Paper long abstract:

In the Spanish monarchy, from the 16th century, we come across more and more inquisition trials in which witnesses testify about rites, magic circles, and summoned demons for the purpose of treasure hunting. Although in the 17th century, increasing number of fraudulent adventurers posing as priests appear in the sources, even during the time of the peasant revolt in the Principality of Catalonia, in the 1640s, we encounter the "classic" scenario of treasure hunting: a healing priest tries to capture some kind of demon under the pressure of the community and push him to find the buried treasure. In my paper, I would like to present an inquisition trial, in which several manuscript texts used for the treasure hunt can be found. With the help of contemporary Spanish and Sicilian examples and sources, I present the books used by the lower clergy of that period for magical treasure hunting, their spread, and also the historical context of the Catalan case, the uncertain atmosphere generated by the peasant revolt.