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F.A.Q
Why this Website?
Who is George Pickingill?
What is the Pickingill Craft?
Are there any 'Open' Pickingill Covens currently operational? / How can i join one?
Who is Bill Liddell?
Where can I get the Pickingill papers?
What is in the Pickingill papers?
Welcome to the Pickingill Papers FAQ,
This site is designed to disseminate information pertaining to George Pickingill, the Pickingill Craft, Traditional Witchcraft and the writings of a much misrepresented man - Bill Liddell. Over the years much has been said on all of these subjects and with very notably few exceptions, most of what has been said is patently not correct. This website is a place where someone who does actually know what they are talking about can overturn some of the inaccuracies of the past.
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. 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.
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)
Pickingill Craft is that which was practised by George Pickingill.
Are there any 'Open' Pickingill Covens currently operational? / How can I join one?
be advised that certain unscrupulous individuals claim that they are "Pickingill Initiates" that can confer the same. To the end of eradicating this rather lamentable state of affairs, any who are interested and who have had this told to them would do well to query the lineage of the person(s) involved and verify it with Mr. Liddell, who is to my knowledge the only public figure properly capable of this. While there are certain individuals who have taken initiation into the existing company in Australia it is well to be wary of anyone making any claims of this sort. Any queries should be passed on to him at: pickingill@hotmail.com . please to put: "Lineage Verification Requested" or the like as the subject line and details will be returned in timely fashion."Let me state unequivocally that neither Simon Goodman nor Robin Fletcher had any connection whatever with a Pickingill coven." (Bill Liddell, 1999)
Bill Liddell is the man who passed on the information that eventually became, (with commentaries from Mike Howard) The Pickingill papers - George Pickingill & the Origins of Modern Wicca (Capall Bann publishing, 1994). He is a descendant of George Pickingill and a Pickingill Craft initiate who, (after careful consideration) has decided to pass on information to rectify the problems mentioned under "Why this Website?" and to address some of the accusations that have been levelled against him since the publication of the original articles.
Where can I get the Pickingill papers?
This depends on where you live. Copies of the book are available through various spots on the internet and *MaY* be available in bookstores. The inclusion of the "*MaY*" is because, (thanks to the lobbying of certain unnamed members of the "Neo-pagan" movement) certain bookstores will not carry it in stock and it will therefore have to be personally ordered.The details of the book for those who wish to order it through a local vendor:
The Pickingill Papers - George Pickingill & the Origins of Modern Wicca
Copyright (C) 1994 E.W. Liddell & Ma. Howard
ISBN Number 1 898307 105published by:
Capall Bann publishing
Freshfields,Chieveley, Bergs .RG16 8TF
What is in the Pickingill papers?
in this day and age, books can be difficult to obtain and afford and as this is the case; many would know beforehand what is actually *iN* a given book before purchase. This we consider to be only fair and as we have nothing to hide, the contents are listed here for the edification of all.CONTENTS
Contents
acknowledgement
introduction
preface
Chapter One Gerald Gardner and his detractors
Chapter Two Old George Pickingill - the Grandfather of Gardnerian Wicca
Chapter Three Ritual Nudity
Chapter Four Medieval French Witchcraft
Chapter Five Craft Grades
Chapter Six Hereditary Witch Lore
Chapter Seven Druidism, Freemasonry & the French Craft Connection
Chapter Eight Leys, Stone Circles & Serpent power
Chapter Nine Masonic Symbolism & the Hereditary Craft
Chapter Ten The Saracen Mystery Schools & the Medieval Witch Cult
Chapter Eleven Gerald Gardner & the Hereditary Craft
Chapter Twelve The Pickingill Craft
Chapter Thirteen Aleister Crowley & Wicca
Chapter Fourteen The Cambridge Coven
Chapter Fifteen The Gardnerian Charge
Chapter Sixteen The Cambridge Rituals
Chapter Seventeen The Nine Covens
Chapter Eighteen Witchcraft & the Aquarian age
Chapter Nineteen Hereditary Family Traditions
Chapter Twenty The Goddess in ancient Britain
Chapter Twenty One The Saracen Craft
Chapter Twenty Two Gerald Gardner & the Malay Witches
Chapter Twenty Three Athames & the book of Shadows
Chapter Twenty Four The New Forest Coven
Chapter Twenty Five Aidan Kelly & the Lugh 'Conspiracy'
Contacts
bibliography
"In defence of the Pickingill Papers/Pickingill papers F.A.Q 7 etc."
was proudly presented by Scott Bisseker, 1999.
