THE
MALLEUS MALEFICARUM

THE THIRD PART

RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS IN BOTH THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIL COURTS AGAINST WITCHES AND INDEED ALL HERETICS

CONTAINING XXXV QUESTIONS IN WHICH IS MOST CLEARLY SET OUT THE FORMAL RULES FOR INITIATING A PROCESS OF JUSTICE, HOW IT SHOULD BE CONDUCTED, AND THE METHOD OF PRONOUNCING SENTENCE.

General and Introductory

Who are the Fit and Proper Judges in the Trial of Witches?

THE FIRST HEAD

Question III

Of the Solemn Adjuration and Re-examination of Witnesses

Question IV

Of the Quality and Condition of Witnesses

Question V

Whether Mortal Enemies may be Admitted as Witnesses

THE SECOND HEAD

Question VI

How the Trial is to be Proceeded with and Continued. And how the Witnesses are to be Examined in the Presence of Four Other Persons, and how the Accused is to be Questioned in Two Ways

In Which Various Doubts are Set Forth with Regard to the Foregoing Questions and Negative Answers. Whether the Accused is to be Imprisoned, and when she is to be considered Manifestly Taken in the Foul Heresy of Witchcraft. This is the Second Action

Question VIII

Which Follows from the Preceding Question, Whether the Witch is to be Imprisoned, and of the Method of Taking her. This is the Third Action of the Judge

Question IX

What is to be done after the Arrest, and whether the Names of the Witnesses should be made Known to the Accused. This is the Fourth Action

Question X

What Kind of Defence may be Allowed, and of the Appointment of an Advocate. This is the Fifth Action

Question XI

What Course the Advocate should Adopt when the Names of the Witnesses are not Revealed to him. Ths Sixth Action

Question XII

Of the Same Matter, Declaring more Particularly how the Question of Personal Enmity is to be Investigated. The Seventh Action

Question XIII

Of the Points to be Observed by the Judge before the Formal Examination in the Place of Detention and Torture. This is the Eighth Action

Question XIV

Of the Method of Sentencing the Accused to be Questioned: and How she must be Questioned on the First Day; and Whether she may be Promised her Life. The Ninth Action

Question XV

Of the Continuing of the Torture, and of the Devices and Signs by which the Judge can Recognize a Witch; and how he ought to Protect himself from their Spells. Also how they are to be Shaved in Parts where they use to Conceal the Devil's Masks and Tokens; together with the due Setting Forth of Various Means of Overcoming the Obstinacy in Keeping Silence and Refusal to Confess. And it is the Tenth Action

Question XVI

Of the fit Time and of the Method of the Second Examination. And it is the Eleventh Action, concerning the Final Precautions to be Observed by the Judge

THE THIRD HEAD

The Third Head

Which is the last Part of this Work. How the Process is to be Concluded by the Pronouncement of a Definite and Just Sentence

Question XVII

Of Common Purgation, and especially of the Trial of Red-hot Iron, to which Witches Appeal

Question XVIII

Of the Manner of Pronouncing a Sentence which is Final and Definitive

Question XIX

Of the Various Degrees of Overt Suspicion which render the Accused liable to be Sentenced

Question XX

Of the Firth Method of Pronouncing Sentence

Question XXI

Of the Second Method of Pronouncing Sentence, when the Accused is no more than Defamed

Question XXII

Of the Third Kind of Sentence, to be Pronounced on one who is Defamed, and who is to be put to the Question

Question XXIII

The Fourth Method of Sentencing, in the Case of one Accused upon a Light Suspicion

Question XXIV

The Fifth Manner of Sentence, in the Case of one under Strong Suspicion

Question XXV

The Sixth Kind of Sentence, in the Case of one who is Gravely Suspect

Question XXVI

The Method of passing Sentence upon one who is both Suspect and Defamed

Question XVII

The Method of passing Sentence upon one who hath Confessed to Heresy, but is still not Penitent

Question XVIII

The Method of passing Sentence upon one who hath Confessed to Heresy but is Relapsed, Albeir now Penitent

Question XXIX

The Method of passing Sentence upon one who hath Confessed to Heresy but is Impenitent, although not Relapsed

Question XXX

Of One who has Confessed to Heresy, is Relapsed, and is also Impenitent

Question XXXI

Of One Taken and Convicted, but Denying Everything

Question XXXII

Of One who is Convicted but who hath Fled or who Contumaciously Absents himself

Question XXXIII

Of the Method of passing Sentence upon one who has been Accused by another Witch, who has been or is to be Burned at the Stake

Question XXXIV

Of the Method of passing Sentence upon a Witch who Annuls Spells wrought by Witchcraft; and of Witch Midwives and Archer-Wizards

Question XXXV

Finally, of the Method of passing Sentence upon Witches who Enter or Cause to be Entered an Appeal, whether such be Frivolous or Legitimate and Just

"The Malleus Maleficarum" was transcribed by
Wicasta Lovelace and Christie Rice.

THEMALLEUS MALEFICARUM

THE
MALLEUS MALEFICARUM