The Tsaritsa, the Needlewomen and the Witches: Magic in Moscow in the 1630s

A 1639 case involving Dar’ia Lamanova, a Kremlin needlewoman, revealed that accusations of magical harm against Tsaritsa Evdokiia Luk’ianova and her children were largely rooted in 'everyday' or 'prosaic' magic practices rather than a broader witch-hunt. Investigations showed evidence of love magic and healing rituals among Moscow witches associated with the royal household, but authorities dismissed claims of a dynastic conspiracy. This finding highlights how 17th-century Russian courts handled magical accusations without resorting to Western European-style persecution, preserving stability despite fears of supernatural threats.

Perrie, M. (2013). The Tsaritsa, the Needlewomen and the Witches: Magic in Moscow in the 1630s. Russian History, 40(3-4), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1163/18763316-04004003