Abstract: This chapter discusses the confession manuals produced in the wake of the church reform movement of the 13th century. It describes how the authors of confession manuals, for example Thomas of Chobham, summarized academic canon law and theology relating to impotence magic, but also showed a new awareness of real magical practices, which was based on their interest in the pastoral care of the laity more generally. This interest in magical practices also prompted them to discuss the use of magical cures for impotence. In the 14th century, some confession manuals began to write about other forms of fertility magic alongside impotence magic. The chapter also compares the long, academic confession manuals with shorter ones which summarized the basics of pastoral care, and with the statutes of church councils. It argues that these short manuals and statutes rarely mention impotence magic, and were more worried about other magical practices.

Keywords: church councils, church reform, confession manuals, cures, fertility, laity, magical practices, pastoral care, Thomas of Chobham,