Cynthia Fillmore

Satan, Saints, and Heretics: a History of Political Demonology in the Middle Ages Cynthia Fillmore

In the European Middle Ages, the use of religion to attain political ends was a routine strategy and remains a rich source for research. Politics and religion were so closely intertwined in the Middle Ages, it can be difficult to separate the knots. This book examines one thread: How demonology was used in the politics of power and the evaluation of power players in the Middle Ages? Embattled kings like Henry II of England and Philip the Fair of France could align themselves with the righteous side of the cosmic battle even against similarly embattled popes like Boniface VIII and John XXII. Demonology is a complex, non-linear tradition of texts beginning, at a minimum, with the earliest books of the Old Testament. This book is a history of ideas that demonstrates the importance demonology held in the Middle Ages and the seriousness of charges of heresy, apostasy, sorcery, and witchcraft. Every institution had a responsibility to protect the Christian community against demonic influences and to save souls, and every Christian was a member of the Church Militant acting on behalf of the Church Triumphant.