The Occult in Medieval Europe

by Maxwell-Stuart, P. G.

• ISBN13: 9781403902894
• ISBN10: 1403902895
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-02
• Publisher: Red Globe Pr

Summary

The medieval period is often seen as an age of superstition. This study challenges this assumption, offering students a varied collection of documents-many of which appear in English for the first time-surveying what people throughout Europe actually thought and believed about the occult sciences at the time. The various branches of magic, divination, astrology and alchemy which helped people to make sense of their world are presented through translated extracts from religious, legal, medical and scientific documents.

Author Biography

P.G. Maxwell-Stuart is Research Fellow, Department of History, University of Aberdeen and Honorary Lecturer, Department of History, University of St Andrews.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	xvi
Acknowledgements	xvii
Introduction	1	(10)
The Created Universe	11	(58)
The constituent parts of the world. St Isidore of Seville: De natura rerum (612/13)	13	(2)
A journey through the cosmos. Bernardus Silvestries: Cosmographia (1141)	15	(4)
The elements and the humours. Pseudo-Bede: De mundi celestis terrestrisque constitutione (second half 12th century)	19	(1)
Portents and prodigies	20	(13)
A travelling star. Acta et processus canonizacionis beate Birgitte (c. 1391)	20	(1)
Two suns. Chronicum Scotorum (12th century)	21	(1)
Eclipses. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle	21	(1)
Eclipse. William of Malmesbury: Historia Novella (1142--7)	21	(1)
Eclipse. Rodulfus Glaber: Historiae (late 1020s--1045/6)	22	(1)
A rain of blood. Andre de Fleury: Vita Gauzlini (c.1042)	22	(3)
A Storm. Annales Fuldenses, referring to the year 857	25	(1)
A globe of fire. The Myracles of Oure Lady (1496)	25	(1)
Various portents. Sigebert of Gembloux: Chronica, on the year 1000	26	(1)
Various signs. Annales Fuldenses, referring to the year 870	26	(1)
Portents. Chronicum Scotorum (12th century)	27	(1)
A mysterious voice. Georgios Kedrenos: Compendium historiarum (late 12th century)	27	(1)
Portents. Annales Fuldenses, referring to the year 878	28	(1)
Expectations of the end of the world. Abbo of Fleury: Apologeticus ad Hugonem et Rodbertum, reges Francorum (c.994/6)	29	(1)
Doubts about how to compute the arrival of the end of the world. Anon.: Blickling Homily on Holy Thursday (971)	29	(1)
Evil portents at Emperor Alexios's coronation. Niketas Choniates: Historia (early 13th century)	30	(1)
A monster. Georgios Kedrenos: Compendium historiarum (late 12th century)	31	(1)
The meaning of monsters. Sebastian Brant: De monstroso ansere atque porcellis in villa Gugenheim (1496). Adapted	31	(1)
Why the original inhabitants of Britain were giants. Anon.: De origine gigantum (mid 1330s)	32	(1)
Occult properties of the natural world	33	(3)
The meaning of stones. Marbodus: Liber lapidum (c.1090)	33	(3)
Signs on the human body	36	(4)
Physiognomy. James Yonge: The Governance of Princes (1422)	36	(2)
The evil eye. Robert Grosseteste: Expositio in epistolam Sancti Pauli ad Galatas (c.1225)	38	(1)
The evil eye. Alfonso de Tostado: Las catorze questiones (mid 15th century)	39	(1)
Non-human entities	40	(19)
Orders of angels. Nicholas of Cusa: Dialogi de ludo globi, Book 2 (1463)	40	(1)
Angels and demons. St John of Damascus: De fide orthodoxa (early 8th century)	41	(1)
The use of demons. John Barbour: The Brus (1370s)	42	(1)
Fairies. The Trial of St Joan of Arc (1431)	43	(1)
