Tales of the Possessed by C. Torrington

Author:C. Torrington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcturus Digital Limited

The show trial

The exorcisms did not free the nuns from their evil spirits, and the night-time assaults continued unabated. Inevitably, the exorcisms led to the accusation and prosecution of Grandier. The trial was something of a political hot potato. The French court became involved, and Cardinal Richelieu decided to continue with proceedings against Grandier, even allowing the evidence of demons (those speaking through the nuns) against him. Louis XIII approved the move.

Richelieu had good reasons to want rid of the cleric. The cardinal was encouraging Louis XIII to remove power from the local towns and centralize it; the intellectual Grandier knew what was going on and opposed it. The authorities hoped that a quick trial and conviction would end the possessions. They were to be disappointed.

Urbain Grandier was arrested and his investigation began. As was customary, he was stripped naked and shaved of all head and body hair. He was then examined by a ‘surgeon’ who found three ‘Devil’s marks’ on his body. A Devil’s mark was usually characterized as a blemish which could be pricked with a needle and cause neither pain not bleeding. This was, of course, open to abuse. Many examiners had rounded telescopic probes which collapsed under pressure on the skin, so causing no immediate harm to the accused – though infinite later harm in that it identified them as a witch. According to Nicholas Aubin, writing in 1693, this was used in the search for marks on Grandier’s body; the objections of a surgeon and apothecary were rejected. One piece of evidence held weight at the time, but might now be said to weaken the case against him and support the suspicion that he was stitched up. This was a signed contract with the Devil, supposedly in Grandier’s hand, and to which not just Grandier himself but also Beelzebub and some other demons had put their signatures.

At one point, some of the possessed seem to have had a change of heart and tried to retract their statements. Jeanne des Anges even turned up with a noose around her neck saying that she would hang herself if she could not withdraw her earlier lies. But a powerful nobleman, Laubardemont (who, it turns out, was related to Jeanne), stated that anyone who testified in favour of Grandier would have their possessions seized and be declared a traitor. That put a stop to the defence. Finally, seventy-two witnesses gave evidence against him.

The court tortured Grandier relentlessly, using in particular the ‘boot’, a structure that constrained the leg and into which wooden wedges were driven with a hammer, putting unbearable pressure on the leg. He did not confess, recant or denounce anyone, despite both legs being broken by this horrendous torture. It was reported that he refused Holy Water and would not call on God, Christ or the Holy Virgin in his torment. Aldous Huxley observed, not unreasonably, that since all this was being done in the name of religion it’s not altogether surprising that he did not appeal to that same religion in the midst of his sufferings.

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