geoffrey of Monmouth was a powerful model for a succession of actual royal magical advisers (including Roger Bacon and John Dee), monarchs nevertheless often lived in fear of hostile sorcery while at other times they even attempted magic themselves. Successive governments were simultaneously fascinated by astrology and alchemy, yet also deeply wary of the possibility of treasonous spellcraft. Whether deployed in warfare, rebellion or propaganda, occult traditions were of central importance to British history and, as the author reveals, these dark arts of magic and politics remain entangled to this day.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e 1. 'Britain indulges in magic': the origins of occult traditions in Britain\u003cbr\u003e 2. The secrets of the king: occult and royal power in medieval Britain\u003cbr\u003e 3. Arthurian dynasty: the Tudors and occult power\u003cbr\u003e 4. House of the unicorn: Stuart monarchy and the contest for occult authority\u003cbr\u003e 5. Politics and the decline of magic, 1649-1714\u003cbr\u003e 6. Emanations of Albion: politics and the occult in modern Britain\u003cbr\u003e Conclusion.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: History of ideas [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of ideas\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20ideas%20%5BJFCX%5D%22\"\u003eJFCX\u003c\/a\u003e], Ancient religions \u0026amp; mythologies [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Ancient religions \u0026amp; mythologies\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Ancient%20religions%20\u0026amp;%20mythologies%20%5BHRKP%5D%22\"\u003eHRKP\u003c\/a\u003e], History of religion [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of religion\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20religion%20%5BHRAX%5D%22\"\u003eHRAX\u003c\/a\u003e], British \u0026amp; Irish history [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on British \u0026amp; Irish history\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22British%20\u0026amp;%20Irish%20history%20%5BHBJD1%5D%22\"\u003eHBJD1\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Brand New","offer_id":52453577163032,"sku":"9781009065870","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/files\/9781009065870i.jpg?v=1785286982","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/magic-in-merlins-realm-a-history-of-occult-politics-in-britain-paperback-softback-9781009065870","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}