Kepler Saved His Mother From the Witch Hunters

In 1615, a neighbor in the German town of Leonberg accused Katharina Kepler, mother of the astronomer Johannes Kepler, of poisoning her with a bitter drink. The complaint grew into a witchcraft case with 49 accusations, in a town where eight women had already been burned. Katharina spent fourteen months in chains in Güglingen, while her son, then Imperial Mathematician, took over her defense with a 128-page rebuttal. Shown the instruments of torture in 1621, she refused to confess and was released that October by order of the Duke of Württemberg. Historian Ulinka Rublack of the University of Cambridge reconstructs the case in The Astronomer and the Witch. If you enjoyed this story, you can explore the books, audiobook, workbook, and guides from The Midnight Library here: 🕯️📚 👉 https://themidnightart.com/collections/books-audiobooks-guides If you’d like to support the continuation of this work, you can become a member or leave a Super Thanks. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwGYQ1Lgt_i4pEK0JOdUSzQ/join Support is never expected — but always deeply appreciated. ❤️ Thank you for being here, and for spending this time in the library. 🕯️✨ For those who resonate with the visual world of The Midnight Library, a curated collection of art and apparel inspired by these themes is available here: 👉 https://themidnightart.com/ For ambient, chant, and cinematic music inspired by ancient traditions, visit The Midnight Library Music: 👉 / @themidnightlibrarymusic For intimate and emotional musical compositions, explore The Romantic Guy: 👉 / @theromanticguy Every story in The Midnight Library opens another door. 🕯️🔑 #JohannesKepler #Kepler #WitchTrials #WitchHunt #HistoryOfScience #Astronomy #HistoryShorts