Canon Episcopi

Canon Episcopi Hs119

Canon Episcopi is one of the most significant and earliest documents in the history of Christianity concerning witchcraft and heresy. It is a canon law text that was first documented in the early Middle Ages, around the 9th century. The Canon Episcopi disavows the belief in the ability of women to perform magic, fly through the night, and participate in diabolical nocturnal assemblies, condemning such beliefs as heretical.

Origins and History

The origins of the Canon Episcopi can be traced back to the ecclesiastical reforms and synods of the 9th century, particularly in the Frankish Empire. It was initially attributed to the Council of Ancyra (314 AD), but modern scholarship has shown that it was likely composed much later. The text was incorporated into the Decretum Gratiani, a foundational collection of canon law compiled in the 12th century, which helped to disseminate it throughout Christendom.

Content

The Canon Episcopi describes women who believe themselves to have ridden with a cohort called the "Diana's ride" or in some texts, "Herodias's ride". These women, under the illusion induced by demonic forces, thought they could fly at night, led by Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, or Herodias, a figure from Christian mythology. The text vehemently refutes the possibility of these nocturnal journeys, stating that such beliefs are the result of dreams or illusions instigated by the Devil to lead the faithful astray.

Impact and Legacy

The Canon Episcopi is crucial for understanding the medieval Church's stance on witchcraft before the widespread witch hunts of the late medieval and early modern periods. It represents a phase in which the Church denied the real existence of witches, instead attributing such beliefs to delusions. However, by the 15th century, the perspective within the Church had shifted, as seen in the publication of the Malleus Maleficarum in 1487, which argued against the Canon Episcopi's stance, affirming the reality of witches and their powers.

This shift marked a significant change in the Church's approach to witchcraft, leading to the persecution and execution of thousands of people, predominantly women, across Europe. The Canon Episcopi, therefore, stands as a document at the crossroads of belief and disbelief in witchcraft, reflecting the complex and evolving views within the Church and European society regarding magic and heresy.

See Also

• Witchcraft
• Malleus Maleficarum
• Decretum Gratiani
• Heresy in Christianity