And the "algogods/algodaemons" (borrowed Dan Atrell's channel on the quoted term and recommend Justin Sledge's Esoterica on the topic) are having a field day with winks on 88 hearts and 13 restacks, rhus far! And now 31st comment (?) like it was October! That, or its my Always Sunny in Philly conspiracy string chart! 🤔 Diving in! 📖
What an evil book. These beliefs probably come from pre-Christian ideas that women were good at magic and in tune with spectral entities. Unfortunately, all the old ways were demonised, including the old gods, and so then, were the women who practiced the old ways. A sad and terrible episode in history among many others. Strange how much evil is done under the cause of fighting evil. This is why I have no interest in others' 'morals' or moral opinions. Whether religious, political, or any other. Morals always end up as a permission to persecute them who don't conform.
"Institoris was no more misogynistic than any other writer of his period." Chilling thought. And increasingly, it seems, no more than some men of our own period. Thanks for the valuable review, Rebekah. AND for your antidote--Bagpuss! The first episode I saw just now featured powerful barebreasted mermaid enchantresses, helpful male figures of power, and collaborative singing mice. Perfect.
Perfect indeed. Thanks so much, Annie, I'm glad you enjoyed it (if 'enjoyed' is the right word...) I take comfort in the fact that people despised him in his day.
Recently I've started a satirical series on this book where Henricus Institoris gives a series of lectures to people rather giving away his underlying motivations
This man had never witnessed childbirth in his life.
I couldn't take him seriously when his main objective was to slut shame 🤣
I wonder what he thinks happened when midwives were taken out of the picture and replaced by doctors who didn't wash their hands? I mean, if we want to support his theory, they did a lot more work in that demonic department than the midwives.
I don't have the data, but I'm sure more women and babies died as a result 🙃 hence Louis XV commissioning midwives to get back into the birthing room and sort out France's infant mortality rates.
That’s a great fact about Louis XV, I didn’t know that! It is quite funny that Kramer was such a creep he even made a bunch of medieval men in positions of power think ‘this guy has a problem with women…’
France had witch trials mainly between 1550 and 1700, the last witch was executed in 1745. The king commissioned Ms. De Coudray in 1759.
Note that the trial in Austria in which the women managed to stay alive, was rather early, in 1485. The book "Witches Hammer" was published two years later. The accusers learned from it. Also, the Church had given its sign of approval. Women were now usually tortured on the wheel, the extender, the dunking chair, etc. They confessed and provided names of other women after skilfull application of this equipment (by males).
Around 1570, 1585 and 1590, pan-European famines happened. So much misery inflicted upon humans - by God - must have a cause.
When Anne of Denmark, bride of James I, had a dangerous journey in 1589 from Denmark to Scotland because of bad weather, it was said the "contrary winds" were summoned by witchcraft. It lead to trials in Denmark as well as in Scotland. James became an enthusiastic witch hunter.
One of the most horrible trials/exceutions happened to the Pappenheimer family.
It is theorized that the Enlightenment, which sought for (scientific) explanations of phenomenon, no longer accepting sorcery, was also a reason for the witch trials.
On a personal note, I was weighed on the witches scale in Oudewater, the Netherlands, and being a bit on the heavy side saved me. They gave me a certificate to prove my innocence.
Thank you for reading this so I don’t have to. I have read about the Salem Witch Trials, but they pale in comparison to this. Now, I’m going to look at cute dog pics to clear that out of my head.
I'm not sure that misogyny isn't anachronistic here. Women as evil, sinful, lustful temptresses is a cornerstone of Christianity. Not restricted to Christianity either. It was accepted fact, still is in many quarters.
Witches are a ancient universal architype that occurs in all cultures representing the potential destructive power of psychological manipulation, language and elder women. In Greek mythology you had Hecate. Even in eastern mythologies you get "Onibaba" And this stuff still goes on in Africa.
Christian rationality and humanism of the enlightenment as well as the development of modern logic was what ended the conceptual power of witches and that association. You can deduce witches out of existence.
And the "algogods/algodaemons" (borrowed Dan Atrell's channel on the quoted term and recommend Justin Sledge's Esoterica on the topic) are having a field day with winks on 88 hearts and 13 restacks, rhus far! And now 31st comment (?) like it was October! That, or its my Always Sunny in Philly conspiracy string chart! 🤔 Diving in! 📖
I have the best Always Sunny themed post planned but it’ll take me a while to finish it…
It will be magnificent, I'm sure! 🧶📊✍️📜 🌞 ⚖️
What an evil book. These beliefs probably come from pre-Christian ideas that women were good at magic and in tune with spectral entities. Unfortunately, all the old ways were demonised, including the old gods, and so then, were the women who practiced the old ways. A sad and terrible episode in history among many others. Strange how much evil is done under the cause of fighting evil. This is why I have no interest in others' 'morals' or moral opinions. Whether religious, political, or any other. Morals always end up as a permission to persecute them who don't conform.
