De praestigiis daemonum, et incantationibus ac veneficiis

On the deceptions of the demons and on spells and poisons

The most significant wave of witch hunts in Europe took place in the Early Modern period and was linked to the unrest of the Reformation and the Thirty Years’ War. It resulted in the persecution and execution of tens of thousands of people, mostly women, all over the continent. Dutch physician and demonologist Johann Weyer (1515-1588) was one of the first to speak out against the persecution of witches. His treaty ‘De praestigiis daemonum, et incantationibus ac venificiis’ was first published in 1563. Challenging the doctrine on witchcraft, Weyer wrote that although Satan existed, he did not enter into pacts with humans. Weyer notably criticised the popular witch-hunt manual ‘Malleus maleficarum’ (The Hammer of Witches) on theological and medical grounds, arguing that the crime of witchcraft was literally impossible and women accused of practising witchcraft and magic who confessed to the crime were in fact suffering from some form of mental illness. He also took the position that torturing suspects was a highly unreliable method of acquiring testimonies. At a time when confessing to the crime, no matter the circumstances, was considered sufficient evidence of guilt, even this statement fuelled controversy. Weyer’s arguments became the subject of fierce debate among both Catholics and Protestants, although some scholars argue that his aim was mainly to criticise the Catholic Church and its doctrine.