Overview

The Medieval Devil highlights the many ways in which the devil has been imagined and re-imagined over the centuries. From his first appearances in scripture preventing Balaam from disobeying God's will to his supposed role presiding over cannibalistic orgies in the middle of the fifteenth century, the devil has been a dynamic force underlying European society. The personification of shifting fears and anxieties over the ages, he has served to both critique and police societal boundaries. Perceptions of the devil have unwittingly fostered social cohesion as communities closed ranks against his diabolical incursions, allowing medieval people to project their anxieties onto outsiders and marginalized groups often with horrendous consequences, some of which still linger. The Medieval Devil is a unique collection of primary sources that examines the development of medieval society through the lens of particular groups and how they perceived the devil. In exploring where and how Europeans discerned his presence, detected his machinations, and sought to counter his actions over the span of the period, readers will be afforded a new and important point of entry into European history. Each chapter begins with an introduction to familiarize readers with critical issues and to contextualize the primary sources against broader developments of the period. Documents include a series of questions for discussion and reflection. Twelve black-and-white illustrations allow readers to visualize the devil through medieval eyes. A short bibliography is also included.

Full Product Details

9781442634176

Table of Contents

Reviews

“This certainly seems to be a book that might entice one to develop a new course.” -- Eileen Gardiner, University of Bristol * <em>Medieval Sermon Studies</em> *

The Medieval Devil is a book for our times. From biblical accounts of the devil to narratives of early trials for witchcraft, this brilliantly selected and superbly annotated collection identifies with precision how ideas about the power of the devil evolved across the Christian Middle Ages.　 - Sarah Ferber, University of Wollongong As Raiswell and Winter note, the medieval devil, chronologically bounded by biblical beginnings and the eve of the early modern witch hunts, is a decidedly slippery character. Yet thanks to this invaluable collection of primary sources, each thoughtfully introduced by the editors and followed by questions for discussion, students of demonology, witchcraft, and the medieval world can more firmly grasp the evolution and impact of one of history's most powerful ideas. - Michelle D. Brock, Washington and Lee University This multifaceted collection of primary sources on the devil and demons provides students with the single most fascinating entry into the medieval world that I have seen. With clear introductions, questions for readers, a helpful bibliography, and captivating illustrations, this volume is a rich and accessible resource for research and teaching. - Gary K. Waite, University of New Brunswick This wide-ranging collection gathers material not just on the devil but also on a host of devils and demons that proliferated in the medieval imagination. Thematic chapters offer varying perspectives on these spirits, as well as related issues like demonic magic, possession and exorcism, and the nature of hell. - Michael D. Bailey, Iowa State University

"""The Medieval Devil is a book for our times. From biblical accounts of the devil to narratives of early trials for witchcraft, this brilliantly selected and superbly annotated collection identifies with precision how ideas about the power of the devil evolved across the Christian Middle Ages.""　 - Sarah Ferber, University of Wollongong ""As Raiswell and Winter note, the medieval devil, chronologically bounded by biblical beginnings and the eve of the early modern witch hunts, is a decidedly slippery character. Yet thanks to this invaluable collection of primary sources, each thoughtfully introduced by the editors and followed by questions for discussion, students of demonology, witchcraft, and the medieval world can more firmly grasp the evolution and impact of one of history's most powerful ideas."" - Michelle D. Brock, Washington and Lee University ""This multifaceted collection of primary sources on the devil and demons provides students with the single most fascinating entry into the medieval world that I have seen. With clear introductions, questions for readers, a helpful bibliography, and captivating illustrations, this volume is a rich and accessible resource for research and teaching."" - Gary K. Waite, University of New Brunswick ""This wide-ranging collection gathers material not just on the devil but also on a host of devils and demons that proliferated in the medieval imagination. Thematic chapters offer varying perspectives on these spirits, as well as related issues like demonic magic, possession and exorcism, and the nature of hell."" - Michael D. Bailey, Iowa State University"

The Medieval Devil is a book for our times. From biblical accounts of the devil to narratives of early trials for witchcraft, this brilliantly selected and superbly annotated collection identifies with precision how ideas about the power of the devil evolved across the Christian Middle Ages. - Sarah Ferber, University of Wollongong As Raiswell and Winter note, the medieval devil, chronologically bounded by biblical beginnings and the eve of the early modern witch hunts, is a decidedly slippery character. Yet thanks to this invaluable collection of primary sources, each thoughtfully introduced by the editors and followed by questions for discussion, students of demonology, witchcraft, and the medieval world can more firmly grasp the evolution and impact of one of history's most powerful ideas. - Michelle D. Brock, Washington and Lee University This multifaceted collection of primary sources on the devil and demons provides students with the single most fascinating entry into the medieval world that I have seen. With clear introductions, questions for readers, a helpful bibliography, and captivating illustrations, this volume is a rich and accessible resource for research and teaching. - Gary K. Waite, University of New Brunswick This wide-ranging collection gathers material not just on the devil but also on a host of devils and demons that proliferated in the medieval imagination. Thematic chapters offer varying perspectives on these spirits, as well as related issues like demonic magic, possession and exorcism, and the nature of hell. - Michael D. Bailey, Iowa State University

Author Information

Richard Raiswell is an associate professor of history at the University of Prince Edward Island. David R. Winter is an associate professor of history at Brandon University.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available