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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/18253-8.txt b/18253-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5784f19 --- /dev/null +++ b/18253-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10810 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Discovery of Witches, by Thomas Potts, Edited +by James Crossley + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Discovery of Witches + The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster + + +Author: Thomas Potts + +Editor: James Crossley + +Release Date: April 25, 2006 [eBook #18253] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOVERY OF WITCHES*** + + +E-text prepared by Clare Boothby, Linda Cantoni, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) + + + +Transcriber's note: + + The following symbols are used in this e-text: + + ^ before a letter indicates that the letter is superscripted + in the original + + = before a vowel in brackets indicates that the vowel has a + macron over it in the original, indicating a final n or m + + + + + +Remains Historical & Literary Connected with the Palatine Counties +of Lancaster and Chester + +Published by the Chetham Society. + +Vol. VI. + +Printed for the Chetham Society. +M.DCCC.XLV. + + + +[Illustration: THE CHETHAM SOCIETY] + + + +Council. + +EDWARD HOLME, ESQ., M.D., PRESIDENT. +REV. RICHARD PARKINSON, B.D., CANON OF MANCHESTER, VICE-PRESIDENT. +THE HON. & VERY REV. WILLIAM HERBERT, DEAN OF MANCHESTER. +GEORGE ORMEROD, ESQ., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S., SEDBURY PARK. +SAMUEL HIBBERT WARE, ESQ., M.D., F.R.S.E., EDINBURGH. +REV. THOMAS CORSER, M.A. +REV. GEORGE DUGARD, M.A. +REV. C.G. HULTON, M.A. +REV. J. PICCOPE, M.A. +REV. F.R. RAINES, M.A., F.S.A., MILNROW PARSONAGE, NEAR ROCHDALE. +JAMES CROSSLEY, ESQ. +JAMES HEYWOOD, ESQ., F.R.S. +WILLIAM LANGTON, ESQ., TREASURER. +WILLIAM FLEMING, ESQ., M.D., HON. SECRETARY. + +[Illustration] + + + + +POTTS'S DISCOVERY OF WITCHES + +In the County of Lancaster, + +Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1613. + +With an Introduction and Notes, by JAMES CROSSLEY, ESQ. + + + + + + + +Printed for the Chetham Society. +M.DCC.XLV. +Manchester: +Printed by Charles Simms and Co. + + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Were not every chapter of the history of the human mind too precious +an inheritance to be willingly relinquished,--for appalling as its +contents may be, the value of the materials it may furnish may be +inestimable,--we might otherwise be tempted to wish that the miserable +record in which the excesses occasioned by the witch mania are +narrated, could be struck out of its pages, and for ever cancelled. +Most assuredly, he, who is content to take the fine exaggeration of +the author of _Hydriotaphia_ as a serious and literal truth, and who +believes with him that "man is a glorious animal," must not go to the +chapter which contains that record for his evidences and proofs. If he +should be in search of materials for humiliation and abasement, he +will find in the history of witchcraft in this country, from the +beginning to the end of the seventeenth century, large and abundant +materials, whether it affects the species or the individual. In truth, +human nature is never seen in worse colours than in that dark and +dismal review. Childhood, without any of its engaging properties, +appears prematurely artful, wicked and cruel[1]; woman, the victim of +a wretched and debasing bigotry, has yet so little of the feminine +adjuncts, that the fountains of our sympathies are almost closed; and +man, tyrannizing over the sex he was bound to protect, in its helpless +destitution and enfeebled decline, seems lost in prejudice and +superstition and only strong in oppression. If we turn from the common +herd to the luminaries of the age, to those whose works are the +landmarks of literature and science, the reference is equally +disappointing;-- + + "The sun itself is dark + And silent as the moon + Hid in her vacant interlunar cave." + +[Footnote 1: Take, as an instance, the children of Mr. Throgmorton, of +Warbois, for bewitching whom, Mother Samuels, her husband, and +daughter, suffered in 1593. No veteran professors "in the art of +ingeniously tormenting" could have administered the question with more +consummate skill than these little incarnate fiends, till the poor old +woman was actually induced, from their confident asseverations and +plausible counterfeiting, to believe at last that she had been a witch +all her life without knowing it. She made a confession, following the +story which they had prompted, on their assurances that it was the +only means to restore them, and then was hanged upon that confession, +to which she adhered on the scaffold. Few tracts present a more vivid +picture of manners than that in which the account of this case of +witchcraft is contained. It is perhaps the rarest of the English +tracts relating to witchcraft, and is entitled "The most strange and +admirable Discoverie of the three Witches of Warboys, arraigned, +convicted, and executed at the last Assizes at Huntingdon, for the +bewitching of the five daughters of Robert Throckmorton, Esquire, and +divers other persons with sundrie Devilish and grievous torments. And +also for the bewitching to Death of the Lady Crumwell, the like hath +not been heard of in this age. London, Printed by the Widdowe Orwin +for Thomas Man and John Winnington, and are to be sold in Paternoster +Rowe at the Signe of the Talbot." 1593, 4to. My copy was Brand's, and +formed Lot 8224 in his Sale Catalogue.] + +We find the illustrious author of the Novum Organon sacrificing to +courtly suppleness his philosophic truth, and gravely prescribing the +ingredients for a witches' ointment;[2]--Raleigh, adopting miserable +fallacies at second hand, without subjecting them to the crucible of +his acute and vigorous understanding;[3]--Selden, maintaining that +crimes of the imagination may be punished with death;[4]--The detector +of Vulgar Errors, and the most humane of physicians,[5] giving the +casting weight to the vacillating bigotry of Sir Matthew +Hale;[6]--Hobbes, ever sceptical, penetrating and sagacious, yet here +paralyzed, and shrinking from the subject as if afraid to touch +it;[7]--The adventurous explorer, who sounded the depths and channels +of the "Intellectual System" along all the "wide watered" shores of +antiquity, running after witches to hear them recite the Common Prayer +and the Creed, as a rational test of guilt or innocence;[8]--The +gentle spirit of Dr. Henry More, girding on the armour of persecution, +and rousing itself from a Platonic reverie on the Divine Life, to +assume the hood and cloak of a familiar of the Inquisition;[9]--and +the patient and enquiring Boyle, putting aside for a while his +searches for the grand Magisterium, and listening, as if spell-bound, +with gratified attention to stories of witches at Oxford, and devils +at Mascon.[10] Nor is it from a retrospect of our own intellectual +progress only that we find how capricious, how intermitting, and how +little privileged to great names or high intellects, or even to those +minds which seemed to possess the very qualifications which would +operate as conductors, are those illuminating gleams of common sense +which shoot athwart the gloom, and aid a nation on its tardy progress +to wisdom, humanity, and justice. If on the Continent there were, in +the sixteenth century, two men from whom an exposure of the +absurdities of the system of witchcraft might have been naturally and +rationally expected, and who seem to stand out prominently from the +crowd as predestined to that honourable and salutary office, those two +men were John Bodin[11] and Thomas Erastus.[12] The former a +lawyer--much exercised in the affairs of men--whose learning was not +merely umbratic--whose knowledge of history was most philosophic and +exact--of piercing penetration and sagacity--tolerant--liberal +minded--disposed to take no proposition upon trust, but to canvass and +examine every thing for himself, and who had large views of human +nature and society--in fact, the Montesquieu of the seventeenth +century. The other, a physician and professor, sage, judicious, +incredulous, + + "The scourge of impostors, the terror of quacks," + +who had routed irrecoverably empiricism in almost every +shape--Paracelsians--Astrologers--Alchemists--Rosicrucians--and who +weighed and scrutinized and analyzed every conclusion, from +excommunication and the power of the keys to the revolutions of comets +and their supposed effects on empires, and all with perfect +fearlessness and intuitive insight into the weak points of an +argument. Yet, alas! for human infirmity. Bodin threw all the weight +of his reasoning and learning and vivacity into the scale of the witch +supporters, and made the "hell-broth boil and bubble" anew, and +increased the witch _furor_ to downright fanaticism, by the +publication of his _Demo-manie_,[13] a work in which + + "Learning, blinded first and then beguiled, + Looks dark as ignorance, as frenzy wild;" + +but which it is impossible to read without being carried along by the +force of mind and power of combination which the author manifests, and +without feeling how much ingenious sophistry can perform to mitigate +and soften the most startling absurdity. His contemporary, Erastus, +after all his victories on the field of imposition, was foiled by the +subject of witchcraft at last. This was his pet delusion--almost the +only one he cared not to discard--like the dying miser's last +reserve:-- + + ---- "My manor, sir? he cried; + Not that, I cannot part with that,--and died." + +[Footnote 2: Lord Bacon thinks (see his _Sylva Sylvarum_) that +soporiferous medicines "are likeliest" for this purpose, such as +henbane, hemlock, mandrake, moonshade, tobacco, opium, saffron, poplar +leaves, &c.] + +[Footnote 3: See his _History of the World_.] + +[Footnote 4: See his _Table Talk_, section "_Witches_."] + +[Footnote 5: Sir Thomas Browne's evidence at the trial of Amy Duny and +Rose Cullender at Bury St. Edmunds in 1664, is too well known to need +an extract from the frequently reprinted report of the case. To adopt +the words of an able writer, (_Retros. Review_, vol. v. p. 118,) "this +trial is the only place in which we ever meet with the name of Sir +Thomas Browne without pleasurable associations."] + +[Footnote 6: Those who wish to have presented to them a faithful +likeness of Sir Matthew Hale must not consult Burnet or Baxter, for +that great judge, like Sir Epicure Mammon, sought "for his meet +flatterers the gravest of divines," but will not fail to find it in +the pages of Roger North, who has depicted his character with a +strength and accuracy of outline which no Vandyck or Lely of biography +ever surpassed. Would that we could exchange some of those "faultless +monsters" with which that fascinating department of literature too +much abounds, for a few more such instantly recognised specimens of +true but erring and unequal humanity, which are as rare as they are +precious. In the unabridged life of Lord Guildford by Roger North, +which, with his own most interesting and yet unpublished +autobiography, are in my possession in his autograph, are found some +additional touches which confirm the general accuracy of the portrait +he has sketched of Hale in the work which has been printed. (Vide +North's _Life of Lord Guildford_, by Roscoe, vol. i. p. 119.)] + +[Footnote 7: See his _Dialogue on the Common Laws of England_.] + +[Footnote 8: Dr. Cudworth was the friend whom More refers to without +naming, _Collections of Relations_, p. 336, edit. 1726, 8vo.] + +[Footnote 9: There is no name in this catalogue that excites more +poignant regret than that of Dr. Henry More. So exalted was his +character, so serene and admirable his temper, so full of harmony his +whole intellectual constitution, that, irradiated at once by all the +lights of religion and philosophy, and with clearer glimpses of the +land of vision and the glories behind the veil than perhaps uninspired +mortality ever partook of before, he seems to have reached as near to +the full standard of perfection as it is possible for frail and feeble +humanity to attain. Dr. Outram said that he looked upon Dr. More as +the holiest person upon the face of the earth; and the sceptical +Hobbes, who never dealt in compliment, observed, "That if his own +philosophy were not true, he knew of none that he should sooner like +than More's of Cambridge." His biographer, Ward, concludes his life in +the following glowing terms:--"Thus lived and died the eminent Dr. +More: thus set this bright and illustrious star, vanishing by degrees +out of our sight after, to the surprise and admiration of many, (like +that which was observed in Cassiopeia's chair,) it had illuminated, as +it were, both worlds so long at once." At the lapse of many years I +have not forgotten the impassioned fondness with which the late and +most lamented Robert Southey dwelt upon the memory of the Cambridge +Plato, or the delight with which he greeted some works of his +favourite author which I was fortunate enough to point out to him, +with which he had not been previously acquainted. The sad reverse of +the picture will he seen by those who consult the folio of More's +philosophical works and Glanville's _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, the +greatest part of which is derived from More's _Collections_. His +hallucinations on the subject of witchcraft, from which none of the +English writers of the Platonic school were exempt, are the more +extraordinary, as a sister error, judicial astrology, met in More with +its most able oppugner. His tract, which has excited much less +attention than its merit deserves, (I have not been able to trace a +single quotation from it in any author during the last century,) is +entitled "Tetractys Anti-astrologica, or a Confutation of Astrology." +Lond. 1681, 4to. I may mention while on the subject of More, that the +second and most valuable part of the memoir of him by Ward, his +devoted admirer and pupil, which was never printed, is in my +possession, in manuscript.] + +[Footnote 10: See Boyle's letter on the subject of the latter, in the +5th vol. of the folio edition of his works.] + +[Footnote 11: I have always considered the conclusion of Bodin's book, +_De Republica_, the accumulative grandeur of which is even heightened +in Knolles's admirable English translation, as the finest peroration +to be found in any work on government. Those who are fortunate enough +to possess a copy of his interdicted _Examination of Religions_, the +title of which is, "Colloquium heptaplomeres de abditis sublimium +rerum arcanis, libris 6 digestum," which was never printed, and of +which very few MSS. copies are in existence, are well aware how little +he felt himself shackled in the spirit of examination which he carried +into the most sacred subjects by any respect for popular notions or +received systems or great authorities. My MS. copy of this +extraordinary work, which came from Heber's Collection, is contained +in two rather thick folio volumes.] + +[Footnote 12: Few authors are better deserving of an extended +biography, a desideratum which, in an age characterised by its want of +literary research, is not likely to be soon supplied, than Thomas +Erastus, whose theological, philosophical, and medical celebrity +entitle him to rank with the greatest men of his century. At present +we have to collect all that is known of his life from various +scattered and contradictory sources. John Webster, in his _Displaying +of Supposed Witchcraft_, contrary to the usual candour and fairness of +his judgments, speaks slightingly of Erastus. There was, however, a +sufficient reason for this. Erastus had shown up the empiricism of +Webster's idol Paracelsus, and was in great disfavour with the writers +of the Anti-Galenic school.] + +[Footnote 13: I cannot concur with Mr. Hallam in the extremely low +estimate he forms of the literary merit of Bodin's _Demomanie_, which +he does not seem to have examined with the care and impartiality which +he seldom is deficient in. Like all Bodin's works, it has a spirit +peculiarly his own, and is, in my opinion, one of the most +entertaining books to be found in the circle of Demonology.] + +In his treatise _De Lamiis_, published in 1577, 8vo., he defends +nearly all the absurdities of the system with a blind zealotry which +in such a man is very remarkable. His book has accordingly taken its +place on the same shelf with Sprenger, Remigius, Delrio, and De +Lancre, and deserves insertion only in a list which has yet to be made +out, and which if accurately compiled would be a literary curiosity, +of the singularly illogical books of singularly able reasoners. +What was left unaccomplished by the centurions of literature came +ultimately from the strangest of all possible quarters; from the +study of an humble pupil of the transmuter of metals and prince +of mountebanks and quacks--the expounder of Reuchlin _de verbo +mirifico_, and lecturer in the unknown tongues--the follower of +Trismegistus--cursed with bell, book and candle, by every decorous +Church in Christendom--the redoubted Cornelius Agrippa; who, if he +left not to his pupil Wierus the secret of the philosopher's stone or +grand elixir, seems to have communicated a treasure perhaps equally +rare and not less precious, the faculty of seeing a truth which should +open the eyes of bigotry and dispel the mists of superstition, which +should stop the persecution of the helpless and stay the call for +blood. If, in working out this virgin ore from the mine, he has +produced it mixed up with the _scoria_ of his master's _Occult +Philosophy_; if he gives us catalogues of devils and spirits, with +whose acquaintance we could have dispensed; if he pleads the great +truth faintly, inconsistently, imperfectly, and is evidently unaware +of the strength of the weapons he wields; these deductions do not the +less entitle Wierus to take his place in the first rank of Humanity's +honoured professors, the true philanthropists and noble benefactors of +mankind. + +In our own country, it may be curious and edifying to observe to whom +we mainly owe those enlightened views on this subject, which might +have been expected to proceed in their natural channel, but for which +we look in vain, from the "triumphant heirs of universal praise," the +recognized guides of public opinion, whose fame sheds such a lustre on +our annals,--the Bacons, the Raleighs, the Seldens, the Cudworths, and +the Boyles. + +The strangely assorted and rather grotesque band to whom we are +principally indebted for a vindication of outraged common sense and +insulted humanity in this instance, and whose vigorous exposition of +the absurdities of the prevailing system, in combination with other +lights and sources of intelligence, led at last to its being +universally abandoned, consists of four individuals--on any of whom a +literary Pharisee would look down with supercilious scorn:--a country +gentleman, devoted to husbandry, and deep in platforms of hop +gardens,[14]--a baronet, whose name for upwards of a century has been +used as a synonyme for incurable political bigotry,[15]--a little, +crooked, and now forgotten man, who died, as his biographer tells us, +"distracted, occasioned by a deep conceit of his own parts, and by a +continual bibbing of strong and high tasted liquors,"[16]--and last, +but not least assuredly, of one who was by turns a fanatical preacher +and an obscure practitioner of physic, and who passed his old age at +Clitheroe in Lancashire in attempting to transmute metals and discover +the philosopher's stone.[17] So strange a band of Apostles of reason +may occasion a smile; it deserves, at all events, a little more +particular consideration before we address ourselves to the short +narration which may be deemed necessary as an introduction to the +republication which follows. + +Of the first of the number, Reginald or Reynold Scot, it is to be +regretted that more particulars are not known. Nearly the whole are +contained in the following information afforded by Anthony ą Wood, +_Athenę._, vol. i. p. 297; from which it appears that he took to +"solid reading" at a crisis of life when it is generally thrown aside. +"Reynolde Scot, a younger son of Sir John Scot, of Scot's Hall, near +to Smeeth, in Kent, by his wife, daughter of Reynolde Pimp, of Pimp's +Court, Knight, was born in that county, and at about 17 years of age +was sent to Oxon, particularly as it seems to Hart Hall, where several +of his countrymen and name studied in the latter end of K. Henry +VIII. and the reign of Edward VI., &c. Afterwards he retired to his +native country, without the honour of a Degree, and settled at Smeeth, +where he found great encouragement in his studies from his kinsman, +Sir Thomas Scot. _About which time, taking to him a wife, he gave +himself up solely to solid reading_, to the perusing of obscure +authors that had, by the generality of scholars, been neglected, and +at times of leisure to husbandry and gardening. He died in September +or October in 1599, and was buried among his ancestors, in the church +at Smeeth before mentioned." Retired as his life and obscure as his +death might be, he is one whose name will be remembered as long as +vigorous sense, flowing from the "wells of English undefiled," hearty +and radiant humour, and sterling patriotism, are considered as +deserving of commemoration. His _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, first +published in 1584, is indeed a treat to him who wishes to study the +idioms, manners, opinions, and superstitions of the reign of +Elizabeth. Its entire title deserves to be given:-- + +"_The discouerie of witchcraft, wherein the lewde dealing of witches +and witchmongers is notablie detected, the knauerie of coniurors, the +impietie of inchantors, the follie of soothsaiers, the impudent +falshood of cousenors, the infidelitie of atheists, the pestilent +practises of Pythonists, the curiositie of figurecasters, the vanitie +of dreamers, the beggerlie art of Alcumystrie, the abhomination of +idolatrie, the horrible art of poisoning, the vertue and power of +naturall magike, and all the conueiances of Legierdemaine and iuggling +are deciphered: and many other things opened, which haue long lien +hidden, howbeit verie necessarie to be knowne. Heerevnto is added a +treatise vpon the nature and substance of spirits and diuels, &c: all +latelie written by Reginald Scot Esquire._ 1 John, 4, 1. _Beleeue not +euerie spirit but trie the spirits, whether they are of God; for many +false prophets are gone out into the world, &c._ 1584." + +[Footnote 14: Reginald Scot.] + +[Footnote 15: Sir R. Filmer.] + +[Footnote 16: John Wagstaffe.] + +[Footnote 17: John Webster.] + +This title is sufficient to show that he gives no quarter to the +delusion he undertakes to expose, and though he does not deny that +there may be witches in the abstract, (to have done so would have left +him a preacher without an audience,) yet he guards so cautiously +against any practical application of that principle, and battles so +vigorously against the error which assimilated the witches of modern +times to the witches of Scripture, and, denying the validity of the +confessions of those convicted, throws such discredit and ridicule +upon the whole system, that the popular belief cannot but have +received a severe shock from the publication of his work.[18] By an +extraordinary elevation of good sense, he managed, not only to see +through the absurdities of witchcraft, but likewise of other errors +which long maintained their hold upon the learned as well as the +vulgar. Indeed, if not generally more enlightened, he was, in some +respects, more emancipated from delusion than even his great +successor, the learned and sagacious Webster, who, a century after, +clung still to alchemy which Reginald Scot had ridiculed and exposed. +Yet with all its strong points and broad humour, it is undeniable that +_The Discoverie of Witchcraft_ only scotched the snake instead of +killing it; and that its effect was any thing but final and complete. +Inveterate error is seldom prostrated by a blow from one hand, and +truth seems to be a tree which cannot be forced by planting it before +its time. There was something, too, in the book itself which militated +against its entire acceptance by the public. It is intended to form a +little Encyclopędia of the different arts of imposition practised in +Scot's time; and in order to illustrate the various tricks and modes +of cozenage, he gives us so many charms and diagrams and conjurations, +to say nothing of an inventory of seventy-nine devils and spirits, and +their several seignories and degrees, that the _Occult Philosophy_ of +Cornelius Agrippa himself looks scarcely less appalling, at first +sight, than the _Discoverie_. This gave some colour to the declamation +of the author's opponents, who held him up as Wierus had been +represented before him, as if he were as deeply dipped in diabolical +practises as any of those whom he defended. Atheist and Sadducee, if +not very wizard himself, were the terms in which his name was +generally mentioned, and as such, the royal author of the _Demonology_ +anathematizes him with great unction and very edifying horror. Against +the papists, the satire of Scot had been almost as much directed as +against what he calls the "witch-mongers," so that that very powerful +party were to a man opposed to him. Vigorous, therefore, as was his +onslaught, its effect soon passed by; and when on the accession of +James, the statute which so long disgraced our penal code was enacted, +as the adulatory tribute of all parties, against which no honest voice +was raised, to the known opinions of the monarch, Scot became too +unfashionable to be seen on the tables of the great or in the +libraries of the learned. If he were noticed, it was only to be +traduced as a sciolist, (imperitus dialecticę et aliarum bonarum +artium, says Dr. Reynolds,) and to be exposed for imagined lapses in +scholarship in an age when for a writer not to be a scholar, was like +a traveller journeying without a passport. Meric Casaubon, who +carried all the prejudices of the time of James the first into the +reign of Charles the second, but who, though overshadowed by the fame +of his father, was no unworthy scion of that incomparable stock, at +the same time that he denounces Scot as illiterate, will only +acknowledge to having met with him "at friends houses" and +"booksellers shops," as if his work were one which would bring +contamination to a scholar's library. Scot was certainly not a scholar +in the sense in which the term is applied to the Scaligers, Casaubons, +and Vossius's, though he would have been considered a prodigy of +reading in these days of superficial acquisition. But he had original +gifts far transcending scholarship. He had a manly, straightforward, +vigorous understanding, which, united with an honest integrity of +purpose, kept him right when greater men went wrong. How invaluable a +phalanx would the battalion of folios which the reign of James the +first produced now afford us, if the admirable mother-wit and +single-minded sincerity of Reginald Scot could only have vivified and +informed them.