Demonolatry [Paperback]

Nicholas Remy (Author), Montague Summers (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2003

The 1595 guide to demonology, used by the Church along with the Maleus Maleficarum for the trials of witches. Translated by E. A. Ashwin. Edited with an introduction and notes by the Rev. Montague Summers. "Drawn from the capital trials of 900 persons, more or less, who within the last fifteen years have in Lorraine paid the penalty of death for the crime of witchcraft."

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (January 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766136302
• ISBN-13: 978-0766136304
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,365,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important 16th Century Work on Demonology, May 2, 2003

By 

Matthew S. Schweitzer "zohoe" (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demonolatry (Paperback)

This is the Montague Summers' edition of Nicholas Remy's infamous work "Daemonolatreiae libri tres", first published in France in 1595 and is generally considered one of the most important early works on demons and witches.

Remy was a judge for the Duchy of Lorraine and tried many hundreds of witchcraft cases, sending as many as 800 of the accused to a slow and terrible death at the stake. As a result of his vast "experience", this present work was considered one of the most influenctial of the many works on witchcraft and demonology that came about as a result of the great witchcraze of the 16th and 17th centuries. It definately influenced the work of several later demonologists such as Francesco Maria Guazzo and Martin Del Rio. Remy's work described a number of witchcraft cases and emphasised the truth of the diabolic pact supposedly made between a witch and the Devil himself and the horrible acts claimed to take place at the witches Sabbat. It also highlighted the fact that many witches were forced into the Devil's service either through trickery or violence, which was a change from several earlier works which claimed that witches made a willing choice to do evil. This in no way meant that Remy urged mercy for those who chose the dark path. Quite the opposite was true in fact. Remy draws on many ancient and contemporary sources for his arguments and stressed that the evil power of witches and other adherents to the Devil must be thoroughly rooted out of society by rope and flame.

Remy is generally considered one of the more virulent demonologists, in line with other anti-witch writers like Jean Bodin or Heinrich Kramer. His work was influential until the end of the 17th century, when a belief in witches and demons was on a steep decline, and this book was frequently cited and reprinted. Montague Summers, the eccentric early 20th century occult historian, lauds praise on Remy for his determination to root out witchery by any means possible, even if that meant the torture and death of innocents. While repugnant to our modern morality, this work is important to an understanding of the witchcraze of the early modern period.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical reference., April 26, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Demonolatry and Compendium Maleficarum [Two-Volume Set] (Hardcover)

Although from a Christian POV, this book delves into historic thoughts on witchcraft, satanism, demon worship, et al and outlines some alleged practices. While some of its accounts do resemble the demonolatry rituals of the middle ages, most of the book resembles something akin to the embellished hysteria outlined in the Compendium Maleficarum and The Malleus Maleficarum. There were only 1,275 copies of this book printed. They are hand numbered. Regardless, a valuable and rare title worth the price and wait.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Major advancement in our understanding of the Church's views on witches and demons!, September 23, 2005

By 

An Occult Scholar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Demonolatry (Paperback)

Remy's infamous work "Daemonolatreiae libri tres", first published in France in 1595 and is generally considered one of the most important early works on demons and witches.

Remy is generally considered one of the more virulent demonologists, in line with other anti-witch writers like Jean Bodin or Heinrich Kramer. His work was influential until the end of the 17th century, when a belief in witches and demons was on a steep decline, and this book was frequently cited and reprinted. Montague Summers, the eccentric early 20th century occult historian, lauds praise on Remy for his determination to root out witchery by any means possible, even if that meant the torture and death of innocents. While repugnant to our modern morality, this work is important to an understanding of the witch craze of the early modern period.