Want to know what books Richard Heygate recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Richard Heygate's favorite book recommendations of all time.
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The first in the historically rich, atmospheric mystery series featuring female exorcist Reverend Merrily Watkins
The new vicar had never wanted a picture-postcard parish—or a huge and haunted vicarage. Nor had she wanted to walk into a dispute over a controversial play about a 17th-century clergyman accused of witchcraft, a story that certain long-established families would rather remained obscure. But this is Ledwardine, steeped in cider and secrets. A paradise of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. And also—as Merrily Watkins and her teenage daughter, Jane,... more The first in the historically rich, atmospheric mystery series featuring female exorcist Reverend Merrily Watkins
The new vicar had never wanted a picture-postcard parish—or a huge and haunted vicarage. Nor had she wanted to walk into a dispute over a controversial play about a 17th-century clergyman accused of witchcraft, a story that certain long-established families would rather remained obscure. But this is Ledwardine, steeped in cider and secrets. A paradise of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. And also—as Merrily Watkins and her teenage daughter, Jane, discover—a village where horrific murder is a tradition that spans centuries. less 
Richard HeygateThis novel is by a great friend, Phil Rickman, who’s had some experience of magic himself. He writes about the way the Church deals with magic. There are several books in his Merrily Watkins series; this is the first. Watkins, a new woman priest, is the exorcist of the diocese. The Church doesn’t really believe in her methods. She’s a sort of embarrassment from the past, someone who actually... (Source)
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Although his accomplishments were substantial-he became a trusted confidante to Queen Elizabeth I, inspired the formation of the British Empire, and plotted voyages to the New World-John Dee's story has been largely lost to history. In The Queen's Conjurer, Benjamin Woolley brings to life the tale of one of the most colorful characters of the Renaissance. In the midst of a pivotal era when the age of superstition collided with the world of science and reason, Dee's mathematics anticipated Newton by nearly a century, and his mapmaking and navigation were critical to exploration.... more Although his accomplishments were substantial-he became a trusted confidante to Queen Elizabeth I, inspired the formation of the British Empire, and plotted voyages to the New World-John Dee's story has been largely lost to history. In The Queen's Conjurer, Benjamin Woolley brings to life the tale of one of the most colorful characters of the Renaissance. In the midst of a pivotal era when the age of superstition collided with the world of science and reason, Dee's mathematics anticipated Newton by nearly a century, and his mapmaking and navigation were critical to exploration. Obsessed with alchemy, astrology, and mysticism, his library was one of the finest in Europe, a vast compendium of thousands of volumes. Yet, despite his powerful position and prodigious intellect, Dee died in poverty and obscurity, reviled and pitied as a madman.
Written with flair and vigor, and based on numerous surviving diaries of the period, The Queen's Conjurer is a highly readable account of an extraordinary and nearly forgotten life.
less Richard HeygateThe greatest English magician was undoubtedly John Dee. He was a clergyman, he brought geometry to England, and he became the astrologer and adviser to Elizabeth I. Dee assembled the world’s first great library of magical books. He wanted to experiment with magic, so he hired a rather villainous Irishman called Kelly to work as his ‘psychic link’. Working with him, Dee claimed to interact with... (Source)
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3
One of the world's most influential and respected witches, Maxine first caught worldwide public attention while married to the celebrated - and controversial - 'King of the Witches', Alex Sanders. A highly respected Priestess of the Sacred Mysteries, in her role of teacher she has encouraged, enabled and inspired students of the Priesthood to take on the conscious mantle of their spiritual potential. In this long awaited autobiography Maxine reflects on her life and magical experiences spanning Modern Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Gods and Goddesses, Seasonal rituals, Sabbats, Ceremonial... more One of the world's most influential and respected witches, Maxine first caught worldwide public attention while married to the celebrated - and controversial - 'King of the Witches', Alex Sanders. A highly respected Priestess of the Sacred Mysteries, in her role of teacher she has encouraged, enabled and inspired students of the Priesthood to take on the conscious mantle of their spiritual potential. In this long awaited autobiography Maxine reflects on her life and magical experiences spanning Modern Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Gods and Goddesses, Seasonal rituals, Sabbats, Ceremonial magic, Cabbala and The Sacred Magic of the Angels. This is a unique, poignant and often humorous memoir of an extraordinary life, by a rare, courageous and inspiring woman. less Richard HeygateMagic came back to England in the 1950s. Various magical traditions, including Wicca, Druidry and practices from the Far East, exerted a strong influence. Alex Sanders, a very powerful magician known as ‘King of the Witches’, had a priestess girlfriend called Maxine. He eventually married her. He represented the dawning of the age of modern magic. He would encourage photographers from the News of... (Source)
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4
Richard HeygateThis addresses the relationship between magic and Christianity. Bates is a Professor of Sociology at Sussex University. Middle-Earth, and the world of Tolkien, fascinates him. The church wiped it out in the sixth and seventh centuries, but Bates wanted to understand what paganism was really like. He didn’t find any direct descriptions. But he came across some wonderful books, written by monks... (Source)
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5
Richard HeygateYes – Michael Bentine’s The Door Marked Summer. Bentine was a famous English comedian and a Goon Show founder member. With Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan, he got England laughing after the war. He wasn’t known in the magic world but, like his father, he had a powerful clairvoyant ability. There’s a very poignant moment in the book when he foretells his son’s death in a plane... (Source)
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