Topic: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship In (Read 628 times)
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Thirsty Dog
Joined: Oct 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 3,737 Location: Loughville
Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship In « Thread Started on Nov 30, 2007, 9:21am »
Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship In Britain (Corgi, 1964)
Warning: old post, remixed (not that you'd notice). No-one could accuse it of improving any with age
As far as I'm aware, Peter Haining's first book and, of the hundreds that followed, arguably the least likely to see republication.
Devil Worship In Britain began life as a series of articles Haining contributed to an Essex newspaper which he expands here into a full-scale investigation. Written entirely in some 'sixties strain of sexy journalism, virtually every other sentence ends on a "and what are the relevant authorities doing about this? absolutely nothing!" note of moral indignation. You can tell they just loved researching it!
Things get off to a good start with a spirited account of a woodland ceremony, or, as the authors would have it, a "perverted orgy":
"A peep into history - to the Moloch worshippers of ancient Carthage? Unfortunately no ... incredibly, it took place in Britain, as recently as 1961, within a mile of one of the West Country's most sophisticated holiday haunts."
Courtesy of a character known only as 'Vigilant' , who'd contacted them after reading Haining's articles and promised an evening that would give them something to think about, lucky Peter and A. V. have just witnessed a Sabbat but a few miles from where they live! Watching from a place of concealment, they began to fear a human sacrifice was about to take place, but thankfully the High Priest was only showing off with his sabre and just about the worst that occurred was a naked, altar bound girl spouting indecipherable "messages from the dead". Then everybody went home.
This lucky break proves to be a false dawn, however, as, hardly is the investigation proper underway than their covers are blown, interviewees mysteriously cancel and dire telephone threats are received from a North London-based coven. However, our intrepid pair are in no mood to let these setbacks thwart them in their unswerving mission and, as promised on the cover, they're still able to dig the dirt on "The Nude Dancers of the North", "Sexual Orgies!" "An obscene rite in the North Country" and all the usual Dennis Wheatley/ News of the World staples we've come to expect from the brethren of Beelzebub.
Is it a "good" book? I'm no judge of such matters, but I wouldn't have thought so! Could it in any ways be described as "essential"? I very much doubt that too, but ...
What's interesting about Devil Worship In Britain is the contemporary accounts of various outrages perpetuated by 'Black Magicians' from the late 'fifties through to 1963. Some, like those at Clophill and, to a lesser extent, Westham, are relatively familiar, but who remembers the Bluebell Wood horror or indeed, the aforementioned nude dancers save, in the latter case, the participants (and those who purchased the secretly filmed video of their exploits via various specialist Soho outlets)? Plus, you get a guest appearance from Fabian of the Yard!
File under:
Information Wanted
Haining pursued the theme through his introduction to the short story collection The Satanists (Neville Spearman, 1969), but his short and altogether more restrained account of events in the passing years are nowhere near as memorable. I'm particularly interested in collecting his other work in the field: I have the Jan Parker assisted Witchcraft and Black Magic (Hamlyn, 1971), but any info on the following would be greatly appreciated.
The Anatomy Of Witchcraft (Souvenir, 1972). Does this pick up where Devil Worship In Britain leaves off?
The Warlock's Book: Secrets of Black Magic from the Ancient Grimoires (W. H. Allen, 1972). Did I read somewhere this was about one of his "ancestors"?
The Witchcraft Papers : Contemporary Records of the Witchcraft Hysteria in Essex, 1560-1700 (Robert Hale, 1974)
From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty.
Re: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship « Reply #1 on Dec 5, 2007, 5:58pm »
Quote:
I'm particularly interested in collecting his other work in the field: I have the Jan Parker assisted Witchcraft and Black Magic (Hamlyn, 1971), but any info on the following would be greatly appreciated.
The Warlock's Book: Secrets of Black Magic from the Ancient Grimoires (W. H. Allen, 1972). Did I read somewhere this was about one of his "ancestors"?
