Abstract
In the standard literature we find various references to several charms against rats. Most of these charms are direct invocations of saints, predominantly Saint Gertrude of Nivelles and Saint Nicasius. St. Gertrude is associated with rodents through her devotion to souls in purgatory; rats are often seen as representatives of human souls, so she is often represented with rodents on her garments. Traditions surrounding Saint Nicasius are rather more obscure, but he is ‘celebrated … as an enemy of rats’.1 In the course of my research I also became aware of a group of charms directed at the rats themselves, and with a rather more secular tone. These will form the main subject of this chapter.
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Notes
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© 2009 Paul Cowdell
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Cowdell, P. (2009). ‘If Not, Shall Employ “Rough on Rats”’: Identifying the Common Elements of Rat Charms. In: Roper, J. (eds) Charms, Charmers and Charming. Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230583535_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230583535_2
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