Johannes Nider

He entered the Order of Preachers at Colmar and after profession was sent to Vienna for his philosophical studies, which he finished at Cologne, where he was ordained.

After making a study of the convents of his order of strict observance in Italy he returned to the University of Vienna, where in 1425 he began teaching as Master of Theology.

In this capacity he maintained his early reputation of reformer and in 1431 he was chosen prior of the convent of strict observance at Basel.

He became identified with the Council of Basel as theologian and legate, making several embassies to the Hussites at the command of Cardinal Julian.

Peter claimed to have interviewed a captured male witch by the name of Stedelen, who described in detail aspects of witchcraft pertaining to acts of child murder, heresy, and apostasy.