Cats have been companions to man throughout history, but not always as a beloved companion. In ancient Egypt, the cat was adored and celebrated - even mummified along with their human companions. Medieval man, however, had an entirely different opinion of the cat. Up until Medieval times, the cat had been elevated to a high status. Along with them went thousands of cats. Medieval man thought the cat had supernatural powers and any misfortune was blamed on them. Cats were even thought to be witches in disguise, running in the darkness of night to perform evil acts. Cats were burned, boiled, stoned, flayed, stabbed, gutted, dropped from high places, hanged, impaled and buried alive with an almost religious fervor. As time went on, more people of influence began to keep cats (even Cardinals Wolsey and Richelieu kept cats as pets) and the tide began to turn in the cats favor. Finally, but the 18th century, cats were no longer persecuted and cats as companions began to make a comeback. More in French Mandragore