The Possession of George Lukins

George Lukins, a tailor from Yatton in Somerset, claimed to be possessed by seven demons beginning in 1769. After eighteen years of suffering, his case attracted national attention and culminated in a dramatic exorcism by seven clergymen.

The Onset

Lukins was struck down during a Christmas celebration in 1769. He began suffering fits and speaking in strange voices. Local doctors could find no physical cause. The fits occurred at predictable intervals, and during them, Lukins displayed superhuman strength.

The Symptoms

During his episodes, Lukins sang and laughed in demonic voices. He spoke fluently in languages he had never learned. He displayed violent aversion to scripture and could identify the presence of clergy before seeing them. He claimed seven demons inhabited him.

The Exorcism

On June 13, 1788, seven clergymen gathered at Temple Church in Bristol. Lukins was restrained as the exorcism began. The demons reportedly spoke through him, mocking the clergy. After hours of prayer, each demon departed in sequence.

The Aftermath

Lukins recovered completely and lived normally afterward. The case attracted debate between those who believed in genuine possession and those who suspected fraud or mental illness. Several clergymen published accounts defending the exorcism’s legitimacy.

Assessment

The Lukins case occurred during the Enlightenment when demonic possession was becoming unfashionable among educated classes. The public exorcism challenged rationalist assumptions and remains one of the best-documented possession cases of its era.