[19] + +[Footnote 18: In the epistle to his kinsman Sir Thomas Scot, prefixed +to his _Discoverie_, he observes:-- + +"I see among other malefactors manie poore old women conuented before +you for working of miracles, other wise called witchcraft, and +therefore I thought you also a meet person to whom I might commend my +booke."--And he then proceeds, in the following spirited and gallant +strain, to run his course against the Dagon of popular superstition:-- + +"I therefore (at this time) doo onelie desire you to consider of my +report, concerning the euidence that is commonlie brought before you +against them. See first whether the euidence be not friuolous, & +whether the proofs brought against them be not incredible, consisting +of ghesses, presumptions, & impossibilities contrarie to reason, +scripture, and nature. See also what persons complaine vpon them, +whether they be not of the basest, the vnwisest, & most faithles kind +of people. Also may it please you to waie what accusations and crimes +they laie to their charge, namelie: She was at my house of late, she +would haue had a pot of milke, she departed in a chafe bicause she had +it not, she railed, she curssed, she mumbled and whispered, and +finallie she said she would be euen with me: and soone after my child, +my cow, my sow, or my pullet died, or was strangelie taken. Naie (if +it please your Worship) I haue further proofe: I was with a wise +woman, and she told me I had an ill neighbour, & that she would come +to my house yer it were long, and so did she; and that she had a marke +aboue hir waste, & so had she: and God forgiue me, my stomach hath +gone against hir a great while. Hir mother before hir was counted a +witch, she hath beene beaten and scratched by the face till bloud was +drawne vpon hir, bicause she hath beene suspected, & afterwards some +of those persons were said to amend. These are the certeinties that I +heare in their euidences. + +"_Note also how easilie they may be brought to confesse that which +they neuer did, nor lieth in the power of man to doo_: and then see +whether I haue cause to write as I doo. Further, if you shall see that +infidelitie, poperie, and manie other manifest heresies be backed and +shouldered, and their professors animated and hartened, by yeelding to +creatures such infinit power as is wrested out of Gods hand, and +attributed to witches: finallie, if you shall perceiue that I haue +faithfullie and trulie deliuered and set downe the condition and state +of the witch, and also of the witchmonger, and haue confuted by reason +and lawe, and by the word of God it selfe, all mine aduersaries +obiections and arguments: then let me haue your countenance against +them that maliciouslie oppose themselues against me. + +"_My greatest aduersaries are yoong ignorance and old custome._ For +what follie soeuer tract of time hath fostered, it is so +superstitiouslie pursued of some, as though no error could be +acquainted with custome. But if the lawe of nations would ioine with +such custome, to the maintenance of ignorance, and to the suppressing +of knowledge; the ciuilest countrie in the world would soone become +barbarous, &c. For as knowledge and time discouereth errors, so dooth +superstition and ignorance in time breed them." + +The passage which I next quote, is a further specimen of the +impressive and even eloquent earnestness with which he pleads his +cause:-- + +"In the meane time, I would wish them to know that if neither the +estimation of Gods omnipotencie, nor the tenor of his word, nor the +doubtfulnes or rather the impossibilitie of the case, nor the small +proofes brought against them, nor the rigor executed vpon them, nor +the pitie that should be in a christian heart, nor yet their +simplicitie, impotencie, or age may suffice to suppresse the rage or +rigor wherewith they are oppressed; yet the consideration of their sex +or kind ought to mooue some mitigation of their punishment. For if +nature (as Plinie reporteth) haue taught a lion not to deale so +roughlie with a woman as with a man, bicause she is in bodie the +weaker vessell, and in hart more inclined to pitie (which Ieremie in +his lamentations seemeth to confirme) what should a man doo in this +case, for whome a woman was created as an helpe and comfort vnto him? +In so much as, euen in the lawe of nature, it is a greater offense to +slea a woman than a man: not bicause a man is not the more excellent +creature, but bicause a woman is the weaker vessell. And therefore +among all modest and honest persons it is thought a shame to offer +violence or iniurie to a woman: in which respect Virgil saith, _Nullum +memorabile nomen foeminea in poena est_. + +"God that knoweth my heart is witnes, and you that read my booke shall +see, that my drift and purpose in this enterprise tendeth onelie to +these respects. First, that the glorie and power of God be not so +abridged and abased, as to be thrust into the hand or lip of a lewd +old woman: whereby the worke of the Creator should be attributed to +the power of a creature. Secondlie, that the religion of the gospell +may be seene to stand without such peeuish trumperie. Thirdlie, that +lawfull fauour and christian compassion be rather vsed towards these +poore soules, than rigor and extremitie. Bicause they, which are +commonlie accused of witchcraft, are the least sufficient of all other +persons to speake for themselues; as hauing the most base and simple +education of all others; the extremitie of their age giuing them leaue +to dote, their pouertie to beg, their wrongs to chide and threaten (as +being void of anie other waie of reuenge) their humor melancholicall +to be full of imaginations, from whence cheefelie proceedeth the +vanitie of their confessions; as that they can transforme themselues +and others into apes, owles, asses, dogs, cats, &c: that they can flie +in the aire, kill children with charmes, hinder the comming of butter, +&c. + +"And for so much as the mightie helpe themselues together, and the +poore widowes crie, though it reach to heauen, is scarse heard here +vpon earth: I thought good (according to my poore abilitie) to make +intercession, that some part of common rigor, and some points of +hastie iudgement may be aduised vpon. For the world is now at that +stay (as Brentius in a most godlie sermon in these words affirmeth) +that euen as when the heathen persecuted the christians, if anie were +accused to beleeue in Christ, the common people cried _Ad leonem_: so +now, if anie woman, be she neuer so honest, be accused of witchcraft, +they crie _Ad ignem_."] + +[Footnote 19: In the intervening period between the publication of +Soot's work and the advertisement of Filmer, several books came out on +the subject of witchcraft. Amongst them it is right to notice "A +Dialogue concerning Witches and Witchcraft, by George Giffard, +Minister of God's Word in Maldon," 1593, 4to. This tract, which has +been reprinted by the Percy Society, is not free from the leading +fallacies which infected the reasonings of almost all the writers on +witchcraft. It is, nevertheless, exceedingly entertaining, and well +deserves a perusal, if only as transmitting to us, in their full +freshness, the racy colloquialisms of the age of Elizabeth. It is to +be hoped that the other works of Giffard, all of which are deserving +of attention, independently of their theological interest, as +specimens of pure and sterling English, may appear in a collected +form. The next tract requiring notice is "The Trial of Witchcraft, by +John Cotta," 1616, 4to, of which a second and enlarged edition was +published in 1624. Cotta, who was a physician of great eminence and +experience, residing at Northampton, has supplied in this very able, +learned, and vigorous treatise, a groundwork which, if pursued to its +just results, for he writes very cautiously and guardedly, and rather +hints at his conclusions than follows them out, would have sufficed to +have overthrown many of the positions of the supporters of the system +of witchcraft. His work has a strong scholastic tinge, and is not +without occasional obscurity; and on these accounts probably produced +no very extensive impression at the time. He wrote two other +tracts--1. "Discovery of the Dangers of ignorant practisers of Physick +in England," 1612, 4to; 2. "Cotta contra Antonium, or An Ant-Anthony," +Oxford, 1623, 4to; the latter of which, a keen satire against the +chymists' aurum potabile, is exceedingly rare. Both are intrinsically +valuable and interesting, and written with great vigour of style, and +are full of curious illustrations derived from his extensive medical +practice. I cannot conclude this note without adverting to Gaule's +amusing little work, ("Select Cases of Conscience touching Witches and +Witchcraft, by John Gaule, Preacher of the Word at Great Haughton, in +the county of Huntingdon," 1646, 24mo.) which gives us all the +casuistry applicable to witchcraft. We can almost forgive Gaule's +fundamental errors on the general question, for the courage and spirit +with which he battled with the villainous witchfinder, Hopkins, who +wanted sorely to make an example of him, to the terror of all +gainsayers of the sovereign power of this examiner-general of witches. +Gaule proved himself to be an overmatch for the itinerating +inquisitor, and so effectually attacked, battled with, and exposed +him, as to render him quite harmless in future. The minister of Great +Haughton was made of different metal to the "old reading parson +Lewis," or Lowes, to whose fate Baxter refers with such nonchalance. +As the only clergyman of the Church of England, that I am aware of, +who was executed for witchcraft, Lewis's case is sufficiently +interesting to merit some notice. Stearne's (vide his _Confirmation of +Witchcraft_, p. 23,) account of it, which I have not seen quoted +before, is as follows:-- + +"Thus was Parson Lowis taken, who had been a Minister, (as I have +heard) in one Parish above forty yeares, in Suffolke, before he was +condemned, but had been indited for a common imbarriter, and for +Witchcraft, above thirty yeares before, and the grand Jury (as I have +heard) found the bill for a common imbarriter, who now, after he was +found with the markes, in his confession, he confessed, that in pride +of heart, to be equall, or rather above God, the Devill tooke +advantage of him, and hee covenanted with the Devill, and sealed it +with his bloud, and had three Familiars or spirits, which sucked on +the markes found upon his body, and did much harme, both by Sea and +Land, especially by Sea, for he confessed, that he being at Lungarfort +in Suffolke, where he preached, as he walked upon the wall, or workes +there, he saw a great saile of Ships passe by, and that as they were +sailing by, one of his three Impes, namely his yellow one, forthwith +appeared to him, and asked him what hee should doe, and he bade it goe +and sinke such a Ship, and shewed his Impe a new Ship, amongst the +middle of the rest (as I remember) one that belonged to Ipswich, so he +confessed the Impe went forthwith away, and he stood still, and viewed +the Ships on the Sea as they were a sayling, and perceived that Ship +immediately, to be in more trouble and danger then the rest; for he +said, the water was more boystrous neere that then the rest, tumbling +up and down with waves, as if water had been boyled in a pot, and +soone after (he said) in a short time it sanke directly downe into the +Sea, as he stood and viewed it, when all the rest sayled away in +safety, there he confessed, he made fourteen widdowes in one quarter +of an houre. Then Mr. Hopkin, as he told me (for he tooke his +Confession) asked him, if it did not grieve him to see so many men +cast away, in a short time, and that he should be the cause of so many +poore widdowes on a suddaine, but he swore by his maker, no, he was +joyfull to see what power his Impes had, and so likewise confessed +many other mischiefes, and had a charme to keep him out of Goale, and +hanging, as he paraphrased it himselfe, but therein the Devill +deceived him; for he was hanged, that Michaelmas time 1645. at Burie +Saint Edmunds, but he made a very farre larger confession, which I +have heard hath been printed: but if it were so, it was neither of Mr. +Hopkins doing nor mine owne; for we never printed anything untill +now." + +Hutchinson gives the explanation of this confession. What can be more +atrocious than the whole story, which is yet but the common story of +witch confessions? + +"_Adv._ Then did not he confess this before the Commissioners, at the +Time of his Tryal? + +"_Clerg._ No, but maintained his Innocence stoutly, and challenged +them to make Proof of such Things as they laid to his Charge. I had +this from a Person of Credit, who was then in Court, and heard his +Tryal. I may add, that tho' his Case is remembered better than others +that suffered, yet I never heard any one speak of him, but with great +Compassion, because of his Age and Character, and their Belief of his +Innocence: And when he came to his Execution, because he would have +Christian Burial, he read the Office himself, and that way committed +his own Body to the Ground, in sure and certain Hope of the +Resurrection to eternal Life. + +"In the Notes upon those Verses that I quoted out of Hudibras, it is +said, that he had been a painful Preacher for many Years, I may add +for Fifty, for so long he had been Vicar of Brandeston in the County +of Suffolk, as appears by the Time of his Institution. That I might +know the present Sense of the Chief Inhabitants of that Place, I wrote +to Mr. Wilson, the Incumbent of that Town, and by his Means received +the following Letter from Mr. Rivett, a worthy Gentleman who lived +lately in the same Place, and whose Father lived there before him. + +"'SIR, + +"'In Answer to your Request concerning Mr. Lowes, my Father was always +of the opinion, that Mr. Lowes suffered wrongfully, and hath often +said, that he did believe, he was no more a Wizzard than he was. I +have heard it from them that watched with him, that _they kept him +awake several Nights together, and run him backwards and forwards +about the Room, until he was out of Breath: Then they rested him a +little, and then ran him again: And thus they did for several Days and +Nights together, till he was weary of his Life, and was scarce +sensible of what he said or did_. They swam him at Framlingham, but +that was no true Rule to try him by; for they put in honest People at +the same Time, and they swam as well as he."] + +After the lapse of another half century, and at the very period when +the persecution against witches waxed hotter, and the public +prejudice had become only more inveterate, from the ingredient of +fanaticism having been largely thrown in as a stimulant, another ally +to the cause of compassion and common sense started up, in the person +of one whose name has rounded many a period and given point to many +an invective. To find the proscribed author of the _Patriarcha_ +purging with "euphrasy and rue" the eyes of the dispensers of justice, +and shouldering the crowd to obtain for reason a fair and impartial +hearing, is indeed like meeting with Saul among the prophets. If there +be one name which has been doomed to run the gauntlet, and against +which every pert and insolent political declaimer has had his fling, +it is that of this unfortunate writer; yet in his short but masterly +and unanswerable "Advertisement to the Jurymen of England, touching +Witches, together with a difference between an English and Hebrew +Witch," first published in 1653, 4to., he has addressed himself so +cogently and decisively to the main fallacy of the arguments in favour +of witchcraft which rested their force on Scripture misunderstood, and +has so pertinently and popularly urged the points to be considered, +that his tract must have had the greatest weight on the class to whom +his reasoning was principally addressed, and on whose fiat the fates +of his unhappy clients may be said to have hung. For this good +service, reason and common sense owe Sir Robert Filmer a debt which +does not yet appear to have been paid. The verdict of proscription +against him was pronounced by the most incompetent and superficial ęra +of our literature, and no friendly appellant has yet moved the court +of posterity for its reversal. Yet without entering upon the theory of +the patriarchal scheme, which after all, perhaps, was not so +irrational as may be supposed, or discussing on an occasion like the +present the conflicting theories of government, it may be allowable to +express a doubt whether even the famous author of the "Essay on the +Human Understanding," to whose culminating star the decadence of the +rival intelligence is attributable, can be shewn to have been as much +in advance of his generation in the time of king William, as from the +tract on witchcraft, and another written on a different subject, but +with equally enlightened views,[20] Sir Robert Filmer manifestly +appears to have outrun his at the period of the usurpation.[21] + +[Footnote 20: I allude to his little tract on Usury.] + +[Footnote 21: Between the period of the publication of Filmer's +Advertisement and the appearance of Wagstaffe's work, a tract was +published too important in this controversy to be passed over without +notice. It is entitled _A Candle in the Dark, or a Treatise concerning +the Nature of Witches and Witchcraft; being Advice to Judges, +Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and Grand Jurymen, what to do before +they passe sentence on such as are arraigned for their lives as +Witches. By Thomas Ady, M.A. London, printed for R.J., to be sold by +Thomas Newberry, at the Three Lions in Cornhill, by the Exchange, +1656_, 4to. Ady, of whom, unfortunately, nothing is known, presses the +arguments against the witchmongers and witchfinders with unanswerable +force. In fact, this tract comprises the quintessence of all that had +been urged against the popular system, and his "Candle" was truly a +burning and a shining light. His Dedication is too curious to be +omitted:-- + +"To the Prince of the Kings of the Earth. It is the manner of men, O +heavenly King, to dedicate their books to some great men, thereby to +have their works protected and countenanced among them; but thou only +art able, by thy holy Spirit of Truth, to defend thy Truth, and to +make it take impression in the heart and understanding of men. Unto +thee alone do I dedicate this work, entreating thy Most High Majesty +to grant, that whoever shall open this book, thy holy Spirit may so +possess their understanding, as that the Spirit of errour may depart +from them, and that they may read and try thy Truth by the touchstone +of thy Truth, the holy Scriptures; and finding that Truth, may embrace +it and forsake their darksome inventions of Antichrist, that have +deluded and defiled the nations now and in former ages. Enlighten the +world, thou that art the Light of the World, and let darkness be no +more in the world, now or in any future age; but make all people to +walk as children of the Light for ever; and destroy Antichrist, that +hath deceived the nations, and save us the residue by thyself alone; +and let not Satan any more delude us, for the Truth is thine for +ever." He then puts his "Dilemma that cannot be answered by +Witchmongers." It is too long to quote, but it is a dilemma that would +pose the stoutest Coryphęus of the party to whom he addressed +himself.] + +The next champion in this unpopular cause, John Wagstaffe, who +published "The Question of Witchcraft Debated," 1669, 12mo,[22] was, +as A. ą Wood informs us, "the son of John Wagstaffe, citizen of +London, descended from those of his name of Hasland Hall, in +Derbyshire, was born in Cheapside, within the city of London, became a +commoner of Oriel College in the latter end of 1649, took the degrees +in Arts, and applied himself to the study of politics and other +learning. At length, being raised from an academical life to the +inheritance of Hasland, by the death of an uncle, who died without +male issue, he spent his life afterwards in single estate." His death +took place in 1677. The Oxford historian, who had little reverence for +new lights, and never loses an opportunity of girding at those whose +weights and measures were not according to the current and only +authentic standard, has left no very flattering account of his person. +"He was a little crooked man, and of a despicable presence. He was +laughed at by the boys of this University, because, as they said, he +himself looked like a little wizard." Small as might be his stature, +and questionable the shape in which he appeared, he might still have +taken up the boast of the author of the _Religio Medici_: "Men that +look upon my outside do err in my altitude, for I am above Atlas's +shoulders." None but a large-souled and kindly-affectioned man, whose +intellect was as comprehensive as his feelings were benevolent, could +have produced the excellent little treatise which claims him as its +author. The following is the lofty and memorable peroration in which +he sums up the strength of his cause:-- + +"I cannot think without trembling and horror on the vast numbers of +people that in several ages and several countries have been sacrificed +unto this idol, Opinion. Thousands, ten thousands, are upon record to +have been slain, and many of them not with simple deaths, but horrid, +exquisite tortures. And yet, how many are there more who have +undergone the same fate, of whom we have no memorial extant. Since, +therefore, the opinion of witchcraft is a mere stranger unto +Scripture, and wholly alien from true religion; since it is ridiculous +by asserting fables and impossibilities; since it appears, when duly +considered, to be all bloody and full of dangerous consequence unto +the lives and safety of men; I hope that with this my Discourse, +opposing an absurd and pernicious error, I can not at all disoblige +any sober, unbiassed person; especially if he be of such ingenuity as +to have freed himself from a slavish subjection unto those prejudicial +opinions which custom and education do with too much tyranny +impose.