Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1901.

Format:

Manuscript

Contributor:

Lea, Henry Charles, 1825-1909, former owner.

Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

French

Subjects (All):

Witchcraft--Europe--History--Early works to 1800.

Witchcraft.

Trials (Witchcraft)--France--Early works to 1800.

Trials (Witchcraft).

Trials (Blasphemy)--France--Early works to 1800.

Trials (Blasphemy).

Offenses against religion--France.

Offenses against religion.

History.

Toulouse (France)--History--17th century--Religious aspects.

Toulouse (France).

France.

Europe.

Genre:

Histories.

Treatises.

Manuscripts, French.

Penn Provenance:

Formerly owned by Henry Charles Lea (bookplate inside upper cover).

Physical Description:

1 volume (10 leaves)

Contained In:

Miscellaneous Manuscripts. Box Zero Folder 21

Other Title:

Histoire prodigieuse et espouvantable de plus de deux cens 50 sorciers et sorcierès emmenez pour leur estre fait et parfait leur procez au parlement de Tholoze: avec l'execution exemplaire d'un grand nombre en divers lieux, ce qui a causé la cherté des bleds.

Place of Publication:

1901.

Summary:

An early 20th-century manuscript copy of a short work that was printed in 1649 in Paris. The text begins with a brief history of Satan's influences in the ancient world, focusing on his ability to inhabit various animals and on his use of oracles, especially the oracle at Delphi, where Satan supposedly amassed his fortunes. After recounting the devil's activities in ancient times, the text abruptly moves to the contemporary period to discuss sorcery in the area of Toulouse. The author mentions a great number of executions that took place in the area within the timespan of 3 months. The text describes the various suspicious activities that were undertaken by the sorcerers in the area, going into great detail about the decorations and mutilations by which the sorcerers may be identified. In conclusion, the text attributes various natural disasters, such as destruction of crops, tempests, and infestations, to witchcraft and sorcery. Inscription inside upper cover is written in German and references the original copy from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France; this inscription gives the date of June 1901. The notebook is bound in flexible cardboard covers and is placed inside a heavier set of cardboard covers.

OCLC:

237200433