A Life Story from the Court Records

In June 1631, the body of an infant was found in the water at Brätte. It was suspected that the mother was Karin Clausdotter, who was taken in for questioning. Karin had moved in with her uncle, mayor Hans Börjesson, from Nya Lödöse with her family.

Karin was pressured during questioning and confessed to giving birth to and murdering the child. She also confessed that the child's father was her cousin Börje Hansson. While awaiting trial, Karin was locked in the cellar of the town hall. She was accused of three serious crimes; sexual intercourse outside of marriage, also with a cousin that was forbidden, and infanticide. A death sentence was expected. During the night, Karin managed to free herself, break open planks in the cellar ceiling and climb up into the town hall. From there, she escaped, probably across the border to Norway.