Witch Hunt: I'm not guilty! Bashny.Net

Let us recall once again the story of the witch hunt. It all started with a firm belief in the power of the Devil. In order to crush the commandments of the Lord, the devil gathers thoughtless people, turning them into witches and wizards. These religious fantasies are not dangerous as long as anyone is free to believe in them or not. Soon the Church declared belief in the power of the Devil and his accomplices. From now to the fore the struggle by any means the criminal conspiracy. The consequences of this struggle we already know.



According to modern scientists in Germany were executed over 20 thousand people, and in Europe - about 100 thousand. However, we should not forget that many acts Witching processes were irretrievably lost

Thus, the actual number of executions could be much higher than 100 thousand people.



From the middle of the XVI century. obsession with witchcraft, mainly in France, Switzerland and Germany, took terrible shape. For 10 years, from 1581 to 1591 in Lorraine alone were burned more than 1,000 witches. The same thing happened in Burgundy and Gascony, where fanatics judge in a short time, was sent to the fire about 600 witches.



Uzhena third stake among the five women was a man, the first but not the last. After a while, the witch hunters took for the people of noble birth. Then it was the turn of children. And continues to this endless dance of death, we call people of all ages, professions and classes.



In the villages sometimes lacked firewood for these fires. Terrified people ran out of the country. Pleading for help, they appealed to the Pope. But despite all efforts, the killings continued for a long time.

The burning of witches was a public spectacle, the main purpose of which was to warn and frighten onlookers. From afar, people flocked to the place of execution. Festively dressed, gathered representatives of local authorities. Finally, accompanied by the hangman on trolleys brought bound witches and wizards. A trip to the penalty has been an ordeal, because the onlookers did not miss the opportunity to laugh and make fun of the convicted witches, making his last journey.

Torture in Witching process is highlighted, for only thanks to them that the witch hunters managed to squeeze out of those accused of mad recognition, which later had to serve as proof of religious fantasies of the Devil, a deal with demons and satanic charms. The duration and severity of torture is determined solely by the judge, and many were not good and reasonable, as superstitious and fanatical people. Often we used the "iron chair", which is highly prized as a good remedy for silent women accused of witchcraft. The chairs were of different shapes and sizes, all equipped with spikes, handcuffs, lock blocks for the victim and, more often, with iron seats, which if necessary can be to heat.



Many processes Witching one of the objectives of the investigation was to find certain signs, which it was easy to recognize witches.

One of the favorite test was to "test the water" (also called "witch-dip"). For this torturer firmly tied the hands and feet of a naked woman, her body tied with a rope and face in the water. If it floats to the surface, - and as happened with the majority - the witch recognized, for water, the element of purity, did not accept it.

Another challenge was to find a "witch marks." It was believed that the devil is aiming his familiar with him all confused witch. This a sign and sought a judge. In order not to see him, the accused shaved head and body. It was necessary to look for any suspicious skin areas, such as age spots, like an executioner pierce them with a needle. If the suspect does not feel pain, or in this case she had not performed the blood is not contested that the spot is indeed "witch mark."

Usually, the reason for the suspicion was the envy of its neighbors, citizens and relatives, and sometimes simple and the beauty of the girl, who allegedly could bring his devilish charms of confusion in the mind of the citizen obedient. Often enough alone rumors. Many fanatics brought in as witnesses for the prosecution, even children, criminals and the mentally ill.



XVIII century, the Age of Enlightenment, put an end to the witch-hunt. Reason prevailed in England, Prussia and Austria. Britain was the first European country, officially abolished in 1736, the laws about witches. On German soil the last death sentence March 30, 1775

Petition to rehabilitate four thousand witches burned once in Scotland, arrived in this part of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is expected that the parliament will close this sad page of Scottish history.



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