A werewolf. Giraldus Cambrensis: Topographia Hiberniae (c. 1187)	43	(4)
Unearthly visitants. De gestis Herwardi Saxonis (late 11th/early 12th century)	47	(1)
The dead. Peter Damian: Letter to Pope Nicholas II, (written between December 1059 and July 1061)	48	(1)
Dead monks. Trithemius: Beati Rabani Mauri Vita (refers to 837)	49	(1)
A disturbing vision. Thomas of Cantimpre: Bonum universale de apibus (1256--61)	50	(1)
An evil spirit. Vita Sancti Roberti Abbatis (11th century)	51	(1)
A mysterious transvection. Peter Damian: Letter to Abbot Desiderius and the Abbey of Monte Cassino (c.1065)	52	(1)
A political use of demoniacs. Niketas Choniates: Historia (early 13th century)	53	(1)
Torments inflicted by demons. Blessed Angela of Foligno: Vita (late 13th century)	54	(2)
Exorcism. Hieronymus Radiolensis: Miracula Sancti Joannis Gualberti (late 11th century)	56	(3)
Miracles	59	(2)
Curing the sick. Andrew of Strumi: Vita Sancti Joannis Gualbert (referring to end of 12th/beginning of 13th century)	59	(1)
Blood in the chalice. Giovanni Villani: Croniche Fiorentine (early 14th century)	59	(1)
An anointed King's ability to cure the sick. Robert Fitzhugh: Memorandum, 31 May 1435	60	(1)
A false miracle. Giovanni di m. Pedrino Depintore: Cronica del suo tempo (mid 15th century)	60	(1)
Methods of divination and discovering truth	61	(8)
How to cast lots. Sortes XII Patriarcharum (second half of 11th century)	61	(1)
Imperial patronage of divination. Niketas Choniates: Historia (early 13th century). Adapted	62	(1)
How to uncover a murderer. Lex Frisionum (late 8th/early 9th century)	63	(1)
Organising an ordeal. Eberhard of Bamberg: Breviarium (12th century)	64	(1)
Championing a witch. Ademar of Chabannes: Chronicon (late 1020s)	65	(4)
The Parallel Universe of Magic	69	(92)
Popular practices	71	(19)
The various kinds of magic. Hugh of St Victor: Didascalion (late 1120s)	71	(2)
Magic as part of everyday life. David of Ganjak: Penitential (c. 1130s)	73	(1)
Advice to beware of using divination and magic. Aelfric: Homily on the Octaves and Circumcision of Our Lord (1020s--40s)	74	(1)
Mixing religion and magic. Etienne de Bourbon: Anecdotes historiques (early 13th century)	75	(1)
Heretics and magic. Heribert: Epistola de haereticis Petragoricis (c. 1147)	76	(1)
Magic by means of a pact. Heinrich von Gorkum: De superstitionibus quibusdam casibus (early 15th century)	76	(1)
The dangers of divination. Nicholas of Cusa: Sermon, `Ibant Magi' (6 January 1431)	77	(5)
Days regarded as unlucky. Jean Gerson: De superstitiosa dierum observantia (1421)	82	(1)
Finding a thief by divination. Etienne de Bourbon: Anecdotes historiques (early 13th century)	83	(1)
Geomancy. Rolandino da Padova: Cronica in factis et circa facta Marchie Trivixane (1262)	84	(1)
Magic at the Papal Court. Pope John XXII: Letter (27 February 1318)	84	(2)
Magic at the Imperial Court. Theodore Balsamon: In epistolam Sancti Basilii canonicam III (1170s)	86	(1)
How to investigate workers of magic. Bernardo Gui: Practica inquisitionis heretice pravitatis (1323/4)	87	(2)
Image magic. Athelwold: Record of an exchange of lands (late 10th century)	89	(1)
Maleficent images. Niketas Choniates: Historia (late 12th/early 13th century)	90	(1)
Ritual magic	90	(14)
Conjuration of Spirits. Pietro d'Abano: Heptameron seu elementa magica (late 13th century)	90	(8)
Types of magical procedure. Moses Maimonides: Dalalat al'Ha'rin [A Guide of the Perplexed] (1190)	98	(1)
Making amulets. Alexander of Tralles: De arte medicina (late 6th century)	99	(1)
Making magical seals. Arnald of Villanova: De sigillis (c.1301)	100	(3)
