This German priest was recognized for his zealous reformist zeal within his order. He served as dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Cologne, where his lectures drew considerable interest. His name is associated with a controversial work on witchcraft, though modern scholars suggest this connection may have stemmed from his collaborator's desire to lend the book official authority. He also served as an inquisitor for several provinces, necessitating extensive travel.
This influential treatise delves into the topics of witchcraft and demons, offering insights into the beliefs and practices of the time. Montague Summers provides a modern English translation, making the text accessible to contemporary readers. The work serves as both a historical document and a reflection of societal attitudes towards witchcraft, revealing the fears and superstitions that shaped the era.
The Malleus Maleficarum, usually translated as the Hammer of Witches, is the best known treatise on witchcraft. It was written by the German Catholic clergyman Heinrich Kramer and first published in the German city of Speyer in 1486.