JASMIN'S WITCH

New York: George Braziller, 1987. 1st American Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. As New/New. 4 B&W plats/maps. CONDITION: What makes this book "As New"? It appears to have been read to page 14 and abandoned. Interior clean and tight. 4 B&W "plates" & maps. CONTENT: "The renowned French historian explores the roots and development of a popular tale of witchcraft accusations retold in 1840 by the Gascon poet Jacques Boe or "Jasmin." In a lively narrative the modern historian examines the place of witchcraft in traditional southern French society, translates Jasmin's "Francouneto," and tracks through archival sources and interviews its probable origins in the lives of late 17th-century villagers. The resultant insights into the minds and culture of Gascon peasants will intrigue patrons of public and college libraries." This fascinating account traces a story of witchcraft as it appears in village quarrels in the south of France over the course of several centuries. The starting point is the narrative poem Francouneto, written by the regional poet Jacques Jasmin and published between 1840 and 1842. Placing this tale in the 16th century, Jasmin embellishes the story of the beautiful Francouneto, a graceful dancer and singer who is the envy of all the maidens. . .. Then, at a New Year's Eve festival, a sorcerer-magician appears, denouncing her as a witch. Ladurie demonstrates beyond question that she was a real person who lived at the time of the last witchcraft trials in Gascony. In telling her story, the author reveals not only the nature of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery in popular tradition, but also his own extraordinary gifts as social historian and storyteller.