Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer's Manual of the Fifteenth Century

Magic in History

by Richard Kieckhefer

Preserved in the Bavarian State Library in Munich is a manuscript that few scholars have noticed and that no one in modern times has treated with the seriousness it deserves. Forbidden Rites consists of an edition of this medieval Latin text with a full commentary, including detailed analysis of the text and its contents, discussion of the historical context, translation of representative sections of the text, and comparison with other necromantic texts of the late Middle Ages. The result is the most vivid and readable introduction to medieval magic now available.

Like many medieval texts for the use of magicians, this handbook is a miscellany rather than a systematic treatise. It is exceptional, however, in the scope and variety of its contents--prayers and conjurations, rituals of sympathetic magic, procedures involving astral magic, a catalogue of spirits, lengthy ceremonies for consecrating a book of magic, and other materials.

With more detail on particular experiments than the famous thirteenth-century Picatrix and more variety than the Thesaurus Necromantiae ascribed to Roger Bacon, the manual is one of the most interesting and important manuscripts of medieval magic that has yet come to light.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Occult, Magic, Religion, Esoterica, Witchcraft

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

"John Evans Professor of Religious Studies. Research interests focus mainly on the late Middle Ages, with special interest in church architecture and in the history of witchcraft and magic. Currently writing books on "the mystical presence of Christ" in the late Middle Ages (an exploration of the relationship between ordinary and extraordinary piety, between shared religious culture and exceptional religious experience) and late medieval church-building (an inquiry into the collaboration and conflict among different interest groups in the creation of monuments meant to serve and symbolize communal interests). Books include European Witch Trials (Routledge & Kegan Paul; 1976),Repression of Heresy in Medieval Germanyi (Pennsylvania, 1979), Unquiet Souls (Chicago, 1984), Magic in the Middle Ages (Cambridge, 1989),Forbidden Rites (Sutton and Penn State, 1997), and Theology in Stone(Oxford, 2004). A theme underlying much of his research is the way in which communities create and sustain a sense of shared culture in the face of difference, dissention, and dispute."
http://www.religion.northwestern.edu/...

"In addition to the DAAD, his research has been supported by the Guggenheim Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2006, he was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard...

Reviews

[Adam McPhee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing, but I really ended up skimming it more so than reading it. A lot of repetition and a lot of latin.

I couldn't but sympathize with his hypothetical monkish oaf author who has terrible latin and slowly loses his ambition to find a place at court.

[Bill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had Dr. Kieckhefer for Medieval History classes back in college days and he was a terrific teacher, with an eye for the strange side of history. I was not surprised to find him authoring this amusing and scholarly analysis of a 15th Century compendium of necromantic lore. A guide to one of the seminal surviving texts, presumably compiled by someone who believed it to be a workbook, the manual here is equal parts folklore, myth, inverted Catholicism, and arcane ritual from sources we can only guess it. The author approaches it as intrinsically interesting, but also as a guide to the mindset of its era, both for people summoning demons and those concerned with burning the summoners. There are dozens of little details in this that a modern horror writer might learn from, if one wants to avoid the cliches of the genre. I was especially taken with the -- to me at least -- unknown role of the lowly hoopoe in demonic commerce and the rituals that involved polishing a fingernail as a scrying instrument. Even if the mage couldn't afford a mirror, here's a window into the other world. Mostly this is an intriguing sampler of things almost lost to time, entertaining as one of the good doctor's lectures and, who knows? Maybe useful if one has a hoopoe to spend.

[Beluosus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nihil melius dicit "te amo" quam necromantia.

Donum mihi emit Mel, librum Forbidden Rites Richardi Keickhefer. Pars libri prima de magia medii aevi tractat, et praecipue de libro necromantiae (Codice Latino Monacense 849 e Bayerische Staatsbibliothek) ; pars secunda est codex ipse. Incantationes carminibus classicis non aequant ; multa inest iteratio et perpauca loca pulchritudine ulla appropinquant. Sed gaudium erat lectio et simplex, tamen orthographia est insolita et mutabilis. Hunc die duo perlegi.

Tales libros enim in loco Harii Potter lego.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb discussion of a Medieval ritual magic manuscript. Sets the historical scene and influences very nicely, with a full annotated transcription of the manuscript in the appendix. Destined to be a classic if not already!

