The phenomenon of werewolves in early modern Europe presents a curious case, showcasing a legal and theological paradox. While tales of lycanthropy were rich with supernatural fear, they did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition, but rather local secular courts. This was largely due to the framing of lycanthropy as a criminal rather than a heretical act. Jean Bodin supported the reality of werewolves, criticizing those attempting to rationalize it through medical explanations, emphasizing its significant place within the cultural and judicial landscapes of the time.
In early modern Europe, werewolf trials fell under secular or local judicial authority, prosecuted not for heresy, but for acts of violence, murder, and madness.
Jean Bodin, in his work, criticized those who dismissed lycanthropy as mere natural phenomena, arguing for its reality based on centuries of testimonies.
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