Conjuring the Devil into a Boot

In the thirteenth century Sir John Schorne, church rector of North Marston, Buckinghamshire, became a folk saint. He had effected many miracles, including curing the sick and creating a sacred spring by striking his staff on the ground. One time he even conjured the Devil into a boot. and his pilgrim badge reproduces this episode. Opinion varies as to whether it pointed to his gout-curing abilities or to his exorcist skills, but after his death his shrine became the second most popular pilgrimage destination after Canterbury. 

Wayne Perkins, an archaeologist of medieval magic and belief, gives us a lively lecture. He reveals John Schorne's legends, magic shoe lore, and his own case study of the shrine and the parish church at Marston, the subject to an archaeological examination.

Wayne Perkins is an archaeologist with over 20 years of experience. He has worked on archaeological sites in England for 13 of those as well as for seven in France for the Institut Nationale des Récherches Archéologiques Préventives.