7 Witch Trials That Were Really Political Purges (and More Brutal Than Salem)
When you think of witch trials, you often think of Salem. But some of the most famous witch trials in European history were not simply outbreaks of fear or superstition. They were political tools used to destroy rivals, seize wealth, crush enemies, or protect powerful reputations. These seven cases show how witchcraft accusations were often less about magic than power.
Content Warning: This article explores dark historical events, including themes of death, violence, and criminal activity. Reader discretion is advised.
Key Takeaways From These Famous Witch Trials
- Many European witch trials were driven by politics, property seizure, dynastic conflict, or social control rather than genuine belief in magic.
- Elite involvement mattered: kings, bishops, magistrates, and local power brokers often shaped accusations and verdicts.
- Several famous witch trials blur the line between witch trial, criminal prosecution, propaganda, and reputational destruction.
- These cases reveal how accusations of witchcraft could function as tools of state power, personal revenge, and public theater.
1. Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis (1537)
Why was her trial political?
Janet Douglas was not just accused of witchcraft- she was a Douglas. King James V carried a deep grudge against her family after years of conflict with her brother, Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, who had once held the young king under his control. By 1537, the charges against Janet looked less like a genuine hunt for sorcery and more like part of the crown’s campaign to break Douglas power.
What happened?
Janet Douglas was accused of conspiring to poison James V and of using witchcraft in that plot. She had escaped an earlier attempt to bring her down, but in 1537 the crown succeeded: she was tried, condemned, and burned at the stake. Whether the case was framed as treason, sorcery, or both, the result was the same: a royal enemy was publicly destroyed.
Why this case is so unknown (but shouldn’t be)
Janet Douglas’ death shows how easily witchcraft accusations could be turned against the high-born, not just the poor or socially vulnerable. In Janet’s case, the charge gave political vengeance a legal and moral mask, making family rivalry look like justice. Even worse, King James V was able to nearly obliterate most traces of her existence- giving him little accountability for his actions.
A grim detail:
According to historians, Janet’s son was forced to witness her execution- a brutal gesture meant not only to punish one woman, but to terrorize the Douglas line itself.
Watch the full episode:
This case makes far more sense once you see the feud behind it. Watch the full episode below for the wider story of James V, the Douglas family, and the trial that blurred the line between sorcery and state revenge. You can listen on Spotify or watch this episode on Youtube:
2. The Bamberg Witch Trials (1626–1631)
Why was this trial political?
The Bamberg witch trials were not just a burst of superstition or local panic. Under Prince-Bishop Johann Georg II Fuchs von Dornheim, the trials became a brutal instrument of power that reached deep into the city’s elite. As accusations spread, wealthy citizens, officials, and other prominent figures were swept up in a campaign of terror, control, and confiscation.
What happened?
Between 1626 and 1631, Bamberg became one of the deadliest centers of witch persecution in Europe. Hundreds of people were arrested, tortured, and executed- many after being forced to name others under interrogation. The machinery of accusation fed itself, and as the trials widened, entire families and social networks were dragged into the panic until the city was caught in a cycle of imprisonment, confession, and death.
Why this case dwarfs most witch trial cases
The Bamberg trials are a terrifying example how witch hunts could become powerful tools of government power and control. In Bamberg, accusations helped destroy enemies, silence dissent, and strip property from the condemned, turning persecution into both a political weapon and a source of wealth. The Prince-Bishop built a house to be able to torture dozens of people at a time- quickly turning people’s pain into a rapidly spreading wildfire of accusations on a never-before-seen scale.
Massive panics like this one eventually forced authorities to reconsider the evidence. In fact, uncovering forced confessions like these is exactly how a few skeptical religious figures eventually dismantled the European witch trials.
A grim detail:
Those accused were often taken to Bamberg’s witch prison, the Drudenhaus, where torture was used to extract confessions and new names. Once inside that system, escape was rare, and each confession helped keep the killings going, making it one of the deadliest European witch trials in history.
Recommended Watch:
Raw History has a fantastic- but gruesome- episode on the prison house where these accused “witches” were held and pushed toward confession and execution:
3. The Werewolf of Bedburg: Peter Stumpp (1589)
Why was this trial political?
Peter Stumpp’s trial was more than a gruesome werewolf story. It unfolded in a region shaped by deep religious tension from the Cologne Wars, and the case gave authorities a chance to turn fear into a public lesson about order, sin, and diabolic evil.
What happened in this famous case?
In 1589, Peter Stumpp was arrested near Bedburg and accused of murder, cannibalism, sorcery, and transforming into a werewolf with the Devil’s help. Under the pressures of torture, he confessed, and the authorities turned that confession into one of the most infamous werewolf trials in European history. He was executed brutally, alongside his daughter and mistress.
