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This is a highly original study of demon possession and the ritual of exorcism, both of which were rife in early modern times, and which reached epidemic proportions in France.
Catholics at the time believed that the Devil was everywhere present, in the rise of the heretics, in the activities of witches, and even in the bodies of pious young women. The rite of exorcism was intended to heal the possessed and show the power of the Church - but it generated as many problems as it resolved. Possessed nuns endured frequently violent exorcisms, exorcists were suspected of conjuring devils, and possession itself came to be seen as a form of holiness, elevating several women to the status of living saints.
Sarah Ferber offers a challenging study of one of the most intriguing phenomena of early modern Europe. Looking towards the present day, the book also argues that early modern conflicts over the Devil still carry an unexpected force and significance for Western Christianity.
| Acknowledgements | ||
| Introduction | 1 | |
| 1 | Scepticism and Catholic reform : introductory remarks | 17 |
| 2 | 'Into the realm of the senses' : Nicole Obry and the Miracle of Laon | 23 |
| 3 | Marthe Brossier | 40 |
| 4 | Priestcraft and witchcraft : introductory remarks | 63 |
| 5 | The trial of Louis Gaufridy, Aix-en-Provence, 1609-11 | 70 |
| 6 | Fighting fire with fire? : exorcism against ecstasy, Louviers, 1642-54 | 89 |
| 7 | Ecstasy, possession, witchcraft : the will to hierarchy | 115 |
| 8 | 'God's witches' : two possessed women | 124 |
| Conclusion | 148 | |
| Notes | 154 | |
| Selected bibliography | 198 | |
| Index | 219 |
Overview
This is a highly original study of demon possession and the ritual of exorcism, both of which were rife in early modern times, and which reached epidemic proportions in France.
Catholics at the time believed that the Devil was everywhere present, in the rise of the heretics, in the activities of witches, and even in the bodies of pious young women. The rite of exorcism was intended to heal the possessed and show the power of the Church - but it generated as many problems as it ...