Near the South of County Durham is an inn called the Old Spital Inn. A word derived from Hospital, a tradition of helping the unfortunate proceeded the building. One night, a crafty beggar asked for a bed. Being good people with honourable hearts, the inn keepers agreed and provided a room for the dishevelled man. It was only when the residents had gone to sleep did the beggar reveal his true intentions. He was in fact, a burglar and he had a magic device named a Hand Of Glory. One such hand is kept by the Whitby Museum.
Described in magic spells, a hand must be taken at night from a freshly hanged man then soaked in salt pickle mixed with urine of man, woman, dog, stallion, and mare. It must be turned over each night for thirteen days. After this, the hand must be left in the sun for three days and then have the fingers bent around a stick so that they point in the same direction and can hold a candle. Then, the hand must be placed half-way up a working chimney for a month. Only wood and herbs may be burned during this time, no coal. Once this has taken place, the hand is able to be claimed by the practitioner. The hand must be hung on an ancient oak for three nights then left by a crossroad for an hour a night for three more. If the hand has not been removed by animal or person by this time, it must be then hung on the keyhole of a church door over night with the claimant keeping watch.
The beggar turned burglar who was offered a bed for the night had one such hand of glory. He used it by setting it on the kitchen table when he knew everyone was asleep. Setting light to the candle between the fingers, the spell ensured the other residents would not wake. As he went about taking silver, food, and other expensive belongings, he did not realise that the cook was only dosing. He heard the noise and went to find out what was happening. Finding the burglar and seeing the hand of glory, the cook blew out the candle and woke the rest of the inn. Catching the burglar and returning the belongings to their rightful place, they waited until morning when the authorities could take the man away.
Described in magic spells, a hand must be taken at night from a freshly hanged man then soaked in salt pickle mixed with urine of man, woman, dog, stallion, and mare. It must be turned over each night for thirteen days. After this, the hand must be left in the sun for three days and then have the fingers bent around a stick so that they point in the same direction and can hold a candle. Then, the hand must be placed half-way up a working chimney for a month. Only wood and herbs may be burned during this time, no coal. Once this has taken place, the hand is able to be claimed by the practitioner. The hand must be hung on an ancient oak for three nights then left by a crossroad for an hour a night for three more. If the hand has not been removed by animal or person by this time, it must be then hung on the keyhole of a church door over night with the claimant keeping watch.
The beggar turned burglar who was offered a bed for the night had one such hand of glory. He used it by setting it on the kitchen table when he knew everyone was asleep. Setting light to the candle between the fingers, the spell ensured the other residents would not wake. As he went about taking silver, food, and other expensive belongings, he did not realise that the cook was only dosing. He heard the noise and went to find out what was happening. Finding the burglar and seeing the hand of glory, the cook blew out the candle and woke the rest of the inn. Catching the burglar and returning the belongings to their rightful place, they waited until morning when the authorities could take the man away.