Records of the Zielona Góra witch trials

The manuscript contains an extract from the records of the Zielona Góra court from the trials of women accused of witchcraft in 1663-1665, and it inspired the creation of the Museum of Old Tortures. The volume measures 20 x 31 x 5 cm and has a parchment cover, 283 written and 83 blank pages. Its 73 extracts were written by several scribes on handmade paper bearing the watermarks of the paper mill in Krępa.

The first record dates from 3 September 1663 and the last from 24 March 1665. On the last page the city seal, in the shape of a stylised leaf, was pressed in wax with the date 1 November 1665. The extracts were made from four books: two concerning the city and two concerning the suburban villages.

The trials began with the accusation that Helena Klich had burned down an inn, brought by Melchior von Landskron, lord of Przylep. In less than three years 23 women from Krępa, Zawada, Przylep, Płoty, Racula, Jędrzychów and Czarna died at the stake. When the charges reached the wives of respected burghers, the Zielona Góra court asked the higher court in Lwówek Śląski for advice.