Devil finders

Machielsen, Jan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8492-0263 2025. Devil finders. Raiswell, Richard, Brock, Michelle D. and Winter, David R., eds. The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition, London: Routledge, pp. 211-227.

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Abstract

Scripture taught Christians that the devil existed. He was able to take possession of unfortunate human bodies and even tempted Christ. That also meant that he could be located and found, although as Christians rapidly discovered more usually the devil found—and tempted—them. This chapter explores two types of devil finders, witchcraft theorists and exorcists. From the 14th and 15th centuries onwards, the former developed new theories that gave demons bodies which allowed them to interact with humans, seduce them into witchcraft, and make pacts with them. Exorcism—expelling demons from the bodies of the possessed—had a more venerable history but equally grew to greater prominence in the early modern period. This chapter ties the devil's subsequent vanishing act to the shifting epistemological fortunes of the senses. The devil gradually lost bodily form as demands for visual verification grew.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > History, Archaeology and Religion
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D111 Medieval History D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D204 Modern History
Publisher:	Routledge
ISBN:	9781003096603-12
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2025 08:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/178885

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