The Salem witch trials of 1692 were a dark period in American history. During this time, over 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. The accusations started with a group of young girls who claimed to be possessed by witches. These girls accused several women of bewitching them, and soon the hysteria spread throughout the community. The accused witches were brought to trial, and many were found guilty based on the testimonies of the girls. The punishments for being convicted of witchcraft were severe.
Salem witch trials burning at the stake
Despite popular conception, none of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials died by fire. The image of a witch tied to a stake to be burned comes to us from medieval Europe’s witch hunts. Learn more about it on our Salem Witch Trials Tour.
The most famous “witch” to be burned is, of course, Joan of Arc. In hundreds of medieval and Renaissance paintings, she’s depicted as being burned alive for claiming to have prophetic visions from the saints. This image has been made famous by art history, but the fire was not the preferred method for execution in 17th century America.
So how do you kill a witch, if not by burning? Mostly by hanging. 19 of the Salem victims were sent to Gallows Hill to be executed.
Salem – Two Women on Trial
In one genuinely exceptional case, a farmer named Giles Corey died by being pressed under heavy stones while trying to extract a confession. The torture was intended to make him plead guilty so that he could be punished accordingly. Most people would have accepted the bargain in exchange for a quick death or a chance at a pardon. But Corey refused. Reportedly, he used his last words to dare the court to continue their torture, asking for “More weight.”
As for the rest of the Salem Witch Trial victims? They perished by hunger or cold in the Old Witch Gaol, awaiting their trial before the court.
The punishments for being convicted of witchcraft were severe. One of the most brutal methods used for execution was burning at the stake. Burning at the stake was a common method of execution for witchcraft trials in Europe and other parts of the world.
Salem Witch Trials Tour
That’s just scratching the surface of many horrifying tales to be told about Salem’s witches. To learn about other Salem witch trials victims, listen to Action Tour Guide’s self-guided audio tour.
Essential Travel Guide:
- Who was executed during the Salem witch trials?
- What happened in the aftermath of the Salem witch trials?
- When did the Salem witch trials take place?
Were Witches Really Burned at the Stake in Salem?
From the realistically frightful scenes of "The Blair Witch Project" to the decidedly wholesome Glinda the Good Witch in the "The Wizard of Oz," magical mavens are at the center of some of our most enduring — and endearing — stories. There are also modern-day practitioners of witchcraft, a term used to describe several different groups — including Wiccans — most of whom focus on positivity and using magic for good.
There was a time, however, when being considered a witch was a veritable death sentence. Take Salem Village, Massachusetts, in 1692. Two young girls, 9-year-old Elizabeth Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams, began having "fits," which included body spasms and uncontrolled screaming. The town doctor diagnosed them as being afflicted by "black magic" and accused them of practicing witchcraft — a notion that didn't sit too well in the Puritan settlement.
Contrary to legend, however, these so-called witches were not burned at the stake. In fact, none of the men, women or children accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem were killed that way. Most likely, the recounting of the Salem witch trials became intertwined with stories of actual executions by fire in Europe.
During European witch trials between the 15th and 18th centuries, people accused of witchcraft were commonly burned at the stake. Occasionally, they were hanged before being burned. The punishment was in accordance with the Holy Roman Empire's "Constitutio Criminalis Carolina" law, which contended that the punishment for witchcraft was death by fire. Church and civic leaders led the charge, executing as many as 50,000 people across Europe in what is now France, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia and Scotland [sources: Andrews].
So what actually happened to the colonists accused during the Salem witch trials? Nineteen died by hanging, their bodies swaying on the infamous Gallows Hill. (Five were hanged on Aug. 19, 1692, alone.) One elderly man died when he was stoned with heavy rocks, and others died in jail while waiting for their day in court.
Bridget Bishop was the first to be hanged June 10, 1692, although her exact misdeeds seemed to amount to no more than rumor and speculation. Her case became a template for those that followed. Bishop was accused by the girls "afflicted" with black magic, but she denied their claims. Then a witness came forward to support the accusers, followed by more townspeople who described previous acts of witchcraft supposedly performed by Bishop. Bishop's trial, and those of many others accused of witchcraft, ended with a guilty verdict — no matter how improbable the evidence.
