2015/06/09 by Brian P. Levacκ · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices #Folklore, Mythology, and Literature Studies #Financial Crisis of the 21st Century
paper · doi:10.4324/9781315715292-20
openalex publication_date 2015/06/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This chapter describes Henri Boguet, a judge in the county of Burgundy, published a demonological treatise, Discours des Sorciers. A new edition of the Discours, beginning with a case of possession and witchcraft which appeared in 1602. Boguet based his treatise on the cases of witchcraft he had adjudicated in the district of St Claude in Burgundy. The treatise covers much of the same material as the other demonological works of the period, but two sections throw light on the outlook of lay judges who were entrusted with the prosecution of witches. The first is the dedication of the work to the vicar-general of Besancon, which describes in alarming terms the extent of the threat posed by witchcraft. The second is Boguet&s;s discussion of copulation of both female and male witches with the Devil, which among other things reveals that concern with such matters was not limited to celibate monks.