The Last Witch of Langenburg is a fascinating historical tale that takes place in the early 17th century. It revolves around the trial and execution of an alleged witch, Katharina Kepler, in the town of Langenburg, Germany. Katharina Kepler was the mother of famous astronomer Johannes Kepler and was accused of witchcraft in 1615. She was believed to have used sorcery and black magic to bring harm and misfortune upon the people of Langenburg. The charges against her included causing illnesses, crop failures, and the deaths of infants. The trial of Katharina Kepler was conducted in a time when witch hunts were prevalent throughout Europe.
The Last Witch of Langenburg also reminds historians of the contested nature of witch prosecutions. In order for the horrific crazes of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries to gain momentum, a consensus had to prevail across society about the reality of the witches' sabbath, the validity of denunciations from common people, and the reliability of confessions procured through torture. In Germany in 1672, when Schmieg was arrested, this consensus was falling apart. Of course, some observers had always been skeptical or even openly critical of witch trials, most famously the Jesuit Friedrich von Spee and the Lutheran medical doctor Johan Weyer, but after 1650 this group was gaining ascendency. Particularly important among these skeptics were jurists who found it increasingly difficult to gather reliable evidence against witches.
Robisheaux uses this exceptionally well-documented case to illuminate how local accusations could lead to larger panics, as they had earlier in the century. Robisheaux tells his story very well, and it is a good story--a difficult and argumentative woman, an outsider who had to fight for everything she had in life, coming to grief on the accusations of her neighbors and her own daughter.
The trial of Katharina Kepler was conducted in a time when witch hunts were prevalent throughout Europe. She was subjected to intense interrogations and torture in order to extract a confession. Despite the lack of substantial evidence, she was found guilty and sentenced to death by beheading.
The Last Witch of Langenburg: Murder in a German Village - Hardcover
On the night of the festive holiday of Shrove Tuesday in 1672 Anna Fessler died after eating one of her neighbor's buttery cakes. Could it have been poisoned? Drawing on vivid court documents, eyewitness accounts, and an early autopsy report, historian Thomas Robisheaux brings the story to life. Exploring one of Europe's last witch panics, he unravels why neighbors and the court magistrates became convinced that Fessler's neighbor Anna Schmieg was a witch―one of several in the area―ensnared by the devil. Once arrested, Schmieg, the wife of the local miller, and her daughter were caught up in a high-stakes drama that led to charges of sorcery and witchcraft against the entire family. Robisheaux shows how ordinary events became diabolical ones, leading magistrates to torture and turn a daughter against her mother. In so doing he portrays an entire world caught between superstition and modernity. 22 illustrations; 3 maps
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About the Author:Thomas Robisheaux, a professor of history at Duke University, is the author of Rural Society and the Search for Order in Early Modern Germany. He lives in Durham, North Carolina.
From Booklist:By 1672, Count Heinrich Friedrich of Langenburg had restored order and prosperity to his southwest German domain, which had been ravaged by the Thirty Years' War. But a threat arose when a healthy young mother died suddenly, and suspicions fell on Anna Schmieg, a miller’s wife. Capitalizing on the meticulous record of Schmieg’s case, historian Robisheaux not only re-creates who Anna Schmieg was but also explores the confluence of social, legal, and religious streams that put her life in jeopardy. In literary terms, Robisheaux writes a courtroom drama that will hook readers and secure their attention until the last page through his perceptive portrayal of Schmieg’s personality, which was so disruptive that her altercations and tart tongue were seen in a diabolical light by villagers and the count’s officials alike. But burning Satan’s minions was no longer a summary affair: protomodern legal and medical procedures combined with the traditional fear of witchcraft to complicate the task of Schmieg’s inquisitors. With an incisive ability to view matters through the participants’ eyes, Robisheaux vividly brings this historical incident to life. --Gilbert Taylor
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A good but depressing read based on outstanding research that illuminates a dark chapter of history.
The Last Witch of Langenburg brings to light the hysteria and paranoia surrounding witchcraft during that era. Superstitions and fear drove people to accuse others of practicing dark magic, leading to numerous innocent lives being lost. The case of Katharina Kepler is a tragic example of this phenomenon. The story of Katharina Kepler also sheds light on the role of women in society during that time. Women were often targets of witch trials as they were considered more vulnerable to the influence of evil spirits. The persecution of women accused of witchcraft was a way to maintain social control and reinforce patriarchal norms. Although the last witch trials in Langenburg took place centuries ago, the story of Katharina Kepler serves as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of upholding justice and fairness. It is a cautionary tale that highlights the dark chapter in history when innocent individuals were persecuted and condemned based on baseless accusations. In summary, The Last Witch of Langenburg delves into the historical events surrounding the trial and execution of Katharina Kepler, the alleged witch of Langenburg. This captivating tale offers insight into the widespread fear and paranoia surrounding witchcraft and ex.
Reviews for "The Last Witch of Langenburg: Challenging Witch-Hunting Stereotypes"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Last Wjtch of Langenbufg" because I love fantasy novels, but I was extremely disappointed. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, with too many characters introduced without proper development. The writing style was also lackluster, with too much focus on unnecessary descriptive details that didn't add to the story. Overall, I found the book boring and struggled to finish it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot understand the positive reviews for "The Last Wjtch of Langenbufg." The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth, making it impossible to care about their fates. The world-building was weak and inconsistent, and the magic system felt poorly explained. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and the plot meandered without a clear direction. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Last Wjtch of Langenbufg," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing was overly verbose and filled with clichés, making it difficult to connect with the story. The main character lacked agency and seemed to be led by the hand throughout the narrative. While there were some unique ideas, they were poorly executed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and disappointed by the end.
4. Mike - 3 stars - Although "The Last Wjtch of Langenbufg" had potential, it failed to deliver a compelling story. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of monotony interspersed with rushed action scenes. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters' interactions. While the world-building had interesting elements, they were not fully explored or integrated into the plot. Overall, it was an average read that left me wanting more depth and coherence.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - "The Last Wjtch of Langenbufg" had an intriguing premise, but it fell flat in its execution. The writing lacked finesse and was filled with grammatical errors and inconsistent tenses. The plot was convoluted and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to become invested in the story. Additionally, the characterization was weak, with the main protagonist lacking depth and development. Overall, I found the book to be subpar and struggled to find any enjoyment in reading it.