Did you know that between the 1400s and 1700s, European countries experienced massive witch hunts? It is said that these hunts claimed the lives of around 50,000 people. Those accused were executed in horrifying ways, such as being hanged, beheaded, or even burned alive in front of large crowds.
The methods used to determine who was a witch were strange. Some were accused simply for having moles, warts, or because their bodies floated when thrown into water. In this article, we will explore the events of these witch hunts in various places, including England, other parts of Europe, and the infamous Salem witch trials in America.
The Beginnings of Witch Hunts
In 1589, King James VI of Scotland married Anne of Denmark. Their marriage was conducted by proxy, meaning one of the couple didn’t need to be present. After becoming James's wife, Anne tried to sail to Scotland, but her ship was repeatedly struck by violent storms, forcing her to return to Denmark. After three failed attempts, Anne gave up, and King James decided to sail to Denmark to fetch her himself.
On their journey back, their ship was again struck by a storm. James became convinced that witches had cursed his ship. His hatred of witches had already been fueled by rumors that his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, had been a victim of witchcraft before her execution. Upon arriving in Scotland, James ordered the arrest of 70 alleged witches, who were tortured and executed.
King James's Views on Witches
King James published a book titled Demonology in 1597. This book detailed his research and views on witchcraft, describing witches as agents of the devil and branding witchcraft as treason against God. His animosity was further displayed in 1604 when he enacted a law mandating the death penalty for anyone practicing witchcraft, regardless of whether it was for good or bad purposes.
Notable Cases in England
One of the most famous witch trials in England was the Pendle Witch Trials in 1612. In this case, a child named Janet Device accused her own mother and siblings of being witches. This testimony led to their execution. Although children were typically not considered reliable witnesses, the laws at the time accepted any form of testimony, including that of children.
Another infamous figure was Matthew Hopkins, who led a witch-hunting spree between 1644 and 1646. Hopkins, who called himself the "Witchfinder General," used brutal methods to determine if someone was a witch. For instance, he would stab moles or birthmarks with needles. If the accused felt no pain, they were deemed a witch.
Witch Hunts in Europe and America
Witch hunts also took place in countries like Germany, France, and Italy. In Germany, a major event occurred in Bamberg between 1626 and 1631, where over 1,000 people were executed. Meanwhile, in America, the Salem witch trials of 1692 became one of the most infamous cases. A total of 150 people were arrested, and 19 were executed for witchcraft.
The End of Witch Hunts
Witch hunts began to decline in the 18th century. One of the last known cases occurred in Poland in 1775. The Polish government eventually banned all forms of torture and witch trials. However, beliefs in supernatural phenomena persisted in many parts of the world.

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