Today, as evidenced by the undying popularity of Harry Potter, it seems incomprehensible that a large majority of Western society would ever look upon witchcraft with anything but sparkling adoration. Yet only four centuries ago, it probably was more common to burn witches than read about their marvelous adventures.
Europe of the 15th century was locked in the loosening, albeit terrible grips of the Black Plague. Death and decay besieged the landscape. Fear was rife, and the population was riven with it.
In trying times like these, humanity is best served by coming together. But more often than not, we unfortunately choose to tear ourselves asunder. Scapegoating becomes our primary goal. So it was in the 15th century, when the Pope and various countries labeled "heresy" as a corruption to be purged. Witches became the prime target.
In 1486, the Malleus Maleficarum -- "The Hammer of Witches" -- was written and published at the behest of Pope Innocent VIII. The manuscript called for witches to be hunted down and killed, and even contained instructions on how to recognize, torture, and execute them.
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