Obsessive belief in witches at Wolfenbüttel
Since our childhood they fascinate us: witches. Whether riding a broomstick as the „Kleine Hexe“ does it in the book by Otfried Preußler or wearing a harem costume as „Dream of Jeannie“ from the American TV series – we cannot imagine to live without them. However how quickly one can be denunciated as an „evil witch“ and then be burnt on a stake can be learned from the movie „The Hunchback of Notre Dame“ by the fate of Esmeralda. Not only in fiction but in reality as well exposures end in the fire. The exhibits in the museum of Wolfenbüttel tell the story of these dramatic occurences.
Everybody is suspicious
In the medieval as well as in modern age anybody could be suspect of being a with, even children. Actually, most of the victims are women, only 15 % of the European witch trials are held for men. The alleged sibyls are often hold responsible for wars, famines and a high rate of infant death out of superstition and ignorance. It is quite irritating that the informers often come from the own family or circle of friends. Charateristics such as red hair, port-wine stains or liver spots cause mistrust. Superstition at that time is widespread as only a few people are being lettered. For example people believed that a lumbago leads to impotence or paralysis.
The witch hammer
Clergy is also involved in witch hunting. A book called „The witch hammer“ by Dominican Heinrich Kramer in 1473 becomes a bestseller. By the end of the 17th century 30.000 copies have been sold. Kramer is being granted the permission for inquisition by pope Sixtus IV. Therefore he is allowed to execute churchy trials versus people of different faith. Subsequently his makes his mark as dreaded witch hunter within the dioceses of Konstanz and Ravensburg where he initiates and supervises numerous trials and executions. Even strict Catholic countries, such as Italy and Spain, distance itself from Kramer’s doctrines. In the middle of Europe however his theories are very popular.
If free you’ll not come, I will use force
The sole accusation of being a witch or a wizard is not sufficient for a condemnation. Facts or a confession are needed. However with the help of torture it is not too difficult to get the desired outcome. The „water test“ for example is a popular measure to proof guilt. Whoever stays above the water is guilty; however sinks is innocent. Nobody drowned that way as the body was tied to a rope. In case the water tests confirms the guilt of the accused the execution took place right away. The costs of the lawsuit have to be paid by the accused’s family. The laugh is always on the loser.
Heinrich Julius is notably strenuous
Particularly within the dukedom of Braunschweig-Lüneburg many executions take place. The High Court at the „Lechlumer Holz“ is the main place of execution of the principality Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel. Between 1557 and 1670 there are in the dukedom alone more than 220 lawsuits with 88 death sentences. Duke Heinrich Julius (1564-1613) is notably strenuous to clean his dominion from witch craft. Between 1590 and 1620 at least 114 persons are incriminated, 97 of them are female, 17 are male. About 60 lawsuits end up with death by beheading or burning.
Schlüterliese’s firechair
It stands right in the middle of the exhibition, the alleged witch chair of Anna Maria Ziegler, called Schlüterliese. Anna Marie von Ziegler (born around 1545 at Pillnitz, died on Februar 7th, 1575 at Wolfenbüttel) they say, is supposed to be an aristocratical deceiver and alchemist. The exhibition shows the iron chair on which the Schlüterliese is burnt publicly on february 7th, 1575 at Wolfenbüttel. The execution on the palace square is depited in a painting from the 19th centuary. By the way, the chair is a loan collection of the Braunschweiger Landesmuseum.
After the visit to the exhibition you can tour the rest of the palace and take a look at the manorial rooms. If you still have time I recommend the Bürger Museum of Wolfenbüttel which is close to the palace. I like the audio posts best. At the posts contemporary witnesses tell the story on their lives.
