Premodern Beliefs and Witch Trials in a Swedish Province, 1669-1672

This book examines the worldview and perceptions of reality that formed the setting for the witch trials held in the Swedish province of Bohuslän in 1669-1672. The first part of the book explores the conduct of the trials and provides, among other things, an analysis of the defendants and of the various accusations from neighbours and the court. The following parts analyse the perceptions of reality found in the statements made in court by witnesses and the accused. The topics addressed include the relationship between dreams and reality, belief in shape-shifting, the power of words, emotions, and magically charged matters, as well as perceptions of God and the Devil. The beliefs that surfaced during the trials were part of a general mentality that characterised people's perception of the world, both before and after the trials. As the records from the prolonged cross-examinations of the accused are unusually detailed, the defendant's statements, together with accusations, testimonies,and the courts' questions, provides a unique insight into premodern worldviews.

Auteur

Göran Malmstedt is Professor of History at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Résumé

"The book goes on to consider dreams, dreamt-up experiences, and ideas of shapeshifting (in order to sink ships at night) that were presented in the testimonies. Personally, I found this part of the book the most interesting and insightful, as it moved between examples of the porous boundaries and entangled layers of reality ... ." (Raisa Maria Toivo, Renaissance Quarterly, Vol.76 (4), 2023)

Contenu

1. Introduction.- Part I: The Bohuslän witch trials.- 2. The conduct of the trials.- 3. Accused and accusations.- 4. Lost at sea.- Part II: Dimensions of reality.- 5. Dreams and reality.- 6. Shape-shifting.- Part III: Magical domains.- 7. Powerful emotions.- 8. Spells and charms.- 9. Charged matter.- Part IV: Supernatural powers.- 10. God's children.- 11. In the clutches of Satan.- 12. Concluding discussion: An enchanted world.