Author: Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger; Translated by the Reverend Montague Summers
Edition Cited in The Compleat Witch
Publisher: The Pushkin Press
City: London
Year: 1948
additional information
Pages: 278
Binding: Hardback
Size: 6″ x 8.75″
Binding: Hardback
Size: 6″ x 8.75″
Dust Jacket Flap Copy
(from the Cited Edition)
This famous work is of the greatest psychological and historical importance. Written by two Dominican Inquisitors, Henry Kramer and James Sprenger, who were accredited by Pope Innocent VIII in his bull Summis desiderantes, 9 December 1484, its encyclopedic pages deal with every phase of witchcraft, and discuss in detail the most curious and even the most fantastic bypaths of this dark and esoteric cult. It is hardly too much to say that hence a score of demonologists, Jean Bodin, Boguet, Del Rio, Guazzo Mengo and the rest have largely drawn the material for their pages. The influence of the Malleus was unbounded, and again and again it is appealed to by Pontiff and King, Bishop and Judge, as supremely authoritative and complete. The first edition of this great and terrible book as published at Cologne in 1489, and there were at least four issues before the end of the century.
This is the first translation into English.
EDITION LIMITED TO 2,000 COPIES
This is the first translation into English.
EDITION LIMITED TO 2,000 COPIES
Back Cover Copy
(from the Dover reprint)
For nearly three centuries Malleus Maleficarum (The Witches’ Hammer) was the professional manual for witch hunters. This work by two of the most famous Inquisitors of the age is still adocument of the force of that era’s beliefs. Under a Bull of Pope Innocent VIII, Kramer and Sprenger exposed theheresy of those who did not believe in witches and set forth the proper orderof the world with devils, witches, and the will of God. Even if you do not believe in witchcraft, theworld of 1484 did.
Contemporary cases illustrate methods by which witches attempt to control and subvert the world: how and why women roast theirfirst-born male child; the confession of how to raise a tempest by a wash woman suspended “hardly clear of the ground” by her thumbs; methods of making aformal pact with the Devil; how witches deprive men of their vital member; and many others. Methods of destroying andcuring witchcraft, such as remedies against incubus and succubus devils, are exemplified and weighed by the authors.
Formal rules for initiating a process of justice are set down: how is should be conducted and the method ofpronouncing sentence; when to use the trial by the red-hot iron; how the prosecutor should protect himself; how the body is to be shaved and searched for tokens and amulets, including those sewn under the skin. As Summers says, it was the casebook on every magistrate’s desk.
Montague Summers has given a very sympathetic translation. His two introductions are filled with examples of witchcraft and the historical importance of Malleus Maleficarum. This famous document should interest thehistorian, the student of witchcraft and the occult, and the psychologist whois interested in the medieval mind as it was confronted with various forceswhich could be explained only by witchcraft.
Table of Contents
(Dover reprint)
INTRODUCTIONTO 1948 AND 1928 EDITIONS
ANOTE UPON THE BIBLIOGRAPHY
THEBULL OF INNOCENT VIII
THEFIRST PART
TREATING OF THETHREE NECESSARY CONCOMITANTS OF WITCHCRAFT WHICH ARE THEDEVIL, A WITCH, AND THE PERMISSION OFALMIGHTY GOD
PART ONE
Question I.
Whetherthe Belief that there are such Beings as Witches is so Essential a Part of theCatholic Faith that Obstinacy to maintain the Opposite Opinion manifestlysavors of Heresy
Question II.
Ifit be in Accordance with the Catholic Faith to maintain that in Order to bringabout some Effect of Magic, the Devil must intimately co-operate with theWitch, or whether one without the other, that is to say, the Devil without theWitch, or conversely, could produce such an Effect
Question III.
WhetherChildren can be Generated by Incubi and Succubi
Question IV.
Bywhich Devils are the Operations of Incubus and Succubus Practised?
Question V.
Whatis the Source of the Increase of Works of Witchcraft? Whence comes it that the Practice ofWitchcraft hath so notably increased?
Question VI.
ConcerningWitches who copulate with Devils. Why is it that Women are chiefly addicted toEvil Superstitions?
Question VII.
WhetherWitches can Sway the Minds of Men to Love or Hatred
Question VIII.
WhetherWitches can Hebetate the Powers of Generation or Obstruct the Venereal Act
Question IX.
