The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum

Christopher S. Mackay

Language: English

Published: May 28, 2009

Description:

The Malleus Maleficarum, first published in 1486–7, is the standard medieval text on witchcraft and it remained in print throughout the early modern period. Its descriptions of the evil acts of witches and the ways to exterminate them continue to contribute to our knowledge of early modern law, religion and society. Mackay's highly acclaimed translation, based on his extensive research and detailed analysis of the Latin text, is the only complete English version available, and the most reliable. Now available in a single volume, this key text is at last accessible to students and scholars of medieval history and literature. With detailed explanatory notes and a guide to further reading, this volume offers a unique insight into the fifteenth-century mind and its sense of sin, punishment and retribution.

Review

"Mackay has done a splendid job with the translation of this important work, and his commentary is a book in itself...provides useful information to both the general reader or undergraduate student and to graduate students or other scholars...sure to take its place among several recent and well-done translations of important demonological texts." --Jane P. Davidson, University of Nevada: Sixteenth Century Journal

"Overall, however, the effort and achievement in this volume are significant, allowing this important work to be accessed by a fab broader audience in a critical edition placed in its proper historical and intellectual context."
--Elizabeth Hyde, Kean University --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Book Description

The only complete, reliable English translation of this famous fifteenth-century text. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Christopher S. Mackay is Professor in the Department of History and Classics at the University of Alberta. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Book Description

The Malleus Maleficarum is the most famous early modern text on witches and witch hunting. This is the most authoritative translation into English available, and it is presented here with explanatory notes and an informative introduction. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.