Inside the Witches Weighhouse Oudewater Netherlands.
Male-made frames for women
has not always been impressive
excuses have been many and weird
broadly all religions have at some time been used as an alibi.
Religion and belief is a great tool for many for internal use
but in the wrong hands with the wrong agenda
a terrible weapon for external use.
The european christian witch hunts in the 16th century is a very black spot
the danish part of that history is appalling and awful – to use the nicest words
examples of use of this “tool” to eliminate rivals and enemies are countless.
The little dutch idyllic river town, Oudewater, has many frames
and is worth a visit for many reasons
exception of all the eye-catching – also a historical reason.
“The City of Oudewater was the only one in Europe that received the privilege for a fair weighing process, granted by holy roman emperor Charles 5th – consequently, nobody here was ever convicted of being a witch – in this building, already in the 16th century, this weighing took place – then it was a matter of life or death for those accused of witchcraft: many women ended up on the pyre -. but not in Oudewater” (Museum de Heksenwaag)
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The inspiration to awaken these thoughts of framework came from reading Marianne’s blog “East of Málaga” and her theme “framed” – can’t help it.
In great respect of this inspiration so satisfied the wish of recommendations of 2 bloggers as ought to be read – recommendations is hard the first hundred could be mentioned.
Jan Masyn’s Foto Blog – indeed worth visiting…
Robin’s Photo of the Day – indeed worth visiting…
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Le Drake Noir 
Thanks! Die Hexen werden sich freuen! 🙂 We went there last year, Oudewater is beautiful and interesting. Very nice shot of the idyllic place. Have a lovely Sunday.
#.dina
Witches are often wonderful, no reason to fear them… 🙂 😉
Yeah I really enjoy visiting Oudewater too… 🙂
Beautiful shot of Oudewater and a great story again. Thanks for mentioning my blog in your post. 😉
#.jan masyn
Thanks in my eyes Oudewater is a beautiful town and a cozy town too – and about the historical witch hunt so there are many far worse cases elsewhere also my native Denmark which have too many black spots on this black era…
You’re welcome… 🙂
Have a great sunday, led. Great shot anyway:p
#.sonofthemountmalang
Thanks, hope you get a wonderful week… 🙂
When I saw the photo I was right away thinking to Holland so apparent ! Thanks for this post and have a lovely Sunday !
#.shiroknowes
Thanks, really appreciate your words… 🙂 😉
Scary! Yet, it’s interesting … but more scary.
#.resa
Agree with you both scary and interesting – interesting because we all needs/have to know your own “back story” both for learning and for not do the same or look a like things again – and before we acting as “wise professors” and judge other people… 😉
The things they do in the name of religion! Great shots Ledrake.
#.madhu
Thanks, glad you like them… 😉
I am not in favor of some religions at all – but I have the utmost understanding that people want to use religion as internal motivation, as long as it is for internal use …;-)
I have no sympathy at all for those who use religion as an excuse to beat those who think differently over the head with precisely religion – the criminal is the person or persons making it whether it is called authorities or not – and no matter which religion are used as tool…
¡Vaya una historia! La Inquisición en España fue terrible… Buen post. Ledrake.
#.barbaragarcia
Thanks, really appreciate your words… 🙂
Yeah all countries have their historical black spots
in my eyes, we all need to learn from them…
Wow ! those witch scales still exist? I think the only other place I’ve seen one is on Monty Python.
#.emily
I don’t know others – this weight house have been museum for many many years – actually this weight in Oudewater was made for protecting women – elsewhere they burned women after an illusory process – where judgment was guaranteed beforehand – in some places put they women in a bag and threw them in a lake – if they came up so it was a sign of magical witch powers and they were burnt – if they drowned they were innocent and God would reward them beyond – according to the christian priests and with tacit acceptance from the worldly authorities…
You’re right about Monty Phyton, I remember it too – the Oudewater weight was the basis for their idea…
Do they keep those frames around … just in case … ?
#.patriciasands
I believes this museum is the only one left – but actually was not convicted on the basis of this weight in Oudewater- all were acquitted – many other places, at least in Denmark – you were much faster and actually doomed from the start…
Yes, some terrible things have been done in history, in the name of religion.
Great shots for this month’s CBBH Photo challenge, and thanks for sharing links to two blogs you enjoy reading.
#.marianne
Agree, our history is not always glorious….
Thanks for the inspiration… 🙂