The early 15th century saw the beginning of the trials that would later affect werewolves and witches, marking a dark period in European history. In the 1420s, a time of widespread superstition, social instability, and harsh weather, the systematic witch hunts that eventually engulfed Europe began with a vengeance. Although cases of witchcraft, including the burning of women, had happened before, the 1428 Valais witch trials in what is now Switzerland began a broad crusade against individuals suspected of sorcery, including the eerie phenomenon of lycanthropy, or “werewolfery.”

Scholars have speculated on various elements that may have contributed to the witch craze, but the exact cause is still unknown. Weak harvests, growing epidemics of mysterious diseases, and an atmosphere of mutual hostility between nearby towns and their residents were all woven into the local beliefs. The combination of these factors fostered an environment where paranoia flourished, since the ills of many could be easily linked to the wrongdoings of a select few. False allegations and slander flourished in this setting, leading many innocent people to be arrested and tortured into confessing to evildoings.

Common witchcraft was just one of several charges leveled throughout these trials. The capacity to shapeshift into wolves, or lycanthropy, was quickly and viciously accused of. Johannes Fründ, a Lucerne trial clerk, and other historians have recorded terrifying tales of accused people turning into monsters to destroy cattle and, even worse, kidnap and eat children. Additionally, these so-called shapeshifters were said to have used various herbal remedies to make themselves undetectable.

Casting devastating spells upon crops and livestock, leaving fields barren and calves milkless, fell within the broad ambit of witchcraft allegations. According to Fründ, the realm of witch trials was a strange place where accused women were said to soar through the air after anointing their chairs with a magical salve, rather than using broomsticks. On top of that, these people were alleged to partake in the secret “witches’ sabbath,” when they would congregate in cellars at night to drink wine and hear the Devil preach.

The victims of these trials, which claimed the lives of over 3,500 people, were disproportionately women, who were already on the margins of society due to their professions as herbalists, midwives, or lonely housewives. The accused, however, did not only consist of the destitute and lonely; members of the aristocracy and the wealthy also fell victim to these terrible accusations; the crown may have been motivated to convict them because it wanted to keep their land for itself.

An era of persecution began with the werewolf witch trials of Valais and lasted approximately 300 years, during which time an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 people died as a result of torture or execution. Under tremendous pressure, the accused would either quickly confess or undergo unrelenting torture, with some victims dying of the anguish and others being executed, burned alive, or laid to rest after death, according to Fründ’s memoirs.

The Peter Stubbe Scandal

The notorious case of Peter Stubbe stands out in the history of werewolf trials. In the quiet German community of Bedburg, on October 28, 1589, a wealthy farmer named Stubbe faced charges of lycanthropy, cannibalism, serial murder, and sorcery. Despite his reputation as a hospitable widower with children, Stubbe was said to have been a vicious monster for more than twenty years, attacking both people and livestock. Strange events transpired leading up to his allegation; one story has it that a farmer and a one-pawed wolf had a decisive encounter, which tarnished the farmer’s reputation and brought him into contact with the similarly crippled Stubbe.

As he confessed to a long list of crimes while enduring severe torture, Stubbe boasted that he could transform into a vicious wolf thanks to a supernatural belt that the devil had given him. As admitted, his horrific deeds included eating and killing a large number of people, including his own son, and engaging in horrifying sexual relations with his daughter and a demonic being.

The Cruel End of Stubbe

Cruelty was on display during Peter Stubbe’s execution. He was beheaded after enduring bone-shattering torture on the wheel; his body was then burned. His daughter and mistress both met a tragic end, adding insult to injury. The gruesome display of Stubbe’s severed head next to a torture wheel and a wolf puppet served as a cruel warning against lycanthropy.

There were an estimated 45,000 witch executions in medieval Germany, outnumbering the 300 lycanthropy trials that took place. Werewolves were as terrifying as witchcraft in that age, and these representations reflect a tangible fear that prevailed throughout.

A clear example of how fear and superstition may shape human behavior and societal standards is the ancient persecution of werewolves and witches. Though they were less common than witch trials, the werewolf witch trials nonetheless mirror the deep fears and existential dangers felt by European society. The possibility of injustice that arises when human fear triumphs over rational thought and empathy is starkly illustrated by this bleak period in history.

Further Reading

Kors, A. C., & Peters, E. (2001). Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700: A Documentary History (2nd ed.). University of Pennsylvania Press.

This book is a key resource for anyone interested in understanding the depth and breadth of witchcraft beliefs in Europe. Through a compilation of primary source documents, including trial records, theological treatises, and witch-hunting manuals, readers gain a firsthand look at the historical context and intellectual underpinnings of the witch hunts. It’s an essential read for a comprehensive historical perspective.

Levack, B. P. (2013). The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (4th ed.). Routledge.

Levack’s work is recognized for its thorough analysis of the witch trials from the early modern period. This edition provides a critical and scholarly overview of the social, political, and religious factors that contributed to the witch-hunt phenomenon. It’s recommended for readers seeking an academic understanding of the era’s sociocultural dynamics and the mechanisms of persecution.

Otten, C. (1986). A Lycanthropy Reader: Werewolves in Western Culture. Syracuse University Press.

Otten’s compilation offers a diverse collection of literary and historical texts about werewolves, giving insight into the evolution of lycanthrope legends over time. This reader is particularly valuable for those interested in the cultural and psychological aspects of werewolf lore and its intersections with the witch trials. The book is a good choice for exploring the mythological and folklore elements that fueled the werewolf trials.