Early Modern Demonologies

David J. Collins

Jump to Content

Chapter 14 Early Modern Demonologies

In: A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750

Author:

David J. Collins SJ

David J. Collins SJ
Search for other papers by David J. Collins SJ in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 297â320

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004536449_015

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

â¬42.00â¬35.00Â excl. VAT

Add to Cart

Redeem Access Token

Abstract

Stuart Clark has famously described how demons were good to think with, that the analysis of demonic interests, activities, qualities, etc. also provided medieval and early modern thinkers with ways of working through major questions in history, science, law, and linguistics, among other categories. This field of study is known collectively as demonology. This chapter describes the development of treatises devoted to demonology in the later Middle Ages and their expansion and influence in early modern Europe. It traces the many ways that demons were good to think with, but also considers the constraints on this practice. The study of demonology thus complements the analysis of confessionalization, because demonologists were surprisingly ecumenical when it came to borrowing from each other. As such, they created a relatively consistent interpretation of demons, but one that, famously, might have little to do with lived experience.

Citation Info

Save
Cite
Email this content

Share link with colleague or librarian

You can email a link to this page to a colleague or librarian:
Email this content
or copy the link directly:

https://brill.edhh.ma/abstract/book/9789004536449/BP000024.xml
The link was not copied. Your current browser may not support copying via this button.

Link copied successfully

Collapse
Expand

A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750

Series:Â Brill's Companions to the Christian Tradition, Volume: 111

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004536449

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 12 Aug 2025

Subjects
- History
- Religious Studies
  - History of Religion

Front Matter

Part 1 The Medieval Intellectual Foundation

Part 2 Demons of the Confessional Era

Part 3 Interpreting Demons in Daily Life

Part 4 Demons, Witchcraft, and Science

Part 5 Depicting Demons

Back Matter

Metrics

	All Time	Past 365 days	Past 30 Days
Abstract Views	208	208	37
Full Text Views	12	12	0
PDF Views & Downloads	33	33	1

African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
Art History	International Law	Philosophy
Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Biology	Languages and Linguistics	Social Sciences
Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

Subjects

Authors

Open Access

Product Information

Company

Contact

Chapter 14 Early Modern Demonologies

Abstract

Citation Info

Share link with colleague or librarian

A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750

Table of Contents

Metrics

Metrics

A Companion to the Devil and Demons, c.1100â1750