A gradual movement to label witchcraft as a form of heresy began in the first part of the fourteenth century in France where people had been prosecuted and burnt alive for allegedly performing acts of blasphemously renouncing their faith. The acts also referred to often included consorting with demons and using spells to bring harm to people, crops and animals. The action spread to Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
In 1484 Pope Innocent VIII issued a Papal Bull referring to the wicked acts being carried out in Northern Germany and elsewhere. This meant that the members of the Inquisition could officially view witchcraft as a form of heresy. The accused witches were now to be treated as accused heretics.
Two years later the Malleus Maleficasum (the Hammer of the Witches) was compiled and thus began the witchcraft trials based on the methods already established by the Inquisition in heresy trials.