German weather magic. Adjuration against a hailstorm (11th century)	103	(1)
Christ as a sorcerer.: Anon.: Christ Before Pilate: The Dream of Pilate's Wife (1463--77)	103	(1)
Hostile magic, demons, and witchcraft	104	(30)
Necromancy. The Trial of Gilles de Rais (1440)	104	(6)
Politically inspired necromancy. Enguerrand de Monstrelet: Chroniques (referring to 1407)	110	(2)
Demons cause illness. Guibert de Nogent: Monodiae (c. 1115)	112	(1)
Witches' acts of harmful magic. Johannes Nider: Preceptorium divine legis (c.1437)	113	(1)
Witchcraft and marriage. Summa Parisiensis [Commentary on the Decreta of Gratian, Causa 33, question 1] (c. 1154--9)	114	(1)
A lying witch. Marie de France: Les Fables (1189--1208)	115	(1)
An incubus and the use of apotropaic magic. Acta et processus canonizacionis beate Birgitte (c.1391)	116	(1)
The witch as vampire. Etienne de Bourbon: Anecdotes historiques (early 13th century)	117	(1)
A witch in battle. De gestis Herwardi Saxonis (late 11th/early 12th century)	118	(1)
The witch as a subject for humour. Etienne de Bourbon: Anecdotes historiques (early 13th century)	119	(1)
Blackening people's reputations. Etienne de Bourbon: Anecdotes historiques (early 13th century)	120	(1)
Flying to the Sabbat. Martin le France: Le Champion des Dames (1440)	120	(2)
The Sabbat described during a witch-trial. Jacques du Clercq: Memoires [adapted], relating to 1460	122	(7)
A lawyer's reservations about the Sabbat. Ambrosius de Vignate: Tractatus de hereticis (c.1468). Adapted	129	(5)
Prohibition, reservation, and scepticism	134	(27)
Pactus legis Salicae (6th century)	135	(1)
King Rothair: Edictus (643)	135	(1)
Leges Visigothorum: King Flavius Chindasvind (c.644)	136	(3)
Harmful magic. Lex Ribuaria de maleficio (c.7th century)	139	(1)
King Liutprand: Laws (727)	139	(1)
King Childeric III: Capitularia (742)	140	(1)
Charlemagne: Capitularia (873)	140	(1)
Early English Laws (9th and 10th centuries)	141	(1)
Dionysius Exiguus: Canones (6th century)	142	(1)
Council of Orleans (511)	142	(1)
Council of Auxerre (c.573--c.603)	143	(1)
Council of Paris (829). Adapted	143	(1)
Pope Leo IV: Letter to the Bishops of Britain (848/9)	144	(1)
Herard, Archbishop of Tournois: Capitularia (858)	145	(1)
Council of Worms (May 868)	145	(1)
Instructions about the punishment of workers of magic. Pope Benedict XII: Letter, 7 April 1338	145	(1)
Synod of Salamanca, 2 May 1451	146	(2)
Condemnation of magicians in Lombardy. Pope Alexander VI: Decretal (1501)	148	(1)
Qualified scepticism. Michael Italikos: Letters (mid 12th century)	148	(2)
Reservations about magic. Barsanuphios: Letters (6th century)	150	(1)
Types of magical operation. Guillaume d'Auvergne: De universo (first half 13th century)	150	(3)
Reservations about the worth of evidence relating to witchcraft. Ulrich Molitor: De laniis et phitonicis mulieribus (1489)	153	(5)
Proposed punishments for those found guilty of practising harmful magic in Catalonia. Anthoni de Balcebre: Document relating to witches in the Aneu Valley (1424)	158	(3)
Interpreting and Manipulating the Universe	161	(70)
Astrology	163	(30)
The planets and their houses at the creation. Pseudo-Bede: De mundi celestis terrestrisque constitutione (second half 12th century)	165	(1)
Interpreting celestial phenomena. Giovanni Villani: Croniche Florentine (early 14th century)	166	(1)
Astrology and free will. Albertus Magnus: Speculum astronomiae (c.1260)	166	(2)
Astrology and religion. Albertus Magnus: Speculum astronomiae (c.1260)	168	(2)
