How Many Witches Were Burned at the Stake at the Salem Witch Trials?
One common misbelief about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials is that condemned witches were burned at the stake. There are no records of anyone having died in this fashion. Several other excruciating methods of death were used instead.
Other People Are Reading
-
Strangulation by Hanging
-
Nineteen accused witches and wizards were sentenced to public executions on Gallow's Hill through a method called "short-drop" hanging. A rope and noose were affixed to a tree branch and the accused climbed a ladder to the noose, which was slipped over the head. The ladder was kicked out from below and the victim slowly strangled to death.
Died in Prison
-
Four known accused witches and 13 other possibly-accused individuals died in prison.The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law website indicates that the numbers are uncertain. Lyndia Dustin, Ann Foster, Sarah Osborn and Roger Toothaker died while awaiting trial.
-
Pressed to Death
-
Eighty-year-old Giles Corey spent five months in prison with his wife and finally refused to stand for trial. The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law website explains that he was stripped naked and a board was placed upon his chest. He was executed by having heavy stones placed upon the board, slowly crushing him to death in a method called pressing.
-
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