I haven't got a copy myself, so this is strictly off the record (you didn't hear it from me, and all that...)
The Warlock's Book is based around the idea that, in the mid-1600s, someone by the name of Haining was executed on suspicion of witchcraft and, in particular, for being in possession of some grimoire or other (which apparently never actually came to light). What Haining does then, is to put together his own sort of piecemeal book of magical spells and incantations drawing on a variety of sources old and new (Eliphas Levi, Gerald Gardner, et al). To these he adds the usual descriptions of sabbats, rituals and black masses - all spiced up with a generous amount of sex and drugs - and finally links it all up with "Modern Black Magic".
I can't remember ever seeing an entirely positive review of this book. Granted what reviews I've seen have tended to be from people involved to a greater or lesser extent with 'The Craft', so they mostly complain about Haining's accuracy and the reliability of his sources and attributions and... well, all the things that people generally criticise Haining for. In short, the word in the coven is that, while there is some useful stuff contained therein, it's all a bit Gregory Pendennis and not exactly your Ars Goetia - or at least it's more Ars than Goetia...
For those of us who aren't practising warlocks, I suppose the real question about this one is; OK, but is it fun? (and could you tell me a bit more about all this sex and drugs business...) All I can tell you is that, of the various reviewers who've eagerly sought this mysterious (and now quite pricey) volume, most of them have declared themselves to be a bit disappointed. Maybe they were expecting too much, I don't know - it still sounds pretty good to me.
(a brief and unhelpfully vague bibliographical note to end on - I'm fairly sure this was originally published a year before the date given here, in 1971, by the University of something or other press, somewhere in America. I'll look it up and get back to you...)
Re: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship « Reply #2 on Dec 5, 2007, 6:52pm »
Quote:
The Anatomy Of Witchcraft (Souvenir, 1972). Does this pick up where Devil Worship In Britain leaves off?
Again, haven't read it but here's what I've been able to disinter;
This cover, which looks more like it belongs on one of NEL's slaver titles, is from the later Tandem paperback, 1974.
Contents
Witchcraft in Britain Appendix I: The Initiation of a Witch Appendix II: Ritual Magic The Growth of Black Magic The Witches of America Evil on the Coast Appendix: The Satanic Ritual The Ancient Craft in Europe Witchcraft Behind the Iron Curtain Voodoo - Black Witchcraft Appendix: The Voodoo Blood Sacrifice The Rest of the World Bibliography
Illustrated with 'occult diagrams' and black & white photographs of various rituals and ceremonies (some containing partial nudity - well, you'd hope so...) and occult celebrities (a veritable who's who of the usual suspects; Crowley, La Vey, Gerald Gardner, Rollo Ahmed, Sybil Leek...)
"This is the first book to examine what is happening around the world today in the fascinating fields of witchcraft and black magic"
'Today' of course being the late '60s and early '70s.
"White Magic, 'Wicca', the Old Religion, an age-old craft going back as far as Neolithic times, and still practised by sincere and devout worshippers. Black Magic, Satanism, venerating evil for its own sake, perverse and potentially dangerous - this belief, too, flourishes in today's sophisticated societies, with celebrations of the Black Mass and drug-heightened orgies such as those in California. These are cults whose roots lie deep in European prehistory Voodoo, the Black Witchcraft of the Caribbean, grew out of the tribal cults of Black Africa. It has followers today in many areas of Britain, as well as in North America from Louisiana to Harlem."
The Souvenir Press edition bears the legend; "Haining, witch-hunter extraordinary, has persuaded witches, warlocks, black and white magicians, high priestesses to reveal secrets, satanic incantations and strange revelations".
Also published by Taplinger in the US as part of their 'Frontiers of the Unknown' series (other titles included Pioneers of the Unseen and Beyond the Senses, both by Paul Tabori).
A contemporary review from Books and Bookmen, used in the Tandem paperback blurb, tells us; "Mr Haining is to be congratulated on having written a sound, informative book in which he has allowed hysteria and sensationalism to play no significant part."
