French nobleman associated with military leadership, criminal trials, and demonological accusations Gilles de Rais (c. 1405-1440) was a French nobleman, military commander, and companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc who became notorious for allegations of murder, sexual crimes against children, and occult practices. In demonological literature, he is referenced not as a demonic entity but as … Read more
Prélati (also spelled Prelati) was a historical figure described primarily as a charlatan of magic, involved notably in alleged necromantic rites connected to Gilles de Rais, a 15th-century French nobleman accused of black magic and murder. Prélati appears predominantly within judicial and ecclesiastical documents detailing trials against Gilles de Rais, but not prominently in classical … Read more
Jean-Siffrein Maury (1746-1817) was a French cardinal, writer, and politician. An anecdote from 1792 recounts a street vendor in Paris who, to attract attention to his pamphlets, shouted ‘Death of Abbé Maury!’ Maury, upon hearing this, reportedly confronted the vendor, gave him a slap, and remarked, ‘Here, if I am dead, at least you will … Read more
Alfred Maury was a 19th-century French scholar who specialized in the study of dreams and sleep. He is known for his work La Magie et l’Astrologie (‘Magic and Astrology’), in which he examined magical and astrological beliefs throughout history. Despite his extensive research on the subject, Maury remained skeptical about the reality of magic. Related … Read more
Emperor Maurice (Mauricius) reigned as Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602 AD. A historical account mentions that in his childhood, Maurice was allegedly abducted multiple times by spirits known as Gelions. The account claims that due to his baptism, these spirits were unable to harm him. Related Posts:Gello or Gilo, Child-Snatching Female DemonAaron, Magician of … Read more
Marissane de Tartras was a woman accused of witchcraft who allegedly abducted a young man named Christoval de la Garrade. According to de la Garrade’s testimony, Marissane, without using any ointments or spells, carried him through the air to a distant sabbat. He claimed to have been punished for refusing to participate in the sabbat. … Read more
Martin Luther (1483-1546): A prominent figure of the Protestant Reformation. Born in Saxony, Germany, Luther was an Augustinian monk and theologian who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. His 95 Theses Related Posts:Belmonte: A Cautionary Tale from the French Wars of Religion20+ German Photographers Who Redefined Artistic ExpressionMythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…Monks
Libanius, a magician born in Asia, who, during the siege of Ravenna by Constance, used magical means to defeat the enemy. Related Posts:Mythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…Apollonius of TyanaComet OmensZincalis, an Early Term for the Romani in Spain and…
Jean-Baptiste Rossi, also known as Gobbino, was an Italian painter active during the 17th century. His nickname, meaning hunchback Related Posts:Regions with the Highest Life Expectancy in EuropeMythological Anatomy: The Hidden Vocabulary of the…The Werewolf in Central European Folklore: Between…Evil Eye: A Curse of Envy Across Cultures
Joseph Glanvill (1636–1680) was an English philosopher, theologian, and writer. He was an Anglican priest and served as rector of the Abbey Church in Bath. While initially a skeptic, he later became a defender of the existence of witches and witchcraft, publishing Philosophical Considerations Touching the Existence of Witches and Witchcraft (1666) and Saducismus Triumphatus … Read more
