Still reading up on witches for a poem I am fiddling with. Today I got a book from Amazon called The Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the witches) which was published around 1484. One of the things that interests me is comparing the witch craze with the War on Terror. It was translated by Montague Summers and this is from his 1948 introduction:
"Jean Boudin the famous jurisconsult (1530-90)... gives it as his opinion that there existed not only in France, a complete organisation or witches, immensely wealthy, of almost infinite potentialities, most cleverly captained, with centres and cells in every district, utilising an espionage in every land, with high-placed adherents at court, with humble servitors in the cottage. This organisation, witchcraft, maintained a relentless and ruthless war against the prevailing order and settled state. No design was too treacherous, no betrayal was too cowardly, no blackmail too base and foul. The Masters lured their subjects with magnificent promises, they lured and deluded and victimised...."
Which gives me the impression of a climate not too different to now.
Today was Anton's birthday (and Mad dog's too). Went out in the evening for the first time in weeks with him and Anna and Brian. Very good to see them all. Also met Martin that we went on a hike with and his wife Sam and a few others. Had a few drinks and a nice meal, and enjoyed myself -- though I will pay for it I think.
"Jean Boudin the famous jurisconsult (1530-90)... gives it as his opinion that there existed not only in France, a complete organisation or witches, immensely wealthy, of almost infinite potentialities, most cleverly captained, with centres and cells in every district, utilising an espionage in every land, with high-placed adherents at court, with humble servitors in the cottage. This organisation, witchcraft, maintained a relentless and ruthless war against the prevailing order and settled state. No design was too treacherous, no betrayal was too cowardly, no blackmail too base and foul. The Masters lured their subjects with magnificent promises, they lured and deluded and victimised...."
Which gives me the impression of a climate not too different to now.
Today was Anton's birthday (and Mad dog's too). Went out in the evening for the first time in weeks with him and Anna and Brian. Very good to see them all. Also met Martin that we went on a hike with and his wife Sam and a few others. Had a few drinks and a nice meal, and enjoyed myself -- though I will pay for it I think.
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