Thomas Naogeorgus, Witch-Hunter of Esslingen

1562 was not a peaceful time for the town of Esslingen. A witchcraze had recently broken out in Wiesensteig, a town a little over thirty miles away. Pastor Thomas Naogeorgus, upon hearing of the so-called misdeeds of witches, "took up the hue and cry against witches." He became so adamant in his beliefs that the Esslingen city council gave him a warning not to be so irresponsible in his stirring up of the people's emotions. However, the council members were sufficiently unsure of themselves so as to write to Wiesensteig for advice.

The reply was less than reassuring. Witches of Wiesensteig claimed they had seen citizens of Esslingen at their sabbats. Upon hearing this, a panic broke out in Esslingen. Surely Naogeorgus felt vindicated in his beliefs.

It would seem, however, that sermons encouraging moderation had had an effect on the people of Esslingen. Only three people were arrested, and they were eventually let go.

Naogeorgus was greatly embittered by the release of the prisoners, just as was <"helfenstein.html">Ulrich von Helfenstein of Wiesensteig. After the witch panic, Naogeorgus "was dismissed for his theological irregularity and died a year later, in December of 1563, in Weissenlohe in the Palatinate" (Midelfort 88-90).

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Thomas Naogeorgus, Witch-Hunter of Esslingen copyrighted 1996-1998 to Shantell Powell.