Kirkjuból witch trial
Encyclopedia
The Kirkjuból witch trial was perhaps the best-known witch trial in Iceland
. It took place in Kirkjuból 1656 in what is today Ísafjörður.
The plaintiff in the trial was pastor Jón Magnússon, who had been suffering poor health since 1654. He contended that his illness, as well as what he described as demonic disturbances in his household and in the surrounding district, were brought on by sorcery practiced by two members of his own congregation, who also sang in the choir, a father and son both named Jón Jónsson. The elder Jón confessed to owning a book about magic and that he had used it against Jón Magnússon. The son also confessed to having made the pastor ill and of having used magical signs and farting runes (Fretrúnir) against a girl. (The curse of farting was intended to be relentless; to not only humiliate the victim, but also to bring about chronic abdominal discomfort and weakness).
Both father and son were found guilty of sorcery and were executed by burning at the stake. After they were executed, the priest was awarded all their material holdings. Claiming that the disturbances and sicknesses did not cease, he then accused a young woman, the daughter/sister of the Jónssons, of witchcraft. The case was brought to Thingvellir, was dismissed and the woman let free. She later countersued, but the outcome of that case is unknown. In Iceland, magic was often practiced and not necessarily associated with the Devil
, but the religious and secular authorities, influenced directly or indirectly by Denmark
and Germany, had a different view on the subject.
by Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
in 2000 called "Myrkrahöfðinginn", or "The Prince of Darkness". The film's storyline departs markedly from the original court records and the account written by Jon Magnusson in the 17th century, which is known by the title Píslarsaga Síra Jóns Magnússonar, or Story of Sufferings of Jon Magnusson.
This is a sample of the executed in Iceland. Women where normally drowned, while men were burned:
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. It took place in Kirkjuból 1656 in what is today Ísafjörður.
The plaintiff in the trial was pastor Jón Magnússon, who had been suffering poor health since 1654. He contended that his illness, as well as what he described as demonic disturbances in his household and in the surrounding district, were brought on by sorcery practiced by two members of his own congregation, who also sang in the choir, a father and son both named Jón Jónsson. The elder Jón confessed to owning a book about magic and that he had used it against Jón Magnússon. The son also confessed to having made the pastor ill and of having used magical signs and farting runes (Fretrúnir) against a girl. (The curse of farting was intended to be relentless; to not only humiliate the victim, but also to bring about chronic abdominal discomfort and weakness).
Both father and son were found guilty of sorcery and were executed by burning at the stake. After they were executed, the priest was awarded all their material holdings. Claiming that the disturbances and sicknesses did not cease, he then accused a young woman, the daughter/sister of the Jónssons, of witchcraft. The case was brought to Thingvellir, was dismissed and the woman let free. She later countersued, but the outcome of that case is unknown. In Iceland, magic was often practiced and not necessarily associated with the Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
, but the religious and secular authorities, influenced directly or indirectly by Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Germany, had a different view on the subject.
In fiction
The witch trial inspired a filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
by Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
Hrafn Gunnlaugsson is an Icelandic moviemaker. He is the brother of the actress Tinna Gunnlaugsdóttir. He is mostly known for his series of Viking movies, sometimes called "Cod Westerns"...
in 2000 called "Myrkrahöfðinginn", or "The Prince of Darkness". The film's storyline departs markedly from the original court records and the account written by Jon Magnusson in the 17th century, which is known by the title Píslarsaga Síra Jóns Magnússonar, or Story of Sufferings of Jon Magnusson.
Victims of the Icelandic witch hunt
In Iceland, in contrast to many other countries, the majority of people executed for witchcraft were male.This is a sample of the executed in Iceland. Women where normally drowned, while men were burned:
- 1625 - Jòn Rögnvaldsson á Melaeyrum í Svarfaðardal.
- 1654 - Þórður Guðbrandsson frá Trékyllisvík á Ströndum (Undrin í Trékyllisvík).
- 1654 - Egill Bjarnason frá Trékyllisvík á Ströndum (Undrin í Trékyllisvík).
- 1654 - Grímur Jónsson frá Trékyllisvík á Ströndum (Undrin í Trékyllisvík).
- 1656 - Jón Jónsson eldri frá Kirkjubóli í Skutulsfirði (Kirkjubólsmálið).
- 1656 - Jón Jónsson yngri frá Kirkjubóli í Skutulsfirði (Kirkjubólsmálið).
- 1667 - Þórarinn Halldórsson frá Birnustöðum í Ögursveit við Ísafjarðardjúp.
- 1669 - Jón Leifsson frá Selárdal í Arnarfirði (Selárdalsmálin).
- 1669 - Erlendur Eyjólfsson frá Ströndum (Selárdalsmálin).
- 1671 - Sigurður Jónsson úr Ögurhreppi við Ísafjarðardjúp.
- 1674 - Páll Oddsson í Ánastaðakoti á Vatnsnesi.
- 1674 - Böðvar Þorsteinsson frá Snæfellsnesi.
- 1675 - Magnús Bjarnason úr Arnarfirði (Selárdalsmálin).
- 1675 - Lassi Diðriksson (Selárdalsmálin).
- 1677 - Bjarni Bjarnason úr Breiðdal í Önundarfirði.
- 1677 - Þorbjörn Sveinsson (Grenjadals-Tobbi) úr Mýrarsýslu.
- 1678 - Stefán Grímsson brenndur í Húnavatnssýslu.
- 1678 - Þuríður Ólafsdóttir (Selárdalsmálin), (The only woman executed by burning.)
- 1678 - Jón Helgason (Selárdalsmálin).
- 1681 - Ari Pálsson hreppsstjóri.
- 1683 - Sveinn Árnason (Selárdalsmálin).