HSTEU 305 DISCUSSION
Malleus on how to conduct a witch trial: K&P, 204-229
How does procedure in witch trials differ from that in ordinary criminal
trials?
What special problems do witches present to the judicial system?
What steps do Kramer & Sprenger suggest that judges take to deal with these
problems?
Pope Innocent VIII, Summis desiderantes affectibus 1484 (K&P #33, pp. 177-180)
How do the crimes
attributed to witches here differ from those referred to in earlier papal bulls
included in Kors & Peters volume?
Are the people in Germany supportive
of the Inquisitors’ activity?
For review of impact of sorcery on the evolution of demonic elements in witch beliefs:
Nicolas Eymeric, The Inquisitor’s Guide 1376 (K&P, #22, pp. 120-127)
How does Eymeric’s
role as an Inquisitor influence his approach to magic?
For instance, how does it compare to that of Thomas Aquinas?
What is significance of the
parallel Eymeric draws between magicians and Mohammedans?
What are latria & dulia
in scholastic theology?
How does Eymeric use these categories to describe magicians’ relationship to
demons?
Compare Eymeric’s
analysis of the Canon Episcopi with the text itself. Is he reading the Canon
Episcopi correctly?
(Note influence of the sorcery model.)