Ulrich Molitor
Encyclopedia
Ulrich Molitor (born c. 1442, died before 23 December 1507) was a legal scholar. He wrote one of the first books on witchcraft
, De Lamiis et Pythonicis Mulieribus (Of Witches and Diviner Women), published in 1489
when he was Doctor of Laws of Padua
and professor at the University of Constance. The work is written in the form of a dialogue.
He wrote the work to "allay the doubts" of the Archduke Sigismund of Austria who had learned of witchcraft from the Dominican inquisitors, James Sprenger
and Heinrich Kramer
, who had journeyed to the Tyrol
to "root out witchcraft". Witchcraft, though heresy
, was by no means universally accepted and Sigismund in the dialogue was quick to dismiss evidence that was produced through the use of torture: "For the fear of punishments incites men to say what is contrary to the nature of the facts".
Molitor uses weak rejoinders and often quotes the Bible, Church Fathers and poets. Omnipresent is Molitor's conviction in the power of the devil who acts through the permission of God, to deceive mortals who are thereby culpable. He explained Merlin
as a real human being and not, as many authorities commonly believed, the offspring of a devil and a woman.
Although Molitor supported the death sentence for heretics
and practitioners of witchcraft, from a moderate point of view for his time he considered that the Sabbaths
were an illusion caused by the Devil and not a reality.
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, De Lamiis et Pythonicis Mulieribus (Of Witches and Diviner Women), published in 1489
when he was Doctor of Laws of Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
and professor at the University of Constance. The work is written in the form of a dialogue.
He wrote the work to "allay the doubts" of the Archduke Sigismund of Austria who had learned of witchcraft from the Dominican inquisitors, James Sprenger
James Sprenger
James Sprenger was a German priest. He was born in Rheinfelden, Further Austria.-With the Dominicans:...
and Heinrich Kramer
Heinrich Kramer
Heinrich Kramer also known under the Latinized name Henricus Institoris, was a German churchman and inquisitor....
, who had journeyed to the Tyrol
Tyrol (state)
Tyrol is a state or Bundesland, located in the west of Austria. It comprises the Austrian part of the historical region of Tyrol.The state is split into two parts–called North Tyrol and East Tyrol–by a -wide strip of land where the state of Salzburg borders directly on the Italian province of...
to "root out witchcraft". Witchcraft, though heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
, was by no means universally accepted and Sigismund in the dialogue was quick to dismiss evidence that was produced through the use of torture: "For the fear of punishments incites men to say what is contrary to the nature of the facts".
Molitor uses weak rejoinders and often quotes the Bible, Church Fathers and poets. Omnipresent is Molitor's conviction in the power of the devil who acts through the permission of God, to deceive mortals who are thereby culpable. He explained Merlin
Merlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
as a real human being and not, as many authorities commonly believed, the offspring of a devil and a woman.
Although Molitor supported the death sentence for heretics
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
and practitioners of witchcraft, from a moderate point of view for his time he considered that the Sabbaths
Sabbath (witchcraft)
The Witches' Sabbath or Sabbat is a supposed meeting of those who practice witchcraft, and other rites.European records indicate cases of persons being accused or tried for taking part in Sabbat gatherings, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century or later.- Etymology :The English word “sabbat”...
were an illusion caused by the Devil and not a reality.