The book "The Witch Hammer" was an instruction book during the Middle Ages - even in Sweden

From the end of the Middle Ages until the 18th century, about 55,000 people in Europe were imprisoned, tortured and sentenced to sorcery.

The monk Heinrich Kramer was appointed papal inquisitor and was responsible for the witch hunt in several cities in Germany.

He wrote the book “The Witch Hammer” which was published in 1486 in Latin under the name “Malleus Maleficarum” together with the inquisitor Jacob Sprenger.

The book "Witch Hammer" is an instruction book on how to reveal and fight witches and was also used in Sweden.

- There are court records in Sweden where traces of the "Witch Hammer" have been found in the form of quotes and procedures on how to find and prosecute a witch, says Philip de Croy, theologian and religious historian.

He continues:

- Torture methods such as branding with glow iron or revealing a witch through a water test to see if she is floating or not is also removed from the book.

The book "The Witch Hammer" was the second best-selling in Europe, after the Bible.

- That's right. It was used by both Catholics and Protestants, says Philip de Croy.

Up to the 17th century, the book was published in 29 editions and printed in over 30,000 copies. According to historians, it is regarded as one of the first book successes.

- It may be theologically debatable, but the Witch Hammer is teeming with stories that can be read as entertainment. The witch hammer is to some extent journalism, says Johannes Dillinger, historian at Oxford Brookes University in the documentary "The Medieval Witch Hunting".

Play the clip to see historian Johannes Dillinger tell about "The Witch Hammer".

Want to know more about the witch processes in Europe? The documentary "Medieval Witch Processes" can be seen on SVT Play.