In the realm of fairy tales and storytelling, curses are a common trope, often used to drive the plot forward or create conflict for the protagonist. One well-known curse is the princess curse, where a princess is placed under a spell or curse that renders her dormant or otherwise incapacitated. However, in recent years, there has been a mystical revolution surrounding the reanimation of princess curses, bringing about a shift in the narrative and empowering these once-cursed characters. Traditionally, the princess curse has been portrayed as a tragic and passive event. Princesses such as Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, or Rapunzel are cursed to an eternal slumber or locked away in a tower, awaiting their prince to come and rescue them. This narrative perpetuates the idea of female dependency and the need for a male savior.
In the story about Mr. Crabb, Stone provides an exhaustive list of ailments the old astrologer professed to cure. This list, presented as a direct quote from Mr. Crabb, was actually a plagiarized passage from John Milton's Paradise Lost—which goes a long way to explaining how a poor swamp-dweller who can't read or write can produce an eloquent line like “moping melancholy and moon-struck madness.”
According to a news article in 1940, she had a score of cats and it was felt by the local public that she was a sorceress and conversed with the spirits of darkness. While descending from the mountain, they found a skeleton lodged between some rocks and assumed the man had killed himself by jumping from the summit.
This narrative perpetuates the idea of female dependency and the need for a male savior. However, the mystical revolution has changed this perception, breathing new life and agency into these princesses. The mystical revolution has reimagined the reanimation of princess curses as a transformative and empowering experience for the princesses themselves.
Witch of Saratoga, Northampton’s Forgotten Magickal Emigrant
Northamptonshire has long been a hotbed of ‘witchcraft’ and the associated persecution.
The most infamous example being the Northamptonshire Witch Trials of 1612, which saw five people executed following a public dunking.
The county also claims the dubious distinction of being the last place in England to execute witches.
On 17 March 1705, Elinor Shaw and Mary Phillips were hanged, then burned before they were completely dead.
Northamptonshire’s ‘witches’ were even found in the New World.
A Northampton man stood accused of witchcraft during the notorious Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
He was killed by ‘pressing’ after refusing to confess.
But perhaps the County’s most overlooked magickal emigrant is Angeline Tubbs, the so-called Witch of Saratoga.
In America, she is legendary – her reputation fuelled by ghost vigils and fireside tales.
Yet in England hardly anyone remembers her name.
Her story began in a rural English backwater.
Origins of the Witch of Saratoga
Angeline was born in 1761 at the The Star and Garter Inn in the village of Watford, Northamptonshire, where her parents were landlords.
The Star and Garter Inn in Northamptonshire, where Angeline Tubbs – the future Witch of Saratoga – was born.
In subsequent years, renovation work here would uncover numerous artefacts such as witch-bottles and hidden shoes, all intended to keep evil at bay.
Angeline grew into a beautiful woman, with flowing hair and piercing black eyes. At the age of fifteen she was married off to a British officer from the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot.
Angeline Tubbs travels to America
When her husband was posted to fight in the American Revolutionary War, the young bride travelled with him.
In 1777, following the British defeat at the battle of Saratoga in New York State, Angeline’s husband tried to murder her.
Having failed, he abandoned her. As the British troops withdrew, the jilted bride was left alone in an unfamiliar land.
She walked to Saratoga Springs, where, at the base of what is now known as Mount Vista, or Angeline’s Hill, she constructed a hovel.
Angelina Tubbs aka the Witch of Saratoga.
Here, like some medieval European witch, Tubbs lived an isolated, feral and self sufficient existence, accruing dozens of cats to keep her company.
Folk in nearby settlements were unnerved by this curious English woman and her feline familiars.
Tales abounded that upon stormy nights she could be seen standing on the cliffs of Mount Vesta, her hair streaming in the wind, red lightning encircling her as as she communed with spirits.
Suspecting witchcraft, the locals accused the outcast of numerous crimes, had her arrested and sentenced to death.
She told her tormentors she would not die until the last of her cats had passed away. Tubbs survived the noose, although she carried its mark for the rest of her life, and her beauty began to fade until she resembled the arch-typical crone.
Witch of Saratoga becomes an outcast
As she grew older, and less able to fend for herself in the wilderness, Tubbs began telling fortunes to make ends meet.
In her 90s, a professional photographer published Angeline’s image and entitled it ‘The Witch of Saratoga’, turning Angeline into an unexpected tourist draw.
But reading fortunes didn’t generate much income. In 1865, at the age of 104 having outlived all her cats, Tubbs died in the poorhouse.
In the years since, witnesses claim to have seen the ghost of a sad young woman walking with a man in military uniform.
On stormy nights, a lonely figure has been reported standing on the outcrops of Mount Vista, silhouetted by lightening, and screaming with her arms outstretched in the wind.
Exile, fortune teller, spirit-talker, murder/execution survivor, and in death, an unquiet and oft-sighted spirit: the story of the enigmatic Angeline Tubbs, Northamptonshire’s forgotten witch, is sure to fascinate the curious for many years to come.
In the years since, witnesses claim to have seen the ghost of a sad young woman walking with a man in military uniform.
Rather than waiting for a prince to save them, these princesses now take control of their own destinies. They harness their newfound mystical powers, break free from their curses, and embark on quests of self-discovery and personal growth. These reanimated princess curses serve as a metaphor for the transformation and empowerment of women in society. They challenge traditional gender roles and highlight the strength and resilience of women. The princesses no longer passively wait for salvation but actively pursue their own happiness and liberation. This mystical revolution has also given rise to diverse and inclusive portrayals of princesses. The reanimated princess curses are not limited to a specific ethnicity, body type, or socioeconomic background. Instead, they represent a wide range of women, each with their own unique strengths and abilities. This shift in representation is crucial in promoting inclusivity and giving voice to previously marginalized groups. Overall, the mystical revolution of the reanimated princess curse redefines the princess narrative and challenges societal norms. It empowers princesses to take charge of their own destiny, breaks down traditional gender roles, and promotes inclusivity. This revolution serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the power to break free from societal expectations and forge their own path..
Reviews for "The Enchanted Revolution: The Mystical Influence of the Reanimated Princess Curse"
1. Emily - 2/5
I really didn't enjoy "The mystical revolution of the reanimated princess curse." The plot felt convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or development. The writing style was also quite bland and uninspiring. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Mark - 1/5
"The mystical revolution of the reanimated princess curse" was a complete disappointment. The concept sounded interesting, but the execution was poor. The story dragged on with unnecessary descriptions and filler scenes. I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout. The dialogue felt forced and the romantic subplot was clichéd. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell flat.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I found "The mystical revolution of the reanimated princess curse" to be underwhelming. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The writing lacked finesse and the characters were forgettable. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many questions unanswered. Overall, this book didn't live up to the hype for me.
4. Jake - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "The mystical revolution of the reanimated princess curse." The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became predictable and unoriginal. The characters were flat and lacked any real depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The writing style was also uninspiring and the descriptions felt excessive. I had high expectations for this book, but it just didn't deliver.