Why this case impacted criminal history
Peter Stumpp’s case was important because it shows how a criminal trial could become propaganda. The story did not just punish one man- it reinforced the idea that evil was everywhere and that those in power were the ones holding it back. The circumstances of this case have become notable to historians as particularly gruesome, making it one of the most famous cases in history. As a result, the Church was able to further secure it’s position of power over the region.
It’s also important because the legal machinery used to condemn accused witches was often the same system used to prosecute other supernatural threats, heavily overlapping with the historical werewolf trials that caused mass panic across Europe. Werewolf cases expanded upon the common conception that the Devil could act through a human intermediary to cause harm, but instead of using sorcery, spells or potions like we see in typical witch trial records, it involved transitioning out of human form and into a wolf to physically harm victims.
A grim detail:
His execution was staged as a warning to the crowd: tortured with red-hot pincers, broken on the wheel, then beheaded and burned.
Watch the full episode:
This case is far darker than the myth. Watch the full episode below for the brutal story behind Peter Stumpp, the confession, and the trial that turned one man into Europe’s most infamous ‘werewolf’. Listen on Spotify or Watch this episode on Youtube:
4. The North Berwick Witches (1590)
Why was this trial political?
The North Berwick witch trials became political because James VI treated them as more than a witch scare. After storms disrupted the voyage bringing Anne of Denmark to Scotland, he became convinced that witches had targeted the royal couple, turning the case into a test of royal authority and godly kingship.
What happened?
Beginning in 1590, a group of accused witches- including Agnes Sampson, a well-known, prominent healer in her community- were charged with meeting the Devil and raising storms against the king’s ship. James VI involved himself directly in the affair, and the trials grew into one of Scotland’s most famous witch persecutions.
Why this case is important in witch trial history
This is an important case highlighting how easily a king was able to turn witchcraft panic into royal theater. James VI (ironically, the grandson of James V from the Janet Douglas case above, and later James I of England) helped turn the trials into proof that he was defending the realm against satanic conspiracy. This strategic use of the supernatural by royalty was a common theme across Europe, mirroring how other leaders had to navigate religious and political crises, such as the Marthe Brossier possession hoax in France.
A grim detail:
James did not stay at a distance, he took a personal role: Agnes Sampson was examined before the king himself at Holyrood Palace, after torture forced a confession.
Recommended Watch:
For a deeper look at James’s obsession with witchcraft, watch Weird History‘s video below on how the North Berwick trials became one of the most infamous royal witch hunts in British history:
5. The Fall of a Hero: Gilles de Rais (1440)
Why was this trial political?
Gilles de Rais’s trial did not happen in a vacuum. By 1440, he had become a ruined noble in conflict with powerful church and ducal authorities, and his collapse conveniently served men who stood to gain from his disgrace, debts, and lands. Whether every accusation was true or not, the prosecution clearly did more than punish crime- it also removed a politically troublesome lord.
What happened in this famous case?
A former war hero and companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc, Gilles de Rais was tried in 1440 on charges including heresy, diabolic practices, and the murder of 140+ children. He was convicted by both ecclesiastical and secular courts and executed at Nantes alongside two of his servants.
Why this case is so shocking
Gilles de Rais’s case is one that shocks historians and casual readers alike. This is because it sits in the gray zone between atrocity and opportunity. Were the charges entirely true, partly inflated, or politically shaped to finish off a collapsing noble? That uncertainty is exactly what makes the full story so disturbing.
A grim detail:
The ecclesiastical sentence attributed to him the murder of “one hundred and forty children, or more,” though exact totals remain contested by historians. His crimes were thought to be some of the worst ever recorded up to that point in time- adding a new level of sensationalism to European witch trials.
Watch the full episode:
War hero, occult scandal, child murder, and a trial that may have served more than justice- this case is far murkier than the Bluebeard legend. Get the full story: Listen on Spotify or Watch this episode on Youtube.
6. Anna Göldi (Switzerland, 1782)
Why was this trial political?
Anna Göldi’s case looks less like a genuine witch trial and more like a prosecution shaped by power, scandal, and reputation. She was a servant in the household of physician and politician Johann Jacob Tschudi, and later accounts hold that he abused his position after she threatened to expose his sexual misconduct.
What happened?
In 1782, Anna Göldi was accused of causing one of Tschudi’s daughters to spit up needles, and she was hunted down after fleeing arrest. Under torture, she confessed to a pact with the Devil, then withdrew the confession- but she was still executed by beheading in Glarus. Officially, the charge was framed as poisoning rather than witchcraft, even though the case clearly carried the marks of a witch persecution.
