Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
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THE HAMMER OF WITCHES
The Malleus Maleficarum, first published in 1486, is the standard
medieval text on witchcraft and it remained in print throughout
the early modern period. Its descriptions of the evil acts of witches
and the ways to exterminate them continue to contribute to our
knowledge of early modern law, religion and society. Mackay’s
highly acclaimed translation, based on his extensive research and
detailed analysis of the Latin text, is the only complete English
version available, and the most reliable. Now available in a single
volume, this key text is at last accessible to students and scholars
of medieval history and literature. With detailed explanatory notes
and a guide to further reading, this volume offers a unique insight
into the fifteenth-century mind and its sense of sin, punishment
and retribution.
C h r i stopher S. M ac kay is Professor in the Department of
History and Classics at the University of Alberta. He is the author
of, among many books and articles, Ancient Rome: A Military and
Political History (Cambridge University Press, 2005).
© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
Frontmatter
More information
© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
Frontmatter
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THE HAMMER OF WITCHES
A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
CHRISTOPHER S. MACKAY
© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
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cambridge university press
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Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
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C Christopher S. Mackay 2006, 2009
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without
the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2009
Reprinted 2010
Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication data
Mackay, Christopher S., 1962–
The hammer of witches : a complete translation of the Malleus maleficarum /
Christopher S. Mackay.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
isbn 978-0-521-74787-5 (pbk.)
1. Institoris, Heinrich, 1430–1505. Malleus maleficarum. 2. Witchcraft – Early works to 1800.
3. Demonology – Early works to 1800. 4. Criminal procedure (Canon law) – Early works to
1800. i. Institoris, Heinrich, 1430–1505. Malleus maleficarum. ii. Title.
bf1569.m33 2009
133.4 – dc22 2009001093
isbn 978-0-521-74787-5 hardback
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Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
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Kelliae meae
Coniugi atque adiutrici
optimae
© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org
Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
Frontmatter
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Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-74787-5 - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
Christopher S. Mackay
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Contents
Maps page viii
Introduction 1
Authors 2
Purpose of the work 6
Composition and publication of the work 7
Outline of the work 12
Sources 16
Disputed questions 17
Intellectual context 19
Role of women in sorcery 25
Historical background 27
Overall assessment of the Malleus 31
Suggestions for further reading 39
Notes on the translation 42
(a) Method of making references to the text 42
(b) Sources not from canon law 42
(c) Citations of canon law 52
(d) Outlining of the disputed questions 55
(e) Remarks on certain words in the translation 56
(f ) Difficulties with grammatical gender 58
the hammer of witches ( malleus maleficarum ) 59
vii
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