--If the doctrine of witchcraft should be carried up to a +height, and the inquisition after it should be intrusted in the hands +of ambitious, covetous and malicious men, it would prove of far more +fatal consequence unto the lives and safety of mankind, than that +ancient, heathenish custom of sacrificing men unto idol gods; insomuch +that we stand in need of another Hercules Liberator, who, as the +former freed the world from human sacrifice, should, in like manner, +travel from country to country, and by his all-commanding authority, +free it from _this euil and base custom of torturing people to confess +themselves witches, and burning them after extorted confessions_. +Surely the blood of men ought not to be so cheap, nor so easily to be +shed by those who, under the name of God, do gratifie exorbitant +passions and selfish ends; for without question, under this side +heaven, there is nothing so sacred as the life of man; for the +preservation whereof all policies and forms of government, all laws +and magistrates are most especially ordained. Wherefore I presume that +this Discourse of mine, attempting to prove the vanity and +impossibility of witchcraft, is so far from any deserved censure and +blame, that it rather deserves commendation and praise, if I can in +the least measure contribute to the saving of the lives of men." + +[Footnote 22: I have not seen his earlier work, "Historical +Reflections on the Bishop of Rome, &c." Oxford, 1660, 4to. If it be +written with any portion of the power evinced in his "Question of +Witchcraft Debated," the ridicule with which Wood says it was received +by the wits of the university, and the oblivion into which it +subsequently fell, were both equally undeserved.] + +Wagstaffe was answered by Meric Casaubon in his treatise "Of Credulity +and Incredulity in Things Divine and Spiritual," 1670, 12mo; and if +his reply be altogether inconclusive, it cannot be denied to be, as +indeed every thing of Meric Casaubon's writing was, learned, +discursive and entertaining. He observes of Wagstaffe:-- + +"He doth make some show of a scholar and a man of some learning, but +whether he doth acquit himself as a gentleman (which I hear he is) in +it, I shall leave to others to judge." This is surely the first time +that a belief in witchcraft was ever made a test of gentlemanly +propriety. + +Two years before the trial, which is the subject of the following +republication, took place, the hamlet of Thornton, in the parish of +Coxwold, in the adjoining county of York, gave birth to one who was +destined so utterly to demolish the unstable and already shaken and +tottering structure which Bodin, Delrio, and their followers had set +up, as not to leave one stone of that unhallowed edifice remaining +upon another. Of the various course of life of John Webster, the +author of "The Displaying of supposed Witchcraft," his travels, +troubles, and persecutions; of the experience he had had in restless +youth and in unsettled manhood of religion under various forms, +amongst religionists of almost every denomination; and of those +profound and wide-ranging researches in every art and science in which +his vigorous intellect delighted, and by which it was in declining age +enlightened, sobered and composed; it is much to be regretted that we +have not his own narrative, written in the calm evening of his days, +when he walked the slopes of Pendle, from where, + + "Through shadow dimly seen + Rose Clid'row's castle grey;"[23] + +when, to use his own expressions, he lived a "solitary and sedentary +life, _mihi et musis_, having more converse with the dead than the +living, that is, more with books than with men." The facts for his +biography are scanty and meagre, and are rather collected by inference +from his works, than from any other source. He was born at Thornton on +the 3rd of February, 1610. From a passing notice of A. ą Wood, and an +incidental allusion in his own works, he may be presumed to have +passed some time at Cambridge, though with what views, or at what +period of his life, is uncertain. He was ordained Presbyter by Dr. +Morton, when Bishop of Durham, who was, it will be recollected, the +sagacious prelate by whom the frauds of the boy of Bilson were +detected. In the year 1634, Webster was curate of Kildwick in Craven, +and while in that cure the scene occurred which he has so vividly +sketched in the passage after quoted, and which supplied the hint, and +laid the foundation, for the work which has perpetuated his fame. How +long he continued in this cure we know not: but, if one authority may +be relied on, he was Master of the Free Grammar School at Clitheroe in +1643. To this foundation he may be considered as a great benefactor, +for, from information supplied from a manuscript source, I find that +he recovered for its use, with considerable trouble and no small +personal charge, an income of about £60. per annum, which had been +given to the school, but was illegally diverted and withheld. From +this period there is a blank in his biography for about ten years. +Most probably his life was rambling and desultory. He speaks of +himself as having been about that time a chaplain in the army. His +first two works, published in 1653 and 1654, "The Saints' Guide," and +"The Judgment Set and the Books Opened,"[24] show that in the +interval he had deserted the Established Church, and, probably, after +some of those restless fluctuations of belief to which men of his +ardent temperament are subject, settled at last in a wilder sort of +Independency, which he eulogizes as "unmanacling the simple and pure +light of the Gospel from the chains and fetters of cold and dead +formality, and of restrictive and compulsory power." His language in +these two works is more assimilated to that of the Seekers or Quakers, +which it resembles in the cloudy mysteriousness of its phraseology, +than that of the more rational and sober writers of the Independent +school. Amongst the dregs of fanaticism of which they consist, the +reader will look in vain for any germ or promise of future excellence +or distinction as an author. It would seem that he preached the +sermons contained in "The Judgment Set and Books Opened" at the church +of All-Hallows, Lombard-street, at which he must have been for some +time the officiating minister, and where the amusing incident, in +which Webster was concerned, narrated by Wood, which had many a +parallel in those times, no doubt occurred. "On the 12th of Oct., +1653," says the author of the _Athenę._,[25] "he (_i.e._ William +Erbury) with John Webster, sometimes a Cambridge scholar, endeavoured +to knock down learning and the ministry both together, in a +disputation that they then had against two ministers in a church in +Lombard-street, in London. Erbury then declared that the wisest +ministers and purest churches were at that time befool'd, confounded, +and defil'd, by reason of learning. Another while he said, that the +ministry were monsters, beasts, asses, greedy dogs, false prophets; +and that they are the Beast with seven heads and ten horns. The same +person also spoke out and said that Babylon is the Church in her +ministers, and that the Great Whore is the Church in her worship, &c.; +so that with him there was an end of ministers and churches and +ordinations altogether. While these things were babbled to and fro, +the multitude being of various opinions, began to mutter, and many to +cry out, and immediately it came to a meeting or tumult, (call it +which you please,) _wherein the women bore away the Bell, but lost +some of them their kerchiefs_: and the dispute being hot, there was +more danger of pulling down the church than the ministry."[26] + +[Footnote 23: "Poems, by the Rev. R. Parkinson, Canon of Manchester," +1845, 12mo. (Hunter's Song.) A most pleasing volume of a very +accomplished author. Long may he survive to add honours to the ancient +stock of which he has given so interesting an account, by well-earned +trophies gathered from the fair fields of literature and theology, and +by a most exemplary discharge of the appropriate duties of his own +sacred profession.] + +[Footnote 24: "_The Saints' Guide, or Christ the Rule and Ruler of +Saints. Manifested by way of Positions, Consectaries, and Queries. +Wherein is contained the Efficacy of Acquired Knowledge; the Rule of +Christians; the Mission and Maintenance of Ministers; and the Power of +Magistrates in Spiritual Things. By John Webster, late Chaplain in the +Army._" London, 1653, 4to. + +"_The Judgement Set, and the Bookes Opened. Religion Tried whether it +be of God or of men. The Lord cometh to visit his own, For the time is +come that Judgement must begin at the House of God._ + + { _The Sheep from the Goats_, +_To separate_ { _and_ + { _The Precious from the Vile._ + +_And to discover the Blasphemy of those that say_, + + { _Apostles_, } { _Found Lyars_, + { _Teachers_, } { _Deceivers_, +_They are_ { _Alive_, } _but are_ { _Dead_, + { _Rich_, } { _Poore, blind, naked_, + { _Jewes_, } { _The Synagogue of Satan._ + +_In severall Sermons at Alhallows Lumbard-street, By John Webster, A +servant of Christ and his Church. Micah 3. 5. &c. Thus saith the Lord, +concerning the Prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their +teeth, and cry peace: and he that putteth not into their mouths, they +prepare war against him: Therefore night shall be upon them, that they +shall not have a vision, &c. The Sun shall goe down over the prophets, +and the Day shall be dark. Their seers shall be ashamed, and the +Deviners confounded: yea, they shall All cover their lips, for there +is no answer of God._" London, 1654. 4to.] + +[Footnote 25: _Athen. Oxon._, Vol. ii., p. 175. Edit. 1721.] + +[Footnote 26: Old Anthony chronicles this battle of the kerchiefs with +a sly humour very different from his usual solemn matter-of-fact +style.] + +Of Erbury who, being originally in holy orders and a beneficed +clergyman, deserted the Established Church and ran into all the +excesses of Antinomianism, Webster was a great admirer, and has in a +preface, hitherto unnoticed, prefixed to a scarce tract of Erbury's, +entitled "The great Earthquake, or Fall of all the Churches," +published in 1654, 4to, left a sketch of his opinions and character, +in which his defence is undertaken with great zeal and no small +ingenuity. One of his apologist's conclusions most of Erbury's readers +will find no difficulty in assenting to, "the world is not ripe for +such discoveries as our author held forth." The verses which are +appended to this sketch, characterizing Erbury-- + + "As him + Who did the saintship sever + From the opinion; this fails, that shall never, + Chymist of Truth and Gospel;"-- + +are, also, evidently Webster's, and their quality is not such as to +make us unreasonably impatient for any further manifestations of his +poetical skill. In the year 1654 he published another tract of +singular interest and curiosity, in which he attacks the Universities +and the received system of education there, always with vigour and +various learning, and frequently with success. It is entitled +"Academiarum Examen, or the Examination of Academies; wherein is +discussed and examined the matter, method, and customes of academick +and scholastic learning, and the insufficiency thereof discovered and +laid open; as also some expedients proposed for the reforming of +schools, and the perfecting and promoting of all kind of science; +offered to the judgment of all those that love the proficiencie of +arts and sciences and the advancement of learning. By Jo. Webster. In +moribus et institutis academiarum, collegiorum et similium conventium +quo ad doctorum hominum sedes et operas mutuas destinata sunt, omnia +progressui scientiarum in ulterius adversa inveniri. Franc. Bacon de +Verulamio lib. de cogitat. et vis. pag. mihi. 14. London: Printed for +Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the sign of the Black +Spread-Eagle, at the west end of Paul's. 1654." 4to. In this tract, +which, like some other attacks upon the seats of learning, displays +more power in objection than in substitution, in pulling down than in +building up again, he shews the same fondness for the philosophers of +the Hermetic school, for Paracelsus, Dee, Fludd and Van Helmont, and +the same adhesion to planetary sigils, astrology, and the doctrine of +sympathies and primęval signatures, which is perceptible in the +deliberate performance of his old age. Of himself he observes: "I owe +little to the advantages of those things called the goods of fortune, +but most (next under the goodness of God) to industry: however, I am a +free born Englishman, a citizen of the world and a seeker of +knowledge, and am willing to teach what I know, and learn what I know +not." No one can read the _Academiarum Examen_ without feeling that it +is the production of a vigorous and powerful mind, which had "tasted," +and that not scantily, of the "sweet fruit of far fetched and dear +bought science." Yet it still remains a literary problem rather +difficult of solution, how a performance so clear, well digested, and +rational, could proceed, and that contemporaneously, from the same +author as the cloudy and fanatical "Judgment Set and Books Opened." On +behalf of the Universities, answerers started up in the persons of +Ward and Wilkins, both afterwards bishops, and the part taken by the +first of them in the controversy was considered of sufficient +importance to form matter of commemoration in his monumental +inscription. Two opponents so famous, might almost seem to threaten +extinction to one, of whom it could only be said, that he had been an +obscure country schoolmaster, and whose acquirements, whatever they +were, were mainly the result of his own unassisted study. In the joint +answer, the title of which is "Vindicię Academiarum, containing some +briefe animadversions upon Mr. Webster's book entitled the +'Examination of Academies,' together with an appendix concerning what +Mr. Hobbes and Mr. Dell have published in this argument, Oxford, +1654," 4to., there is no want of bitterness nor of controversial +skill, but though, particularly in the limited arena of the prescribed +course of academical study, the knowledge displayed in it is more +exact, there is neither visible in it the same power of mind, nor the +same breadth of views, nor even the same variety of learning, as is +conspicuous in the original tract. This, with the two fanatical pieces +which Webster published contemporaneously with it, were entirely +unknown to his biographer, Dr. Whitaker, who has ceded him a place +amongst the distinguished natives and residents of the parish of +Whalley, in the full confidence "that there is no puritanical taint in +his writings, and that his taste had evidently been formed upon better +models.[27]" Had these early theological and literary delinquencies +of the physician of Clitheroe been communicated to his historian, it +may be questioned whether the portals of his provincial temple of fame +would have opened to receive so heinous a transgressor. But Dr. +Whitaker's deduction would have been perhaps perfectly warrantable, +had Webster left no remains but his _History of Metals_, and +_Displaying of Witchcraft_--so little do an author's latest works +afford a clue to the character of his earliest. From 1654 to 1671, +when he published his _History of Metals_, little is known of +Webster's course of life. He appears to have retired into the country +and devoted himself to medical practice and study, and to have taken +up his residence in or near Clitheroe. He complains, that in the year +1658 all his books and papers were taken from him, an abstraction +which, so far as his manuscripts are concerned, posterity is not +called upon to lament, if they all resembled his _Judgment Set and +Books Opened_. But his capacious and acute understanding was gradually +unfolding new resources, supplying the defects, and overcoming the +disadvantages of his imperfect education and desultory and irregular +studies, while his matured and enlightened judgment had abandoned and +discarded the fanatical pravities and erroneous tenets, which his +ardent enthusiasm had too hastily imbibed. When he again became a +candidate for the honours of authorship, it was evident that he knew +well how to apply those quarries of learning into which, during his +long recess, he had been digging so indefatigably, to furnish +materials for solid and durable structures, rising in honourable and +gratifying contrast to the fabrics which had preceded them. In 1671 +came forth his "Metallographia, or History of Metals,"[28] in which +all that recondite learning and extensive observation could bring +together, on a subject which experiment had scarcely yet placed upon a +rational basis, is collected. He styles himself on the Title page, +"Practitioner in Physic and Chirurgery." In 1677, he published his +great work. Its Title is "The Displaying of supposed Witchcraft. +Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of Deceivers and +Impostors. And Divers persons under a passive Delusion of Melancholy +and Fancy. But that there is a Corporeal League made betwixt the Devil +and the Witch, Or that he sucks on the Witches Body, has Carnal +Copulation, or that Witches are turned into Cats, Dogs, raise +Tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also +is handled, the Existence of Angels and Spirits, the truth of +Apparitions, the Nature of Astral and Sydereal Spirits, the force of +Charms and Philters; with other abstruse matters. By John Webster, +Practitioner in Physic. Falsę etenim opiniones Hominum pręoccupantes, +non solum surdos, sed et cęcos faciunt, ita ut videre nequeant, quę +aliis perspicua apparent. Galen, lib. 8. de Comp. Med. London, Printed +by J.M. and are to be sold by the Booksellers in London. 1677," (fol.) +In this memorable book he exhausts the subject, as far as it is +possible to do so, by powerful ridicule, cogent arguments, and the +most various and well applied learning, leaving to Hutchinson, and +others who have since followed in his track, little further necessary +than to reproduce his facts and reasonings in a more popular, it can +scarcely be said, in a more effective, form.[29] Those who love +literary parallels may compare Webster, as he appears in this his +last and most characteristic performance, with two famous medical +contemporaries, Sir Thomas Browne, and Thomas Bartholinus the Dane, +whom he strongly resembled in the character of his mind, in the +complexion and variety of his studies, in grave simplicity, in +exactness of observation, in general philosophical incredulity with +some startling reserves, in elaborate and massive ratiocination, and +in the enthusiasm, subdued but not extinguished, which gives zest to +his speculations and poignancy and colouring to his style. He who +seeks to measure great men in their strength and in their weakness, +and what operation of literary analysis is more instructive or +delightful, will find ample employment for collation and comparison +in this extraordinary book, in which, keen as is the penetration +displayed on almost every subject of imposition and delusion, he +appears still to cling, with the obstinacy of a veteran, to some of +the darling Dalilahs of his youth, "to the admirable and +soul-ravishing knowledge of the three great Hypostatical principles of +nature, salt, sulphur, and mercury," and, _proh pudor!_ to alchemy and +astrology--and those seraphic doctors and professors, Crollius, +Libavius, and Van Helmont. He closed his literary performances with +this noble fabric of logic and learning, not the less striking, and +scarcely less useful, because it is chequered by some of the mosaic +work of human imperfection,--a performance which may be said to have +grown up under the umbrage of Pendle, and which he might have +bequeathed to its future Demdikes and Chattox's as an amulet of +irresistible power.[30] + +[Footnote 27: What would Dr. Whitaker have thought of the following +explosion, in which Webster sounds the tocsin with a vehemence and +vigour which no Macbriar or Kettledrumle of the period could have +surpassed. The extract is from his _Judgment Set and Books Opened_:-- + +"All those that claim an Ordination by Man, or from Man, that speak +from the Spirit of the World, from Wit, Learning and Humane Reason, +who Preach for Hire, and make Merchandize of the Souls of Men; I +witness they are all Baal's Priests and Idol-Shepherds, who destroy +the Sheep, and are Theives and Robbers, who came not in by the Door of +the Sheep-fold, but climbed up another way, and _are the Magicians, +Sorcerers, Inchanters, Soothsayers, Necromancers, and Consulters with +Familiar Spirits, which the Lord will cut off out of the Land_, so +that his People shall have no more Soothsayers; and as Jannes and +Jambres resisted Moses, so do these resist the Truth; Men of corrupt +Minds, reprobate concerning the Faith; but they shall proceed no +farther, for their Folly shall be manifest to all Men, as theirs also +was. Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran +greedily after the Errors of Balaam, for Reward, and Perished in the +Gainsaying of Core. These are Spots in your Feasts of Charity, when +they Feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: Clouds they are +without Water, carried of Winds; Trees, whose Fruit withered, without +Fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the Roots: Raging Waves of the Sea, +foaming out their own Shame, wandring Stars, to whom is reserved the +blackness of Darkness for ever."] + +[Footnote 28: "_Metallographia: or, An History of Metals. Wherein is +declared the signs of Ores and Minerals both before and after digging, +the causes and manner of their generations, their kinds, sorts and +differences; with the description of sundry new Metals or Semi-Metals, +and many other things pertaining to Mineral knowledge. As also, the +handling and shewing of their Vegetability, and the discussion of the +most difficult Questions belonging to Mystical Chymistry, as of the +Philosophers Gold, their Mercury, the Liquor Alkahest, Aurum potabile, +and such like. Gathered forth of the most approved Authors that have +written in Greek, Latine, or High Dutch; With some Observations and +Discoveries of the Author himself. By John Webster, Practitioner in +Physick and Chirurgery. Qui principia naturalia in seipso ignoraverit, +hic jam multum remotus est ab arte nostra, quoniam non habet radicem +veram supra quam intentionem suam fundet. Geber. Sum. perfect. l. c. +i. p. 21._ + + _Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire, + Auricomos quam quis discerpserit arbore foetus._ + _Virg._ Ęneid. l. 6. + +_London, Printed by A.C. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-Head in +Duck-lane, 1671, 4to._"] + +[Footnote 29: Dr. Whitaker's assertion, that Webster was "neglected +alike by the wise and unwise," seems to be a mere _gratis dictum_. The +age of folios was rapidly passing away; but few folios of the period +appear to have been more generally read, if we are to judge at least +from its being frequently mentioned and quoted, than Webster's +_Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft_. The same able writer's "Doubt +whether Sir Matthew Hale ever read Webster's _Discovery of Supposed +Witchcraft_," might easily have been satisfied by a reference to any +common life of that great judge, which would have shown the historian +of Whalley that Hale died before the book was published. Nor is Dr. +Whitaker correct in stating that all tradition of Webster is now lost +in the neighbourhood where he resided. The following anecdote, which +would have delighted him, I had from an old inhabitant of Burnley, to +whom it had been handed down by his grandfather:--In the days of +Webster's fanaticism, during the usurpation, he is stated, in the +zealous crusade then so common against superstitious relics, to have +headed a party by whom the three venerable crosses, now set up in the +churchyard of Whalley, commonly called the Crosses of Paulinus, and +supposed to be coeval with the first preaching of Christianity in the +North of England, were removed and taken away from their site and +appropriated as a boundary fence for some adjoining fields. After the +Restoration, and when his religious views had become sobered and +settled, he is said, in an eager desire to atone for the desecration +of which he had been guilty, to have purchased the crosses from the +person who was then in possession of them, and to have been at the +cost of re-erecting them on their present site, from which no +sacrilegious hand will, I trust, ever again remove them. It is further +said, that Webster's favourite and regular walk, in the latter part of +his life, till his infirmities rendered him unable to take exercise of +any kind, was to the remains of Whalley Abbey; and that a path along +the banks of the stream which glides by those most picturesque and +pleasing ruins, was long called "Webster's Walk." If this tradition be +founded in fact, and I give it as I received it, John Webster, of +Clitheroe, if not identical, as Mr. Collier has contended, with the +dramatic poet of that name, must have felt something assimilated in +spirit to the fine inspiration of those noble lines of the latter:-- + + "I do love these ancient ruins. + We never tread upon them but we set + Our foot upon some reverend history; + And, questionless, here in this open court, + Which now lies naked to the injuries + Of stormy weather, some men lie interred that + Lov'd the Church so well and gave so largely to't, + They thought it should have canopied their bones + Till doomsday: but all things have their end. + Churches and cities, which have diseases like to men, + Must have like death that we have."] + +[Footnote 30: Webster's death took place on the 18th June, 1682. He +left an extensive library, composed principally of chemical, +hermetical, and philosophical works, of which the MSS. catalogue is +now in the possession of my friend, the Rev. T. Corser. I have two +books which appear to have at one time formed part of his collection, +from having his favourite signature, Johannes Hyphantes, in his +autograph, on the title pages. Before I conclude with Webster, I ought +perhaps to observe, that in the valuable edition of the works of +Webster, the dramatic poet, published by the Rev. A. Dyce, that most +accurate and judicious editor has proved indisputably, by an elaborate +argument, that the John Webster, the writer of the _Examen +Academiarum_, and John Webster, the author of the _Displaying of +Supposed Witchcraft_, were one and the same person, who was not +identical with the dramatic writer of the same name. Mr. Dyce does +not, however, appear to have been aware, that the identity of the +author of the _Examen Academiarum_ and the writer on witchcraft is +distinctly stated by Dr. Henry More, in his _Pręfatio Generalissima_, +to the Latin edition of his works, whose testimony being that of a +contemporary, who was, like Webster, "a Cambridge scholar," may +perhaps be considered sufficient, without resorting to internal and +circumstantial evidence. The inscription on Webster's monument in the +chapel of St. Mary Magdalen, at Clitheroe, is too characteristic and +curious to be omitted. I give it entire:-- + + "_Qui hanc figuram intelligunt + Me etiam intellexisse, intelligent._ + + [Illustration] + + _Hic jacet ignotus mundo, mersusque tumultu + Invidię, semper mens tamen ęqua fuit, + Multa tulit veterum ut sciret secreta sophorum + Ac tandem vires noverit ignis aquę._ + + * * * * * + + _Johannes Hyphantes sive Webster, + In villa Spinosa supermontana, in + Parochia silvę cuculatę, in agro + Eboracensi, natus 1610 Feb. 3, + Ergastulum animę deposuit 1682, Junii 18, + Annoq. ętatis suę 72 currente._ + + _Sicq. peroravit moriens mundo huic valedicens, + Aurea pax vivis, requies ęterna sepultis._"] + +But it is necessary to proceed from the authors on witchcraft to that +extraordinary case which forms the subject of the present +republication, and which first gave to Pendle its title to be +considered as the Hartz Forest of England. + +The Forest of Pendle is a portion of the greater one of +Blackburnshire, and is so called from the celebrated mountain of that +name, over the declivity of which it extends and stretches in a long +but interrupted descent of five miles, to the water of Pendle, a +barren and dreary tract. Dr. Whitaker observes of this and the +neighbouring forests, and the remark even yet holds good, "that they +still bear the marks of original barrenness, and recent cultivation; +that they are still distinguished from the ancient freehold tracts +around them, by want of old houses, old woods, high fences; (for these +were forbidden by the forest laws;) by peculiarities of dialect and +manners in their inhabitants; and lastly, by a general air of poverty +which all the opulence of manufactures cannot remove." He considers +that "at an uncertain period during the occupancy of the Lacies, the +first principle of population" (in these forests) commenced; it was +found that these wilds, bleak and barren as they were, might be +occupied to some advantage in breeding young and depasturing lean +"cattle, which were afterwards fattened in the lower domains. +_Vaccaries_, or great upland pastures, were laid out for this purpose; +_booths_ or mansions erected upon them for the residence of herdsmen; +and at the same time that herds of deer were permitted to range at +large as heretofore, _lawnds_, by which are meant parks within a +forest, were inclosed, in order to chase them with greater facility, +or, by confinement, to produce fatter venison. Of these lawnds Pendle +had new and old lawnd, with the contiguous park of Ightenhill." + +In the early part of the seventeenth century, the inhabitants of this +district must have been, with few exceptions, a wretchedly poor and +uncultivated race, having little communication with the occupants of +the more fertile regions around them, and in whose minds superstition, +even yet unextinguished, must have had absolute and uncontrollable +domination. Under the disenchanting influence of steam, manufactures, +and projected rail-roads, still much of the old character of its +population remains. _Hodie manent vestigia ruris._ The "parting +genius" of superstition still clings to the hoary hill tops and rugged +slopes and mossy water sides, along which the old forest stretched its +length, and the voices of ancestral tradition are still heard to speak +from the depth of its quiet hollows, and along the course of its +gurgling streams. He who visits Pendle[31] will yet find that charms +are generally resorted to amongst the lower classes; that there are +hares which, in their persuasion, never can be caught, and which +survive only to baffle and confound the huntsman; that each small +hamlet has its peculiar and gifted personage, whom it is dangerous to +offend; that the wise man and wise woman (the white witches of our +ancestors) still continue their investigations of truth, undisturbed +by the rural police or the progress of the schoolmaster; that each +locality has its haunted house; that apparitions still walk their +ghostly rounds--and little would his reputation for piety avail that +clergyman in the eyes of his parishioners who should refuse to lay +those "extravagant and erring spirits," when requested, by those due +liturgic ceremonies which the orthodoxy of tradition requires. + +[Footnote 31: It was my good fortune to visit this wizard-haunted spot +within the last few weeks, in company with the able and zealous +Archdeacon[A] within whose ecclesiastical cure it is comprized, and to +whose singularly accurate knowledge of this district, and courteous +communication of much valuable information regarding it, I hold myself +greatly indebted. Following, with unequal steps, such a guide, +accompanied, likewise, by an excellent Canon of the Church[B] with all +the "armamentaria coeli" at command against the powers of darkness, +and a lay auxiliary[C], whose friendly converse would make the +roughest journey appear smooth, I need scarcely say, I passed through + + "The forest wyde, + Whose hideous horror and sad trembling sownd + Full griesly seem'd," + +unscathed by the old lords of the soil, and needed not Mengus's Fuga, +Fustis et Flagellum Dęmonum, as a triple coat of mail.] + +[Footnote A: The Venerable the Archdeacon of Manchester, the Rev. John +Rushton, who is also the Incumbent of New Church, in Pendle.] + +[Footnote B: The Rev. Canon Parkinson.] + +[Footnote C: J.B. Wanklyn, Esq.] + +In the early part of the reign of James the first, and at the period +when his execrable statute against witchcraft might have been +sharpening its appetite by a temporary fast for the full meal of blood +by which it was eventually glutted,--for as yet it could count no +recorded victims,--two wretched old women with their families resided +in the Forest of Pendle. Their names were Elizabeth Southernes and Ann +Whittle, better known, perhaps, in the chronicles of witchcraft, by +the appellations of Old Demdike and Old Chattox.