The 'Malleus Maleficarum', or 'Hammer of Witches', was a seminal work written in 1486 by Catholic inquisitor Heinrich Kramer that provided a framework and justification for the persecution of accused witches during the witch hunt era.

The book's depiction of supposed witchcraft and its calls for the torture and execution of those accused of such practices had a profound influence on the widespread hysteria and injustice that characterized this dark period in history, as explored in the podcast episodes 'Legends 27: Scapegoats' and 'The Dusty Tome: Hansel, Gretel, & The Witch'.