I was a little surprised that most of the people accused of witchcraft were men. I wonder if this was the case in other Danish lands at the time and whether there are deeper cultural reseasons for these differences. How did they view the use of the dark arts in these places, say v.s. Other places where many of the people tried were female. What does this tell us about the role of women in those societies? Were they accused less often because assumptions were made about their sex, and were these assumptions that they were weaker/better/more joyful ?
I don’t know whether this was the same in the other Danish countries but, from what I understand about Iceland, the men were accused because they were educated and leaders of their community, whereas the women seemed to play a more or less entirely domestic role at that time. Although of course, the two men in this case were not necessarily community leaders. However, it’s interesting that Jón Magnússon accused them – perhaps it indicates societal tensions or rivalries, rather than the actual practice of magic.
I was a little surprised that most of the people accused of witchcraft were men. I wonder if this was the case in other Danish lands at the time and whether there are deeper cultural reseasons for these differences. How did they view the use of the dark arts in these places, say v.s. Other places where many of the people tried were female. What does this tell us about the role of women in those societies? Were they accused less often because assumptions were made about their sex, and were these assumptions that they were weaker/better/more joyful ?
I don’t know whether this was the same in the other Danish countries but, from what I understand about Iceland, the men were accused because they were educated and leaders of their community, whereas the women seemed to play a more or less entirely domestic role at that time. Although of course, the two men in this case were not necessarily community leaders. However, it’s interesting that Jón Magnússon accused them – perhaps it indicates societal tensions or rivalries, rather than the actual practice of magic.
very interesting response and column. Thanks for sharing/writing.