[COLLECTANEAADAMANT^EA.-XXL]THE HISTORY OF THEBcvilsofXoubun,TheAllegedPossessionofthe UrsulineNuns^and the Triat and ExecutionofUrbainGrandier,TOLD BY ANEYE-WITNESS.TRANSLATEDFROM THE ORIGINAL FRENCH,ANDEDMUNDGOLDSMID,F.R.H.S.,F.S.A.(Scot.)^voinrPKIVATELY PRINTED.EDINBURGH.1887.This Edition is limitedto 275small-paper and75larqe-papercopies.[Facsimile of Tifle-Page.'\LA VERITABLE HISTOIREDESyDe la 'possession desReligieuscsUrsulinesetde la CondamnationB'URBAINGRJNDIER,Par UNTEMOIN.A.POITIERS,ChezJ.Thoreauet laveuve Menier,Imprimeursordinaires du Roietde rUniversitie.M. DC. XX XIV.Digitized bytine Internet Arciiive in 2010 witiifundingfromOpen KnowledgeCommons and Harvard Medical Schoolhttp://www.archive.org/details/historyofdevilsoOOdesn3(ntrotiuction.""o""^"fc^IIE followingextraordinary accountof the/ 1 ^^Cause Celebre" of Urbain Grandier,^M^the Cure ofLoudun,accused ofMagicand ofhavingcausedthe Nuns of theConventof Saint Ursula tobepossessedofdevils,is writtenby an eye-witness,andnotonly aneye- witnessbutanactorin thesceneshe describes.It isprinted at*'Poitiers,chezJ,ThoreauetlaveuveMenier, Imprimeursdu Roietde V Univer-site^ 1634."I believetwocopies only areknown:myown,and theonein the NationalLibrary,Paris. The writer is Monsieur desNiau,Coun- selloratlaFleche, evidently afirm believer inthe absurdcharges brought againstGrandier.8 INTR OD UCTION.Magicappearstohave had itsorigin ontheplainsofAssyria,and theworshipof thestarswasthe creed of thosepastoraltribeswho,pour- ingdown from the mountains of Kurdistan intothe wide level whereBabylonafterwardsraised itsthousandtowers,founded the sacerdotalraceof theChasdimorChaldeans. To thesemen weresoonallotedpeculiar privilegesand ascribedpeculiar attributes, until,under thenameofMagi,they acquiredavastandpermanentinfluence.Theirtemples wereastronomical observatoriesaswellas holy places;and thelegendarytowerofBabel,in the Book ofGenesis,isprobablybutthemythical equivalentofavastedifice consecratedtothestudyof theseven planets, or perhaps, asthe Bab(court or palace)ofBel^ tothe brilliantstarofgoodfortune alone.Availingthemselvesof thegeneraladoration of thestars,theyappeartohave inventedasystemofastrology "theapote-lesmatic science" bywhichthey professed todecideuponthenatureofcomingeventsand thecomplexionof individualfortunes,withespecialreferencetotheplanetaryaspects.In Persiamagicassumeda yet moredefinitedevelopment.The Chaldeans had attributed theoriginof allthingstoa greatcentraleverlastingfire. Thefoundationof the Persiansystem,usuallyascribedtoZerdushtor Zoroaster, wastheexistence oftwoantagonistic principles "Ormuzd,INTRODUCTION.9theprincipleofgood,andAhriman,theprincipleof evil. In Persiaeverythingassociated withscienceor religion wasincluded under the denomi- nation"magic."The Persianpriests werenamed theMagnise or Magi,buttheydidnotarrogateto themselves the entire credit of inter-courseVith thegods. Zoroaster,whowas KingofBactria,madesomereservations for the sake ofexaltingtheregalpower,andtaughtthat thekingswereilluminatedby acelestial fire which emanatedfromOrmuzd. Hence the sacred firealwaysprecededthe monarchas a symbolof his illustriousrank;and Platosaysthe Persiankingsstudiedmagic,which isa worshipof theirgods.Itwas,however,inEgypt,thatmagicreceiveditsdevelopmentas anart.ThemostfamoustemplesinEgypt werethose ofIsis, atMemphisand Busiris;ofSerapis,atCanopus, Alexandria,and Thebes;ofOsiris,ofApis,and Phtha.Isis,the wife ofOsiris,derives hernamefrom theCopticwordI'sz,or plenty,and wouldseemtotypifythe earth;but she isusually representedasthegoddessof themoon (Gr.kerasphdi-os,thehorn-bearing).Isiswasalsoemployed as aper- sonificationofwisdom,andtoacertainextentshemayberegarded as a symbolof theeternalwill,her shrinesbearingtheenigmatic inscription ""Iamthe all thatwas,thatis,that will be;nomortalcanraisemyveil." HoruswasthesonofloINTRODUCTION.Isis, andwasinstructedbyhis mother in theartofhealing. Horus,synonymouswithlight,is theking or spiritof thesun. Astrologicalscience andmagic were earnestlyandeagerlystudiedbytheEgyptian priests.Itwastheirbelief that the differentstarsexerciseda powerfulinfluenceonthe humanbody.Their funeralceremoniesmaybequoted as an illustration,fortheyagreeinsharingamongthe divinities theentirebodyof the dead. ToRa, ortheSun, theyassignedthe head;to Anubis,thenoseandlips;to Hathor,theeyes ;to Selk,the teeth;andsoon.To ascertain thenativitytheastrologerhadonlytocombine thetheoryof the influences thusexercisedbythese star-relatedgodswith theaspectof the heavensatthemomentofanindividual'sbirth. Itwas anelement of theEgyptian aswellasof the Persianastrologicaldoctrine thatapar- ticularstarconstrolled the natal hour ofeveryone.*ThroughtheinstrumentalityofOrpheus, Musseus,Pythagoras,andothers,who had travelled in*To those interested in thestudyof occultscience^thepublicationsandreprintsissuedbyMr. R.Fryar,ofBath, mustprovemostinteresting.AsregardsEgyptian magic, especiallythe artisticreproductionofthe celebrated IsiacTablet,with the learnedessaythereon, byMr,W.Wynn Westcott,is invaluable,Happyis the collector who hassecuredacopy,how- ever,astheedition,like all Mr.Fryar's,isverylimi- ted,only loo copies being printed.INTRODUCTION.iiEgypt,and been initiatedbythepriestsinto theirmysteries, magicfound itswayintoGreece,andthere assumed various noveldevelopments.TheGreeksorcerywas chieflymanifested in thepeculiarrites of theOrpheotelesta,the invocationof thedead,thecaveofTrophonios,the oracles ofthegods,and theworshipof Ilekate. The lattermysterious deity,themoon-goddess, wasthepatrondivinityof thesorcerers.Fromher,asfromoneof thepowersof the netherworld,pro- ceededphantomsthattaughtwitchcraft,hoveredamongthetombs,and hauntedcrosswaysandplacesaccursedbythe blood of the murderedorthe suicide."TheMormo,theCereops,theEmpusa, wereamongthegoblin crewthat did herbidding."Rome borrowed hermagic, noless than herartandliterature,frompoeticHellas. The occultscience doesnotappeartohave been knowntothe Romans until about200yearsbefore theChristianera.Buttheyhadpreviouslycultivatedamodification of the Etruscansorcery,comprisingthe divination of thefuture,theworshipof thedead,the evocation of their lenm7'esor phantoms,and themysticceremonies of theMana-Genita,anocturnalgoddessof awful character. Numawasthegreatteacher of the ancient Romanmagic,whichprobably partookboth ofa religiousandmedical character.12INTRODUCTION.The Christianchurch, attheoutsetof itshistory,forbade thepracticeofpaganmagic,buttaughtwhatmaybe describedas amagicof itsown.BothOrigenand Tertullian held that mania andepilepsy were produced bythe action of demonsorevilspiritsconfined within the bodies of thesufferers,and that theseweretobe exorcisedbycertain forms of words. The churchformally re- cognizedtheefficacyof exorcism in367,when theCoujicilof Laodicea ordained thatonlythoseshouldpractiseit whowere dulyauthorizedbythebishops.Connected withmagicandmagicalriteswerethesupposedcurativepropertiesof therelics ofsaints,and the divineorigin popularlyascribedtovisions and ecstatictrances.In the middleagesmagicasserted itssupremacyoverthe whole of ChristianEurope;but it hadentirelylost thereligiouscharactercommunicatedtoitbythe Chaldeans. It haddegeneratedintothe "black art." It dealtonlywith thenight-sideofnature,with the Evil One and hisimps,with theloathsomepractisesof witchcraft and the enchant- mentsof thenecromancer.The scholarrosesuperiortothis low kind oftheurgy,buthe, too,no longersoughtcommunion with theheavenlypowers ;he devoted all hisenergiestothediscoveryof thephilosopher's stoneand the elixir of eternalyouth,tothesourcesof illimitable wealth andendlesss life.\_Encyc.Nat. ix.p.52].INTRODUCTION,13Bornat Rouvere, near Sable, attheveryend ofthe sixteenthcentury,Urbain Grandierwas curateand Canon ofLoudun.Onobtainingthisliving,he becameso popular a preacherthat theenvyofthe monkswasexcitedagainsthim. Hewasfirstaccusedofincontinency;but, beingacquitted,hisenemiesinstigated some nunstoplaythepartofpersonspossessed,and in theirconvulsions tochargeGrandier withbeingthecauseof theirvisitation.Thishorrible,though absurd, chargewascountenancedbyCardinalRichelieu,who hadbeenpersuadedthat Grandier had satirized him.It is this celebratedcasewhichourcredulousauthor here endeavourstoprove.The readerwill, no doubt,be interested in thewonderful effects saidtohave beenproduced byexorcism." This word isatermappliedtotheactofdriving anevilspirit outofone'possessed, by acommandin thenameofsomedivinepower.Theabilitytoeffect thisbysuchmeanshas beenaccepted as abeliefbypagans,Jews,and Chris- tians,and ceremonialswith thisobject arestill inuseamongthe Roman Catholics and the closerfollowers of theteachingsofLuther,who continuedto keephisopinionsin thisrespectafter theReformation.One of the minor orders of theRoman Catholicclergyexercise thefunction,andit isonlyused incasesofsupposeddemoniacalpossession,in theadministration ofbaptism,and14INTRODUCTION.in theblessingof theholyoilorchrism^and ofholywater. \Nat. Encyc.v., p.389]."Isnotmyword likeas afire ? saith theLord;and likeahammerthat breaketh the rock inpieces?" (Jer.xxiii.29)."Healing by words,that isbythe directexpressionof the mentalpower,"saysVan Hel-mont,"wascommonin theearlyages,particu- larlyin thechurch,andnot onlyusedagainstthedevilandmagic arts,but alsoagainstall diseases.As it commencedinChrist,sowill it continueforever." (Operatiosanandiaprimordiofuit inecclesiaperverba, ritus, exorcismos,aquam,panem,salem, herbas, idquenedumcontradiabo-los etefTectusmagicos,sedetmorbosomnes.Operaomnia,de virtutemagnaverborum etrenwi, p.753).Notonlydid theearlyChristianshealbywords,but the oldmagicians performedtheir wondersbymagicformulas.' 'Manycures,"saystheZendavesta,"are performed byherbs andtrees,othersby water,andagainothersbywords;for it isby meansof the divine word that thesickarethemost surelyhealed." TheEgyptiansalso believed in themagicpowerof words.Plotin curedPorphyrius,wholay dangerouslyillinSicily, bywonder-workingwords;and thelatterhealed the sickbywords,and cast outthedevilbyexorcism. The Greekswerealso wellacquaintedwith thepowerofwords,andgiveINTRODUCTION.15frequenttestimonyof thisknowledgeintheirpoems;in theoracles,exhortation andprayerwereuniversal.Orpheuscalmed thestormbyhissong ;andUlysses stoppedthebleedingofwoundsbytheuseof certain words.AmongtheGreeks, healing bywordswas so commonthat inAthens itwas strictlyforbidden. Awoman wasevenstonedforusingthem,as theysaid that thegodshadgiven healingvirtues tostones, plants,andanimals,butnottowords(Leonard. Varius defascino, Paris, 1587,lib. ii.p.147).Cato is saidtohave curedsprains bycertain words.Accordingto Pliny,he didnotaloneusethebarbaricwords*'motas,daries, dardaries, astaries,"butalsoagreenbranch,fourorfive feetlong,which hesplitintwo,and caused tobe heldovertheinjuredlimbbytwomen.MarcusVarro,it issaid,curedtumours bywords. Servilius Novianus curedaffectionsof theeyesby causing an inscription tobeworn suspendedround theneck,consistingofthe letters A andZ;but thegreatest celebritywas gained bySerenus Sammonicusbyhis wonder- workinghieroglyphics. They weresupposedtobeacertaincureforfever,andwerein the sub- joinedform:"ABRACADABRAB R A C A D A B RR A C A D A BA C A D ACADA16 INTRODUCTION.Talismanswereinscribed with varioussigns;andmanycustomsstill inusein the Eastoriginatefrom them.Angerius Fererius,in his "Veramedendimethodus,lib. ii.c.ii. de homericamedicatione,"speaksveryplainly onthissubject :"Songsand characters havenotalone thispower:it exists also inabelieving mind,which ispro-duced in the unlearnedbythehelpof visiblesigns,and in the learnedby an acknowledgedandpeculiarinfluence."