erinthul

Malleus Maleficarum

Added 2025-10-10 15:37:01 +0000 UTC

Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches) – a Catholic treatise on witchcraft. This text was first published in 1487 and became known as a handbook for witch hunters from the 15th to the 17th century. It was regarded as one of the fundamental compendiums on witchcraft, witches, and their connections with Satan.

Let me tell you a story about a polish witch that inspired this post.

On May 22, 1681, in a Polish village, a witch trial began in which Barbara of Włoszakowice was the accused. According to available information, she was an old, solitary woman who stayed with others since she had no home of her own.

Even before the trial, the local community regarded her as a witch, but she was tolerated because she helped with many tasks. It is assumed that a wealthy nobleman contributed to her imprisonment, though he did not officially serve as the accuser in the trial, as he feared the witch’s revenge from beyond the grave. He was known to blame witches for all kinds of misfortunes — illnesses, troubles on his estate, and difficulties in marriage.

During the first interrogations, Barbara confessed to taking part in sabbaths on Łysa Góra (Bald Mountain) and to having dealings with the devil, who, upon giving her a magical white powder, ordered her to scatter it throughout the village to harm its inhabitants — which Barbara claimed she did.

However, her voluntary confession was not enough, and she was sent to the local executioner for torture, where she was asked more detailed questions, including who else participated in the sabbaths.

Despite her “cooperation,” Barbara was tortured twice and ultimately sentenced to be burned at the stake in a public execution.

Hope you liked this insight into my inspiration for this photoshoot.

Love, Erinthul.