The Last Witch of Langenburg is a fascinating and terrifying true story set in the small town of Langenburg, Germany, during the early 17th century. The tale revolves around a woman named Katharina Kepler, who was accused of witchcraft and ultimately executed for her alleged crimes. Katharina Kepler was the mother of the renowned astronomer Johannes Kepler and lived a relatively quiet life until she found herself at the center of a witch-hunt. In 1615, the Duke of Württemberg, Heinrich Friedrich, ordered an investigation into accusations of witchcraft in his territory. Numerous women were accused of practicing the dark arts, but Katharina became the most notorious figure in this witch trial. The accusations against Katharina were based on several factors.
Thomas Willard Robisheaux. The Last Witch of Langenburg. New York: W.W. Norton, 2009. 427 pp. $26.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-393-06551-0.
In order to fulfill each of these requirements, Gülchen consulted the medical and legal faculties at the University of Altdorf and the legal faculty in Strasbourg. Dietzel served as Schmieg s pastor when she was in prison and pressured her continuously to admit her guilt, confess her sins, and reconcile with God.
The accusations against Katharina were based on several factors. Firstly, neighbors reported strange happenings and unexplained deaths in her presence. Secondly, she was known to possess medicinal knowledge and regularly provided herbal remedies to the sick.
THE LAST WITCH OF LANGENBURG
Scrupulously scholarly but accessible study of how witchcraft was experienced in a 17th-century German village.
Robisheaux (History/Duke Univ.; Rural Society and the Search for Order in Early Modern Germany, 1989) employs the techniques of microhistory, delineating the multiple layers in everyday lives as he recreates the chilling “social drama” of a small community’s response to crisis. When new mother Anna Fessler suddenly took ill and died after eating her neighbor’s Shrove cake on February 20, 1672, the general outcry in the southwestern town of Hürden was that the miller’s wife, Anna Schmieg, had poisoned Fessler through witchcraft. Offering butter cakes to neighbors was a routine courtesy before Lent, yet the gruesome death of a seemingly healthy woman, coupled with Schmieg’s troublesome reputation among the villagers, created suspicions that prompted the involvement of the district of Langenburg’s court adviser, the local executioner and various university scholars, enlisted for their opinions on how to proceed. Schmieg was an outsider; she had moved into the district when she married the miller, and records show her frequently at odds with the neighbors. Known to be a drinker, she lost two of her many children in suspicious mill accidents and had a difficult relationship with her daughter Eva, who had delivered the cakes to Fessler. Indeed, the court adviser would exploit animus between mother and daughter to implicate Schmieg and generally wear her down over eight months of incarceration, interrogation and torture. She eventually confessed to 15 crimes. Although contemporary legal consultants argued that the case had been based on “conjecture and presumptions,” the Langenburg court saw Schmieg’s execution as necessary to restore the breach in public order. On November 8 she was torn with hot irons, then strangled with a rope; her body was “burned to ashes.” Robisheaux’s work offers a fascinating way of understanding witchcraft “at the level where real life was lived.”
Compelling social and legal history.
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-393-06551-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Norton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2008
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This led to suspicions that she was using her skills for malevolent purposes. Katharina was subjected to relentless questioning and torture, including the infamous water ordeal. This medieval practice involved submerging suspects in water and determining their guilt by whether they floated or sunk. Unsurprisingly, Katharina was found guilty and sentenced to death. On July 21, 1620, Katharina was publicly executed in Langenburg. She was beheaded, and her body was burned at the stake. The execution was witnessed by a large crowd, including her own children. It was a gruesome event that marked the end of her life and the last witch trial in Langenburg. After her death, Katharina's case garnered attention, and her son Johannes Kepler passionately defended her innocence. He argued that she was a victim of superstition and hysteria, rather than a witch. Sadly, his efforts were in vain, and Katharina's reputation as the last witch of Langenburg remained intact. The Last Witch of Langenburg is a tragic story that sheds light on the fear and paranoia that gripped society during the witch-hunting era. It serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that unfounded accusations and mass hysteria can have on innocent lives. Katharina Kepler, the last witch of Langenburg, stands as a symbol of the injustice that plagued this dark period in history..
Reviews for "The Dark Secrets of Langenburg: Uncovering the Truth about the Kast Witch"
1. Samantha - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Last Witch of Langenburg". The storytelling was confusing and lacked a clear direction. The book seemed more like a collection of random events and anecdotes rather than a cohesive narrative. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dry and uninspiring, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted historical account or an engaging read.
2. John - 1 star
"The Last Witch of Langenburg" was a complete waste of time for me. The author's attempt at creating suspense and intrigue fell flat, as the story lacked depth and failed to captivate my interest. The narrative seemed disjointed and confusing, with unnecessary tangents and excessive details that didn't contribute to the plot. Furthermore, the characters were underdeveloped and lacked relatability, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and unenjoyable read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Last Witch of Langenburg" but was ultimately let down. The author's writing style was dry and lacked engagement, making it difficult for me to connect with the story and its characters. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with prolonged periods of slow development followed by rushed plot points. I also felt that the book failed to explore the historical and cultural context in a meaningful way, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience. Sadly, I would not recommend this book to others, especially those seeking a captivating historical account.