Why the Anna Göldi trial changed history
Anna Göldi’s case is historically important because it shows how- even in the late eighteenth century- a powerful man could still weaponize superstition, relying on centuries-old tropes of faked demonic possession, to destroy a vulnerable woman. She was posthumously exonerated by the canton of Glarus in 2008 as the victim of an illegal trial.
A grim detail:
The authorities avoided openly calling it a witch trial, and parts of the court record were later destroyed- making the case feel even more like a deliberate legal cover-up.
Recommended Listen:
The Dead Ladies Show’s episode on Anna Göldi is an excellent entry point into the story of a woman destroyed by scandal, fear, and judicial abuse. Listen here.
7. The Logroño Mass Trial: The Auto de Fe of 1610
Why was this trial political?
The Logroño trials- also known as the Basque witch trials– grew out of fear, rumor, and local panic- but they became political when the Spanish Inquisition turned that panic into a public spectacle. The 1610 ‘auto de fe’ ceremony let authorities present themselves as defenders of the faith while communities in the Basque region tore themselves apart with accusations.
What happened?
The panic began after a young woman from Zugarramurdi, María de Ximildegui, claimed she had taken part in witches’ sabbaths and named others. As confessions and denunciations spread, the Logroño tribunal investigated thousands of cases; in the 1610 auto de fe, a mass trial of 53 people were sentenced, with 11 executed (5 in effigy). As a result, mass hysteria and vigilante violence spread through the region, leading to a near-total societal breakdown as witchcraft accusations stacked up.
Why this case impacted witch trial history
This famous witch trial case shows how quickly a ‘witch panic’ could feed on itself until an entire region was swept into confession, accusation, and fear. It is also crucially important to the history of the Spanish Inquisition and witch trials altogether- because inquisitor Alonso de Salazar Frías not only exposed how weak the evidence was, but his investigations helped push the Spanish Inquisition to change their methods from that point forward.
A grim detail:
By the time Salazar was able to deliver the ‘Edict of Grace’ throughout the region, the entire population was in chaos- committing mass acts of vigilante violence on neighbors and assaulting children in order to extract confessions.
Watch the full episode:
On our podcast, we detail the full scale of events- with historical evidence- to showcase how these supposed witches were victims of panic, coercion, and vigilante violence rather than ‘servants of the Devil’. The way the entire event unfolded was absolutely mindblowing! Watch the full episode below:
Witch Trial Comparison Matrix:
| Case | Year | Region | Main Power Behind It | Likely Political Function | Why It Still Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis | 1537 | Scotland | James V | Destroy a rival family | Shows dynastic revenge disguised as justice |
| Bamberg Witch Trials | 1626-1631 | Holy Roman Empire | Prince-Bishop authorities | Asset seizure and terror | Illustrates mass persecution tied to wealth and control |
| Peter Stumpp | 1589 | Bedburg | Local authorities during confessional conflict | Moral and religious propaganda | Shows criminality reframed as supernatural evil |
| North Berwick Witches | 1590 | Scotland | James VI | Royal legitimacy and demonological propaganda | Shows a king weaponizing fear |
| Gilles de Rais | 1440 | France | Ecclesiastical/secular elites | Estate seizure and political cleanup | Blurs serial crime, heresy, and political convenience |
| Anna Göldi | 1782 | Switzerland | Local political elite | Reputation management and silencing | Shows late survival of judicial abuse |
| Logroño Auto de Fe | 1610 | Spain | Inquisition apparatus | Mass hysteria management and public control | Important because skepticism later helped curb trials |
FAQ
No. Some were driven more by local panic, superstition, religious fear, or social tensions. But many major cases were shaped by power struggles, confiscation, reputation management, or state control.
Salem witch trials are the best-known English-language example, but many European witch trials were larger, more brutal, and more closely tied to elite power structures. (There are several less famous witch trials in Europe that far surpass Salem’s scale and brutality as well.)
Authorities could use witchcraft accusations to eliminate rivals, seize property, terrorize populations, reinforce religious conformity, or protect elite reputations.
The Bamberg trials are often cited as a striking example because accusations coincided with confiscation of estates and broader political control.
In several cases, they overlap. That is part of what makes them historically important.
The Dark History of Political Witch Trials
These famous cases show that witchcraft accusations were often inseparable from political ambition, personal revenge, and institutional power. But there’s so many more witch hunts, trials, and executions that haven’t made this list! If you want the full stories, primary-source details, and deeper historical context, explore our related episodes on YouTube and Spotify at the links above.
