August 7, 1620: an elderly German woman is torn from her bed and thrust into a linen chest

August 7, 1620: an elderly German woman is torn from her bed and thrust into a linen chest

Screaming, Katharina Kepler was locked inside a small windowless room and charged with witchcraft after her terrifying abduction from her own bed. The evidence for her alleged magical misdoings?

Being the mother of one Johannes Kepler, one of the greatest contributors to science of all time.

Since the powers that be couldn’t harm Kepler directly due to his high position at court, they decided to go after his 74-year-old mother instead. When she was taken from his brother’s home in Leonberg, faced with 49 charges of practicing the “forbidden arts,” Johannes immediately came to her defense — which likely saved his life.

More From This Day In History

U.S. responds to Iranian aggression with Operation Desert Shield exactly 31 years ago

Viking-2 enters Martian orbit on this day in 1976