In the small town of Älvdalen an old woman was accused of witchcraft in december 1664, four years before the mass hysteria that would caused “The Great Noise”. This woman, also named Marit, had a grandchild who had mentioned Blockula in relation with his grandmother and mother. The neighbours then persuaded the boy to tell them more. He told them that he had seen an evil man who had boiled tar in a big cauldron. Marit, her daughter and grandson was put on trial but the case was dropped since it was obvious that it was a small child’s fantasy.

Four years later in 1668 the witch trials in Älvdalen began in full force. Torture was used to force confessions from the accused. Local opinion showed no mercy and eighteen people were sentenced to death. Four of them was under the age of fifteen and was under the legal age of punishment.

Seven of the fourteen had confessed and was executed in may 1669.