The Witch Men of Iceland
Summary
Hosts Antony and Kate are joined by historian Dr. Kate Lister to explore Iceland’s unique 17th-century witch trials, where 93% of the executed were men. They discuss how Norse traditions of rune-carving clashed with Lutheran paranoia, fueled by texts like the *Malleus Maleficarum* and local zealots. The episode details specific cases, such as the Kirky Bowl trials, highlighting how land disputes and religious fervor led to the burning of male "witches" in the isolated Westfjords.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Icelandic witch hunts targeted men
Why Iceland's witch trials were unique
The landscape and darkness of Iceland
17th century Iceland: Isolation and society
Norse folklore and the use of runes
Superstition and modern parallels
The influence of printed witchcraft manuals
The first executions and legal changes
The Kirkjuból trials and land disputes
Helga Halldórsdóttir and mass accusations
The end of the trials and execution stats
Why men were accused: Literacy and magic
Aftermath, legacy, and book promotion
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