Three centuries in the
history of Europe, many societies were plagued with alleged witches that are living within their communities. Witch hunts particularly in the Protestant countries of Central Europe, were pervasive resulting to the torture and persecution of tens and thousand of victims mostly women. It was that time in history where women have been the target of inquisitions where they were labeled as witches and heretics , burned at the stakes or tortured to death.
Witch hunts of early Europe claimed to be a search of witches or evidences of witchcraft, wherein the possible target are held under a witch trial. After trial, the alleged witch is sent through what they call an "ordeal" wherein they were tortured. The torture methods include the most horrific treatments like hot pincer and thumbscrews. Those who were not lucky are then passed on for execution. The most common forms of which are burning, hanging and drowning.
The origin of teh witch hunts up until today is blurry. Historians proposed several theories which may have been the possible reasons for the witch hunt. Some of them believe that it was due to some neurotic illnesses that infected the "witches" justifying their execution. While others believe that the witches were part of some
Satanic cult. While still others believe that it was due to the pressure of the Reformation where Protestants and Christians used witchcraft to attack each other.
