Witch hunting is a dark chapter in human history, characterised by persecutions, trials, and executions of people accused of practicing witchcraft. During the early modern period, from the late 15th to the 18th century, witch hunts were particularly prevalent in Europe, resulting in the deaths of thousands of individuals, mostly women. One of the most well-known figures associated with witch hunting is Matthew Hopkins, an English witchfinder active during the mid-17th century. Known as the "Witchfinder General," Hopkins claimed to have been appointed by Parliament to hunt witches, although his authority has been debated by historians. He gained notoriety through the publication of his book, "The Discovery of Witches," in which he detailed his methods of identifying witches. Another famous witch hunter is Heinrich Kramer, a German clergyman and inquisitor.
10 Infamous Witch-Hunters From History
Witchcraft—it’s not a major concern in our day-to-day lives, but it was considered a huge threat to Christian society a few centuries ago. That perception came from a cocktail consisting mostly of hysteria, ignorance, and fear, fueled by people who were either fanatics or saw witch-hunting as a good way to gain money or power. What is certain is that thousands of people were tortured and killed for a crime that they didn’t commit (because it doesn’t exist) at the hands of these so-called witch-hunters.
Another famous witch hunter is Heinrich Kramer, a German clergyman and inquisitor. Kramer co-authored the notorious book "Malleus Maleficarum" or "The Hammer of Witches" in 1486, which became the "go-to" manual for witch hunters during the early modern period. He advocated for severe methods of interrogation and punishment for alleged witches, contributing to the hysteria and cruelty surroundin witch hunts.
10 Georg Scherer
Photo via WikimediaVienna is not the first place that springs to mind when talking about witches, and there’s a good reason for that: There has only been one case of witch burning in the city’s history—the so-called Plainacher Witch Affair of 1583. The alleged witch was 70-year-old Elisabeth “Elsa” Plainacher (pictured above), who raised her granddaughter Anna in Mank, Lower Austria. When Anna came of age, she left her grandmother and started to experience seizures, most likely due to undiagnosed epilepsy.
In came Georg Scherer, a charismatic but completely fanatical Catholic pulpit orator who was a firm believer in putting witches to death. He quickly determined that Anna was the victim of a hex, and after a thorough “investigation,” concluded that her grandmother Elsa was to blame. (In Scherer’s eyes, it didn’t help that Elsa was a Lutheran.) After a long “interrogation,” Anna was finally convinced that her grandmother was indeed the culprit behind her hexing, and the “witch” was brought in for some “interrogation,” herself. Unsurprisingly, after long bouts of torture, Elsa finally confessed to being a witch and was sentenced to death.
Scherer’s extracted confession seems to have been unreliable even for those times, and the Mayor of Vienna pleaded with the emperor to stop the execution. However, it was not enough to overcome Scherer’s ecclesiastical influence, and Elsa Plainacher was burned at the stake on September 28, 1583.
Another significant name in witch hunting is James VI of Scotland, later known as James I of England. James had a personal interest in witchcraft and wrote a book on the subject called "Daemonologie." He was a vocal advocate for the persecution of witches and actively supported witch trials, often personally interrogating accused individuals. Other notable figures include Guillaume de Fontenelle, a French magistrate who presided over numerous witch trials and is estimated to have sentenced over 300 people to death. Anne Lütken, a Danish witch hunter, was active in the late 16th century and was responsible for the execution of many alleged witches in Denmark and Norway. These famous witch hunters were driven by a combination of religious fervour, superstition, and societal fears, which led to the widespread persecution and execution of innocent individuals. Their actions have left a lasting impact on history, serving as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unchecked authority. Although witch hunting is largely a thing of the past, it is crucial to remember the dark period in which it thrived and to reflect on the lessons learned from it to ensure the safeguarding of human rights and justice for all..
Reviews for "The Dark Side of Witch Hunting: Corruption and Abuse"
- Mark - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Famous witch hunters" as I love movies about witches and magic. However, I was extremely disappointed with this film. The story was poorly developed and lacked any depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any complexity. The special effects were mediocre at best and didn't add anything to the overall experience. Overall, "Famous witch hunters" was a major letdown and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging witch-themed movie.
- Jessica - 1/5 stars - "Famous witch hunters" was a complete disaster. The acting was cringe-worthy, with the actors delivering their lines without any conviction or emotion. The dialogue was cliché and predictable, leaving no room for surprises or suspense. The plot was nonsensical and seemed to rush from one poorly executed action scene to another. I couldn't help but feel bored and disconnected from the movie throughout its entirety. Save yourself the disappointment and skip "Famous witch hunters".
- David - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Famous witch hunters" after seeing the intriguing trailer, but unfortunately, the movie failed to deliver. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of boredom followed by chaotic and confusing action sequences. The characters were not well-developed, making it difficult to care about their fates. The overall storyline felt disjointed and lacked coherence. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a better witch-themed movie.