(Non sunt carmina, noncharacteres, quitaliapossunt,sed vis animicon-fidentis, etcumpatiente concordis, utdoctissimea poetadictum sit:Noshabitat, non Tartara,sedneesidera cceli5Spiritusinnobisqui viget,ilia facit.Doctiset rerum intelligentiam habentibus,nihilopusest externis,sedcognitavianimi,perearnmiracula ederepossunt.Indoctusergoanimus,hocest,suae potestatiset naturae inscius,perexternailiaconfirmatus,morboscurare poterit.Doctusveroetsibiconstans,solo verbo sanabitjaut utsimul intactum animumafficiat, externaquoqueassumet.)Theliving Word,which illuminated mankindthroughChrist,showed its divinepoweroverdisease;and thetruefollowers of Christcanperformwondersbythepowerof his word."Etenim sanatio in ChristoDominoincoepit,"saysHelmont, "perapostoloscontinuavitetmodoINTRODUCTION. VJest, atqueperennis permai]et." "Our Lord saidtothe sickman,Arise and walk;and hearoseandwenthisway:openthineeyes;and hesaw :takeupthybed and walk;and he stoodup ;Lazarus, comeforth !and he thatwasdeadcameforth,bound hand and foot withgrave-clothes,and his facewasbound about witha napkin,"c.But what is thisword,which issharperthanatwo-edgedsword ? It is the Divinespirit,which iseverpresent,everactive;it is the Divine breathwhichinspires man.In allages,and ineverynation,there have beenmenwhopossessedmiraculouspowers ;butthey were inspired byreligion "turned towards God inprn.yerandunity.TheAlmighty seesthe heart of thesupplicant,andnotalone their words;heseesthe belief andintention,and notthe rankoreducation.Even thepiousheathensprayed to God;andtheirpeculiar worshipmaintained theconnection,andbroughtaboutastill closerunion,betweenindividuals andGod,and enabledthem,insomemeasure,to piercethe veil ofignoranceand dark- ness.And thepiousheathen endeavoured withall hisenergiestoraise himselftoa moreintimaterelation withGod, and, therefore,a peculiarforcelayin themeans employed;and what could bemore powerfulthanprayer?andGod,in hiscomprehensivelove andaffection, wouldnotleave thesesupplicantsunanswered.Bi8INTRODUCTION.Itwould besuperfluous to enumeratemanyinstancesof theefficacyofprayer,as exemplifiedinpiousandbelievingmen,whichwe mightmeetwith inallages,andamongall nations. In latertimesmanyarewell known. Ishall, however,mentionone,whichappearstomethe clearestandleastdoubtful. Kiersen relatesasfollows:"Iknewa seerwhogained apowerofforetellingthe futurebyprayerduringthenight on a moun- tain,where hewasaccustomedtolieonhis face;and heused thispowerfor the assistance of thesickin themostunpretending manner.Hisvisionsarepartly prosaic, partly poetical,andhavereferencenotonlyto sickness,but alsotootherimportant, andeven political, events, sothat hehas much resemblancetotheprophetsofthe OldTestament."Forthosetowhom the universe isa pieceofclockwork,or a perpetualmotion,whichcon- tinuesmovingforeverof itsownaccord"towhom theeverlastingpowerand wisdom and loveineternityandnatureisas nothing,prayerandsupplicationmustseemobjectlessandinsipid;buttheywillneverbe ableto performthe worksof the soul. Tothese,themagicaleffectsare justas inexplicable (and, therefore, untrue) asthemagical phenomena areunknown.But,with alltheirknowledgeand wisdom of theworld,naturewilleverremaintothema mystery.Cf)e Deails of louBun."ao"oATthebeginningof the17thcentury,thecurateof LoudunwasUrbain Grandier.To those talents which leadtosuccessin thisworld,thismanunitedacorruptionof morals which dis- honouredhis character. His conduct had madehimmanyenemies. Thesewerenot merely rivals,but husbands andfathers,someofhigh position,whowereoutragedatthe dishonour hebroughtontheirfamily.Hewas,nevetheless,awonderfullyproudman,and the bitterness of histongueandthe harshness with which hepursuedhis advan- tagesonlyexcited them themore.And theseadvantageswerenumerous,for he hadamarvelousfacultyforpettifogging.Hisiniquitieshadren- deredhim thescourgeof thetown,whoseprincipalcurateandgreatestscandal hewasatoneand the22 THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.same moment.This isproved bythedispensationsobtainedbymanyfathers of familiestoassistatthe divine service insomeotherparish,andbythepermissions grantedthemtoreceive thesacramentfromsomeother hand.*But whatwasstillmoreseriousis,that while set- tingsomanypeople againsthim,he had been abletoformasformidablea partyof hisown.Thesewerealmost allHuguenots, fof which Loudun*Ourauthor takescarenot tomention that theBishopof the DiocesewasGrandier'sgreatestenemy.fHuguenots,thename giventotheearlyadharentsof the Reformation in France.Theoriginof theword has beenvariouslyaccountedfor,but itwasmostprobablyintroduced fromGermanyas acorruptionofthe German-SwissEidgenossen^confederates, orthoseboundtogether by anoath. Likemanyothernamesitwasfirstgiven byopponentsas a badgeofreproach,andsubsequentlybecame honourable from its associations.Themovementof the Reformation made itsappear- anceinFranceatthebeginningof the sixteenthcen-turyjandattheperiodwhen Lutherwasdefendingitsprinciplesbefore the Diet of"Worms,Briconnet,bishopofMeaux, Lefevre,and Farelwerelabouring,zealouslyfor thesame causein France. Atfirst thenewdoctrines,which seemedtobechieflydirectedagainstthemoreopensins and derelictions of theclergy, enjoyedthe toleration of theking,Francis 1..THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.23wasthen full. He hadgainedtheirgoodgracessomuch thatthey upheldhimtotheutmostofand his sisterMargaretofValois,thequeenofNavarre, was anactivesupporterof thecause.As itprogressedhowever,the alarm andangerof theclergybecamefully aroused,andas someof its mani- festationshadgivenoffencetotheking, adeterminedeffortwasmadeto extirpateitby meansof fireandsword. In1535asolemnprocessionin vindication ofthe faithwas mide at Paris,in which thekingwalkedbareheaded andbearing ataperjaspartof thepro- ceedingssix Lutheranswereburned, havingtheirtonguescut outandbeingaffixedtoamovablegallows,,whichalternately roseandfellover afirekindledbeneath. Thiswasfollowedbymanyexecutionsofasimilarkind,andbythemorewholesaleslaughterswhich exterminated the Vaudois ofProvence5butinspiteof thesepersecutionsthe numberof thosewhoadoptedtheprinciplesof the Reformationcon- tinuallyincreased. Under the influence ofCalvin,whotookverygreatinterest in the work of the Reforma- tioninFrance,the French Protestants about themiddle of the sixteenthcentury began toorganizethemselvesintochurches,and tounite thesechurchesintogroupsordistricts for thepurposesofmutual aidand counsel.The first French Protestant churchwasestablishedatParis in1555,andverysoonafter- wardsotherswereestablished inmostof thelarge"24THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.theirpower.Thisgaverisetothesuspicionthathewasmerely adisguisedCalvinist;a by uotownswheretheprinciplesof the Reformation hadobtainedfollowers.These churcheswereestablishedaccording tothePresbyterian form, apastorbeingappointed astheleader,with elders and deacons toassist in thegovernmentandworship,each churchbeing independentof therest,thoughseveralchurchesmightcombine inanymovementfor their mutual"benefitorfor thepromotionof theircommon cause.Thefirstsynodof the reformed churcheswasheldatParisin1559.Atthisassembly, towhich elevenchurches sent deputies, aconfession of faith andaseriesof articles ofdiscipline weredrawnupandissued,and these,withafewalterations,became sub- sequentlythedoctrinal and ecclesiastical standards ofthe Protestantsof France. It isnoteasytoestimatethenumberof theHuguenotsatthisperiod,but accord- ingtoBezathey were notless than400,000,andthepartyincludedabout one-third of thenobilityofFrance.Thepersecutionsof the Roman Catholicparty,hov/ever,had becomemorefierce and intolera- bleasthe number of the Protestantsincreased,andatlastdriven to desperation,theHuguenotstookuparmsin theirowndefence andsoughttochangethegovernmentin order thatthey might gain libertyo^worship.In February, 1560, ata meeting at Nantesjtheyresolved to petitiontheking,FrancisII.,forTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.2$meansunusualoccurrence.ThusGrandier,be- lievinghimselfsafe,putnoboundstohisaudacity.libertyofworshipand for the removal of thetwobrothers,Francis duke ofGuise,and Charles ofLorraine,cardinal andarchbishopofRheims,whowerethe real rulers of thekingdomand the foremostin thepersecution.In theeventofarefusaltheyconspired toseize thepersonof thekingandappointtheirown leader,LouisI.,princeof BourbonConde,as governor-generalof thekingdom.Theconspiracyfailedcompletely,andaterriblevengeancewasexacted:some 1 200of theHuguenots were slaughteredwith- outinvestigation or trial,their bodiesbeing flungintothe Loire until thestreamwasalmost chokedbythenumber. InJanuary,1562, owing topoliticalchangesinFrance,Catherine de Medicisbeing obligedtorelyuponthe aid of the Protestantpartyin defence ofhersonCharlesIX.,whowasunderage,anedictwasissued whichgavetheHuguenotnoblemen therighttothe free exercise of theirreligion ontheirown"estates.A few monthsonlyafter thisapartyofHuguenot worshippersin the littletownofVassy,intheprovinceofChampagne, wereattackedbytheDuke of Guise and hisfollowers, sixty beingslainuponthespot,and200 more severely, some mortally,wounded. For thisbutcheryhewasreceived withacclamationbythepeopleofParis,and emboldenedbyhisreceptionheseizeduponthepersonsof the26THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN."Hetreated those from whom he differed withcon- tempt,and in hispreachings evendaredtoquestionyoungkingand thequeen-mother,andproclaimedtheProtestants rebelsagainsttheroyal authority.Thelatter rallied round the standard raisedbyCondeatOrleans,andthe civilwar wascommenced whichwastodevastate France fornearly thirtyyears.At theoutsettheHuguenots weredefeatedatRouen,nthSeptember, 1562,andagainat Dreux, 19th December,thesameyear.In1563thetreatyof Amboisewasconcluded,but itsstipulations wereobservedbyneitherparty,and thewar was soon recommenced,theHuguenots being againdefeated lothNovember, 1567,at St. Denis. Reinforcedbyaid fromGermany, theywereabletothreatenParis,but their leader Condeallowed himselftobeagainduped byCatherine deMedicis,andsignedthepeaceofLongjumeau,^'leav- inghispartyatthemercyof theirenemies,withnoothersecuritythan the word ofanItalianwoman."Thequeen-mother, as soon asthepressureofdangerwasremoved, promptlyrecommencedthepersecution,and withinafew monthsseveral thousands of theHuguenots wereeither assassinatedor publicly ex- ecuted.Conde andColignyfledto LaRochelle,wherethey were joined bythegueenof Navarreandherson Henry,afterwardsHenryIV. ofFrance, atthe head of4000men.Assistancewasalso receivedfromGermanyandEngland,and the thirdwarof28THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.episcopal jurisdiction,by grantingdispensationsfrom thepublicationofmarriagebanns.Thisaccession ofHenryof Navarre in1589.Hisreignmarksa tranquil periodin thehistoryof the FrenchProtestants,and in1598 theyobtained the celebratedEdict ofNantes,whichthoughitgrantedthem lessthantheyhadanticipated, wasyetforalong periodthe foundation of theirliberty.Theperiodsucceed- ingthereignofHenryIV.wasmarkedby numerousoutbreaksonthepartof theHuguenots,whoweredistrustful of theplansandpurposesof the Frenchcourt,andultimatelyCardinal Richelieu determinedto finallybreak theirpowerbythecaptureof