“Thou shalt com and apere and fulfyll my request”: Evaluating Structures in Late Medieval Conjurations

Abstract

Structures of conjurations are a lesser studied subject when it comes to magic in the Middle Ages. This thesis will take Richard Kieckhefer’s theory in his book Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer’s Manual of the Fifteenth Century and apply it to conjurations from London, British Library, Sloane 3853 and Folger Shakespeare Library, MS V.b. 26 to see whether or not this theory is actually applicable. Both manuscripts date back to the late Middle Ages and deal with necromancy. All conjurations have been transcribed or edited to fit modern readers.