WhetherWitches may work some Prestidigitatory Illusion so that the Male Organ appearsto be entirely removed and separate from the Body
Question X.
WhetherWitches can by some Glamour Change Men into Beasts
Question XI.
ThatWitches who are Midwives in Various Ways Kill the Child Conceived in the Womb,and Procure and Abortion; or if they do not do this, Offer New-born Children toDevils
Question XII.
Whetherthe Permission of Almighty God is an Accompaniment of Witchcraft
Question XIII.
Hereinis ser forth the Question concerning the Two Divine Permissions which Godjustly allows, namely, that the Devil, the Author of all Evil, should Sin, andthat our First Parents should Fall, from which Origins the Works of Witches arejustly suffered to take place
Solutions of theArguments.
Question XIV.
TheEnormity of Witches is Considered, and it is shown that the Whole Matter shouldbe rightly Set Forth and Declared
Question XV.
Itis Shown that, on Account of the Sins of Witches, the Innocent are oftenBewitched, yea, Sometimes even for their Own Sins
Question XVI.
TheForegoing Truths are Set out in Particular, this by Comparison of the Works ofWitches with Other Baleful Superstitions
Question XVII.
AComparison of their Crimes under Fourteen Heads, with the Sins of the Devils ofall and every Kind
Question XVIII.
Herefollows the Method of Preaching against and Converting Five Arguments of Laymenand Lewd Folk, which seem to be Variously Approved, that God does not Allow soGreat Power to the Devil and Witches as is Involved in the Performance of suchMighty Works of Witchcraft
THESECOND PART
TREATING OF THEMETHODS BY WHICH THE WORKS OF WITCHCRAFT ARE WROUGHT ANDDIRECTED, AND HOW THEY MAY BE SUCCESSFULLYANNULLED AND DISSOLVED
Resolved in bytwo Questions, yet these are divided into many Chapters.
QUESTION I
Ofthose against whom the Power of Witches availeth not at all
Chapter I.
Ofthe several Methods by which Devils through Witches Entice and Allure theInnocent to the Increase of that Horrid Craft and Company
Chapter II.
Ofthe Way whereby a Formal Pact with Evil is made
Chapter III.
Howthey are Transported from Place to Place
Chapter IV.
Herefollows the Way whereby Witches copulate with those Devils known as Incubi
Chapter V.
Witches commonly perform their Spells through theSacraments of the Church. And how theyImpair the Powers of Generation, and how they may Cause other Ills to happen toGod’s Creatures of all Kinds. But hereinwe except the Question of the Influence of the Stars
Chapter VI.
How Witches Impede and Prevent the Power ofProcreation
Chapter VII.
How, as it were, they Deprive Man of his VirileMember
Chapter VIII.
Of the Manner whereby they Change Men into theShapes of Beasts
Chapter IX.
How Devils may enter the Human Body and the Headwithout doing any Hurt, when they cause such Metamorphosis my Means ofPrestidigitation
Chapter X.
Of the Method by which Devils through theOperations of Witches sometimes actually possess Men
Chapter XI.
Of the Method by which they can Inflict Every Sortof Infirmity, generally Ills of the Graver Kind
Chapter XII.
Of the Way how in Particular they Afflict Men withOther Like Infirmities
Chapter XIII.
How Witch Midwives commit most Horrid Crimes whenthey either Kill Children or Offer them to Devils in most Accursed Wise
Chapter XIV.
Here followeth how Witches Injure Cattle in VariousWays
Chapter XV.
How they Raise and Stir up Hailstorms and Tempests,and Cause Lightning to Blast both Men and Beasts
Chapter XVI.
Of Three Ways in which Men andnot Women may be Discovered to be Addicted to Witchcraft: Divided into Three Heads: and First of the Witchcraft Archers
QUESTION II
THE METHODS OF DESTROYING AND CURING WITCHCRAFT
introduction, wherein is SetForth the Difficulty of this Question.
Chapter I.
The Remedies prescribed by Holy Church against Incubusand Succubus Devils
Chapter II.
Remedies prescribed for Those who are Bewitched bythe Limitation of the Generative Power
Chapter III.
Remedies prescribed for those who are Bewitched bybeing Inflamed with Inordinate Love or Extraordinary Hatred
Chapter IV.
Remedies prescribed for those who byPrestidigitatory Art have lost their Virile Members or have seemingly beenTransformed into the Shapes of Beasts
Chapter V.
