About the author
Heinrich Kramer (c. 1430-1505) was a German Catholic clergyman and inquisitor, remembered almost entirely for the Malleus Maleficarum, or Hammer of Witches, first published in Speyer in 1486. The treatise set out theological and legal arguments for the existence of witchcraft and procedures for its prosecution, and it became the most widely circulated and influential witch-hunting manual in early modern Europe, shaping trial practice for two centuries. Kramer is traditionally credited as principal author, though the Dominican theologian Jacob Sprenger is also named on some editions and his exact contribution remains disputed among historians. The catalogue lists several modern reprints of the Malleus Maleficarum from different publishers, including editions from Dalcassian Publishing Company, Theophania Publishing, and Cosimo Classics, reflecting the text's continued use as a primary source for the study of the European witch trials and the Inquisition.
📖 Where to start with Heinrich Kramer
💬 What our editors say about Heinrich Kramer's books
“This treatise is a dense, terrifying document that functions more as a legal guide than philosophy. It is not suitable for readers seeking comfort, moral clarity, or gentle historical narratives. The text’s explicit argument that…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Malleus Maleficarum
“This edition provides a direct window into the 'Witch Hammer's' systematic outline of nefarious practices and demonic influence. It is rigorously scholarly and historically significant, making it a vital resource for academics…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Malleus Maleficarum: The Witch Hammer (Hardcover)
“This treatise is a dense, heavy document not suitable for casual readers seeking entertainment or modern witchcraft practices. It is strictly for those prepared to engage with grim, systematic justifications for brutality. The…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Malleus Maleficarum
📋 Editions by Heinrich Kramer in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malleus Maleficarum | — | Lits | 252 | 9781609420536 |
| Malleus Maleficarum: The Witch Hammer (Hardcover) | 2018 | Lulu.com | 284 | 9781387939664 |
| Malleus Maleficarum | 2023 | Dalcassian Publishing Comp | 326 | 9781088100752 |
| Malleus Maleficarum | 2023 | Dalcassian Publishing Comp | 326 | 9781960069382 |
| The Malleus Maleficarum | 2007 | Cosimo Classics | 292 | 9781605200620 |
| The Malleus Maleficarum | — | Cosimo Classics | 292 | 9781602063846 |
| The Malleus Maleficarum | 2022 | Rt Books | 330 | 9787331767666 |
| Malleus Maleficarum | 2009 | Iap - Information Age Pub. | 256 | 9788562022395 |
| Malleus Maleficarum: Hammer of the Witches | 2011 | Theophania Publishing | 552 | 9781770831759 |
| Malleus Maleficarum | 2018 | Iap - Information Age Pub. | 328 | 9781609423575 |
