The History of the Devils of Loudun, Volumes I-III / The Alleged Possession of the Ursuline Nuns, and the Trial and Execution of Urbain Grandier, Told by an Eye-witness

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

45282

Title

The History of the Devils of Loudun, Volumes I-III / The Alleged Possession of the Ursuline Nuns, and the Trial and Execution of Urbain Grandier, Told by an Eye-witness

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This rare 1634 eye-witness account details the infamous Loudun possessions, where Ursuline nuns claimed demonic control attributed to priest Urbain Grandier. Edited by Edmund Goldsmid, this collection blends historical trial records with an introduction tracing magic's origins from ancient Chaldeans and Egyptians to medieval Europe. A compelling look at superstition, religious fervor, and the tragic execution of a man accused of sorcery.

Summary up to 500 words

Written by Monsieur des Niau, a counsellor at la Flèche and eyewitness to the events, this text chronicles the infamous 'Cause Célebre' of Urbain Grandier. The narrative begins with a scholarly introduction tracing the evolution of magic from ancient Assyria and Egypt through Greece and Rome into the Christian era, noting how pagan practices involving astrology and exorcism degenerated into the 'black art.' The core account details the alleged possession of the Ursuline nuns at Loudun in 1634. Grandier, a popular curate, became the target of envy after instigating nuns to feign convulsions and claim demonic visitations. Cardinal Richelieu allegedly supported these charges due to perceived satire against him. Des Niau describes the terrifying spectacles of exorcism, including the nuns' contortions and claims of seeing devils. While des Niau is a firm believer in the supernatural charges, he provides a critical perspective, suggesting that some 'devils' were merely wind or that the events were a cheat designed to burn a curate. The text includes detailed descriptions of the trial, the torture used to extract confessions, and Grandier's eventual execution. An appendix lists various Scottish witchcraft trials from 1588 to 1629, such as those of Alison Pearson and Agnes Sampson, illustrating the widespread fear of sorcery and the brutal legal consequences faced by the accused. The work stands as a significant historical document on early modern European beliefs in the supernatural.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45282.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg45282.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-19 19:54 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• History