Witches Were Pagan
This is the biggest misunderstanding about witchcraft in the Middle Ages. A lot of people who were persecuted as witches were devout Christians, but superstitions against their professions were what got them in trouble. Most often among these professions, midwives got into a lot of trouble. Before people gave birth at hospitals, you went to a midwife when you were pregnant. You can still visit midwives, but for women in the profession during the Middle Ages, a stillbirth could mean downfall. The myth that witches were pagan women who lived in the woods is a gross exaggeration. After all, Christian views and pagan views were very linked in faith until about the late Middle Ages when people were scared of being—well—burned as a witch. Which brings me to the next myth…
Witches Were always Burned at the stake
Yes, burning at the stake did happen. But witchcraft in the Middle Ages was punished by many different ways, and burning was not the most popular method. In fact, burning was reserved for other crimes… like being a Protestant. Witchcraft in the Middle Ages was more commonly punished by torture, beheading, and hanging.
Witches Were Women
Yes, as time went on, the majority of accused witches were women. But during the Middle Ages, many high ranking men were persecuted for witchcraft. In fact, a lot of Templar Knights, famous for the later Crusades, were found guilty for witchcraft. This is because the knights were accused of committing sinful crimes, including sodomy and sorcery. It has been confirmed that the Knights Templar had a secret society during and after the Crusades, but the dealings of the society have been hard to decipher.
Witchcraft Was Illegal
Witchcraft in the Middle Ages only became an illicit practice until about 1400. Before then, practicing was just a part of life for many people. Like the myth that witches were pagan, the spells and enchantments that we associate with witchcraft were normal. It was only when the printing press made spreading information cheap and fast that witch hunts really took off. The Valais Witch Trails are considered the first wave of European Witch Hunts. Now, of course, witches have always been persecuted, but this large-scale hunt began in 1428!
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4 Main Myths About Witches in the Middle Ages
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