The history of witchcraft and demonology

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

77145

Title

The history of witchcraft and demonology

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Montague Summers explores the dark history of witchcraft and demonology, detailing the rituals of the Sabbat, the abjuration of faith, and the lives of infamous warlocks. This authoritative text examines confessions, trials, and the supernatural beliefs that fueled centuries of persecution, offering a chilling look into the intersection of religion, hysteria, and the occult.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The History of Witchcraft and Demonology*, Montague Summers provides a comprehensive survey of the terrifying world of witchcraft and demonology as understood from the early modern period through the 17th century. The work meticulously outlines the solemn profession of witchcraft as described by Francesco-Maria Guazzo in his *Compendium Maleficarum*. This ritual involved a compact with the Devil, the abjuration of the Catholic faith, and the renunciation of Christ and the Saints. Summers details the gruesome specifics of these oaths, where witches were forced to trample crosses and sacraments, and where they received a diabolical baptism using sulphur and salt, adopting grotesque new names. The text extensively covers the organization of witches into covens or conventicles, which met for weekly Esbats. Summers describes the missionary zeal of these practitioners, who sought to recruit others and even baptize children at the Sabbat rather than in churches. He recounts numerous confessions from trials in France, Italy, and England, illustrating the terrifying imagery of the Devil appearing as a dog or goat, and the practice of offering children to demons. A significant portion of the book addresses the concept of possession and the role of saints in combating evil. Summers highlights the efficacy of the Medal of Saint Benedict and the relics of Saint Maurus in delivering the possessed, while also noting that many cases were likely due to disease, hysteria, or fraud. He contrasts the genuine piety of Catholic exorcists like Father William Weston with the reckless and often fraudulent attempts of Protestant ministers like John Darrel, whose interventions led to tragic executions. Through a wealth of historical evidence, Summers presents a vivid, albeit grim, picture of the 'witches' mass,' the flying ointments, and the enduring fear of the supernatural that shaped European civilization.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• History