Monk against citizen

“Hexenhammer” came from Tyrol – and was an act of revenge

The title page of the "Hexenhammer", first printed in Speyer in 1486, in front of a screenshot of a video installation for the "Hexenküche - Formerly Known As" project.(Bild: Angela Anderson & Ana Hoffner, zVg)

From the 15th to the 17th century, the "Hexenhammer" formed the basis for the Catholic Church's persecution of witches, whose inquisitors victimized tens of thousands of women. What many do not know: The "Hexenhammer" was written after its author, Inquisitor Heinrich Kramer, bit his teeth out on an Innsbruck "witch".

The year is 1485: Helena Scheuberin, an educated, self-confident, middle-class Innsbruck woman, passes Dominican priest Heinrich Kramer on the street and says to him: "You lousy monk! I hope you get the fall sickness!" Kramer then initiates a witchcraft investigation against Helena Scheuberin ...