Madeleine fell victim to what those around her considered to be unmistakable demonic possession. Her body was contorted, and in a fit of rage she destroyed a crucifix. An exorcism was prescribed to banish the demons, but initial attempts proved futile. Three more nuns were soon found to be possessed by demons, and by the end of the year that number had risen to eight.
The principal victim was Madeleine de Demandolx de la Palud. Madeleine was a 17-year-old Ursuline nun with a history of emotional instability, and who was often returned to the care of her parents to recover from attacks of depression. Father Louis Gaufridi, a monk at the same convent was a friend of Madeleine's family, and it is believed that he and Madeleine became lovers
Father Gaufridi was then accused of causing Madeleine's possession, he was brought before a court in Aix in 1611. After physical and mental torture inflicted on Father Gaufridi during his time in prison, evidence of a pact with the Devil was produced in court, allegedly signed in Gaufridi's own blood. A signed confession was also produced, extracted under torture, in which he admitted celebrating a Black Mass in order to gain power over women. Father Gaufridi strongly recanted the confession extracted from him by torture, but the signed confession and alleged pact were evidence weighty enough to sentence the priest to death by fire.
Aix-en-Provence Witch Trials