Alexander von Haslang zu Haslangsreut, Grosshausen und Reid, Bavarian Witch-Finder

Alexander von Haslang zu Haslangsreut, Grosshausen und Reid (d. 1620) was the prefect of Altmannstein and Abensberg. A one-time lieutenant-colonel, Haslang was a "swashbuckler, 'Captain of the Bodyguard," a born warrior, colonel, and cavalryman."

Haslang had the responsibility of turning the Pappenheimer family into an example of extreme justice. After their capture, Haslang arranged for the interrogation and torture of the Pappenheimers. Although the Pappenheimers declared their innocence of crime and of witchcraft at first, a bit of carefully used torture made them change their plea.

Fundamentally, Haslang was not terribly interested in the case, and thought that an accusation of witchcraft would remove the Pappenheimers from his custody. His assumption proved correct, and the Pappenheimers were shipped elsewhere to their painful demise (Kunze 13, 15, 16).

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Alexander von Haslang zu Haslangsreut, Grosshausen und Reid, Bavarian Witch-Finder copyrighted 1996-1998 to Shantell Powell.