A History of Witchcraft: 21. The Devils of Loudun

Loudun is a small town in France about midway between the ancient and romantic cities of Tours and Poitiers. It is now a quiet town, but in the 17th century, Loudon was a bustling city. It was rich in points of interest, preëminent among which were its castle and its convent.
It was from the convent that the devils were let loose to plague the good people of Loudun. For upwards of a fortnight, it appeared, several of the nuns, including the Mother Superior, had been tormented by specters and frightful visions. Latterly they had given every evidence of being possessed by evil spirits.