601 – Witch Picture
- Physical description:
- Reproduction of a mid-15th century manuscript (Martin le Franc's 'Le Champion des Dames') showing two witches on broomsticks, wearing standard medieval dress.
- Museum classification:
- Images of Witchcraft
- Information:
An early illustration of witches flying their broomsticks.
'Le Champion des Dames' is a poem written by the French author Martin le Franc in either 1440 or 1442. This is an illustration from an illuminated manuscript of the poem dating from 1451. The illuminator is probably Peronet Lamy, a native of Savoy. It is likely that he was influenced by the Valais witch trials, which raged from 1428-1447, and led to paranoia and persecution in neighbouring areas as well (including the trial of Gilles de Rais and his court magician Francesco Prelati).- Resource:
- Picture
- Copyright ownership:
- Copyright to The Museum of Witchcraft Ltd.
An early illustration of witches flying their broomsticks.
'Le Champion des Dames' is a poem written by the French author Martin le Franc in either 1440 or 1442. This is an illustration from an illuminated manuscript of the poem dating from 1451. The illuminator is probably Peronet Lamy, a native of Savoy. It is likely that he was influenced by the Valais witch trials, which raged from 1428-1447, and led to paranoia and persecution in neighbouring areas as well (including the trial of Gilles de Rais and his court magician Francesco Prelati).