Saturday, July 1, 2023

Bergen, Norway: Hekse Steinen

Where are we ... Salem?

No, we're in Bergen. But who knew that the Norway city had its own share of witch trials ... and then some.

It seems that about 350 people were torched as witches between the years 1550 and 1700. The most famous of them was Anne Pedersdotter, who died in 1590. Apparently they were claims that she killed her husband's uncle, a Bishop, in an attempt for her husband to take over that esteemed position. She was cleared of the charge, but the battle took a toll on her - especially after her husband died. Anne became seriously withdrawn and isolated. The witch rumors about her only grew in that era. 

Petersdotter faced another trial for killing several children, which included a witness saying he had seen her with a headless creature. She was burned at the stake. 

Someone wrote a dramatic play about Anne in 1909. A memorial was put up to the victims of the witchhunts in 2002. It's a little late, but a nice thought.

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