French Satanism, Satanism before LaVey? Options

I was surprised recently to hear that, before LaVey came along, Satanism *may* have been practiced in France.

My source cites the 1891 novel "La-Bas," (trans. "The Damned) by J.K. Huysmans, which describes the practice of Satanism in that period-- especially describing in detail the "black mass." He asserts that the novel is based on factual happenings.

Now, it could be that "La-Bas" was a fictional invention entirely. But I haven't read it, and I don't know.

Does anyone have any evidence either way?

This post has been edited by monkman418: Jul 22 2009, 11:05 PM

In getting my M.A., I took a few courses in the history of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period.

Indeed, many nobles during the Enlightenment performed the "Black Mass." It was an early attempt to undo societal-religious programming inflicted on them by the Catholic and Protestant Churches.

As the French were by-in-large Catholics, the Black Masses performed were parodies of the Catholic Mass, even using stolen Eucharist wafers to mock and blaspheme.

There are many books on the subject and many more are in the works.

Good luck and happy hunting!