The Witching Hour - A Collection of Victorian Tales Concerning Witchcraft and Wizardry

The darkness of the Victorian age was not only Gothic, it was powerfully, terrifyingly female.This extraordinary collection focuses exclusively on the theme of witchcraft and wizardry, gathering short stories, legends, and historical accounts penned entirely by women authors of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. These writers, often overlooked, shaped the era’s understanding of magic, female power, and the supernatural.From scholarly reports on folklore to thrilling narratives of dark magic, this volume reclaims the feminine voice in horror.PART ONE: The Geography of FearThis section looks into the historical and folkloric roots of magic across the British Isles:Witchcraft in England and The Witches of Scotland by Mrs. E. Lynn Linton: Sharp, detailed examinations of the historical fear, persecution, and documented practices of witchcraft in the two nations.Irish Witch Tales by Lady Wilde: A vital record of authentic Irish legends and beliefs surrounding powerful sorceresses and the persistence of ancient magic.Witchcraft and Wizardry in Wales by Miss Mary Lewis: A focused look at the unique, often Celtic-rooted, traditions of magic and sorcery in the Welsh landscape.PART TWO: Encounters with the OccultThe second part features thrilling fictional narratives of curses, spells, and magical encounters:The Amber Witch by Lady Duff-Gordon: A classic German tale of witchcraft and persecution, expertly translated and popularised for English audiences.Possessed by Demons by Catherine Crowe: From one of the most important writers of supernatural Victorian fiction, this story explores the terrifying reality of spiritual invasion and exorcism.The Enchanted Woman by Anna Kingsford: A mystical and evocative tale from a figure famous for her own involvement in esoteric societies, exploring hidden powers and spiritual transformation.Bound by a Spell by The Hon. Mrs. Greene and The Witch of the Marsh by Mrs. Ethel Marriott-Wilson: Classic atmospheric stories that use isolation and nature as the breeding grounds for dark enchantments.Ye Lyttle Salem Maide by Pauline Mackie: A narrative that reaches across the Atlantic to explore the intense fear and tragedy of the colonial American witch trials.The Devil Stone by Beatrice Heron-Maxwell and Black Magic: A Story of the East by Jessie Adelaide Middleton: Tales of curses, malignant artifacts, and the dangerous appeal of sorcery, often with exotic or sensational backdrops.The Satanist by Mrs. Hugh Fraser: A gripping story that plunges into the dark heart of diabolism and the ultimate blasphemous pact.This powerful collection reveals the depth and diversity of women’s writing in the Gothic and supernatural genres, making it an essential volume for horror fans and feminist literary history alike.