The "pact with the devil" is a cultural motif that keeps coming back in stories. The legend of Faust is a good example, but not the oldest: it took inspiration from other stories, such as the legend of Theophilus. In this episode, I tell you some of these stories. We will also discover the real, historical figures that inspired them (Theophilus, Johann Faust, Pope Sylvester II, Saemundr Sigfússon...), and the firm belief in the existence of such pacts, that were often invoked in witchcraft trials from the Middle Ages to the Seventeenth Century. As an example, I tell you the story of the Loudun Possessions, one of the last and most spectacular witchcraft trials in France.

Credits: Script and narration by the French Whisperer, visuals by the French Whisperer, under Wikipedia Commons, or under license from Panthermedia, Canstock, Shutterstock and Freepik. Sound effects and music from the YouTube Audio Library for Creators.

Links to Lights Out Library: my stories retold in American English by Olimpia.
- YouTube:    / @lightsoutlibraryov  
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- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
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Links para la Biblioteca de los Sueños: mis historias contadas por Olimpia en español con acento mexicano:
- YouTube:    / @labibliotecadelossuenosov  
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1t522al...
- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/51d...

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Free trial link to the Slumber App: https://slumber.fm/fw
Slumber is a sleep and relaxation app that offers stories to fall asleep to from a variety of narrators, with sounds effects you can customize in the background, as well as meditations and ambient soundtracks. This link gives you 30 days of free trial instead of the usual 7 days. If you have trouble using the link, you need to install the app first, close it, then click on the link. I have an affiliate agreement with Slumber and this is a paid promotion in case you become a paying user after the trial.

Free trial link to the Aura App: https://aurahealth.io/guestpass/the-f...
Aura is an app for meditation, coaching and sleep, which offers a customized experience to help you improve on your priorities (anxiety relief, better sleep...). I am a contributor to it with sleep stories. This link gives you 30 days of free trial instead of the usual 7 days. I have an affiliate agreement with Aura and this is a paid promotion in case you become a paying user after the trial.

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Patreon: your contribution is very welcome. I use it to buy props for videos, books, and pay the bills! Patrons can also download videos in HD, or audio only, access special surveys and listen to my stories as podcasts.   / thefrenchwhisperer  

Paypal account: on the front page of my channel or https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
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Timestamps:
0:00 The Legend of Faust
13:20 Theophilus
22:14 The Historical Johann Faust
29:35 Elaboration of the Faustian Myth
37:07 Sylvester II and Saemundr Sigfússon
48:21 Loudun Possessions
1:05:15 Investigation and Trial