This paper will analyze the Cronica written by the Franciscan friar Salimbene de Adam from Parma (1211 – 1288), focusing on his point of view on exorcism and necromancy, and how the two practices bear many resemblances one to the other.
Paper long abstract:
Salimbene de Adam was a 13th century north-Italian Franciscan friar known for his only surviving work, a chronicle of his times. Salimbene’s Cronica’s uniqueness resides mainly in how the author strongly conveys his opinions and his points of view on the events of his time. Among many things, Salimbene also lingers on the way in which, according to him, exorcisms should be performed. The unusual techniques he speaks of outline what can be defined as a “charismatic exorcism”, as opposed to what I see as a more common type of exorcism, that could be defined as ceremonial. Furthermore, similar techniques are mentioned when Salimbene writes about demonic magic: not only is such an unsanctioned practice linked to clergymen, as was usual in medieval literature, but the performers are also presented as charismatic actors who interact with demons in a non-ceremonial way. Necromancy and exorcism can even go as far as sharing similar goals and outcomes, such as divination or the salvation of souls. Overall, this paper explores how Salimbene’s background and his role as a preacher influenced his views on exorcisms and, furthermore, how his conceptual framework on exorcism in turn changed his perception of the topos of necromancy, resulting in a peculiar, not explicitly moralizing approach to this forbidden art.