The large-scale "witch hunt" lasted for over two centuries. More than 100 lawsuits in Europe and America and at least 60 thousand victims.
Scapegoat
In early 1324, the Bishop of Ossor accused the influential Irish Kilkenny woman Alice Keiteler of several crimes at once. The woman allegedly was in connection with the "lower demon of hell", knew the recipe for deadly potions, with the help of which she poisoned one husband after another, learned the future, renouncing the Church and the Lord. The woman's influence was enough to withstand the accusations, and she managed to escape to England. But her maid was less fortunate. After long torture, she confirmed everything that was required: allegedly her mistress regularly attends demonic orgies and is a "most skillful witch." Recognition and repentance did not save the woman - a year later she was executed.
Portrait of a real witch
On the basis of medieval folklore, the first image of a witch was formed - an evil old woman. By the 15th century, in various theological works, she turns into a fatal seducer, who exchanged an immortal soul for superpowers and eternal youth. One of the signs of devils has always been considered a birthmark or moles - it is they who often become the main evidence of the devil's essence. If a woman with her hands tied was able to stay afloat or endure torture, she was also doomed to be burned at the stake.
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Ordinary peasants did not make gender distinctions. Men and women with disabilities, shunned by people and not distinguished by excessive affability - a typical portrait of a witch or sorcerer. They were tolerant of strange fellow villagers, trying not to get caught in the eye once again.
Fight against heresy
Until now, scientists have not come to a consensus about what exactly provoked the mass extermination. According to one version, the Vedic processes became part of the struggle against heretics that began in the 12th century. Then witches were considered exclusively as part of various satanic cults. The papal church reacted unequivocally to the appearance of "servants of Satan" - the Inquisition was created.
Witches were "caught up" when they were seen in connection with heretics. In other cases, an acquittal was issued.
By the 15th century, the situation was changing - witchcraft is officially recognized as one of the exceptional crimes, which means that it gives the Inquisition the right to use any torture. An elementary denunciation becomes a sufficient reason for their application.
By the 15th century, the situation was changing - witchcraft is officially recognized as one of the exceptional crimes, which means that it gives the Inquisition the right to use any torture. An elementary denunciation becomes a sufficient reason for their application.
Mass psychosis
Many researchers are convinced that mass psychosis was the cause of the "wars". The listed reasons do not seem absolutely convincing - hunger, epidemics and the sending of various toxic substances that got into food or water, and here's why.
Among the ardent persecutors of witches were not starving commoners, but quite wealthy people, many of whom were able to think progressively. And it is unlikely that poisoning with the same ergot could occur with such regularity over several eras. However, one should not forget that any crisis phenomena - plague, wars, crop failures - could increase panic and people's desire to find the cause of misfortune in the supernatural.
Again blame for the "media"?
The opinion that mass hysteria was influenced by the publication of various treatises with recommendations for the identification and destruction of witches seems more consistent. In 1487, on the initiative of Pope Innocent VIII, the "Hammer of the Witches" was published - a famous instruction written by the monks Sprenger and Institoris. Reprinted 30 times in two centuries, the book has become the main "textbook" for interrogation.
In the 16th century, many such works were published, and many of them "escalated the situation", telling about the world of people ruled by the Devil with the help of numerous witches.
It is not surprising that people began to suspect their neighbors, market traders, and parishioners of the devilry. In addition, denunciation of the "witch" helped "legally" get rid of anyone.
Here are just a few examples of mass reprisals against "witches". In Quedlinburg, Saxony, 133 people were burned at the stake in just one day. Another case describes how a Silesian executioner constructed a special oven in which he burned not only adults, but also children accused of witchcraft. One of the priests described what was happening in Bonn as madness that covered half of the city: an influential official and his wife were burned alive, after torture the devout pupil of the bishop went to the fire, as well as children, students, professors recognized as Satan's lovers. “In the chaos that reigned, people did not understand who else could be trusted,” the eyewitness concluded.
Salem business
The loudest was the Salem affair in New England. For a couple of years in a small Puritan town, 185 men and women were sentenced. Researchers believe that in such a small area, the principle of "snowball" worked, when those arrested under torture began to talk about sabbaths, where they allegedly saw other townspeople.
It all started with an attempt to explain the strange illness of some children who behaved strangely.
Any nervous illness in those days was more often explained as demon possession, and the girls from Salem were no exception.
Under pressure from adults, one of them slandered first a dark-skinned servant who often told children "horror stories" about voodoo and pagan curses, and then a beggar woman and a grumpy neighbor who "had not attended church for a long time." "The snowball rolled," and soon many residents began to recall their own misfortunes, explaining them with devilish curses.
The list of the accused has grown so much that a special judicial body had to be created to consider cases. As a result, 19 people were executed, one was stoned, four could not bear the torture and died in prison. Even two dogs were killed on charges of aiding witches. Most researchers are inclined to believe that the tragedy was caused by mental disorders in girls as a result of the characteristics of the Puritan upbringing.
Matthew Hopkins
It should be said that Russia was hardly touched by the "witch hunt".
The Orthodox perceived the female essence differently and they were less afraid of the thought of the sinfulness of the daughters of Eve.
In addition, Peter I in 1715 ordered the punishment of hysteria, forbidding them to indiscriminately accuse people of witchcraft. Some scientists are sure that in Russia they did not hunt for witches also because there were no people like Matthew Hopkins in the country. This Englishman gathered a team of like-minded people and directed all his forces to exterminate "enemies", believing that he possesses the unique gift of "seeing the devil's companions." He not only carried out private orders, but also hunted witches in villages throughout Britain, explaining any illness or incident with their curse and witchcraft. Two hundred people were killed by the "efforts" of one person. And if at first Hopkins acted at the behest of the heart, then, quite likely, he was guided by self-interest, because every order was well paid.
In the modern world, the phrase "witch hunt" has become a phraseological unit, denoting the persecution of those who think or act "wrong." This is forgotten by those researchers who claim that this phenomenon is in the past.