Heinrich Kramer

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Heinrich Kramer (also known under latinised name Heinrich Institoris, 1430?-1505) was a churchman and inquisitor.

Born in Schlettstadt, Alsace. He joined the Dominican Order at an early age and while still a young man was appointed Prior of the Dominican house of his native town.

At some date before 1474 he was appointed Inquisitor for the Tyrol, Salzburg, Bohemia and Moravia. His eloquence in the pulpit and tireless activity received recognition at Rome and he was the right-hand man of the Archbishop of Salzburg. By the time of the Bull Summis desiderantes of Pope Innocent VIII in 1484 he was already associated with James Sprenger to make an inquisition for witches and sorcerers. In 1485 he drew up a treatise on witchcraft, which was incorporated in the Malleus Maleficarum.

Some claim[1] that Kramer failed in his attempt to obtain endorsement for this work from the top theologians of the Inquisition at the Faculty of Cologne, and that they condemned the book as recommending unethical and illegal procedures, as well as being inconsistent with Catholic doctrines of demonology. Kramer's claimed endorsement from four of the professors may have been forged. He was denounced by the Inquisition in 1490.

Others[citation needed] are unconvinced that the work was inconsistent with Catholic doctrine of the time, noting that co-author Sprenger held very prestigious and influential positions in the Church, including Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Cologne.

In 1495 he was summoned to Venice to give public lectures, which were very popular.

In 1500 he was empowered to proceed against the Waldensians and Picards. He died in Bohemia in 1505.

  • Malleus Maleficarum
  • Several Discourses and Various Sermons upon the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, Nuremberg, 1496
  • A Tract Confuting the Errors of Master Antonio degli Roselli, Venice, 1499
  • The Shield of Defence of the Holy Roman Church Against the Picards and Waldenses, circa 1500

  1. ^ Cautions about the Malleus Maleficarum by historian Jenny Gibbons

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