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| "Macbeth and Banquo meeting the witches on the heath" 1855, by Théodore Chassériau |
"WEST Country people generally, and Devonians in particular, are exceedingly superstitious, in spite of all that has been done for them in the way of higher education, and the enlightening influence of the press. Dwellers in the hilly parts of Devon, on Dartmoor and Exmoor, and in the villages bordering upon them, are as deeply imbued with faith in witches, as their forefathers were in the days when Alfred was king.
According to tradition there are three kinds of witches.
The Black Witch, who is of an intensely malignant nature, and responsible for all the ills that flesh is heir to.
The White Witch, of an opposite nature, is always willing, for certain pecuniary considerations, to dispense charms and philtres, to cancel the evil of the other.
The Grey Witch is the worst of all, for she possesses the double power of either "overlooking" or "releasing."
In cases of sickness, distress, or adversity, persons at the present time (A.D. 1898) make long expensive journeys to consult the white witch, and to gain relief by her (or his) aid."
Hewett 1900
Map - Dartmoor
Map - Exmoor
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