The brutal history of witch hunts in Belgium

The witch hunts that swept Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries left their tragic mark on Belgium. The drive to exterminate “sorcerers” and “witches” was fueled by religious intolerance and the social upheavals of the time. As a result of these trials, tens of thousands of people, mostly women, accused of witchcraft were executed using the most brutal methods of torture and execution. Let us take a closer look at how this story unfolded in Belgium.

Reasons for the Witch Hunt in Belgium

In Belgium, witch-hunting reached its peak in the 16th and 17th centuries, when fear of witchcraft permeated almost all levels of society. This wave of brutal persecution was caused by religious reforms and the growing influence of the church, especially in response to the Protestant Reformation, which brought instability to European society. The Inquisition actively supported the persecution, exacerbating the existing hatred of “witches”. Epidemics and economic hardship added fuel to the fire – the population desperately sought to blame, blaming evil spirits for the disasters.

Main reasons:

• Religious fanaticism: the spread of the Inquisition and religious dogma increased the fear of the devil.
• Social problems: poverty and hunger led to the search for “those to blame”.
• Stereotypes about women: the belief that women are weaker and prone to witchcraft.
• Medical illiteracy: diseases and epidemics were attributed to magic.

The situation continued to worsen, as the church and state saw these persecutions as a way to control the population through fear. Public executions were meant to demonstrate the power of the authorities and keep society away from the “temptations of evil.”

Historical fact:

In Belgium, one of the most famous “witches” was Catherine Thysse, executed in 1590.

Places where active processes were carried out

In Belgium, witch trials were particularly active in a number of regions where local authorities and the Inquisition sought to suppress the influence of witchcraft. Such trials were particularly frequent in Brussels, Ghent, and some cities in the south of the country. In these places, efforts to eradicate witchcraft found support among a population gripped by fear of evil spirits and disasters. Tragically, these trials resulted in hundreds, if not thousands, of people being accused of witchcraft and sentenced to severe punishments, including execution.

Ghent

Witch-hunting was a widespread and brutal practice at the time, fuelled by fear and superstition. In Ghent, the practice also reached a significant scale: hundreds of people fell victim to false accusations based on prejudice and religious contradictions. A particularly difficult time came in the 17th century, when churches and authorities intensified persecution.

The most high-profile processes:

Here is a more detailed description of the trials:

• Livina Case Borreys: Livina was accused of witchcraft in the late 16th century. The charges included making a pact with the devil and also working magic on locals. After being tortured, she confessed to her crimes, which led to her execution.
• The Trial of a Group of Women in 1603: This trial involved several women who, according to witnesses, were accused of practicing witchcraft and causing harm to others through magic. The case was an important example of the mass witchcraft accusations that were common during the era.
• Trials of 1621: These trials resulted in mass executions of women accused of witchcraft. Some of the accusations were based on denunciations, many of which were untrue, but despite this, the trials resulted in brutal punishments, including executions by burning at the stake.

The aftermath of the witch hunts left a deep mark on the history of Ghent, influencing the religious and cultural environment of the region. Broken families, innocent victims and fear in society were the tragic results of this period.

Historical fact:

In Ghent, many accused were forced to publicly confess to witchcraft to avoid torture and shameful execution.

Brussels

In the Middle Ages, Brussels, like other cities in Europe, experienced the peak of witch hunts. Society was then heavily influenced by church pressure and fear of witchcraft, which led to numerous trials and cruel punishments. Women, as well as men, suspected of witchcraft were often subjected to harsh interrogations and torture, which eventually led to mass executions.

The most high-profile processes:

• The Case of Jeanne de Reves: Jeanne was accused of witchcraft and attempting to summon destructive forces to harm the locals. Under pressure from interrogation, she confessed to the charges, which led to her conviction and death sentence.
• The Trial of Anna Clare: Anna was the victim of false accusations when several neighbors accused her of practicing magic after a series of unfortunate incidents in the village. The case against her became a symbol of how easy it is to be accused without hard evidence.
• Trial of Marguerite de Ville: Marguerite was convicted of black magic when she was accused of using magical rituals to harm others. The judge ruled that her actions were against the will of God and she was sentenced to death.

The impact of these processes led to a long-lasting fear of witches in the region and harsh laws against witchcraft. These events forever changed social norms, increasing mistrust and fear of the unknown.

Historical fact:

In Brussels, as in many parts of Europe, suspicions of witchcraft were often linked to political and social intrigue.

Antwerp

In 17th-century Antwerp, public sentiment was heightened by fears of witches, which had intensified after several bad harvests and outbreaks of disease. The panic led to brutal trials, with suspects often accused on the basis of denunciations. The authorities did not skimp on harsh interrogation methods, and many of those arrested were executed, regardless of evidence.

List of high-profile cases:

• The trial against Katrin van Heusden was one of the most striking examples of how fear of witchcraft and diabolical interference led to cruel judicial decisions. She was accused of engaging in unholy practices and making deals with the devil, which led to her conviction and execution.
• The Case of Elizabeth De Balde. Elizabeth De Balde was accused of using magic to control people and allegedly causing painful epidemics. The case against her was supported by public opinion, and even the lack of hard evidence did not stop the trial.
• The trial of Margaret Hendricks. Accused of using magic to control people and allegedly causing painful epidemics. The case against her was supported by public opinion, and even the lack of hard evidence did not stop the trial.

The witch hunts had a profound impact on society, deepening mistrust and leaving a scar on the region’s cultural memory. These trials not only destroyed lives, but also became a symbol of the injustice caused by mass hysteria.

Historical fact:

According to historians, more than 40 people fell victim to witch hunts in Antwerp in the 17th century.

Methods of persecuting witches

In the Middle Ages, the Inquisition and local authorities used various cruel methods to combat witchcraft. Inquisition trials were often accompanied by torture and interrogations aimed at extracting confessions from the accused. Society actively supported these actions, assuring itself that it was thus protecting religious and moral values.

Methods of persecution:

• Interrogations with torture: cruel physical punishments were used to extract confessions.
• Search for the devil’s marks: they looked for traces of witchcraft on the bodies of suspects.
• Accusation of witchcraft sabbaths: accused of participating in nocturnal rituals.
• Public executions: victims were burned at the stake to intimidate the population.
• Witchcraft testing: using various beliefs and folk knowledge to identify the culprits.

The persecution of witches in Belgium became a tragic page of history, where cruelty and lack of evidence were the norm. Many innocent people became victims of these repressions. The process of accusations was completely subordinated to religious fanaticism and social pressure, which led to numerous tragedies.

Historical fact:

In Belgium, during the Inquisition, more than 1,000 people accused of witchcraft were executed.

Consequences of the witch hunt

The practice of witch-hunting in Belgium was destructive to both society and individuals. With the development of science and the growth of the legal system, society began to realize the absurdity of accusations of witchcraft. Gradually, this obscurantist period was recognized as a mistake, and state authorities took measures to prevent such cruel persecutions.

Consequences of witch hunts:

• Psychological trauma – Many survivors of witchcraft accusations suffered long-term psychological effects.
• Social instability – mass executions and beheadings caused fear and disruption in social structures.
• Human rights violations – people were tortured and executed without evidence, which led to public condemnation of the practice.
• Cultural decline – fear of persecution hampered the development of cultural life, which affected innovation and creativity.
• Religious intolerance – witch hunts increased hostility between different religious groups in Belgium.

Today, Belgium is aware of the tragic consequences of these historical events. Witch hunts are no longer considered an acceptable practice and are viewed with condemnation. Current authorities and society are making efforts to preserve the memory of the victims of these persecutions in order to prevent similar mistakes from being repeated.