The Hammer of Witches: Malleus Maleficarum

The Malleus Maleficarum (translated as "The Witch Hammer") is a work that legitimizes the persecution of witches, published by the Dominican Heinrich Kramer (Latin: Henricus Institoris) in Speyer in 1486, according to current research, and it appeared in 29 editions until the 17th century. The Malleus Maleficarum must be seen in close connection with the so-called Witch Bull issued by Pope Innocent VIII on December 5, 1484. Although the papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus did not mark the beginning of witch hunts in Europe, it did reach a completely new dimension with official endorsement from the head of the Roman Catholic Church. In his book, Kramer, along with his assistant Dr. theol. Johannes Gremper, gathers widely held views about witches and sorcerers. The Malleus Maleficarum presents existing prejudices in a clear manner.