Published in 1486 by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, the Malleus Maleficarum (or "The Hammer of Witches") served as a,,primary 15th-century treatise codifying the theological and legal justifications for witch-hunting, particularly in Germany. The text is characterized by its intense misogyny and a three-part structure that outlines the nature of witchcraft, methods of identifying witches, and legal procedures for prosecution. Free digital copies and historical context are available through the Internet Archive and Washington University Library .