"Women come to the fore in witchcraft trials as accused persons or as witnesses, and this book is a study of women's voices in these trials in eight countries around the North Sea: Spanish Netherlands, Northern Germany, Denmark, Scotland, England, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. This volume is an essential resource for all students and scholars interested in the history of witchcraft, witchcraft trials, transnationality, cultural exchanges, and gender in early modern Northern Europe"
Author(s): Liv Helene Willumsen
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 511
Cover
Half Title
Series
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
1 Introduction
The Topic
The Sources
Demonology, Maleficium, Healing
Methodological Approach
The Context
Order of Chapters
The Role of the Scribe
The Gender Perspective
Research on Narrative Discourse, Gender, and Witchcraft
European Witchcraft Research
Outline
2 Spanish Netherlands—Holy Water, Witchcraft Powder, and the Collar
Background
Lynken van Brugghe, 1596
Mayken Karrebrouck, 1634
Clayse Sereyns, 1657
Conclusion
3 Northern Germany—Bloksberg, Red Rider, and Torture ‘in a Humane Way’
Background
Kistina Netelers, 1607
Anneke Rickers, 1641
Anna Spielen, 1669
Conclusion
4 Denmark—Weather Magic, Witches’ Dance, and Personal Demons
Background
Maren, the Wife of Mogens, 1590
Mette Lauridsdatter Kongens, 1618
Anna Bruds, the Wife of Thomas, 1652
Conclusion
5 Scotland—Devil’s Pact, Gatherings, and Sleep Deprivation
Background
Agnes Sampson, 1590–91
Helene Clerk, 1643–45
Isobell Eliot, 1678
Conclusion
6 England—Familiars, Teats, and Witchfinders
Background
Thomasine Read, 1647
Isabel Atcheson and Jane Simpson, 1664
Conclusion
7 Norway—Charms, Blåkoll, and Chasing Fish
Background
Anne Knutsdatter, 1584/1594
Sitru Pedersdatter, 1623
Gundelle Olsdatter, 1663
Conclusion
8 Sweden—Kullen, Blåkulla, and the Water Man
Background
Ingegärd Andersdotter, 1594
Karin Persdotter, 1653
Karin Dantz, 1673–74
Conclusion
9 Finland—Magic Salt, Uncovered Hair, and Blåkulla
Background
Gertrud Matsdotter, 1649
Maria Nilsdotter, 1666
Brita Eriksdotter Pålsu, 1685
Conclusion
10 Comparison and Conclusion
Confession
Witnesses’ Testimonies
Narrative Structures
Orality Features
Interrogation
Torture and Pressure
Enforced Narratives
The Voice of the Law
The Voice of the Scribe
Transnational Transfer
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