During the Salem witch trials, more than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft, which amounted to nothing more than a lot of finger pointing in a short timespan. The hysteria lasted little more than a year before the local government deemed the trials a mistake and attempted to compensate the families of those that were convicted and hanged.
In 2001, more than 300 years after 19 men and women were put to death during the Salem witch trials, five women were officially exonerated by the state of Massachusetts, including Bridget Bishop and four others: Susannah Martin, Alice Parker, Wilmot Redd and Margaret Scott. The act was approved by the state legislature and signed on Halloween.
Episode 27: Burned at the Stake!
Despite what a lot of people think, the victims of the Salem witch trials were hanged, not burned at the stake. However, in the history of Massachusetts, two women were executed by burning them at the stake, one in 1681 and another in 1755. If witchcraft was a crime against both the state and God, what crime could be worse in Puritan Boston? A note about the content this week. We frankly describe acts of brutal violence, and we at times use the racial language of our 17th and 18th century sources. If you usually listen with children, you might want to listen to this episode alone first and decide if it’s appropriate for them.
The accused witches were tied to a stake or pole and surrounded by wood or other flammable material. They were then set on fire, resulting in a slow and painful death. The belief behind burning at the stake was that fire was a purifying element that could cleanse the soul of the accused witch. It was also believed that the intense pain inflicted during this method of execution would force the witch to confess and repent for their alleged crimes. However, it is important to note that while burning at the stake was a fear-inducing and brutal method of execution, it was not commonly used during the Salem witch trials. Instead, the accused witches were typically hanged or died in jail while awaiting trial. The Salem witch trials were eventually brought to an end as the accusations became more inconsistent and people began to doubt the validity of the girls' claims. The trials left a lasting impact on American society, serving as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of due process and fair trials. In conclusion, burning at the stake was a terrifying method of execution used during witchcraft trials, but it was not widely employed during the Salem witch trials. The trials themselves were a dark and tragic chapter in American history, with over 20 individuals losing their lives as a result of false accusations and mass hysteria. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of superstition and the importance of justice and fairness in legal proceedings..
Reviews for "The Trials of Giles Corey: A Brutal Lesson in Standing up for One's Innocence"
1. Emily - 1 star
I found "Salem witch trials burning at the stake" to be an incredibly gruesome and disturbing experience. Watching innocent people being accused, tortured, and burned alive was not my idea of entertainment. The graphic scenes were incredibly hard to watch and left me feeling sick to my stomach. I understand that the movie was trying to depict a dark period in history, but I felt that it went overboard with the violence. I would not recommend this movie to anyone who is sensitive to graphic and disturbing content.
2. Mark - 2 stars
While I appreciate the historical significance of the Salem witch trials, I found "Salem witch trials burning at the stake" to be a slow and tedious watch. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot lacked any real depth or character development. The acting was also subpar, with many of the actors delivering their lines in a monotone and uninspiring manner. I was disappointed with the overall execution of the film and expected more from a movie about such a fascinating historical event. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly bring the story to life.
3. Jennifer - 2 stars
I was excited to watch "Salem witch trials burning at the stake" as a fan of historical dramas. However, I was disappointed by the lack of historical accuracy and the overly fictionalized portrayal of events. The movie took significant creative liberties with the facts, which detracted from the authenticity of the story. I also found the dialogue to be cliché and artificial, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Overall, I felt that the movie could have done a better job of balancing historical accuracy with engaging storytelling.
4. Jonathan - 3 stars
As a fan of horror movies, I was intrigued by the premise of "Salem witch trials burning at the stake." However, I found the film to be more focused on shock value rather than genuine scares. The excessive use of gore and violence overshadowed any suspense or tension that could have been built. Additionally, the character development was lacking, and I struggled to connect with any of the protagonists. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short for me, resulting in a mediocre horror film that failed to leave a lasting impression.