Malleus Maleficarum and Legislation

When was Malleus Maleficarum published?

1486

When was the First Witchcraft Act put in place?

1542

When was the Second Witchcraft Act put in place?

1563

When was the Third Witchcraft Act put in place?

1604

When was Witchcraft legislation repealed?

1736

What is the Malleus Maleficarum?

A guide on how to identify, deal with and exterminate witches

What was the conclusion of the new Witchcraft Act in 1736?

Aimed at punishing fraudulent cases, with a maximum penalty of one year in prison. This Act declared that magic and witchcraft were not real.

What was the diabolical pact?

An agreement with the Devil

What is the second part of the M.M?

Explains the different types of witchcraft and types of investigations that can be carried out

What was the first part of the M.M?

Explains the effects of witchcraft and why it is more likely for women to become witches

Who wrote Malleus Maleficarum?

Heinrich Kramer

What was the Second Witchcraft Act?

Made it a crime to invoke evil spirits for any purpose, where maleficium was involved or not. The death penalty was only put into force if the act of witchcraft resulted in the death of a person.

What was the First Witchcraft Act?

Made the conjuring of spirits, witchcraft and sorcery, causing harm to a person or their goods and to discover what had happened to stolen goods punishable by death

What was the impact of the Malleus Maleficarum?

Magic became associated with evil and the Devil (heretic crime)

What did the Malleus Maleficarum introduce the idea of?

The Diabolical Pact

What does Malleus Maleficarum translate to?

The Hammer of the Witches

What was the Third Witchcraft Act?

The death penalty was retained for the killing of a person and it was reintroduced for a second offence in lesser kinds of magic, like destroying livestock or attempting to kill a person. The Act also made it an offence to consult with any evil spirit.

What was the British reaction to the repeal of Witchcraft laws?

There was little opposition in England, more religious opposition in Scotland

What is the third part of the M.M?

Uses specific parts of scripture to justify the unusual legal processes that were 'necessary' in cases of witchcraft