At the heart of the shadows of the Middle Ages weave spellbinding tales of witches, mysterious figures combining fascination and fear. These tales, veritable windows onto the medieval imagination, are much more than mere tales: they reflect the fears and hopes of an era rich in tradition. Today, let's plunge into this universe together to explore the diversity of witch legends in Europe at that time.

Introduction

Origins of witchcraft beliefs in the Middle Ages

Pagan and folk roots

The earliest beliefs in witchcraft can be traced back to pagan traditions, where nature and its female deities were worshipped. In small villages, these practices were often passed on orally, shaping the role and perception of women associated with magic within their community.

#### Influence of the Christian religion

The arrival of Christianity marked a turning point with the demonization of pagan cults. The Scriptures and the doctrine of the Catholic Church fueled the fear of acts of witchcraft, quickly associated with a pact with the Devil.

The evolution of the figure of the witch during the Middle Ages

Healing witches and midwives

Healing women or midwives played an essential role, oscillating between ancestral magic and early medical knowledge. They were both respected and feared, holding knowledge that was often unexplained.

Stereotypes: lonely, evil old women

Over the centuries, the stereotype of the reclusive, ugly and evil old woman took root in people's minds. This cliché was fuelled by popular stories and artists of the time.

Influence of texts and works

From the "Canon Episcopi" to the terrifying Malleus Maleficarum , writings succeeded in transforming superstitions into legally and morally justified witch-hunts .

Local legends: regional diversity across medieval Europe

Witches and Celtic legends

In Irish lands, banshees represented the alliance between witches and fairies. British folklore was not to be outdone, with its own enchanted creatures.

Witch-hunting in Germany and France

Each region had its own way of seeing and reacting to the witchcraft phenomenon, with the German Empire and France in particular seeing the birth of famous accusations and trials.

Spain and the Inquisition

Spain, with its fearsome Inquisition, developed a highly structured system of control and persecution, extending religious control over accusations of witchcraft.

Witches in popular culture: from legend to fairy tales

Tales of scary witches in medieval fairy tales

Characters like the witch in Hansel and Gretel have come down to us at through centuries of oral storytelling, becoming moralizing figures in popular culture.

Witches in medieval art

From illuminated manuscripts to carved capitals, witches were often represented, reflecting the evolution of their perception from wise healer to evil entity.

The late Middle Ages: the start of the great witch hunts

The role of collective fear

Epidemics, famines and wars played a significant role in the persecution of witches, exacerbating collective fears and seeking scapegoats .

Institutionalization of trials

The end of the Middle Ages marked an era of witch trials that became public spectacles, under the aegis of an increasingly present Inquisition.

The legacy of witch legends after the Middle Ages

The witch legends of the Middle Ages have changed shape slightly, but are still very much alive, influencing our view of Victorian witches and fantasy series heroines to this day.

Conclusion

Travelling through time, we understand that witch legends in the Middle Ages were more than just stories to scare children; they reflected social tensions, fears and the place of religion. Firmly rooted in our culture, they continue to fascinate, an eternal blend of magic, mystery and history.