By focusing on the witch trials in Älvdalen 1668-1676, this study examines whether the church's theological and religious interpretations of the devil, witchcraft and sin were the driving forces that legitimized the persecution of the accused. In this the study also aims to examine the role of the priest in the trials and whether they influenced the decisions made through their religious and societal authority. Some focus is also placed on understanding how social power structures influenced the witch trials, and how the gender hierarchy was fundamental to the accusations.

With this goal in mind the study utilizes two types of methods, mainly discourse analysis but also feminist position analysis. Furthermore, a theoretic perspective has been applied to the source materials with the aim of highlighting the communication system and language use of the material. In this, the cases of Stor-Märit and Gertrund in the second half of the 17th century are meant to showcase the structures behind the first initial trials of what is today known as the Swedish witchcraft trials of 1668-1676 in which hundreds of women and men were prosecuted. The study's findings demonstrate how the priest in Älvdalen played a decisive role in legitimizing the witch hunts during the years 1668–1676. The investigation highlights how the priest, through theological notions of Satan, evil, and sin, contributed to a moral panic within the community.

Keywords: Witch hunt, power, authority, persecutions, Gertrud Svensdotter, Stor-Märit, communication, feminism.