The German witch trials and persecutions were a dark period in German history during the 16th and 17th centuries. This was a time when individuals, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and were subjected to brutal trials and executions. The main idea behind these trials was the belief that witches made pacts with the devil and used their supernatural powers to harm others. The witch trials in Germany were fueled by various factors, including religious and societal beliefs, as well as political and economic circumstances. The main idea here is that the trials served as a way to maintain social order and control by targeting individuals who were seen as a threat to the traditional power structures. Many innocent people were caught up in the hysteria and were subjected to torture in order to extract confessions.
12. Johannes Matthaeus Meyfart, 1590–1642, Lutheran theologian, since 1616 professor at the Gymnasium Casimirianum at Coburg, since 1633 professor of theology at Erfurt. In 1635 Meyfart published his famous Christliche Erinnerung / an Gewaltige Regenten und Gewissenhafte Praedicanten / wie das abschewliche Laster der Hexerey mit Ernst auszurotten / aber in Verfolgung desselben auff Cantzeln und in Gerichtsheusem sehr bescheidentlich zu handeln sey. About Meyfart see Hallier , Christian , Johannes Matthaeus Meyfart: Ein Schriftsteller, Pädagoge und Theologe des 17. Jahrhunderts ( Neumünster , 1982 )Google Scholar . According to Meyfart—writing in German and not in Latin; using his proper name and not a pseudonym—all trials against witches should be stopped. In his view, in these trials more innocent than guilty people were convicted. As long as this was the case, Meyfart argued, all those involved in these trials committed a terrible sin. Moreover, as Meyfart wrote, the return of Christ was rapidly approaching and Christ would issue all necessary verdicts in the last judgment. It is very likely that Meyfart borrowed some of his arguments from Friedrich von Spee's famous Cautio Criminalis seu de processibus contra sagas liber (anonymously published in 1631; German translation in 1649; new ed. by J. F. Ritter, 1939).
See also Delumeau , Jean , La Peur en Occident, XIVe XVIIIe siècles Paris , 1978 Google Scholar , whose approach is, in contrast to mine, very wide and who does not discuss specifically the conditions in late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century Germany German translation Angst im Abendland Die Geschichte kollektiver Ängste im Europa des 14. In the spring of 1692, two young girls from a seemingly inconsequential village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony began to display increasingly disturbing behavior, claiming strange visions and experiencing fits.
Many innocent people were caught up in the hysteria and were subjected to torture in order to extract confessions. The trials reached their peak in the late 16th century, particularly in areas like Würzburg and Bamberg. The main idea here is that these regions had a strong Catholic presence and were heavily influenced by the fervent religious beliefs of the time.
The Persecution of Witches as Restoration of Order: The Case of Germany, 1590s–1650s
From the late sixteenth to the late seventeenth century many of the territories and cities in Central Europe were the scene of witchcraft trials. As recent research shows, it was especially in the years around 1590, 1610, and 1630, and again in the 1650s, that many parts of Germany were overwhelmed by what might be called a tidal wave of witch-hunting, with thousands upon thousands of victims: women mostly, yet also men and children. So far, despite a large number of detailed studies, there is no convincing explanation of why witch-hunting should have played such a prominent role in Germany from the 1590s to the 1650s.
Type Articles Information Central European History , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , June 1988 , pp. 107 - 121 CopyrightCopyright © Conference Group for Central European History of the American Historical Association 1988
The belief in witchcraft was deeply ingrained, and those who were accused were often seen as agents of evil who needed to be eliminated. In total, it is estimated that tens of thousands of people were accused of witchcraft in Germany, and thousands were executed. **The main idea here is that the German witch trials and persecutions were a tragic chapter in history that resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the perpetuation of fear and superstition.** Eventually, the witch trials began to decline in the late 17th century due to changes in societal attitudes and the rise of a more rational and scientific worldview. Overall, the German witch trials and persecutions were a devastating and unjust period in history. **The main idea here is that they serve as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked hysteria and the importance of valuing evidence and reason over superstition and prejudice.** It is a grim reminder of the potential for mass hysteria and the damage it can inflict on innocent lives..
Reviews for "Famous Trials: The Most Infamous German Witch Trials in History"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I found the book "German witch trials and persecutions" to be quite disappointing. While the topic is interesting, the author's writing style was dry and lacked engaging storytelling. The information seemed to be presented in a very academic manner, making it difficult to connect with the stories of those persecuted. Additionally, the book did not provide enough context or historical background, assuming the reader already had a thorough understanding of the subject. Overall, I would recommend seeking out a different book on the topic to get a more comprehensive and enjoyable reading experience.
2. James - 1 star - "German witch trials and persecutions" was a real letdown for me. The book had the potential to shed light on an intriguing period of history, but it failed to deliver. The writing was dense, filled with jargon, and lacked any narrative flow. I struggled to maintain my interest throughout. Furthermore, the book focused too heavily on numbers and statistics, leaving out the personal stories and experiences of those involved in the trials. I was hoping for a more human-centered account that would bring the era to life, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - I have mixed feelings about "German witch trials and persecutions." While the book provided a comprehensive overview of the subject, it lacked any real depth or analysis. The information felt superficial, and I was left wanting more in terms of understanding the motivations behind the witch trials. The book also lacked a clear narrative structure, jumping between different regions and cases without a cohesive thread. Overall, it was an informative read, but I would recommend it to those with a basic interest in the topic rather than those seeking an in-depth exploration.