Malleus Maleficarum Book

Historical reproduction of the book that kindled the fires of the medieval German witch hunts.

First published in 1486 in the German city of Speyer, this infamous work was written in Latin by two Dominican clergymen, Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, under their Latinized names Henricus Institor and Jacob Sprenger. Although it was rejected by the Catholic Church for its unethical and unlawful recommendations, the Malleus Maleficarum has nonetheless become the most influential and widely circulated treatise on witchcraft, stoking fear, superstition, and persecution for centuries—from the dawn of the modern era through the early twentieth century. Grotesque though its pages may be, this book offers an unflinching window into the zealotry that once wielded accusations of witchcraft as a weapon against nonconformity.

This special edition features the full and unabridged English language translation of the text with an original preface that places the Malleus Maleficarum in its turbulent historical context and reflects on its lasting impact today. Though the German Witch Trials officially ended with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, persecution lingered for decades, leaving behind a legacy of intolerance and fear that still echoes in our own age.

Cover Note: This book is not leather-bound. It is case-bound in sturdy cardboard and wrapped in a matte faux finish, intended to echo the appearance of the original. 100% vegan materials ensure durability and ethical production.