theirchiefstronghold.La Rochelle. This he effected in1628,and with its fall and thesubsequentsurrenderof theremainingProtestanttownsthereligious warsof Francecame finallytoanend. Still theHuguenotswereleft in theenjoymentof freedom ofreligion,andbeingexcluded from thecourtand service of thestate,theydevoted themselvestomanufacture andcommerceuntiltheybecame the industrial leaders of the nation.Theyfollowedagriculturein the ruraldistricts,andtheir farmswereamongthe finest in France. Thewine trade ofGuienne,the cloths ofCaen,the maritimetradeonthe sea-board ofNormandy,the manufacturesin the north-westernprovinces,the silk trade ofLyons,withmanyother branches ofcommerce,werealmostentirelycarriedon bytheHuguenots,who boreTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.29lastactcausedasensation,andwas reportedtoLouis de laRocheposay, BishopofPoitiers, toa high reputationforindustryandintegrity evenamongtheir enemies. TheconsoHdation of thepowerof thekingwas,however, fraughtwithdangertotheliberties of theProtestants,andasLouis XIV. in hisdecliningyearsbecamemorbidly superstitious,hesought,under the direction of Madame de Maintenonandhis confessorLachaise, to atonefor hisowncrimesbythesuppressionofheresy.At firstbribery wastried,anda regularfund of secret-servicemoneywassetapartforprocuringconversions. Thenpersecutionwas recommenced,andmanythousandswereterrifiedintoabjuringtheirreligion bythemeansof theDragonnades,Finally,in1605Louis revoked the Edict ofNantes,,and followedupthe revocation with laws of terrificseverity againstProtestantism. All Protectantw.orshipwasforbidden underpenaltyofarrestand confiscationofproperty.Ministersweretoleave thekingdomwithin fourteendaysunlesstheybecameconverted.All Protestant schoolswere closed,and all childrenborn after thepassingof the lav/weretobebaptizedand broughtupasRoman CatholicsjallmarriageSyunless celebratedbythe Roman Catholicclergy, weredeclarednull,andthe Protestantlaity were strictlyprohibitedfromleavingthekingdom.Theprovisionsof the edictwerecarriedoutwith30THE DEVILS OFLOUDUN.whom, atthesame time,wereaddressednumerouscomplaintsof theirregularconduct of thecuraterelentlessrigour,anda desperate flightof theHuguenotsensued.Manythousands had been forcedtoemigratebythedragonnades,butnowtheflightbecame whole- sale,thougheveryefforttocheck itwasmadebytheauthorities.Vauban,whowroteayearafter therevocation,estimated the loss of Franceat100,000inhabitants, 60,000,000francs inspecie,9000sailors,12,000veterans,600officers,and hermostflourishingbranches of manufacture and trade. Sismondicon- sidersthe losstohave exceeded300,000 men,whilesomemodern estimatesputthe number lostduringthe wholeperiodof thepersecutionat notlessthan1,000,000.Alargenumberabjuredtheirreligion,butaremnantremained who neither flednor abjured,and whose endurance and determinationduringthelongyearsofpersecutionthat followed formoneofthemostremarkable of therecords ofreligious history.The loss of Francewasthe enrichment of otherlands,andEngland, America, Germany, Switzerland,Den- mark,Sweden,and Holland allprofited bythe adventof theemigrants.It is estimated thatduringthetenyearsthat followed the revocationnearly80,000oftheHuguenotsestablished themselves inEngland,andtheirinfluenceuponthe trade and manufactures ofthecountry wasbothwidespreadandlasting.Theongwindowsof the silk-weavers' houses still markTAE DEVILS OFLOUDUN.3^and of thescandal he caused. Theprelatehadhimarrested,andimprisonedtill histrial,whichthequarterofSpitalfields, London,wherenotsovery-longsinceaconsiderable Frenchcolony,withEnglishassistants,droveathriving trade, though nota weaverisnowtobe found there.Themajorityof theHuguenots, however,becamemergedin thegeneralpopulationofEngland,and theirdescendantsheartily acceptedthechangeofnationality.Manyof the latter have since attainedto eminence intheiradopted country,andare tobe foundamongtheleaders of the nation in all branches of itsactivity.Similar resultsmaybe traced in other nations wheretherefugeestookuptheirabode,and it is said thatwhen theEmperorofGermanyrode into Parisatthehead of his victorioustroopsatthe close of thewarin1 871, notless thaneightymembers of hispersonalstaff-weredescendantsof theHuguenotswho had beendrivenby persecutionfromFrance.Duringtheearlypartof theeighteenthcenturytherigourof thepersecution v:asmaintained,butgradu- allythespiritof theagebegantobeaversetosuchmethods ofmaintainingthepowerof thepriesthood,and the interference ofVoltaire,after thejudicialmurder ofJohn Calas,did much towardsbringingthepersecution toanend. In1787 anedict of Louis XVI.restored civilrights totheHuguenots,and the Revolu- tionof1789and thepassinglaterof the Code32THE DEVILS OF LOUDIJN.tookplace onthe 2ndJune 1630,when hewascondemnedtofastonbread andwatereveryFridayfor threemonths,forbiddentoofficiate inthe diocese for fiveyears,and interdicted for alltime fromperformingdivine service in thetownofLoudun. Grandierappealed againstthissentencetotheMetropolitan,M. d'Escoubleau deSourdis,ArchbishopofBordeaux,and since then createdCardinal;and theprosecution appealedtotheparliamentof ParisagainstthisattempttoevadeNapoleongavethemequal rightswith Roman Catho- lics,Atthepresenttime the Protestants of Francenumber about500,000,andmanyof theirpastorsreceiveasmallsalaryfrom thestate. Theyneverthe- lessenjoy acousiderableamountofself-government,andtheyhaveanexcellentreputation asindustriousandorderlycitizens. In the Protestantchurches ofFrance, asin those of othercountries,there isatendencytodivideoverthequestions arisingfrom theprogressofscripturaland historical criticism. Someof the leadersarewell known for the liberalism oftheirideas,and for the worktheyhave done incon- nectionwith the advancement of the science oftheology,whileothers, fearingtheRationalizing ten- denciesof modernstudies, cling more " closely totheCalvinistic standards of their forefathers.[See"His- toryof the Rise of theHuguenots," byProf. M.Baird, 1880.]THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.^3thejurisdictionof theBishop.Butasmany-witnesses hadtobeheard, mostof whom livedin thediocese,theparliamentremitted thecasetothe Courts of Poitiers. Grandierwasthusen- abledtoface hisadversaries,thankstothe friendshe had in the district. Thefollowingfactprovesthis.Amongstotherwitnesses, twopriests,GervaisMechin,and Louis Boulieaudeposedthattheyhad found Grandierlyingwithwomenandgirlsflatonthegroundinhis.Church,thegatesleadingtothestreet beingshut;that severaltimes, atextraordinary hours,bothduringthedayandduringthenic^ht theyhadseen womenandgirlscometohisroom;thatsomeremained there fromoneo'clock in theafternoon,tillpastmidnight,and had theirsuppersbroughttherebytheir maid- servants;who usedtowithdrawatonce;thattheyhad alsoseenhim in hisChurch,with thedoors wideopen,and,thatsome women havingentered, they were atonceclosed.Such evidencewasabsolute ruintoGrandier "consequentlyhis friends moved heaven and earth.Theyusedbriberyand threatsagainstthesepriests,and obtained from themaretractation of theirevidence. ReneGrandier,brother of theaccused,wroteit with hisown hand,as wasafterwardsproved,and thetwo priests signedit. This-evidencedestroyed,the cabal had little trouble inc34 THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.turningthelegal proceedingstotheadvantageofGrandier.The Court of Poitierspronouncedhisacquittalof thecharges brought againsthim. Hewas so triumphant,that he insulted his enemies andtreated them withpubliccontempt,asif hewereentirely'outof thewood,'lie hadyettoappearbefore the tribunal of theArchbishopofBordeaux^,to whom he hadappealed.But hereagainhisfriendsstoodby him,and he obtainedasecondacquittalandanorderreinstatinghim in all hisfunctions(22ndNov.1631).The verdictcon- taineda warning tohim"tobehave well anddecently,accordingtotheHolyDecretals andCanonicalConstitutions."At thesametime,theArchbishop,in view of theanimosityof Idsadversaries,thoughtit would bebetter and safer for himtoexchange livings;andhe advised himto leave.atownwhere hewaslookeduponwith such disfavour.Grandier didnotthinkpropertofollow theadviceor obeythe order:far fromshowingthemodestywhichwas enjoinedhim,he lookeduponhisacquittalas a triumph,and returned toLoudunwithalaurel branch in hishand,for themerepurposeofinsultinghisopponents.Neutralpersonswereshockedatsolittle mod- estyofconduct,his enemieswereirritated,andevenhis friends blamed him. Withoutpausinganinstant heset toworktoobtaineveryadvan-36 THE DEVILS OF LOU DUN.ofpupils.Thenuns weretherefore enabled,witheconomy,tomake endsmeet,and could lookforwardtothe future with confidence.The MotherSuperior,Madame de Belfiel,daughterof theMarquisdeCose, wasrelated toM. deLaubardemont,Counsellor of Stateandafterwards Intendent of theprovincesofTouraine,Anjou,and Maine. Madame de Sazilliwas aconnection of the Cardinal de Richelieu.Thetwoladies deBarbesiers, sisters, belongedtothehouse ofNogeret.Madame de laMothewasdaughterof theMarquisde la Motte BaraceinAnjou.TherewasalsoaMadamed'Escoubleau,of thesame nameandfamilyastheArchbishopof Bordeaux. Thustheycould flatter themselveswith dreamsoffuturesuccesses,whenthey happenedtolose their PriorMoussaut,who hadchargeoftheirspiritualwelfare.Asuccessorhadnowtobesought.Grandier,who hadneverhadanyconnection with thecon- vent,offered himself neverthelessas acandidate.Theproposal was scornfully rejected;and theSuperior,Madame deBelfiel,hadagreatquarrelwithoneof herfriends,whourgedhertoappointthispriest.The choice of theconventfellonCanonMignon,a manof considerablemerit,andin whomspiritual giftswere only equalled byintellectualones. Grandier,alreadyirritatedathisown wantofsuccess,wasstillmore annoyedTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN. 37atMignon's appointment.The contrastin allpointsbetween his character and that of theCanonwastoogreatforanyother resulttohavebeen looked for.Everyhonestmantakesapridein the blamelessness of hisprofession,and cannotlookfavourably on a colleaguewho dishonours It^nor speak favourablyof him. Thecurate,then,hadnothing toexpectfrom theCanon,whowasveryintimate with theBishop,*and he hadalreadybeen madeawareof theopinions Mignonhadexpressed atthe time of the first trial. Thesecircumstanceswere not likely toinduce Grandiertolook witha kindlyeyeonhis successfulcom- petitor,and heconsequentlydeterminedto giveplentyof worktothe confessor andtohispeni- tents.Of the various functions thepriestis calleduponto perform, none requiressuchdelicacyoftreat- mentastheministryof the tribunal of Penitence.t*Thefriendshipof theBishopwouldaccountforMignon'senvytowards Grandier.fWhen and under what circumstancesconfession,eitherpublic or private, wasfirst deemedabsolutelynecessaryfor the remission of sins isa subjectofcon- troversy.InnocentIII.,in the fourth LateranCouncil, A.D. 1215(Canon 21),made confession(meaningauricularor private) obligatoryupon everyadultpersononceayearjand that continuestobe38'THEDEVILS OF LOUDUN.It becomes stillmoredelicate where thecon- sciencesofnuns areconcerned. But the burdenisintolerable,and few could bearit,ifextra- ordinaryagenciesare employedtoincreasethedifficulty.Theanxietyofanewly-'appointedconfessor in suchasituation wouldbe, easilyunderstoodby Grandier,and would tend toconsolehim for hisfailure inobtainingthe covetedposition.However thismaybe, extraordinarysymptomsbegantodeclare themselves within theconvent,oneof the rules of the Roman Catholic churchtothepresentday.The Council