Everything we know points to the next Assassin’s Creed game, Hexe, being set during the brutal witch trials in Würzburg, Germany in the early 1600s. If this is true, Hexe will likely be a particularly dark and intense installment in the series, given the historical period’s widespread and senseless violence.
The history of Wurzburg reveals a troubling period of religious extremism and state-sponsored killings. Similar to witch trials across Europe and America in the 1600s, the trials in Wurzburg between 1625 and 1631 stemmed from the conflict between the Catholic Church and the growing Protestant Reformation. As the Catholic Church lost influence, people were accused of heresy and blasphemy, leading to questioning, torture, imprisonment, and ultimately, the deaths of around 900 people in the Wurzburg area. What made the Wurzburg trials unique was how widespread they were – people from all walks of life, including men, women, and children, were prosecuted without hesitation. This historical context could significantly influence the story of AC Hexe, particularly in the development of its characters.
Prince Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn
Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, though not directly in charge of the witch trials that started in 1625, was a key figure leading up to them. As Prince Bishop of Wurzburg from 1573, he governed both the civil and religious aspects of the region, strongly opposing the spread of Protestantism. He expelled Lutherans from his territory and re-established the University of Wurzburg as a Catholic institution.
Scratch & Peek 
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
Results
High Score: 0 —
Echter’s rule saw a significant increase in Catholicism, with around 100,000 Protestants returning to the Church during his time in power. He also oversaw witch trials, which resulted in executions and established a level of tolerance for violence against those who weren’t Catholic. While these trials slowed down around 1617, likely after Echter’s death and with the start of the Thirty Years’ War, his nephew Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg later intensified them, setting the stage for the witch trials depicted in the upcoming game Assassin’s Creed Hexe.
Prince Bishop Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg
So, I was reading about this Prince Bishop, Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg, who took over in Wurzburg back in 1624. Apparently, he was even more hardcore than his uncle, and he was dead set on making the whole region Catholic. It was a really tense time with the Thirty Years’ War going on, and Catholics, Protestants, and Lutherans were all clashing. To do this, he created a kind of witch-hunting task force. They kept finding more and more people to accuse of witchcraft, and the list just kept growing. It was pretty intense stuff!
As a long-time student of the Wurzburg trials, I’ve read a lot about why they got so out of control. Most historians think the way the commission illegally tortured people played a huge role. Basically, they’d torture anyone accused of witchcraft until they named names – and when you’re being tortured, you’ll say anything just to make it stop! Add that to the general fear and panic that was going around Europe during the Reformation, and it meant practically anyone could become a target. It was a truly terrifying time, and the torture just made everything so much worse.
Ernst von Ehrenberg
The witchcraft trials in Würzburg were unusual because people from all walks of life, even those who would normally be protected from punishment, were quickly arrested, tried, and executed. A prime example is Ernst von Ehrenberg, the nephew of Adolf von Ehrenberg, who was convicted of witchcraft, beheaded, and then burned.
Ernst wasn’t a major figure in the Würzburg trials, but his story has potential, and could be a compelling focus for Assassin’s Creed Hexe. We’re used to seeing powerful people avoid punishment thanks to connections and status. It’s much less common to see a story where someone in that position faces consequences, and that’s what makes Ernst’s situation intriguing.
Fit the 9 games into the grid.
Results
Pick a game
Johannes Junius
Johannes Junius, the former mayor of Bamberg, was arrested and put to death during the Bamberg witch trials, which happened around the same time as events in Wurzburg. He initially denied all charges of witchcraft, but after weeks of brutal torture, he confessed to disturbing acts like sacrificing a horse to the devil and flying to witches’ gatherings on a dog. He later wrote to his daughter, Veronica, explaining that his confession was forced upon him through torture. Junius was executed in 1628.
While Johannes Junius likely won’t have a major role in the story of Assassin’s Creed Hexe, his tragic experience perfectly represents the widespread issues of the time. His letter clearly and personally details the techniques German witch hunters used to force confessions, and his case stands out as a well-recorded example of the terrible things the Church did during this period.
Friedrich Spee
Friedrich Spee offers a unique perspective on the 17th-century witch trials. As a priest hearing the confessions of accused witches in Wurzburg, he was initially involved in the process that led to many arrests. However, Spee later changed his mind, arguing in his book, Cautio Criminalis, that the executions he witnessed were unjust. He came to believe, like many historians today, that confessions gained through torture are unreliable, and that the trials in Wurzburg were fundamentally flawed.
I heard Spee’s hair went completely white after what happened in Wurzburg. It’s probably a bit far-fetched, but honestly, as a gamer, I think that’d look amazing in a game like Assassin’s Creed Hexe. A striking visual, for sure!
In Assassin’s Creed Hexe, Spee could become an ally to the player character, acting as an insider source. His internal struggle with morality offers a compelling story arc, and the game could explore his change of heart, offering a hopeful perspective on the Catholic Church during that time. Spee demonstrates that even within the problematic Wurzburg trials, some individuals retained their honor and compassion.
Read More
- NTE Drift Guide (& Best Car Mods for Drifting)
- All Aswang Evidence & Weaknesses in Phasmophobia
- Where to Find Prescription in Where Winds Meet (Raw Leaf Porridge Quest)
- Conduit Crystal Location In Subnautica 2
- Diablo 4 Best Loot Filter Codes
- How to Get Necrolei Cyst & Strong Acid in Subnautica 2
- How to Get the Wunderbarrage in Totenreich (BO7 Zombies)
- Boruto: Ikemoto Has Already Hinted At Sasuke’s New Eye After Return
- Best Burst & Full Auto Builds for the M16A4 in BF6
- USD RUB PREDICTION
2026-05-21 13:05