Witches of Denmark

Fascinating People Fascinating Places

Witches have existed in Denmark since primitive times. Though in the past, many were categorized as “cunning folk” since they were concerned with good deeds rather than ill. But in the late 16th century, anyone carrying around runes, whipping up potions, or practicing traditional folklore suddenly found themselves in danger. King Christian IV, developed a preoccupation with all forms of witchcraft. His definition included practically anything religious or spiritual outside of conventional Lutheranism. What followed were a series of witch hunts that saw huge numbers of innocent people burnt at the stake.

In this episode I investigate the witches of Denmark. Their origins, their practices, and how the good were for a time treated differently from the bad.

Audio from Pixabay

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