Bamberg Trials Flashcards
When was the Bamberg Witch hunt?
1623-1632
How many people were executed?
Between 600 and 900
Which group of people were targeted?
Younger, wealthier people- the average age was 33 ½
What is the Holy Roman Empire?
a patchwork of complex central European territories that were under the overall authority of an emperor
What religious changes happened in the HRE during the C16th?
The Protestant Reformation
The Peace of Augsburg (1555) religion of state decided by its leader
The Counter Reformation the Catholic attempt to counter the Protestant changes
What was the political structure of the Empire and how did this cause problems?
The Emperor had overall control, but each state was ruled by different a person
Each state had slightly different laws
Who were the Jesuits?
A group commissioned by the Catholic Church to spread and share the Catholic Church’s methods
They were invited to states to set up schools- this happened under von Aschhausen in Bamberg
How did tensions between the Catholics and Protestants in Bamberg increase?
Fines and restricted supplies to Protestant parishes
Catholic troops stationed in Protestant areas
Lutherans rounded up and executed
How could Protestants be punished?
Faced imprisonment in Bamberg Tower
How many witches were executed under Aschhausen?
Around 300
What law was introduced in 1610?
Anyone practicing magic would be severely punished
It coincided with with Protestant rebellions in Bohemia
Protestant preachers were being harboured- enhanced the link between Protestants and witchcraft
What happened between 1616-1619?
An intense period of witch hunting in Bamberg
It ended with the moderates who were focussed on the 30 Years War
What was the background of the Thirty Years War?
It lay in the religious divisions found in Northern Europe
The Emperor’s desire to have more land through military gains or marriage
How did the actions of the Emperor cause resentment?
Protestants felt like they were being targeted, especially as a result of the Counter Reformation policies
What was the Defenestration of Prague?
A group of the Emperors representatives were thrown out of a tower window by some Protestants
What was the economic impact of the Thirty Years War?
There was high levels of famine and many men were conscripted.
This was combined with previous crop failures and inflation
What was the religious impact of the Thirty Years War?
Catholics became more fanatical than ever- clear anti-Protestant theme to the witch trials
Anyone who deviated from Orthodox Catholic practices were seen as heretics - seen to be the Devils work
Which groups of people were targeted?
Sexually promiscuous women
People whose views deviated from the Catholic norm
People with a reputation for healing and fortune telling
Members of the upper classes (property confiscation)