Hierarchy of Demons

In 1613 Sebastien Michaelis wrote a book, Admirable History, which included a classification of demons as it was told to him by the demon Berith when he was exorcising a nun, according to the author.

This classification is based on the Pseudo-Dionysian hierarchies, according to the sins the devil tempts one to commit, and includes the demons’ adversaries (who suffered that temptation without falling).

Note that many demons’ names are exclusively French or unknown in other catalogs. St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist are the two St. Johns to whom Michaelis refers. The other saints are cited only by their name without making clear, i.e., which Francis is (of Assisi?).

Pseudomonarchia daemonum (1583)

  • is a grimoire that contains a list of demons and the appropriate hours and rituals to conjure them in the name of God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost
  • The demons Vassago, Seir, Dantalion and Andromalius are not listed in this book.
  • Pseudomonarchia Daemonum does not attribute seals to the demons.
  • 69 Demons listed

First hierarchy
The first hierarchy includes angels that were or are Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.

• Beelzebub was a prince of the Seraphim, just below Lucifer. Beelzebub, along with Lucifer and Leviathan, were
the first three angels to fall. He tempts men with pride and is opposed by St. Francis of Assisi.
• Leviathan was also a prince of the Seraphim who tempts people to give into heresy, and is opposed by Saint Peter.
• Asmodeus was also a prince of the Seraphim and reportedly continues to be one, burning with desire to tempt
men into wantonness. He is opposed by St. John the Baptist.
• Berith was a prince of the Cherubim. He tempts men to commit homicide, and to be quarrelsome, contentious,
and blasphemous. He is opposed by St. Barnabas.
• Astaroth was a prince of Thrones, who tempts men to be lazy and is opposed by St. Bartholomew.
• Verrine was also prince of Thrones, just below Astaroth. He tempts men with impatience and is opposed by St.
Dominic.
• Gressil was the third prince of Thrones, who tempts men with impurity and is opposed by St. Bernard.
• Sonneillon was the fourth prince of Thrones, who tempts men to hate and is opposed by St. Stephen.[5]

Second hierarchy
The second hierarchy includes Powers, Dominions, and Virtues.

• Carreau was a prince of Powers. He tempts men with hardness of heart and is opposed by St.s Vincent and
Vincent Ferrer
• Carnivean was also a prince of Powers. He tempts men to obscenity and shamelessness, and is opposed by John
the Evangelist.
• Oeillet was a prince of Dominions. He tempts men to break the vow of poverty and is opposed by St. Martin.
• Rosier was the second in the order of Dominions. He tempts men against sexual purity and is opposed by St.
Basil.
• Belias was the prince of Virtues. He tempts men with arrogance and women to be vain, raise their children as
wantons, and gossip during mass. He is opposed by St. Francis de Paul.

Third hierarchy

The third hierarchy includes Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

• Olivier was the prince of the Archangels. He tempts men with cruelty and mercilessness toward the poor and is
opposed by St. Lawrence.
• Iuvart was prince of Angels. At the time of Michaelis’s writing, Iuvart was believed to be in the body of a Sister
Madeleine.[6]