The period of witch hunts in Sweden in the latter part of the 17th century has come to be known as the 'Great Noise'. The witch hysteria in Stockolm began when the 'Gävle boy' Johan Johansson arrived at Katarina parish in the city in May 1675. His mother was imprisoned in Gävle, accused of witchcraft, and he was sent to Stockholm to live with relatives. In the new town, the Gävle boy began to tell the other children about trips to Blåkulla, and soon several children began to accuse adults of witchcraft. In June 1675, the witchcraft accusations were brought to court in Stockholm and dismissed. Worried parents then turned to the church and a witchcraft commission was set up.
Witchcraft hysteria in the northern parts of the country had hit villages and towns hard. The worst was in Torsåker, where every fifth woman was executed for witchcraft. If there were to be similar figures in Stockholm, it would certainly be a disaster. But that did not happen. The witch trials in the capital "only" claimed the lives of nine women. In addition to this, several of the children who had pointed out the women were also executed.