It is said that the only correct way to kill a "witch" is death by fire. This has been the position for hundreds of years and during this era countless numbers of people were put to death for this very idea. However, was it right? Did they really have a fair trial or was it used to eliminate innocent people for some kind of gain? Pope Innocent VIII (1484), Johannes Nider (1437), and an excerpt from Malleus Maleficarum (The Witches' Hammer, 1486), elaborate stories of witchcraft, witchcraft signs, and punishment for the highest form of heresy considered. These sources will make it very clear that people accused of witchcraft were unfairly prosecuted and endured much suffering at the hands of the church. Johannes Nider at the beginning of the 15th century wrote a book entitled "Formicarius", which was published only many years later. Although the Formicarius is a large book, the focus is on an excerpt from this book. The first section of his excerpt explains Nider's battle against heresy and shows his devotion to the cause. The second half of the song is the one that draws the most attention. Nider crafts a very specific story about a man and his wife who are said to be involved in witchcraft. Husband and wife are arrested and locked up in separate prisons. In the passage, the man asks: “If I can obtain absolution for my sins, I will freely lay bare everything I know about witchcraft, because I see that I must expect death” (Excerpt “The Anthill, 1437). He is promised that if he truly wants to repent, it is possible that he can obtain absolution. With the promise he receives, he goes into detail about what the process of his ceremonial ritual was, according to Nider (1437):First of all, on Sunday, before the holy water is consecrated... half of the paper. .....which has to do with the “witches” who received promises. Whether they killed anyway, imprisoned, and then killed later, or whether the promisers came forward and apologized so the witch could be dealt with without breaking their promise. It is very clear from all primary sources that the witch trials were not held fairly. If you were accused of being a witch, you were tortured until you admitted guilt, and then killed. Without a confession, your torture continued until you finally collapsed. Saying this because evidence had to be provided for your prosecution means that anything could be brought to the attention of the Inquisition. Any object, any story, anyone, really anything could get you burned at the stake. Works Cited Witchcraft Documents [15th Century])." Internet History Sourcebooks Project http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/witches1.html (accessed March 14 2014).