Prescribed Remedies for those who are Obsessedowing to some Spell
Chapter VI.
Prescribed Remedies; to wit, the Lawful Exorcismsof the Church, for all Sorts of Infirmities and Ills due to Witchcraft; and theMethod of Exorcising those who are Bewitched
Chapter VII.
Remedies prescribed against Hailstorms, and forAnimals that are Bewitched
Chapter VIII.
Certain Remedies prescribed against those Dark andHorrid Harms with which Devils may Afflict Men
THETHIRD PART
RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS IN BOTH THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIL COURTS AGAINST WITCHES AND INDEED ALL HERETICS
Containing XXXV Questions inwhich are most Clearly set out the Formal Rules for Initiating a Process ofJustice, how it should be Conducted, and the Method of Pronouncing Sentence.
QUESTION I
General and Introductory
Who are the Fit and Proper Judges in the Trial ofWitches?
THE FIRST HEAD
Question I.
The Method of Initiating a Process
Question II.
Of the Number of the Witnesses
Question III.
Of the Solemn Adjuration and Re-examination ofWitnesses
Question IV.
Of the Quality and Condition of Witnesses
Question V.
Whether Mortal Enemies may be Admitted as Witnesses
THE SECOND HEAD
Question VI.
How the Trial is to be Proceeded with andContinued. And how the Witnesses are tobe Examined in the Presence of Four Other Persons, and how the Accused is to beQuestioned in Two Ways
Question VII.
In Which Various Doubts are Set Forth with Regardto the Foregoing Questions and Negative Answers. Whether the Accused is to be Imprisoned, andwhen she is to be considered as Manifestly Taken in the Foul Heresy ofWitchcraft. This is the Second Action.
Question VIII.
Which Follows from the Preceding Question, Whetherthe Witch is to be Imprisoned, and of the Method of Taking her. This is the Third Action of the Judge.
Question IX.
What is to be done after the Arrest, and whetherthe Names of the Witnesses should be made Known to the Accused. This is the Fourth Action.
Question X.
What Kind of Defence mat be Allowed, and of theAppointment of an Advocate. This is theFifth Action.
Question XI.
What Course the Advocate should Adopt when theNames of the Witnesses are not Revealed to him. The Sixth Action.
Question XII.
Of the Same Matter, Declaring more Particularly howthe Question of Personal Enmity is to be Investigated. The Seventh Action.
Question XIII.
Of the Points to be Observed by the Judge beforethe Formal Examination in the Place of Detention and Torture. This is the Eighth Action.
Question XIV.
Of the Method of Sentencing the Accused to beQuestioned: and How she must be Questioned on the First Day; and Whether shemay be Promised her Life. The NinthAction.
Question XV.
Of the Continuing of the Torture, and of theDevices and Signs by which the Judge can Recognize a Witch; and how he ought toProtect himself from their Spells. Alsohow they are to be Shaved in those Parts where they use to Conceal the Devil’sMasks and Tokens; together with the due Setting Forth of Various Means of Overcomingtheir Obstinacy in Keeping Silence and Refusal to Confess. And it is the Tenth Action.
Question XVI.
Of the fit Time and of the Method of the SecondExamination. And it is the EleventhAction, concerning the Final Precautions to be Observed by the Judge.
THE THIRD HEAD
Which is the last Part of this Work. How the Process is to be Concluded by thePronouncement of a Definite and Just Sentence.
Question XVII.
Of Common Purgation, and especially of the Trial byRed-hot Iron, to which Witches Appeal.
Question XVIII.
Of the Manner of Pronouncing a Sentence which isFinal and Definitive.
Question XIX.
Of the Various Degrees of Overt Suspicion whichrender the Accused liable to be Sentenced.
Question XX.
Of the First Method of Pronouncing Sentence.
Question XXI.
Of the Second Method of Pronouncing Sentence, whenthe Accused is no more than Defamed.
Question XXII.
Of the Third Kind of Sentence, to be Pronounced onone who is Defamed, and who is to be put to the Question.
Question XXIII.
The Fourth Method of Sentencing, in the Case of oneAccused upon a Light Suspicion.
Question XXIV.
The Fifth Manner of Sentence, in the Case of oneunder Strong Suspicion.
Question XXV.
The Sixth Kind of Sentence, in the Case of one whois Gravely Suspect.
Question XXVI.