ofTrent,in itsCatechism,defines ittobe"adeclarationbythepenitentof hissins madetoa priestin ordertoreceive thepenanceand absolution."Penitence, therefore,consists offourparts"confession, contrition,penance,and absolu- tion;and it isapositivedoctrine of thesame church,that without theconcurrenceof all thesepartsorconditions thesacramentis null and void. Thepenancewhich thepriest imposesconsistsgenerallyofsatisfactiontobegivenif thepenitenthasinjuredanyonein hisproperty,honour,"c.,ina mannerthatcanadmit ofreparation,and also ofprayers,abstinence,orotherreligious practices tobeperformed.Thesecrecyimposed onconfessors is strict anduncon- ditional;whatever be the crime of whicha penitentmayaccuse himself, they are solemnlyboundto keepTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.39butthey werehushedupasfaras possible,andnotallowedtobe known outside the walls. Todo otherwise would have beent" givethenewinstitutiona severe blow,andtoriskruiningitatits birth. This thenunsand their confessorunderstood. Itwastherefore decidedtoworkin thegreatestsecrecy,andtocure,oratleastmitigate,the evil.Itwas hopedthatGod,touchedbythepatiencewith which the chastisementwas borne,wouldHimself,in Hismercy,senda remedy.itsecret,underthemostseveredenunciations andpenalties,both here andhereafter,that ofexcommuni- cationincluded.The box in which thepriestsits inthe churchtohear thepenitentis calledaconfessional.But theactof confessionmaybeperformed outofchurch,inprivate houses,orinanyplace,inshort,ofwhich thebishopapproves,providedit benotwithinhearingofany personexceptthepriestand thepenitent.The Greek Church retains thepracticeofauricularconfession,but differs from that of Rome inthe form of the absolution.The reformed churchesdo notas aruleencouragethepractice,and in Scotlandit isnoteven recognized.In the Church ofEngland,althoughadmittedbythePrayer Book, private con- fessionhaslongbeen viewed withextremesuspicion,,but of lateyearsattemptshave been madeby acertainsectiontorevive it.4b THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.Thiswasall thatprudencecoulddevise,buthumanprudence, always infinitelylimited in it"views;Divineprudenceisquiteanotherthing.God had resolved that themysteryofiniquityshouldno longerlie buried. As thechurch, atitsbirth,gainedgreatcreditthroughsimilarevents,* soagain,in thiscase,didthey serve torevive thefaith oftrue believers,andsoit will beagaininfuture times.Loudunwasfatedtobeholdeventsof thisnature,andthey weretoproducetheirordinaryeffect, viz.,toenlightenthose whoseconsciences,though distorted,hadpreserved someremnantsoforiginal good,andtoblind souls darkenedwithpride,and hearts full ofperversity.Asusually happens,theextraordinary pheno-nomena displayedin thepersonsof thenuns weretaken for the effects of sexual disease. Butsoonsuspicions arosethatthey proceededfromsuper- naturalcauses;and atlastthey perceivedwhatGod intendedeveryonetosee.Thus thenuns,afterhaving employedthephysiciansof thebody, apothecariesand medicalmen,were obliged tohaverecoursetothephysiciansof thesoul,andtocall in bothlayandclericaldoctors,their confessorno longer beingequaltotheimmensityof the labour. Forthey*The reference isevidently toMarkXVI.,p.17and iS.THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.4Iwereseventeenin number;andeveryonewasfound tobe eitherfully possessed, or partiallyunder the influence of the Evil One.All this couldnottakeplacewithoutsomerumours spreadingabroad; vaguesuspicionsfloatedthroughthecity;had thesecret evenbeenkept bythenuns,their smallmeanswouldsoonhave been exhaustedbytheextraordinaryexpensesthey wereputtointryingtohide theiraffliction,andthis,togetherwith the number ofpeople employedinrelieving them,musthavemade themattermore orlesspublic.But theirtrialswere soonincreased when thepublic wasatlast madeacquaintedwith theirstate.The factthatthey were possessedof devils droveeveryonefrom theirconventasfromadiabolicalresidence,or asif their misfortune involved their abandon- mentbyGod andman.Even those who actedthusweretheir best friends. Others lookeduponthesewomen as mad,anduponthose who tendedthemasvisionaries.For,in thebeginning, peoplebeingstillcalm,hadnotcometoaccusethem ofbeing impostery.Theirpupils werefirst taken from them;mostof their relations discarded them;andtheyfoundthemselves in thedeepestpoverty.Amidst themosthorrible vexations of the invisiblespirit,they wereforcedtolabour with theirhands, to-earntheir bread. WhatwasmostadmirablewasD42THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.that the rule of thecommunity was neverbroken.Neverwere theyknowntodiscontinue theirreligious observances, nor wasdivine serviceeverinterrupted.Everunited, theyretained unbrokenthe bonds ofcharitywhich bound themtogether.Theircourageneverfailed,and when the seizurewaspast,theyusedto return totheir workorattend the services of the Church with thesamemodestyand cahnnessasin thehappy daysofyore.I know that malice willnotbepleasedatsucha pleasing portraiture.But this basefeeling,toonatural in the humanheart,should be banishedthencebyallmenofhonour,who know itsinjusticeandonly requirethathistoryshouldbe truthful.Probabilityitself is in favour ofourstatements.For when Godpermits ustobeattackedso violently by our commonenemy,itisas atrialto ourselves, to sanctify usandraiseustoa high degreeofperfection,andsimultaneouslyHepreparesusforvictory,andgrantsus extraordinarygrace,whichwehaveonly toassimilate andprofit by.It becamenecessarytohaverecoursetoexor- cisms.This word alone is forsome people asubjectofridicule,asif it had beenclearly provedthatreligionismere follyand the faith of thechurchafable. True Christiansmustdespisethesegrinning impostors. Exorcisms, then,wereemployed.Thedemon,forcedto manifest him-THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.[COLLECTANEA ADAMANTy"A.-XXI.]THE HISTORY OF THEIDevils ofILoubun,TheAllegedPossessionofthe UrsulineJVuns,a?id the Trial and Executio7iofUrbainGrandier,TOLD BY AN EYE-WirNES5.TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINALFRENCH,ANDEDMUNDGOLDSMID, F.R.H.S.,F.S.A.(Scot.)^volTilprivately printed,edinburgh.1887.ThisEditionis limitedto 275*smalUpaper copies^and75*large-paper copies.Cf)e Detiils of iLouflim,"8-"-8=PA P T II.THEdeclaration of the EvilSpiritcouldnotfailtomakea greatcommotion,andtohave results whichrequired precautions tobe takenatonce.TheCanon,likeawiseman,puthimself in communication withJustice,andinforrqedthemagistratesy^i whatwas passing attheconvent, onthe ilthOctober, 1632.Gran-dier, preparedfor allcontingencies,hadalreadytaken hismeasures. Manyof themagistratesbelongedtothenew religionandwerefavourableto him, lookinguponhimas asecretadherent;theyserved himasheexpected.At thesametime,he made allpossible useof hisextraordinarytalentsforpettifogging, presented petition onpetition, questionedeverystatementof theexorcists and of thenuns,threatened theircon-6THE DEVILS OF LOU DUN.fessorMignon, complainedthat hisreputationwas attacked,and that themeans werethus takenfrom him ofdoingthegoodhisposition required,and demanded that thenunsshould be lockedupand the exorcisms beputanendto.lie knewwellenoughthat his demandswereoutof thequestion,and that civiljusticehasnothingtodowith the exercise ofreligiousfunctions. But hewished,ifpossible, toembarrass theexorcists,and commit thejudgeswith thebishops,or,atanyrate,throw discordamongthem,andgivehisCalvinistsan opportunityofcrying out;hesuc- ceeded.Themagistrates separated.Onlythose whowerefavourabletohim remained:therestceasedtoappearattheexorcisms,andMignon soonwithdrew from theconvent.Excitementroseinthepublic mind,athousandargumentsonthisorthat sidepermeatedthetown,andathousandquarrelstookplace onall sides.Thisexcitement, however,and thesedisputessettlednothing,and theexorcisms,whichcon- tinued,hadnobetter result. Grandiertriumphed,and his friends admired hiswit,hisskill,andproclaimedaloud that he could be convicted ofnothing,noteven as regardswomen,althoughtheyknew well how far he hadgonein thismatter.Untilnow,the Court had takennonoticeof.the affair;but the noise it hadmade inIS THE DEVILS OF IMlTmJJU.Nothinglesswasneededto bring to justice aman upheld by aseditious andenterprisingparty,"andsowell versed in the details of chicannerie:anartalwaysshameful inany man,butespeciallyto anecclesiastic. TheKingissuedatthesametimetwo decrees, to arrestandimprisonGrandierand hisaccomplices.Armed with suchpowers,the Commissioner didnotfearto attacka manwho hadsooften succeeded ingainingeitheranonsuiton some questionofform,orinturningaccusationstohisown advantage, orelsedraggingout proceedings tosucha lengthastowearyhisadversaries and hisjudges.TheCalvinists, alreadyirritatedattherazingofthe Castle which served themas a rallying placein times ofrebellion,criedout againstthisnewtribunal,becausethey sawthat itwasthe solemeansofrenderinguseless the knaveries of theirfriend. Buttheycriedoutmuch louder whenthe Commissioner arrested theaccused,withoutwaitingforinformations,and seized all hispapers.As if itwerenotwell knownthat,in criminalmatters,this mode ofproceedingis usual. Inthiscaseitwas absolutelynecessary.For,with- outthisprecaution,Grandiermighthavel^ed,anddefendedhimself fromafar, engagingtheatten- tionofjudges,who hadplentyof work elsewhere.Hemight evenhave raised tumults in thecity,whichmighthave necessitated violent remedies.THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.9Theseprecautions being taken,the Commis- sionercommenced hisinvestigation,andproceededtohear witnessesonthe17thDecemVjer, 1633.The Commissionernowlearned of what Grandierand hispartywere capable.The witnessesweresointimidated thatnonewouldspeak,and itrequiredall theRoyal Authority toreassurethem.He therefore issuedaproclamation forbiddingtheintimidation ofwitnesses,underpenaltyofprose- cution;and theBishopof Poitiershavingsup- portedtheKing's decision,thetwo priests,GervaisMechin and MartinBoulieau,who had been forcedto retracttheir evidence in the formertrial,pre- senteda petitionin whichtheydeclared thattheyhad been seduced and constrainedbyseveralpersonsinauthority torecall theirevidence,andthey nowaffirmed their first evidencetobetrue.The evidence of thenuns wasalsoheard,andthat oflaypersonsof bothsexes,amongstothers oftwowomen,theoneof whom confessedhavinghadcriminal relations withGrandier,and that he hadofieredtomake her Princess ofMagicians,whilstthe second confirmed the evidence of the first.