Jacob Sprenger

Jacob Sprenger was a German theologian and inquisitor best known for co-authoring the infamous 15th-century witch-hunting manual, "Malleus Maleficarum" (Hammer of Witches). Published in 1487, this book aimed to identify, prosecute, and punish supposed witches, significantly contributing to the witch hunts in Europe. Sprenger, along with Heinrich Kramer, saw witchcraft as a heresy warranting severe persecution. His work combined religious beliefs and legal procedures, which fueled mass accusations and trials. Today, he is recognized as a key figure in the history of witch hunts, though his methods and views are widely criticized for their cruelty and injustice.