The role of denunciations and confessions

Question 1

How did denunciations coincide with torture ?

Answer 1

Torture resulted in people being named prompting the prosecution of others . E.g

Trier , 306 witches denounced and a further 1500 leading to 1000 getting executed

Question 2

What were free denunciations ?

Answer 2

Social issues and religious tensions led to neighbours turning on each other - the rate of denunciations increased as tensions rose

Those denounced were ususally mentally unstable E.G Salem where moldy bread caused hallucinations

Question 3

What were free confessions ?

Answer 3

Fear of torture led some to confess freely yet some did for other reasons :

-Some were mentally unfit
-People dreamed that they did the
actions
-Ergot poisoning caused hallucinations
-Fear of social isolation and comunal hatred

Question 4

Give an example of the content of confessions and how they acheived them in bamberg

Answer 4

A list of questions were asked in interrogations including :

How they were involved with the devil
Naming others
Oath of loyalty they took
The death threat given by the demon