Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XII. Reign of Charles XI, 1660–1697 - B. Personal Rule of Charles XI, 1672–1697
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Reign of Charles XI 209
work evil to men and animals. If a plague broke out
in a community it was believed that some witch had
caused it. If failure of crops occurred, if fire broke
out, if a cow failed to give milk, or gave poor milk
all such calamities were ascribed to witchcraft. Soon
the unhappy victim, the supposed witch, was discov-
ered. No punishment could be too severe for so hein-
ous a sin.
Ever since the Middle Ages the spiritual and tem-
poral powers had united in efforts to drive out the evil
spirit from such possessed persons. The unhappy vic-
tims accused of witchcraft were first forced by the use
of the most cruel torture to confess and were then
burned at the stake. Like a pestilence the infection
spread to all lands, and it is believed that millions suf-
fered death in consequence.
In Sweden this spiritual plague seems to have broken
out in Dalecarlia. Near the Leksand church there is
shown to this day a mound on which witches were
burned, who were believed to have carried off children
to the evil one and practiced other iniquities. This
delusion spread to neighboring provinces and then to
wider circles.
Toward the close of the century, however, enlight-
ened men began to see that the whole matter was im-
agination and slander. The chief credit for this sane
movement is due to the noted physician Urban Hjarne,
a member of a witch-court in Stockholm. He suc-
ceeded gradually in convincing people that all this talk
of witchcraft was mere superstition and gossip. Thus
finally the trial and punishment of witches ceased.
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