Ridiculous History CLASSIC: The Malleus Maleficarum: A Real-life Witch Hunter's Bible
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Sep 27, 2025 Discover the chilling origins of the Malleus Maleficarum, a notorious witch-hunting manual from the 1480s. The hosts explore the motivations behind witch trials, revealing how personal gain often fueled persecution. Learn about the book's structure, its unsettling advocacy for torture, and the targeting of marginalized healers. With a surprising popularity in Europe, the text's influence was both profound and controversial. The discussion also touches on modern reassessments and cultural reflections, painting a vivid picture of a dark chapter in history.
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Scale And Gender Of Witch Trials
- Around 1450–1750 about 100,000 people were tried for witchcraft in Europe, roughly half executed. Most accused were women and executions often involved burning alive.
Mix Of Belief And Self-Interest
- Witch prosecutions mixed genuine belief in the supernatural with cynical self-interest and property seizure. Accusing someone often transferred their estate to the accuser.
Malleus Maleficarum's Purpose
- The Malleus Maleficarum (1486) compiled existing beliefs to argue witches are real, infernal, and must be killed. Authors Johann Sprenger and Heinrich Kramer codified recognition and prosecution methods.
