ABSTRACT
Some nuns cloistered at Wertet in the county of Horn were harassed by demons, and they suffered marvelous and dreadful vexation. They say that the problem started when a poor woman borrowed three pounds of salt (commonly called a quart in our country) during the Lenten season, and repaid almost double that amount at Eastertime. Thereafter little white spheres were found in the dormitory, like sugar-covered seeds but salty to the taste, but the nuns did not eat them, nor did they know whence they had come. Later, in the same place, they observed the entry of something that was groaning like a sick human being; from time to time they also heard a voice urging many of the nuns to get up and to draw near the fire with “her” because she was ill. And when they had arisen to go to the aid of their afflicted sister, they found nothing. Sometimes when they took a chamber pot and tried to urinate in it, it was violently snatched from them and they defiled the bed with urine. On other occasions, they were dragged from their beds by their feet for a distance of several paces, and the soles of their feet were sometimes tickled so much that they feared they would die from excessive laughter. Their torture took many forms; some had pieces of flesh torn from their bodies, while others had their legs, arms, and face wrenched totally backwards. Still others were carried up higher than a man’s head and then cast down again. Some were tormented in such a way that, although they had nothing for fifty-two days save turnip soup without bread, they still vomited quantities of a black liquid like writing ink, which was said to be so sharp and bitter that it took a layer of skin off their mouths. And no sauce could be made up which would appeal to them. Once, when the sick women were calm and in good spirits, about thirteen of their male friends came into the convent to cheer them up, and the women fell down from their place at table, voiceless and without understanding, and some of them lay as though dead with their legs and arms contorted. One of the women was raised on high, and although the onlookers laid hold of her and struggled, she was still snatched up over their heads and then hurled down again in such a manner that she was thought to be dead. Later, regaining her senses as though she had been asleep, she returned from the hospital to the convent with no ill effects. Other nuns walked on the base
the appearance of being dragged along behind in a sack, as though the ligaments had been greatly loosened.) They would also climb trees like cats, and wriggle down again without any bodily harm. Once also, when the Superior of the convent, whom they address as “Mother,” was on the grounds conversing with the noble and most pious Lady Margaret, countess of Buren (may the Father of mercies remember her in the resurrection of the just), flesh was torn from the nun’s thigh, and she cried out in pain and was put to bed. Her wound was partly leaden in color and partly black; but it was cured. There was another instance when two of the nuns were sitting together laughing and enjoying themselves and talking about a black cat that had been shut inside a basket in the dormitory by a woman (they mentioned her name) who lived in the town. Their conversation was secretly observed by a third nun, who was a person of sound mind; she and the Superior and two or three other nuns found the basket and opened it up, whereupon the cat jumped out and ran away. As a result, the woman was branded as guilty and thrown into jail on a charge of witchcraft, along with seven other persons, including an elderly matron who, according to the testimony of the poor and of her neighbors, was so merciful and generous to the needy that she was in want herself. When she was subjected to the questioning by the torturer, no amount of torture could force her to admit to the crime. Finally, when the Burgrave offered her the usual sustenance, she said that she was too weak to take food and wanted only something to drink. This was at once provided by the Burgrave; and she then took hold of his robe, slid down against his leg, and breathed her last. Other marvelous things were also witnessed at this convent, and these manifest torments lasted for three years, after which time they were covered in silence.
