The Church’s Reaction and the Demonization of Magic

By the late Middle Ages, the Church's stance on magic hardened, especially regarding demonic magic and witchcraft. This shift was influenced by social upheavals, the Black Death, and fears of heresy.

Witchcraft and the Inquisition

In the 13th century, the Church began targeting heretical groups and those accused of sorcery. The Inquisition was established to investigate and punish witchcraft, considered a pact with the devil.

Witch trials increased in frequency, and magical practitioners—particularly women—were often accused of maleficium (harmful magic), heresy, or devil worship.

Malleus Maleficarum

Published in 1487 by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, the Malleus Maleficarum ("Hammer of Witches") became the most infamous witch-hunting manual. It detailed methods for identifying witches, described their supposed practices, and urged severe punishment.

This text cemented the association of magic with evil and intensified persecution during the late medieval and early modern periods. shutdown123