“They said they just wanted to enjoy themselves.” In the 17th century, women were often accused of witchcraft because of their positive relationship to sex, says microhistorian Jaroslav Čechura. What did the women do with the host that brought them to court? And where in the Czech Republic were “full-blooded witch sabbats” held? You will find out in the next episode of We, once upon a time.
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Microhistory – Witchcraft | Video: Michaela Lišková, Jakub Zuzánek
One of the most famous places associated with witchcraft was, for example, Peter’s Stones in Jeseníky. “People came there several times a year and held something that a modern person would call an ‘orgy’. They said then that they ‘ate, drank, jumped, danced and socialized’ there. It was something completely different,” Čechura explains.
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People were often accused of witchcraft because of their knowledge of herbalism. “They were able to prepare various potions or weapons with which they could even kill a person. They also used various herbs as hypnotics or even aphrodisiacs,” the micro-historian describes.
According to Čechura, in Bohemia, individual women were accused of witchcraft because, for example, they stole the host in the church. “They took it home and gave it to the cow to give it more milk. This was a principle we have known since the 16th century. The host was given magical effects,” says the expert on microhistory.
Microhistory
- According to Jaroslav Čechura, microhistory is a historical discipline that sets itself the task of getting to know a specific person in detail – how he lived, how he loved, how he killed, how he learned.
- The basic principle is to look at one specific person as comprehensively as possible.
- In contrast to traditional historical approaches, the field is based on so-called small facts, which are usually neglected in archival sources.
- The most important source for investigation is often sources of a criminal nature.
- Microhistory as a historical discipline began to develop in the 1970s, one of the first microhistorians was the Italian historian Carlo Ginzburg.
“In Losinsk, Šumpersk and Jesenice, it was something else – mass trials where dozens of people stood before the court,” adds Čechura, adding that they were to be organized by the chief inquisitor and executor of justice Jindřich František Boblig from Edelstadt.
“I was most surprised that what Dostoevsky once wrote – Crime and Punishment – was violated. They started from punishment and then looked for crime to it,” he concludes.
Watch the opening episode of We Once upon a Time, which describes what microhistory is all about:
Microhistory focuses on a particular person – for example, how he lived or how he loved | Video: Michaela Lišková, Jakub Zuzánek
Witches, History, and a Whole Lot of Fun: What’s Brewing in the 17th Century?
By Your Favorite Comedic Historian
Ah, the 17th century! A time of powdered wigs, dubious hygiene, and of course, witch hunts. I mean, who knew the ladies just wanted to enjoy themselves? Forget Netflix and chill; these women had a whole different agenda, involving herbal remedies, an occasional host theft, and let’s just say—very lively gatherings. Our guide on this enchanting journey is none other than microhistorian Jaroslav Čechura.
According to Čechura, these women had a positively spicy relationship with sex, much to the dismay of their somber, pearl-clutching contemporaries. Imagine the scandal of a few giggles around the cauldron while discussing just how to spice up dinner. Bless their hearts! Little did they know that gathering for a bit of merry-making could land you in front of a judge faster than you could say “I’ll have what she’s having!”
The Witchy Hotspots of the Czech Republic
Now, let’s talk locations, shall we? Picture this: Peter’s Stones in Jeseníky. A place where people popped over several times a year, not for afternoon tea, but for what modern folks would dare call an “orgy.” They were just enjoying themselves! Čechura paints a vivid picture: eating, drinking, dancing, and perhaps a little… socializing. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it? I mean, if only they knew how to write a decent Yelp review!
Herbs, Hypnotics, and a Whole Lot of Hocus Pocus
What’s the most fascinating part of this whole witchcraft debacle? It was often just a matter of ladies who knew their way around a garden! Knowledge of herbalism was hazardous to your health—at least back then—because if you could whip up a potion, you’d easily find yourself branded as a “witch.” You had your potions for love, for sleep, and for achieving maximum milk production from your cow—all after a casual Sunday mass! Now there’s a church story we should revisit!
The “Crime” and “Punishment” Paradigm
Let’s get back to this ‘hanging judge’ situation. According to Čechura, the judicial procedure resembled more of a “prosecution first, defense never” fashion, reminiscent of Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.” They’d show up, point fingers, and voilà! You were guilty before you ever thought to ask for a fair trial. What a racket! Turns out, their idea of justice made the process of hitting the snooze button seem intricate. “Look,” they’d say, “we’ve already decided you’re guilty, so why don’t you help us out with the crime part?”
The Art of Microhistory
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the art of microhistory. What is this, you ask? A deep dive into the little lives that made history tick! Instead of looking at dates and events like a bored schoolboy, microhistorical studies focus on one person—their loves, their fears, and sometimes, their questionable decisions involving church hosts. Isn’t it beautifully messy?
As Čechura highlights, these tiny details often hold the key to understanding larger societal trends. Forget the famous kings and queens; we’re talking about the lady down the street who may or may not have turned into a bat on full moon nights. The little things matter, and sometimes, they’re hilarious!
