The Valais witch trials were a series of witch trials that took place in the Valais region of Switzerland between 1428 and 1447. These trials were part of the larger witch-hunt craze that spread throughout Europe during the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. The Valais witch trials were characterized by the widespread belief in witchcraft and the use of torture to extract confessions from accused individuals. The trials were conducted by secular and ecclesiastical authorities, with the involvement of local communities and the Church. During this period, a number of women were accused of practicing witchcraft and causing harm to others through supernatural means. The accusations ranged from causing illness and death, to casting spells and participating in sabbats with the devil.

European Witch-Hunting (A Brief History)

European witch-hunting became a widespread phenomenon in the medieval period and reached its zenith in the 17th century. Witch-hunters would stop at nothing to drive out a suspected witch.

Feb 13, 2022 • By Lauren Nitschke , BA Psychology, GradDip in Secondary Education, GradCert in History

The exact number of people executed during the European witch-hunting craze is unknown, though estimates run to the tens of thousands. In some parts of Europe, such as Germany, the majority of the accused were female, whereas, in Iceland, male witches predominated. A papal bull issued in 1484 by Pope Innocent VIII denouncing witches was seized upon by German Inquisitor Heinrich Kramer, who wrote a handbook on the identification and treatment of witches in 1486. There were various signs that a person was a witch, and there were several methods used to extract a confession from the accused.

The accusations ranged from causing illness and death, to casting spells and participating in sabbats with the devil. The accused were often subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in order to extract confessions. This included methods such as waterboarding, the strappado, and the rack.

The Valais Witch Trials: The First Systematic European Witch-Hunt

In 1428, the first systematic European witch-hunt began in Valais, Switzerland. This witch-hunt lasted eight years and resulted in the deaths of 367 people. To be condemned, a person had to have at least three neighbors publicly state that they were a witch. The majority of those accused in the Valais witch trials were male peasants. These individuals were subjected to torture, under which confessions were extracted concerning meetings with the Devil — who had supposedly urged the accused to avoid mass and confession, in exchange for the reward of the ability to fly. Others confessed to having the power to kill their neighbors or to change into werewolves.

The condemned were mostly burnt to death, with a few being beheaded. Victims were tied to a ladder that was pushed into a pyre. As final mercy, the authorities tied bags of gunpowder around the witches’ necks to hasten their deaths in the flames.

Once a confession was obtained, the accused were typically executed by burning at the stake. The witch trials in Valais were fueled by various factors, including religious tensions, social unrest, and the fear of the supernatural. The Church played a significant role in promoting and perpetuating these beliefs, as it saw witchcraft as a threat to its authority and teachings. The Valais witch trials came to an end in 1447, when the local authorities declared that further accusations and trials would not be permitted. This was in response to growing opposition to the trials from some individuals within the community, as well as concerns over the credibility of the accusations. The Valais witch trials serve as a reminder of the widespread belief in witchcraft during the medieval and early modern period, and the extreme measures taken to combat this perceived threat. They also highlight the role of religious and secular authorities in perpetuating and legitimizing such trials. Today, the Valais witch trials are considered a dark chapter in European history and a testament to the dangers of mass hysteria and persecution..

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Torture, Confessions, and Witchcraft: The Methods of the Valais Witch Trials