The prosecution of suspected witches in Bamberg was a dark period in history, characterized by widespread fear, superstition, and religious fanaticism. During this time, thousands of individuals, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently subjected to harsh and often brutal trials. Bamberg, a town in Germany, was notorious for its intense witch-hunts that occurred between the years 1626 and 1631. The trials were characterized by a fervent belief in the existence of witches and their association with the devil. The hysteria reached its peak when the influential Prince-Bishop Johann Georg II decided to cleanse his diocese of all supposed witches. He employed two witch-hunters, the notorious Johannes Junius and Johann Fuchs, to carry out this task.
Taking advantage of this, Dornheim oversaw the establishment of a network of informers. Accusations were not made public, and the accused were denied any legal rights. Dornheim was also responsible for establishing an operation of full-time torturers and executioners, and for building the notorious Drudenhaus (or Trudenhaus, or witch prison) in Bamberg in 1627 to house the special torture chambers.
Before his tragic execution, Junius wrote a moving letter to his daughter Veronica so that she would understand the charges brought against him and the torture he endured. Dazu trug vor allem das Eingreifen des Reichshofrats, des obersten kaiserlichen Gerichts in Wien, ebenso bei sowie Initiativen der päpstlichen Kurie.
He employed two witch-hunters, the notorious Johannes Junius and Johann Fuchs, to carry out this task. The accused witches of Bamberg were subjected to horrific methods of torture in order to extract confessions. Many were stripped, shaved, and searched for "devil's marks," thought to be evidence of their connection with the devil.
Stigma - Memorial for the victims of the 17. century witch hunt
The installation and sculpture was erected in memory of all the victims of the prosecutions and executions of at least 1.000 innocent men and women, and even children, who were accused of witchcraft, tortured and executed in 17. century Bamberg.
Die bodennahe Lichtskulptur „Brandmal“, aus Cor-Ten-Stahl und Acrylglas, die von den Essener Künstlern Miriam Giessler und Hubert Sandmann geschaffen wurde, erinnert als „Hexenmahnmal“ an die Opfer der Verfolgungen im einstigen Hochstift Bamberg. Vor allem zwischen 1612 und 1631 war das Hochstift traurige „Hochburg“ der sog. Hexenverfolgungen. In mehreren Wellen wurden rund 1000 unschuldige Menschen, Frauen, Männer und auch Kinder, grausam gefoltert und ermordet.
Auf der beigefügten Tafel steht: „Ihr Leid verpflichtet uns zum Aufstehen gegen Ausgrenzung, Machtmissbrauch, Entwürdigung und jede Art von Fanatismus.“
Im 17. Jahrhundert war das Hochstift Bamberg, Schauplatz eines der dunkelsten Kapitel europäischer Geschichte. Schon unter Fürstbischof Johann Gottfried I. von Aschhausen (1575 bis 1622), verstärkt dann aber unter Fürstbischof Johann Georg II. Fuchs Freiherr von Dornheim (1586 bis 1633) sowie seinem Weihbischof und Generalvikar Friedrich Förner (1570 bis 1630), fand eine der grausamsten "Hexenverfolgungen“ Europas statt. In drei Prozesswellen wurden zwischen 1612 und 1630/31 bis zu 1000 Frauen, Männer und Kinder der Hexerei bezichtigt, grausam gefoltert und ermordet.
Zunächst fanden die Hinrichtungen in Zeil am Main statt. Der Bau des Malefizhauses oder Trudenhauses als Hexengefängnis im Jahr 1627 (heute: Franz-Ludwig-Straße / Promenade, 1635 bereits wieder abgerissen) war ein weiterer trauriger Höhepunkt. Nach dem Tod Friedrich Förners (1630) als einer der zentralen Figuren dieser Zeit und der Besetzung des Hochstifts durch schwedische Truppen im Laufe des 30-jährigen Krieges (1632) fanden diese unrechtmäßigen Verfolgungen ein rasches Ende. Dazu trug vor allem das Eingreifen des Reichshofrats, des obersten kaiserlichen Gerichts in Wien, ebenso bei sowie Initiativen der päpstlichen Kurie.
Johannes Junius (1573–1628), the mayor of Bamberg, Germany, was accused of witchcraft during the craze of 1628. Before his tragic execution, Junius wrote a moving letter to his daughter Veronica so that she would understand the charges brought against him and the torture he endured. Amid prayers to keep him in God's care, Junius describes false witnesses brought against him, his sufferings, and the lies that he finally "confessed" to no avail. The transcript of his trial has survived as well and permits a glimpse into the terrifying machinery of the witch-hunts.
Some were subjected to the infamous water trial, in which they were thrown into rivers or lakes to determine their guilt or innocence. If they floated, it was believed that they were under the influence of the devil and were subsequently burned at the stake. The trials were characterized by violations of basic human rights and due process. Accused witches were often denied legal representation and subjected to coerced confessions. In some cases, individuals were accused simply based on greed, envy, or personal vendettas. The persecution of suspected witches in Bamberg eventually came to an end due to external pressures. As the Thirty Years' War raged on, attention and resources shifted away from the witch trials. Additionally, voices of reason began to emerge, questioning the validity of witchcraft accusations and condemning the brutal treatment of supposed witches. The prosecution of suspected witches in Bamberg remains a tragic example of the impact of mass hysteria and religious fanaticism on society. Thousands of innocent lives were lost due to a combination of fear, ignorance, and personal vendettas. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked superstition and the importance of protecting the rights of the accused..
Reviews for "Witchcraft Beliefs and Accusations: Insights from the Bamberg Trials"
1. John Smith - Rating: 1/5 Stars
I was extremely disappointed with the book "Prosecution of suspected witches in Bamberg". The writing was dry and lacked any depth or emotion. It felt like reading a textbook rather than a captivating narrative. The author failed to bring the characters to life, and I found it difficult to empathize or connect with any of them. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it to others.
2. Emily Johnson - Rating: 2/5 Stars
I had high hopes for "Prosecution of suspected witches in Bamberg" but was left underwhelmed. The subject matter is incredibly interesting, but the execution fell short. The author seemed more focused on providing a historical account rather than telling a compelling story. The lack of character development made it hard to engage with the narrative, and I often found myself losing interest. While I appreciated the research that went into the book, I was hoping for a more engaging and immersive experience.
3. Samantha Davis - Rating: 2/5 Stars
I found "Prosecution of suspected witches in Bamberg" to be a rather dry and monotonous read. The author's writing style did not captivate me, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. The lack of personal anecdotes or anecdotes made it difficult to connect with the stories of the suspected witches. Additionally, the pacing felt off, with certain sections dragging on while others were rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.