Короли и ведьмы. Колдовство в политической культуре Западной Европы XII–XVII вв.

In conclusion, the author reflects on the question of the usefulness of witchcraft, as it was imagined by the authors of the Late Middle Ages and early Modern times. It seems that this usefulness consisted not only in the awareness of greatness of God, who allows the existence of the devil, his demons and his minions and uses them to punish the earthly sinners. The concept of malicious witchcraft was also useful, according to the authors of the demonological treatises and the judges, because it allowed them to understand better the limits and the possibilities of the secular power, its main tasks for maintaining the peace and public order in their countries.