Page "Oudewater" Paragraph 11

So in medieval times when accusations of witchcraft ( and resultant burnings ) were prevalent, the town of Oudewater offered the accused a chance of proving his or her innocence.

This was more special than it sounds.

It is a sign of the growing power of a third force next to church and nobility, i. e. citizens.

In a bid for total domination, the witchhunts were sanctioned by the church to break the power of the local herb doctors ( especially the females ).

The citizens of Oudewater therefore were, simply by being honest, defying the church.