Hazards of the Dark Arts: Advice for Medieval Princes on Witchcraft and Magic

This volume includes English translations of two important fifteenth-century texts on magic and witchcraft, Johannes Hartliebs Book of All Forbidden Arts and Ulrich Molitoriss On Witches and Pythonesses. Written by laymen and aimed at secular authorities, these works advocated for the vigorous prosecution of practitioners of witchcraft and magic. Hartliebs text is a systematic treatise on the dangers of superstition and magic, while Molitoriss text presents a dialogue on the activities of witches. Together, these tracts show that laymen exerted significant influence on ridding society of their imagined threat.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2022
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

This comprehensive volume presents English translations of two pivotal texts on magic and witchcraft from the fifteenth century: Johannes Hartliebs Book of All Forbidden Arts and Ulrich Molitoriss On Witches and Pythonesses. Authored by laypersons and intended for secular authorities, these works fervently advocated for the vigorous eradication and prosecution of practitioners of witchcraft and magic. While inquisitors and theologians played a significant role in the perpetuation of witch trials during the late medieval period, lay rulers were instrumental in overseeing these prosecutions. However, the reliability of local officials, princes, and kings varied, with some harboring skepticism about the reality and danger of witchcraft while others engaged in occult practices themselves. Drawing from theological and secular sources, Hartlieb and Molitoris actively opposed this prevailing order, advocating for the fervent persecution of occultists. Presented as a survey of the seven occult arts, Hartliebs text serves as a systematic exploration of the dangers associated with superstition and magic. Molitoriss text, on the other hand, presents a dialogue detailing the activities of witches, encompassing vengeful sorcery, the transformation of humans into animals, and sexual encounters with the devil. Taken together, these tracts underscore the substantial influence exerted by laymen in eradicating the perceived threat posed by witchcraft within society.

Precisely translated by Richard Kieckhefer, Hazards of the Dark Arts includes an insightful introduction that delves into the backgrounds of the authors, their sources, historical contexts, the writings themselves, and the profound impact they had on shaping ideas about witchcraft. This invaluable resource not only provides access to these important historical texts but also offers valuable insights into the intellectual and societal developments of the fifteenth century.

Weight: 232g
Dimension: 225 x 141 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271078403