Tales of Frome’s magical past uncovered in new book

A local author has uncovered stories of former Frome residents believed to be witches and explores a theory that the famous Hocus Pocus story could have originated in the town in her new book, which delves into Somerset’s magical history and 17th-century witchcraft. 

Emma Poole, owner of The Haunts Curiosity Shoppe on Cheap Street, spent two years researching witchcraft and folklore across Somerset for her book ‘Rentum Tormentum, a Discovery of Selwood Witches.’

She uncovered the story of Julian Cox, a Frome woman believed to have lived at the top of Catherine Hill in 1673. Julian, Emma says, was an older woman with no children and was therefore targeted as a witch. She was said to fly on a broomstick and had a spirit animal in the form of a toad, which would follow her around.

“It was great to read that this lady was specifically in Frome,” said Emma, who also said it ‘fascinating’ to learn that the story of Hocus Pocus, made famous by the 1993 Disney film, seems to have originated from the town.

“We have the 90s film now, but in the 17th century text, we were three or four days into doing the research when we saw the reference to Hocus Pocus!” said Emma.

“At the end it was described that witnesses believed she took part in ariel hocus pocus on a broomstick and then we pieced it together. Julian is believed to have two sisters who lived in a coven who would take part on magical practices in the woods – it links back to what we know today as Hocus Pocus.

“It was magical to make that link on our doorstep here in Frome.”

The book also reveals that Frome’s magical ties stem back to when the town was part of the ancient Selwood Forest.

“This was an ancient magical forest that went all the way over to the Dorset boundary line,” said Emma. “Longleat Forest is still part of that today. It was all believed to be wooden housing and little magical shacks, which is very cool. West Woodlands is also believed to be part of this and is said to be tied to witchcraft.”

Emma’s research has taken her as far as Nottingham, where she consulted a 17th-century vicar’s book relating specifically to Frome. ‘Rentum Tormentum’ contains around 50 stories of suspected witches and other magical cases from the local area. “It’s all written in old-world text, so it took time to break it down. I focused on the local stories and learnt about the women, a few men, and even the vicar,” she said.

Continuing her exploration, Emma is examining the Domesday Book to trace descendants of those mentioned in the texts and plans to launch a podcast called ‘The Craft’ to share their stories. “I want to find out about their lives and legacies that still exist today,” she said.

The book launches later this month, with events at the Silk Mill on 24th and 25th October, followed by a larger launch with live music in Bristol on 30th October. It will then be available to purchase in Emma’s shop.

“I wasn’t sure how a book like this would go down in Frome, but people are really interested in the town’s magic and folklore,” said Emma. “People have been so excited. Even people you wouldn’t imagine.”