Malleus Maleficarum, commonly known as "The Witch's Hammer," is a foundational treatise on witchcraft penned in 1486 primarily by Heinrich Kramer. This infamous text served as the most influential and authoritative manual for witch-hunters during the intense European witch trials. It chillingly details the alleged nature of witches, their perceived crimes, and the sanctioned methods for their interrogation, torture, and eventual execution. The book's immense impact stemmed from its theological and legal justifications for witch persecution, profoundly shaping the fears and superstitions of an entire era. It stands today as a stark historical testament to the dangers of religious fanaticism and the dark chapters of human history.