Explore the shocking Torsåker Witch Trials in Sweden, where local leaders defied the Crown to execute supposed witches. Discover the brutal practices and extreme punishments of the trials, the church's embrace of misogyny and hysteria, and the challenges faced by the witch hunting commissions. Reflect on how Sweden avoids witch trials and the importance of avoiding false accusations.
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Quick takeaways
The Torsåker Witch Trials in Sweden were characterized by religious hysteria and local leaders defying the Swedish Crown to accuse, try, and execute supposed witches without proper authority, with those responsible for starting the hysteria being murdered.
The witch trials in Sweden were influenced by earlier works like the Malius Maleficarum, which depicted witches as treacherous and lecherous women, and these beliefs were further reinforced by the Protestant Reformation, creating fear and religious conflicts in Europe.
Once an accusation was made during the witch trials in Sweden, individuals were considered witches until they could prove otherwise, leading to a cycle of accusing, torturing, and more names being revealed under torture, escalating the hysteria and resulting in chaos and increased violence.
Deep dives
The Great Noise: The Swedish Witch Trials
During the Great Noise, a period of intense witch trials in Sweden, hundreds of people, mostly women, were accused and executed for witchcraft. The hysteria began with a false accusation made by a young boy out of jealousy and escalated quickly. The trials were fueled by the influence of earlier works like the Malius Maleficarum, which depicted witches as treacherous and lecherous women. The trials were characterized by torture, forced confessions, and reliance on child witnesses. The Swedish government established a commission to address the issue, but it only exacerbated the hysteria. The trials became chaotic and violent, resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent people.
The Influence of Earlier Works
The witch trials in Sweden were influenced by earlier works like the Malius Maleficarum, which painted witches as a real and present danger. The book, written by Heinrich Kramer, presented misogynistic views and fueled beliefs that women were more susceptible to witchcraft due to their inherent evil and lustful nature. The Catholic Church initially rejected the extreme views presented in the book, but eventually embraced them as a means to regain power. These beliefs were further reinforced by the Protestant Reformation, which created fear and religious conflicts in Europe.
False Accusations and the Cycle of Hysteria
The witch trials in Sweden were often triggered by false accusations, frequently made by children seeking attention or out of fear and jealousy. Once an accusation was made, individuals were trapped in an impossible situation. According to the belief at the time, once accused, a person was considered a witch until they could prove otherwise, which was nearly impossible. The trials led to a cycle of accusing and torturing, as one accusation led to more names being named under torture. The hysteria escalated rapidly, leading to chaos and increased violence.
The Great Noise and its Consequences
The Great Noise, a period of intense witch trials in Sweden, resulted in the deaths of many innocent individuals, particularly women. Torture was used to extract confessions, and even children were used as witnesses. The trials quickly spiraled out of control, with entire villages getting caught up in the frenzy. The Swedish government established a commission to address the issue, but it ultimately worsened the situation, leading to more chaos and violence. The Great Noise became a national catastrophe, leaving a dark mark on Swedish history.
The Torshicker Witch Trials: Accusations, Trials, and Executions
The podcast episode discusses the Torshicker witch trials in Sweden during the 17th century. The trials began after Laurentius Christoffrey Hornaeus, a clergyman, recruited local boys who claimed they could identify those marked by the devil just by looking at their faces. Over time, the accusations spread, and a total of 71 people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft and sorcery. The trials were overseen by Judge Johann Anderson Humbreis, and all 71 accused were found guilty and sentenced to death by beheading. Their bodies were then burned at the stake. The executioners beheaded each person, and family members had to carry the bodies to the pyres. The accused were identified by the viscosar, the group of local boys stationed outside the church. After the trials, accusations of witchcraft became increasingly rare, and public opinion shifted, ultimately leading to the end of the witch trials.
Impact and Legacy of the Torshicker Witch Trials
The Torshicker witch trials marked a turning point in public opinion regarding witchcraft accusations in Sweden. It demonstrated that no one, including children, was safe from such accusations. However, the trials also highlighted the flaws and injustices of the witch hunting commissions. Many accused were unable to prove their innocence and were sentenced to death. Following the Torshicker trials, there were attempts to continue accusing and trying witches, but public opinion began to question the truthfulness of child witnesses. Accusations of witchcraft became increasingly rare, and authorities became more inclined to shut them down. Today, Torshicker acknowledges its dark history and has erected a memorial to those executed.
When it comes to the horrors of witch hunts and trials around the world, Sweden is not often cited as one of the more aggressive or egregious nations. Nevertheless, the Torsåker Witch Trials remain a shocking example of religious hysteria due to the way in which they unfolded, which included local leaders defying the Swedish Crown and taking it upon themselves to identify, try, and execute supposed witches without proper authority. Moreover, while the Torsåker case may have unfolded like most others across Europe, it remains an outlier in that those responsible for starting the hysteria weren’t just held accountable for their false accusations but were in fact murdered.
Thank you to the lovely David White, of Bring Me the Axe podcast, for research assistance :)
References
Gershon, Livia. 2022. "The Easter Witches of Sweden." JSTOR Daily, April 15.
