Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the Witches)

Latin

Page Number: 330

Facsimile Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 2.25

Year originally published: 1519

Price:$249.99

The infamous Malleus Maleficarum, originally written in 1487 by Catholic clergyman Heinrich Kramer (under his Latinized name Henricus Institoris). The common translation is Hammer of the Witches.  It endorses extermination of witches and for this purpose develops a detailed legal and theological theory. It has been described as the compendium of literature in demonology of the fifteenth century. The top theologians of the Inquisition at the Faculty of Cologne condemned the book as recommending unethical and illegal procedures, as well as being inconsistent with Catholic doctrines of demonology.

Reproduction details: This facsimile measures 11.25 inches tall by 8.75 inches wide. Our hardcover books are made with 2oz genuine cowhide upholstery leather from a small farm located in the United States. The pages are printed on 67lb cover acid free paper (business card thickness). We use a 4 color digital offset press.  Each book is handsewn by our trained bookbinders using a library binding method. This method will ensure a strong, sturdy, and lasting book for generations to come. 

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Patrick Broughton

The Malleus elevates sorcery to the criminal status of heresy and recommends that secular courts prosecute it as such in order to eliminate witches. The recommended procedures include torture to effectively obtain confessions and the death penalty as the only sure remedy against the evils of witchcraft.  At that time, it was typical to burn heretics alive at the stake and the Malleus encouraged the same treatment of witches. The book had a strong influence on culture for several centuries

The facsimile offered is a printing from 1519 Germany. This 1519 version of the Malleus Maleficarum was used to justify the torture and eventual killing of many of the witches at the Salem Witch trial in Salem, Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693.