The Medieval Devil: A Reader

The Medieval Devil highlights the many ways in which the devil has been imagined and re-imagined over the centuries.

From his first appearances in scripture preventing Balaam from disobeying God’s will to his supposed role presiding over cannibalistic orgies in the middle of the fifteenth century, the devil has been a dynamic force underlying European society. The personification of shifting fears and anxieties over the ages, he has served to both critique and police societal boundaries. Perceptions of the devil have unwittingly fostered social cohesion as communities closed ranks against his diabolical incursions, allowing medieval people to project their anxieties onto outsiders and marginalized groups - often with horrendous consequences, some of which still linger.

The Medieval Devil is a unique collection of primary sources that examines the development of medieval society through the lens of particular groups and how they perceived the devil. In exploring where and how Europeans discerned his presence, detected his machinations, and sought to counter his actions over the span of the period, readers will be afforded a new and important point of entry into European history.

Each chapter begins with an introduction to familiarize readers with critical issues and to contextualize the primary sources against broader developments of the period. Documents include a series of questions for discussion and reflection. Twelve black-and-white illustrations allow readers to visualize the devil through medieval eyes. A short bibliography is also included.