In 15th Century Germany Heinrich Kramer, a Dominican Prelate, would be successful in instigating the deaths of thousands. Except for one woman - Helena Scheuberin - who would defeat him in a notorious trial in the city of Innsbruck while successfully exposing the demon behind The Inquisitor’s mask.
In early 15th century Italy a Dominican monk witnesses the persecution of ‘heretics’ and is strangely affected.
This is the younger HEIN-RICH KRAMER who will become the Inquisitor and the author of THE MALLEUS MALEFICA-RUM, a tome that will be responsible for the murder of thousands of innocents over the next two centuries.
In December 1484 Kramer petitions the newly elected POPE INNOCENT VIII to destroy witch-craft – according to Kramer - the most perni-cious form of heresy now rampant in parts of upper Germany. The Pope agrees and a Papal Bull is drawn up.
This pronouncement takes us to Kramer’s pri-vate chambers where an attendance of monks minister to him by binding his genitals while he prays to a statue of the Virgin Mary. We realize that Kramer is a fully advanced sadomasochist.
Next in INNSBRUCK we meet the beautiful and bodacious HELENA SCHEUBERIN wife of SE-BASTIAN a wealthy local cloth merchant, and her cortege of close female friends – Already a favorite of the powerful ARCHDUKE SIGMUND VON TYROL Helena will become the subject of Kramer’s obsession.
But an extraordinary man - DOCTOR AND LA-WYER JOHANN MERWAIS VON WENDINGEN will have a keen and crucial awakening. He will come face to face with the atrocities commit-ted by Kramer and will vow to stop him. He will also become Helena’s defense attorney at a trial that will shock Germany.
These three people will take us through the po-litics and customs of 15th Century Germany cul-minating in the trial of Helena as a purported witch. We will delve into a wealth of historical characters and facts, but none more riveting than the fate that binds Kramer, Helena and Merwais in this incredible tale of lust, vengean-ce, madness, ambition and love.
