Anne Pedersdatter - a witch's tale
On 7th of April 1590 Anne Pedersdatter was taken to the place of execution, Galgebakken at Nordnes, Bergen, and executed by burning as a witch.
Anne was one of approximately 300 people executed for witchcraft in Norway. Most of those accused came from the lower echelons of society and have left few traces in the historical records. Anne Pedersdatter on the other hand belonged to the privileged class. She was married to the writer and priest Absalon Pederssøn Beyer, she was a friend of the governor's wife Helvig Hardenberg and she participated in social events together with the city's nobility: How could such a woman be convicted of witchcraft?