5.2.2 Use of Torture and Property Confiscations

What law allowed the use of torture in Bamberg

The Carolina Law Code of 1532

Why was torture widely used in Bamberg witch trials

The prince-bishop had judicial freedom, allowing extensive use of torture to extract confessions

Name some common torture methods used in Bamberg

Thumbscrews, strappado (suspension by wrists), whipping, kneeling on spikes, sleep deprivation

Who was John Junius and why is his case significant

John Junius was Bamberg’s mayor, tortured severely after his wife’s execution, and confessed only under torture

What typical elements were included in confessions extracted during Bamberg witch trials

Deals with the Devil, oaths of loyalty, naming fellow witches, and admitting to harmful acts like crop destruction and sacrilege

How did property confiscations impact the witch-hunt in Bamberg

Confiscations funded the trials, making the witch-hunt self-sustaining and encouraging persecution.

Who bore the costs of the witch trials

The accused and their families paid for all court costs, including interrogators, travel, execution materials, and fees.

How much property value was confiscated during the Bamberg witch trials

Around 500,000 florins in total; for example, Georg Neudecker’s property worth 100,000 florins was confiscated