**Ourforefathers,ifnotmoremoral thanourselves,certainly punished immorality,ivhendhccucred,muchmore severely, asis witnessedbythefollowingpro- clamation:""^William bythe Grace ofGod, Kingof Great10 THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.Asregardsthenuns,they deposedthatGrandierhad introduced himself into the convent by dayBritain,Franc3 andIreland,Defenderof the FaithjTo. . .Macers of OurPrivy Council, Messengersat Arms,Our Sherifs in thatpart,conjunctlyandseverally, specially constitute, Greeting :Forasmuchas,notwithstandingof themanygoodLaws and Actsof Parliament madeagainst Prophaneness,and for therestrainingandsuppressingof Viceand Immoralities,thesamedo stillabound, tothegreatdishonour ofGod,theReproachof thetrueProtestantReligion,andtothe hurt andprejudiceof the Peace andGovernmentof the Realm5And Webeing resolved,asit hath alwise been OurCare,tohave these Lawsand Acts of Parliamentputin due andvigorousExecution;Andconceivingthat thePrintingandpublishingofanabreviat of the saids Actsduelycollected,and laidtogether,for the better InformationandInstruction of all OurJudges,Officers andMinistersof theLaw,and also of all Our othergoodSubjects,maybe ofspecialUse andAdvantage,for their better Observation andExecution, accordingtotheir full Tenor and Intent:Therefore,and inAnswer toan Address, presentedtothe Lords of OurPrivy Council, bythe Commissioners of the lateGeneralAssemblyof this Church for that effectjWe with Advice of the saids Lords of OurPrivyCouncil,havethought fit,and dohereby appointtheTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN. IIandnightfor fourmonths,wiihoutanyoneknow- inghow hegotin;that hepresentedhimselftoAbreviat and List of thesaids Actsheretosubjoinedtobe Printedandduely published atall the MercatCrosses of the HeadBurghsof theShires, Stewartries,Regalitiesand Balllaries of this Realm:Andfarder,that in all timecoming,thispresentProclamation,with the Abreviat and List theretosubjoined,bepublicklyread twiceeveryYear in all the ParochChurches andCongregationswithin thisKingdom,towit, onthe first LordsDayafter each Term of Whit- sundayand Martinmasyearly,after the ForenoonsSermon,and before thedissolvingof theCongrega- tionjand that allPresbyteriesbe carefultohavethis Publicationconstantlyandsolemnlymade inailChurches within theirBounds,with suitable andpertinent Exhortations, as tlieywill be answerablejAnd WeperemptorlyCommand andCharge,allJudges,Magistratsand Officers of the Law v.'hatso-ever,each of them within their Boun Is andJurisdic- tions,andas they aretheretorespectively impowered,tobe carefultoputthe foresaidsLswsabove,andaftermentioned, todue andexactExecutionupontheirhighest peril.Follows the List and Abbreviatof the Lawsagainst Prophaneness,and forsuppressingof Vice andImmorality, imo.Acttwentyone,Charlessecond,Parliamentfirst,Sessionfirst,En-titu'.ed.Actajainstthe Crime ofBlasphemy,that12 THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.themwhilststanding atdivine service andtemptedthemto indecent actions bothbyword and deed;whosoevernotbeing.distracted in hisWits,shall railupon,orCurseGod, oranyof the Persons of theBlessedTrinity,shall beprocessedbefore the ChiefJustice,andbeingfoundGuilty,shall bepunishedwith Death:Asalso,whosoever shalldenyGod, oranyof thePersons of the BlessedTrinityjandobstinatlycontinuetherein,being processedandfoundGuilty,shall bepunishedwith Death.Item,The Act of Our firstParliament,Sessionfi*th, Cap.Eleventh, Ratifyingthe foresaid Act;And farderStatuting,that whoever hereafter shall in their Writ- ingor Discourse, Deny Impugn or Quarel, Argue orReasonagainsttheBeingofGod, oranyof thePersons of the BlessedTrinity, ortheAuthorityoftheHoly Scripturesof the Old and NewTestament,orthe Providence ofGod,in the Government of theWorld,shall for the first Fault bepunishedwithImprisonment,ayand whilethey givepublickSatis- factionin SackclothtotheCongregationin whichthe Scandalwascommitted;Andfor thesecondFault,theDelinquentshall be fined inayearsvaluedRent of hisrealEstate,and thetwenty partof hisfreepersonalEstate,theequalhalf of which Fmestobeapplyedtothe Poor of the Paroch where the Crimeshall becommitted,andthe other halftotheInformer,besides his-being Imprisoned,ayand while heagainTHE DLVILS OF LOUDUN. 13thatthey wereoften struckbyinvisiblepersons ;and that the marks of the blowswere sovisiblemake Satisfactionasabove;And for the thirdFault,he shall bepunished by Death, as anobstinat Blas- phemer:And allMagistratsand Ministers of theLaw,andJudgesin thisKingdom, areAuthorised andRequired toputthis Act in Executionastothe firstFault, as areallSherifc, Stewarts,Baillies of BaillariesandRegalities,and theirDeputs,andMagistratsofBurghs, toputthesamein Executionastothe secondFault;remittingthe Executionthereof, astothethirdFault,tothe Lords of HisMajesties Justiciary.2do. All Laws and Actsof Parliament madeagainstCursingandSwearing, asAct OueenMary,Parlia- mentfifth.Cap.Sixteenth, wherebyit isStatute,thatv/hosoever Swears abominableOaths,and detestableExecrations,shall bepunishedwith thePecuniaryMulcts,and otherpainscontained in the saidAct,ActJamessixth,Parliamentseventh,Cap.One hun- dredandthird, ratif\ingthe foresaidAct,withanAugmentationof thePains,and that Censors beappointedin the Mercatplaceof allBurrows,andotherpublick Fairs,with Powertoputthe Swearersof abominable Oaths inWard,whiletheyhavepayedthe saidsPains,and findSuretytoabstain in timecoming,and thatbyDirection and Commission of theSherifs,Stewarts, Baillies,Provosts,Baillies ofBurrow-s,Lords ofRegalities,and otherordinaryOfficers;And14THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN,that the doctors andsurgeonshadeasilyfoundthem,and that thebeginningof all these troublesthat all House-holders delatetotheMagistrates,theNames of theTransgressorsof thispresentActwithintheirHouses,thattheymaybepunished,under thepain tobe esteemed andpunished asOffenders them- selvesJAnd that if the saidMagistratsbe remissornegligentin the Execution of thisAct, theyshalluponComplaintbe called beforeUs,and OurPrivy Council,and committedtoWardduring pleasure,and findSuretyundergreatPainsat Oursight,for theirexactDiligenceinexecutingthe said Act thereafter. ActCharlessecond.Parliamentfirst,Sessionfirst. Cap.nineteenth, ratifyingandapprovingall Actsof Parlia- mentagainstallmannerofCursingandSwearing.And farderdeclaringthat each Person who shalBlaspheme,Swearor Curse,shall belyablein thepains following,each Nobleman intwentyPoundsScots,each Baron intwenty Merks,eachGentleman,Heretoror Burgesinten Merks,each Yeoman inforty shillingsScots,each Servant intwentyshillingstotiesquoties,each Minister in the fifthpartof hisYearsStipend,and if thePartyOffender benotabletopaythe Penaltiesforesaid,thentobeexamplarypunishedin hisBody, according tothe Merit of hisFault:And thisActisagain Ratified,Charlessecond,Parliamentsecond,Sessionthird. Cap.twenty two,which containsadistinct andparticular Method,howl6THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.seven or eightothernuns,when confronted withGrandier, identifiedhim, althoughitwas ascer-Parliamentfirst,Entituled,Act for the due Observationof the Sabbath-Day, RatifyingandApprovingallformerActs ofParliament made for Observation oftheSabbath-Day,andagainstthe Breakersthereof,anddischargingallgoingof Saltpans,MilnsorKilns,under thepainoftwentyPoundsScots,tobepayedbythe Heretors and Possessors thereof;and allSalmond-fishing, hiringofShearers, carryingof LoadskeepingofMercats, or usingof MerchandiceonthesaidDay,and all otherProphanations thereof,underthepainof Ten PoundsScots,theonehalf whereoftobepayed bythe saidFisher,and Shearerhired,andthe other halfbythepersonsHiring,and if theOffender benotabletopaythe saidsPenalties,thathe beexemplary punishedin hisBody, according tathe Merit of his Fault;and thisActratified Charlessecond.Parliamentsecond,Sessionthird, Cap.twentytwo.4to.TheActCharlessecond,Parliamentfirst,Sessionfirst. Cap. twenty,Entituled,ActagainstCursingandBeatingofParents, wherebyit isStatute,that whosoever SonorDaughterabove theageofsixteenyears,not being distracted,shall BeatandCurse either their FatherorMother,shall beputtodeath withoutMercy,and suchas arewithin theAgeof SixteenYears,andpasttheAgeofPupilarity, tobepunishedatthe Arbitrament of theJudge,accord-THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN. 17tained thattheyhadnever seenhimsave by-magic,and that he hadneverhadanything todoingtotheirdeserving.5t3.AllActsagainstDrunkards and excessiveDrinking,suchastheActJamessixth,Parliamenttwentytwo, Cap. twentywherebyit isStatute,That allpersonsconvict ofDrunkenness, orofHauntingof Taverns and Als-Houses after Ten Hours at Night, oratanytime oftheDay, exceptin time ofTravel, orforordinaryRefreshment,shall for the first FaultpayThreePounds, orifunable, or refusing,beputinJoggsorPrison for thespaceof six HoursjForthe secondFault fivePounds, orifunable, or refusing, tobekeepedin StocksorPrison for thespaceof twelveHours;And for the thirdFault,topayTenPounds,orincaseforesaidtobekeepedin StocksorPrisonfor thespaceoftwentyfour Hours:iftheytransgressthereafter,tobe committedtoPrison tilltheyfindCautionfor theirgoodBehaviour.Item,The ActCharlessecond.Parliamentfirst,Cap. nineteenth,.Ratifyingall former Actsagainstthe Crime ofexces- siveDrinking, Declnring,That whosoever shall drinkunto Excess,shall belyable,each Nobleman intwentypoundsScots,each Baron intwentyMerks,eachGentleman,Heretoror Burgessinten Merks,eachYeomaninforty shillings,each Servant intwentyshillingsScotsiotiesquoties;each Minister in the fifthpartof hisyearsStipend,and that the OfFinder unableBl8THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.with their affairs. Thetwowomenformerlymentioned and thetwopriestsmaintained thetopaythe foresaids Penalties beexemplary punishedin hisBody,according tothe Merit of his Fault.6to.The Laws and Acts of Parliament madeagainstAdulterers, as Queen Mary,Parliamentfifth, Cap.twenty,wherebyit isStatute,That manifest andincorrigibleAdulterers after the Process ofHaly-Kirk, suafarasthesamenmayextend,is useduponthem,for their Disobedience andContemption,bedenounced Rebels andputtotheHorn,and alltheirMoveable inbrought asEscheat,andno Appellationnterponedfrae the saidCensuresofHaly-KirktosuspendtheHorning.Act OueenMary,Parliamentninth. Cap. seventyfour,That allnotourand manifestCommitters ofAdulterybepunishedwith allrigouruntotheDeath, aswell the WomanastheMan,after dueMonition made toabstain frae the saidnottourCrime,and that for otherAdulterytheActsand Laws madethereuponofbefore,beputtoExecu- tionwith allrigour.AndtheActJamessixth.Parliamentseventh, Cap. onehundred andfifth,wherebyit isdeclared,That it shall bejudged nottourand manifestAdultery,wordie of thepainofDeath,whoever has Bairnsone or moeprocreatbetwixt thepersonsAdulterers, orwhenthey keep CompanyinBedtogether notoriouslyknown, orwhenthey aresuspectofAdultery,andduelyadmonishedbytheTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.I9truth of their evidence.Inawordjbesides thenunsand sixlaywomen,"sixtywitnessesdeposedKirk, toabstain andsatisfythe Kirkby Repentancea:i1Pargatian,yetcontemptuously refusing, areExcommunicat for theirObstinacy. ytimo.AllLaws and Actsof Parliament madeagainstFornica- tion,asActJa.sixth,Parliamentfirst, Cap.tliir-teenth, Statuting,That who shall commit thefilthyVice ofFornication,shall for the firstFault, aswelltheManastheWoman,paytheSumofFortypounds, orthen both heandshe shall beImprisonedfor thespaceofeight days,their Food tobe Breadand smallDrinlc,and thereafterpresentedtotheMercat-placeof the TownorParochbare-headed,shall there standfastned,thattheymaynot removefor thespaceoftwoHours;For the secondFault,theSumofonehundredMsrks,orthen the forenamed"daysof theirImprisonmentshall bedoubled,theirFood tobe Bread and Waterallenarly,and thereaftershall bepresentedtotheMercat-place,and the Headsof both theMan andtheWomantobe Shaven.Andfor the thirdFault,One hundredPounds, orelse theaboveImprisonment tobeTripled,their FoodtobeBread and V/aterallenarly;And thereaftertobetakentothedeepestand foulest PoolorWater of theTownorParoch, and theretobe thriceDoucked,and then Banished the said Town andParoch,forever,and how oftanyPerson shall be Convict there-20 THE DEVILS OF LOU DUN.toadulteries, incests, sacrileges,and other crimes,committedbytheaccused, evenin themostsecretafter of the said Vice ofFornication,thatsooftthethirdPenaltybe