The Witch Craze Unit 6: The Reformation

Beginnings of the Witch Craze in Europe During the 11-13th centuries, most people still believed in the existence of good/white witches. The goddess Diana was known and worshipped as the “Queen of Good Witches” However, the rise of Christianity made this opinion heresy. The 14th century brought many drastic changes: the Great Schism, the Great Famine, and the Black Death. People were looking for someone to blame. Many religious leaders pointed to Satan, and witches as his servants.

Beginnings of the Witch Craze in Europe Prior to the start of the Witch Craze, the Church claimed that the pain of the people was brought on by Satan and his army. The 100 Years’ War between France and England along with the Great Famine brought a rise in crime, disease, suicide, and cannibalism. 1347 saw the start of the Black Plague, seen as a punishment from God.

Escalation of Witch Trials Over Time Only 12 Inquisitorial trials 1320-1420 34 Inquisitorial trials 1420-1485 120 trials by the government of France 1420-1486

Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer Against the Witches) Written by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger. Kramer – an Inquisitor for the Catholic church. Educated magistrates on how to find, convict, and destroy witches. Sprenger was a priest from Switzerland. A master of Theology in Cologne and General Inquisitor for Germany. It is believed that Kramer just used Sprenger’s name to add authority to his book.

Malleus Maleficarum “Evil intentions” The help of the Devil Book revolves around 3 principles: Book is also divided into 3 parts: “Evil intentions” The help of the Devil The permission of God The reality of witchcraft Actual cases of recruitment (including spells and remedies) How to prosecute a witch

Malleus Maleficarum – Spread and Consequences The book spread rapidly with the invention of the printing press. After its publication, witch trials became primarily focused on women. 9 out of 10 witch trials accused women. Deep seated misogyny during this time period Majority of women accepted their “social inferiority”. Records show female support for these witch trials and persecutions.

Targeted Groups Women Midwives Older women were disproportionately tried as witches. Poor and unmarried or widowed women were also targeted. Had no men, money, or family to defend them. Mothers and daughters were usually tried together. If one was a witch, the other was likely to be one as well. No formal medical training, but cheaper than doctors. Male doctors refused to assist in childbirth – it was “undignified” Often the first people in contact with newborns = often blamed is something goes wrong. 1/10 women died from childbirth 1/3 babies were still born or died within a year. Only 40% of children lived to age 5

Targeted Groups Children Jews Questioned if the child was enchanted by another witch or was a witch in their own right. Some were tried for accompanying their mother’s to Sabbat’s (witches’ gatherings). Targeted by both Catholics and Protestants. Rise of Anti-Semitism after the Crusades and during the Black Plague. Jews were exterminated by the millions across Europe during the Witch Craze, accused of witchcraft and of being in league with the Devil.

The German Witch Craze

Germany Epicenter of the Witch Craze as well as the Reformation. Around 48% of witch trial deaths came from Germany (about 26,000 people). The 30 Years’ War (1618-1648) embodied the hatred between the Catholics and Protestants. Both sides believed the other was working for Satan. Jesuits started (branch of Catholicism), very violent. Saw Protestants and witches as agents of Satan and viewed themselves as “God’s Assassins.” The war divided Germany into Principalities, creating many different policies on witch trials. The war also reduced the population by 15-30% and destroyed a third of the towns in Germany.

Germany Witch Craze Timeline Beginning of the Witch Craze 1560s Peak of Craze Women targeted 1580s New Wave, expanded across Europe Famines in 1600, 1616, and 1626. 1610s

The Pappenheimer Trial – Munich, Germany The most significant witch trial of the European Witch Craze. One of the worst to occur in Germany, even though it happened after witch trials were made “illegal.” (1600) The trial was extremely well documented.

The Pappenheimer Trial - accusors Duke Maximillian I – wanted to “solve” the most unsolved crimes in one trial. Alexander Van Haslang (interrogator/torturer) – Sheriff. Accused the Pappenheimer’s of all the unsolved crimes in Munich and tortured them until they admitted to using witchcraft.

The Pappenheimer Trial – the Victims Paulus (Father) – charged with stealing food/drink, arson, and deaths of 100 children. Anna (Mother) – charged with cursing 100 infants. Main “job” was to kill pregnant women and make candles from the unborn babies. Gumpprecht (oldest son) – charged with murder, robbery, and arson. Confessed to satanic indoctrination. Jacob – charged with murder, robbery, and arson. Hoel (youngest, 10-years-old) – initially left behind and put in the care of the Sheriff. Later he was brought to testify against his parents.

The Pappenheimer Trial - places Falcon Tower – the adults were tortured using strappado. Hoel was beaten with a cane until he admitted his parents used witchcraft Fair Tower – family was led here after the trial through town on carts. Hoel thought his parents were taking part in a wedding due to all the public attention. Neuhaus Gate – ordered to publicaly confess their sins before being sentenced to death

The Pappenheimer Trial - outcome During the course of the trial, 400 other people were implicated – including some who did not exist. Paulus was impaled on a pike. Anna’s body was mutilated. Men were put on the Wheel to have their skin ripped. Others were burned at the stake – died of suffocation. Church bells rang after every execution. Hoel was taken back to Falcon Tower – burned later at the stake with 6 others.