"You want the honors, power and lust": he finished the priest Urbain Grandier, who signed a contract with Satan

In 1634, the French Inquisition burned at the stake priest Urban Grandier. Accused priest in the signing of a contract with Satan himself, who promised him power over the rich men and women. However, not all so simple. It turns out that in the case were involved friends, offended the priest, the woman, whose love of Grandier rejected and even cardinal Richelieu.

Urbain Grandier was born to a wealthy family of French Royal notary. When the boy was 14 years old, he was sent to study at the prestigious Jesuit school, where he received an excellent education.

In 1615 Urbain takes Holy orders and become novices of the Jesuit order, however, stay in the middle of severe monks handsome guy is not happy. So he decides to become a priest, which will allow him to live outside the ascetic monasteries.

Lifetime portrait of the priest Urbain Grandier

In 25 years of Grandier gets a parish in the town of Loudun, where he became Abbot-Curie Church of the Holy cross. The congregation, the priest was rich but not particularly zealous in the faith. This situation suited Urban Grandier could not be better. Using natural intelligence and good education, Urbain made many friends among the local nobles. His friends were even Governor Jean D'armagnac, who was entrusted to the priest, to manage the Affairs of the city in his absence.

New Curie though and took the vows of a priest, but to follow them were not in a hurry. This was especially true of taboo on sexual relations. Educated and prominent Grandier was the use of particular success with the young parishioners of its services, which has angered the male half of the population of the town. Hostility increased due to the fact that the priest was in Lucene a stranger but still brought with her three brothers, who were attached to prestigious positions.

Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis Richelieu

It got to the point that one angry husband attacked Urbana with a sword, not a priest, then, has not learned the lesson and continued to make enemies. On his fiery sermons Curie announced that citizens of Ludena must confess only to him. Enemy Urbana was the prior of a neighbouring cousset, whose name was Armand-Jean du of Plessey. In the history of this man will go down as the Duke of Richelieu, one of the symbols of the French state.

Another mistress Urban Grandier was a young girl Trinken Philippa, daughter best friend of the priest Louis Trentina, who was a Prosecutor Ludena. New parishioner fell in love with Curie, and Urbain habit reciprocated.

Bright romance ended when Philip was pregnant. Upon learning this news, the priest rolled his eyes and advised former lover to meet the test of Christian humility. Because of the blow to the reputation of the girl's father has not stated about the sin of a former friend, but the resentment harbored deadly.

Festive lunch Catholic priests

In Lucene appeared "haters club" Urbana, a think tank which was Louis Trentina. Slowly the conspirators were joined by more and more disgruntled servant of Christ people. Meanwhile, Grandier was quite upset. He fell in love with a noblewoman-the widow Madeleine de Brou, whom he married, though, and took a vow of celibacy. At the ceremony he made and the priest, and groom.

Catholic court

15 November 1629 Urbain Grandier of the Church of the violation goes to prison. Investigating the case, the offended father and a former friend of the Prosecutor Louis Trentina. Was accused, including intercourse with women on the floor of the temple. Grandier banned Church services and was sentenced to three months every Friday to sit on the water and bread. Enemies of the priest, this outcome was not satisfied, but the real payoff was found.

In 1626 in the vicinity Ludena began to act a convent. Lived in 17 of nuns, most of whom were young girls from impoverished noble families. My parents had no money for a dowry for the marriage of daughters and they were sent beyond the walls of the monastery. Women wore robes, but youth and nature took its course. Lustful father Grandier was a frequent guest of the monastery, where he is always welcome.

Methods of inquiry in the "Holy" Inquisition

Fell in love with the priest and mother superior of the monastery of the mother of John. The woman was sick with bone tuberculosis, which ruined her figure and 42-year-old heartthrob close she refused. Then, by a strange coincidence, the monastery started kind of hell. On its territory, wandered in strange shapes, the service began to fade, candles, and in the corridors one heard the whispers, and the clinking of chains.

Demon signs a contract with the nuns. Medieval drawing

In Luden began to arrive experts to exorcise the demons who have confirmed that the monastery was settled by Satan himself. Perhaps it was the usual rogues, and the appearance of the demons a trick, but then the case has become tragic for Urban Grandier turnover.

A famous exorcist father Barre expelled from its mother, Joanna a demon named Asmodeus. To win it was only thanks to the enema of Holy water. During the ceremony supposedly a demon mouth nuns shouted that out of hell, he was called a man named Urbain.

The inquisitors are a nun for questioning

In the house, a former priest conducted a search and found a pamphlet "Luganskaya obuwia", which offended then cardinal Richelieu. Urbain Grandier long pleaded guilty and was placed on the attic Windows and chimney which was walled up with stones. And John's mother continued to talk to the Inquisitor about the relationship of the priest with the demons.

The defendant broke two legs, but the guilt he still did not recognize. Then the investigators presented damning evidence. On a piece of paper supposedly Urbain Grandier made a Covenant with Satan. For the oath of allegiance and desecration of Church relics otherworldly force gave the priest:

Signed the document himself Grandier, Satan, demons, Lucifer, Astaroth, Leviathan and Velzevul.

The Treaty of Grandier with Satan and demons. Was presented at the court of the Inquisition

After such evidence sentence was imposed automatically. On 18 August 1634 on the priest put on his shirt, soaked grey, tied him to a stake and set fire to the brushwood. While Grandier was burning like a torch, priests to exorcise the demons would sprinkle Holy water on the fire.

"Spanish boots" – a method of interrogation, which the priest broke the legs

Historians argue over who wrote the letter. Probably did a vengeful Prosecutor Louis Trencin with friends or cardinal Richelieu, pripominky priest of old grudges.

Penalty on fire

Maybe demons, who settled in the superior was Joan's usual hysteria caused by the failure Urban Grandier and prolonged illness. Or maybe just female resentment, crossed the border.