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Merge Magic is an enchanting online game that allows players to immerse themselves in a magical world where everything is possible. Released by the creators of the popular Merge Dragons, this game takes the concept of merging objects to a whole new level. In Merge Magic, players are tasked with solving puzzles and quests by merging various creatures, plants, and objects together. The game presents a unique twist on the traditional match-three concept, as players must strategically merge items to create new and more powerful ones. The game features a beautifully designed and immersive world filled with mystical creatures and enchanting landscapes. Players can explore different areas and collect mystical creatures called "Witches" that assist them in their quests.

The Dress

In one extract witches are accused of cursing men with impotence upon their marriage by knitting so manie knottes upon a poynt, 2 a lace that attached a man s hose to his doublet whilst casting a spell. Now I say inspired because over the centuries, the iconic buckle shoe had gone through many changes, each time re-emerging more cartoonish each time.

Players can explore different areas and collect mystical creatures called "Witches" that assist them in their quests. These creatures can be merged to produce even more powerful beings, adding an element of strategy to the gameplay. Merge Magic also offers a variety of challenges and quests for players to complete.

Fashioning Witchcraft

Francesca Scantlebury considers the relationship between witchcraft and clothing throughout history.

By Francesca Scantlebury

The infamous witch trials of early modern Europe saw tens of thousands of victims convicted and executed for the crimes of suspected witchcraft and sorcery. With the mass hysteria and angst about witchcraft spanning over multiple centuries and countries, it is no surprise that the cataclysmic events of the era still fascinate many to this day.

From the recently closed exhibition Spellbound: Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft at the Ashmolean museum, to the current touring exhibition Waking the Witch curated by Legion Projects, surviving objects related to witches continue to provide a popular attraction for museum goers and occult history lovers. Yet, one area of witchcraft which has so far received little attention, clothing. Crystal balls and grimoires are two kinds of objects which are often displayed within exhibitions and are used to show the ‘tools’ of alleged witches, but garments are typically missing from the story.

In spite of this absence though, many of our traditional ideas of witch’s clothing come from the early modern era, including the pointy hats and black robes worn by the Hogwarts students of Harry Potter. Through pamphlets, woodcut illustrations, and treatises against witchcraft, many stereotypes and myths were spread about witches and their attire, but in reality, those accused of witchcraft were probably dressed no differently to their neighbours. In an era of extreme paranoia, it would even have been considered especially foolish to dress in a manner particularly associated with witchcraft.

Through investigating beliefs on witches and their connection to clothing though in the period, a look at distinctive ongoing prejudices could also help establish why certain parts of the population were more likely to be accused of witchcraft. Although both men and women could be suspected of performing magic, up to 85% in England alone of those accused were women (1). A long-lasting bias in particular was one against female textile workers who were associated with ‘weaving’ and ‘spinning’ spells. Perpetuating this connection were publications such as James I’s famous treatise against witchcraft, Daemonologie, which specifically associated women spinners and knitters with sorcery. In one extract witches are accused of cursing men with impotence upon their marriage by ‘knitting so manie knottes upon a poynt,’ (2) (a lace that attached a man’s hose to his doublet) whilst casting a spell.

Alongside such myths and stereotypes spread about witches, clothes also played a part in securing confessions during trials and after executions. In one such trial in Holland in 1586, the accused was made to put on new clothes that had been sprinkled with holy water amongst other methods to extract a confession of witchcraft. Through doing so, the suspect not only was considered more likely to plead guilty to her supposed crimes, but the removal of her own clothes was also thought to take magic out of her possession. Clothing was believed to be a way in which witches could hide their spells successfully, and through forms of educations and entertainment, this opinion became further widespread across Europe. In William Shakespeare’s popular play, The Tempest for example, the principal character Prospero uses his cloak as the source of his magic, deliberately taking his garment off when deciding to give up his power.

After executions, there are also many cases of clothes being burned after their wearer’s death. As clothing was not always the cheapest commodity, to go to the lengths of burning them suggests they would forever be ‘tainted’ by their relationship to the witch that wore them and believed to possess harmful magic and spells. Though belief in witchcraft may no longer be prevalent today, it is easy to see how attitudes and actions such as this have shaped our views concerning witches’ attire and have been passed down through the centuries into our collective consciousness today.

References

1. Anne Llewellyn Barstow, Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (San Francisco: Pandora, 1993), p. 23.

2. Donald Tyson, The Demonology of King James I: Includes the Original Text of Daemonologie and News from Scotland. (Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2011), p. 74.

Bibliography/ Further Reading

1. Barstow, Anne Llewellyn, Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts. San Francisco: Pandora, 1993.

2. De Waart, Hans. “Witchcraft and Wealth: The Case of the Netherlands.” In The Oxford Handbook of Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe and Colonial America, edited by Brian P. Levack, 232 - 249. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013.

3. Jones, Ann Rosalind, and Peter Stallybrass. Renaissance Clothing and the Materials of Memory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

4. Krause, Virginia. Witchcraft, Demonology, and Confession in Early Modern France. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015.

5. Tyson, Donald, The Demonology of King James I: Includes the Original Text of Daemonologie and News from Scotland. Llewellyn Publications: Minnesota, 2011.

Suspected witches kneeling before King James I, Daemonologie, 1597

Witches dressed in their stereotypical attire, woodcut, 1720, Wellcome Library.

These wouldn’t have been outerwear for wealthier women, but would have been under the bodice. A lower class woman would not have had such fancy stays. Instead, she would have worn a reed or leather pair of stays over a chemise and skirt.

These quests often involve merging specific items or creatures to accomplish certain goals. The game rewards players with valuable resources and items for successfully completing these tasks, encouraging them to continue exploring and merging. One of the highlights of Merge Magic is the ability to create and personalize your own garden. Players can merge plants and objects to create beautiful landscapes and decorate them with various decorations. This feature allows players to showcase their creativity and design skills while also providing a sense of accomplishment and personalization. As an online game, Merge Magic also offers a social aspect where players can join guilds or interact with friends. This community aspect adds another layer of enjoyment and engagement to the game, as players can collaborate and compete with others. In summary, Merge Magic is a captivating online game that combines puzzle-solving, strategy, and creativity. With its stunning visuals, immersive world, and engaging gameplay, it offers a magical and enchanting experience for players of all ages..

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the university of oklahoma mascot boomer and sooner