[32] Both had +attained, or had reached the verge of the advanced age of eighty, were +evidently in a state of extreme poverty, subsisting with their +families by occasional employment, by mendicancy, but principally, +perhaps, by the assumption of that unlawful power, which commerce with +spirits of evil was supposed to procure, and of which their sex, life, +appearance, and peculiarities, might seem to the prejudiced +neighbourhood in the Forest to render them not unsuitable +depositaries. In both, perhaps, some vindictive wish, which appeared +to have been gratified nearly as soon as uttered, or some one of those +curious coincidences which no individual's life is without, led to an +impression which time, habit, and general recognition would gradually +deepen into full conviction, that each really possessed the powers +which witchcraft was believed to confer. Whether it be with witches as +it is said to be with a much maligned branch of a certain profession, +that it needs two of its members in a district to make its exercise +profitable, it is not for me to say; but it is seldom found that +competition is accompanied by any very amicable feeling in the +competitors, or by a disposition to underrate the value of the +merchandize which each has to offer for sale. Accordingly, great was +the rivalry, constant the feuds, and unintermitting the respective +criminations of the Erictho and Canidia of Pendle,[33] who had opened +shops for the vending of similar contraband commodities, and were +called upon to decry each other's stock, as well as to magnify their +own. Each "gave her little senate laws," and had her own party (or +tail, according to modern phraseology) in the Forest. Some looked up +to and patronized one, and some the other. If old Demdike could boast +that she had Tibb as a familiar, old Chattox was not without her +Fancy. If the former had skill in waxen images, the latter could dig +up the scalps of the dead, and make their teeth serviceable to her +unhallowed purposes. In the anxiety which each felt to outvie the +other, and to secure the greater share of the general custom of a not +very extended or very lucrative market, each would wish to be +represented as more death-dealing, destructive, and powerful than her +neighbour; and she who could number up the most goodly assortment of +damage done to man and beast, whether real or not was quite +immaterial, as long as the draught was spiced and flavoured to suit +the general taste, stood the best chance of obtaining a monopoly. It +is a curious fact, that the son-in-law of one of these two +individuals, and whose wife was herself executed as a witch, paid to +the other a yearly rent,[34] on an express covenant that she should +exempt him from her charms and witchcrafts. Where the possession of a +commission from the powers of darkness was thus eagerly and +ostentatiously paraded, every death, the cause of which was not +perfectly obvious, whether it ended in a sudden termination or a slow +and gradual decline, would be placed to the general account of one of +the two (to use Master Potts's description,) "agents for the devil in +those parts," as the party responsible for these unclaimed dividends +of mortality. Did a cow go mad, or was a horse unaccountably afflicted +with the staggers, the same solution was always at hand to clear +negligence and save the trouble of inquiry; and so far from modestly +disclaiming these atrocities, the only struggle on the parts of +Mothers Demdike and Chattox would be which should first appropriate +them. And in all this it must not be forgotten that their own +credulity was at least as great as the credulity of their neighbours, +and that each had the power in question was so much an admitted point, +that she had long ceased, in all probability, to entertain any doubts +on the subject. With this general conviction on one hand, and a +sincere persuasion on the other, it would be surprising if, in the +course of a few years, the scandalous chronicle of Pendle had not +accumulated a _corpus delicti_ against them, which only required that +"_one of his Majesties Justices in these parts, a very religious +honest gentleman, painful in the service of his country_," should work +the materials into shape, and make "the gruel thick and slab." + +[Footnote 32: The Archdeacon of Manchester suggests that this is +merely a corruption of Chadwick or Chadwicks, and not, as explained in +the Note, p. 19, from her chattering as she went along.] + +[Footnote 33: These bickerings were no doubt exasperated by the +robbery committed upon old Demdike and Alizon Device, which is +detailed in the examinations, some of the _opima spolia_ abstracted on +which occasion she detected on the person of old Chattox's daughter.] + +[Footnote 34: Of an aghendole of meal. Since writing the Note, p. 23, +I am indebted to Miss Clegg, of Hallfoot, near Clitheroe, for +information as to the exact quantity contained in an aghendole, which +is eight pounds. This measure, she informs me, is still in use in +Little Harwood, in the district of Pendle. The Archdeacon of +Manchester considers that an aghendole, or more properly, as generally +pronounced, a nackendole, is a kneading-dole, the quantity of meal, +&c. usually taken for kneading at one time. There can be no doubt that +this is the correct derivation.] + +Such a man was soon found in the representative of the old family of +the Nowels of Read, who, desirous of signalizing himself as an active +and stirring justice, took up the case of these self-accusing +culprits, for both made confessions when examined before him, with a +vigour worthy of a better cause. On the 2nd April, 1612, he committed +old Demdike, old Chattox, Alizon Device, and Anne Redfern to +Lancaster, to take their trial at the next assizes for various murders +and witchcrafts. "Here," says the faithful chronicler, Master Potts, +"they had not stayed a weeke, when their children and friendes being +abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at Malking Tower[35] +in the Forrest of Pendle, vpon Good-fryday, within a weeke after they +were committed, of all the most dangerous, wicked, and damnable +witches in the county farre and neere. Vpon Good-fryday they met, +according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized this great festiuall day +according to their former order, with great cheare, merry company, and +much conference. In the end, in this great assemblie it was decreed +that M. Covell, [he was the gaoler of Lancaster Castle,] by reason of +his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises, the Castle at +Lancaster to be blown up," &c., &c. This witches' convention, so +historically famous, we unquestionably owe to the "painful justice" +whose scent after witches and plots entitled him to a promotion which +he did not obtain. An overt act so alarming and so indisputable, at +once threw the country, far and near, into the greatest +ferment--_furiis surrexit Etruria justis_--while it supplied an +admirable _locus in quo_ for tracing those whose retiring habits had +prevented their propensities to witchcraft from being generally known +to their intimate friends and connexions. The witness by whose +evidence this legend was principally supported, was Jennet Device, a +child about nine years old, and grand-daughter of old Demdike. A more +dangerous tool in the hands of an unscrupulous evidence-compeller, +being at once intelligent, cunning and pliant, than the child proved +herself, it would not have been easy to have discovered. A foundation +being now laid capable of embracing any body of confederates, the +indefatigable justice proceeded in his inquiries, and in the end, +Elizabeth Device the daughter of old Demdike, James Device her son, +Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock, with some +others, were committed for trial at Lancaster. The very curious report +of that trial is contained in the work now republished, which was +compiled under the superintendence of the judges who presided, by +Master Thomas Potts, clerk in court, and present at the trial. His +report, notwithstanding its prolixity and its many repetitions, it has +been thought advisable to publish entire, and the reprint which +follows is as near a fac-simile as possible of the original tract. + +[Footnote 35: Baines confounds Malking-Tower with Hoar-stones, a place +rendered famous by the second case of pretended witchcraft in 1633, +but at some distance from the first-named spot, the residence of +Mother Demdike, which lies in the township of Barrowford. The witch's +mansion-- + + "Where that same wicked wight + Her dwelling had-- + Dark, doleful, dreary, like a greedy grave + That still for carrion carcases doth crave, + On top whereof ay dwelt the ghastly owle, + Shrieking his baleful note, which ever drave + Far from that haunt all other cheerful fowl, + And all about it wandering ghosts did wail and howle"-- + +is now, alas! no more. It stood in a field a little elevated, on a +brow above the building at present called Malking-Tower. The site of +the house or cottage is still distinctly traceable, and fragments of +the plaster are yet to be found imbedded in the boundary wall of the +field. The old road to Gisburne ran almost close to it. It commanded a +most extensive prospect in front, in the direction of Alkincoates, +Colne, and the Yorkshire moors; while in another direction the vast +range of Pendle, nearly intercepted, gloomed in sullen majesty. At the +period when Mother Demdike was in being, Malking-Tower would be at +some distance from any other habitation; its occupier, as the vulgar +would opine-- + + "So choosing solitarie to abide + Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deedes + And hellish arts from people she might hide, + And hurt far off unknown whomever she envide."] + +It is rather strange that Dr. Whitaker, to whom local superstitions +were always matters of the strongest interest, and welcome as manna to +the sojourners in the wilderness,[36] should have been ignorant, not +merely of Master Potts's discovery, but even of the fact of this trial +of the witches in 1612. It is equally singular that Sir Walter Scott +should have forgotten, when writing his letters on Demonology and +Witchcraft, that he had republished this tract, somewhat inaccurately, +but with rather a long introduction and notes, in the third volume of +his edition of the Somers Tracts, which appeared in 1810. He mentions +Potts's _Discoverie_, in the amusing but very inaccurate and imperfect +historical sketch referred to,[37] as a curious and rare book, which +he had then for the first time obtained a sight of. What could have +been his meaning in referring his readers, for an account of Mother +Demdike and a description of Malking Tower, to "Mr. Roby's Antiquities +of Lancaster," that apocryphal historian having given no such account +or description, and having published no such work, it is rather +difficult to conjecture. + +[Footnote 36: In a scarce little book, "The Triumph of Sovereign +Grace, or a Brand plucked out of the Fire, by David Crosly, Minister, +Manchester," 1743, 12mo., which I owe to the kindness of the very able +historian of Cheshire, George Ormerod, Esq., Dr. Whitaker, to whom the +volume formerly belonged, has been at the pains of chronicling the +superstitions connected with a family, ranking amongst the more +opulent yeomen of Cliviger, of the name of Briercliffe, on the +execution of one of whom for murder the tract was published. The +Briercliffe's, from the curious anecdotes which the Doctor gives with +great unction, appear to have been one of those gloomy and fated +races, dogged by some unassuageable Nemesis, in which crime and horror +are transmitted from generation to generation with as much certainty +as the family features and name.] + +[Footnote 37: We yet want a full, elaborate, and satisfactory history +of witchcraft. Hutchinson's is the only account we have which enters +at all at length into the detail of the various cases; but his +materials were generally collected from common sources, and he +confines himself principally to English cases. The European history of +witchcraft embraces so wide a field, and requires for its just +completion a research so various, that there is little probability, I +fear, of this _desideratum_ being speedily supplied.] + +With all his habitual tautology and grave absurdity, Master Potts is, +nevertheless, a faithful and accurate chronicler, and we owe his +memory somewhat for furnishing us with so elaborate a report of what +took place on this trial, and giving us, "in their own country terms," +the examinations of the witnesses, which contain much which throws +light on the manners and language of the times, and nearly all that is +necessary to enable us to form a judgment on the proceedings. It will +be observed that he follows with great exactness the course pursued in +court, in opening the case and recapitulating the evidence separately +against each prisoner, so as most graphically to place before us the +whole scene as it occurred. The part in which he is felt to be most +deficient, is in the want of some further account of the prisoners +convicted, from the trial up to the time of their execution. To Master +Potts, a man of legal forms and ceremonies, the entire interest in the +case seems to have come in and gone out with the judge's trumpets. + +As most of the points in the trial which appeared to require +observation, have been adverted to in the notes which follow the +reprint, it is not considered necessary to enter into any analysis or +review of the evidence adduced at the trial, which presents such a +miserable mockery of justice. Mother Demdike, it will be seen, died in +prison before the trial came on. Of the Pendle witches four, namely +Old Chattox, Elizabeth Device, James Device, and Alizon Device, had +all made confessions, and had little chance, therefore, of escaping +condemnation. They were all found guilty; and with them were +convicted, Anne Redfern, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John +Bulcock, and Jane Bulcock, who were all of Pendle or its +neighbourhood, and who maintained their innocence and refused to make +any confession. They were executed, along with the first-mentioned +four and Isabel Robey, who was of Windle, in the parish of Prescot, +and had been found guilty of similar practises, the day after the +trial, viz. on the 18th of August, 1612, "at the common place of +execution near to Lancaster." + +The main interest in reviewing this miserable band of victims will be +felt to centre in Alice Nutter.[38] Wealthy, well conducted, well +connected, and placed probably on an equality with most of the +neighbouring families and the magistrate before whom she was brought, +and by whom she was committed, she deserves to be distinguished from +the companions with whom she suffered, and to attract an attention +which has never yet been directed towards her.[39] That Jennet Device, +on whose evidence she was convicted, was instructed to accuse her by +her own nearest relatives, to whom "superfluous lagged the veteran on +the stage," and that the magistrate, Roger Nowell, entered actively as +a confederate into the conspiracy from a grudge entertained against +her on account of a long disputed boundary, are allegations which +tradition has preserved, but the truth or falsehood of which, at this +distance of time, it is scarcely possible satisfactorily to examine. +With such a witness, however, as Jennet Device, and such an admirable +engine as the meeting at Malking-Tower, the guests at which she could +multiply _ad libitum_, doling out the _plaat_, as Titus Oates would +call it, by such instalments, and in such fragmentary portions, as +would conduce to an easy digestion of the whole, the wonder seems not +to be, that one unfortunate victim of a higher class should have +perished in the meshes of artful and complicated villainy, but that +its ramifications were not more extensive, and still more fatal and +destructive. From one so capable of taking a hint as the little +precocious prodigy of wickedness, in whose examination, Potts tells +us, "_Mr. Nowell took such great paines_," a very summary deliverance +might be expected from troublesome neighbours, or still more +troublesome relatives; and if, by a leading question, she could only +be induced to marshal them in their allotted places at the witches' +imaginary banquet, there was little doubt of their taking their +station at a place of meeting where the sad realities of life were +only to be encountered, "the common place of execution near to +Lancaster." + +[Footnote 38: The explorer of Pendle will find the mansion of Alice +Nutter, Rough Lee, still standing. It is impossible to look at it, +recollecting the circumstances of her case, without being strongly +interested. It is a very substantial, and rather a fine specimen of +the houses of the inferior gentry in the time of James the first, and +is now divided into cottages. On one of the side walls is an +inscription, almost entirely obliterated, which contained the date of +the building and the initials of the name of its first owner. At a +little distance from Rough Lee, pursuing the course of the stream, he +will find the foundations of an ancient mill, and the millstones still +unremoved, though the building itself has been pulled down long ago. +This was, doubtless, the mill of Richard Baldwin, the miller, who, as +stated in Old Demdike's confession, ejected her and Alizon Device her +daughter, from his land so contumeliously; immediately after which her +"Spirit or divell called Tibb appeared, and sayd Revenge thee of him." +Greenhead, the residence of Robert Nutter, one of the reputed victims +of the prisoners tried on this occasion, is at some distance from +Rough Lee, and is yet in good preservation, and occupied as a +farmhouse.] + +[Footnote 39: The instances are very few in England in which the +statute of James the first was brought to bear against any but the +lowest classes of the people. Indeed, there are not many attempts +reported to attack the rich and powerful with weapons derived from its +provisions. One of such attempts, which did not, like that against +Alice Nutter, prove successful, is narrated in a curious and scarce +pamphlet, which I have now before me, with this title--"Wonderful News +from the North, or a true Relation of the sad and grievous Torments +inflicted upon the Bodies of three children of Mr. George Muschamp, +late of the County of Northumberland, by Witchcraft, and how +miraculously it pleased God to strengthen them and to deliver them; as +also the prosecution of the say'd Witches, as by Oaths and their own +Confessions will appear, and by the Indictment found by the Jury +against one of them at the Sessions of the Peace held at Alnwick, the +24th day of April, 1650. London, printed by T.H., and are to be sold +by Richard Harper at his Shop in Smithfield. 1650," 4to. This was +evidently a diabolical plot, in which these children were made the +puppets, and which was got up to accomplish the destruction of a +person of condition, Mrs. Dorothy Swinnow, the wife of Colonel +Swinnow, of Chatton, in Northumberland, and from which she had great +difficulty in escaping.] + +The trial of the Samlesbury witches, Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, +and Jane Southworth, forms a curious episode in Potts's _Discoverie_. +A Priest or Jesuit, of the name of Thomson, _alias_ Southworth, had +tutored the principal evidence, Grace Sowerbuts, a girl of the age of +fourteen, but who had not the same instinctive genius for perjury as +Jennet Device, to accuse the three persons above mentioned of having +bewitched her; "so that," as the indictment runs, "by means thereof +her body wasted and consumed." "The chief object," says Sir Walter +Scott, "in this imposture, was doubtless the advantage and promotion +of the Catholic cause, as the patient would have been in due time +exorcised and the fiend dispossessed, by the same priest who had +taught her to counterfeit the fits. Revenge against the women, who had +become proselytes to the Church of England, was probably an additional +motive." But the imposture broke down, from the inability of the +principal witness to support the scheme of deception. Unsuccessful, +however, as it proved, the time was well chosen, the groundwork +excellently laid, the evidence industriously got up, and it must ever +deserve a prominent place in the history--a history, how delightful +when it shall be written in the spirit of philosophy and with due +application of research--of human fraud and imposture. + +We can only speculate, of course, on such an occasion, but perhaps no +trial is recorded as having taken place, with the results of which +every body, the parties convicted only excepted, was, in all +probability, better pleased or satisfied, than at this witch trial at +Lancaster in 1612. The mob would be delighted with a pageant, always +acceptable, in the execution of ten witches; and still more, that one +of them was of a rank superior to their own;--the judge had no doubt, +in his opinion, avoided each horn of the dilemma--the abomination +mentioned in Scripture--punishing the innocent or letting the guilty +go free--by tracking guilt with well breathed sagacity, and +unravelling imposture with unerring skill;--a Jesuit had been +unkennelled, a spectacle as gratifying to a serious Protestant in +those days, as running down a fox to a thorough sportsman;--a plot had +been discovered which might have made Lancaster Castle "to topple on +its warders" and "slope its head to its foundations," and Master +Cowell, who had held so many inquests, to vanish without leaving +anything in his own person whereon an inquest could be holden;--a +pestilent nest of incorrigible witches had been dug out and rooted up, +and Pendle Hill placed under sanatory regulations;--and last, and not +least, as affording matter of pride and exultation to every loyal +subject, a commentary had at last been collected for two texts, which +had long called for some such support without finding it, King James's +_Demonology_, and his statute against witchcraft. When the +_Discoverie_ of Master Potts, with its rich treasury of illustrative +evidence, came to hand, would not the monarch be the happiest man in +his dominions! + +Twenty years after the publication of the tract now reprinted, Pendle +Forest again became the scene of pretended witchcrafts; and from +various circumstances, the trial which took place then (in 1633) has +acquired even greater notoriety than the one which preceded it, though +no Master Potts could be found to transmit a report of the proceedings +in the second case, a deficiency which is greatly to be lamented. The +particulars are substantially comprised in the following examination, +which is given from the copy in Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 213, which, +on comparison, is unquestionably more accurate than the other two +versions, in Webster, p. 347, and Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. i. p. +604:[40]-- + +[Footnote 40: The copy in Baines is from the Harl. MSS., cod. 6854, +fo. 26 _b_, and though inserted in his history as more correct than +that in Whitaker's Whalley, is so disfigured by errors, particularly +in the names of persons and places, as to be utterly unintelligible. +From what source Whitaker derived his transcript does not appear; for +the confession of Margaret Johnson he cites Dodsworth MSS. in Bodleian +Lib., vol. 61, p. 47.] + + +"THE EXAMINATION OF EDMUND ROBINSON, + +"Son of _Edm. Robinson_, of _Pendle_ forest, mason,[41] taken at +_Padiham_ before _Richard Shuttleworth_[42] and _John Starkie_,[43] +Esqs. two of his majesty's justices of the peace, within the county of +_Lancaster_, 10th of February, A.D. 1633. + +[Footnote 41: "The informer was one Edmund Robinson (yet living at the +writing hereof, and commonly known by the name of Ned of Roughs) whose +Father was by trade a Waller, and but a poor Man, and they finding +that they were believed and had incouragement by the adjoyning +Magistrates, and the persons being committed to prison or bound over +to the next Assizes, the boy, his Father and some others besides did +make a practice to go from Church to Church that the Boy might reveal +and discover Witches, pretending that there was a great number at the +pretended meeting whose faces he could know, and by that means they +got a good living, that in a short space the Father bought a Cow or +two, when he had none before. And it came to pass that this said Boy +was brought into the Church of Kildwick a large parish Church, where I +(being then Curate there) was preaching in the afternoon, and was set +upon a stall (he being but about ten or eleven years old) to look +about him, which moved some little disturbance in the Congregation for +a while. And after prayers I inquiring what the matter was, the people +told me that it was the Boy that discovered Witches, upon which I went +to the house where he was to stay all night, where I found him, and +two very unlikely persons that did conduct him, and manage the +business; I desired to have some discourse with the Boy in private, +but that they utterly refused; then in the presence of a great many +people, I took the Boy near me, and said: Good Boy tell me truly, and +in earnest, did thou see and hear such strange things of the meeting +of Witches, as is reported by many that thou dost relate, or did not +some person teach thee to say such things of thy self? But the two men +not giving the Boy leave to answer, did pluck him from me, and said he +had been examined by two able Justices of the Peace, and they did +never ask him such a question, to whom I replied, the persons accused +had therefore the more wrong."