Magic in Anglo-Saxon England

Magic in Anglo-Saxon England (Old English: galdorcræft, among various terms) refers to the beliefs and practices of magic by the Anglo-Saxons between the fifth and eleventh centuries AD in Early Mediaeval England that can be gleaned from the various sources available. In this period, magical practices were used for a variety of reasons, but from the available evidence it appears that they were predominantly used for healing ailments and creating amulets, although it is apparent that at times they were also used to curse. It was also used to describe the supernatural powers of various entities within the Anglo-Saxon consciousness and worldview, such as various pagan gods, angels, saints, the Devil, demons and elves.

The Anglo-Saxon period was dominated by two separate religious traditions, the polytheistic Anglo-Saxon paganism and then the monotheistic Anglo-Saxon Christianity, both of which left their influences on the magical practices of the time in a way that was not necessarily mutually exclusive or unsympathetic towards each other's separate traditions.

Much of what we know of Anglo-Saxon magic comes primarily from the surviving medical manuscripts, such as Bald's Leechbook and the Lacnunga, all of which describe "pagan" practices persisting well into the Christian era.

Written evidence shows that magical practices were performed by those involved in the medical profession. From burial evidence, various archaeologists have also argued for the existence of professional female magical practitioners that they have referred to as cunning women. Anglo-Saxons believed in witches, individuals who would perform malevolent magic to harm others.

In the late 6th century, Christian missionaries began converting Anglo-Saxon England, a process that took several centuries. From the 7th century on, Christian writers condemned the practice of malevolent magic or charms that called on pagan gods as witchcraft in their penitentials, and laws were enacted in various Christian kingdoms illegalising witchcraft.