Liked this post? Check out more of our dark histories podcast, deep dives and resources!
How 5 Religious Figures Dismantled European Witch Trials- From the Inside
Where to Stay in Valencia: 6 Hotels for History Buffs
What to Know Before Visiting Valencia: Packing & Survival Guide
9 Dark Legends From Europe’s Most Beautiful Locations
2 Days in Valencia: A History Lover’s Guide to the Old Town
5 of Europe’s Most Infamous Monsters… Were They Innocent?
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Scholarly Resources & More Reading
Note: These resources have been reviewed by Jess and are publically available unless otherwise stated below.
Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis
1- Douglas Archives, “Lady Janet Douglas.” Biography.
2- The Gazetteer of Scotland, GLAMIS. A PARISH HISTORY. By the Rev. John Stirton, 1913. (PDF Download).
3- Cursed Voices, “Lady Janet Douglas / The Grey Lady of Glamis Castle” Spotify.
4- Chelsea D. M. Hartlen, “Managing Criminal Women in Scotland: An Assessment of the Scarcity of Female Offenders in the Records of the High Court of Justiciary, 1524-1542.” Dalhousie University (2014).
Bamberg Witch Trials
5- History… The Interesting Bits!, “Bamberg, Germany: The Early Modern Witch-Burning Stronghold.”
6- Bethany Gorman, “The Witch-Hunts in Bamberg and Würzburg.” Oshkosh Scholar / Kennesaw Digital Commons. (2013)
7- Johannes Junius, “Letter from Prison.” Hanover Historical Texts Project.
8- Robert Walinski-Kiehl, “Males, ‘Masculine Honour’ and Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth-Century Germany.”
9- Bamberg Tourism / City of Bamberg, “Hexenprozesse im Hochstift Bamberg.”
10- Karin Dengler-Schreiber, “Hexenverfolgungen im Hochstift Bamberg.” (PDF in German)
Peter Stumpp / The Werewolf of Bedburg
11- The Damnable Life and Death of One Stubbe Peeter. Original Trial Pamphlet, 1589.
12- Susan Small, “Flesh and Death in Early Modern Bedburg.” In Flaying in the Premodern World. Cambridge University Press. (2021)
13- Inside History, “Peter Stumpp: The Werewolf of Bedburg.”
14- Lycan Foundation, “Werwolf Peter Stump.”
15- The Past, “The Werewolf of Bedburg.”
North Berwick Witches
16- Historic UK, “The North Berwick Witch Trials.”
17- University of Glasgow Library, “Witchcraft in Scotland.”
18- University of Edinburgh, Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, “The Case of Agnes Sampsoune.”
19- Lawrence Normand and Gareth Roberts, “Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland: James VI’s Demonology and the North Berwick Witches.” Exeter Studies in History, JSTOR. (2000)
20- The National Archives, “Witchcraft.”
Gilles de Rais
21- HistoryExtra, “Was Gilles de Rais Really History’s First Recorded Serial Killer?”
22- National Geographic Historia, “Gilles de Rais, el sanguinario aristócrata amigo de Juana de Arco.”
23- Britannica, “Gilles de Rais: History’s First Serial Killer?”
24- Eugène Bossard, Gilles de Rais, maréchal de France, dit Barbe-Bleue, 1404–1440. (1886)
25- Fleuret, Fernand, Le procès inquisitorial de Gilles de Rais, maréchal de France. (1921)
Anna Göldi
27- SWI swissinfo.ch, “Anna Goeldi was like a wild horse, impossible to catch.”
28- SWI swissinfo.ch, “Last Witch in Europe’ Cleared.”
29- Swiss Confederation / Living Traditions, “Anna Göldi.”
30- Switzerland Tourism, “Anna Göldi Museum — All People Are Equal Before the Law.”
31- Eveline Hasler, The Child Witches of Lucerne and Buchau: A Novel, translated with introduction and commentary. (2022)
Logroño / Basque Witch Trials
32- Official Trial Records, Auto de Fé celebrado en la ciudad de Logroño en los días 7 y 8 de Noviembre del año de 1610. (PDF, in Spanish)
33- PARES / Archivo Histórico Nacional, “Libros de ejemplares del Tribunal de la Inquisición de Logroño.”
34- Gustav Henningsen, The Witches’ Advocate: Basque Witchcraft and the Spanish Inquisition, 1609–1614. (1980)
35- Julio Caro Baroja, The World of the Witches. (2001)
35- James S. Amelang, “Between Doubt and Discretion: Revising the Rules for Prosecuting Spanish Witches.” Autonomous University, Madrid. (2008)
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