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Demonology is a treatise on witchcraft and the occult written by King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England), first published in 1597. The book was a major influence on the Puritan witch hunters of the 17th century, including Matthew Hopkins (the infamous "Witchfinder General" of the English Civil War) and the prosecutors of the Salem Witch Trials.
James frames his argument in a Socratic dialogue between Epistemon, a wholehearted believer in witchcraft, and Philomathes, a skeptic. In this video, an actor will play both parts and present the abridged text of Demonology in the form of a theatrical performance.
As always on this channel, the Early Modern English dialogue will be spoken in Original Pronunciation, a reconstructed accent which approximates with reasonable certainty the dialect of southern England in the Jacobean era. Subtitles are included to aid in comprehension, and James' original spelling has been modified to make the text more accessible to modern audiences.
King James believed he was the target of an international Satanic conspiracy – he was personally involved in the infamously lethal North Berwick Witch Trials of the 1590s, an experience which had a profound impact on him and inspired him to write Demonology.
James frames his argument in a Socratic dialogue between Epistemon, a wholehearted believer in witchcraft, and Philomathes, a skeptic. In this video, an actor will play both parts and present the abridged text of Demonology in the form of a theatrical performance.
As always on this channel, the Early Modern English dialogue will be spoken in Original Pronunciation, a reconstructed accent which approximates with reasonable certainty the dialect of southern England in the Jacobean era. Subtitles are included to aid in comprehension, and James' original spelling has been modified to make the text more accessible to modern audiences.
King James believed he was the target of an international Satanic conspiracy – he was personally involved in the infamously lethal North Berwick Witch Trials of the 1590s, an experience which had a profound impact on him and inspired him to write Demonology.
Religion
Christianity
United Kingdom
World History
Theology
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Interesting subject PO1 William "Chip" Nagel and post on this King James tale and book on the occult. No doubt, that innocent people were likely put to death back in the Puritans' days; being accused of Witchcraft or also possessed by the devil. Frightening times for sure.
One story that I believe wholeheartedly is the true story of the Exorcist. It was originally a book, before it became a movie (which was altered to be a girl, instead of a boy). And the tale of the "Mount Rainier boy", can still be found online. It first started back in the 1950s, the boy was being taught by his Aunt to use a Ouija Board, to contact "spirits" back in Washington State. Well the Aunt died and the boy (no one knows his real name or if he's still alive) tried to contact the Aunt from beyond the grave, using the Ouija Board. He did make contact with someone, or something that was not his Aunt, and short answer- he became possessed. The boy was moved around to Washington, DC and then to St. Louis, where the boy had an exorcism or a series of exorcisms performed on him. My roommate from College was from St. Louis and went to De Smet High School, where Priests that had been involved in the actual rituals described what they saw: objects flying around the hospital room, entire windows on the floor breaking at once, levitation of the boy & other ghoulish things...! If you want to Here's the backstory from St. Louis' Riverfront Times: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/news/hell-of-a-house-2491650
One story that I believe wholeheartedly is the true story of the Exorcist. It was originally a book, before it became a movie (which was altered to be a girl, instead of a boy). And the tale of the "Mount Rainier boy", can still be found online. It first started back in the 1950s, the boy was being taught by his Aunt to use a Ouija Board, to contact "spirits" back in Washington State. Well the Aunt died and the boy (no one knows his real name or if he's still alive) tried to contact the Aunt from beyond the grave, using the Ouija Board. He did make contact with someone, or something that was not his Aunt, and short answer- he became possessed. The boy was moved around to Washington, DC and then to St. Louis, where the boy had an exorcism or a series of exorcisms performed on him. My roommate from College was from St. Louis and went to De Smet High School, where Priests that had been involved in the actual rituals described what they saw: objects flying around the hospital room, entire windows on the floor breaking at once, levitation of the boy & other ghoulish things...! If you want to Here's the backstory from St. Louis' Riverfront Times: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/news/hell-of-a-house-2491650
The True Story of the St. Louis House That Inspired The Exorcist
For sale: three-bedroom Colonial in charming neighborhood. Hardwood floors. Lots of personality. And, oh yeah: Satan slept here.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
LTC (Join to see) One of the Worst Jobs Ever! Exorcist, Very Small Club in the Catholic Church! Being a Good Catholic Boy, Raised in the Faith by 2 Lay Ministers I got to Know quite a Few priests, Our Catholic priest on Adak was part of that Very Small Club. He had the worst luck ever, Bad Things always happened to Him. Ill pass on that Calling, Occupation.
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LTC (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - Definitely pass on that job too... I guess that each Diocese in the Catholic Church maintains an exorcist nowadays. There's a lot of evil in the world. "The prettiest trick of the devil is to make us believe he doesn’t exist." - Charles Baudelaire
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Witches, bread and LSD: how a poisonous mold may have caused hallucinogenic hysteria
Hopes&Fears speaks to historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman about how a bad trip caused by ergot could be the root of monster myths, demonic possession and the Walking Dead.
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