The Witch Trials of Norway
The Witch Trials of Norway One of the darkest chapters in Norwegian history is the Witch Trials that took place around the 16th and 17th century. During this period hundreds of women and men were sentenced as "trollfolk" and were executed, usually by being burned alive. Trollfolk were regarded as dangerous individuals capable of black magic (maleficium) harming animals, crops and humans. They summoned storms that wrecked ships, cast curses that caused sickness and harm unto their fellow humans and were therefore seen as a menace to society. The use of black magic was punishable by death in Norway. Also the use of white, or healing magic was pursued by the death penalty before 1617. People who used white magic was often referred to as "signere". Signere were looked at much fonder by their local communities as they were resourcefull individuals who healed and helped. In the eyes of the law however their powers were blasphemous as it did not originate from God. Tor...