The Unfairness of Witch Hunting in Medieval Europe

It is said the only proper way to kill a “witch” is death by fire. This has been the stance for hundreds of years, and during this era, an uncountable number of people were put to death by this same notion. Nevertheless, was it fair? Did they truly have a fair trial or was it used to eliminate innocent people for some kind of gain? Pope Innocent VIII (1484), Johannes Nider (1437), and an excerpt from Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the Witches, 1486), elaborates on stories of witchcraft, signs of witchcraft, and punishment for the highest considered form of heresy. These sources will make it very clear that people accused of witchcraft were unfairly prosecuted and endured much suffering at the hand of the church.

Johannes Nider during the early 15th century wrote a book named “Formicarius,” it was not published until many years later. Although, the Formicarius is a big book, the focus is on an excerpt of this book. The first section of his excerpt explains Nider’s battle against heresy and shows his devotion to the cause. The second half of the excerpt is what draws the most attention. Nider elaborates on a very specific story about a man and his wife that are said to be involved with witchcraft.

The husband and wife are arrested and placed into separate jails. In the excerpt, the man asks, “If I can obtain absolution for my sins, I will freely lay bare all I know about witchcraft, for I see that I have death to expect” (Excerpt “The Ant Hill, 1437). He is promised that if he is to truly repent, that it is possible that he can gain absolution. With the promise he receives, he goes into the details of what the process of his ceremonial ritual was, according to Nider (1437):

First, on a Sunday, before the holy water is consecrat...

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...t to do with “witches” that received promises. Whether they killed anyway, imprisoned and then killed later, or the promisors step out and excuse themselves so the witch may be dealt with without breaking their promise.

It is very clear from all the primary sources that witch trials were not held fairly. If you were accused of being a witch, you were tortured until you admitted guilt, and then killed. Without a confession, your torture continued until you did eventually break. To say that because evidence had to be provided for your accusation means that anything could be brought to the attention of the Inquisition. Any item, any story, anybody, truly anything could have you burned at the stake.

Works Cited

Witchcraft Documents [15th Century])." Internet History Sourcebooks Project http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/witches1.html (accessed 14 March 2014).