21 June 1628

Today I went to the market with Else.  It is still shocking to see new stalls and new people where we used to see people we thought we knew well—how such holy people could fall to such evil, I do not understand.  Father shocked me when he said that it is possible mistakes have been made.  When I asked who could have made the mistakes, the witches or the court, he did not answer me.  I do not know whether he was thinking of mother when he said it, but I did.  I cannot count the times I have combed my memory, trying to think of a time when she behaved in an unholy manner.

I do remember her once giving Katerina a brew of herbs for belly pains, and that the apothecary father sent for said it was superstitious nonsense.  Though Katerina died four years ago, she was healthy for many years.  Two years ago, Mother took ill herself for a time with a swollen leg, and could not attend mass, even though it was Easter.  At that time, we sent for the priest to provide her with the blessed body of the Lord, and she had tears in her eyes as she accepted it.  I am certain I saw her swallow it then, but I never did watch closely during mass.  I do know that she fought with my aunt, her sister, and in the heat of her anger wished many bad things to happen to her, but none of these ever happened.  It is hard, and I do not know what to believe. 

I do know I dare not say these things aloud.  Dr. Georg Haan, who had served the bishop loyally as Chancellor for so many years, said he doubted the truth of the witches’ confessions, and now he and his son are both in prison (Apps and Gow 92).  Whether they truly are witches, I do not know—they may be or they may not.  But if a powerful man speaks and is suspect for it, I certainly dare not say anything.  I begged father to be careful to whom he said such things.  I know he is no witch, but if what he said is correct, that may be of no matter. 

God be with us all.