Vampires and Vampirism by
Montague Summers
No Greater Compilation Nor Any So Easily Obtained.
Any investigation into vampire legends leads inevitably to the works of
Montague Summers (1880-1948), whose research and writings in the
1920s established him as the subject’s preeminent authority. This study
examines vampire lore in fantastic detail, constituting a record of folk
beliefs unequaled in its sheer scope and depth. It features all the
apparatus of an academic work, including footnotes and references to rare
source documents, and it addresses such issues as how vampires came
into existence, vampirish behavior, vampire-like ancient myths, and
vampires in modern literature. Unabridged republication of the classic 1929
edition. Introduction. Bibliography. Index.

Personal Review: Vampires and Vampirism by Montague
Summers
_Vampires and Vampirism_ is a reprint of _The Vampire: His Kith and
Kin_, republished by Dover publications, by the Roman Catholic priest
Montague Summers. Montague Summers was an enigmatic figure, whose
ordination to the priesthood may have been irregular (according to certain
rumors) though his faith in Roman Catholicism was certainly not.
Summers unequivocally rejects modernism and the rationalist
interpretation of the supernatural, opting instead for the medieval and
traditional viewpoint. Summers may have been involved in certain occult
circles, where he attained knowledge of much that he presents in his
books, and certainly reveals his mastery of folklore and tradition. This
book explains the legend of the vampire, whose reality Summers affirms,
and reveals Summers great learning quoting often from original works in
Latin, Greek, archaic English, German, and French. The book is expertly
footnoted, containing many references to original sources.
Summers begins by discussing the origins of the vampire. Summers
explains the development of ghost stories, many of which are important
precursors to the vampire legend. The ghost may be understood as a
departed soul suffering in Purgatory awaiting liberation. The vampire on
the other hand is neither ghost nor demon (a fallen angel) because a
demon has no body. However, the nature of the vampire is purely
demonic. Summers outlines the development of various vampire legends
within certain primitive tribes, as well as distinguishing between the
vampire and the werewolf. In addition, Summers explains cases involving
both the phenomenon of premature burial and the actual resuscitation of
the dead, referencing cases from the lives of various saints. While
Summers notes the reality of premature burial, particularly in earlier times,
he also stands firmly by his belief that the vampire is a real entity.
Summers next turns his attention to the generation of the vampire. Here,
he notes the role of excommunication, particularly within the Greek
Orthodox church. It was believed that those who died in the state of
excommunication would not rest and could become a vampire. Summers
also provides in detail rites for absolving those in excommunication once
already dead. It is believed that by absolving the dead, they may attain the
proper rest they desire and thus not return in the form of a vampire to
haunt the living. Summers next turns his attention to the traits and
practices of the vampire. Here Summers discusses the issue of suicide.
Those who have committed suicide are believed to have committed a
mortal sin and may return to haunt the living in the form of a vampire.
Summers explains how the vampire was often understood as the offspring
of a witch and the devil. In addition, Summers explains how the vampire
exists through three means: the Vampire, the Devil, and the permission of
Almighty God. Summers quotes extensively from the _Malleus
Maleficarum_ of Kramer and Sprenger. Summers also notes the reality of
the incubus and succubus. Summers explains the importance of blood for
the vampire, who actively seeks to revitalize itself by sucking the blood of
the living. Summers notes how a vampire may be killed by beheading or

by driving a stake into the heart. Summers also notes the vile nature of the
vampire's breath, which may be deadly itself. Following this, Summers
turns his attention to ancient vampire legends in Assyria, the East, and
various other ancient countries. Summers spells out the various ancient
legends concerning beings which may be like the vampire. Of particular
interest are some of the Chinese legends as well as the legend of the
penanggalan, a female vampire which consists of a head with intestines
hanging down and that sucks the blood of its victims. Summers also notes
the ancient Mexican deities and their similarities to the vampire legend.
Finally, Summers turns his attention to the vampire in literature. Here,
Summers notes the influence of such Romantic poets as Lord Byron, but
also explains the role of the vampire in various plays. Summers notes
stories written by Alexandre Dumas and Charles Nodier. In particular, the
novels _Varney the Vampire, or the Feast of Blood_ by Thomas Preskett
Prest and _Dracula, a Tale_ by Bram Stoker have played important roles
in the vampire literature.
This book provides an excellent study of the vampire legend from the
perspective of a medievalist and a Roman Catholic. Summers
unequivocally rejects the rationalist and modernist perspectives on these
ancient legends and motifs, instead opting for the medieval viewpoint.
This can similarly be seen in Summers studies of witchcraft, where he
distinctly argues for the reality of Satan and the practice of Satanism as
against the Catholic church.
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