The ideal of the godly state developed during the 16th century. A part of being a godly Christian ruler included eradicating sin and all false Christians. Witches were the epitome of false Christians. This project will explore to what extent witch prosecutions were included in the efforts of establishing a godly Danish monarchy during 1559-1660. The Danish State with its realms were ruled by the Oldenburg monarchs. It encompassed the kingdoms of Denmark and Norway (including territories in present day Sweden), present day Iceland, and the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. These realms had separate jurisdictions and varying degrees of self-determination, but state authorities could issue strict laws against witchcraft. Common to these realms, lay rulers oversaw witch prosecutions. Based on four intertwined subprojects, the overall aim of this project is to clarify the responsibilities of the king, the Council, the king’s lieutenants, and the parish priests, and how these groups engaged in trials for witchcraft.