Jean Delvaux (died 2 April 1595) was a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct language ...

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

monk A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...

and an alleged practitioner of witchcraft. In 1595, a scandal occurred among the monks at an Abbey at

Stavelot Stavelot (; german: Stablo ; wa, Ståvleu) is a town and municipality of Wallonia located in the province of Liège, Belgium. The municipality consists of the following districts: Francorchamps and Stavelot. It is best known as the home of Sp ...

in the

Ardennes The Ardennes (french: Ardenne ; nl, Ardennen ; german: Ardennen; wa, Årdene ; lb, Ardennen ), also known as the Ardennes Forest or Forest of Ardennes, is a region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges primarily in Be ...

. The monk Jean Delvaux claimed that, at the age of fifteen, he met a man in the woods who promised him riches if he would follow him. Delvaux abided and he received two marks on his shoulders. He told Delvaux to become a monk at

, and promised that he would become an abbot. Delvaux did indeed become a monk, and discovered many warlocks among the priests and monks. He said, that there were nine convents of warlocks in the Ardennes, who met during the night with demons to eat, dance and engage in sex. Delvaux was arrested on the order of the Prince-bishop of Liége, and an investigation was begun. On the way to Stavelot, the carriage of the commission broke down, and Delvaux claimed that a demon had destroyed it; Delvaux was accused of being insane. Until 10 January 1597, lay and clerical people were questioned in connection with these accusations. Delvaux was tortured and handed over to the secular authorities. He was found guilty, under Exodus 22:18, and sentenced to death. The remorseful Delvaux begged for mercy, but he was executed by decapitation, and not by burning.

References

Literature

*'' Procès pour sorcellerie en Ardenne'', Walthère Jamar, Chevron dans le passé {{DEFAULTSORT:Delvaux, Jean 1595 deaths Belgian Christian monks People executed for witchcraft Year of birth unknown Place of birth missing