Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Denunciation
(769 words)

1. Definition

In defining denunciation, a distinction must be maintained between the legal-historical tradition and the social-historical usage dominant today. In a legal sense, denunciation meant no more than a judicial accusation (Latin, denunciatio). Its roots lie in the new inquisitorial system (Inquisition, trial by) developed by Pope Innocent III and confirmed by the Fourth Lateran Council; the goal of this system was to make it possible to conduct judicial investigations wit…

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Landwehr, Achim, “Denunciation”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_018244>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20170626



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