Directions For The Torture Of A Witch, By German Inquisitors

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The source, “Directions For The Torture Of a Witch,” written in 1489 by German inquisitors, is a book/journal written and made to teach readers the procedures to detect, identify, and essentially punish witches. This book is known as Malleus Maleficarum, which translates to "witch hammer.". The text is divided into three descriptive parts, each of which contains the reality of witches, stories about the heinous activities of which, and details about how to torture suspected witches into confessing their sins, as well as rules readers and judges should follow when torturing and punishing witches. Additionally, this can serve as an example to readers and historians of the extreme measures religious leaders would go to when someone lived against their beliefs. Finally, the source describes and entails the codes …show more content…

Additionally, the author of the book describes in great detail the techniques that would take place when an accused witch was brought forth to the attention of the public and(or) judges. To further illustrate, the text states once a witch was captured, she would be stripped of her clothing to ensure there were no evil markings on her skin, then, a form of torture would be implemented by the judge, and once this was done, the witch would be persuaded or asked to confess to their sins; if she did not confess, they would be tortured harshly before being told to confess once more. This procedure would concur while attendants of the torture pray for the witch to confess. After the torture has been put to rest, the witch would be asked to admit one last time with the belief they would not be put to death. If they did not confess, they would effectively be