--Webster's _Displaying of Witchcraft_, +p. 276.] + +[Footnote 42: This was Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorp, Esq., who +married the daughter and heiress of R. Fleetwood, Esq., of Barton, and +died June 1669, aged 82.] + +[Footnote 43: John Starkie, Esq., of the family of Starkie of +Huntroyd, the same probably who was sheriff of Lancashire 9 Charles I, +and one of the seven demoniacs at Cleworth in the year 1595, on whose +evidence Hartley was hanged for witchcraft. Having commenced so early, +he must by this time have qualified himself, if he only improved the +advantages of his Cleworth education, to take the chair and proceed as +professor, in all matters appertaining to witchcraft.] + +"Who informeth upon oath, (beeinge examined concerninge the greate +meetings of the witches) and saith, that upon All-saints day last +past, hee, this informer, beeinge with one _Henry Parker_, a neare +doore neighbor to him in _Wheatley-lane_,[44] desyred the said +_Parker_ to give him leave to get some bulloes,[45] which hee did. In +which tyme of gettinge bulloes, hee sawe two greyhounds, viz. a blacke +and a browne one, came runninge over the next field towards him, he +verily thinkinge the one of them to bee Mr. _Nutters_,[46] and the +other to bee Mr. _Robinsons_,[47] the said Mr. _Nutter_ and Mr. +_Robinson_ havinge then such like. And the said greyhounds came to him +and fawned on him, they havinge about theire necks either of them a +coller, and to either of which collers was tyed a stringe, which +collers as this informer affirmeth did shine like gould, and hee +thinkinge that some either of Mr. _Nutter's_ or Mr. _Robinson's_ +family should have followed them: but seeinge noe body to followe +them, he tooke the said greyhounds thinkinge to hunt with them, and +presently a hare did rise very neare before him, at the sight whereof +he cryed, loo, loo, but the dogges would not run. Whereupon beeinge +very angry, he tooke them, and with the strings that were at theire +collers tyed either of them to a little bush on the next hedge, and +with a rod that hee had in his hand, hee bett them. And in stede of +the blacke greyhound, one _Dickonson_ wife stoode up (a neighb^r.) +whom this informer knoweth, and in steade of the browne greyhound a +little boy whom this informer knoweth not. At which sight this +informer beeinge affraid indevoured to run away: but beeinge stayed by +the woman, viz. by _Dickonson's_ wife, shee put her hand into her +pocket, and pulled out a peace of silver much like to a faire +shillinge, and offered to give him to hould his tongue, and not to +tell, whiche hee refused, sayinge, nay thou art a witch; Whereupon +shee put her hand into her pocket againe, and pulled out a stringe +like unto a bridle[48] that gingled, which shee put upon the litle +boyes heade that stood up in the browne greyhounds steade; whereupon +the said boy stood up a white horse. Then immediately the said +_Dickonson_ wife tooke this informer before her upon the said horse, +and carried him to a new house called _Hoarestones_,[49] beinge about +a quarter of a mile off, whither, when they were comme, there were +divers persons about the doore, and hee sawe divers others cominge +rideinge upon horses of severall colours towards the said house, which +tyed theire horses to a hedge neare to the sed house; and which +persons went into the sed house, to the number of threescore or +thereabouts, as this informer thinketh, where they had a fyer and +meate roastinge, and some other meate stirringe in the house, whereof +a yonge woman whom hee this informer knoweth not, gave him flesh and +breade upon a trencher, and drinke in a glasse, which, after the first +taste, hee refused, and would have noe more, and said it was nought. +And presently after, seeinge diverse of the company goinge to a barn +neare adioyneinge,[50] hee followed after, and there he sawe sixe of +them kneelinge, and pullinge at sixe severall roapes which were +fastened or tyed to ye toppe of the house; at or with which pullinge +came then in this informers sight flesh smoakeinge, butter in lumps, +and milke as it were syleinge[51] from the said roapes, all which fell +into basons whiche were placed under the saide roapes. And after that +these sixe had done, there came other sixe which did likewise, and +duringe all the tyme of theire so pullinge, they made such foule faces +that feared[52] this informer, soe as hee was glad to steale out and +run home, whom, when they wanted, some of theire company came runninge +after him neare to a place in a high way, called Boggard-hole,[53] +where this informer met two horsemen, at the sight whereof the sed +persons left followinge him, and the foremost of which persons yt +followed him, hee knoweth to bee one _Loynd_ wife, which said wife, +together with one _Dickonson_ wife, and one _Jenet Davies_[54] he hath +seene at severall tymes in a croft or close adioninge to his fathers +house, whiche put him in a greate feare. And further, this informer +saith, upon Thursday after New Yeares day last past, he sawe the sed +_Loynd_ wife sittinge upon a crosse peece of wood, beeinge within the +chimney of his father's dwellinge house, and hee callinge to her, +said, come downe thou _Loynd_ wife, and immediately the sed _Loynd_ +wife went up out of his sight. And further, this informer saith, yt +after hee was comme from ye company aforesed to his father's house, +beeinge towards eveninge, his father bad him goe fetch home two kyne +to seale,[55] and in the way, in a field called the Ollers, hee +chanced to hap upon a boy, who began to quarrell with him, and they +fought soe together till this informer had his eares made very bloody +by fightinge, and lookinge downe, hee sawe the boy had a cloven foote, +at which sight hee was affraid, and ran away from him to seeke the +kyne. And in the way hee sawe a light like a lanthorne, towards which +he made hast, supposinge it to bee carried by some of Mr. _Robinson's_ +people: But when hee came to the place, hee onley found a woman +standinge on a bridge, whom, when hee sawe her, he knewe to bee +_Loynd_ wife, and knowinge her, he turned backe againe, and immediatly +hee met with ye aforesed boy, from whom he offered to run, which boy +gave him a blow on the back which caus'd him to cry. And hee farther +saith, yt when hee was in the barne, he sawe three women take three +pictures from off the beame, in the which pictures many thornes, or +such like things sticked, and yt _Loynd_ wife tooke one of the said +pictures downe, but thother two women yt tooke thother two pictures +downe hee knoweth not.[56] And beeinge further asked, what persons +were at ye meeteinge aforesed, hee nominated these persons hereafter +mentioned, viz. _Dickonson_ wife, _Henry Priestley_ wife and her sone, +_Alice Hargreaves_ widdowe, _Jennet Davies_, _Wm. Davies_, uxor. +_Hen. Jacks_ and her sone _John_, _James Hargreaves_ of _Marsden_, +_Miles_ wife of _Dicks_, _James_ wife, _Saunders_ sicut credit, +_Lawrence_ wife of _Saunders_, _Loynd_ wife, _Buys_ wife of +_Barrowford_, one _Holgate_ and his wife sicut credit, _Little Robin_ +wife of _Leonard's_, of the _West Cloase_.[57] + +[Footnote 44: Wheatley-lane is still a place of note in Pendle.] + +[Footnote 45: Wild plums.] + +[Footnote 46: It would seem as if a case of witchcraft in Pendle, +without a Nutter in some way connected with it, could not occur.] + +[Footnote 47: What Mr. Robinson is intended does not appear. It was a +common name in Pendle. It is, however, a curious fact, that a family +of this name, _with the alias of Swyer_, (see Potts, confession of +Elizabeth Device,) is even now, or very recently was, to be met with +in Pendle, of whom the John Robinson, _alias_ Swyer, one of the +supposed victims of Witchcraft, was probably an ancestor. There are +few instances of an _alias_ being similarly transmitted in families +for upwards of two centuries.] + +[Footnote 48: Mother Dickenson, as Sir Walter Scott remarks, brings to +mind the magician Queen in the Arabian Tales.] + +[Footnote 49: This house is still standing, and though it has +undergone some modernizations, has every appearance of having been +built about this period.] + +[Footnote 50: The old barn, so famous as the scene of these exploits, +is no longer extant. A more modern and very substantial one has now +been erected on its site.] + +[Footnote 51: Syleing, from the verb sile or syle, to strain, to pass +through a strainer. See Jamieson, under "sile."] + +[Footnote 52: Frightened.] + +[Footnote 53: Boggard Hole lies in a hollow, near to Hoarstones, and +is still known by that name.] + +[Footnote 54: "It is the sport to see the engineer hoist with his own +petar." Her old occupation as witness having got into other hands, +Janet or Jennet Davies, or Device, for the person spoken of appears to +be the same with the grand-daughter of Old Demdike, on whose evidence +three members of her family were executed, has now to take her place +amongst the witnessed against.] + +[Footnote 55: Seale, from sele, _s._ a yoke for binding cattle in the +stall. Sal (A.S.) denotes "a collar or bond." Somner. Sile (Isl.) +seems to bear the very same sense with our sele, being exp. a ligament +of leather by which cattle and other things are bound. Vide Jamieson, +under "sele."] + +[Footnote 56: Heywood and Broome, in their play, "The late Lancashire +Witches," 1634, 4to, follow the terms of this deposition very closely. +It is very probable that they had seen and conversed with the boy, to +whom, when taken up to London, there was a great resort of company. +The Lancashire dialect, as given in this play, and by no means +unfaithfully, was perhaps derived from conversations with some of the +actors in this drama of real life, a drama quite as extraordinary as +any that Heywood's imagination ever bodied forth from the world of +fiction. + +"_Enter Boy with a switch._ + +_Boy._ Now I have gathered Bullies, and fild my bellie pretty well, +i'le goe see some sport. There are gentlemen coursing in the medow +hard by; and 'tis a game that I love better than going to Schoole ten +to one. + +_Enter an invisible spirit. J. Adson[D] with a brace of greyhounds._ + +What have we here a brace of Greyhounds broke loose from their +masters: it must needs be so, for they have both their Collers and +slippes about their neckes. Now I looke better upon them, me thinks I +should know them, and so I do: these are Mr. Robinsons dogges, that +dwels some two miles off, i'le take them up, and lead them home to +their master; it may be something in my way, for he is as liberall a +gentleman, as any is in our countrie, Come Hector, come. Now if I c'ud +but start a Hare by the way, kill her, and carry her home to my +supper, I should thinke I had made a better afternoones worke of it +than gathering of bullies. Come poore curres along with me. + +_Exit._" + + * * * * * + +"_Enter Boy with the Greyhounds._ + +A Hare, a Hare, halloe, halloe, the Divell take these curres, will +they not stir, halloe, halloe, there, there, there, what are they +growne so lither and so lazie? Are Mr. Robinsons dogges turn'd tykes +with a wanion? the Hare is yet in sight, halloe, halloe, mary hang you +for a couple of mungrils (if you were worth hanging,) and have you +serv'd me thus? nay then ile serve you with the like sauce, you shall +to the next bush, there will I tie you, and use you like a couple of +curs as you are, and though not lash you, yet lash you whilest my +switch will hold, nay since you have left your speed, ile see if I can +put spirit into you, and put you in remembrance what halloe, halloe +meanes. + +_As he beats them, there appeared before him Gooddy_ Dickison, _and +the Boy upon the dogs, going in._ + +Now blesse me heaven, one of the Greyhounds turn'd into a woman, the +other into a boy! The lad I never saw before, but her I know well; it +is my gammer _Dickison_. + +_G. Dick._ Sirah, you have serv'd me well to swindge me thus. You yong +rogue, you have vs'd me like a dog. + +_Boy._ When you had put your self into a dogs skin, I pray how c'ud I +help it; but gammer are not you a Witch? if you bee, I beg upon my +knees you will not hurt me. + +_Dickis._ Stand up my boie, for thou shalt have no harme, +Be silent, speake of nothing thou hast seene. +And here's a shilling for thee. + +_Boy._ Ile have none of your money, gammer, because you are a Witch; +and now she is out of her foure leg'd shape, ile see if with my two +legs I can out-run her. + +_Dickis._ Nay sirra, though you be yong, and I old, you are not so +nimble, nor I so lame, but I can overtake you. + +_Boy._ But Gammer what do you meane to do with me +Now you have me? + +_Dickis._ To hugge thee, stroke thee, and embrace thee thus, +And teach thee twentie thousand prety things, +So thou tell no tales; and boy this night +Thou must along with me to a brave feast. + +_Boy._ Not I gammer indeed la, I dare not stay out late, +My father is a fell man, and if I bee out long, will both +chide and beat me. + +_Dickis._ Not sirra, then perforce thou shalt along, +This bridle helps me still at need, +And shall provide us of a steed. +Now sirra, take your shape and be +Prepar'd to hurrie him and me. + +_Exit._ + +Now looke and tell mee wher's the lad become. + +_Boy._ The boy is vanisht, and I can see nothing in his stead +But a white horse readie sadled and bridled. + +_Dickis._ And thats the horse we must bestride, +On which both thou and I must ride, +Thou boy before and I behinde, +The earth we tread not, but the winde, +For we must progresse through the aire, +And I will bring thee to such fare +As thou ne're saw'st, up and away, +For now no longer we can stay. + +_She catches him up, and turning round._ + +_Boy._ Help, help. + +_Exit._" + + * * * * * + +"_Rob._ What place is this? it looks like an old barne: ile peep in at +some cranny or other, and try if I can see what they are doing. Such a +bevy of beldames did I never behold; and cramming like so many +Cormorants: Marry choke you with a mischiefe. + +_Gooddy Dickison._ Whoope, whurre, heres a sturre, +Never a cat, never a curre, +But that we must have this demurre. + +_Mal._ A second course. + +_Mrs. Gen._ Pull, and pull hard +For all that hath lately him prepar'd +For the great wedding feast. + +_Mall._ As chiefe +Of Doughtyes Surloine of rost Beefe. + +_All._ Ha, ha, ha. + +_Meg._ 'Tis come, 'tis come. + +_Mawd._ Where hath it all this while beene? + +_Meg._ Some +Delay hath kept it, now 'tis here, +For bottles next of wine and beere, +The Merchants cellers they shall pay for't. + +_Mrs. Gener._ Well, +What sod or rost meat more, pray tell. + +_Good. Dick._ Pul for the Poultry, Foule, and Fish, +For emptie shall not be a dish. + +_Robin._ A pox take them, must only they feed upon hot meat, and I +upon nothing but cold sallads. + +_Mrs. Gener._ This meat is tedious, now some Farie, +Fetch what belongs unto the Dairie, + +_Mal._ Thats Butter, Milk, Whey, Curds and Cheese, +Wee nothing by the bargaine leese. + +_All._ Ha, ha, ha. + +_Goody Dickison._ Boy, theres meat for you. + +_Boy._ Thanke you. + +_Gooddy Dickis._ And drinke too. + +_Meg._ What Beast was by thee hither rid? + +_Mawd._ A Badger nab. + +_Meg._ And I bestrid +A Porcupine that never prickt. + +_Mal._ The dull sides of a Beare I kickt. +I know how you rid, Lady Nan. + +_Mrs. Gen._ Ha, ha, ha, upon the knave my man. + +_Rob._ A murrein take you, I am sure my hoofes payd for't. + +_Boy._ Meat lie there, for thou hast no taste, and drinke there, for +thou hast no relish, for in neither of them is there either salt or +savour. + +_All._ Pull for the posset, pull. + +_Robin._ The brides posset on my life, nay if they come to their +spoone meat once, I hope theil breake up their feast presently. + +_Mrs. Gen._ So those that are our waiters nere, +Take hence this Wedding cheere. +We will be lively all, +And make this barn our hall. + +_Gooddy Dick._ You our Familiers, come. +In speech let all be dumbe, +And to close up our Feast, +To welcome every gest +A merry round let's daunce. + +_Meg._ Some Musicke then ith aire +Whilest thus by paire and paire, +We nimbly foot it; strike. + +_Musick._ + +_Mal._ We are obeyd. + +_Sprite._ And we hels ministers shall lend our aid. + +_Dance and Song together. In the time of which the Boy speakes._ + +_Boy._ Now whilest they are in their jollitie, and do not mind me, ile +steale away, and shift for my selfe, though I lose my life for't. + +_Exit._" + + * * * * * + +"_Dought._ He came to thee like a Boy thou sayest, about thine own +bignesse? + +_Boy._ Yes Sir, and he asked me where I dwelt, and what my name was. + +_Dough._ Ah Rogue! + +_Boy._ But it was in a quarrelsome way; Whereupon I was as stout, and +ask'd him who made him an examiner? + +_Dough._ Ah good Boy. + +_Mil._ In that he was my Sonne. + +_Boy._ He told me he would know or beat it out of me, +And I told him he should not, and bid him doe his worst; +And to't we went. + +_Dough._ In that he was my sonne againe, ha boy; I see him at it now. + +_Boy._ We fought a quarter of an houre, till his sharpe nailes made my +eares bleed. + +_Dough._ O the grand Divell pare 'em. + +_Boy._ I wondred to finde him so strong in my hands, seeming but of +mine owne age and bignesse, till I looking downe, perceived he had +clubb'd cloven feet like Oxe feet; but his face was as young as mine. + +_Dought._ A pox, but by his feet, he may be the Club-footed +Horse-coursers father, for all his young lookes. + +_Boy._ But I was afraid of his feet, and ran from him towards a light +that I saw, and when I came to it, it was one of the Witches in white +upon a Bridge, that scar'd me backe againe, and then met me the Boy +againe, and he strucke me and layd mee for dead. + +_Mil._ Till I wondring at his stay, went out and found him in the +Trance; since which time, he has beene haunted and frighted with +Goblins, 40 times; and never durst tell any thing (as I sayd) because +the Hags had so threatned him till in his sicknes he revealed it to +his mother. + +_Dough._ And she told no body but folkes on't. Well Gossip Gretty, as +thou art a Miller, and a close thiefe, now let us keepe it as close as +we may till we take 'hem, and see them handsomly hanged o'the way: Ha +my little Cuffe-divell, thou art a made man. Come, away with me. + +_Exeunt._" + +Heywood and Broome's _Late Lancashire Witches_, Acts 2 and 3.] + +[Footnote D: _Sic in orig._] + +[Footnote 57: These names are thus given in Baines's Transcript:-- + +"Dickensons +Henrie Priestleyes wife and his ladd +Alice Hargrave, widdowe +Jane Davies (als. Jennet Device) +William Davies +The wife of Henrie Offep and her sonnes +John and Myles +The wife of Duckers +James Hargrave of Maresden +Loyards wife +James wife +Sanders wife, And as hee beleeveth +Lawnes wife +Sander Pynes wife of Baraford +One Foolegate and his wife +And Leonards of the West Close." + +And thus in Webster:-- + +"Dickensons Wife, Henry Priestleys Wife, and his Lad, Alice Hargreene +Widow, Jane Davies, William Davies, and the Wife of Henry Fackes, and +her Sons John and Miles, the Wife of ---- Denneries, James Hargreene +of Marsdead, Loynd's Wife, one James his Wife, Saunders his Wife, and +Saunders himself _sicut credit_, one Laurence his Wife, one Saunder +Pyn's Wife of Barraford, one Holgate and his Wife of Leonards of the +West close."] + +"_Edmund Robinson_ of _Pendle_, father of ye sd _Edmunde Robinson_, +the aforesaid informer, upon oath saith, that upon _All Saints' Day_, +he sent his sone, the aforesed informer, to fetch home two kyne to +seale, and saith yt hee thought his sone stayed longer than he should +have done, went to seeke him, and in seekinge him, heard him cry very +pittifully, and found him soe afraid and distracted, yt hee neither +knew his father, nor did know where he was, and so continued very +neare a quarter of an hower before he came to himselfe,[58] and he +tould this informer, his father, all the particular passages yt are +before declared in the said _Edmund Robinson_, his sone's +information." + +[Footnote 58: The learned "practitioner in physick," Mr. William +Drage, in his "Treatise of Diseases from Witchcraft," published Lond. +1668, 4to. p. 22, recommends "birch" in such cases, "as a specifical +medicine, antipathetical to demons." One can only lament that this +valuable remedy was not vigorously applied in the present instance, as +well as in most others in which these juvenile sufferers appear. I +doubt whether, in the whole Materia Medica, a more powerful +_Lamia-fuge_ could have been discovered, or one which would have been +more universally successful, if applied perseveringly, whenever the +suspicious symptoms recurred. The following is, however, Drage's great +panacea in these cases, a mode of treatment which must have been +vastly popular, judging from its extensive adoption in all parts of +the country: "_Punish the witch, threaten to hang her if she helps not +the sick, scratch her and fetch blood. When she is cast into prison +the sick are some time delivered, some time he or she (they are most +females, most old women, and most poor,) must transfer the disease to +other persons, sometimes to a dog, or horse, or cow, &c. Threaten her +and beat her to remove it._"--Drage, p. 23.] + +The name of Margaret Johnson does not appear in Edmund Robinson's +examination. Whether accused or not, the opportunity was too alluring +to be lost by a personage full of matter, being like old Mause +Headrigg, "as a bottle that lacketh vent," and too desirous of +notoriety, to let slip such an occasion. She made, on the 2nd of March +following, before the same justices who had taken Robinson's +examination, the following confession, which must have been considered +a most instructive one by those who were in search of some short _vade +mecum_ of the statistics of witchcraft in Pendle:-- + + +"THE CONFESSION OF MARGARET JOHNSON. + +"That betwixt seaven and eight yeares since, shee beeinge in her owne +house in _Marsden_, in a greate passion of anger and discontent, and +withall pressed with some want, there appeared unto her a spirit or +devill in ye proportion or similitude of a man, apparrelled in a suite +of blacke, tyed about with silk points, who offered yt if shee would +give him her soule hee would supply all her wants, and bringe to her +whatsoever shee did neede. And at her appointment would in revenge +either kill or hurt whom or what shee desyred, weare it man or beast. +And saith, yt after a solicitation or two shee contracted and +covenanted with ye said devill for her soule. And yt ye said devill or +spirit badde her call him by the name of _Mamilian_. And when shee +would have him to doe any thinge for her, call in _Mamilian_, and hee +would bee ready to doe her will. And saith, yt in all her talke or +conference shee calleth her said devill, _Mamil_ my God. Shee further +saith, yt ye said _Mamilian_, her devill, (by her consent) did abuse +and defile her body by comittinge wicked uncleannesse together. And +saith, yt shee was not at the greate meetings at _Hoarestones_, at the +forest of _Pendle_, upon All-Saints Day, where ----. But saith yt shee +was at a second meetinge ye Sunday next after All-Saints Day, at the +place aforesaid; where there was at yt tyme between 30 and 40 witches, +who did all ride to the said meetinge, and the end of theire said +meeting was to consult for the killinge and hurtinge of men and +beasts. And yt besides theire particular familiars or spirits, there +was one greate or grand devill or spirit more eminent than the rest. +And if any desyre to have a greate and more wonderfull devill, whereby +they may have more power to hurt, they may have one such. And sayth, +yt such witches as have sharp bones given them by the devill to pricke +them, have no pappes or dugges whereon theire devill may sucke, but +theire devill receiveth bloud from the place, pricked with the bone. +And they are more grand witches than any yt have marks. Shee allsoe +saith, yt if a witch have but one marke, shee hath but one spirit, if +two then two spirits, if three yet but two spirits. And saith, yt +theire spirits usually have knowledge of theire bodies. And being +desyred to name such as shee knewe to be witches, shee named, &c.