Anna Jansdochter Muggen (d. 1608), was an alleged Dutch

witch Witchcraft traditionally means the use of Magic (supernatural), magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In Middle Ages, medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually ...

. She was the last person to be executed for witchcraft in

Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...

, then the most influential province of the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. She has been referred to as the last person to be executed for witchcraft in the Netherlands. Anna Muggen lived in Gorinchem and was married to a man who died during the

Eighty Year's War The Eighty Years' War or Dutch Revolt ( nl, Nederlandse Opstand) ( c.1566/1568–1648) was an armed conflict in the Habsburg Netherlands between disparate groups of rebels and the Spanish government. The causes of the war included the Refo ...

. After his death, she appears to have secluded herself from company, lived alone and often behaved aggressively with people. In April 1608, she had a row with a shoemaker, and cursed him after a disagreement of price. The shoemaker reported her to the authorities for sorcery because of her curse, and she was arrested and put on trial. The trial was very swift, as Anna Muggen reportedly freely admitted her guilt. She was sentenced guilty as charged to be executed with strangulation on 29 May 1608, after which her body was burnt at the stake and then buried outside the city walls. Anna Muggen has often been referred to as the last person to be executed for witchcraft in the Netherlands. The last person to be judged guilty of witchcraft in the Netherlands, Aagt Germonts was given their sentence in 1660, however, but was punished with pillorying rather than death.

References

* W. F. Emck, ''Kroniek van Gorinchem. Geschiedkundige en andere aanteekeningen in chronologische volgorde 1230-1927'', Gorinchem 1929, p. 68. * Hans de Waardt, Sorcery and society, Holland 1500-1800, 1991 * http://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/118518/De-Heks-van-de-Helmsteeg * http://www.vergetenverhalen.nl/2015/09/21/de-heks-van-de-helmsteeg/ {{DEFAULTSORT:Muggen, Anna 1608 deaths 17th-century executions by the Netherlands Dutch people executed for witchcraft Folklore of the Benelux