Executeuponthem.Item,TheAct Charlessecond,Parliam3ntfirst. Cap.ThirtyEight, ImpoweringtheJusticesof PeacetoputinExecutionActsofParliament,forpunishingthepsrsonsGuiltyofFornication,and thatthey causethempaythe Pecunial Sumsfollowing :Each Noble- manfor the firstFault,Fourhundred Pounds;EachBaron Two hundred PoundsjEach other Gentlemanor Burges,One hundred Pounds.Everyotherpersonof InferiorQualityTen Pounds ScotsMoney,andthat thes; Penalties be doubled t^rlcsqujtks, accordingtotheRelapses,andDegreesof theOfrence,andQualityof the OffendersjAndthattheybepayednot only bytheMan,but alsobythe Woman accord- ingtoherQuality,and theDegreeof herOffence,theonewithoutprejudiceof the other.Item,the saidActCharlessecond,Parliamentfirst,Sessionfirst.Cap. thirty eight, Statutes,That theJusticesofPeaceputinExecution all Actsof Parliament forpunishingallpersons,who shall beMockers, orReproachersofPiety, orthe Exercisethereof,andcausethempaythe Penalties contained in the fore-mentionedAct of Parliamentagainst prophaneSwearing. Item,TheAct ofourfirstParliament,Sessionfifth,Cap.Thirteenth, Entituled,ActagainstTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN. 21placesof hischurch,asin thevestry,where theHolyHostwas kept, onalldaysandatallhours."Prophaneness, strictly requiringandenjoining,thatall Sherifs and theirDeputs,Stewarts and theirDeputs,Baillies ofBaillaries,and theirDeputs,MagistratsofBurghs-Royal,andJusticesofPeacewithin whose Boundsanyof the said Sins ofCursing,Swearing, Drunkenness, Fornication, Prophanationofthe LordsDay,andMjckingandReproachingofReligionshallhappen tobecommitted,toputthesaidsActs to exactandpunctualExecutionatalltimes,withoutnecessityofanyDispensation,andagainstallpersons,whetherOfficers,SoldiersorotherswithoutException;Certifying,that such of the saidsJudges asshallrefuse, neglect, or delaytoputtheLaws madeagainstthe said Sins inExecution,uponapplicationofanyMinisterorKirk-Session, oranypersoain their Nameoffering Information,and suffi- cientProbation,shall totiesquotiesbesubjectand liableto aFine ofanhundredpounds Scots,for whichtheymaybepursuedatthe instance of theAgentof theKirk, orMinister of the Parochby summar Process,without the Order of the Roll.Item,theTwentyoneActof the second Session of thecurrentParlia- ment,dated the nineteenth ofJulyOne thousand sixhundred andninety, Entituled,Act anent MurderingofChildren, wherebyit isStatute,That ifanyWoman22 THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.Itmaywell beimaginedthat themother,brothers and friends of the accused didnotshall concealherbeingwith Childduringthe wholespace,and shallnotcallfor,and makeuseofHelpand Assistance in theBirth,the ChildbeingfoundDaadorAmissing,the Mother shall be holden andreputethe Murderer of herown Child,tho there benoappearanceof BruiseorWoundupontheBodyofthe Child.^All whichActs abovementionedare herebyordered tobepublished onlyforsuperabundance,andthe better Information ofour Liedges,without theleastderogationtootherActsorLawsnotpublishedinthismanner.Our Will isHerefore,andwe ChargeyoustrictlyandCommand,that incontinent theseourLetters seenye passtothe Mercat Cross of Edin- burgh,and totheremanentMercat Crosses of theHeadBurghsof the severalShires,and Stewartrieswithin thisKingdom,and in Our Name andAuthoritymake Publicationhereof,thatnonemaypretendIgnorance;And We Ordain OurSolicitor, todis- patchCopieshereof, tothe Sherifs of theseveralShires,and Stewarts of Stewartries and theirDeputsorClerkstobebythempublished attheMercatCrossesof theHeadBurghsuponRcceitthereof, andimmediatelysent tothe severalMinisters, tothe effectthesamemaybe read and intimateattheir ParochChurches,uponthe LordsDay immediately following^This is the Actonwhich Sir WalterScott founded hisstoryof the "Heart of Mid-Lcthian,"24THE DEVILS OF LOUDUX.May 1634, confirmingall hispowers"^".w^.prohibi- tingParliamentand alio therjudgesfroDiijterferingin thisbusiness,andforbiddingaUpartiesconcernedfro7n appealing,tinderpenaltyof a fine offivehundred livres. lie caused Grandiertobetrans- ferredfrom theprisonofAugerstothat ofLoadun,so astohave himathandtoconfront withwitnesses,if need be.But,first ofall,he considered itnecessarytoexaminethenuns carefully;for thispurpose,with the consentof theBishop,hesequestratedthemin differentconvents,andinterrogatedthemsoseverelythatone mighthavethoughtthattheythemselveswerethemagicians."Hes.iwthemall,theoneafter theother,forseveraldays;andlistened totheirconversations, toobserve theirmode ofthought.Heenquired minutelyintotheir lives,theirmorals,theirbehaviour, not onlysecular butreligious.Hisdepositions, or notes,which representedthe evidence oftwentygirls,including afew notnuns,filledfiftyrolls of officialpaper,andwerethe admiration of alljudges,sogreatwastheprudenceandcaretheydemon- strated."Onthe other hand theBishopofPoitiers,afterhavingsentseveral Doctors ofTheology toex- aminethe victims, cameto Loudan inperson,and exorcised themhimself,orhad themexorcisedbyothers in hispresencefortwo months andaTHE DEVILS OF L0L7DUN.25half. Neverwaswork done with suchcareandattention.Allprecognitionsover,the Commissionerbeganto confront the accused with thewitnesses,andthe lattermaintained,facetoface withGrandier,the evidencetheyhadgiven againsthim.Asregardthenuns,itwasobserved thattheynevercontradictedthemselves,whetherquestionedtogether or separately, though they wereexaminedoften, bydifferentpersons,andasskilfully aspossible. Now,criminals donotmanagethis,for the cleverest have thegreatestdifficultyinavoiding contradictory statements.Thosewriters,who havesupportedGrandier,haveneverdis- coveredthe leastdiscrepancyin the evidence ofthenuns.Nor did Grandiereverpleadmaliceontheirpartas adefence,fortheyhadnever seenhim,norhad he hadanything todo with theiraffairs, as v/ehave said.If,ascalumnyasserts,theonly thing soughtwasthe death ofGrandier,hereweresufficientproofstoburnhim,ifonlyforabusingtheprivilegesof hisministryand of hisChurch,orfor thesacrilegeshe had committed therein. Butjusticeisnotsatisfied withpunishing onekind ofcrime,when she findstracesof another stillmoreserious.Itwas moreover aChristianduty toassisttheviews ofGod,whopermitted sostrangean event,.toconfound the calumnies of theprotestants,and26THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN,toprovethe demonstration the"possession"ofthenuns,and themngicexercisedbythe accused.To this the Commissioners and the otherjudgesappliedthemselves.Thus,asitwas a matterrather ofreligionthanofjurisprudence,theyresolvedto begin byprayerto God, who is the Father of allLight, rightlyconsideringthat all Francewas watchingthe trialwitheager eyes,that itwasshrouded inathickveil ofobscurity,and that their verdict wouldentailimportantconsequences.Theythereforeprepared toreceive divine assistance andgracebyfrequent confessions,andbyoftenreceivingtheHolySacrament. Thentheydecreeda generalprocession toimplorecelestial aid insodifficultamatter;and, toexcite the devotion of themassesbytheirexample, they wentina body, duringthewhole of thetrial, tovisit the Churches of thecity, setasidebytheBishopforfortyhourservices,and reached each in time for the elevation of thehost. Thence the Exorcistswent tothe Churchfixeduponfor theExorcisms,and thejudgesproceeded tothe tribunaltocontinue thecase;intheeveningall returnedtochurch forevensong.The examination lastedforty days, duringwhichDemonsgavethem the clearestproofsof theirpresencein the bodies of thepersonsexorcised,andeverydayaddednewevidenceagainst Grandier,andyetneversaidanything againsthim whichTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUX.2/didnot turn out strictly true.Tliese assertionsmerit distinctproof,which will ba found interest- ing.Asregards thepresenceofDevils inthepossessed,the Church teachesusin itsritual,that therearefourprincipal signs, bywhich itcanbe undoubt- edlyrecognised.Thesesigns arethespeaking orunderstandingofa languageunknowntothepersonpossessed;the revelation of thefature, orofevents happeningfaraway ;the exhibition ofstrength beyondtheyearsandnatureof theactor;andfloatingin the air foralewmoments.The Church doesnotrequire,in ordertohaverecourseto Exorcisms,that all these marks shouldbe found in thesame subject;one alone,if wellauthenticated,is sufficienttodemandpublicexorcism.Now, they arealltobe found in the Nuns ofofLoudun,and in such numbers thatwe can onlymention theprincipal cases.Acquaintancewith unknowntonguesfirst showeditself in theMother-Superior.At tli^beginning,she answered in Latin thequestionsof the Ritualproposed toher in thatlanguage. Later,she andthe others answered inanylanguage they thoughtproperto questionin.M. deLaunaydeRazilli,who had lived inAmerica, attestedthat,during avisitto Loudun,he hadspoken tothem in thelanguageofacertain28THE DLVILS OF LOUDUN,savagetribe of thatcountry,and thattheyhadansweredquite CDrrectly,and had revealedtohimeventsthat had takenplacethere.SomegentlemenofNormandycertified inwritingthattheyliadquestionedSister Clarade Sazilli inTurkish, Spanish,andItalian,andthat heranswers werecorrect.M. deNismes,Doctor of theSorbonne,andoneofthechaplainsof the Cardinal deLyon, havingquestionedthem in Greek andGerman, wassatisfied with theirrepliesin bothlanguages.FatherVignier, Superiorof theOratory atLaRochelle,bears witness in his LatinNarrative,that, having questionedSister Elizabethawholeafternoon inGreek,shealways repliedcorrectlyandobeyedhim ineveryparticular.TheBishopof Nimes commanded Sister Clarain Greektoraise veil andtokiss therailings at acertainspot ;sheobeyed,and didmanyotherthingsheordered,which caused theprelatetoexclaim thatonemust beanAtheistorlunaticnottobelieve in"possession."Some doctorsquestionedthem alsoastothemeaningofsomeGreek technicalterms,extremelydifficultto explain,andonlyknowntothemostlearnedmen,andthey clearly expressedthe realsignificationof the words.Lastly,Grandier himselfbeingconfronted withthem,hisBishopinvested him with the stoletoTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN. 29exorcise the MotherSuperior, who,he declared,knew Latin;but he did notdare toquestionherorthe others inGreek, though theydared himtoit;whereonhe remainedveryembarrassed.*AstotheRevelation of hiddenmattersorofeventspassingafaroff, proofs arestillmoreabun- dant.We willonlyselectafew of themostremarkable.M.Morin,Prior of St.JacquesdeThouars,having requestedM.Morans,Commissionerappointed bytheBishopof Poitiers towatchoverthepossessed,andtoassist in the trial ofGrandier,toallowsome sign tobegiven provingactualinfernal possession, whisperedto M. de Moransthat he v/ishedoneof thepossessedtobringhimfiveroseleaves. Sister Clarawasthenawayintherefectory;M. de Moransordered,in histhoughts,the Demon whopossessedhertoobeythe wish of M.Morin,for thegreater gloryof God.Thereuponthe Nun left therefectory,andwentinto thegarden,whence shebroughtfirstap.insyand otherplants,andpresentedthemwithroarsoflaughter, sayingto M. de i\Iorans:*Howmanyofourlearnedclergycouldto-dayquestionanyoneinGreek,and how wouldmanyofour bishopsfeel iftheyknew that theirreputationsand livesdepended ontheircarrying on aconversationin thelah^ua^esof Kellas ?30THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.