Barbara Hedlerin

Barbara Hedlerin (date of birth and death unknown, from Weißenbronn near Heilsbronn ) was indicted in 1592 at the time of the witch persecution in a witch trial in the Margraviate of Ansbach .

She had been suspected of taking a host out of her mouth again during the Lord's Supper and wrapping it in her veil, in order to subsequently abuse it together with her devil's seat. Despite severe threat from the hangman, she apparently confessed nothing. In a petition to the Margrave Georg Friedrich , her husband, the baker Sebastian Hedler, complained that his wife had been unjustifiably accused. He demanded that she should be rehabilitated because of the "honor cut off and the highest mortal danger". In addition, the various court costs should be reimbursed to him. This should be established in writing and in a document. Because apart from the shame, the ridicule and the shame that the trial brought on his innocent wife, he and his family also felt that "bread, honor and justice were affected."

Whether Barbara Hedlerin was really rehabilitated cannot be seen from the archives.

literature

• Traudl Kleefeld: Witch persecution in the Margrave of Ansbach in the 16th century, especially during the reign of Margrave Georg Friedrich (1556–1603) , in: Traudl Kleefeld / Hans Gräser / Gernot Stepper: Witch persecution in the Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach and in the rule of Sugenheim. With sources from the district of Crailsheim , Ansbach 2001, ISBN 3-87707-573-8 , here: p. 79