Subj : Online gem
To   : All
From : Rachel L. Akers
Date : Mon Jan 01 2001 01:59 am

Greetings All,

Followed up a URL someone sent me a while ago & found...

        THE MALLEUS MALEFICARUM of Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger

        (Unabridged online 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.)

Unless specifically asked <FX: batter eyes at moderator> I'm not going to post 
it all here. I can post the opening paragraph & send the URL &/or a netmail 
copy (if possible) is anyone asks.

From what I can gather having a text copy can be useful reference...

   The Malleus Maleficarum (The Witch Hammer), first published in 
   1486, is arguably one of the most infamous books ever written, due
   primarily to its position and regard during the Middle Ages. It 
   served as a guidebook for Inquisitors during the Inquisition, and 
   was designed to aid them in the identification, prosecution, and 
   dispatching of Witches. It set forth, as well, many of the modern 
   misconceptions and fears concerning witches and the influence of 
   witchcraft. The questions, definitions, and accusations it set
   forth in regard to witches, which were reinforced by its use 
   during the Inquisition, came to be widely regarded as irrefutable 
   truth. Those beliefs are held even today by a majority of 
   Christians in regard to practitioners of the modern˙revived˙ 
   religion of Witchcraft, or Wicca. And while the Malleus itself is 
   largely unknown in modern times, its effects have proved long
   lasting. .... {cont}

--- Msged/2 4.00
 * Origin: Elfwhere - The POINTy eared POINT (3:640/531.2379)

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