Witches of Arras, by Betuel-Lilith Sairalindë Elanessë

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The victim of the first organized witch hunts in northern France, which were carried out in the years 1459 1460 by the Inquisition. At a time when the ideas were still poorly defined by a witch, put the Inquisition connections between the alleged practices of certain locals and recognized heresy of the Waldenses or Vaudois ago. Was compelled to act Pierre le Broussart, the Inquisitor of Arras region, called by the confessions of Robinet de Vaulx, a condemned prisoner, the Denis Elle Grenieres a witch. The Grenieres in turn was under the torture of five other people who were also subjected to evil treatment. In desperation, one of them, Jehan la Vitte tried to cut off his tongue in order to make the torture useless, but he only hurt himself and now had to write down his answers.
Typical of the charges with which the witches were confronted by Arras , were the allegations they had made with the devil, paying homage to him with the obscene kiss, together held a banquet with him and with each other indiscriminately erotic pleasures indulged. Despite the Council on the part of church authorities, who recommended leniency, because nothing may be inferred that a murder or desecration of the host, was the Inquisition on the death penalty. Five of the accused were publicly made in the humiliating garb of a convicted heretic on display before being burned alive.
During the following weeks more suspects have been taken and tortured.Many of them were moved to confessions by promising them to release them again if they would confess and thus were willing to cooperate.Despite the "confessions" obtained the Inquisitor in this way, the secular authorities refused to sanction his activities, and finally passed on putting some of the accused free. The rest were released with the return of the Bishop of Arras from Rome. 1491 was the Parliament of Paris so far as to condemn the actions of the Inquisitor in this matter publicly, and the survivors to ask for prayers for those who had been put to death.