Jourdemayne, the Witch of Eye

Jourdemayne was burned at Smithfield in London for witchcraft in 1441. Friend to the eminent and educated of her time, she was sought by many for her knowledge of dark matters.

Jourdemayne writes about …

... belief in the supernatural: what and why; where does it lead us? She also occasionally suffers from mission creep. Sorry.

I am editor of …


the UK’s only regular magazine to take a critical-thinking and evidence-based approach to pseudo-science and the paranormal.

Quotes & Testimonials

"Everyone's favourite skeptical witch, Jourdemayne, with superbly written thoughts on superstition, religion and the human condition"
Crispian Jago

"My two favourite bloggers ... are Petra Boynton and Jourdemayne ... Jourdemayne draws her insights from a different background: profound historical knowledge of the extraordinary things people have believed in. She then uses this to contextualise more contemporary matters."
Jack of Kent

"... the erudite and charming Jourdemayne ..."
Jack of Kent

"This is brilliant - must read"
('Priests, Pederasts & Privilege')
David Colquhoun

The Anglian Wolf Society

I support the work of The Anglian Wolf Society, which operates a sanctuary for wolves in North Bedfordshire. Its aims are to:

• educate and inform the public about wolves
• promote and support wolf conservation
• give people who would like to study or work with wolves the chance to do so

Please visit their site and donate if you can. You can even visit, and learn more about these wonderful and often misunderstood animals.

About Jourdemayne

Deborah HydeJourdemayne is written by Deborah Hyde. During the day, she’s a film-industry makeup effects coordinator who also gets on the wrong side of the camera from time to time.

Deborah is a Skeptic. Skeptics like an evidence-based approach to life, especially if someone is telling them what to do. The American spelling - ’Skeptic’ - is deliberate. The noun denotes a growing movement of people; more coagulated than coordinated, most of them like science and a rational approach to life.

Deborah is the editor in chief of The Skeptic Magazine, the UK’s only regular magazine to take a critical-thinking and evidence-based approach to pseudo-science and the paranormal. The magazine was previously edited by Professor Chris French of Goldsmiths, who stepped down after ten years to take a well-earned break in 2011.

Visit The Skeptic magazine website for details of the latest issue and how to subscribe.

She is also deputy convenor of Westminster Skeptics in the Pub where there are monthly events related to law, policy and the media at The Old Monk Exchange in Victoria, London.

Past events have included:
• The Law and Policy of Sex Work with Brooke Magnanti (Belle du Jour) and Birkbeck academic Belinda Brooks Gordon.
• Science Policy and the General Election with Dr. Brian Cox
• Evidence-Based Policy Making with Professor David Nutt, former chair of the goverment’s Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs, & Dr Evan Harris, former MP for Oxford West & Abingdon.
• Thinking critically about the riots
The acclaimed Guardian journalist Paul Lewis at Westminster Skeptics discussing the recent civil disturbances
• Libel Law Reform with scientist and journalist Simon Singh

Deborah says:
“I have always been fascinated by the supernatural, especially the macabre supernatural. I have been writing and speaking on the subject for around twenty years, and probably know way too many facts about werewolf folklore. I have very patient friends.”