The Method of passing Sentence upon one who is bothSuspect and Defamed.
Question XXVII.
The Method of passing Sentence upon one who hathConfessed to Heresy, but is not Penitent.
Question XXVIII.
The Method of passing Sentence upon one who hathConfessed to Heresy but is Relapsed, Albeit now Penitent.
Question XXIX.
The Method of passing Sentence upon one who hathConfessed to Heresy but is Impenitent, although not Relapsed.
Question XXX.
Of One who has Confessed to Heresy, is Relapsed,and is also Impenitent.
Question XXXI.
Of One Taken and Convicted, but Denying Everything.
Question XXXII.
Of One who is Convicted but who hath Fled or whoContumaciously Absents himself.
Question XXXIII.
Of the Method of passing Sentence upon one who hasbeen Accused by another Witch, who has been of is to be Burned at the Stake.
Question XXXIV.
Of the Method of passing Sentence upon a Witch whoAnnuls Spells wrought by Witchcraft; and of Witch Midwives and Archer-Wizards.
Question XXXV.
Finally, of the Method of passing Sentence uponWitches who Enter or Cause to be Entered and Appeal, whether such be Frivolousor Legitimate and Just.
Online Resources
Editions
(arranged by year)
(Cover Currently Unavailable)
Title: Der Hexenhammer; Malleus Maleficarum
Subtitle: (if different)
Year: Published between 1487 – 1520 and 1574 – 1669
Year: Published between 1487 – 1520 and 1574 – 1669
Publisher: Speyer, Germany; N/A
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(Cover Currently Unavailable)
Title: Malleus Maleficarum
Subtitle: (if different)
Year: 1928
Year: 1928
Publisher: John Rodker; London
Pages: 278
Binding: Hardback
Size:
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(Cover Currently Unavailable)
Title: Malleus Maleficarum
Subtitle: (if different)
Year: 1948
Publisher: The Pushkin Press; London
Publisher: The Pushkin Press; London
Pages: 278
Binding: Hardback
Size: 6″ x 8.75″
Cover Price:
Cover Price:
ISBN:
LoC:
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(Internet Source)
Title: (if different)
Subtitle: (if different)
Year: 1971 (copyright)
Publisher: Dover Publications, Inc.
Pages: xlv+ 278
Binding: paperback
Size: 6 5/8″ x 10″
Cover Price: $12.95
Binding: paperback
Size: 6 5/8″ x 10″
Cover Price: $12.95
ISBN: 0-486-22802-9
LoC: 70-176355
Notes: Unabridged republication of the 1928 edition. Introduction to the 1948 edition is also included. Translation, notes, and two introductions by Montague Summers. A Bull of Innocent VIII.
LoC: 70-176355
Notes: Unabridged republication of the 1928 edition. Introduction to the 1948 edition is also included. Translation, notes, and two introductions by Montague Summers. A Bull of Innocent VIII.
Additional Photos/Images
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Misc. Quotes
“QUESTION VI
Concerning Witches who copulate with Devils.
Why it is that Women are chiefly addicted to Evil Superstitions.
There is also, concerning witches who copulate with devils, much difficulty in considering the methods by which such abominations are consummated On the part of the devil: first, of what element the body is made that he assumes; secondly, whether the act is always accompanied by the injection of semen received from another; thirdly, as to time and place, whether he commits this act more frequently at one time than at another; fourthly, whether the act is invisible to any who may be standing by. And on the part of the women, it has to be inquired whether only they who were themselves conceived in this filthy manner are often visited by devils; or secondly, whether it is those who were offered to devils by midwives at the time of their birth; and thirdly, whether the actual venereal delectation of such is of a weaker sort.”
Concerning Witches who copulate with Devils.
Why it is that Women are chiefly addicted to Evil Superstitions.
There is also, concerning witches who copulate with devils, much difficulty in considering the methods by which such abominations are consummated On the part of the devil: first, of what element the body is made that he assumes; secondly, whether the act is always accompanied by the injection of semen received from another; thirdly, as to time and place, whether he commits this act more frequently at one time than at another; fourthly, whether the act is invisible to any who may be standing by. And on the part of the women, it has to be inquired whether only they who were themselves conceived in this filthy manner are often visited by devils; or secondly, whether it is those who were offered to devils by midwives at the time of their birth; and thirdly, whether the actual venereal delectation of such is of a weaker sort.”
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