The Possession of Barbe Hallay

The Possession of Barbe Hallay: Diabolical Arts and Daily Life in Early Canada examines a chilling case of demonic infestation in 1660 Québec. This historical study focuses on Barbe Hallay, a teenage servant whose erratic behavior convinced her community that evil forces had taken hold. The narrative details the subsequent accusations against a local miller, who faced execution after being blamed for using dark arts to torment the girl.

Mairi Cowan uses this specific event to analyze the broader social climate of New France. By exploring the intersection of superstition and law, the author reveals the deep anxieties and daily experiences of early Canadian settlers. This non-fiction work provides a detailed look at how spiritual fear and the belief in diabolical influences shaped the legal and social structures of the seventeenth century.