Tasso attributed the belief in magic and witchcraft to the Crusaders, but M. Michaud, in his “History of the Crusades,” denies that the Crusaders believed in witches. However, the edicts of Charlemagne demonstrate quite conclusively that Tasso was right, for the Crusaders, in common with the millions of their contemporaries who were votaries of the delusion of witchcraft and sorcery, attributed the misunderstood facts in the natural world about them, to supernatural powers of magic. [15] Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” vol. II., p. 186. [16] Monstrelet’s Chronicle. [17] II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” p. 194. [18] Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” vol. II., p. 195. [19] _Ante idem._, p. 197; Danaeus, “Dialogues of Witches.” [20] Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” vol. II., p. 199. [21] The ignorant Canadian French still believe in the Loup-garou, just as the French did in the centuries gone by. [22] Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” vol. II., p. 201. [23] Hutchinson, on Witchcraft. In the year 1670 a number of women were condemned by the Parliament of Normandy, for riding broom-sticks to the Domdaniel. Louis XIV., commuted their sentences to banishment for life, when the Parliament of Rouen presented to him a memorial, insisting that he set aside the order for their commutation, but the wise King stood firm and refused to let them be judicially murdered in his kingdom. (For this memorial in full, see II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” pp. 289, 298.) [24] II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” p. 226. [25] Very severe statutes were passed during the reign of Elizabeth, against the imaginary crime of witchcraft and sorcery. The statute 33 Henry VIII. c. 8, was repealed by I. Edward VI., c. 12 and as this left no law in force to punish this class of offenders, it was enacted by 5 Elizabeth, c. 16, that if any person used or practiced witchcraft, enchantment, charm or sorcery, whereby any one shall happen to be killed or destroyed, it shall be felony, without clergy. And if anyone thereby be wasted, consumed, or lamed, in body or member, or any of his goods destroyed or impaired, such offender shall be imprisoned for a year, and stand in the pillory once a quarter, during that time for six hours. (V. Reeve’s History English Law, p. 349.) [26] See “Butlers Hudibras,” edition by Dr. Zachary Gray (vol. II). [27] Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” vol. II., p. 237. [28] Lecky’s “Rationalism in Europe,” vol. I. [29] Lecky’s “Rationalism in Europe,” p. 146, vol. I. [30] II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” p. 248. [31] II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” pp. 253, 254. [32] _Ante idem._ [33] II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” p. 255. [34] II. Mackay’s “Memoirs of Delusions,” p. 258.