[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-detail-129204-en":3,"doc-seo-129204-105":30,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":92},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",{"doc_id":7,"user_id":8,"nickname":9,"user_avatar":10,"doc_module":4,"category_id":11,"category_name":12,"doc_title":13,"doc_description":14,"doc_content":15,"file_id":16,"file_url":17,"file_type":18,"file_size":19,"view_count":20,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":20,"is_downloadable":20,"audit_status":20,"page_count":21,"language":22,"language_code":23,"site_id":24,"html_lang":23,"table_of_contents":25,"faqs":26,"seo_title":27,"seo_description":14,"update_tm":28,"read_time":29},129204,962085564549,"Genevieve","https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_085a072bc5b1113ac321206ff7593b45",8,"Research & Report","Maleficium - Witchcraft and Witch Hunting in the West - Gordon Napier","Maleficium - Witchcraft and Witch Hunting in the West examines the beliefs, institutions, and judicial processes that shaped European witchcraft accusations from early origins through the decline of witch hunts. The narrative confronts how suffering and misfortune were interpreted as demonic or magical causes, fueling persecutions across social classes. By following changing arguments—from supposed conspiracies and inquisitorial methods to Reformation-era demonology—the work evaluates why extraordinary claims gained credence and how communities were driven toward torture, execution, and long-term trauma.","Page 1: The execution in Paris of Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, in 1314.  \nPage 3 : The Egyptian deity called by Herodotus ‘The Goat of Mendes’, and identified with the Greek god Pan.  \nFirst published 2017  \nAmberley Publishing  \nThe Hill, Stroud  \nGloucestershire, GL5 4EP  \n[www.amberley-books.com](www.amberley-books.com)  \nCopyright © Gordon Napier, 2017  \nThe right of Gordon Napier to be identified as the Author of this work has  \nbeen asserted in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988.  \nAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing  \nfrom the Publishers.  \nBritish Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.  \nA catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.  \nISBN 9781445665108 (HARDBACK) ISBN 9781445665115 (eBOOK)  \nTypeset in 10.5pt on 14pt Sabon.  \nTypesetting and Origination by Amberley Publishing.  \nPrinted in the UK.  \nContents  \nPreface  \nTimeline  \n1-Origins of Beliefs in Witchcraft and Magic  \n2-Conceptions of Witchcraft  \n3-The Devil’s Cult and the Inquisition  \n4-Inquisitorial Manuals  \n5-The Protestant Reformation and the Devil  \n6-Italy: Night Flights and Dream Fights of the Benandanti  \n7-Away with the Fairies  \n8-Spain and the Basque Country  \n9-Jews and Jewish Mysticism  \n10-Witch Hunting in Switzerland, Germany and Scandinavia  \n11-Witch Hunts in the British Isles  \n12-Witchcraft, Werewolves and Possessions in France  \n13-New-World Witchcraft  \n14-The End of Witch Hunting and the Seed of Modern Witchcraft  \nConclusion  \nNotes  \nBibliography  \nPreface  \nI first had the idea for a book on witches and witch hunters back in the early 2000s, shortly after completing a joint Honours degree in History and Art, with one of the history modules being ‘witchcraft’, taught by Dr Darren Oldridge. I have now been able to re-examine the subject, with the benefit of hindsight and additional research. In the interim, among other things, I have pursued other areas of historical interest. I did a Master’s degree in Crusader Studies. My studies and writings on the Knights Templar form a bridge between these subjects, as the Suppression of the Templars, amid allegations of secret renunciation of Christianity and unholy worship, foreshadowed the age of witch hunts. I have also written on the subject of Mary Magdalene. This also bears an oblique relation to the topic in hand, since that saint was said to have been exorcised of seven devils. Demonic possession and witchcraft came to be closely associated phenomena.  \nThe subject of witchcraft has a charm, so to speak, on the surface. Its association with enchantment, fairy tales, intrigue, mystery and the quaintly picturesque captures many people’s imagination. It may seem like amusing nonsense to others, attractive as the idea might be of having magical powers to heal or harm. Witchcraft, as a theme, has inspired artists, playwrights and authors wishing to explore dark and mysterious subjects, both at the time when witches were actually prosecuted in courts and ever since. Historical witch hunts and witch trials, though also fascinating and alarming to the public of the day, were not fantastical occurrences. They were part of the real world, albeit hardly everyday occurrences, and real people lived through them. They led a great many people to suffer enormously, both physically and psychologically, and often to die horrible deaths. Witchcraft prosecutions invariably arose out of suffering and misfortune, leading in turn to the persecution of those who were blamed for causing the original hurt by bewitchment. Many lives were destroyed and families torn apart in the course of the European witch hunts. The average witch suspect was an older woman from a ","cbCaisoDDTcpubVn","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaisoDDTcpubVn","pdf",5350879,1,311,"English","en",105,"# Preface\n# Timeline\n# Origins of Beliefs in Witchcraft and Magic\n# Conceptions of Witchcraft\n# The Devil’s Cult and the Inquisition\n# Inquisitorial Manuals\n# The Protestant Reformation and the Devil\n# Italy: Night Flights and Dream Fights of the Benandanti\n# Away with the Fairies\n# Spain and the Basque Country\n# Jews and Jewish Mysticism\n# Witch Hunting in Switzerland, Germany and Scandinavia\n# Witch Hunts in the British Isles\n# Witchcraft, Werewolves and Possessions in France\n# New-World Witchcraft\n# The End of Witch Hunting and the Seed of Modern Witchcraft\n# Conclusion\n# Notes\n# Bibliography","[{\"question\":\"What historical periods does the book cover about witchcraft beliefs and witch hunting?\",\"answer\":\"The contents trace developments from early origins through late European witch hunting, then to the end of witch hunting and the emergence of modern witchcraft ideas.\"},{\"question\":\"Why did witchcraft prosecutions arise in the book’s account?\",\"answer\":\"Accusations typically grew out of suffering and misfortune, leading communities to blame individuals for bewitchment and drive persecution of those suspected.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the book address the evidence standards used in witch trials?\",\"answer\":\"It highlights that normal standards of evidence were routinely suspended and that physical evidence was rarely produced, while seemingly absurd stories were taken seriously.\"}]","Maleficium - 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