Witchcraft source Flashcards
(17 cards)
Who wrote the letter discussed in ‘The Witch Persecutions’?
Johannes Junius
A former burgomaster at Bamberg.
What was Johannes Junius accused of?
Witchcraft
He maintained his innocence throughout the letter.
What does Junius claim about the nature of the witch prison?
Whoever comes into the witch prison must become a witch or be tortured until confession
This reflects the coercive nature of confessions during witch trials.
What type of torture did Junius describe experiencing?
Strappado
A form of torture where the victim is hoisted by the arms, causing severe pain.
On what date did Junius undergo his first torture?
June 30
He mentions this date specifically in his letter.
What did the executioner urge Junius to do during his torture?
Confess something, whether true or not
The pressure to confess was intense and relentless.
What did Junius ultimately decide to do regarding his confession?
He decided to invent a confession
He believed it was better to say something false than to endure further torture.
What false crime did Junius admit to in his confession?
Killing his children and desecrating a sacred wafer
These admissions were made under duress.
How does Junius describe the confessions of others against him?
They were false and made under compulsion
He mentions that others also confessed against him due to fear.
What does Junius request his daughter to do with his letter?
Keep it secret
He feared for his safety and the safety of those who helped him.
What was Junius’s final note to his daughter regarding his fate?
He would never see her again
This reflects his grim outlook on the outcome of his trial.
What was Junius’s mental state during his imprisonment?
Deeply troubled
He expressed significant emotional distress in his letter.
Fill in the blank: Junius was tortured until he __________ something.
confessed
The torturers used extreme methods to elicit confessions.
True or False: Junius had a priest present during his torture.
False
He requested a priest but was denied.
What does Junius say about the nature of the trials?
One is just like another
He suggests that the trials were standardized and unfair.
What physical condition did Junius mention in his letter?
His hands were both lame
This was a result of the torture he endured.
What financial request does Junius make in his letter?
Pay this man a thaler
He asks for financial assistance for someone.