[59] +And if they would torment a man, they bid theire spirit goe and tormt. +him in any particular place. And yt Good-Friday is one constant day +for a yearely generall meetinge of witches. And yt on Good-Friday +last, they had a meetinge neare _Pendle_ water syde. Shee alsoe saith, +that men witches usually have women spirits, and women witches men +spirits. And theire devill or spirit gives them notice of theire +meetinge, and tells them the place where it must bee. And saith, if +they desyre to be in any place upon a sodaine, theire devill or spirit +will upon a rodde, dogge, or any thinge els, presently convey them +thither: yea, into any roome of a man's house. But shee saith it is +not the substance of theire bodies, but theire spirit assumeth such +form and shape as goe into such roomes. Shee alsoe saith, yt ye devill +(after he begins to sucke) will make a pappe or dugge in a short tyme, +and the matter which hee sucks is blood. And saith yt theire devills +can cause foule weather and storms, and soe did at theire meetings. +Shee alsoe saith yt when her devill did come to sucke her pappe, hee +usually came to her in ye liknes of a cat, sometymes of one colour and +sometymes of an other. And yt since this trouble befell her, her +spirit hath left her, and shee never sawe him since." + +[Footnote 59: The omission here is thus supplied in Baines's +Transcript; but the actual names are scarcely to be recognised, from +the clerical errors of the copy:-- + +"One Pickerne and his wife both of Wyndwall, +Rawson of Clore and his wife +Duffice wife of Clore by the water side +Cartmell the wife of Clore +And Jane of the hedgend in Maresden."] + +On the evidence contained in these examinations several persons were +committed for trial at Lancaster, and seventeen, on being tried at the +ensuing assizes, were found guilty by the jury. The judge before whom +the trial took place was, however, more sagacious and enlightened than +his predecessors, Bromley and Altham. He respited the execution of the +prisoners; and on the case being reported to the king in council, the +Bishop of Chester, Dr. Bridgman, was required to investigate the +circumstances. The inquiry was instituted at Chester, and four of the +convicted witches, namely, Margaret Johnson, Frances Dickonson, Mary +Spencer, and the wife of one of the Hargreaves's, were sent to London, +and examined, first by the king's physicians and surgeons, and +afterwards by Charles the first in person. + +"A stranger scene" to quote Dr. Whitaker's concluding paragraph "can +scarcely be conceived; and it is not easy to imagine whether the +untaught manners, rude dialect, and uncouth appearance of these poor +foresters, would more astonish the king; or his dignity of person and +manners, together with the splendid scene with which they were +surrounded, would overwhelm them. The end, however, of the business +was, that strong presumptions appeared of the boy having been suborned +to accuse them falsely, and they were accordingly dismissed. The boy +afterwards confessed that he was suborned."[60] + +[Footnote 60: Webster gives the sequel of this curious case of +imposture:--"Four of them, to wit Margaret Johnson, Francis Dicconson, +Mary Spenser, and Hargraves Wife, were sent for up to London, and were +viewed and examined by his Majesties Physicians and Chirurgeons, and +after by his Majesty and the Council, and no cause of guilt appearing +but great presumptions of the boys being suborned to accuse them +falsely. Therefore it was resolved to separate the boy from his +Father, they having both followed the women up to London, they were +both taken and put into several prisons asunder. Whereupon shortly +after the Boy confessed that he was taught and suborned to devise, and +feign those things against them, and had persevered in that wickedness +by the counsel of his Father, and some others, whom envy, revenge and +hope of gain had prompted on to that devillish design and villany; and +he also confessed, that upon that day when he said that they met at +the aforesaid house or barn, he was that very day a mile off, getting +Plums in his Neighbours Orchard. And that this is a most certain +truth, there are many persons yet living, of sufficient reputation and +integrity, that can avouch and testifie the same; and besides, what I +write is the most of it true, upon my own knowledge, and the whole I +have had from his own mouth."--_Displaying of Witchcraft_, p. 277.] + +In Dr. Whitaker's astonishment that Margaret Johnson should make the +confession she appears to have done, in a clear case of imposture, few +of his readers will be disposed to participate, who are at all +conversant with the trials of reputed witches in this country. +Confessions were so common on those occasions, that there is, I +believe, not a single instance of any great number of persons being +convicted of witchcraft at one time, some of whom did not make a +confession of guilt. Nor is there anything extraordinary in that +circumstance, when it is remembered that many of them sincerely +believed in the existence of the powers attributed to them; and +others, aged and of weak understanding, were, in a measure, coerced by +the strong persuasion of their guilt, which all around them +manifested, into an acquiescence in the truth of the accusation. In +many cases the confessions were made in the hope, and no doubt with +the promise, seldom performed, that a respite from punishment would be +eventually granted. In other instances, there is as little doubt, that +they were the final results of irritation, agony, and despair.[61] The +confessions are generally composed of "such stuff as dreams are made +of," and what they report to have occurred, might either proceed, when +there was no intention to fabricate, from intertwining the fantastic +threads which sometimes stream upon the waking senses from the land of +shadows, or be caused by those ocular hallucinations of which medical +science has supplied full and satisfactory solution. There is no +argument which so long maintained its ground in support of witchcraft +as that which was founded on the confessions referred to. It was the +last plank clung to by many a witch-believing lawyer and divine. And +yet there is none which will less bear critical scrutiny and +examination, or the fallacy of which can more easily be shown, if any +particular reported confession is taken as a test and subjected to a +searching analysis and inquiry. + +[Footnote 61: The confession in the "Amber Witch" is a true picture, +drawn from the life. What is there, indeed, unlike truth in that +wonderful fiction?] + +It is said that we owe to the grave and saturnine Monarch, who +extended his pardon to the seventeen convicted in 1633, that happy +generalisation of the term, which appropriates honourably to the sex +in Lancashire the designation denoting the fancied crime of a few +miserable victims of superstition. That gentle sex will never +repudiate a title bestowed by one, little given to the playful sports +of fancy, whose sorrows and unhappy fate have never wanted their +commiseration, and who distinguished himself on this memorable +occasion, at a period when + + "'twas the time's plague + That madmen led the blind," + +--in days when philosophy stumbled and murder arrayed itself in the +robes of justice--by an enlightened exercise of the kingly prerogative +of mercy. Proceeding from such a fountain of honour, and purified by +such an appropriation, the title of witch has long lost its original +opprobrium in the County Palatine, and survives only to call forth the +gayest and most delightful associations. In process of time even the +term _witchfinder_ may lose the stains which have adhered to it from +the atrocities of Hopkins, and may be adopted by general usage, as a +sort of companion phrase, to signify the fortunate individual, who, by +an union with a Lancashire witch, has just asserted his indefeasible +title to be considered as the happiest of men. + +J.C. + + + + +THE +WONDERFVLL +DISCOVERIE OF +WITCHES, &c. + + + + +THE +WONDERFVLL +DISCOVERIE OF +WITCHES IN THE COVNTIE +OF LANCASTER. + +With the Arraignement and Triall of +Nineteene notorious WITCHES, at the Assizes and +generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at the Castle of +LANCASTER, _vpon Munday, the seuenteenth_ +_of August last_, +1612. + +Before Sir IAMES ALTHAM, and +Sir EDWARD BROMLEY, Knights; BARONS of his +Maiesties Court of EXCHEQVER: And Iustices +_of Assize_, Oyer _and_ Terminor, _and generall_ +Gaole deliuerie in the circuit of the +_North Parts._ + +Together with the Arraignement and Triall of IENNET +PRESTON, _at the Assizes holden at the Castle of Yorke_, +_the seuen and twentieth day of Iulie last past_, +with her Execution for the murther +of Master LISTER +_by Witchcraft._ + +Published and set forth by commandement of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assize in the North Parts. + +_By_ THOMAS POTTS _Esquier._ + + * * * * * + +LONDON, +Printed by _W. Stansby_ for _John Barnes_, dwelling neare +Holborne Conduit. 1613. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, +_THOMAS_, LORD +KNYVET, BARON OF ESCRICK[A1] +in the Countie of Yorke, my very honorable +_good Lord and Master._ + +AND +TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE +_AND VERTVOVS LADIE, THE_ +_Ladie_ ELIZABETH KNYVET _his Wife, my_ +honorable good Ladie and +MISTRIS. + + * * * * * + +RIGHT HONORABLE, + +_Let it stand (I beseech you) with your fauours whom profession of +the same true Religion towards God, and so great loue hath vnited +together in one, Jointly to accept the Protection and Patronage of +these my labours, which not their owne worth hath encouraged, but your +Worthinesse hath enforced me to consecrate vnto your Honours._ + +_To you (Right Honourable my very good Lord) of Right doe they belong: +for to whom shall I rather present their first fruits of my learning +then to your Lordship: who nourished then both mee and them, when +there was scarce any being to mee or them? And whose iust and vpright +carriage of causes, whose zeale to Justice and Honourable curtesie to +all men, have purchased you a Reuerend and worthie Respect of all men +in all partes of this Kingdome, where you are knowne. And to your good +Ladiship they doe of great right belong likewise; Whose Religion, +Iustice, and Honourable admittance of my Vnworthie Seruice to your +Ladiship do challenge at my handes the vttermost of what euer I may +bee able to performe._ + +_Here is nothing of my own act worthie to bee commended to your +Honours, it is the worke, of those Reuerend Magistrates, His Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes in the North partes, and no more then a Particular +Declaration of the proceedings of Iustice in those partes. Here shall +you behold the Iustice of this Land, truely administred_, PROEMIUM & +POENAM, _Mercie and Iudgement, freely and indifferently bestowed and +inflicted; And aboue all thinges to bee remembred, the excellent care +of these Iudges in the Triall of offendors._ + +_It hath pleased them out of their respect to mee to impose this worke +vpon mee, and according to my vnderstanding, I haue taken paines to +finish, and now confirmed by their Iudgement to publish the same, for +the benefit of my Countrie. That the example of these conuicted vpon +their owne Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence at the Barre, may +worke good in others, Rather by with-holding them from, then +imboldening them to, the Atchieuing such desperate actes as these or +the like._ + +_These are some part of the fruits of my time spent in the Seruice of +my Countrie, Since by your Graue and Reuerend Counsell (my Good Lord) +I reduced my wauering and wandring thoughts to a more quiet harbour of +repose._ + +_If it please your Honours to giue them your Honourable respect, the +world may iudge them the more worthie of acceptance, to whose various +censures they are now exposed._ + +_God of Heauen whose eies are on them that feare him, to bee their +Protector and guide, behold your Honours with the eye of fauor, be +euermore your strong hold, and your great reward, and blesse you with +blessings in this life, Externall and Internall, Temporall and +Spirituall, and with Eternall happines in the World to come: to which +I commend your Honours; And rest both now and euer, From my Lodging +in Chancerie Lane, the sixteenth of Nouember 1612._ + +Your Honours + +humbly deuoted + +Seruant, + +_Thomas Potts._ + + * * * * * + +Vpon the Arraignement and triall of these Witches at the last +Assizes and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster, wee found +such apparent matters against them, that we thought it necessarie to +publish them to the World, and thereupon imposed the labour of this +Worke vpon this Gentleman, by reason of his place, being a Clerke at +that time in Court, imploied in the Arraignement and triall of them. + +_Ja. Altham._ + +_Edw. Bromley._[A2] + + * * * * * + +_After he had taken great paines to finish it, I tooke vpon mee to +reuise and correct it, that nothing might passe but matter of Fact, +apparant against them by record. It is very little he hath inserted, +and that necessarie, to shew what their offences were, what people, +and of what condition they were: The whole proceedings and Euidence +against them, I finde vpon examination carefully set forth, and truely +reported, and iudge the worke fit and worthie to be published._ + +Edward Bromley.[A3] + + * * * * * + + Gentle Reader, although the care of this Gentleman the + Author, was great to examine and publish this his worke + perfect according to the Honorable testimonie of the Iudges, + yet some faults are committed by me in the Printing, and yet + not many, being a worke done in such great haste, at the end + of a Tearme, which I pray you, with your fauour to excuse. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +A particular Declaration of +the most barberous and damnable Practises, Murthers, +wicked and diuelish Conspiracies, practized +_and executed by the most dangerous and malitious_ +Witch _Elizabeth Sowthernes_ alias _Demdike_, +of the Forrest of _Pendle_ in the Countie of +_Lancaster_ Widdow, who died in the +Castle at _Lancaster_ before she +came to receiue her tryall. + +Though publique iustice hath passed at these Assises vpon the +Capitall offendours, and after the Arraignement & tryall of them, +Iudgement being giuen, due and timely Execution succeeded; which doth +import and giue the greatest satisfaction that can be, to all men; yet +because vpon the caryage, and euent of this businesse, the Eyes of all +the partes of _Lancashire_, and other Counties in the North partes +thereunto adioyning were bent: And so infinite a multitude came to the +Arraignement & tryall of these Witches at _Lancaster_, the number of +them being knowen to exceed all others at any time heretofore, at one +time to be indicted, arraigned, and receiue their tryall,[B_a_] +especially for so many Murders, Conspiracies, Charmes, Meetinges, +hellish and damnable practises, so apparant vpon their owne +examinations & confessions. These my honourable & worthy Lords, the +Iudges of Assise, vpon great consideration, thought it necessarie & +profitable, to publish to the whole world, their most barbarous and +damnable practises, with the direct proceedinges of the Court against +them, aswell for that there doe passe diuers vncertaine reportes and +relations of such Euidences, as was publiquely giuen against them at +their Arraignement. As for that diuers came to prosecute against many +of them that were not found guiltie, and so rest very discontented, +and not satisfied. As also for that it is necessary for men to know +and vnderstande the meanes whereby they worke their mischiefe, the +hidden misteries of their diuelish and wicked Inchauntmentes, Charmes, +and Sorceries, the better to preuent and auoyde the danger that may +ensue. And lastly, who were the principall authors and actors in this +late woefull and lamentable _Tragedie_, wherein so much Blood was +spilt. + +Therefore I pray you giue me leaue, (with your patience and fauour,) +before I proceed to the Indictment, Arraignement, and Tryall of such +as were prisoners in the Castle, to lay open the life and death of +this damnable and malicious Witch, of so long continuance (old +_Demdike_) of whom our whole businesse hath such dependence, that +without the particular Declaration and Record of her Euidence, with +the circumstaunces, wee shall neuer bring any thing to good +perfection: for from this Sincke of villanie and mischiefe, haue all +the rest proceeded; as you shall haue them in order. + +She was a very old woman, about the age of Fourescore[B_b_] yeares, +and had been a Witch for fiftie yeares. Shee dwelt in the Forrest of +_Pendle_, a vaste place, fitte for her profession: What shee committed +in her time, no man knowes. + +Thus liued shee securely for many yeares, brought vp her owne +Children, instructed her Graund-children, and tooke great care and +paines to bring them to be Witches. Shee was a generall agent for the +Deuill in all these partes: no man escaped her, or her Furies, that +euer gaue them any occasion of offence, or denyed them any thing they +stood need of: And certaine it is, no man neere them, was secure or +free from danger. + +But God, who had in his diuine prouidence prouided to cut them off, +and roote them out of the Commonwealth, so disposed aboue, that the +Iustices of those partes, vnderstanding by a generall charme and +muttering, the great and vniuersall resort to _Maulking Tower_, the +common opinion, with the report of these suspected people, the +complaint of the Kinges subiectes for the losse of their Children, +Friendes, Goodes, and Cattle, (as there could not be so great Fire +without some Smoake,) sent for some of the Countrey, and tooke great +paynes to enquire after their proceedinges, and courses of life. + +In the end, _Roger Nowell_ Esquire,[B2_a_] one of his Maiesties +Iustices in these partes, a very religious honest Gentleman, painefull +in the seruice of his Countrey: whose fame for this great seruice to +his Countrey, shall liue after him, tooke vpon him to enter into the +particular examination of these suspected persons: And to the honour +of God, and the great comfort of all his Countrey, made such a +discouery of them in order, as the like hath not been heard of: which +for your better satisfaction, I haue heere placed in order against +her, as they are vpon Record, amongst the Recordes of the _Crowne_ at +_Lancaster_, certified by M. _Nowell_, and others. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +The voluntarie Confession +and Examination of _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ alias +_Demdike_, taken at the Fence in the Forrest +of _Pendle_ in the Countie +of _Lancaster._ + +The second day of Aprill, _Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi Angglię, +&c. Decimo, et Scotię, Quadragesimo quinto;_ +Before _Roger Nowell_ of _Reade_ Esquire, one of his +Maiesties Iustices of the peace within +the sayd Countie, _Viz._ + +The said _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ confesseth, and sayth; That about +twentie yeares past, as she was comming homeward from begging, there +met her this Examinate neere vnto a Stonepit in _Gouldshey_,[B2_b_1] +in the sayd Forrest of _Pendle_, a Spirit or Deuill in the shape of a +Boy, the one halfe of his Coate blacke, and the other browne, who bade +this Examinate stay, saying to her, that if she would giue him her +Soule, she should haue any thing that she would request. Wherevpon +this Examinat demaunded his name? and the Spirit answered, his name +was _Tibb_:[B2_b_2] and so this Examinate in hope of such gaine as was +promised by the sayd Deuill or _Tibb_, was contented to giue her Soule +to the said Spirit: And for the space of fiue or sixe yeares next +after, the sayd Spirit or Deuill appeared at sundry times vnto her +this Examinate about _Day-light_ Gate,[B2_b_3] alwayes bidding her +stay, and asking her this Examinate what she would haue or doe? To +whom this Examinate replyed, Nay nothing: for she this Examinate said, +she wanted nothing yet. And so about the end of the said sixe yeares, +vpon a Sabboth day in the morning, this Examinate hauing a litle Child +vpon her knee, and she being in a slumber, the sayd Spirit appeared +vnto her in the likenes of a browne Dogg, forcing himselfe to her +knee, to get blood vnder her left Arme: and she being without any +apparrell sauing her Smocke, the said Deuill did get blood vnder her +left arme.[B3_a_1] And this Examinate awaking, sayd, _Iesus saue my +Child_; but had no power, nor could not say, _Iesus saue her selfe_: +wherevpon the Browne Dogge vanished out of this Examinats sight: after +which, this Examinate was almost starke madd for the space of eight +weekes. + +And vpon her examination, she further confesseth, and saith. That a +little before Christmas last, this Examinates Daughter hauing been to +helpe _Richard Baldwyns_ Folkes at the Mill: This Examinates Daughter +did bid her this Examinate goe to the sayd _Baldwyns_ house, and aske +him some thing for her helping of his Folkes at the Mill, (as +aforesaid:) and in this Examinates going to the said _Baldwyns_ house, +and neere to the sayd house, she mette with the said _Richard +Baldwyn_; Which _Baldwyn_ sayd to this Examinate, and the said _Alizon +Deuice_[B3_a_3] (who at that time ledde this Examinate, being blinde) +get out of my ground Whores and Witches, I will burne the one of you, +and hang the other.[B3_a_2] To whom this Examinate answered: I care +not for thee, hang thy selfe: Presently wherevpon, at this Examinates +going ouer the next hedge, the said Spirit or Diuell called _Tibb_, +appeared vnto this Examinat, and sayd, _Reuenge thee of him_. To whom, +this Examinate sayd againe to the said Spirit. _Revenge thee eyther of +him, or his._ And so the said Spirit vanished out of her sight, and +she neuer saw him since. + +And further this Examinate confesseth, and sayth, that the speediest +way to take a mans life away by Witchcraft, is to make a Picture of +Clay,[B3_b_] like vnto the shape of the person whom they meane to +kill, & dry it thorowly: and when they would haue them to be ill in +any one place more then an other; then take a Thorne or Pinne, and +pricke it in that part of the Picture you would so haue to be ill: and +when you would haue any part of the Body to consume away, then take +that part of the Picture, and burne it. And when they would haue the +whole body to consume away, then take the remnant of the sayd Picture, +and burne it: and so therevpon by that meanes, the body shall die. + + * * * * * + +The Confession and Examination +of Anne Whittle _alias_ Chattox, being +Prisoner at _Lancaster_; taken the 19 day of May, +_Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi Anglię, Decimo: +ac Scotie Quadragesimo quinto_; Before +_William Sandes_ Maior of the Borrough +towne of _Lancaster._ + +_Iames Anderton_ of _Clayton_, one of his Maiesties Iustices +of Peace within the same County, and _Thomas +Cowell_ one of his Maiesties Coroners in +the sayd Countie of Lancaster, +_Viz._ + +First, the sayd _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, sayth, that about +foureteene yeares past she entered, through the wicked perswasions and +counsell of _Elizabeth Southerns_, alias _Demdike_, and was seduced to +condescend & agree to become subiect vnto that diuelish abhominable +profession of Witchcraft: Soone after which, the Deuill appeared vnto +her in the liknes of a Man, about midnight, at the house of the sayd +_Demdike_: and therevpon the sayd _Demdike_ and shee, went foorth of +the said house vnto him; wherevpon the said wicked Spirit mooued this +Examinate, that she would become his Subiect, and giue her Soule vnto +him: the which at first, she refused to assent vnto; but after, by the +great perswasions made by the sayd _Demdike_, shee yeelded to be at +his commaundement and appoyntment: wherevpon the sayd wicked Spirit +then sayd vnto her, that hee must haue one part of her body for him to +sucke vpon; the which shee denyed then to graunt vnto him; and withall +asked him, what part of her body hee would haue for that vse; who +said, hee would haue a place of her right side neere to her ribbes, +for him to sucke vpon: whereunto shee assented. + +And she further sayth, that at the same time, there was a thing in the +likenes of a spotted Bitch, that came with the sayd Spirit vnto the +sayd _Demdike_, which then did speake vnto her in this Examinates +hearing, and sayd, that she should haue Gould, Siluer, and worldly +Wealth, at her will.[B4_b_1] And at the same time she saith, there was +victuals, _viz._ Flesh, Butter, Cheese, Bread, and Drinke, and bidde +them eate enough. And after their eating, the Deuill called _Fancie_, +and the other Spirit calling himselfe _Tibbe_, carried the remnant +away: And she sayeth, that although they did eate, they were neuer the +fuller, nor better for the same; and that at their said Banquet, the +said Spirits gaue them light to see what they did, although they +neyther had fire nor Candle light; and that they were both shee +Spirites, and Diuels. + +And being further examined how many sundry Person haue been bewitched +to death, and by whom they were so bewitched: She sayth, that one +_Robert Nuter_, late of the _Greene-head_ in _Pendle_, was bewitched +by this Examinate, the said _Demdike_, and Widdow _Lomshawe_, (late of +_Burneley_) now deceased. + +And she further sayth, that the said _Demdike_ shewed her, that she +had bewitched to death, _Richard Ashton_, Sonne of _Richard Ashton_ of +_Downeham_ Esquire.