The Trier Witch Trials (1581–1593)

One of the largest witch trials in history, the Trier trials took place in what is now Germany and resulted in the execution of hundreds of people. The city was caught up in religious tension between Catholics and Protestants, with witch hunts serving as a tool to assert control and purge “enemies” from the community.

The Pendle Witch Trials (1612)

In England, the Pendle witch trials became notorious when twelve people from Lancashire were accused of witchcraft. Ten were found guilty and executed. The case exemplified how local grudges, superstition, and poverty could intertwine with legal systems to tragic effect.

The Salem Witch Trials (1692)

Perhaps the most famous witch trials in American history, the Salem trials involved a series of hearings and prosecutions in colonial Massachusetts. Over 200 people were accused, and 20 were executed. The Salem hysteria reflected tensions in the Puritan community and fears of moral decay.

Methods of Identification and Torture

Witches were subjected to brutal interrogations and tests. Common practices included:

• The Witch’s Mark: Inspectors searched for unusual marks or blemishes on the body believed to be the devil’s mark.

• Swimming Test: Accused witches were tied and thrown into water; if they floated, they were deemed guilty.

• Torture: Instruments like the rack or thumbscrews were used to force confessions.

Confessions, often extracted under duress, were considered evidence in trials. shutdown123