"Institoris was no more misogynistic than any other writer of his period." Chilling thought. And increasingly, it seems, no more than some men of our own period. Thanks for the valuable review, Rebekah. AND for your antidote--Bagpuss! The first episode I saw just now featured powerful barebreasted mermaid enchantresses, helpful male figures of power, and collaborative singing mice. Perfect.
Perfect indeed. Thanks so much, Annie, I'm glad you enjoyed it (if 'enjoyed' is the right word...) I take comfort in the fact that people despised him in his day.
This guy sounds like he was an incel of his time, and instead of picking up a hobby he decided to write a book about how to kill witches.
Maybe his mum just didn't hug him enough?
Great read, as always!
Poor mums always get the blame! Haha thanks.
There's a podcast called "Don't Blame the Mum" (or something similar, and it might be "mom") all about that.
I dipped into a version of this heinous book at one point years ago; I’d forgotten about it until you wrote this creepy and excellent piece.
Thanks Karl! Yes it wasn’t a particularly fun experience…
It's my thesis that The Lord of the Rings is a misogynistic book precisely because there are NO witches in it.
What about Eowin? She's not a witch but could do thing no man could. Namely, kill the Witch King
I've never really stopped to think what 'Witch King' means as a title. I'm sure there is plenty of lore to explain...
Probably, but I can't recall it. Been a while since I read the books TBH
Me too, but I remember loving Éowyn!
But there IS a dynasty of ancient female spider gods so….
Yes, Shelob is the closest thing there is - and the reputation of Galadriel in The Hobbit before we meet her, iirc
Recently I've started a satirical series on this book where Henricus Institoris gives a series of lectures to people rather giving away his underlying motivations
https://open.substack.com/pub/thestrangenesskit/p/confessions-of-a-holy-man-with-inquisi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2uhhe8
Love this!
Thanks Rebekah I hope you enjoy it as it goes on...
Hateful incels have always been with us. Sigh. Excellent review!
Thanks, Molly! They don't change, do they?
This man had never witnessed childbirth in his life.
I couldn't take him seriously when his main objective was to slut shame 🤣
I wonder what he thinks happened when midwives were taken out of the picture and replaced by doctors who didn't wash their hands? I mean, if we want to support his theory, they did a lot more work in that demonic department than the midwives.
I don't have the data, but I'm sure more women and babies died as a result 🙃 hence Louis XV commissioning midwives to get back into the birthing room and sort out France's infant mortality rates.
That’s a great fact about Louis XV, I didn’t know that! It is quite funny that Kramer was such a creep he even made a bunch of medieval men in positions of power think ‘this guy has a problem with women…’
Louis XV's midwife was Angélique de Coudray. Her life is an amazing story.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angélique_du_Coudray
France had witch trials mainly between 1550 and 1700, the last witch was executed in 1745. The king commissioned Ms. De Coudray in 1759.
Note that the trial in Austria in which the women managed to stay alive, was rather early, in 1485. The book "Witches Hammer" was published two years later. The accusers learned from it. Also, the Church had given its sign of approval. Women were now usually tortured on the wheel, the extender, the dunking chair, etc. They confessed and provided names of other women after skilfull application of this equipment (by males).
Around 1570, 1585 and 1590, pan-European famines happened. So much misery inflicted upon humans - by God - must have a cause.
When Anne of Denmark, bride of James I, had a dangerous journey in 1589 from Denmark to Scotland because of bad weather, it was said the "contrary winds" were summoned by witchcraft. It lead to trials in Denmark as well as in Scotland. James became an enthusiastic witch hunter.
One of the most horrible trials/exceutions happened to the Pappenheimer family.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappenheimer_witch_trial (warning: not for the faint of heart.)
It is theorized that the Enlightenment, which sought for (scientific) explanations of phenomenon, no longer accepting sorcery, was also a reason for the witch trials.
On a personal note, I was weighed on the witches scale in Oudewater, the Netherlands, and being a bit on the heavy side saved me. They gave me a certificate to prove my innocence.
I hadn't read the details of the Pappenheimer case. A lot of the examples you mentioned are in 'Witchcraft: a History in 13 Trials' which I recommend.
Thank you for reading this so I don’t have to. I have read about the Salem Witch Trials, but they pale in comparison to this. Now, I’m going to look at cute dog pics to clear that out of my head.
This one was heavy! Dog pictures have magical properties though, they cure most sorrows
I'm not sure that misogyny isn't anachronistic here. Women as evil, sinful, lustful temptresses is a cornerstone of Christianity. Not restricted to Christianity either. It was accepted fact, still is in many quarters.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the association between witchcraft and women thrived under Christianity.
Witches are a ancient universal architype that occurs in all cultures representing the potential destructive power of psychological manipulation, language and elder women. In Greek mythology you had Hecate. Even in eastern mythologies you get "Onibaba" And this stuff still goes on in Africa.
Christian rationality and humanism of the enlightenment as well as the development of modern logic was what ended the conceptual power of witches and that association. You can deduce witches out of existence.