Podcast Summary: Not Just the Tudors – The Brutal Basque Witch Hunt

Episode Title: The Brutal Basque Witch Hunt
Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, History Hit
Guest: Dr. Jan Mackelsen, Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at Cardiff University
Release Date: October 31, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Not Just the Tudors, hosted by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, the focus shifts from the familiar Tudor narratives to the dark and often overlooked history of the Basque witch hunts. Joining her is Dr. Jan Mackelsen, a distinguished historian whose recently published book challenges entrenched perceptions of these infamous events.

Setting the Stage: Geography and Context

Dr. Mackelsen begins by contextualizing the Pays de la Bour, a Basque-speaking province near the Spanish border, highlighting its unique position as a maritime hub. He explains how the region's strategic location between France and Spain in the early 17th century contributed to its vulnerability and significance during the witch hunts.

[05:49] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "The Basque country was really a maritime territory... The unique geography really is a big factor into what caused this witch hunt to develop in the way that it did."

The Basque region, split between modern-day Spain and France, was a critical passage for explorers, pilgrims, and traders. This connectivity, combined with the area's cultural distinctiveness—highlighted by the Basque language, Europe’s only language isolate—made it a fertile ground for accusations of witchcraft.

Unveiling the Witch Hunt: Pierre de Lancre's Role

Professor Lipscomb introduces the central figure of the witch hunt, Pierre de Lancre, a judge from the Parlement of Bordeaux. Commissioned by King Henry IV of France in 1609, de Lancre's investigation led to the execution of approximately 70 individuals within the Basque region.

[00:28] Professor Suzannah Lipscomb: "...questions remain about Delancre's objectivity and his own unusual fascination with perverse behaviors that no Doubt colored his account."

De Lancre’s "Tableau", a sensationalist account filled with lurid tales of Sabbath observances, depicted witches engaging in indecent dances, demonic sex, cannibalism, sodomy with the devil, and vampirism. However, Dr. Mackelsen suggests that de Lancre's narrative is skewed by his biases and the limited, often fragmented sources available.

Methodological Challenges in Historiography

Dr. Mackelsen discusses the ethical and methodological hurdles in studying the Basque witch hunts, primarily due to the scarcity of reliable sources beyond de Lancre's biased account.

[09:27] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "The sources are incredibly fragmentary... financial documents... don't really help you back how this way, chance happened."

His approach involved seeking out additional documents, such as financial records and Spanish sources, to piece together a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the witch hunts. These sources revealed the economic burdens imposed by the witch hunts and the logistical challenges faced by the Basque communities.

[12:32] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "Witchcraft was very common to the Basque country... an indigenous history of witch hunting that this great Basque witch Hunt of 1609 sort of fits into."

Economic Burden and Judicial Practices

A significant insight from Dr. Mackelsen’s research is the financial strain the witch hunts placed on the local Basque communities. The cost of transporting judges and accusers to Bordeaux was exorbitant, leading to a petition for a royal witchcraft commission to streamline and reduce expenses.

[15:22] Professor Suzannah Lipscomb: "It is an expensive thing to deal with... might have inclined authorities not to deal with it. But it does seem to be a very pressing problem."

Contrary to the prevalent notion that witch hunts targeted the wealthy for profit, the Basque witch hunts primarily involved impoverished individuals, underscoring the complex motives behind these persecutions.

[17:17] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "...the financial side of a witch hunt is actually really important, and it's not actually an aspect that most people or most historians have paid much attention to."

The Commissioners: Pierre de Lancre and Jean d'Espagne

While Pierre de Lancre is the more notorious figure, Dr. Mackelsen sheds light on his colleague, Jean d'Espagne, a president of the Bordeaux Parlement. Contrary to some historical interpretations, d'Espagne was equally committed to the witch hunts, collaborating closely with de Lancre.

[17:41] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "Espinier...seems to have been as committed to this witch hunt as the Lancre has been."

Their partnership highlights the institutional support behind the witch hunts, challenging the idea that these were isolated or misguided efforts by individual zealots.

