The Malleus Maleficarum

"The Malleus Maleficarum" — a notorious "manual for witch hunters," written by monk Heinrich Kramer and dean of the University of Cologne Jacob Sprenger. The book was published in 1487 and went through 29 editions, gaining equal popularity throughout the... war-torn, religiously divided Europe. Most researchers lean toward the version that with this book, Heinrich Kramer tried to justify his own inquisitorial activities, which led to the burning of two hundred women and his disgraceful expulsion from the inquisitorial service for fanaticism and cruelty. The result was directly opposite to what was expected — in 1490, the inquisition, aimed at the destruction of heretics and religious freethinkers, condemned the author himself