ica Gardneriana W www.wiccagardneriana.net Who is George Pinckingill George Pickingill, sometimes known simply as "Old George", (one assumes to separate him from his namesake child) is as much an enigma today to many as he must have been when he was alive. Many stories surround this figure, (both 'good' and 'bad' - depending on the perspective one takes) and it is hard to separate the myth from the man. This is especially so in the modern climate wherein many views are naturally biased towards the "Neo-pagan" ways of thought and the views of the founders of the same are often received and treated as gospel. I myself have heard many stories, (from both 'sides of the fence') but none have fascinated me nor awaked as much of a 'ring of truth' as those that I have heard from one of his descendants - Bill Liddell." (Scott Bisseker, 2000) "George Pickingill is central to many of the claims advanced by Modern Witchcraft. Claire Smythe refers to him as George Pickingale in her article 'Canewdon', which was published in '50 Strange Stories of the Supernatural' (edited by ). Smythe claims "Canewdon was not only one of the last places in which the traditional belief in witches survived, but also the home of the last Masters of Witches (Canewdon legend maintains that their witches have a Master). This old man, George Pickingale, died in 1909 aged ninety three. Pickingale was both a black and white magician, and while he was much feared by the villagers who dared not disobey him for fear of what he might do in reprisal, he would also charm their warts and was sometimes called in to settle their disputes. He used his reputation to exploit the villagers, who were convinced that he had the power to summon the local witches by means of a wooden whistle and that he could bewitch the threshing machinery if he felt so inclined. On the other hand, if he did choose to work he could summon up a whole bevy of imps who could do it all for him while he sat in the shade smoking his pipe." (Claire Smythe, John Canning Souvenir press London 1974, p64-65)" (Bill Liddell, 1999) "My paternal great, great grandfather changed his surname from Pickingill. I was inducted into the Pickingill Craft in Essex, 'near the River Crouch' on May Eve 1950, and am a Pickingill both by blood and by training." (Bill Liddell, 1999) "Mike Howard, in his introduction to The Pickingill papers, mentions that the earliest references to George Pickingill of which he is aware were Eric Maple's folklore articles, and Charles Lefebure's 'Witness to Witchcraft.' (ace books USA 1970) Maple claimed that George Pickingill's reputation was such that in his old age visitors came from vast distances to see him and they gave him money. Lefebure confirms Maple's claim that George Pickingill terrified the villagers with his supernatural powers; and adds for good measure that Pickingill eventually became so infamous that he was visited by black magicians (sic) from all over Europe for advice and instruction. Charles Lefebure stresses the 'satanic' image of George Pickingill in the local folklore, He states that Pickingill has the same reputation in modern witchcraft circles as Crowley and Gardner. Lefebure describes him as The Devil incarnate' who knew the secret of the Elixir of Life and eternal youth. it is hardly surprising that contemporary Wiccan leaders and the pagan Federation are now repudiating any links between Wicca and Pickingill's Nine Covens. Lefebure claims that Pickingill was believed to have sold his soul to the Devil and he was alleged to hold nocturnal orgies in the graveyard of St. Nicholas' church attended by his Romany kin. These midnight rites were allegedly ignored by the aged incumbent vicar who was terrified of George Pickingill's powers. However, when a young cleric replaced him for a short time he challenged the wizard and his gypsy coven. Hearing the sounds of revelry and seeing flickering flames in the churchyard The clergyman ran into the place brandishing a riding crop. Silence greeted him and all he could see were thirteen white rabbits peeping from behind the gravestones. (The white rabbit is the traditional familiar of my family.) Here we have a supposed incidence of shape shifting barely 100 years ago. It seems obvious that all the old fables about witches were still current in the remote Essex marshes at the turn of the twentieth century. Lefebure's testimony is of some value because he confirms that the Pickingill family were renowned and feared all over East Anglia for generations as 'a race apart' of witches, wizards and warlocks. He adds that anyone who dared cross George Pickingill immediately fell ill and could only be restored to health by the touch of his famous blackthorn walking stick. I have relied on Mike Howard's introduction to 'The Pickingill papers' because I had never heard of Charles Lefebure, let alone read 'Witness to Witchcraft.' My Elders and brethren who supplied the material for the 'Lugh' letters had never heard of him either. 