Apotropaios

Directions Website

Apotropaios Researcher of strange things found in walls & under floors since 1999. FSA. Magical House Protection. Please ignore all imitations!

This page is all about academic research into the archaeology of witchcraft - run by Brian Hoggard who has been researching this topic since 1999. I have a website at www.apotropaios.co.uk which discusses the things which were placed in the walls and under the floors of buildings in order to ward off witchcraft and other perceived evils. Items like witch-bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, concealed shoes, written charms, ritual marks and many other items were all used for this purpose. If you report finds to me and let me have your address I'll send you a little button badge :-)

https://www.berghahnbooks.com/title/HoggardMagical

Some of the marks from the bell chamber and ringing room of Tewkesbury Abbey tower.www.apotropaios.co.uk
14/10/2026

Some of the marks from the bell chamber and ringing room of Tewkesbury Abbey tower.

www.apotropaios.co.uk

Thanks to David for giving me the opportunity to explore the tower at Strensham (Worcs) Church this afternoon. Many shoe...
10/10/2026

Thanks to David for giving me the opportunity to explore the tower at Strensham (Worcs) Church this afternoon. Many shoe outlines on the lead roof, lots of Marian marks dotted amongst them. A large Marian mark at the base of the tower, a daisy in the pews and a deliberate burn mark completes the set. Lots more of interest in this CCT church.
www.apotropaios.co.uk

My return visit to deliver another talk at Alderton was a lovely experience. A great audience, all very enthusiastic and...
03/10/2026

My return visit to deliver another talk at Alderton was a lovely experience. A great audience, all very enthusiastic and of course a great church to explore afterwards. Always happy to consider bookings for talks :-)
www.apotropaios.co.uk

Some of the apotropaic markings in the Lantern Chamber of Tewkesbury Abbey.www.apotropaios.co.uk
02/10/2026

Some of the apotropaic markings in the Lantern Chamber of Tewkesbury Abbey.
www.apotropaios.co.uk

Decided to pop in to Ashton-under-Hill Church (Worcs) this afternoon. All of the interest is on the outside of the build...
26/09/2026

Decided to pop in to Ashton-under-Hill Church (Worcs) this afternoon. All of the interest is on the outside of the building but particularly the main door to the tower which has mass dials, apotropaic crosses and a magnificent daisy-wheel.
www.apotropaios.co.uk

Find of the month is some lovely daisy-wheels in the lead lining of the font at Lower Quinton, Warwickshire. There are t...
21/09/2026

Find of the month is some lovely daisy-wheels in the lead lining of the font at Lower Quinton, Warwickshire. There are three overlapping circles on a nearby column and another patch of daisies beyond that. Lovely stuff.
www.apotropaios.co.uk

It was great to run tours at Tewkesbury Abbey with Ellie for Heritage Open Days yesterday. The HODs are so brilliant for...
20/09/2026

It was great to run tours at Tewkesbury Abbey with Ellie for Heritage Open Days yesterday. The HODs are so brilliant for raising awareness of the heritage all around us and encouraging people to get out and explore it. For those that know, the involvement of Inspector Organ was also very welcome :-)
www.apotropaios.co.uk

Had a lovely time speaking at the Museum of Country Life at Castlebar earlier today as part of the Society for Folk Life...
12/09/2026

Had a lovely time speaking at the Museum of Country Life at Castlebar earlier today as part of the Society for Folk Life Studies annual conference. What a lovely group! A fine museum too...
https://folklifestudies.org/

My book is on display in the Country Life Museum at Castlebar in Mayo - hurrah :-)
12/09/2026

My book is on display in the Country Life Museum at Castlebar in Mayo - hurrah :-)

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