The Witch’s Sabbath: Reality or Imagination?

A focal point of de Lancre’s account is the Witch’s Sabbath, a supposed gathering where witches commune with the devil. Dr. Mackelsen argues that these bizarre tales were not mere fabrications but drew heavily from Basque folklore.

[28:32] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "...what really happened, that's ultimately quite often what we as witchcraft historians really want to know."

By comparing French and Spanish sources, he demonstrates that the horrifying narratives of the Sabbath, including cannibalism and demonic interactions, were consistent across regions, indicating a genuine belief in these practices rather than de Lancre’s imaginative exaggerations.

[30:09] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "The Spanish material is a bit richer... suggests that it's not existing in the imagination of the judges."

Witnesses and Accusers: The Role of Children and Teenagers

A poignant aspect of the witch hunts was the involvement of children and teenagers as witnesses and accusers. Dr. Mackelsen explores how these young individuals were coerced or influenced to testify against others, often under immense social pressure.

[32:06] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "It seems like there is a lot of social pressure that these children exert on each other to tell these types of tales."

He delves into specific cases, such as Catherine de Berendiguy, a 6-year-old whose testimony illustrates the complex dynamics between accusers and the accused.

[36:28] Professor Suzannah Lipscomb: "...many of the latter are children or teenagers. Is it possible to recover their perspective at all?"

While acknowledging the limitations of the sources, Dr. Mackelsen emphasizes that these testimonies reveal the agency of the witches themselves, as they navigated their way through interrogations to save others or condemn their rivals.

The End of the Witch Hunt: Lingering Fear and Continued Persecution

Contrary to a neatly concluded witch hunt following the departure of the commissioners, Dr. Mackelsen illustrates how fear and paranoia persisted, leading to further injustices even after the official investigations ended.

[40:22] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "After four months of terror... when the judges leave, it's still territory in crisis."

He narrates the tragic case of Katherine Fernandez, a Portuguese New Christian woman whose defiance regarding the Eucharist led to her brutal lynching, symbolizing the enduring legacy of fear and superstition.

[40:22] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "...Katherine Fernandez was put in a barrel and burned alive."

This finale underscores the enduring impact of the witch hunts on the Basque region, highlighting how institutional persecution can sow seeds of long-term societal trauma.

Concluding Reflections

Professor Lipscomb wraps up the discussion by emphasizing the stark contrast between the modern, often trivialized portrayal of witchcraft and the harrowing reality faced by those accused in early modern Europe.

[43:06] Professor Suzannah Lipscomb: "...the stories of people who were accused of witchcraft... is not fun at all."

Dr. Mackelsen’s work serves as a crucial reminder of the human cost of superstition and the dangers of unchecked authority, offering a nuanced and deeply researched perspective on one of history’s darker episodes.

Notable Quotes

• [05:49] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "The unique geography really is a big factor into what caused this witch hunt to develop in the way that it did."

• [09:27] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "The sources are incredibly fragmentary... financial documents... don't really help you back how this way, chance happened."

• [17:17] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "...the financial side of a witch hunt is actually really important, and it's not actually an aspect that most people or most historians have paid much attention to."

• [28:32] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "...what really happened, that's ultimately quite often what we as witchcraft historians really want to know."

• [36:28] Professor Suzannah Lipscomb: "...many of the latter are children or teenagers. Is it possible to recover their perspective at all?"

• [40:22] Dr. Jan Mackelsen: "...Katherine Fernandez was put in a barrel and burned alive."

• [43:06] Professor Suzannah Lipscomb: "...the stories of people who were accused of witchcraft... is not fun at all."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Not Just the Tudors offers a profound exploration into the Basque witch hunts, challenging long-held narratives and shedding light on the intricate interplay of geography, economics, and societal fears. Dr. Jan Mackelsen’s insightful analysis provides listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding witchcraft accusations and the human stories behind historical events.

For those intrigued by the intersection of history and human behavior, this episode is a must-listen, offering both scholarly depth and engaging storytelling.

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