Lesson 1
The Great Spatial Context
"Upon the signature of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689, wizards went into hiding for good. It was natural, perhaps, that they formed their own small communities within a community. Many small villages and hamlets attracted several magical families, who banded together for mutual support and protection."
—Bathilda Bagshot, A History of Magic
The 'Secret' Wizarding World
The wizarding geography forever changed after the signing of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689 where wizards went hiding from the Muggles. As Bathilda Bagshot stated in her book, the wizarding families formed their own small communities within a community. As a result of this, wizarding population formed a dispersed, widely distributed geographical pattern in the country.
These communities became what are known as wizard or wizarding villages. As Hermione Granger once said, these are “communities within a community”. Exceptional though is Hogsmeade which is the all-wizard village in Britain. It is located near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Here is the list of known wizard villages in Great Britain and Ireland:
England
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
This secret world of witches and wizards serve as a shadow world to the Muggle society, a situation that is carefully kept secret, except for a few Muggles such as those related to witches and wizards and some important Muggles like the Prime Minister. This massive effort of the wizarding world has big number of consequences especially geographical ones that we will discuss the next lessons. It is important to know because it is still in effect at the current time and it is helpful to be conscious about it.
Sources:
—Bathilda Bagshot, A History of Magic
The 'Secret' Wizarding World
The wizarding geography forever changed after the signing of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689 where wizards went hiding from the Muggles. As Bathilda Bagshot stated in her book, the wizarding families formed their own small communities within a community. As a result of this, wizarding population formed a dispersed, widely distributed geographical pattern in the country.
These communities became what are known as wizard or wizarding villages. As Hermione Granger once said, these are “communities within a community”. Exceptional though is Hogsmeade which is the all-wizard village in Britain. It is located near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Here is the list of known wizard villages in Great Britain and Ireland:
England
- Appleby (North Lincolnshire)
- Barnton (Cheshire)
- Chudleigh (West Country)
- Falmouth (West Country)
- Godric's Hollow (West Country)
- Ilkley (Yorkshire)
- London
- Mould-on-the-Wold (Cotswolds)
- Ottery St. Catchpole (West Country)
- Puddlemere (West Country)
- Tinworth (West Country)
- Tutshill (West Country)
- Upper Flagley (Yorkshire)
- Wimbourne (West Country)
Ireland
- Ballycastle (Northern Ireland)
- Cork (Cork)
- Kenmare (Kerry)
Scotland
- Banchory (Aberdeenshire)
- Hogsmeade (Moray/Banffshire)
- Montrose (Angus)
- Portree (Skye)
- Wigtown (Dumfries and Galloway)
Wales
- Caerphilly (Gwent)
- Holyhead (Anglesey)
This secret world of witches and wizards serve as a shadow world to the Muggle society, a situation that is carefully kept secret, except for a few Muggles such as those related to witches and wizards and some important Muggles like the Prime Minister. This massive effort of the wizarding world has big number of consequences especially geographical ones that we will discuss the next lessons. It is important to know because it is still in effect at the current time and it is helpful to be conscious about it.
Sources: