Alse Young (1647): First American Execution for Witchcraft It was on this date, May 26, 1647, that the first witch was hanged in America for the crime of witchcraft. Alse Young was arrested, tried for this capital offense in Windsor, Connecticut, and hanged at Meeting House Square in Hartford, on what is now the site […]

Conrad of Marburg, first Inquisitor of Germany, memorably vowed, "We would gladly burn a hundred if just one of them was guilty."

Since those who believed Joan a witch and those who believed her a messenger of God subscribed to the same superstitions, it is of little consequence whose side is right.