In this episode we hear a story that feels sadly relevant—a miscarriage of justice.  Anna Göldi was the last woman to be legally executed after being accused of witchcraft in Switzerland, in 1782;  just seven years before the French Revolution, and a century after witch trials were rampant in Europe (as well as infamously in Salem, Massachusetts). Anna came from a poor family, and worked as a maid in various households, but she was also an independent and freethinking woman. In 1781 she was looking after a young girl who allegedly began spitting up pins and nails. 

Her wealthy employers accused her of witchcraft, and she was tortured until she admitted being in league with the devil. Anna Göldi was sentenced to death by decapitation for poisoning, even though the girl had not died. Not until 2007 was her case reevaluated and her name cleared. There’s now a museum, several podcasts, films and books that cover Anna’s life and story. DLS co-founder Katy Derbyshire tells it for us, and host/producer Susan Stone and our other co-founder Florian Duijsens come along to set things up. 

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pocket Casts. You can find the transcript, created by Susan, here.

Show notes:

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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wedding party looks like fun; the subsequent trial and penalty less so. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Glarus back then</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A woman operating a mechanical loom, in development during 1780s
</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Masha Karrell in the Anna Göldi musical</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dr Tschudi’s house in Glarus, now the Anna Göldi Museum</figcaption></figure>