Malleus Maleficarum

Malleus Maleficarum, often translated as The Hammer of Witches, is a treatise on witchcraft by Heinrich Kramer published in 1486. At that time, witchcraft was not widely believed to be real, and prosecutions were rare. Many churchmen considered it to be a fairly harmless superstition and any actual punishment was light. Kramer felt the danger from witches must be taken more seriously, and so he responded with this manual on witch hunting.

The first part outlines why witchcraft is a real and persistent danger, citing philosophers and church fathers from Aristotle to St. Augustine to St. Thomas Aquinas. The second part deals with the methods and effects of witchcraft, and how to counter those effects. The third part gives procedures for the accusation and trial of witches, how torture may be used to exact confessions, and finally how to pronounce and execute sentences against the guilty. The text varies between the finer points of theology and canon law, and sensational descriptions of sexual liaisons with devils.

Kramer’s reasoning is extensively based on church canon law and Catholic theology, but his views were not shared by much of the church, and he even faced some opposition. He did, however, secure a papal bull from Innocent VIII approving of his work. Kramer also includes a “letter of approbation” from university faculty who supposedly endorsed his work, though this is thought to be forged.

This translation, published in 1928, includes a lengthy introduction by Montague Summers, who seems sympathetic to the text. He added copious footnotes that give some context to the ancient and medieval references. Also included is the papal bull, and a bibliography of this book’s publishing history.