26. Without Anne Pedersdotter’s husband, she was burned at the stake
Anne Pedersdotter’s husband was the great Protestant reformer, Absalon Pederssøn Beyer. Disgruntlement with the Norwegian reformation saw people accuse Anne of murdering a bishop through witchcraft for Absalon’s benefit in 1575. But Absalon was too powerful to have Anne convicted, so the charges were dropped. When Absalon died, Anne became a wealthy widow, but one without powerful male protection. In 1590, resentment and envy saw Anne accused of murder through witchcraft. Even her maid testified. Anne refused to confess, and many clergymen backed her up. No one cared: that same year Anne was convicted and burned at the stake.