If I were to brainstorm on the term Medieval, I would definitely link it to the notorious witch hunt of the said era. This period of witch hunts and trials were a widespread moral panic suggesting that malevolent Satanic witches were a huge threat to Christianity, reaching its peak around mid-1400s to 1600s, and declining in early 18th century.
Various executions of witches began long back, even before the Medieval era. Though it was known that on December 5, 1484, Pope Innocent VIII (unlike his name)- who had been a full supporter of torture in the Medieval period-, issued a papal bull where he recognized the existence of witches and gave full papal approval for the Inquisition to hunt these witches as well as giving permission to torture and execute them, as long as they were ridded of.
With this stated, it was basically the Church who gave full consent of this horrid witch massacre without even thinking twice!
But...how exactly did they know who was a witch?
Apparently,they had various methods and tests during the hunts and trials that would supposedly confirm if they were guilty as a witch or not. Personally, I think they had absurd tests as the Swimming Test or even the Witches Cake method.
One famous test was through the " Witches Marks". This was where suspects were being stripped and publicly examined for signs of unsightly blemishes, moles etc. that witches were claimed to receive upon making their pact with Satan. I personally find this test to be ridiculous! Afterall, it is very common for people to have moles and such.
Another such method was the "Pricking and Scratching" test whereby it had been noted in witch hunting books that the "witches mark" were insensitive to pain and couldn't bleed. With that, examiners used specially designed needles to repeatedly stab and prick the accused witch's flesh til they had the desired result!
Naturally, there were many con-mens who usually used dulled needle points to identify fake witch's marks. With this, they were very well-paid.
Following up with the victims, it was estimated that a total of 400,000 to 600,000 accused witches were executed, which is insanely a lot!
It had seemed that most women were targeted as suspects. The Inquisitors who had wrote the Malleus Maleficarum had explained that women were most likely to be witches than men as females are more 'concerned with thingsof the flesh' than men, and that females are "imperfect animals" (if any of these actually makes sense!). With that, around 80 to 90% of executed witches were women.
Additionally, it had appeared that females who stood out to speak their opinions were singled as witches ,though I am very unsure of why!
Other than that, old, wise healing women were particularly targeted by witch-hunters.
"At this day", wrote Reginald Scot in 1584, "It is indifferent to say in the English tongue, 'she is a witch', or 'she is a wise woman'".
This accusation was also done as common people of the Medieval era, relied heavily upon these wise women for healings and treatments rather than monks or churchmans as they had a wide understanding of herbs and they don't usually charge for treatments.
I guess this was where the general witches got their image of old womens from.
Delving into the subject of torture and executions, it is important to note that torture was already holding a place in the Medieval culture, so there were many torture devices and methods. But with the rise of witch huntings, they designed and made more torture devices meant specially for the witches.
One prime example was the "Spanish Spider"
It was designed to mutiliate a women's breasts. The Spider was usually chained to the wall - the claws were normally heated before being fixed to the women's chest. The stomach-turning part is where the torturer pulls the women away from the wall. Well, you can guess what happens!
Another one is the horrifying tongue tearer. As the name suggests, it was of an oversized pair of shears, used to cut the tongue. The victim's mouth would be forced open and somehow, the torturer would pull the tongue out and cut it.
As much as these torture methods are 'interesting', it was more often for the witches to be burned at the stake. This was often in hundreds at one go.
How inhumane they could possibly get!
To end off, I would insert my opinion on all of this. As much as I am fascinated and intrigued by the Medieval period, I definitely do not support the witch hunts. Many innocent people and children had died due to the mindless and insensible mentality of the Inquisitions and the higher authorities.
It is a relief that the rulings had changed and in 1682, the last accused witch of England was executed.
As time goes by, the mindset of society becomes more sensible and realistic. Witches are looked to as mere story characters and imaginative made-ups.
All supposed existence of witches in the Medieval era and previous times are put aside as historical myths.
But still..it doesn't mean that witches don't actually exists..
~The End~
For further readings, the books below are much recommended for their depth of the horrific knowledge and portrayal the Medieval witch hunt was. From graphic novel to a non-fiction history book, they present a wider spread of information for those who wishes to learn more.
