The Good Witches Who Fought Sorcerers

In 16th century Italy, farmers believed their souls left their bodies during sleep to fight malevolent sorcerers. They called themselves Benandanti, or good walkers, claiming these spectral battles protected the seasonal harvest.

These peasants felt their duty was to defend the land's fertility against dark magic. They entered trances to fight, believing that if they failed, the crops would surely wither. Ironically, the Roman Inquisition eventually targeted them during the witch trials, viewing their supernatural claims as heresy. It is a strange piece of history where self-proclaimed heroes were punished as villains.