The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief, Part 3: The Authors of the Malleus Maleficarum

Today we conclude our series: The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief with Professor Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, an expert in medieval devil lore, with another double episode release. If you're just joining us, we recommend checking out the previous series episodes first, though this episode can certainly stand on its own.

In this episode, part 3 of the series, Dr. Raiswell takes us into the minds and lives of Heinrich Kramer, aka Institoris, and Jacob Sprenger, the authors of the 15th century witch-hunting book, the Hammer of Witches, formally known as the Malleus Maleficarum.

This Dr. Raiswell series is essential for understanding how theological concepts about Satan evolved into specific witchcraft accusations and largely gendered persecution mechanisms that still influence witch hunting today.

The full series, in four parts, is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠⁠NEW PODCAST: The Thing About Salem

⁠⁠Check out our new podcast, The Thing About Salem, on YouTube!⁠⁠

⁠Help Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem Podcast⁠

Richard Raiswell

Shop our Nonprofit Bookshop for: The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition

Purchase the Malleus Maleficarum: The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher S. MacKay

Build Your Witch Trial History Library with a Purchase from our Bookshop!

End Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit Organization

Sign up for our Newsletter

Donate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund