The history of witchcraft and demonology

Description

Uncover the dark and fascinating history of one of the most misunderstood subjects in Western culture. In The History of Witchcraft and Demonology, Montague Summers traces the evolution of witchcraft beliefs from early medieval folklore to the hysteria of the witch trials and the development of demonology as a formal discipline. This is not a modern interpretation; it is a rigorous historical examination of how the concept of the witch was constructed, weaponized, and eventually transformed.\n\nSummers examines the theological and legal frameworks that fueled the witch hunts, the cultural anxieties that shaped the demonological treatises, and the intellectual history behind the transition from belief to belief. Whether you are a student of religious history, a folklorist, or simply curious about the real origins of these enduring cultural symbols, this book provides a comprehensive and readable survey of a subject that continues to influence contemporary culture and belief systems.