Throughout the medieval period and even until the 19th century, a juxtaposition of the existence of folk belief persisted alongside that of spirituality and Christianity. It wasn’t until the Inquisitions and religious persecutions of the 16th and 17th centuries that the combination of mythology, magic, religion, spirituality and folk belief began its association with Witchcraft and associations with the Devil. An example of this can be seen in Les Controverses Et Recherches Magiques (1611) by Martín Antonio del Río (17 May 1551 – 19 October 1608). In this work there is a clear distinction between the harmful work of the devil and the beneficial work of folk based natural magic. The image of the cross throughout this period was seen jointly as a symbol of faith, and also a powerful tool in apotropaic magic. A crucifix held the power of protection, and existed as a dominant icon to deflect evil, sickness, plague and misfortune.