The Witches of Vardo

Author/Guide: Anya Bergman

Why a Booktrail?

1662: A dangerous time to be a woman, when even dancing can lead to accusations of witchcraft.

ISBN: 978-1786581914
Genre: Fiction, Folklore, Ghost/supernatural, Gothic

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What you need to know before your trail

When Zigri, desperate and grieving after the loss of her husband and son, embarks on an affair with the local merchant, it’s not long before she is sent to the fortress at Vardø, to be tried and condemned as a witch.

Zigri’s daughter Ingeborg sets off into the wilderness to try to bring her mother back home. Accompanying her on this quest is Maren – herself the daughter of a witch - whose wild nature and unconquerable spirit gives Ingeborg the courage to venture into the unknown, and to risk all she has to save her family.

Also captive in the fortress is Anna Rhodius, once the King of Denmark’s mistress, who has been sent to Vardø in disgrace. What will she do – and who will she betray – to return to her privileged life at court?

These Witches of Vardø are stronger than even the King of Denmark. In an age weighted against them they refuse to be victims. They will have their justice. All they need do is show their power.

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Travel Guide

Varanger Peninsula

The wonderful yet witchery settings are Vardø and Ekkerøy. Both on the island of Vardøya…..

Vardøya

Vardøya is an island some 1.4 sq miles in size. The town of Vardø. The island sits just under a mile east of the mainland Varanger Peninsula. The island is connected to the mainland by the Vardø Tunnel. A way to escape you might say if you are in this novel.

Ekkerøy.

Ekkerøy is one of the oldest fishing villages in the area. This features in Ingeborg’s thread of the story.

The witch trials of Vardø were held in Vardø in Finnmark in Northern Norway in the winter of 1662–1663 and were one of the biggest in Scandinavia. Thirty women were put on trial, accused of all kinds of things and worse of all, making pacts with the Devil.

The author mentions in her note at the end of the novel that she was shocked to find that so much of what she later wrote about came from factual information.