15TH CENTURY WITCH TRIALS

I. Earliest Trials for Maleficium and Diabolism

      1397-1406: Trial of STEDELEN (Bern, Switzerland)

        Secular Judge PETER VON GREYERZ

        Charges:  Maleficium -- standard peasant accusations

                   Invocation of demon -- sorcerer type activities

                   Diabolism -- group demon worship, cannibalism

      1398 -- University of Paris debate: Maleficium as heresy

      1435 -- Johannes NIDER, O.P. FORMICARIUS (Antheap)

                 first witch treatise, draws on Stedelen trial
                 Nider gets information directly from Greyerz

                 denies reality of nightflying, citing Canon Episcopi

II. Italy 1420’s  Saint Bernardino of Siena

    Franciscan preacher, targets women, Jews, homosexuals
    involved in witch trials 1426 Rome (Finicella), 1428 Todi

III. New elements in witch trials:  Switzerland 1420-1430's

      1428 VALAIS (Swiss Canton)
            large group trial by Bishop of Sion
            executes over 100 for maleficium and diabolism.

      1438 Lausanne, Neuchatel (Switzerland)

             full description of Sabbath: "Synagogues of Satan"
                or VAUDERIE  (term from Waldensians)

             includes collective apostasy "From Christ to Devil"
             signs of allegiance to demon:

               Devil's mark, intercourse with devil, infant sacrifice
               flying to Sabbath: distance as  "reality factor"

     1459--ARRAS, Burgundy (France) 34 tried, 12 burned

      escalation of trial from individual to group through torture
      mass trials conducted by Inquisitor and Bishop                 
      intervention of secular ruler:
                  Duke of Burgundy stops trial
      accused nobleman appeals to
                  PARLEMENT OF PARIS (royal appeals court)
      1491 -- posthumous rehabilitation of victims