01 Mike Howard visited Canewdon in 1977 and met 'Granny' Garner. Lillian Garner was Eric Maple's chief informant when he visited Canewdon in the winter of 1959/60. He described Mrs. Garner, who was born in 1890, as the last of Canewdon's 'white witches.' She told Mike Howard in 1977 that her mother had informed her that George Pickingill was the leader of the Canewdon witches, and that he had 'many visitors' who came seeking his knowledge of occult arts." (Bill Liddell, 1999) "I was investigating George Pickingill a good twelve years before Maple visited Canewdon. 'Old George' was the first-cousin of my paternal great-great grandfather, who adopted the surname of one of his employers. This was standard practice for many members of the widespread Pickingill stock. They sought refuge with Romany families and imbibed much Rom magic. There are some 30 to 40 Pickingill siblings by last count and most bear different surnames. However, only 5 or 6 are remotely interested in the silly superstitions of their ignorant forebears. Such is progress!" (Bill Liddell, 1999) "George Pickingill was an itinerant horse dealer who accompanied his Rom kinsmen to Horse Fairs. He was renowned as a Gypsy sorcerer and met a number of his nine female leaders when travelling with the Rom. The Gypsies have always known the favoured haunts of the traditional witches. They had no trouble locating Pickingill covens. Mike Howard advised me in personal correspondence dated 27th March 1997 : "Your comments about the gypsies and Pickingill covens has reminded me of an encounter I had in 1976 with a Romany called George Wells who lived in South London. He claimed to know of Pickingill people on the Suffolk-Essex border at Brandon, and others still in the New Forest area." Mike was not impressed and gave little heed to Wells at the time. In hindsight this was a pity. It may have been possible to corroborate some of the claims in the Lugh material. George Pickingill was apprenticed to a Cunning Man named Shewell, His education was completed by Rom sorcerers and the leaders of Old Style covens. His reputation preceded him and landowners and influential 'Rosicrucians' were impressed with Pickingill's magical prowess. He was granted access to the archives of several 'Cunning' Lodges. It was not long before Pickingill was exhibiting his gifts at Masonic Temples and private houses. He confined the bulk of his demonstrations to a country house in Hertfordshire." (Bill Liddell, 1999) "The strong possibility exists that George Pickingill, the famous Rom horse whisperer, is the 'George Pettingale' who was buried on the 14th April 1909. This George Pickingill was born on the 23rd December 1803 in either Suffolk or Norfolk. He would have been 105 in April 1909. This George Pickingill had retired to the Hundred of Dengie, which adjoins the Hundred of Rochford in which Canewdon is situated. Pickingill sons were named for English kings; George, William and Charles were the most common forenames. There is nothing improbable in having three George Pickingills living just a few miles apart. The church wardens and the parishioners of St. Nicholas' church in Canewdon would never have permitted their vicar to bury the George Pickingill in their churchyard. This was the satanist who allegedly conducted sex orgies in their churchyard. It seems more plausible to suggest that the son, or the innocuous Rom horse-whisperer, is the George Pettingale buried at Canewdon. The recorded age of 103 suggests it could have been the ancient horse-whisperer rather than George Jnr. 'Pettingale' may have been substituted for Pickingill as a sop to the sensitivities of the parishioners and the other villagers. It seems eminently feasible that 'Old George' Pickingill lies in an unmarked and unhallowed grave. However, his input into the pagan revival is his epitaph." (Bill Liddell, 1999) George Pickingill is central to many of the claims advanced by Modern Witchcraft. Claire Smythe refers to him as George Pickingale in her article 'Canewdon', which was published in '50 Strange Stories of the Supernatural' (edited by John Canning Souvenir Press London 1974). Smythe claims: "Canewdon was not only one of the last places in which the traditional belief in witches survived, but also the home of the last Masters of Witches (Canewdon legend maintains that their witches have a Master). This old man, George Pickingale, died in 1909 aged ninety three. Pickingale was both a black and white magician, and while he was much feared by the villagers who dared not disobey him for fear of what he might do in reprisal, he would also charm their warts and was sometimes called in to settle their disputes.