[Errol Orhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Magic in the Middle Ages, I was left with an interest in the reality that magic holds or held for people practicing it. In that book, Kieckhefer several times referred to Forbidden Rites as a study of a book of magical practices.

The thing that sets the subject of Forbidden Rites apart from other books on magical books, is the fact that it is meant to be as mundane as possible. The author presents this Necromancer's Manual as the type of book that was quite ordinary in its time, and therefore as the kind of lens through which beliefs about magical practices can be studied. One of the objects is to better understand the criticisms of magic better by understanding the practice itself.

The book does exactly that. The Necromancer's Manual itself does not disappoint. It includes, among other things, rituals to conjure a horse and an invisibility cloak, and the rituals are mostly worded in a matter of fact and quite detailed way. Kieckhefer's commentaries and explanations are thoughtful, and his analyses of the use of language, the possible origins, links between Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and Greek magical practices are insightful. My favorite segment was the chapter on demonology, which did not disappoint, neither in terms of the content nor in terms of the bibliography.

I was struck by the ways in which the practices corresponded to the way magic is represented in the Harry Potter books, but also in The Smurfs and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and it made me appreciate those artifacts to an even greater extent.

I'll admit that half way through the book, things started to get a bit tedious for me, but as I reflected towards the end of the book on my ennui, and unpacked it, I realized it was quite unfair. I thought: well, this is just a very well executed book on a Necromancer's Manual. It is unfair because the author promised an interesting book on a book of magic, and that is exactly what he delivered. Excellent stuff!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kieckhefer's Forbidden Rites presents a typological analysis of the means and ends of late Medieval nigromantia, 'necromancy', which is to say magic facilitated by the agency of spirits. Taking as his primary object of analysis the instructions for magical operations collected in manuscript Clm 849 of the Bavarian State Library, Kieckhefer divides the contents according to immediate function: illusory apparitions, psychological manipulation, or divination. The categorization is somewhat arbitrary, with many of the operations plausibly corresponding to more than one type or none of the above, but it does at least provide a sufficient framework for discussing the unsystematic mass of material in some depth. The two concluding chapters of the book's analytical part then discuss the structural characteristics of the verbal conjurations employed to interact with spirits, and the nature and identities ascribed to the spirits themselves.

Overall, this work is a very good introduction to the field of Medieval religio-magical beliefs and practices, and specifically those which pertained to a certain literate, often clerical, stratum of society. The second part of the volume, an annotated transcription of the Latin text of Clm 849, makes this an excellent resource for in-depth research as well.

[Sue Dounim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really excellent. It's an academic investigation of a medieval magician's handbook. The original work is in (very poor) Latin, which is given in full in a 160 page appendix. The translator-editor's decision not to attempt to just translate the complete work is a good one; due to the poor quality of the Latin, and the many errors, repetitions, and garbled syntax. I think that the translator-editor made the right decision.

For a comparison, there is a version of the Picatrix out there that is basically just directly translated from the Arabic (the underlying Latin version being missing). It's almost unreadable since apparently the translator, although undoubtedly fluent in Arabic, is not that fluent in English and not conversant with the philological and historical context of the material. (It still makes interesting reading, it's just not a scholarly production.)

[thieuke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title doesn't lie. A lot of books claim to be what this book is. One medieval ritual after the other. It is well written and the commentaries not unnecessary of presumptuous. When looking for a book on necromantic rites look no further.

[Karla Baldeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on Spanish.

Me gustaron más los artículos sobre el código que preceden al texto en latín que el propio código. Principalmente porque al analizar el texto de forma esquematizada me dieron un conocimiento más sintético de las ideas subyacentes a los encantamientos y evocaciones. Totalmente recomendable.
El código en sí es una repetición de los manuales de brujería de siglos anteriores a la Inquisición que repiten con ciertas variaciones las mismas invocaciones y elementos dentro del embrujo para que funcionen según su función. Así, tenemos invocaciones de demonios, protección de Dios y los ángeles y exorcismos contra el mal.
Lo que me llamó más la atención de este código en particular, sin embargo, fue el hincapié en el uso de los niños para los conjuros de descubrimiento y el modo en que hay que manipularlos, mutilarlos y ordenarles ciertos pasos para que el conjuro funcione. Bastante turbio teniendo en cuenta que todo el tiempo se utiliza las llamadas a Dios para que trabajen a través del cuerpo del pobre infante mientras hace frente a los demonios invocados. Imágenes nada inocentes me vinieron a la mente y realmente una se da cuenta que los niños nunca han estado a salvo de las manos de los fanáticos religiosos. En menor medida me perturbaron los hechizos para atraer mujeres, hombres o influir en el resto, que entiendo son tomados como objetos a los cuales hay que quebrar mentalmente para poseerlos. Hay partes machistas también, pero después de todo lo anterior es lo menos malo.
En fin, este libro es bastante esclarecedor y lo recomiendo a todos los que sientan curiosidad por el tema. El texto del código está en latín, por cierto, así que es una buena forma de practicar la lengua si la saben.