Jesus in the stars. Hermann of Carinthia: De Essentiis (1143)	170	(1)
Planetary powers seen in natural objects. Pseudo-al Majriti: Ghayatal-hakim [Picatrix] (mid 15th century)	170	(5)
Human character in relation to Mars and Venus. Anon.: Ovid Moralise (early 14th century)	175	(1)
The planetary interaction of Saturn and Jupiter. Marsilio Ficino: De vita libri tres (1489)	176	(1)
Planetary influences on the processes of birth. Michael Scot: Liber phisionomie (1209)	177	(2)
Interpreting Classical myths in the light of astrology. Giovanni Boccaccio: De genealogia deorum gentilium (1350--75)	179	(1)
Medical powers of the planets. Marsilio Ficino: De vita libri tres (1489)	180	(1)
Advice to a King. John Lydgate: Secrees of Old Philosoffres (c.1450)	181	(1)
Astral and planetary magic. Marsilio Ficino: De vita libri tres (1489)	182	(2)
Fraud. Roger Bacon: Opus maius (1266--7)	184	(3)
Imperial acceptance of astrology. Niketas Choniates: Historia (early 13th century)	187	(1)
An Imperial sceptic. Anna Komnena: Alexiad (post 1148)	187	(2)
Doubts about astrology. John Barbour: The Brus (1370s)	189	(1)
Condemnation of astrology and magic. St Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus: Poemata de Mosaicae historiae gestis (late 5th/early 6th century)	190	(1)
Condemnation of judicial astrology. Girolamo Savonarola: Trattato contra li astrologi (1497)	191	(2)
Alchemy	193	(38)
Technical terminology. Pseudo--Geber: Summa Perfectionis (early 14th century (?))	194	(3)
Metals and minerals. Pseudo-Roger Bacon: Speculum alchemiae (pre 16th century)	197	(2)
Why metals turn to gold. Pietro d'Abano: Pretiosa Margarita Novella (1330)	199	(2)
Alchemical equipment. Pseudo-Geber: Liber Fornacum (15th century)	201	(9)
An alchemical operation. Paulus Eck von Saltzbach: Clavis Philosophorum (1489)	210	(1)
Alchemical recipes. Arnaldus of Bruxella: Alchemical manuscript (transcribed at some time between 1473 and 1490)	211	(1)
The hidden spirit in sulphur. Anonymous manuscript: Alchimiae tractatus (14th century)	212	(2)
The need for secrecy. George Ripley: The Compound of Alchemy (c.1471)	214	(1)
Alchemical processes described in symbolic language. Alfonso X of Castile: Tesoro (attributed, 13th century)	215	(1)
Alchemical processes described more clearly. John of Rupescissa: De consideratione quintae essentiae (mid 14th century)	216	(1)
Use of the word `Stone'. Roger Bacon: Secretum secretorum (13th century)	217	(1)
The Stone. Avicenna: De anima (1021/4)	217	(1)
Description of the Philosopher's Stone. John Lydgate: Secrees of Old Philosoffres (c.1450)	218	(1)
A medicine produced by alchemy. Ortulanus: Practica vera alkimica (1386)	219	(1)
The importance of alchemy to physicians. Roger Bacon: De erroribus medicorum (13th century)	220	(1)
Some famous alchemists. Al-Nadim: Kitab al-Fihrist (987-8)	221	(2)
An unfriendly portrait of an alchemist. Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue, 64--130, adapted (1380s--90s)	223	(2)
Impediments to an alchemist's being able to work. Pseudo-Geber: Summa Perfectionis (adapted) (early 14th century (?))	225	(1)
English royal licences granted to practise alchemy. Calendar of State Papers (15th century)	226	(1)
An alchemist terrorised into making silver. Calendar of Patent Rolls (3 April 1337)	227	(1)
Alchemy regarded as fraudulent. Sebastian Brant: Das Narrenschiff (1494)	228	(1)
Fraudulent alchemists. Calendar of Patent Rolls (18 August 1452.)	228	(1)
Papal prohibition against alchemy. John XXII: Extravagantales decretales: De crimine falsi (early 14th century)	229	(2)
Bibliography	231	(11)
Index	242