*'Is that whatyouwish,father? IamnotaDevil, toguess yourthon"^hts." "To which hereplied simply :"Obedias^''''obey.She thenre- turnedtothegarden,and after severalrepetitionsof theorder, presented throughtherailings alittlerosebranch,onwhichweresix leaves. TheExorcist saidtoher:"Ohedlaspiinctualitersubpceiiil7naleJiciiojils,'' obey tothe letter underpenaltyof malediction;she thenpluckedoffoneleaf,and offered the branchsaying :"Iseeyouwillonlyhave five;the otherwas onetoomany."The Priorwas soconvincedbywhat hesaw,thathewent outwithtearsin liiseyes.An officialreportof the factwasdrawnup.Madame de Laubardemontalse tried thesam2"experiment,in ordertoconvincemanyscepticswhowere present ;and shewas equallysuccessful.The Lientenanl- Criiniiid ofOrleans,the Pre- sidentTours,Lieutenant-General de S.INIaixant,andmyself*also hadour curiosity gratified.Idesired that Sister Clara shouldbring meherTreads,andsayanAve-Maria. She firstbroughtapin,and thensomeaniseed;being urgfdtoobey,she said:"Iseeyouwantsomething else,"*We learn from the"Demcnomanie"that M.des Niauwasthepersonhere referredtoin thefirstperson,and therefore the writer of the book.32THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.aftermanyrepeated commands,andanhour'sstruggling,that she tookupthemissal, saying :"I willpray." Then, turninghereyesinanotherdirection,sheplacedherfinger onthecapitalSatthebeginningof the introitaforesaid,of which factsreportsweredrawnup.M. deMilliere,agentlemanofMaine,certifiedthat, beingpresentatthe Exorcism of SisterClara,andonhisknees,the Devil asked him whetherhewas saying aDeProfitndisfor hiswife,whichwasthecase.TheMarquisde laMothe, sonofM. deParabel,governorofPoitou,certified thatsister Louise deNogerethad disclosed hismostsecretfaults in thepresenceof FatherTranquille,andof Madame deNeuillant,hisaunt.ThesameM. de la Mothe also askedanExorcisttomake SisterClara,whowasin theconvent, come out,kneeldown,andsayanAveMaria;shecameafterrepeated commands,andobeyed.Chevalier deMere,whowaspresent,asked theDevilonwhatdayhe had last confessed. TheDevil answeredFriday.The Chevalier acknow- ledgedthistobecorrect;whereuponSister Clarawithdrew. Butashe v.'ishedtotrythe Devilagain,hebeggedthe exorcisttomake herreturn,andwhispered somewordstotheMarquisand theMonk,for thenuntorepeat.The exorcistrefused,asthe wordswereindecent. HechangedTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.35them, therefore,intoPaier, et Films etSpiritiisSancliis ! Hewhisperedthese wordsso low,thatthe exorcist couldhardlyhear them. Thenun,whowasin anotherroom,cameatthe commandof theFather,andaddressingtheChevalier,firstsaid the indecent words the monk hadrefused,andthenrepeatedseveral times GloriapatrietfilioefSpirituiSa^Kto. Shewasorderedtosaythe words-exactly asshe had beendesired,but she said shewouldnot.TheBishopofNimes,beingpresentat anexorcismbyFatherSurin, beggedhimtoordersomethingin difficult Latin;and the Demon there- uponperformedwhatwaswanted.AJesuit wishingtotrywhatsomanypeoplestatedtheyhadexperienced,gaveaninward ordertoademon who had been exorcised;and thenimmediatelyanother. In thespaceofasecondhegavefiveorsixorders,which hecounter- mandedoneafter another;and thus tormented theDevil,whowasorderedtoobeyhis intentions.The Demonrepeatedhis commandsaloud,beginning bythefirst,andadding,"Butyouwont,"and when he hadcometothe last hesaid,"Now let'sseewhetherwe cando this.""When itrained,"saysFatherSurin,"theDevil usedtoplacethe MotherSuperiorunder thewaterspout.As I knew thistobeahabit ofhis,I commanded himmentallytobringhertome;34 THE DEVILS OF LOU;^UN.whereuponshe usedto comeand asknae :'Whatdoyouwant.'"Anotherthingwhich struck the Exorcists, wastheinstantaneousanswers theygavetothe mostdifficultquestionsofTheology, astograce,thevision ofGod, Angels,the Incarnation andsimilarsubjects, alwaysin theverytermsused in theschools.Thecorporaleffect ofpossessionisaproofwhich strikes thecoarsestminds. It has thisotheradvantage,thatanexampleconvincesawholeasembly.**A curiouscaseis mentioned in Arnot's CriminalTrials: ""In1697 an impostor appeared,in the charac- terofapersontormentedby witches.ChristianShaw, daughterofJohnShaw ofBargarran, a gentle- manofsomenotein thecountyof Renfrew.She issaidtohave been butelevenyearsofage.Andalthoughit isprobablethathystericalaffectionsmayinparthave occasioned herrhaphsodiestoproceedfromrealillusion,aswellasaccounted for the contortionswhichagitatedherbody;yetsheseemstohave dis- playedanartifice above heryears,anaddresssuperiortohersituation,andtohave been aidedby accomplices,which dulness ofapprehension, orviolence ofprejudice,forbade thebystanderstodiscover."Thisactress was abundantlypertandlivelyjandTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.35Now thenunsof Lovidungavetheseproofsdaily.When the Exorcistgavesomeordertoherchallenging oneof the house-maids fordrinking,perhapsforstealing,alittlemilk,whichdrewonheranangryretort,wasthesimple preludetoa compli- catedand wonderfulsceneof artiiice anddelusion,offanaticism andbarbarity."In the month ofAugust1696/withinafewdaysafter herquarrelwith thehouse-maid,thegirl wasseized withhystericalconvulsions,which inrepeatedfitsdisplayedthatvarietyofsymptomswhich charac- terisethiscapriciousdisease. Tothese,otherappear- ances,were speedily added,which couldonlyteattributedtosupernatural influence, ortofraud andimposition.Sheputoutof her mouthquantitiesofegg-shells,orange-pill,feathers ofwild,and bonesoftame fowl,hair of variouscolours,hotcoal-cinders,straws,crookedpins,"c."Having bythose sensibleobjects impressedthepublickwith themostcompleteandfearful convictionof herbeing'grievouslyvexed^withaDevil,'shefound herselfcapabletocommand theim.plicitassentof thespectators,inmattersthatwererepugnanttothe evidence of theirown senses.Forthispurpose,she felluponthe device ofseemingtopossessthe^True narrative of thesufferingsand reliefofayounggirl.Edinburgh, printed by JamesWatson,1698.^"t.Matthew, c.15,v. zz.36 THE DEVILS OFLOUDUN.theDevil,thenuns suddenly passedfromastateofquietinto themostterribleconvulsions,andfaculties ofseeingandhearing,ina manner oppositetothat of therestof mankind. She would addresssomeinvisiblebeings asifactuallypresentjatothertimes,in her conversations vi'ith those invisiblebeings,she would railatthem fortellingher thatpersonsactually presentwerein theroom;protestingthat shedidnot seethem,yetatthesametimeminutelydescribingtheir dress. Forinstance,shespake asfollowstothe chief of heralledgedtormentors,CatherineCampbell,with whom she had thequarrel,andwho, tousethelanguageof thosetimes, was notdiscerniblypresent:'Thou sittest withastick inthyhandtoputintamymouth,butthoroughGod'sstrengththou shaltnotgetleave:Thouartpermittedto tormentme,but Itrustin God thou shaltnevergetmylife. I'll lettheesee,Katt'ie^there isnorepentancein hell. O what ailed theetobeawitch !Thousayestit is but threenightssince thouwastawitch.O,if thou would'strepent,itmaybe Godmight givetheerepentance,if thou would'st seekit,andconfess;if thou would desireme,I would do whatI could;for the Devil isanillmaster toserve,' "c."c.A-fterthat,she tookupherBible,readpassages,andexpoundedthem;and,uponone'soffering totake it fromher,she shriekedhorribly, exclaiming,'She wouldkeepher Bible inspiteof all the DevilsTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.37without thesh'ghestincrease ofpulsation. Theystruck their chests and backs with theirheads,in hell !'Then shefought,andkicked,and writhedherself,asifstrugglingwithsomeinvisibletormentor.When thesheriff-deputeof thecounty,accompaniedby a macerofJusticiary,cameto apprehendsomeofthepersonswhom her diabolical malice hadaccused,andwere actuallyin herpresence,sheaddressedan"imaginaryand invisiblecorrespondentthus:'Is thesheriffcome? Is henearme?'(Then stretchingforth herhand, asiftogrope,and the sheriffputtinghis hand intohers,sheproceeded :)'"Icannot feelthesheriff.Howcanhe bepresenthere?orhowcanIhave himbythehand, asthousayest,seeingI feelitnot? Thousayesthe has brown colouredcloaths,redplush breeches,with blackstripes,flowered muslincravat,andanembroidered sword-belt:Thousayes.tthere isanoldgrayhairedmanwithhim, havinga ringuponhishand;but Icanneithersee norfeelanyofthem.What, are theycometo apprehendthegentleivoman?Is this their errand indeed?'"These reiterated and aweful exercises of thedominion of Satan(forsuchthey were universallydeemed), Impressedall ranks withamazement andterror.Theclergy, as wastheirduty, werethefore- mosttoembrace thecauseofa disciplethatwasengagedinmorethanspiritualwarfare with thegrand^nemy.Clergymen, by rotation,attended the afflicted38 THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.asiftheyhad had their neclcbroken,and withinconceivablerapidity;theytwisted theirarmsdamsel, toassist the minister of theparish,thefamilyofBargarran,and otherpious Christians,in theexpia- toryoffices offastingandprayer.Apublickfastwasordainedby authorityof thepresbytery.Threepopularclergymen successively haranguedthetrem- blingaudience;andoneof them chose for his themethisawfultext,"Woetothe inhabitants of the earthandof thesea,for the Devil iscomedownuntoyou,,having greatwrath,because he knoweth that he hathbutashort time.And%uhen thediagcn saivthat heivascastdozununtotheearthyhepersecutedthe ivomanT'^Andtheprayersand exhortations of the churchwerespeedilyseconded with theweightof the seculararm."Onthe1 9thofJanuary, awarrantofPrivyCouncilwasissued,-whichset forth,that therewerepregnantgroundsofsuspicionof witchcraft in the shire ofRenfrew, especiallyfrom the afflicted ani!extraordinaryconditionof ChristianShaw, daughterofJohnShawofBargarran.It thereforegrantedcommissiontoAlexanderLordBlantyre,SirJohnMaxwell ofPollock,SirJohnShaw ofGreenock,William Cun-nynghamofCraigens,Alexander Porterfield ofDuchall,CaldwallofGlanderstoun,Gavin^Revelations, chap. \%.^Recordsof PrivyCouncil, January19.March9.April5;1697.40THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.stomachsthey joinedtheirpalmsof their handstothe soles of their feet;their faces becamesoasthe commissioners should incline. Itfurther"ordained the commissionerstotransmittothe CourtofJusticiaryanauthentickextractof theirproceed- ings,tobe entereduponits records;and containedarecommendationtothe Lords of theTreasurytodefraytheexpencesof the trial. Theactissubscribed,'Polwarth Cancellar.Douglass, Lauderdale,Annandale,Yester, KIntore, Carmichael,W.Anstruther,Arch.Mure.'"Thecommissioners,thusempowered, werenotremiss inactingunder theauthority delegatedtothem. Aftertwentyhourswerespentin theex- aminationofwitnesses,whogavetestimonythat themale/Ices'^libelled couldnothaveproceededfromnaturalcauses,and that theprisoners weretheauthorsof these malefices."After five of theunhappyprisonersconfessed theirown guilt,and criminated theiralledgedassociates"after counsel had been heardonbothsides,andthe counsel for theprosecutionhaddeclared,that"'he would notpressthejurywith theordinaryse'uerityofthreatening anassizeoferror:'^ Butrecommendedtothemto proceed accordingtothe evidencejand^"Maleficej"in the Scots lawsignifies an act oreffect of witch- craft.^Thiswas an obliqueand most scandalousmenace."Assizesof Error"weredeclareda grievance bythe Estates of Parliamentatthe Revolution.THE DEVILS OFLOUDUN.4Ifrightful onecouldnotbeartolookat them;theireyesremainedopenwithoutwinking;theirtonguesloudlydeclaredto'them,thatalthough they ought tobeware ofcondemningtheinnocent,yetiftheyshouldacquittheprisoners,inoppositiontolegal evidence,*theywould beaccessorytoall theblasphemies,apostacies, murders,tortures,andseductions,whereofthese enemies of heavenand earth should hereafter beguilty.'After thejuryhadspentsix hours in delibera- tion,sevenof those miserablepersonswerecondemnedtotheflames.