The MOST EVIL Book In The World: Malleus Maleficarum

The trying of witches didn’t start with Heinrich. Witchcraft had been a criminal activity since
before the 10th century, where it was explicitly named in the Canon Episcopi in 900 AD as
the work of the devil. Witchcraft had been tried all across Europe although the severity with
which it was treated was far different from what was to come.

A witch could be either male or
female and would usually receive a public punishment like being placed in the stocks for the
day if found guilty.
Far more terrifying was the practice of heresy, as tried by the Inquisitions. This was taken to
be the direct opposition to the word of God, and it was believed that the only way to cure it
was through the cleansing of the soul by flame. Being burned at the stake was a costly
procedure and a flashy one so it was usually reserved for only the worst cases. The
inquisition liked to make a statement when it was called on to act, more as a deterrent to
others than based on the real severity of the crime.
Witchcraft before the 15th century had been viewed as a crime but it wasn’t heresy. In, fact
some would argue it was necessary. Whilst many ‘witches’ held the title of a magician or
sorcerer, and many might have believed their own hype.

They were usually midwives and
medical practitioners who treated their patients with a mixture of herbal medicine and holistic
treatments. Some of the more educated may even have practiced versions of acupuncture
and basic triage. They were also known as wise women.
Local populations would often rely on wise women for good luck charms and simple
remedies, even sometimes taking the recipes of spells home with them. There is evidence
among the commonplace books of the time that many families had their own charms and
magic spells that they copied down at home alongside passages from the bible so they could
learn how to read.

Sources:
Mackay, Christopher S. (2009) The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the
Malleus Maleficarum, Cambridge University Press
Guiley, Rosemary (2008) The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca, Checkmark
Books
Pavlac, Brian (2009) Witch Hunts in the Western World: Persecution and Punishment from
the Inquisition through the Salem Trials
Mohr, M. D., & Royal, K. D. (2012). "Investigating the Practice of Christian Exorcism and the
Methods Used to Cast out Demons", Journal of Christian Ministry, 4, p. 35
Jolly, Karen et al. (2002), Witchcraft and Magic In Europe
Gibbons, Jenny (August 1998). "Recent Developments in the Study of The Great European
Witch Hunt". Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies. Sheffield, England:
Equinox Publishing
Anarkloo, Bengt, Clark, Stuart, eds. (2002) Witchcraft and Magic in Europe volume 4: The
Period of the Witch Trials, The Athlone Press, London
Russell, Jeffrey Burton (1972). Witchcraft in the Middle Ages. Cornell University Press
Rothman, David J., Marcus, Steven and Kiceluk, Stephanie A., Medicine and Western
Civilization, Rutgers University Press, 1995