• Bonehead@kbin.social
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    3 months ago

    Yes, the penalty for being a witch was hanging. Unfortunately the test to prove you were a witch sometimes involved tying you up and throwing you into a lake to see if you float or sink, and if you float then they would hang you. Of course the situation resolved itself if you didn’t float. No one ever floated.

    • Rose Thorne@lemm.ee
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      3 months ago

      Or putting you under a stone.

      Giles Corey, one of the more famous Salem victims. His wife was tried for witchcraft, and while he stood against her, he got wrapped up in it, too. They placed large stones over his body, telling him if he confessed he would be given a clean death.

      His last words are reported to be “More weight”.