Magda Logomer

Magda Logomer, born May 18, 1706, in Križevci (modern Croatia), also known as Herucina, was a herbalist from the town of Križevci, who was accused by her neighbor of practising witchcraft and poisoning.

Logomer was tortured and condemned to death in 1758, before the intervention of Maria Theresa. She wrote a letter on 23 November 1758 confirming her acquittal and authorizing her to go back to her home in Križevci under special protection.

Magda Logomer's trial is considered to have ended the massive persecutions of witches in Croatia. Her case is known because of the publishing of doctor Gerard van Swieten's report at the end of 1913. The doctor examined and treated Magda Logomer on the queen's request following the tortures she was submitted to, and by the correspondence between the high officials of the Kingdom of Croatia and the Court of Vienna.

Her story was also told by Marija Jurić Zagorka in her popular novel about witches in Zagreb.

Biography

Magda Logomer was born on May 18, 1706, in , in the Kingdom of Croatia of Austro-hungarian empire. Her parents as per the baptismal register are Stephan Logomer and Anastasia Jankovich.

Origin of the name «Herucina» Herucina's nickname probably came from her husband's original residence. She married Franjo Heruc in 1727. Thus, the name Herucina can be interpreted as merely indicating her husband's name. However, another explanation remains possible: on the cadastre of 1857 between Podgajec and the hamlet of Brckovčina one can find a place named "Heruc". Franjo Heruc had his registered residence in Brckovčina, and the addition of Heruc could just mean Magda Logomer came "from Heruc". An investigation was carried out during a trial, and many people confirmed that they had witnessed Magda Logomer's allegedly diabolical actions. Magda's lawyers pointed out that Empress Maria Theresa had not been informed of the trial as required by the new rules imposed by Maria Theresa upon her accession to the throne, but all this was in vain. Magda Logomer was tortured and confessed to having sexual relationship with the devil. Marks of the devil were found on her body, and she was sentenced to death on April 22, 1758. thumb Doctor Gerard van Swieten, the personal doctor of Maria Theresa who examined Magda Logomer at her request.Magda Logomer was sent to a medical clinic, and Gerard van Swieten, the personal physician of Maria Theresa of Austria, examined her. who was also the court expert on witchcraft in addition to being the personal physician of the empress. The examination revealed many details of which the empress was not informed, as well as the torture inflicted, which left Magda with numerous injuries. The two experts reported their examination to Maria Theresa, and stated that the magistrate of the Križevci court was superstitious. Gerard Van Swieten believed in witchcraft, but doubted that witches could fly with brooms and cause bad weather, and had been dedicated to convince Maria Theresa of the necessity to abolish witch trials leading to executions.

On November 23, 1758, the Empress in a letter addressed to the ban of Croatia acquitted Magda

Marie Thérèse wanted to eradicate superstition in her kingdom, and hunting witches and black magic was no longer her priority. She obliged all death sentences for witchcraft to be validated by her only authority. During our reign no authentic sorcerer has ever been discovered, but trials of this kind have always been based on deception due to the wickedness, stupidity or insanity of the accused or on some other vice. However, she specified that care had to be taken to prevent any act of witchcraft. The use of torture was not formally abolished until 1776. In 1787, Joseph II dismantled the entire legal arsenal dedicated to black magic and witchcraft. Later on, popular novels mentioned the case. In these novels, she evokes in fictionalized form several historical figures of witches, some under their real names and others under fictional names, including Herucina. The involvement of Maria Theresa of Austria in the cancellation of the verdict of a trial is mentioned.