Satanism and Witchcraft is a book written by
Jules Michelet , a French historian and philosopher, and first published in French in 1862 under the title ‘
La Sorcière’ (‘The Witch’). The book explores the history of witchcraft and Satanism, with a focus on the persecution of witches during the Middle Ages and the early modern period.
Michelet’s work was notable for its sympathetic portrayal of witches, which was a departure from the prevailing view of the time that saw witches as evil, devil-worshipping agents of Satan. Instead, Michelet presented witches as victims of superstition and social prejudice, who were often persecuted for their non-conformity to prevailing societal norms.
The book was controversial when it was first published, and it remains a significant work in the study of witchcraft and the history of religion. It has been translated into many languages and has been influential in shaping popular perceptions of witchcraft and Satanism.
Jules Michelet (21 August 1798 – 9 February 1874) was a French historian and writer. He is best known for his multivolume work
History of France , which traces the history of France from the earliest times to the French Revolution. He is considered one of the founders of modern historiography.