Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim

Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim (1586–1633) was the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg from 1623 to 1633. He was known as the "Hexenbrenner" (witch burner) and the "Hexenbischof" (witch-bishop) for presiding over the most intensive period of witch trials in early modern Bamberg.

Engraving of Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim by Johann Salver.

Biography

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Johann Georg Fuchs von Dornheim was born in Wiesentheid on 23 April 1586. Johann Georg was elected Prince-Bishop of Bamberg on 13 February 1623.[1]

Motivated by the Counter-Reformation, Johann Georg presided over the Bamberg witch trials, which lasted from 1626 to 1631.[2] As a part of the trials, he ordered the construction of a "witch-house," a prison which featured a torture chamber adorned with Bible verses.[3] These trials led to the execution of 300-600 individuals, the most notable of which was Bamberg burgomaster Johannes Junius.[4]

Amid the Thirty Years' War, troops under Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and John George I, Elector of Saxony occupied the Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg on 11 February 1632, forcing Fuchs von Dornheim to flee the city. He died in exile in Spital am Pyhrn, Austria on 29 March 1633.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Profile from catholic-hierarchy.org
  2. ^ Walinski-Kiehl, Robert (January 2004). "Males, "Masculine Honor," and Witch Hunting in Seventeenth-Century Germany". Men and Masculinities. 6 (3): 256. doi:10.1177/1097184X03257436. S2CID 145284661.
  3. ^ Trevor-Roper, Hugh. "The Crisis of the Seventeenth Century". Online Library of Liberty. Liberty Fund. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  4. ^ Munzinger, Johannes (1 May 2016). "Unschuldig muss ich sterben (German)". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. p. 4.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Prince-Bishop of Bamberg
1623–1633
Succeeded by