Satanism and Witchcraft

What It's About

Michelet depicts the lives of witches and the trials they faced, arguing that medieval witchcraft represented a just rebellion by the lower classes against feudalism and the Roman Catholic Church. Despite being considered largely inaccurate, the book is notable for being one of the earliest sympathetic histories of witchcraft. According to Michelet, medieval witchcraft was a form of popular rebellion against the oppression of feudalism and the Roman Catholic Church. This rebellion manifested as a secret religion inspired by paganism and fairy beliefs, organized by a woman who emerged as its leader. Followers of this religion regularly gathered for witches' sabbaths and Black Masses.

Key Concepts

Michelet's account emphasizes the suffering of peasants and women in the Middle Ages and argues that history should focus on 'the people, and not only its leaders or its institutions,' positioning him ahead of his time as a writer of micro-history. He was among the first to attempt a sociological explanation of the witch trials, though he interprets his source material in a highly literal manner, which is part of why the book is regarded as historically unreliable.

About the Author

Jules Michelet (1798–1874) was a French historian known for his sweeping, emotionally engaged accounts of French history and his interest in the lives of ordinary people rather than kings and institutions.

About This Edition

This is a 1939 translation by Alfred Richard Allinson.