Deal with the Devil

August 18, 1634 -A French Catholic priest named Urbain Grandier was burned alive at the stake on this day. He had been convicted of witchcraft in a notorious trial that included a remarkable piece of evidence - a document signed by Satan himself.

Before his gruesome death, Grandier had led a charmed life. He was a powerful priest with a reputation as a real ladies' man. Apparently his sexual exploits had attracted the attention of a particular Mother Superior who started a campaign to defrock him. Some say that her actions were motivated by jealousy.

Grandier's politics also ran counter to those of the infamous Cardinal Richelieu and eventually a damning case was concocted that included allegations of an actual pact with the devil.

As a stunning piece of evidence, a signed document was presented that revealed (in backwards Latin) that Grandier had conspired with Satan and some other demons to destroy the church.

Here's a translation:

We, the influential Lucifer, the young Satan, Beelzebub, Leviathan, Elimi, and Astaroth, together with others, have today accepted the covenant pact of Urbain Grandier, who is ours. And him do we promise the love of women, the flower of virgins, the respect of monarchs, honors, lusts and powers. He will go whoring three days long; the carousal will be dear to him. He offers us once in the year a seal of blood, under the feet he will trample the holy things of the church and he will ask us many questions; with this pact he will live twenty years happy on the earth of men, and will later join us to sin against God.

Bound in hell, in the council of demons.

Lucifer Beelzebub Satan Astaroth Leviathan Elimi

The seals placed the Devil, the master, and the demons, princes of the lord.

Baalberith, writer.

The document came complete with cryptic seals and symbols. There it was - indisputable proof of Grandier's wicked deal with the devil. Poor Grandier was toast.