On April 6, 1652, Michée Chauderon, a 62-year-old woman, was executed in Geneva for witchcraft. This event marked the last execution for witchcraft in the city, symbolizing the end of an era of persecution driven by fear and ignorance.
Historical Context
During Michée Chauderon's time, fear of witches was widespread across Europe. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, thousands of people were accused of witchcraft and executed, often under torture or following biased trials. Geneva, a bastion of the Reformation and known for its adherence to Calvinist ideas, was not immune to this frenzy.
The Accusation
Michée Chauderon was a simple housekeeper known for her modest life. However, her skills in herbal medicine and knowledge of folk remedies quickly made her a subject of suspicion. In 1652, she was accused of witchcraft by neighbors who claimed she had cast spells causing illness and misfortune.
The accusations against her were based on superstitions and rumors. In a society lacking modern medicine, unexplained healings and illnesses were often attributed to supernatural forces. Women, particularly those living alone and on the fringes of society, were easy targets for such accusations.
The Trial
Michée Chauderon's trial was characteristic of witch trials of the time. Procedures were often swift, and confessions were obtained under torture. Michée was subjected to severe interrogations and, under pressure, eventually confessed to acts of witchcraft she likely never committed.
Despite Geneva's facade of religious rationality, the society succumbed to fear and superstition. Authorities sought to set an example, demonstrating that even in a reformed city, witchcraft would be severely punished.
The Execution
On April 6, 1652, Michée Chauderon was executed by hanging, a tragic end for a woman whose only crime was surviving in a suspicious and ignorant society. This execution marked a turning point for Geneva, which saw no more executions for witchcraft after that day.
Erdrokan, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mich%C3%A9e_Chauderon#/media/Fichier:Chemin_Mich%C3%A9e-Chauderon,_Gen%C3%A8ve,_plaque.jpg
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