Fitz

But the legend actually persisted all the way into the early 20th century, was known all over England and France, and a variety of complex and arcane recipes for creating one were collected in underground occult grimoires.

But the legend actually persisted all the way into the early 20th century, was known all over England and France, and a variety of complex and arcane recipes for creating one were collected in underground occult grimoires.

One of the most famous and most complete recordings of how to make a hand of glory comes from a grimoire known as Le Petit Albert, a collection of charms, cures and magical workings that was first published in France in 1688 and became very popular during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It was reported to be based on the writings of St.

One of the most famous and most complete recordings of how to make a hand of glory comes from a grimoire known as Le Petit Albert, a collection of charms, cures and magical workings that was first published in France in 1688 and became very popular during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It was reported to be based on the writings of St.

Albertus Magnus of Cologne, a celebrated thinker of the Middle Ages who studied and wrote on all kinds of natural sciences and philosophy, and whose interest in the esoteric garnered him a reputation amongst his contemporaries as a mighty sorcerer.

Albertus Magnus of Cologne, a celebrated thinker of the Middle Ages who studied and wrote on all kinds of natural sciences and philosophy, and whose interest in the esoteric garnered him a reputation amongst his contemporaries as a mighty sorcerer.

However, it's thought to be unlikely that Lepeti Albert Grimoire has any real links to the work of Saint Albertus, or Albert the Great as he was also known, and it certainly has a less saintly reputation. Many such grimoires at the time were peddled clandestinely from village to village and were typically condemned by the Catholic Church.

However, it's thought to be unlikely that Lepeti Albert Grimoire has any real links to the work of Saint Albertus, or Albert the Great as he was also known, and it certainly has a less saintly reputation. Many such grimoires at the time were peddled clandestinely from village to village and were typically condemned by the Catholic Church.

But it was quite common to cite famous figures as contributing to or inspiring these works as a way of gaining validity and increasing the value of their wares. Despite the contentious reputation though, much of the contents of La Pity Albert concern very practical everyday concerns of common folk.

But it was quite common to cite famous figures as contributing to or inspiring these works as a way of gaining validity and increasing the value of their wares. Despite the contentious reputation though, much of the contents of La Pity Albert concern very practical everyday concerns of common folk.

How to prosper at fishing, how to grow good grapes, how to make excellent vinegar, tame an angry horse, treat foot sprains, and an assortment of recipes for perfumes, onions and ointments galore.

How to prosper at fishing, how to grow good grapes, how to make excellent vinegar, tame an angry horse, treat foot sprains, and an assortment of recipes for perfumes, onions and ointments galore.

but there are also instructions for manifesting more unsavoury wishes, including tampering with the free will of others, how to fake items of value, including money, how to cause a room to appear filled with snakes and other terrifying images, and, of course, how to make a talisman that will allow you to rob a house by rendering all occupants unable to stir from their sleep.

but there are also instructions for manifesting more unsavoury wishes, including tampering with the free will of others, how to fake items of value, including money, how to cause a room to appear filled with snakes and other terrifying images, and, of course, how to make a talisman that will allow you to rob a house by rendering all occupants unable to stir from their sleep.

Personally, I think Le Petit Albert's recipe for concocting the Hand of Glory charm is one of the less gory and slightly more practical versions. The instructions for would-be thieves go something like this. Firstly, procure the hand of a dead man who has hanged by a road.

Personally, I think Le Petit Albert's recipe for concocting the Hand of Glory charm is one of the less gory and slightly more practical versions. The instructions for would-be thieves go something like this. Firstly, procure the hand of a dead man who has hanged by a road.

Next, wrap it in a shroud, squeeze well, then place in an earthen vessel with vinegar, saltpeter, salt and black pepper for 15 days. Lastly, remove and dry thoroughly in the sun, or bake in an oven with fern and vervain. Not too complicated, for criminals with no qualms about robbing body parts from gallows, at least. Other versions, however, are far more fantastical and convoluted.

Next, wrap it in a shroud, squeeze well, then place in an earthen vessel with vinegar, saltpeter, salt and black pepper for 15 days. Lastly, remove and dry thoroughly in the sun, or bake in an oven with fern and vervain. Not too complicated, for criminals with no qualms about robbing body parts from gallows, at least. Other versions, however, are far more fantastical and convoluted.

Some said that the hand had to be collected on a lunar eclipse, and only the specific hand that had committed a crime would work.

Some said that the hand had to be collected on a lunar eclipse, and only the specific hand that had committed a crime would work.