Judith Devlin

This is very similar to Nigel Pearson's "The Devil's Plantation", but instead of English lore, it is the 19th c. French equivalent. It is absolutely chock full of folklore and the history behind it.

The point of the book, initially, was to determine "were French peasants assiduous in their religious duties" as older historians have described? The answer is no, much like their English counterparts. Devin is in the same camp as Ronald Hutton, in that the misguided "pagan survival" argument does show more not hold up. However, superstition and folk practices, while practiced in a strictly Christian/Catholic context, was still alive and well. Saint cults, belief in witchcraft, ghosts, folk healing, etc were well known, and the Bretons were especially famous for it.

However, while Devin clearly wants to make an anthropological/ethnological point throughout, they rush to include it at the end of each chapter. I understand, and I forgive them for it. There are so many stories to tell, and it's tempting to include them all even at the expense of the objective. And Devin is excellent in their narration and passionate to share. But it would've been more appropriate to call this book a collection rather than a "study."

But there are talismans, possession (yes Loudun is discussed), charms, omens, the dead, prophecy, and folk tales! If you can find a copy (published 1952), I highly recommend it. show less