Robert Spee's grave slab is now on the outside wall of the church but the writing can hardly be read. The 40-year-old Anna Katharina Spee inherited two houses in Rheinbreitbach and Sohlscheid, vineyards and fields in Ariendorf, Erbrenten in the Asbach parish and estates in Nieder- and Oberbreitbach from her husband Robert. About a year after the death of her husband, the rich widow married the groom Konrad Cron. Soon the villagers accused her of immoral behavior during the marriage, including fornication - also with clergy. It was said that she married Konrad Cron against the children's wishes. The neighbors also spread the rumor that Anna Katharina Spee had a child from her brother-in-law Robert a long time ago. In spring 1631, witch trials began in Erpel with at least 20 executions: including 18 women and 2 men under the witch commissioner Dr.
In these witch trials rumors about Anna Katharina Spee reappeared in the erfolterten statements already accused women. Among others, the accused Els Istfels said her godmother Anna Katharina Spee as a "witch".
At the beginning of September 1631, among others, Baw Jans Gritten zu Orsberg and Margarete Faßbender zu Unkel declared that they had seen Anna Katharina dancing as a witch queen in stately clothes with a sumptuous meal. The late husband Robert Spee would also have been a "colonel" (devil). Most of the accusations against Anna Katharina related to her property and the outstanding position of the Spee family. In addition, there were rumors about the rich widow's allegedly immoral lifestyle.
Möden signed the arrest warrant for Anna Katharina Spee on Septemin Erpel. She was arrested on Tuesday, September 9th, and was amicably interrogated the next day.
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