A True Discourse, Upon the Matter of Martha Broissier of Romorantin: Pretended to Be Possessed by a Devil In the spring of 1599, Martha Brossier came to Paris and made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Genevieve. The Capuchins there regarded her as possessed by a demon, but the Cardinal of Gondi, the Archbishop of Paris at the time, ordered the physicians of Riolan, Marcot, and three others, to examine the case. It was purported to be one of the greatest frauds of possession at the time. Within these pages is the history of Martha Brossier, detailing the outline of the exorcisms that were conducted on this maiden and the medical reports brought forth from these physicians who analyzed the case thereafter. She was reported to produce all the signs associated with demonic possession. The reports associated with this case were then translated from the French into English by Abraham Hartwell within the same year. Today, these reports are republished again and edited to be suitable for the enjoyment and study of a modern audience. |
