Case file · Witch trials
Four volkhvs burned at Yaroslav's Court
The Novgorod First Chronicle records that in 1227 four volkhvs were burned at Yaroslav's Court in Novgorod, despite the archbishop's men trying to protect them.
1227 CE · 58.52, 31.28 · status: account
The account
The chronicle says the accused were charged with doing evil by sorcery, 'but God knows'. It is the earliest recorded execution by burning for sorcery in Rus'. Burning later became the legal penalty for sorcery in Muscovy, fixed by decrees of 1648 and 1653.
The sceptical view
The chronicler himself expresses doubt about the charge.