Wurzburg Witch Trial Research Paper

The Wurzburg Witch trials started in a territory around the city in 1626. Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn (the Prince Bishop of Wurzburg) gave the consent needed for the trials to begin. They reached climax under Philipp Adolf von Ehrenbuerg; the nephew and successor of Julius.
The Wurzburg Witch Trials took place during a witch hysteria that resulted in a series of trials. Other locations that suffered from this witch hysteria are Bamberg, Eichstatt, Mainz, and Ellwangen.
As became typical of the witch trials, the exact number of victims is not known. 157 executions were recorded through February, 1629. After that time the executions were not recorded. The total number of victims in the city itself is estimated to be around 219 total victims.

He took a leading role in the witch trials and persecutions, later earning him the nickname of witch bishop. He was aided by Bishop Forner, who authored a book relating to witches and trials, and built Drudenhaus. Drudenhaus was a special prison for of the witch trial victims built in 1627. It held special torture chambers and torturers and excutioners were there full time. Some of the trials and torture sessions have been recorded in full detail.
The Bamberg Witch Trials has an estimated total of 300-600 executed victims. Accusations were not made public and the accused were not allowed any legal rights. The accused were forced to endure many forms of torture including thumb screws and vices, ice cold baths, scalding lime baths, whipping, sulphur burns, and iron spiked stocks. The torture continued even after they were condemned. The victims hands were commonly cut off as they were led to the stake. Anyone who questioned what was happening in the trials was also arrested. Dr. Hann, the bishop’s chancellor, was burnt for showing leniency.
Emperor Ferdinand was forced to issue mandates to stop the trials in 1630 and 1631, after several complaints by influential people. Suffering business was also a likely reason behind the