Lambert Daneau, Anti-Witch Writer of Geneva

In his lifetime, Lambert Daneau (1530-1595) was one of the most famous Calvinist theologians in Europe. He was the Professor of Theology at Geneva and the chair of Theology at Leyden. In 1564, Daneau wrote Les Sorciers, Dialogue très utile et très necessaire pour ce temps. In 1575, an English version was published with an immensely long title: A Dialogue of Witches, in foretime named Lot-tellers, and now commonly called Sorcerers. Wherein is declared breefly and effectually, whatsoever may be required, touching that argument. A treatise very profitable, by reason of the diverse and sundry opinions of men in this question, and right necessary for Judges to understand, which sit upon life or death.

The Dialogue was written after the Paris executions of "almost an infinite number" of witches. Daneau was led to write an explanation for the high number of witches. He declared the increase of witch activity directly parallelled the increasing wickedness of humanity. This increase in wickedness increases Satan's power to win souls from God.

Daneau wrote at length about witches' marks, physical attendance at sabbats, and the necessity of pitiless extirpation of witches. Like so many others, Daneau condemned any judge who allowed a witch to live:

I marvel therefore that at this present there be some Iudges so parciall, or rather so unfreendly to all mankynde, that they be affearde, or rather wil not ryd away out of the worlde, such horrible and cruell beastes, as Sorcerers bee, and punish them when they come into their handes...they declare by this fondnesse of their owne mynde, howe much they contemne God, and are great and manifest despisers of his honour and glory, whose mortall and sworne enemies when they have founde, and taken: yet do they let them goe and suffer them to live (Davies 28-29).

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Lambert Daneau, Anti-Witch Writer of Geneva copyrighted 1996-1998 to Shantell Powell.