Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Inside the Icelandic Witch Trials
Oct 31, 2025
In this captivating discussion, Dr. Ólína Kjerulf Þorvarðardóttir, a historian and Dean at the University of Bifröst, reveals the shocking truth behind the Icelandic witch trials of the 17th century, where over 90% of the accused were men. She explores how the Christian Reformation fueled mass hysteria and influenced local dynamics. Key figures like Reverend Pál Björnsson led the persecutions, showcasing the intertwining of magic, legal ignorance, and societal fear. The gruesome execution practices and the motivations behind them paint a vivid picture of this dark chapter in history.
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Iceland's Unique Social Landscape
- 17th-century Iceland was a small, rural, poorly educated society under Danish rule with deep oral and folk traditions.
- Geographic isolation delayed continental witchcraft ideologies reaching Iceland, causing uneven regional outbreaks.
Magic Rooted Deep In Icelandic Culture
- Magic in Iceland predated Christianity and included runes and seiðr recorded in sagas.
- Folk rituals and healing persisted and later conflicted with church efforts to demonize old practices.
Lutheran Fervour Fueled Witch Hysteria
- Lutheran reforms heightened preaching about the devil and framed all magic as diabolical threats.
- This produced mass fear, hysteria, and local mistrust that fueled witch hunts in certain areas.
