Hexenverfolgung#

Witch-hunting: Persecution on grounds of the "crime of witchcraft" was mostly directed against women and only to a minor extent against men. The principal reasons for persecution were the belief in "black magic", the exercise of supernatural powers for evil purposes, the teachings of misogynous theologians, penal practices (torture) and social motives (fear, envy, greed). The first witchcraft trials started towards the end of the 15th century and increased in number by 1580/90, reaching a peak in Austria, unlike Western Europe, in 1680. After 1700 witch-hunting declined rapidly (the last execution took place in Salzburg in 1750). Under Maria Theresia witchcraft and magic were still criminal acts, at least in theory, but were no longer mentioned in the Penal Law of 1783. Trials were based on the penal law of the day and were held by secular courts. The most frequent charges were association with the devil and weather sorcery. Most affected were the rural population and especially the marginalised and underprivileged. Records concerning the number of victims are incomplete and estimates vary greatly from region to region. In the Duchy of Styria approximately 820 persons involved in witchcraft trials were recorded between 1546 and 1746. The largest series of trials took place in Salzburg between 1675 and 1690, when 198 individuals were arrested and 138 executed, including 56 boys aged 9 to 16 years.

Literature#