The Voices of Women in Witchcraft Trials: Northern Europe (Routledge Studies in the History of Witchcraft, Demonology and Magic)

Women come to the fore in witchcraft trials as accused persons or as witnesses, and this book is a study of women’s voices in these trials in eight countries around the North Sea: Spanish Netherlands, Northern Germany, Denmark, Scotland, England, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. From each country, three trials are chosen for close reading of courtroom discourse and the narratological approach enables various individuals to speak. Throughout the study, a choir of 24 voices of accused women are heard which reveal valuable insight into the field of mentalities and display both the individual experience of witchcraft accusation and the development of the trial. Particular attention is drawn to the accused women’s confessions, which are interpreted as enforced narratives. The analyses of individual trials are also contextualized nationally and internationally by a frame of historical elements, and a systematic comparison between the countries shows strong similarities regarding the impact of specific ideas about witchcraft, use of pressure and torture, the turning point of the trial, and the verdict and sentence. This volume is an essential resource for all students and scholars interested in the history of witchcraft, witchcraft trials, transnationality, cultural exchanges, and gender in early modern Northern Europe. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations 1 Introduction The Topic The Sources Demonology, Maleficium, Healing Methodological Approach The Context Order of Chapters The Role of the Scribe The Gender Perspective Research on Narrative Discourse, Gender, and Witchcraft European Witchcraft Research Outline 2 Spanish Netherlands—Holy Water, Witchcraft Powder, and the Collar Background Lynken van Brugghe, 1596 Mayken Karrebrouck, 1634 Clayse Sereyns, 1657 Conclusion 3 Northern Germany—Bloksberg, Red Rider, and Torture ‘in a Humane Way’ Background Kistina Netelers, 1607 Anneke Rickers, 1641 Anna Spielen, 1669 Conclusion 4 Denmark—Weather Magic, Witches’ Dance, and Personal Demons Background Maren, the Wife of Mogens, 1590 Mette Lauridsdatter Kongens, 1618 Anna Bruds, the Wife of Thomas, 1652 Conclusion 5 Scotland—Devil’s Pact, Gatherings, and Sleep Deprivation Background Agnes Sampson, 1590–91 Helene Clerk, 1643–45 Isobell Eliot, 1678 Conclusion 6 England—Familiars, Teats, and Witchfinders Background Thomasine Read, 1647 Isabel Atcheson and Jane Simpson, 1664 Conclusion 7 Norway—Charms, Blåkoll, and Chasing Fish Background Anne Knutsdatter, 1584/1594 Sitru Pedersdatter, 1623 Gundelle Olsdatter, 1663 Conclusion 8 Sweden—Kullen, Blåkulla, and the Water Man Background Ingegärd Andersdotter, 1594 Karin Persdotter, 1653 Karin Dantz, 1673–74 Conclusion 9 Finland—Magic Salt, Uncovered Hair, and Blåkulla Background Gertrud Matsdotter, 1649 Maria Nilsdotter, 1666 Brita Eriksdotter Pålsu, 1685 Conclusion 10 Comparison and Conclusion Confession Witnesses’ Testimonies Narrative Structures Orality Features Interrogation Torture and Pressure Enforced Narratives The Voice of the Law The Voice of the Scribe Transnational Transfer Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index "Women come to the fore in witchcraft trials as accused persons or as witnesses, and this book is a study of women's voices in these trials in eight countries around the North Sea: Spanish Netherlands, Northern Germany, Denmark, Scotland, England, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. This volume is an essential resource for all students and scholars interested in the history of witchcraft, witchcraft trials, transnationality, cultural exchanges, and gender in early modern Northern Europe"-- Provided by publisher