Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700: A Documentary History
Alan C. Kors and Edward Peters, eds.
Number of quotes: 3
Book ID: 344 Page: 351
Section: 3H
Junius was thus convicted and was quickly burned at the stake. But on July 24, 1628, Junius had smuggled out of prison a letter to his daughter, Veronica, in which he stated that everything he had confessed was the result of the unbearable torture inflicted upon him. So severely crippled were his hands that it took him several days to write the letter.
Quote ID: 7967
Time Periods: 7
Book ID: 344 Page: 351
Section: 3H
And this happened on Friday, June 30, and with God’s help I had to bear the torture…. When at last the executioner led me back into the prison, he said to me: “Sir, I beg you, for God’s sake confess something, whether it be true or not. Invent something, for you cannot endure the torture which you’ll be put to; and, even if you bear it all, yet you will not escape, not if you were an earl, but one torture will follow after another until even you say you are a witch….”
Quote ID: 7968
Time Periods: 7
Book ID: 344 Page: 353/354
Section: 3H
…some out of all offices and faculties must be executed: clerics, electoral councilors and doctors, city officials, court assessors, several of whom Your Grace knows. There are law students to be arrested. The Prince-Bishop has over forty students who are soon to be pastors; among them thirteen or fourteen are said to be witches. A few days ago a Dean was arrested; two others who were summoned have fled.The notary of our Church consistory, a very learned man, was yesterday arrested and put to the torture. In a word, a third part of the city is surely involved. The richest, most attractive, most prominent, of the clergy are already executed. A week ago a maiden of nineteen was executed, of whom it is everywhere said that she was the fairest in the whole city, and was held by everybody a girl of singular modesty and purity. She will be followed by seven or eight others of the best and most attractive persons…. And thus many are put to death for renouncing God and being at the witch dances, against whom nobody has ever else spoken a word.
To conclude this wretched matter, there are children of three and four years, to the number of three hundred, who are said to have had intercourse with the Devil. I have seen put to death children of seven, promising students of ten, twelve, fourteen, and fifteen. Of the nobles—but I cannot and must not write more of this misery. There are persons of yet higher rank, whom you know, and would marvel to hear of, nay, would scarcely believe it; let justice be done….
Quote ID: 7969
Time Periods: 7
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