Women on Trial
Women comprised the vast majority of those accused of witchcraft, and an even greater percentage of those convicted and executed. Many crimes attributed to them—bewitching children, using magic to cure, and destroying livestock—centered on women’s domains. They cared for children and farm animals; their power to heal could be linked to the power to harm. Socially marginalized, women, especially the aged, widowed or unmarried, proved to be easy targets.
Presented here are six cases involving seven women. Two were healers (Maria Antonia and Joan Peterson), two were turned in by their own relatives (Mary Wallys, Sidonia von Borcke), two were sub-prioresses who fell out with their superiors (Sidonia and Maria Renata Sänger), and two were victims of the general witch hysteria (sisters Elsa and Margreta Engelhardin). At least three had reputations for being difficult and ill-tempered (Joan, Mary, Sidonia). All suffered torture. Of the five found guilty, four were sentenced to death and one exiled. Only the two sisters were declared innocent.