In Dalecarlia is all began 1667 in the village of Åsen when the twelve year old Gertrud where out guarding sheep with a younger boy. The two children started arguing about a piece of bread and Gertrud hit the young boy. Meanwhile, the sheep swam over to an island and Gertrud had to go and collect them. It appeared to the boy that she was walking on the water.

The young boy returned home and told his father about what Gertrud. He contacts the priest in Älvdalen and Gertrud is brought for questioning. Before the priest Gertrud breaks down and tells the story about how a maid named Marit Jonsdotter from Härjedalen had at her parents farm in 1663 had taken her out for a walk. At one point Marit cried out “Thou Devil, come forward!”. Satan had then appeared before them in the shape of a priest. The following night, Marit smeared Gertrude’s body and a cow with red oil. The three then flew away through the chimney to Blockula where she met the devil once again. After that event she went on numerous occasions to Blockula with Marit and other children, and their names had all been written down into Satan's book with black pages. But at Blockula she had met an angel, who had told her that if she did not confess a great famine would fall over Sweden.

When Marit was brought in for questioning she denied every accusation. But more witnesses stepped forward, including her old employer, Gertrud’s father. He accused her of using him as a horse during one of her trips to Blockula. It was also discovered that Marit had a small mark on her left hand, identified as the Devil’s mark. She admitted to healing sick cows, giving them salt and reading incantations to cure them. But nothing more.

During the trial Marit’s three younger siblings were brought forward for testimony. Her sister accused Marit of taking her to Blockula where her name had been written in blood in Satan’s book. She also accused Marit of fornicating with the devil. Her younger brother told the same story, but said that it was their father who had taken them to Blockula. Marit’s siblings then turned their attention to the crowd and pointed out a woman, the widow Karin. At the end of the day, ten people were accused of witchcraft.

On april 1th 1669 both Marit and the widow Karin were judged guilty. But to be able to carry out the sentence the judges needed for the prosecuted to confess their guilt. Both denied and was taken back to prison. Three years passed and the courts decided to decapitate and burn Marit despite her denials. Marit was executed in 1672, the widow Karin was released.

Gertrud, who initiated the process, was herself was accused of witchcraft on the 13th of september 1668 and was sentenced to death. But another court changed her sentence to whipped outside the church and be forced to sit at a special place in the church for a year.