Video reseña.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CUipLhHl...

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exellent scholarly work

This was an excellent scholarly work on a topic that is easy to make very subjective. The author managed to avoid presenting his personal opinion as to the practice, or practicality of witchcraft or its varient.

Though this does not provide a full translation of the original work (it does include a full transcription with many foot notes), the partial translations provided in the authors discourses are both solidly translated from its Latin source, and very well and thuroughly analyzed and presented in a coherent and organized presentation.

I'm frankly considering getting a hard copy of this book for the old bookshelf.

Thoguh I personally do oppose the idea of necromancy and nigromancy being one and the same, that there's my own subjectivity, and I'm no scholar on the subject, just a practitioner.

[Nick121235 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this immensely. It definitely inspired me to want to read more textual analysis of grimoires themselves as well as overall study of what magic and demonology meant to the actual people of centuries past. These practices have repeatedly been distorted into a caricature of what they once were, but an exegisis of these manuscripts can lend a light to the reality of magic, separate from the legal and religious interpretations of the intentions, rituals, and contemporary context.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I did really like this book. It is absolutely not geared towards the average reader so at points it was a bit dry but I think that is to be expected for a scholarly book like this. I'd also like to say there are some trigger warnings needed for this book (In my personal opinion), only for the section on psychological experiments (mentions of questionable consent or lack of consent). If you are interested in necromancy and want a solid breakdown of experiments with translations, as well as a transcription of the og Latin manuscript definitely give this a read.

[Shamgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

put me on another level...

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I was unable to conjure any demons. :(

I'll try again later.

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is my review what is going on Goodreads?

[Morgan Botts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Works 👍

[HD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers of Shadows: 15th Century Dark Arcana.

Forbidden Rites stands as a compelling and meticulously crafted exploration of the dark arts from a bygone era. The author's adept compilation of ancient handbooks, such as the Munich Handbook and a fifteenth-century manuscript from Yorkshire, lends an air of authenticity to this riveting journey into the mystic.

It delves into an array of themes, ranging from the summoning of demons to crafting enchantments that can influence the wills of others. Perhaps most intriguingly, the text delves into the taboo practice of resurrecting the deceased, providing a detailed understanding of the necromantic arts as they were practiced in the fifteenth century.

The narrative serves as a portal to a time when individuals sought to navigate the uncharted territories of the occult. Readers are invited to explore the intricate rituals and forbidden rites that once shaped the mystical landscape of the fifteenth century. Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, the author not only preserves the knowledge of the Munich Handbook and the Yorkshire manuscript but also brings these ancient practices to life.

The four-star rating stems from the book's exclusive focus on the Western hemisphere, neglecting rich necromantic practices from China, Africa, and other regions. While the exploration of fifteenth-century Western occultism is comprehensive, the omission of diverse global perspectives leaves a gap in understanding the broader spectrum of dark arts. Inclusion of these unexplored territories would have elevated the book to a five-star status.

Conclusion: It's a testament to the author's commitment to presenting a comprehensive view of the dark arts in history. By delving into these forbidden rites, readers gain insight into the mindset and practices of those who dared to explore the supernatural. It offers a thought-provoking and immersive experience for enthusiasts of historical mysticism, shedding light on a world where the boundaries between magic and reality were more fluid than we might imagine.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forbidden Rites is a necromancer's manual written in the 15th century and here, Kieckhefer presents an academic study of the text. He explores the rise in literacy amongst the masses in medieval Europe which led to the knowledge of 'forbidden' and heretical teachings. Dry and stuffy lecturing and unfortunately the manuscript is not translated from it's original Latin so, alas, I shall never learn how to conjure a horse.(Postscript. Hmm, looking at other people's reviews it would appear that they found an edition with a translation!)