Re: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship « Reply #3 on Dec 5, 2007, 7:09pm »
Quote:
An Illustrated History of Witchcraft (NEL, 1975)
Can't offer you much more than contents on this one;
Cover of the 1976 Pyramid paperback - I bet the NEL cover was better...
The Witchcraft Tradition The Wicca Gods The Sabbat The Power of Witches The Inquisition The Witch Hunters Witchcraft Persecution in France Witch Mania in Germany The Spanish Terror Witch Hysteria in Britain The Witches of Salem Cunning Men and Wise Women Modern Witchcraft The Rites of Wicca Witchcraft Around the World
Illustrated (profusely I imagine) with drawings and black & white photographs.
Casting an eye over the contents, I'd say the title of this one pretty much speaks for itself: it's a history of witchcraft... with illustrations.
Re: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship « Reply #4 on Dec 5, 2007, 7:31pm »
Quote:
The Witchcraft Papers: Contemporary Records of the Witchcraft Hysteria in Essex, 1560-1700 (Robert Hale, 1974)
Dunno, mate. Can't help you. Couldn't even rustle up a decent cover scan.
I don't suppose you need me to tell you that this is a collection of contemporary documents, records, diary extracts and whatnot, giving a first hand account of the persecution of witches in and around the Essex area between the dates mentioned.
I believe though that this might be one of Peter Haining's better researched and more comprehensive books on the subject, and looks well worth a read if you're interested in the more serious and scholarly side of things.
Major disappointment on the sex, drugs, human and animal sacrifices, and partial nudity side mind you...
demonik Janitor Of Lunacy Hail Horrors, Hail member is offline
Thirsty Dog
Joined: Oct 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 3,737 Location: Loughville
Re: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship « Reply #5 on Dec 5, 2007, 8:52pm »
I'll bet photobucket will be made up with that Tandem cover!
Thanks for doing these. To be honest, they all look unmissable to me and very much for the same reasons you mention: both The Warlock Book and Anatomy ... look to have huge "worthy successor to Devil Worship In Britain potential ("What Haining does then, is to put together his own sort of piecemeal book of magical spells and incantations drawing on a variety of sources old and new ...... To these he adds the usual descriptions of sabbats, rituals and black masses - all spiced up with a generous amount of sex and drugs - and finally links it all up with "Modern Black Magic". - Fleet Street's loss was our gain). The Witchcraft Papers seems to be one of his more obscure offerings - I've not found any serious occult types moaning about it so perhaps it didn't sell in as great a number as the others?
While I'm here: do you have any info on his Buried Passions: Maria Marten & the Red Barn Murder (Spearman, 1980: Image Publications, 1992)? I ordered a copy from the library about 150 years ago but no joy. I'm thinking this could be another slightly bonkers amalgamation of fact, 'fact' and mischievous made up stuff like the Sweeney Todd and Spring-heeled Jack serious studies.
From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty.
demonik Janitor Of Lunacy Hail Horrors, Hail member is offline
Thirsty Dog
Joined: Oct 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 3,737 Location: Loughville
Rude pictures « Reply #7 on Dec 16, 2007, 10:56am »
It doesn't surprise me, Steve. They've had a clampdown and nipples are obscene - official . I knew the game was up when they rejected the Black Magic Today cover with a terse:
Try image cave. Happily they still seem prepared to host any old smut although there might be an abrupt change in policy should they see this.
From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty.
- Christine Campbell Thomson
demonik Janitor Of Lunacy Hail Horrors, Hail member is offline
Thirsty Dog
Joined: Oct 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 3,737 Location: Loughville
Re: Peter Haining & A. V. Sellwood - Devil Worship « Reply #8 on Jun 26, 2009, 8:00am »
From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty.
From the first, I set myself against "literature"; the story was the thing, and no amount of style could persuade me to select a story that lacked genuine, unadulterated horror. For those who wanted something high-brow there was plenty.
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