| “ | The last thing you want is to have the Council show up on your doorstep and question your competence. | ” |
| — Fiona Goode to Cordelia Goode[src] | ||
The Council on Witchcraft, more commonly referred to as the Witches' Council or simply the Council, is the governing body of the witches and warlocks of the Coven of the Salem descendants. They are depicted as elders and very old-fashioned as they still use typewriters in modern times. They are usually but not necessarily formed by two witches and a warlock, reflecting a majority of female witches within the magical community.
The Council is responsible for policing witch crimes, the concealment of witchcraft to the uninitiated, welcoming of potential wards to Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies and the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men, and initiating the test of the Seven Wonders.
The Council only assembles under the gravest circumstances, such as the death of another witch. Should a Supreme die before appointing her successor, the Council acts as de facto leaders. Despite the dwindling number of Salem descendants, the Council will not hesitate to burn a witch or warlock at the stake if they are found guilty of murdering or grievously harming another of their community.
History[]
The Witches' Council in 2013
In 2014, due to the deaths of former councilors Myrtle Snow, Quentin Fleming, and Cecily Pembroke, Supreme witch Cordelia Goode decided to form a new Council composed of young witches, reconstituting the governing body with Zoe Benson and Queenie.
The Witches' Council in 2021 (original timeline)
In 2015, following the death of Queenie at the Hotel Cortez and Cordelia's vision of the Apocalypse, she resurrected Myrtle and formed a new Council with Cordelia, Myrtle and Zoe, who went to the Hawthorne School when Michael Langdon was rumored to be the next Supreme. The Council developed again in 2018, when Zoe, Queenie, Bubbles McGee and most of the witches were killed, leaving Cordelia, Myrtle and Madison Montgomery as the Councilors. This Council came to the Outpost 3 on Halloween 2021 for the final battle with Michael.
When Mallory reversed the Apocalypse by using Tempus Infinituum, Cordelia never had to resurrect Myrtle, Madison stayed in Hell and Queenie was convinced not to go to the Hotel Cortez, thus reestablishing the 2014 Council with Zoe and Queenie alongside Cordelia.
Councilors[]
Elsa is a witch as well as the former Head of the Witches' Council. She visited Miss Robichaux's Academy in 1971 after the death of Supreme Anna Leigh Leighton. A young Fiona Goode is put on trial where she lies to the council that the Voodoo practitioners may have killed her. She later attends a party and celebrating Fiona and announces that she is the Supreme Elect and will perform the Seven Wonders.
Elsa was a natural born witch who was capable of detecting the life force – or lack thereof – of a fellow witch, thus practicing a form of divination.
Elsa is the first character bearing the name in American Horror Story. The other is Elsa Mars, owner of the Fräulein Elsa's Cabinet of Curiosities in the fourth season, subtitled Freak Show.
Lanchester is a witch as well as the stenographer of the Witches' Council. She visited the academy in 1971 after the death of Supreme Witch Anna Leigh Leighton. The Council puts a young Fiona Goode on trial and Lanchester asks her if the "colored witches" might have been involved in Anna Leigh's death, and Fiona lies to the Council that the Voodoo practitioners may have in fact killed her. She later attends the party celebrating Fiona on her becoming the Supreme Elect.
Lanchester was a natural born witch was capable of detecting the life force – or lack thereof – of a fellow witch, thus practicing a form of divination.
Bartholomew is a warlock, as well as a member of the Witches' Council. He visited Miss Robichaux's Academy in 1971 after the death of Supreme Witch Anna Leigh Leighton. Fiona Goode is put on trial where she lies to the Witches' Council that the Voodoo practitioners may have killed her. He later attends the party celebrating Fiona on her becoming the Supreme Elect.
Bartholomew was a natural born warlock detecting the life force – or lack thereof – of a fellow witch, thus practicing a form of divination.
This is the first character named Bartholomew, the second being the vampiric progeny of Countess Elizabeth in season five, Hotel. It could be inferred that he attended Hawthorne School during his formative years as a young warlock.
Quentin Fleming is a warlock, and a member of the Witches' Council. He visited Miss Robichaux's Academy after Nan could not detect Madison Montgomery's thoughts anymore. He is a Salem warlock as well as a famous author, whose books are on the best-selling list, though it was mentioned that it was the magic of Fiona Goode that made his books so successful. He has a flamboyant and sassy personality, however, fellow councilor Myrtle Snow calls him a fatuous fool and a drunk. Myrtle gets revenge against him for being responsible for ordering her burning at the stake by paralyzing and dismembering him and giving one of his eyes to Cordelia. According to Myrtle, Quentin and Cecily Pembroke wanted for years to dominate the Council, therefore agreed to burn her.
It can be inferred that Fleming attended Hawthorne School during his formative years as a young warlock.
Cecily Pembroke is a member of the Witches' Council. She visited the Miss Robichaux's Academy after Nan could not hear Madison Montgomery's thoughts anymore. She serves as the stenographer of the council and keeps an official record of each meeting that takes place. She is a Salem witch and is stern and conservative in nature, however, fellow councilors Quentin Fleming notes her lack of charisma and Myrtle Snow calls her weak-willed, boring, and finds her fashion faux pas nightmarish. Myrtle gets revenge against Cecily for being responsible for ordering her burning at the stake by paralyzing and dismembering her and giving one of her eyes to Cordelia Foxx. According to Myrtle, Cecily and Quentin wanted for years to dominate the Council, therefore she agreed to burn her.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ In The Seven Wonders he makes no appearance, but is mentioned by Cordelia Goode.
- ↑ In The Seven Wonders, she appears in a flashback.
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