Heinrich Kramer/Institoris and the Czech Lands. With a Special Focus on the Activities of Institoris in Olomouc in 1499-1505

Abstract

In the last years of his life the author of the Hammer of Witches (Malleus Maleficarum), the Black (Dominican) friar Heinrich Kramer-Institoris held the office of papal inquisitor for the Bohemian (Czech) Lands. This period of his life is closely connected with his stay in the Olomouc diocese, specifically in the city of Olomouc (germ. Olmütz). Institoris was installed as inquisitor for the Bohemian Lands already in January 1499 by Pope Alexander VI, evidently at the instigation of the bishop of Olomouc Stanislav (Stanislaus) Thurzo. Institoris held the aforementioned office from 1499 until the end of his lifetime. The date of his death is traditionally quoted as the year 1505.