Reviews
"Satan the Hereticis an important contribution to the field of medieval demonology. Boureau contends that, contrary to common belief, medieval culture experienced a 'peaceful' coexistence with demons, and that modern witchcraze emerged as a sudden and unexpected theological turn between 1280 and 1330. Boureau's belief in an 'early' origin of Western obsession with demons and witches entails a far-reaching revision of this complex and fascinating phenomenon."-Armando Maggi, author ofIn the Company of Demons, "A subtle analysis of a shift in ideas that would, eventually, lead to the severest and most corporeal ramifications. . . . Its readers must grapple not only with the persuasiveness of Boureau''s thesis, but also with the vitality of finely assembled intellectual history."-Christine Caldwell Ames, H-France Review, An excellent account of the swift development of Scholastic demonology during the thirteenth cetnury., In this fascinating new book, Alain Boureau dissolves the mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of witch hunts in the early fifteenth century. The early modern concept of the witch was made possible more than a century earlier as medieval demonology coalesced into an autonomous 'science.' Around 1300 Scholastic theologians and papal consultants developed sacramental conceptions of the pact, Satan's relations with heretics, and the nature of magical assaults that bore tragic consequences until nearly 1700. Boureau's careful analyses of circumstances and arguments will make Satan the Heretic a classic in the intellectual history of witchcraft., An excellent account of the swift development of Scholastic demonology during the thirteenth century., A subtle analysis of a shift in ideas that would, eventually, lead to the severest and most corporeal ramifications. . . . Its readers must grapple not only with the persuasiveness of Boureau's thesis, but also with the vitality of finely assembled intellectual history., "This is a valuable addition to the history of medieval demonology and magic."-Sophie Page, Catholic Historical Review, "An excellent account of the swift development of Scholastic demonology during the thirteenth cetnury."-Alastair Sooke,Times Literary Supplement, "An excellent account of the swift development of Scholastic demonology during the thirteenth cetnury."-Alastair Sooke, Times Literary Supplement, Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the developing perceptions of demonology in the Medieval West., " Satan the Heretic is an important contribution to the field of medieval demonology. Boureau contends that, contrary to common belief, medieval culture experienced a 'peaceful' coexistence with demons, and that modern witchcraze emerged as a sudden and unexpected theological turn between 1280 and 1330. Boureau's belief in an 'early' origin of Western obsession with demons and witches entails a far-reaching revision of this complex and fascinating phenomenon."-Armando Maggi, author of In the Company of Demons, In this fascinating new book, Alain Boureau dissolves the mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of witch hunts in the early fifteenth century. The early modern concept of the witch was made possible more than a century earlier as medieval demonology coalesced into an autonomous 'science.' Around 1300 Scholastic theologians and papal consultants developed sacramental conceptions of the pact, Satan's relations with heretics, and the nature of magical assaults that bore tragic consequences until nearly 1700. Boureau's careful analyses of circumstances and arguments will make Satan the Heretic a classic in the intellectual history of witchcraft., Satan the Heretic is an important contribution to the field of medieval demonology. Boureau contends that, contrary to common belief, medieval culture experienced a 'peaceful' coexistence with demons, and that modern witchcraze emerged as a sudden and unexpected theological turn between 1280 and 1330. Boureau's belief in an 'early' origin of Western obsession with demons and witches entails a far-reaching revision of this complex and fascinating phenomenon., "In this fascinating new book, Alain Boureau dissolves the mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of witch hunts in the early fifteenth century. The early modern concept of the witch was made possible more than a century earlier as medieval demonology coalesced into an autonomous 'science.' Around 1300 Scholastic theologians and papal consultants developed sacramental conceptions of the pact, Satan's relations with heretics, and the nature of magical assaults that bore tragic consequences until nearly 1700. Boureau's careful analyses of circumstances and arguments will make Satan the Heretic a classic in the intellectual history of witchcraft."-Walter Stephens, author of Demon Lovers, "In this fascinating new book, Alain Boureau dissolves the mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of witch hunts in the early fifteenth century. The early modern concept of the witch was made possible more than a century earlier as medieval demonology coalesced into an autonomous 'science.' Around 1300 Scholastic theologians and papal consultants developed sacramental conceptions of the pact, Satan's relations with heretics, and the nature of magical assaults that bore tragic consequences until nearly 1700. Boureau's careful analyses of circumstances and arguments will makeSatan the Heretica classic in the intellectual history of witchcraft."-Walter Stephens, author ofDemon Lovers
