Demonic possession and exorcism in early modern France

This is a highly original study of possession by demons and their exorcism, which was rife in early modern times, focussing on the place where they were most prevalent, France. Catholics at the time believed that the devil was present everywhere, in the rise of the heretics, in the activities of wi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Ferber, Sarah, 1957- (-)
Formato: Libro
Idioma:Inglés
Publicado: London ; New York : Routledge 2004
Materias:
Ver en Universidad de Navarra:https://innopac.unav.es/record=b17554901*spi
Descripción
Sumario:This is a highly original study of possession by demons and their exorcism, which was rife in early modern times, focussing on the place where they were most prevalent, France. Catholics at the time believed that the devil was present everywhere, in the rise of the heretics, in the activities of witches, and even in the bodies of the pious young women. The rite of exorcism was intended to heal the possessed and show the power of the church - but it generated as many problems as it resolved. Possessed nuns endured frequently violent exorcisms, exorcists were suspected of conjuring devils, and possession itself came to be seen as a form of holiness, elevating several women to the status of living saints. Sarah Ferber offers a challenging study of one of the most intriguing phenomena of early modern Europe; looking also at the present day, it argues that early modern conflicts over the devil still carry an unexpected force and significance for western Christianity.
Descripción Física:227 p. : il. ; 24 cm
Bibliografía:Incluye referencias bibliográficas (p. [198]-218) e índice
ISBN:9780415212649
9780415212656