[B4_b_2] + + * * * * * + +The Examination of Alizon +Deuice, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the County +of _Lancaster_ Spinster, taken at _Reade_ in the said +Countie of _Lancaster_, the xiij. day of +March, _Anno Regni Jacobi Anglię, &c._ +_Nono: et Scotię xlv._ + +Before _Roger Nowell_ of _Reade_ aforesayd Esquire, one of +his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within the sayd +Countie, against _Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias +_Demdike_ her Graund-mother. +_Viz._ + +The sayd _Alizon Deuice_ sayth, that about two yeares agon, her +Graund-mother (called _Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias old _Demdike_) did +sundry times in going or walking togeather as they went begging, +perswade and aduise this Examinate to let a Deuill or Familiar appeare +vnto her; and that shee this Examinate, would let him sucke at some +part of her, and shee might haue, and doe what shee would. + +And she further sayth, that one _Iohn Nutter_ of the _Bulhole_ in +_Pendle_ aforesaid, had a Cow which was sicke, & requested this +examinats Grand-mother to amend the said Cow; and her said +Graund-mother said she would, and so her said Graund-mother about ten +of the clocke in the night, desired this examinate to lead her foorth; +which this Examinate did, being then blind: and her Graund-mother did +remaine about halfe an houre foorth: and this Examinates sister did +fetch her in againe; but what she did when she was so foorth, this +Examinate cannot tell. But the next morning this Examinate heard that +the sayd Cow was dead. And this Examinate verily thinketh, that her +sayd Graund-mother did bewitch the sayd Cow to death. + +And further, this Examinate sayth, that about two yeares agon, this +Examinate hauing gotten a Piggin full[C_b_] of blew Milke by begging, +brought it into the house of her Graund-mother, where (this Examinate +going foorth presently, and staying about halfe an houre) there was +Butter to the quantity of a quarterne of a pound in the said milke, +and the quantitie of the said milke still remayning; and her +Graund-mother had no Butter in the house when this Examinate went +foorth: duering which time, this Examinates Graund-mother still lay in +her bed. + +And further this Examinate sayth, that _Richard Baldwin_ of _Weethead_ +within the Forrest of _Pendle_, about 2. yeeres agoe, fell out with +this Examinates Graund-mother, & so would not let her come vpon his +Land: and about foure or fiue dayes then next after, her said +Graund-mother did request this Examinate to lead her foorth about ten +of the clocke in the night: which this Examinate accordingly did, and +she stayed foorth then about an houre, and this Examinates sister +fetched her in againe. And this Examinate heard the next morning, that +a woman Child of the sayd _Richard Baldwins_ was fallen sicke; and as +this Examinate did then heare, the sayd Child did languish afterwards +by the space of a yeare, or thereaboutes, and dyed: And this Examinate +verily thinketh, that her said Graund-mother did bewitch the sayd +Child to death. + +And further, this Examinate sayth, that she heard her sayd +Graund-mother say presently after her falling out with the sayd +_Baldwin_, shee would pray for the sayd _Baldwin_ both still and +loude: and this Examinate heard her cursse the sayd _Baldwin_ sundry +times. + + * * * * * + +The Examination of _Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of +_Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lancaster_ Labourer, taken the +27. day of April, _Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi, Anglię, &c._ +_Decimo: ac Scotie Quadragesimo quinto_: Before +_Roger Nowell and Nicholas Banister, Esq._[C2_a_] +two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within +the sayd Countie. + +The sayd Examinate _Iames Deuice_ sayth, that about a month agoe, +as this Examinate was comming towards his Mothers house, and at +day-gate of the same night, [Sidenote: _Euening_] this Examinate mette +a browne Dogge comming from his Graund-mothers house, about tenne +Roodes distant from the same house: and about two or three nights +after, that this Examinate heard a voyce of a great number of Children +screiking and crying pittifully, about day-light gate; and likewise, +about ten Roodes distant of this Examinates sayd Graund-mothers house. +And about fiue nights then next following, presently after daylight, +within 20. Roodes of the sayd _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ house, he heard a +foule yelling like vnto a great number of Cattes: but what they were, +this Examinate cannot tell. And he further sayth, that about three +nights after that, about midnight of the same, there came a thing, and +lay vpon him very heauily about an houre, and went then from him out +of his Chamber window, coloured blacke, and about the bignesse of a +Hare or Catte. And he further sayth, that about _S. Peter's_ day last, +one _Henry Bullocke_ came to the sayd _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ house, and +sayd, that her Graund-child _Alizon Deuice_, had bewitched a Child of +his, and desired her that she would goe with him to his house; which +accordingly she did: And therevpon she the said _Alizon_ fell downe on +her knees, & asked the said _Bullocke_ forgiuenes, and confessed to +him, that she had bewitched the said child, as this Examinate heard +his said sister confesse vnto him this Examinate. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +The Examination of Elizabeth +Deuice, Daughter of old Demdike, taken +at _Read_ before _Roger Nowell_ Esquire, one of +his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the +Countie of _Lancaster_ the xxx. day +of March, _Annoq; Regni Jacobi_ +_Decimo, ac Scotie xlv._ + +The sayd _Elizabeth Deuice_ the Examinate, sayth, that the sayd +_Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias _Demdike_, hath had a place on her left +side by the space of fourty yeares, in such sort, as was to be seene +at this Examinates Examination taking, at this present time. + +Heere this worthy Iustice M. _Nowell_, out of these particular +Examinations, or rather Accusations, finding matter to proceed; and +hauing now before him old _Demdike_, old _Chattox_, _Alizon Deuice_, +and _Redferne_ both old and young, _Reos confitentes, et Accusantes +Inuicem_. About the second of Aprill last past, committed and sent +them away to the Castle at _Lancaster_, there to remaine vntill the +comming of the Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Assise, then to receiue +their tryall. + +But heere they had not stayed a weeke, when their Children and +Friendes being abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at +_Malking Tower_ in the Forrest of _Pendle_,[C3_a_] vpon Good-fryday, +within a weeke after they were committed, of all the most dangerous, +wicked, and damnable Witches in the County farre and neere. Vpon +Good-fryday they met, according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized +this great Feastiuall day according to their former order, with great +cheare, merry company, and much conference. + +In the end, in this great Assemblie, it was decreed M. _Couell_ by +reason of his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises: The +Castle of _Lancaster_ to be blowen vp, and ayde and assistance to be +sent to kill M. _Lister_, with his old Enemie and wicked Neighbour +_Iennet Preston_; with some other such like practices: as vpon their +Arraignement and Tryall, are particularly set foorth, and giuen in +euidence against them. + +This was not so secret, but some notice of it came to M. _Nowell_, and +by his great paines taken in the Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, al +their practises are now made knowen. Their purpose to kill M. +_Couell_, and blow vp the Castle, is preuented. All their Murders, +Witchcraftes, Inchauntments, Charmes, & Sorceries, are discouered; and +euen in the middest of their consultations, they are all confounded, +and arrested by Gods Iustice: brought before M. _Nowell_, and M. +_Bannester_, vpon their voluntary confessions, Examinations, and other +Euidence accused, and so by them committed to the Castle: So as now +both old and young, haue taken vp their lodgings with M. _Couell_, +vntill the next Assises, expecting their Tryall and deliuerance, +according to the Lawes prouided for such like. + +In the meane time, M. _Nowell_ hauing knowledge by this discouery of +their meeting at _Malkeing Tower_, and their resolution to execute +mischiefe, takes great paines to apprehend such as were at libertie, +and prepared Euidence against all such as were in question for +Witches. + +Afterwardes sendes some of these Examinations, to the Assises at +Yorke, to be giuen in Evidence against _Iennet Preston_, who for the +murder of M. _Lister_, is condemned and executed. + +The Circuite of the North partes being now almost ended. + + +The 16. of August. + +Vpon Sunday in the after noone, my honorable Lords the Iudges of +Assise, came from _Kendall_ to _Lancaster_. + +Wherevpon M. _Couell_, presented vnto their Lordships a Calender, +conteyning the Names of the Prisoners committed to his charge, which +were to receiue their Tryall at the Assises: Out of which, we are +onely to deale with the proceedings against Witches, which were as +followeth. + +_Viz._ + +The Names of the +Witches committed to the +Castle of _Lancaster_. + + +_Elizabeth Sowtherns._ } Who dyed before + alias } shee +_Old Demdike._ } came to her tryall. + +_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox._ +_Elizabeth Deuice_, Daughter of old _Demdike._ +_Iames Deuice_, Sonne of _Elizabeth Deuice._ +_Anne Readfearne_, Daughter of _Anne Chattox._ +_Alice Nutter._ +_Katherine Hewytte._ +_Iohn Bulcocke._ +_Iane Bulcocke._ +_Alizon Deuice_, Daughter of _Elizabeth Deuice._ +_Isabell Robey._ +_Magaret Pearson._ + + +The Witches of Salmesbury. + +_Iennet Bierley._ } { _Elizabeth Astley._ +_Elen Bierley._ } { _Alice Gray._ +_Iane Southworth._ } { _Isabell Sidegraues._ +_Iohn Ramesden._ } { _Lawrence Haye._ + +The next day, being Monday, the 17. of August, were the Assises holden +in the Castle of _Lancaster_, as followeth. + + * * * * * + +Placita Coronę. + +[Sidenote: _Lanc. fss._] + +_Deliberatio Gaolę Domini Regis Castri fui Lancasstr. ac +Prisonarior[=u] in eadem existent. Tenta apud Lancastr. in com. +Lancastr. Die Lunę, Decimo septimo die Augusti, Anno Regni Domini +nostri Iacobi dei gratia Anglicę, Francię, et Hibernię, Regis fidei +defensoris; Decimo: et Scotię Quadragesimo sexto; Coram Iacobo Altham +Milit. vno Baronum Scaccarij Domini Regis, et Edwardo Bromley Milit. +altero Baronum eiusdem Scaccarij Domini Regis: ac Iustic. dicti Domini +Regis apud Lancastr._ + +Vpon the Tewesday in the after noone, the Iudges according to the +course and order, deuided them selues, where vpon my Lord _Bromley_, +one of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise comming into the Hall to +proceede with the Pleaes of the Crowne, & the Arraignement and Tryall +of Prisoners, commaunded a generall Proclamation, that all Iustices of +Peace that had taken any Recognisaunces, or Examinations of Prisoners, +should make Returne of them: And all such as were bound to prosecute +Indictmentes, and giue Euidence against Witches, should proceede, and +giue attendance: For hee now intended to proceede to the Arraignement +and Tryall of Witches. + +After which, the Court being set, M. Sherieffe was commaunded to +present his Prisoners before his Lordship, and prepare a sufficient +Iurie of Gentlemen for life and death. But heere we want old +_Demdike_, who dyed in the Castle before she came to her +tryall.[C4_b_] + +Heere you may not expect the exact order of the Assises, with the +Proclamations, and other solemnities belonging to so great a Court of +Iustice; but the proceedinges against the Witches, who are now vpon +their deliuerance here in order as they came to the Barre, with the +particular poyntes of Euidence against them: which is the labour and +worke we now intend (by Gods grace) to performe as we may, to your +generall contentment. + +Wherevpon, the first of all these, _Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox_,[D_b_] was brought to the Barre: against whom wee are now +ready to proceed. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +The Arraignement and +Tryall of Anne Whittle, _alias_ Chattox, +of the Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie +of _Lancaster_, Widdow; +about the age of Fourescore +yeares, or thereaboutes. + +_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox._ + +If in this damnable course of life, and offences, more horrible and +odious, then any man is able to expresse: any man lyuing could lament +the estate of any such like vpon earth: The example of this poore +creature, would haue moued pittie, in respect of her great contrition +and repentance, after she was committed to the Castle at _Lancaster_, +vntill the comming of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise. But such was the +nature of her offences, & the multitude of her crying sinnes, as it +tooke away all sense of humanity. And the repetition of her hellish +practises, and Reuenge; being the chiefest thinges wherein she alwayes +tooke great delight, togeather with a particular declaration of the +Murders shee had committed, layde open to the world, and giuen in +Euidence against her at the time of her Arraignement and Tryall; as +certainely it did beget contempt in the Audience, and such as she +neuer offended. + +This _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was a very old withered spent +and decreped creature, her sight almost gone: A dangerous Witch, of +very long continuance; alwayes opposite to old _Demdike_: For whom the +one fauoured, the other hated deadly: [Sidenote: _Her owne +examination_] and how they enuie and accuse one an other, in their +Examinations, may appeare. + +In her Witchcraft, alwayes more ready to doe mischiefe to mens goods, +then themselues. Her lippes euer chattering and walking:[D2_a_1] but +no man knew what. She liued in the Forrest of _Pendle_, amongst this +wicked company of dangerous Witches. Yet in her Examination and +Confession, she dealt alwayes very plainely and truely: for vpon a +speciall occasion being oftentimes examined in open Court, shee was +neuer found to vary, but alwayes to agree in one, and the selfe same +thing. + +I place her in order, next to that wicked fire-brand of mischiefe, old +_Demdike_, because from these two, sprung all the rest in +order:[D2_a_2] and were the Children and Friendes, of these two +notorious Witches. + +Many thinges in the discouery of them, shall be very worthy your +obseruation. As the times and occasions to execute their mischiefe. +And this in generall: the Spirit could neuer hurt, till they gaue +consent. + +And, but that it is my charge, to set foorth a particular Declaration +of the Euidence against them, vpon their Arraignement and Tryall; with +their Diuelish practises, consultations, meetings, and murders +committed by them, in such sort, as they were giuen in Euidence +against them; for the which, I shall haue matter vpon Record. I could +make a large Comentarie of them: But it is my humble duety, to obserue +the Charge and Commaundement of these my Honorable good Lordes the +Iudges of Assise, and not to exceed the limits of my Commission. +Wherefore I shall now bring this auncient Witch, to the due course of +her Tryall, in order. _viz._ + + +Indictment. + +This _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, of the Forrest of _Pendle_ in +the Countie of _Lancaster_ Widdow, being Indicted, for that shee +feloniously had practised, vsed, and exercised diuers wicked and +diuelish Artes called Witchcraftes, Inchauntmentes, Charmes, and +Sorceries, in and vpon one _Robert Nutter_ of _Greenehead_, in the +Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lanc_: and by force of the +same Witchcraft, feloniously the sayd _Robert Nutter_ had killed, +_Contra Pacem, &c._ Being at the Barre, was arraigned. + +To this Indictment, vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded, Not guiltie: +and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and her +Country. + +Wherevpon my Lord _Bromley_ commaunded M. Sheriffe of the County of +_Lancaster_ in open Court, to returne a Iurie of worthy sufficient +Gentlemen of vnderstanding, to passe betweene our soueraigne Lord the +Kinges Maiestie, and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues +and deathes; as hereafter follow in order: who were afterwardes +sworne, according to the forme and order of the Court, the Prisoners +being admitted to their lawfull challenges. + +Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre readie to receiue her +Tryall: M. _Nowell_, being the best instructed of any man, of all the +particular poyntes of Euidence against her, and her fellowes, hauing +taken great paynes in the proceedinges against her and her fellowes; +Humbly prayed, her owne voluntary Confession and Examination taken +before him, when she was apprehended and committed to the Castle of +_Lancaster_ for Witchcraft; might openly be published against her: +which hereafter followeth. _Viz._ + + * * * * * + +The voluntary Confession and Examination of +_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, taken at the _Fence_ in the +Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lancaster_; +Before _Roger Nowell Esq_, one of the +Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Peace +in the Countie of Lancaster. +Viz. + +The sayd _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, vpon her Examination, +voluntarily confesseth, and sayth, That about foureteene or fifteene +yeares agoe, a thing like a Christian man for foure yeares togeather, +did sundry times come to this Examinate, and requested this Examinate +to giue him her Soule: And in the end, this Examinate was contented to +giue him her sayd Soule, shee being then in her owne house, in the +Forrest of _Pendle_; wherevpon the Deuill then in the shape of a Man, +sayd to this Examinate: Thou shalt want nothing; and be reuenged of +whom thou list. And the Deuill then further commaunded this +Examinate, to call him by the name of _Fancie_;[D3_a_] and when she +wanted any thing, or would be reuenged of any, call on _Fancie_, and +he would be ready. And the sayd Spirit or Deuill, did appeare vnto her +not long after, in mans likenesse, and would haue had this Examinate +to haue consented, that he might hurt the wife of _Richard Baldwin_ of +_Pendle_;[D3_b_1] But this Examinate would not then consent vnto him: +For which cause, the sayd Deuill would then haue bitten her by the +arme; and so vanished away, for that time. + +And this Examinate further sayth, that _Robert Nutter_[D3_b_2] did +desire her Daughter one _Redfearns_ wife, to haue his pleasure of her, +being then in _Redfearns_ house: but the sayd _Redfearns_ wife denyed +the sayd _Robert_; wherevpon the sayd _Robert_ seeming to be greatly +displeased therewith, in a great anger tooke his Horse, and went away, +saying in a great rage, that if euer the Ground came to him, shee +should neuer dwell vpon his Land. Wherevpon this Examinate called +_Fancie_ to her; who came to her in the likenesse of a Man in a +parcell of Ground called, _The Laund_; asking this Examinate, what +shee would haue him to doe? And this Examinate bade him goe reuenge +her of the sayd _Robert Nutter_. After which time, the sayd _Robert +Nutter_ liued about a quarter of a yeare, and then dyed. + +And this Examinate further sayth, that _Elizabeth Nutter_, wife to old +_Robert Nutter_, did request this Examinate, and _Loomeshaws_ wife of +_Burley_, and one _Iane Boothman_, of the same, who are now both dead, +(which time of request, was before that _Robert Nutter_ desired the +company of _Redfearns_ wife) to get young _Robert Nutter_ his death, +if they could; all being togeather then at that time, to that end, +that if _Robert_ were dead, then the Women their Coosens might haue +the Land: By whose perswasion, they all consented vnto it. After which +time, this Examinates Sonne in law _Thomas Redfearne_, did perswade +this Examinate, not to kill or hurt the sayd _Robert Nutter_; for +which perswasion, the sayd _Loomeshaws_ Wife, had like to haue killed +the sayd _Redfearne_, but that one M. _Baldwyn_ (the late +Schoole-maister at _Coulne_) did by his learning, stay the sayd +_Loomeshaws_ wife, and therefore had a Capon from _Redfearne_.[D4_a_] + +And this Examinate further sayth, that she thinketh the sayd +_Loomeshaws_ wife, and _Iane Boothman_, did what they could to kill +the sayd _Robert Nutter_, as well as this Examinate did. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +SOTHERNES, alias OLD DEMBDIKE: _taken at +the Fence in the Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of Lancaster, +the day and yeare aforesaid._ + +Before, + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire, one of the Kings Maiesties +Iustices of Peace in the said Countie, against_ ANNE +WHITTLE, alias CHATTOX. + +The said _Elizabeth Southernes_ saith vpon her Examination, that +about halfe a yeare before _Robert Nutter_ died, as this Examinate +thinketh, this Examinate went to the house of _Thomas Redfearne_, +which was about Mid-sommer, as this Examinate remembreth it. And there +within three yards of the East end of the said house, shee saw the +said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, and _Anne Redferne_ wife of the +said _Thomas Redferne_, and Daughter of the said _Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox_: the one on the one side of the Ditch, and the other on the +other: and two Pictures of Clay or Marle lying by them: and the third +Picture the said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was making: and the +said _Anne Redferne_ her said Daughter, wrought her Clay or Marle to +make the third picture withall. And this Examinate passing by them, +the said Spirit, called _Tibb_, in the shape of a black Cat, appeared +vnto her this Examinate, and said, turne back againe, and doe as they +doe: To whom this Examinate said, what are they doing? whereunto the +said Spirit said; they are making three Pictures: whereupon she asked +whose pictures they were? whereunto the said Spirit said; they are +the pictures of _Christopher Nutter_, _Robert Nutter_, and _Marie_, +wife of the said _Robert Nutter_: But this Examinate denying to goe +back to helpe them to make the Pictures aforesaid; the said Spirit +seeming to be angrie, therefore shoue or pushed this Examinate into +the ditch, and so shed the Milke which this Examinate had in a Can or +Kit: and so thereupon the Spirit at that time vanished out of this +Examinates sight: But presently after that, the said Spirit appeared +to this Examinate againe in the shape of a Hare, and so went with her +about a quarter of a mile, but said nothing to this Examinate, nor +shee to it. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and euidence of_ IAMES +ROBINSON,[E_b_1] _taken the day and yeare aforesaid._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire aforesaid, against_ ANNE +WHITTLE, alias CHATTOX, _Prisoner at the Barre +as followeth._ viz. + +The said Examinate saith, that about sixe yeares agoe, _Anne +Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was hired by this Examinates wife to card +wooll;[E_b_2] and so vpon a Friday and Saturday, shee came and carded +wooll with this Examinates wife, and so the Munday then next after +shee came likewise to card: and this Examinates wife hauing newly +tunned drinke into Stands, which stood by the said _Anne Whittle_, +alias _Chattox_: and the said _Ann Whittle_ taking a Dish or Cup, and +drawing drinke seuerall times: and so neuer after that time, for some +eight or nine weekes, they could haue any drinke, but spoiled, and as +this Examinate thinketh was by the meanes of the said _Chattox_. And +further he saith, that the said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, and +_Anne Redferne_ her said Daughter, are commonly reputed and reported +to bee Witches. And hee also saith, that about some eighteene yeares +agoe, he dwelled with one _Robert Nutter_ the elder, of Pendle +aforesaid. And that yong _Robert Nutter_, who dwelled with his +Grand-father, in the Sommer time, he fell sicke, and in his said +sicknesse hee did seuerall times complaine, that hee had harme by +them: and this Examinate asking him what hee meant by that word +_Them_, He said, that he verily thought that the said _Anne Whittle_, +alias _Chattox_, and the said _Redfernes_ wife, had bewitched him: and +the said _Robert Nutter_ shortly after, being to goe with his then +Master, called Sir _Richard Shattleworth_,[E2_a_] into Wales, this +Examinate heard him say before his then going, vnto the said _Thomas +Redferne_, that if euer he came againe he would get his Father to put +the said _Redferne_ out of his house, or he himselfe would pull it +downe; to whom the said _Redferne_ replyed, saying; when you come back +againe you will be in a better minde: but he neuer came back againe, +but died before Candlemas in Cheshire, as he was comming homeward. + +Since the voluntarie confession and examination of a Witch, doth +exceede all other euidence, I spare to trouble you with a multitude of +Examinations, or Depositions of any other witnesses, by reason this +bloudie fact, for the Murder of _Robert Nutter_, vpon so small an +occasion, as to threaten to take away his owne land from such as were +not worthie to inhabite or dwell vpon it, is now made by that which +you haue alreadie heard, so apparant, as no indifferent man will +question it, or rest vnsatisfied: I shall now proceede to set forth +vnto you the rest of her actions, remaining vpon Record. And how +dangerous it was for any man to liue neere these people, to giue them +any occasion of offence, I leaue it to your good consideration. