Skip to main content

Sänger or Singerin, Maria Renata, defendant, 1749

 Item — Box: 5, Folder: 3

Scope and Contents

Autograph document signed, containing: "Ratione Corporis Delicti," a brief of the case against her (leaves numbered 1-3). Three lists of questions to be asked of her (leaves numbered 4-6). Part of her examination and confession, dated February 5, 1749, and signed in her hand "Soror Maria Renata Sengerin de Mossau" (leaf numbered 7). Legal briefs discussing her alleged crimes, plus accounts of her secular trial and execution (leaves numbered 8-13). Sister Maria Renata von Mossau was a Bavarian nun at the convent of Unterzell, who was executed for heresy, witch craft, apostasy and satanism, one of the last people executed for these charges in Europe, in Würzburg in June 1749.

Dates

  • 1749

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material in Latin, German, Dutch, French, and English.

Extent

3.7 cubic feet. (3.7 cubic feet.)

Related Materials

Complementary sources about Maria Renata's examination are to be found at the Staatsarchiv in Würzburg with the signature HV manuscripts f. 20, f. 225, f. 267 and f. 1569 . See Anton Memminger, Das verhexte Kloster : nach den Akten dargestellt, Würzburg, 1904, call number: Witchcraft BF 1583 .Z7 1749c; and "Die Praemonstratenserchorfrau Renata Singer von Mossau und ihre Sippe," in "Beiträge zur Geschichte des Bistums Regensburg 39 (2005)," Festschrift Paul Mai, p. 165-178.

Physical Description

35 leaves

Repository Details

Part of the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Repository

Contact:
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
607-255-3530
607-255-9524 (Fax)