1599: Elisabeth Strupp, Gelnhausen witch
1 comment August 3rd, 2018 Headsman
The German town of Gelnhausen executed Elisabeth Strupp as a witch on this date in 1599.
Sculpture erected before Gelnhausen’s Marienkirche on the 400th anniversary of Elisabeth Strupp’s prosecution; it is one of five monuments to the victims of Gelnhausen’s witch hunts — all 52 of whom were symbolically rehabilitated in 2015.
The widow of a Protestant pastor,* Strupp is little known for her life. Strupp was probably in her sixties when a preceding accused witch, one Barbara Scherer, served Strupp’s name up to interrogators in a Hexenprozesse.
The usual farrago of gossip and defamation then compiled itself into legal trappings sufficient for execution: a woman who miscarried after Strupp stroked her belly; some foul words exchanged with a maid; a couple of townsfolk who had suffered random injuries that they attributed to Elisabeth Strupp’s influence; and some colorful confessions of black sabbaths. Her rank earned her only the “privilege” of beheading prior to burning.
Elisabeth Strupp is the best-known witch hunted in Gelnhausen, thanks in part to a romantic early 20th century novel by Heinrich Zipf which names her “Maria” and considerably fictionalizes her story. This book is presumably in the public domain, but if it’s available online I have not been able to locate it.
* The Strupp family had been instrumental in the early promulgation of Lutheranism in Gelnhausen.
On this day..
- 1928: Jim Moss, former Negro League ballplayer - 2020
- 1151: Konrad von Freistritz, ruined - 2019
- 1829: John Stacey, in Portsmouth town - 2017
- 1546: Etienne Dolet, no longer anything at all - 2016
- 1795: Jerry Avershaw, contemptuously - 2015
- 1530: Francesco Ferruccio, victim of Maramaldo - 2014
- 1949: Jacob Bokai, the first Israeli spy executed - 2013
- 1788: Not Jean Louschart, rescued by the crowd - 2012
- 1573: William Kirkcaldy of Grange, former king's man - 2011
- 1976: Valery Sablin, Hunt for Red October inspiration - 2010
- 1726: Mary Standford, shunning convict transportation - 2009
- 1916: Sir Roger Casement - 2008
Entry Filed under: 16th Century,Arts and Literature,Beheaded,Burned,Capital Punishment,Death Penalty,Execution,Germany,History,Public Executions,Witchcraft,Women
Tags: 1590s, 1599, august 3, barbara scherer, elisabeth strupp, gelnhausen, heinrich zipf, witch hunt
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