
THE WITCH OF THE MIDDLE AGES.
PREFACE.
INTRODUCTION.
BOOK I.
CHAPTER I. - THE DEATH OF THE GODS.
CHAPTER II. - WHY THE MIDDLE AGES FELL INTO DESPAIR.
CHAPTER III. - THE LITTLE DEVIL OF THE FIRESIDE.
CHAPTER IV. - TEMPTATIONS.
CHAPTER V. - POSSESSION.
CHAPTER VI. - THE COVENANT.
In this sweeping exploration of medieval witchcraft, the author paints the era as a clash between superstition, power, and the lives of ordinary women branded as sorceresses. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, he weaves together court records, folklore, and vivid anecdotes to reveal how accusations spread like wildfire across villages and royal courts alike. The narrative balances scholarly rigor with a lyrical, almost poetic voice that brings the grim streets of 13th‑century Europe to life.
Beyond the sensational trials, the work probes the deeper social and religious forces that sustained the witch hunt, critiquing the intertwined tyranny of feudal lords and the Church. Readers encounter both the harsh realism of inquisitorial procedures and moments of unexpected humanity, as victims are portrayed with nuance and compassion. The result is a richly textured portrait that invites reflection on how fear and authority shape history, making it as relevant today as it was in the author's own 19th‑century perspective.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (527K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Irma Spehar and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2010-02-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1798–1874
A passionate French historian and writer, he turned the story of France into a vivid, dramatic narrative that helped shape how later generations imagined the nation’s past. His books combined scholarship, emotion, and a deep belief in the power of ordinary people in history.
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