^"The time however fastapproached,when thesehuman sacrificeswere tobe abolished. The lastpersonwhowas prosecutedbefore theLords ofJusticiaryforwitchcraftwas Elspeth Rule,whowastried beforeLord Anstrutheratthe Dumfriescircuit, onthe3dofMay,1709.-Nospecialactof withcraftwascharged againsther;the indictmentwasofaverygeneralnature,that theprisoner was'habit andrepute'3^The order ofPrivyCouncil forrecordingthe Commissioners'proceedingsin the books ofJusticiary was not complied with.1amtherefore unableto giveanyfurtherparticularsofthecatastropheof these miserablepersons,orof the criminalabsurdityof those who committed themto the flames.-Records of Circuit Court ofJusticiary,holdenat DumfriesMay3, 1709.3"Habit andrepute"isaverydangerousdoctrine of the lawofScotland, atthat time in fullforce, bywhicha man might behangedaltho'hardlyanychargewereexhibitedagainst him,butthat he hadabad character. Forinstance,ifa man was chargedwithstealing a pairof oldshoes,valuethreepence,and withbeing42THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.issuedsuddenlyfrom theirmouths, horriblyswollen, black, hard,and covered withpimples,(that is, generallyholden anddeemed) awitch;andthat she hadusedthreateningexpressionsagainstpersonsatenmitywithher,whowereafterwardsvisited with the loss ofcattle^ orthe death of friends^andoneof whomrunmad. Thejury, by amajorityofvoices,fouud these articlesproTed,andtheJudgeordained theprisonertobe burnedonthecheek,andtobe banished Scotland for life. The lastpersonwhowas brought tothe stake in Scotland for the crime ofwitchcraftwascondemnedby CaptainDavid RossofLittle Daan^sheriff-deputeofSutherland,A.D.1722."Besides in thesufferings,andtragicalend of thepersonsalready specified,humaningenuity seemstohave been exhausted indevising varietyoftorment,againstotherpersonswholayunder thesuspicionofwitchcraft,and whopersisted,withastonishingforti- tude,indenyingthe absurdimputation, evenwhenurgedwith thesharpesttortures.''habit ?ndrepute" athief,if thejuryfound such indictmentproved, orsuchprisoner guilty,the Court wouldbylaw be boundtJ sentencetheprisoner tobebanned;ifmytemerity maybepardoned,forsupposingthatanysuchthingexistsas a preciseestablished rule of criminal law in Scotland.^It isnosmalldisappointment to methat 1 cannotlaythistrial before thereader.The Sheriff Courtbooks of thecountyofSutherlandwerecarried offbythe Sheriff Clerk about1735.Iamsomewhat however consoled formydisappointment,bythepolitenessshownmeby James Traill, Esq.ofHobbister,Advocate, S.ieriff-deputeof Caithness and Sutherland,whowasso. obliging astomakealaborious but ineffectual search torecoverthe books.THE DEVILS OF LOU DUN.43andyetwhile in thisstatethey spoke distinctlyjtheythrew themselves back till their heads touchedFrom the universal and excessive abhorrenceenter- tainedata witch, a suspicionof thatcrime, indepen- dentofjudicial severities,'wassufficienttorendertheunhappy objectanxious for death."Thrustingofpinsinto theflesh,andkeepingthe accused fromsleep,weretheordinarytreatmentofawitch. But if theprisonerwasendued withuncommon fortitude,othermethodswereused to extortconfession. The'boots,'the'caspie-claws,'and the'pilniewinks, enginesfortorturingthelegs,thearms,andthefingers,wereappliedtoeithersex5and that with suchviolence,,that sometimes the blood would havespoutedfrom thelimbs.Loadingwithheavy irons,andwhippingwithcords,till the skin and fleshwere tornfrom thebones,have also been theadoptedmethods oftorment.Thebloodyzealof thoseinquisitorsattainedto a re- finementincruelty soshocking to humanity,-andsa^Mackenzie's CriminalTrials,tit.Witchcraft.^RecordsofJusticiary, June24.1596.WhenAlisonBalfourwasaccused ofwitchcraft,shewasputin thecaspie-claws,where shewas kept forty-eighthours5her husbandwasputinheavy irons,heriontutin the bo'^s,ivhere hesufferedfifty-seven strokes^andher littledaughter,of aboutsevenyearsofage,putinthepilnievvinks,in herpresence,in order tomake herconfess."She did confess."She retracted hercon- fessionin thecourseof the trial;andpublickly, at44THB DEVILS OF LOUDUN.theirfeet, and walked in thispositionwithwonderfulrapidity, and foralongtime.Theyuttered:criessohorrible andsoloud thatnothinglike itwas everheard before;theymadeuseofexpressionssoindecentastoshame themostdebauched ofmen,while theiracts,both inex- posingthemselves andinvitinglewd behaviourfrom thosepresent,would have astonished theinmates of thelowest brothel in thecountry;theyrepugnanttojus ice, as tobe almost incredible. Notsatisfied withtorturingthepersonof theaccused,theiringeniousmalice assailed themoredelicatefeelings,andardent affections of the mind. Anaged husband,aninfantdaughter,wouldhave been tortured inpresenceof theaccused,in ordertosubdue her resolution."Nay,death itselfs didnotscreenthe remains of thosemiserablepersonsfrom the malice of theirprosecutors.Ifanunfortunatewoman,trembling atacitation forwitchcraft,endedhersufferings byherownhands,shewas draggedfrom her houseatahorse'stail,andburied under thegallows.herexecution,declared that the confessionwasextortedfrom herbythetorments."The mode oftormentingandexecutingthose miserablewomenis further illus- tratedbythe authenticaccountof theexpenceofburning awitchat Burncastle, near Lauder,A.D.1649.3Fountainhall'sDecisions,vol.i.p.60, October9.1679.THE DEVILS OF LOU DUN.45ultered maledictionsagainstthe three DivinePersons of theTrinity,oaths andblasphemous-expressions so execrable, sounheardof,thattheycouldnothavesuggestedthemselvestothe humanmind.Theyusedtowatch withoutrest,and fastfiveorsixdaysat a time, orbe tortured tv/iceaday as wehave describedduringseveralhours,without their healthsuffering;onthecontrary,those thatweresomewhatdelicate, appearedhealthier than before theirpossession.The Devil sometimes made them fallsuddenlyasleep : theyfelltothegroundand becamesaheavy,that thestrongestmanhadgreattrouble ineven movingtheir heads,FrangoiseFilestreau hav- ingher mouthclosed, onecould hear within herbodydifferent voicesspeakingatthesametime,quarrelling,anddiscussingwho should makeherspeak.Lastly, oneoftensawElizabethBlanchard,inherconvulsions,with her feet in the air and herheadontheground, leaning against achairor awindow sill without othersupport.The MotherSuperiorfrom thebeginningwa"carried off her feet and remainedsuspendedintheairattheheightof24inches. Areportof thiswasdrawnupandsent totheSorbonne, signedby agreatnumber ofwitnesses,ecclesiastics anddoctors,and thejudgementthereon of theBishopof Poitiers whovi'asalsoawitness.The doctors46 THE DEVILS OF l.OUDUN..^of the Sorbonnewereof thesame opinion astheBishop,and declared that infernalpossession wasproved.Both she and othernuns lyingflat,withoutmoving foot, hand,or body, weresuddenlyliftedtotheir feet likestatues.In another exorcism the MotherSuperior wassuspendedin theair, only touchingthegroundwith her elbow.Others,whencomatose,becamesupplelikeathinpieceoflead,sothat theirbodycould bebent ineverydirection, forward, backward,orsideways,till their head touched theground;andtheyremained thusso long astheirposition wasnotalteredbyothers.At other timesthey passedthe left footovertheirshoulder tothe cheek.They passedalso theirfeetovertheir head till thebigtoe touched thetipof thenose.Othersagain wereable tostretch theirlegs sofartotherightand left thattheysatonthegroundwithoutany space.beingvisible between theirbodies and thefloor,their bodieserectand theirhandsjoined.One,the MotherSuperior,stretched herlegstosuchan extraordinary extent,that fromtoe to toethe distancewas 7feet, thoughshewasherselfbut4feethigh.But sometime before the death ofGrandier,4^THE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.chemise, thestays,and the dresswerepiercedinthreeplaces,thelargestholelookingasifapistolbullet hadpassed through.Thenun wasthere-'uponentirely stripped,butnoinstrument ofanydescriptionwasfounduponher. Areport wasimmediatelydrawnup,andMonsieur,brother oftheKing,who witnessed thefacts,with all thenobles of hisCourt, attested the document.END OFVOL. ILTHE DEVILS OF LOUDUN.[COLLECTANEAADAMANTiEA. XXI.3THE HISTORYOF THEa)ei)il0of5touUun,TheAllegedPossessionofthe UrsulineNunSyand the Triat, and ExecutionofUrbainGrandier^TOLDBY AN EYE-WITNESS.TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINALFRENCH,ANDEDMUNDGOLDSMID, F.R.H.S.,F.S.A.(Scot.)^'"^^voLTmr^PRIVATELY PRINTED.EDINBURGH.1888.This Edition is limitedto 275sviall-paper and75large-paper copies.^Mw^^"!mM^^^C"e D cutisof iLouDun." "e^."" "PART III.ONFridaythe23rdofJune, 1634,aboutthree o'clock in theafternoon,theBishopof Poitiers and M. de Laubardemontbeingpresent,Grandierwas broughtfrom hisprisonto the Church of Ste. Croix in hisparish,tobepresentatthe exorcisms. All thepossessedwerethere likewise. Andasthe accused and hispartisansdeclared that thepossessions were mereimpostures,hewasorderedtobe himself theexorcist,and the stolewas presentedtohim.He couldnot refuse,andtherefore, takingthestole and theritual,he received thepastoralbenediction,and after the Veni Creator had beensung,commenced the exorcism in the usual form.But where he shouldhaughtilyhavegiven com- mandstothedemon, instead ofsaying Impero,I6THEDEVILS OF LOUDUN.command,hesaid,Cogorvos,thatis,Iamconstrainedbyyou.TheBishop sharply repri- mandedhim,andashe had said thatsomeofthepossessedunderstoodLatin,hewasallowedto interrogateinGreek. At thesametime,thedemon criedoutbythe mouth of Sister Clara:"Eh !speak Greek,oranylanguageyoulike;Iwill answer." At thesewords,he becamecon- fused,and couldnotsayanything more.To behavethus,ortoacknowledgethe truth oftheaccusation,isoneand thesame thing,butother circumstancesstrengthenedthiscertainty.Any manwhoseown writingtestifiesagainsthim is lost. Now this is what Grandierexperi- enced.Thedevils,in severalinstances,confessedfourpactshe had entered into.Thisword, Pact,is somewhatequivocal.Itmaymeaneither the documentbywhicha mangiveshimselftothedevil,orthephysical symbols,whoseapplicationwillproduce some particulareffectsinconsequenceof thepact.Here isanexampleof eachcase.Grandier'spact,or magicalcharacters, wherebyhegavehimselfto Beelzebub,was asfollows: ""MyLord andMaster, Lucifer,IrecogniseyouasmyGod,andpromisetoserveyouallmylife. IrenounceeveryotherGod,JesusChrist,and all other Saints;theCatholic,.Apostolicand RomanChurch,itsSacraments,with allprayersthatmaybe said forme;and I8.THE DEVILS OK LOUDUN.Otherstheyseemedtoconspiretoblackenhimstillmoreunder the semblance ofanapparentjustification.Thus several of thepossessed spokein his favour:andsome evenwentsofarastoconfess thattheyhad calumniated him. Indeed,the MotherSuperior herself,one daywhen M. deLaubardemontwasin theconvent,strippedherselftohershift, and,witharoperound her neckandacandle in herhand,stood fortwohours inthe middle of theyard, althoughitwasrainingheavily;and when the door of theroomin whichM. de Laubardemontwas seated, was opened,shethrew herselfonher knees beforehim, declaringsherepentedof the crime she had committedinaccusing Grandier,whowasinnocent. Shethenwithdrew and fastened theropetoatreein thegarden, attemptingtohangherself,butwaspre- ventedbythe othernuns.When the devilplayedthese kind of trickstheyforced himtoretract, by calling onhimtotakeJesusChristpresentin the Eucharistaswitnessof the truth of hisstatement,which heneverdared todo.What criminals couldeverbe condemned ifsuchproofs werenotdeemed sufficient? Thecertaintyof t