Europe: 1450-1750: Malleus Maleficarum

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citizens, society, and the state

Ved Jason Apgar

How did we get here? Having a better knowledge of the events involving the hunting and trials of witches that we have heard about allows us to understand the circumstances surrounding the historic loss, and causes us to learn from the tragedy to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

Answers the activity question of how religion impacted the culture, explaining why the belief of witches was seen as extremely dangerous, "causing them to forsake God" (Malleus Maleficarum).

The persecution of the women at that time displays the poor treatment that women have faced in all areas of the world throughout history. Unfortunately, this treatment still continues in some parts of the world today.

While in today's world the hysteria surrounding witchcraft may be seen as foolish, it was a serious concern for people at that time. People felt as though the time called for torture and execution (see woodcut from Germany).

Lives were destroyed and taken from innocent people. The estimated death toll was between 50,000 to 80,000 people (80% being women) because of the panic that existed during that time.

How did the people at this time find these "witches" to be guilty? Was a trial involved, and if so what went into that process?

Which questions can it not?

What thoughts went behind the hysteria that surrounded the talk of witches? And what prompted people to feel so driven to solve the "problem" that they believed existed?

The perspective of the accused witches, as well as the people at the time who didn't believe in the superstitious rumours have been overlooked in the primary source.

The views of superstitious people at that time, like the authors of the Malleus Maleficarum, are the reflected perspective.

With the content provided within the book, it seems that the readers are uninformed of the fact that their accusation of these witches could be wrong, and that there may be consequences to any cruel actions.

The thoughts that are being put forward are that witches were to blame for any problems that existed in a community, and that they were very dangerous. The writing also included the idea that these witches had to be taken care of to ensure the safety of everyone.

The authors used a concerned and scared tone, causing readers to worry about the possibility of witches and/or sirens. The words were written in a way that seemed to be an important warning to people at that time, using harsh words to describe them, "a woman more bitter than death" (Malleus Maleficarum).

German monks, Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, wrote the Malleus Maleficarum to educate people on the dangers of witches that existed in their communities and what to do with said witches.

The document was created as a manual/guide with tips on identifying and dealing with witches. We can see from the Table of Contents that the authors have answered questions pertaining to witches and the manner in which to treat them.

Europe: 1450-1750: Malleus Maleficarum

Whose options are omitted/challenged/questioned?

Which questions can it help me answer?

Results in change

Reveals the past

Relevant to today

Relevant to a question

Whose perspective does it reflect?

What ideas are left out?

What are the big ideas?

How does the author communicate ideas?

Who wrote it? Why?

What does it look like?