The, Bernardino Of Siena, And Martin Le Franc - 2167 Words

Voices of men have traditionally been the loudest, and therefore most important in history, especially in Medieval Europe where male academics and preachers had the most influence on the lower classes and upper classes. Those accused of witchcraft were disproportionately female, and the writing and sermons from this era clearly set the groundwork for misogynistic witch hunts which are to come in the Early Modern period. The works of Burchard of Worms, William of Malmesbury, Jacobus de Voragine, Bernardino of Siena, and Martin Le Franc each perpetuate different stereotypes of magic which all address the idea of gender in sorcery. While not all of these texts take explicitly misogynistic or misandristic positions, they give insight into whether or not gender was a main issue in determining who was or wasn’t a witch. However, it’s important to keep in mind whose voice is being heard in these texts: often well respected, upper class, or clerical men. As a result of these au thors positions, they have influence far beyond their parishes and countries and, therefore, can define, both explicitly and implicitly, what ideas are â€Å"correct† about the behavior of women, specifically regarding witchcraft. Because these texts were written by men, there is a clear and distinct bias about women’s behavior and their possible involvement in the magical arts, however there are some notable variations that still establish harmfully unattainable ideal. The majority of the writings and preachings