Mother of Famed Astronomer Johannes Kepler Faces Allegations of Witchcraft, Prompting His Defensive Actions!

In the heart of Germany, a woman named Katharina Guldenmann Kepler, born in 1546 in Stuttgart, found herself embroiled in a tumultuous ordeal that would shape her life and the legacy of her famous son, Johannes Kepler.

Katharina, described as a stubborn and quarrelsome woman, was married to Heinrich Kepler, a stern and rigid man who struggled with alcoholism. Their family life was far from peaceful, and the increasing tension led Heinrich to report his wife to the authorities, setting in motion a series of events that would change their lives forever.

In 1615, a local woman named Ursula Reingold accused Katharina of poisoning her with a potion, sparking a dangerous game of accusations and counter-suits. The witch-hunting hysteria had reached its peak in Europe during this time, and the standard judicial procedure for interrogating accused witches typically involved torturing suspects to extract a confession.

Katharina was imprisoned, chained, and two guards were assigned to watch over her. During her imprisonment, she was accused of passing through closed doors, poisoning a schoolmaster, causing unnatural injuries, and stealing and consuming a calf. Despite these accusations, Katharina's qualities were far from "witch-like," according to Ulinka Rublack, professor of Early Modern History at Oxford University.

In fact, Katharina had established herself as a local wise woman in Leonberg, preparing herbal remedies with added powers and potions for common ailments. However, this was seen as evidence of witchcraft during the witch-hunting craze.

The trial against Katharina lasted several years, marked by a change in judge and renewed accusations from Reingold. Despite the stigma of being accused of witchcraft, Johannes Kepler, Katharina's son, provided legal and written defense for her. After 14 months of imprisonment and threats of torture, Katharina was acquitted of all charges and released by order of the Duke of Württemberg in October 1621.

Johannes wrote a comprehensive 128-page explanation refuting the charges against his mother, but he never disclosed the reasons for abandoning his scientific research for years due to the stigma of the accusations. The image of Katharina Kepler portrayed in history has been negative and biased, according to Rublack. However, her story serves as a reminder of the unjust trials and accusations that occurred during the witch-hunting craze in Europe.

Approximately 24 people, including Katharina, were accused of witchcraft during this time. Out of the 73,000 people tried for witchcraft in Europe, about 50,000 were executed. This period, spanning from about 1560 to 1700, saw approximately 25,000 executions, with women making up 75% of those accused.

Despite the hardships she faced, Katharina's story is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. She never returned to her hometown and died six months after the trial. Her life, marked by accusations of witchcraft and a prolonged trial, serves as a reminder of the injustices that occurred during this dark period in history.

Mother of Famed Astronomer Johannes Kepler Faces Allegations of Witchcraft, Prompting His Defensive Actions!