The worst witch, Mildred Hubble, is a fictional character created by Jill Murphy. She is the protagonist of the popular children's book series, "The Worst Witch." Mildred is known for her clumsiness and constant ability to get into trouble, often unintentionally. Despite her shortcomings, Mildred is a lovable and relatable character. She attends Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, a prestigious school for young witches. Unfortunately, Mildred's spells often go awry, resulting in disastrous consequences.
Arguably the most prominent witch of 16th-century Germany was Dr Diederich Flade, executed in 1589. Flade was a corrupt official who had supported the prince archbishop of Trier in a conflict with Trier’s secular authorities. He was also a notorious money lender. Flade seems to have specialised in small loans he gave to the peasants from the impoverished villages surrounding the relatively well-off town of Trier. He became fabulously rich (and influential) in only a couple of years. Then came his sudden downfall. At least 28 so-called witches denounced Flade in their confessions: they presented him as a demonic figure presiding over the Sabbath. When the prince elector of Trier explained why, after months of hesitation, he’d finally decided to have official charges brought against Flade, he said that Flade was ‘notoriously avaricious’. The prince elector accepted the idea that Flade’s economic behaviour indicated that he was in league with Satan.
The Lutheran theologian Meyfart 1590-1642 published his criticism of the witch hunts Christliche Erinnerung in 1635, seven years after Ramhold s death. Given the fatal risks, one might ask why some people engaged in economic competition at all, if early modern society was dominated by the limited good mentality.
Unfortunately, Mildred's spells often go awry, resulting in disastrous consequences. She is constantly in a state of chaos and her attempts at magic always seem to backfire. Mildred's ineptitude often catches the attention of her strict form teacher, Miss Hardbroom.
Trials of accused witches in Germany
The W�rzburg Witch Trials in 1626 - 1631, were one of the biggest mass-trials and mass-executions ever seen in seen in Europe during peace time. 157 men, women and children in the city of W�rzburg, Germany, were burned alive at the stake, with 219 executed in total in the city, and over 900 burnt altogether over the entire area. They were judged for sorcery and witchcraft and for having made a pact with the Devil, and were a part of the witch hysteria that precipitated a series of witch trials in South Germany at that time, such as at Bamberg (where over 300 executions took place), Eichst�tt, Mainz and Ellwangen.
The persecutions were orchestrated by Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, Prince Bishop of W�rzburg, and his nephew Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg, in the years after the Catholic re-conquest of Germany in the 1620s. In his reign of eight years from 1623 to 1631, he was responsible for burning 900 persons, including his own nephew, nineteen Catholic priests, and children of seven who were said to have had intercourse with demons. People from all walks of life (including nobles, councilmen and mayors) were arrested and charged, regardless of age, profession or sex, for reasons ranging from murder and Satanism to humming a song with the Devil, or simply for being vagrants and unable to give a satisfactory explanation of why they were passing through town.
Prior to 1626, there had been a first wave of witch trials in the city in 1616-1617, and then an isolated trial in 1625. Friedrich Spee, a Jesuit whose experience as a confessor of witches in the great persecution at W�rzburg (which turned his hair prematurely white), claimed that all the confessions were worthless, being based solely on torture, and that not a single �witch� whom he had led to the stake had been guilty. The trials were put to an end in 1631 when the city was taken by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.
Miss Hardbroom is a disciplinarian who has no tolerance for mistakes or disobedience. The two characters frequently clash throughout the series, with Mildred often being reprimanded for her clumsy mistakes. Despite her academic struggles and continuous mishaps, Mildred possesses a kind heart and a strong sense of loyalty to her friends. She forms a close bond with her roommates, Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade, and together they navigate the challenges of life at Miss Cackle's Academy. Throughout the series, Mildred faces various obstacles and enemies, including the scheming Ethel Hallow, who constantly tries to make Mildred's life miserable. However, Mildred's determination and resilience prevail, and she often finds herself saving the day despite her clumsiness and lack of confidence. The character of Mildred Hubble has resonated with readers of all ages since the publication of the first book in 1974. Her relatable flaws and perseverance in the face of adversity make her a beloved character. Mildred teaches us that it's okay to make mistakes and that even the clumsiest individuals can have a positive impact on the world around them. The Worst Witch series has been adapted into a television series and has garnered a dedicated fan base. Mildred Hubble's adventures continue to captivate and inspire readers, reminding us that even the worst witches can have the biggest hearts..
Reviews for "Mildred Hubble: An Extraordinary Ordinary Witch"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I couldn't get into "The Worst Witch" and found it to be quite underwhelming. The story felt predictable and lacked depth. Milred Hubble, the main character, was dull and unrelatable. I also found the writing style to be repetitive and lacking in creativity. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. James - 1 star - "The Worst Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was incredibly weak and the characters were one-dimensional. Milred Hubble, the supposed "worst witch," was just annoying and lacked any redeeming qualities. The writing was dull and uninspired, making it hard for me to connect with the story. I was hoping for an engaging and magical read, but unfortunately, this book fell flat.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The Worst Witch" to be quite mediocre. The story lacked originality and the characters were not well-developed. Milred Hubble was a forgettable protagonist and the supporting characters felt shallow. The pacing of the book was also inconsistent, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 2 stars - I was not impressed with "The Worst Witch." The storyline felt cliché and unoriginal, lacking any surprises or twists. Milred Hubble was an uninteresting character and I couldn't find myself rooting for her. The writing style was simplistic and lacked depth. Overall, this book was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.