Origins Thiess of Kaltenbrun

swedish livonia in 17th century, @ time of thiess trial.

in 1691, judges of jürgensburg, town in swedish livonia, brought before them octogenarian known thiess of kaltenbrun, believing him witness in case regarding church robbery. aware of fact local people considered him werewolf had consorted devil, had little interest in such allegations, unrelated case @ hand. nonetheless, although had no bearing on case, thiess freely admitted judges had once been werewolf, claimed have given ten years previously. thiess proceeded offer them account of lycanthropy differed traditional view of werewolf prevalent in northern germany , baltic countries.

thiess told judges of how ten years previously, in 1681, had appeared in court, when had accused farmer lemburg of breaking nose. according story had told, had traveled down hell wolf, farmer, practicing satanic witch, had beat him on nose broomstick decorated horses tails. @ time, judges refused believe story , laughed him out of court, 1 of judges did verify nose had indeed been broken.

this time, judges of jürgensburg decided take claims more seriously, , trying establish if mad or sane, asked several individuals in court knew thiess if of sound mind. related far knew, common sense had never failed him. these individuals related thiess status in local community had increased since run in law in 1681.