Katharina Kepler

Katharina Kepler Eltingen

Katharina Kepler
Born	Katharina Guldenmann 1546 Eltingen, Holy Roman Empire
Died	13 April 1622 (aged 76) Leonberg, Holy Roman Empire
Known for	Mother of Johannes Kepler
Spouse(s)	Heinrich Kepler
Children	Johannes Kepler and others

Katharina Kepler (née Guldenmann; 1546 – 13 April 1622) was a German woman who is best known as the mother of the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler. She was accused of witchcraft in 1615, a charge that led to a six-year legal battle.

Early Life

Katharina Guldenmann was born in 1546 in Eltingen, a village in the Holy Roman Empire. She married Heinrich Kepler, with whom she had several children, including Johannes Kepler, who would go on to become a renowned astronomer and mathematician.

Witchcraft Accusation

In 1615, Katharina Kepler was accused of witchcraft by a neighbor in her hometown of Leonberg. The accusation was part of a larger wave of witch trials that swept through Europe during this period. The charges against her were based on local superstitions and personal vendettas.

Legal Battle

Her son, Johannes Kepler, took up her defense, dedicating significant time and resources to clearing her name. The trial lasted for six years, during which Johannes Kepler used his knowledge of the law and his scientific reputation to challenge the accusations. Katharina was eventually acquitted in 1621, but the ordeal took a toll on her health.

Death

Katharina Kepler died on 13 April 1622 in Leonberg, shortly after her acquittal. Her case remains one of the most well-documented instances of witchcraft accusations in early modern Europe.

Legacy

Katharina Kepler's trial is often cited in discussions about the witch hunts of the early modern period. Her son's efforts to defend her are seen as an early example of the use of scientific reasoning in legal defense.

See Also

• Johannes Kepler
• Witch trials in the early modern period
• Holy Roman Empire