The historical weight in the Dutch city of Oudewater was used for weighing
merchandise before it was sold
of people sentenced to hang
of people sentenced to galleys
of people who were accused of practicing witchcraft.
Between 1550 and about 1690 people accused of witchcraft were at times brought to a weigh house in order to be subjected to a "witch test" to "prove" their innocence for payment (as nobody was deemed to be a witch after this test). If a person was found to be lighter than a set weight, he or she was deemed guilty. This is similar to the use of a ducking stool.
reach: rather globalMiddle AgesNetherlandsthe Netherlands
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merchandise before it was sold
of people sentenced to hang
of people sentenced to galleys
of people who were accused of practicing witchcraft.
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