Åland has the questionable honour of having started
the great witch-hunt in the Swedish Kingdom 350 years ago. Between 1666 and
1670, a total of seven women were executed in Åland, convicted of witchcraft. 8
April sees a dramatic issue by artist Juha Pykäläinen.
On 5 April 1666, proceedings were instituted
against Karin Persdotter from Emkarby. Known as “the wise bitch”, she was
accused of practising sorcery; she was thought to be able to find lost items,
single out thieves and foresee who was going to die. From whom had she received
the gift if not from the Devil? Convicted of witchcraft, she was condemned to
be executed by axe and burnt at the stake.
(The) driving force in the Åland witch-hunt was
district judge and zealous witch expert Nils Psilander and Bryniel Kjellinius,
pastor in Sund. They visited Karin in the Kastelholm jail, wishing to have her
“full and truthful confession” so that she could receive the Holy Communion before
death. In the end, she informed on 13 women. A total of seven women were
executed during this period, including Karin. Many more Åland women were
prosecuted and tortured, none of whom, however, were burnt alive at the stake,
neither was the so called trial by water ordeal applied. Other forms of “mild
torture” were applied such as handcuffs being tightened.
The Åland witch-hunts preceded the outbreaks in
both Sweden (1668) and Finland (1669). The last witch trial in Åland took place
in 1691.
Thank you Ella for this interesting FDC.
Thank you Ella for this interesting FDC.
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