The Magic of the Middle Ages by Viktor Rydberg

Description

The Magic of the Middle Ages is a book by Viktor Rydberg, first published in 1865. It examines medieval beliefs and practices—ranging from Church-sanctioned rites and magic to sorcery, alchemy, astrology, and witchcraft—illuminating how the era’s spiritual worldview shaped both religion and daily life. Rydberg, a Swedish novelist, scholar, and Romantic poet, places medieval magic within its cosmic and theological context, probing dualistic notions of good and evil, the role of angels and demons, and the Church’s complex relationship with occult traditions. As a significant cultural critic and member of the Swedish Academy, he uses lyrical yet analytical prose to trace how these beliefs contributed to societal phenomena like witch hunts, while also revealing a transitional period between superstition and emerging rationalism. The work reflects his broader scholarly interests in mythology, folklore, and cultural history, standing as an insightful bridge between Romantic literary sensibility and scholarly mythography. This translation by August Hjalmar Edgren was first published in 1879.

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