Not a historian but if recall correctly the swimming test followed the logic that water is sacred (baptism) and would reject a witch
If you float your a witch, sink and you are innocent. Too bad some drowned this way.
This was not an recognised science, but common folklore, the people demanded such test after there where already rumours.
The majority of witch trials happend within a real court but they usually made sure (torture) that there was a confession.
For a commoner, who may not have experienced the means to get confession first hand they had no reason to doubt their word.
There where also some ready answers for your exact questioning, one is that witches have no power of their own but get it from Satan, who is “the father of lies” some confessions included a supposed promise by Satan to protect them, which didn’t happen and gets turned into a warning that Satan will deceive even those that are loyal.
Not a historian but if recall correctly the swimming test followed the logic that water is sacred (baptism) and would reject a witch
If you float your a witch, sink and you are innocent. Too bad some drowned this way.
This was not an recognised science, but common folklore, the people demanded such test after there where already rumours.
The majority of witch trials happend within a real court but they usually made sure (torture) that there was a confession.
For a commoner, who may not have experienced the means to get confession first hand they had no reason to doubt their word.
There where also some ready answers for your exact questioning, one is that witches have no power of their own but get it from Satan, who is “the father of lies” some confessions included a supposed promise by Satan to protect them, which didn’t happen and gets turned into a warning that Satan will deceive even those that are loyal.