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and voluntarie Confession +of_ ANNE WHITTLE, alias CHATTOX, _taken +at the Fence in the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie +of Lancaster, the second day of Aprill_, Anno Regni +Regis IACOBI ANGLIĘ, Francię, & Hibernię, decimo +& Scotię xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Peace within the Countie of Lancaster._ + +She the said Examinate saith, That shee was sent for by the wife of +_Iohn Moore_, to helpe drinke that was forspoken or bewitched: at +which time shee vsed this Prayer for the amending of it, _viz._ + + _A Charme._[E2_b_] + + _Three Biters hast thou bitten, + The Hart, ill Eye, ill Tonge: + Three bitter shall be thy Boote, + Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost + a Gods name, + Fiue Pater-nosters, fiue Auies, + and a Creede, + In worship of fiue wounds + of our Lord._ + +After which time that this Examinate had vsed these prayers, and +amended her drinke, the said _Moores_ wife did chide this Examinate, +and was grieued at her. + +And thereupon this Examinate called for her Deuill _Fancie_, and bad +him goe bite a browne Cow of the said _Moores_ by the head, and make +the Cow goe madde: and the Deuill then, in the likenesse of a browne +Dogge, went to the said Cow, and bit her: which Cow went madde +accordingly, and died within six weekes next after, or thereabouts. + +Also this Examinate saith, That she perceiuing _Anthonie Nutter_ of +Pendle to fauour _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_,[E3_a_1] she, +this Examinate, called _Fancie_ to her, (who appeared like a man) and +bad him goe kill a Cow of the said _Anthonies_; which the said Deuill +did, and that Cow died also. + +And further this Examinate saith, That the Deuill, or _Fancie_, hath +taken most of her sight away from her. And further this Examinate +saith, That in Summer last, saue one, the said Deuill, or _Fancie_, +came vpon this Examinate in the night time: and at diuerse and sundry +times in the likenesse of a Beare, gaping as though he would haue +wearied this Examinate.[E3_a_2] And the last time of all shee, this +Examinate, saw him, was vpon Thursday last yeare but one, next before +Midsummer day, in the euening, like a Beare, and this Examinate would +not then speake vnto him, for the which the said Deuill pulled this +Examinate downe. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE,[E3_b_] +_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken the seuen and +twentieth day of Aprill_, Annoq; Reg. Regis IACOBI +Anglię, &c. Decimo ac Scotię xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL and NICHOLAS BANISTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within +the said Countie._ viz. + +And further saith, That twelue yeares agoe, the said _Anne Chattox_ +at a Buriall at the new Church in Pendle, did take three scalpes of +people, which had been buried, and then cast out of a graue, as she +the said _Chattox_ told this Examinate; and tooke eight teeth out of +the said Scalpes, whereof she kept foure to her selfe, and gaue other +foure to the said _Demdike_, this Examinates Grand-mother: which foure +teeth now shewed to this Examinate, are the foure teeth that the said +_Chattox_ gaue to his said Grand-mother, as aforesaid; which said +teeth haue euer since beene kept, vntill now found by the said _Henry +Hargreiues_ & this Examinate, at the West-end of this Examinates +Grand-mothers house, and there buried in the earth, and a Picture of +Clay there likewise found by them, about halfe a yard ouer in the +earth, where the said teeth lay, which said picture so found was +almost withered away, and was the Picture of _Anne_, _Anthony Nutters_ +daughter; as this Examinates Grand-mother told him. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ALLIZON DEVICE +_daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken at +Reade, in the Countie of Lancaster, the thirtieth day of +March_, Annoq; Reg. Regis IACOBI nunc Anglię, +&c. Decimo, & Scotię Quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _of Reade aforesaid, Esquire, one +of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace, within the said +Countie._ + +This Examinate saith, that about eleuen yeares agoe, this Examinate +and her mother had their firehouse broken,[E4_a_] and all, or the most +part of their linnen clothes, & halfe a peck of cut oat-meale, and a +quantitie of meale gone, all which was worth twentie shillings, or +aboue: and vpon a Sunday then next after, this Examinate did take a +band and a coife, parcell of the goods aforesaid, vpon the daughter of +_Anne Whittle, alias Chattox_, and claimed them to be parcell of the +goods stolne, as aforesaid. + +And this Examinate further saith, That her father, called _Iohn +Deuice_, being afraid, that the said _Anne Chattox_ should doe him or +his goods any hurt by Witchcraft; did couenant with the said _Anne_, +that if she would hurt neither of them, she should yearely haue one +Aghen-dole of meale;[E4_b_1] which meale was yearely paid, vntill the +yeare which her father died in, which was about eleuen yeares since: +Her father vpon his then-death-bed, taking it that the said _Anne +Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, did bewitch him to death, because the said +meale was not paid the last yeare. + +And she also saith, That about two yeares agone, this Examinate being +in the house of _Anthony Nutter_ of Pendle aforesaid, and being then +in company with _Anne Nutter_, daughter of the said _Anthony_: the +said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, came into the said _Anthony +Nutters_ house, and seeing this Examinate, and the said _Anne Nutter_ +laughing, and saying, that they laughed at her the said _Chattox_: +well said then (sayes _Anne Chattox_) I will be meet with the one of +you. And vpon the next day after, she the said _Anne Nutter_ fell +sicke, and within three weekes after died. And further, this Examinate +saith, That about two yeares agoe, she, this Examinate, hath heard, +That the said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was suspected for +bewitching the drinke of _Iohn Moore_ of Higham Gentleman:[E4_b_2] and +not long after, shee this Examinate heard the said _Chattox_ say, that +she would meet with the said _Iohn Moore_, or his.[E4_b_3] Whereupon a +child of the said _Iohn Moores_, called _Iohn_, fell sick, and +languished about halfe a yeare, and then died: during which +languishing, this Examinate saw the said _Chattox_ sitting in her owne +garden, and a picture of Clay like vnto a child in her Apron; which +this Examinate espying, the said _Anne Chattox_ would haue hidde with +her Apron: and this Examinate declaring the same to her mother, her +mother thought it was the picture of the said _Iohn Moores_ childe. + +And she this Examinate further saith, That about sixe or seuen yeares +agoe, the said _Chattox_ did fall out with one _Hugh Moore_ of Pendle, +as aforesaid, about certaine cattell of the said _Moores_, which the +said _Moore_ did charge the said _Chattox_ to haue bewitched: for +which the said _Chattox_ did curse and worry the said _Moore_, and +said she would be Reuenged of the said _Moore_: whereupon the said +_Moore_ presently fell sicke, and languished about halfe a yeare, and +then died. Which _Moore_ vpon his death-bed said, that the said +_Chattox_ had bewitched him to death. And she further saith, That +about sixe yeares agoe, a daughter of the said _Anne Chattox_, called +_Elizabeth_, hauing been at the house of _Iohn Nutter_ of the +Bull-hole, to begge or get a dish full of milke, which she had, and +brought to her mother, who was about a fields breadth of the said +_Nutters_ house, which her said mother _Anne Chattox_ tooke and put +into a Kan, and did charne[F_a_1] the same with two stickes acrosse in +the same field: whereupon the said _Iohn Nutters_ sonne came vnto her, +the said _Chattox_, and misliking her doings, put the said Kan and +milke ouer with his foot; and the morning next after, a Cow of the +said _Iohn Nutters_ fell sicke, and so languished three or foure +dayes, and then died. + +In the end being openly charged with all this in open Court; with +weeping teares she humbly acknowledged them to be true,[F_a_2] and +cried out vnto God for Mercy and forgiuenesse of her sinnes, and +humbly prayed my Lord to be mercifull vnto _Anne Redfearne_ her +daughter, of whose life and condition you shall heare more vpon her +Arraignement and Triall: whereupon shee being taken away, _Elizabeth +Deuice_ comes now to receiue her Triall being the next in order, of +whom you shall heare at large. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE +(_Daughter of_ ELIZABETH SOTHERNES, +alias OLD DEMBDIKE) _late wife of_ IO. DEVICE, +_of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, widow, +for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August, +at the Assises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at +Lancaster_ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Elizabeth Deuice._ + +O Barbarous and inhumane Monster, beyond example; so farre from +sensible vnderstanding of thy owne miserie, as to bring thy owne +naturall children into mischiefe and bondage; and thy selfe to be a +witnesse vpon the Gallowes, to see thy owne children, by thy deuillish +instructions hatcht vp in Villanie and Witchcraft, to suffer with +thee, euen in the beginning of their time, a shamefull and vntimely +Death. Too much (so it be true) cannot be said or written of her. Such +was her life and condition: that euen at the Barre, when shee came to +receiue her Triall (where the least sparke of Grace or modestie would +haue procured fauour, or moued pitie) she was not able to containe her +selfe within the limits of any order or gouernment: but exclaiming, in +very outragious manner crying out against her owne children, and such +as came to prosecute Indictments & Euidence for the Kings Maiestie +against her, for the death of their Children, Friends, and Kinsfolkes, +whome cruelly and bloudily, by her Enchauntments, Charmes, and +Sorceries she had murthered and cut off; sparing no man with fearefull +execrable curses and banning:[F2_b_] Such in generall was the common +opinion of the Countrey where she dwelt, in the Forrest of Pendle (a +place fit for people of such condition) that no man neere her, neither +his wife, children, goods, or cattell should be secure or free from +danger. + +This _Elizabeth Deuice_ was the daughter of _Elizabeth Sothernes_, old +_Dembdike_, a malicious, wicked, and dangerous Witch for fiftie +yeares, as appeareth by Record: and how much longer, the Deuill and +shee knew best with whome shee made her couenant. + +It is very certaine, that amongst all these Witches there was not a +more dangerous and deuillish Witch to execute mischiefe, hauing old +_Dembdike_, her mother, to assist her; _Iames Deuice_ and _Alizon +Deuice_, her owne naturall children, all prouided with Spirits, vpon +any occasion of offence readie to assist her. + +Vpon her Examination, although Master _Nowel_ was very circumspect, +and exceeding carefull in dealing with her, yet she would confesse +nothing, vntill it pleased God to raise vp a yong maid, _Iennet +Deuice_, her owne daughter, about the age of nine yeares (a witnesse +vnexpected) to discouer all their Practises, Meetings, Consultations, +Murthers, Charmes, and Villanies: such, and in such sort, as I may +iustly say of them, as a reuerend and learned Iudge of this Kingdome +speaketh of the greatest Treason that euer was in this Kingdome, _Quis +hęc posteris sic narrare poterit, vt facta non ficta esse videantur?_ +That when these things shall be related to Posteritie, they will be +reputed matters fained, not done. + +And then knowing, that both _Iennet Deuice_, her daughter, _Iames +Deuice_, her sonne, and _Alizon Deuice_, with others, had accused her +and layed open all things, in their Examinations taken before Master +_Nowel_, and although she were their owne naturall mother, yet they +did not spare to accuse her of euery particular fact, which in her +time she had committed, to their knowledge; she made a very liberall +and voluntarie Confession, as hereafter shall be giuen in euidence +against her, vpon her Arraignment and Triall. + +This _Elizabeth Deuice_ being at libertie, after Old _Dembdike_ her +mother, _Alizon Deuice_, her daughter, and old _Chattocks_ were +committed to the Castle of Lancaster for Witchcraft; laboured not a +little to procure a solemne meeting at Malkyn-Tower of the Graund +Witches of the Counties of Lancaster and Yorke, being yet vnsuspected +and vntaken, to consult of some speedie course for the deliuerance of +their friends, the Witches at Lancaster, and for the putting in +execution of some other deuillish practises of Murther and Mischiefe: +as vpon the Arraignement and Triall of _Iames Deuice_, her sonne, +shall hereafter in euery particular point appeare at large against +her. + + +The first Indictment. + +This _Elizabeth Deuice_, late the wife of _Iohn Deuice_, of the +Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of Lancaster Widdow, being indicted, +for that shee felloniously had practized, vsed, and exercised diuers +wicked and deuillish Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchantments_, +_Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Iohn Robinson_, alias +_Swyer_: and by force of the same felloniously, the said _Iohn +Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, had killed. _Contra pacem, &c._ being at the +Barre was arraigned. + + +2. Indictment. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_ was the second time indicted in the same +manner and forme, for the death of _Iames Robinson_, by Witch-craft. +_Contra pacem, &c._ + + +3. Indictment. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_, was the third time with others, _viz._ +_Alice Nutter_, and _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Old-Dembdike_, her +Grand-mother, Indicted in the same manner and forme, for the death of +_Henrie Mytton_. _Contra pacem, &c._ + +To these three seuerall Indictments vpon her Arraignement, shee +pleaded not guiltie; and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe +vpon God and her Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, stand charged +to finde, whether shee bee guiltie of them, or any of them. + +Whereupon there was openly read, and giuen in euidence against her, +for the Kings Majestie, her owne voluntarie Confession and +Examination, when shee was apprehended, taken, and committed to the +Castle of Lancaster by M. _Nowel_, and M. _Bannester_, two of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same Countie. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and voluntarie Confession +of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken at the house of_ +IAMES WILSEY _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie +of Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill: +Anno Reg._ IACOBI, _Angl. &c. decimo, & Scotię_ xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace +within the same Countie._ viz. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_, Mother of the said +_Iames_, being examined, confesseth and saith. + +That at the third time her Spirit,[F4_a_] the Spirit _Ball_, +appeared to her in the shape of a browne Dogge, at, or in her Mothers +house in Pendle Forrest aforesaid: about foure yeares agoe the said +Spirit bidde this Examinate make a picture of Clay after the said +_Iohn Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, which this Examinate did make +accordingly at the West end of her said Mothers house, and dryed the +same picture with the fire and crumbled all the same picture away +within a weeke or thereabouts, and about a weeke after the Picture +was crumbled or mulled away; the said _Robinson_ dyed. + +The reason wherefore shee this Examinate did so bewitch the said +_Robinson_ to death, was: for that the said _Robinson_ had chidden and +becalled this Examinate, for hauing a Bastard-child with one _Seller_. + +And this Examinate further saith and confesseth, that shee did bewitch +the said _Iames Robinson_ to death, as in the said _Iennet Deuice_ her +examination is confessed. + +And further shee saith, and confesseth, that shee with the wife of +_Richard Nutter_, and this Examinates said Mother, ioyned altogether, +and did bewitch the said _Henrie Mytton_ to death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE, _Daughter of the said_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _late Wife of_ IOHN DEVICE, _of the +Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +ELIZABETH DEVICE _her Mother, Prisoner at the +Barre vpon her Arraignement and Triall._ viz. + +The said _Iennet Deuice_, being a yong Maide, about the age of nine +yeares,[F4_b_] and commanded to stand vp to giue euidence against her +Mother, Prisoner at the Barre: Her Mother, according to her accustomed +manner, outragiously cursing, cryed out against the child in such +fearefull manner, as all the Court did not a little wonder at her, and +so amazed the child, as with weeping teares shee cryed out vnto my +Lord the Iudge, and told him, shee was not able to speake in the +presence of her Mother. + +This odious Witch was branded with a preposterous marke in Nature, +euen from her birth, which was her left eye, standing lower then the +other; the one looking downe, the other looking vp, so strangely +deformed, as the best that were present in that Honorable assembly, +and great Audience, did affirme, they had not often seene the like. + +No intreatie, promise of fauour, or other respect, could put her to +silence, thinking by this her outragious cursing and threatning of the +child, to inforce her to denie that which she had formerly confessed +against her Mother, before M. _Nowel_: Forswearing and denying her +owne voluntarie confession, which you haue heard, giuen in euidence +against her at large, and so for want of further euidence to escape +that, which the Iustice of the Law had prouided as a condigne +punishment for the innocent bloud shee had spilt, and her wicked and +deuillish course of life. + +In the end, when no meanes would serue, his Lordship commanded the +Prisoner to be taken away, and the Maide to bee set vpon the Table in +the presence of the whole Court, who deliuered her euidence in that +Honorable assembly, to the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, +as followeth. _viz._ + +_Iennet Deuice_, Daughter of _Elizabeth Deuice_, late Wife of _Iohn +Deuice_, of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid Widdow, confesseth and +saith, that her said Mother is a Witch, and that this shee knoweth to +be true; for, that shee had seene her Spirit sundrie times come vnto +her said Mother in her owne house, called _Malking-Tower_, in the +likenesse of a browne Dogge, which shee called _Ball_; and at one time +amongst others, the said _Ball_ did aske this Examinates Mother what +she would haue him to doe: and this Examinates Mother answered, that +she would haue the said _Ball_ to helpe her to kill _Iohn Robinson_ of +_Barley_, alias _Swyer_: by helpe of which said _Ball_, the said +_Swyer_ was killed by witch-craft accordingly; and that this +Examinates Mother hath continued a Witch for these three or foure +yeares last past. And further, this Examinate confesseth, that about a +yeare after, this Examinates Mother called for the said _Ball_, who +appeared as aforesaid, asking this Examinates Mother what shee would +haue done, who said, that shee would haue him to kill _Iames +Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, of Barlow aforesaid, Brother to the said +_Iohn_: whereunto _Ball_ answered, hee would doe it; and about three +weekes after, the said _Iames_ dyed. + +And this Examinate also saith, that one other time shee was present, +when her said Mother did call for the _Ball_, [Sidenote: Her Spirit.] +who appeared in manner as aforesaid, and asked this Examinates Mother +what shee would haue him to doe, whereunto this Examinates Mother then +said shee would haue him to kill one _Mitton_ of the Rough-Lee, +whereupon the said _Ball_ said, he would doe it, and so vanished away, +and about three weekes after, the said _Mitton_ likewise dyed. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_sonne of the said_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken the +seuen and twentieth day of Aprill_, Annoq; Reg. Regis +IACOBI Anglię, &c. Decimo ac Scocię, xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace, within +the said Countie._ viz. + +The said _Iames Deuice_ being examined, saith, That he heard his +Grand-mother say, about a yeare agoe, That his mother called +_Elizabeth Deuice_, and others, had killed one _Henry Mitton_ of the +Rough-Lee aforesaid, by Witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so +killed, was for that this Examinates said Grand-mother _Old Demdike_, +had asked the said _Mitton_ a penny; and he denying her thereof, +thereupon she procured his death, as aforesaid. + +And he, this Examinate also saith, That about three yeares agoe, this +Examinate being in his Grand-mothers house, with his said mother; +there came a thing in shape of a browne dogge, which his mother called +_Ball_, who spake to this Examinates mother, in the sight and hearing +of this Examinate, and bad her make a Picture of Clay like vnto _Iohn +Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, and drie it hard, and then crumble it by +little and little; and as the said Picture should crumble or mull +away, so should the said _Io. Robinson_ alias _Swyer_ his body decay +and weare away. And within two or three dayes after, the Picture shall +so all be wasted, and mulled away; so then the said _Iohn Robinson_ +should die presently. Vpon the agreement betwixt the said dogge and +this Examinates mother; the said dogge suddenly vanished out of this +Examinates sight. And the next day, this Examinate saw his said mother +take Clay at the West end of her said house, and make a Picture of it +after the said _Robinson_, and brought into her house, and dried it +some two dayes: and about two dayes after the drying thereof, this +Examinates said mother fell on crumbling the said Picture of Clay, +euery day some, for some three weekes together; and within two dayes +after all was crumbled or mulled away, the said _Iohn Robinson_ died. + +Being demanded by the Court, what answere shee could giue to the +particular points of the Euidence against her, for the death of these +seuerall persons; Impudently shee denied them, crying out against her +children, and the rest of the Witnesses against her. + +But because I haue charged her to be the principall Agent, to procure +a solemne meeting at _Malking-Tower_ of the Grand-witches, to consult +of some speedy course for the deliuerance of her mother, _Old +Demdike_, her daughter, and other Witches at Lancaster: the speedie +Execution of Master _Couell_, who little suspected or deserued any +such practise or villany against him: The blowing up of the Castle, +with diuers other wicked and diuellish practises and murthers; I shall +make it apparant vnto you, by the particular Examinations and Euidence +of her owne children, such as were present at the time of their +Consultation, together with her owne Examination and Confession, +amongst the Records of the Crowne at Lancaster, as hereafter +followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The voluntary Confession and Examination +of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken at the house of_ +IAMES WILSEY, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the +Countie of Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill_, +Annoq: Reg. Regis IACOBI Anglię, &c. Decimo, +& Scotię Quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL and NICHOLAS BANISTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within +the same Countie._ viz. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_ being further Examined, confesseth that +vpon Good-Friday last, there dined at this Examinates house, called +_Malking-Tower_, those which she hath said are Witches, and doth +verily think them to be Witches: and their names are those whom _Iames +Deuice_ hath formerly spoken of to be there. And she further saith, +that there was also at her said mothers house, at the day and time +aforesaid, two women of Burneley Parish, whose names the wife of +_Richard Nutter_ doth know. And there was likewise there one _Anne +Crouckshey_[G3_a_] of Marsden: And shee also confesseth, in all things +touching the Christening of the Spirit, and the killing of Master +_Lister_ of Westbie, as the said _Iames Deuice_ hath before confessed; +but denieth of any talke was amongst them the said Witches, to her now +remembrance, at the said meeting together, touching the killing of the +Gaoler, or the blowing vp of Lancaster Castle. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE, _Daughter of the said_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _late Wife of_ IOHN DEVICE, _of the +Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +ELIZABETH DEVICE, _her Mother, Prisoner at the +Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall_, viz. + +The said _Iennet Deuice_ saith, That vpon Good Friday last there +was about twentie persons[G3_b_1] (whereof onely two were men, to this +Examinates remembrance) at her said Grandmothers house, called +Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: all which persons +this Examinates said mother told her, were Witches, and that they came +to giue a name to _Alizon Deuice_ Spirit, or Familiar, sister to this +Examinate, and now prisoner at Lancaster. And also this Examinate +saith, That the persons aforesaid had to their dinners Beefe, Bacon, +and roasted Mutton; which Mutton (as this Examinates said brother +said) was of a Wether of _Christopher Swyers_ of Barley: which Wether +was brought in the night before into this Examinates mothers house by +the said _Iames Deuice_, this Examinates said brother: and in this +Examinates sight killed and eaten, as aforesaid. And shee further +saith, That shee knoweth the names of sixe of the said Witches, _viz._ +the wife of _Hugh Hargraues_ vnder Pendle, _Christopher Howgate_ of +Pendle, vnckle to this Examinate, and _Elizabeth_ his wife, and _Dicke +Miles_ his wife of the Rough-Lee; _Christopher Iackes_ of +Thorny-holme, and his wife:[G3_b_2] and the names of the residue shee +this Examinate doth not know, sauing that this Examinates mother and +brother were both there. And lastly, she this Examinate confesseth and +saith, That her mother hath taught her two prayers: the one to cure +the bewitched, and the other to get drinke; both which particularly +appeare. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IAMES +DEVICE, _sonne of the said_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, +_late wife of_ IOHN DEVICE, _of the Forrest of +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +ELIZABETH DEVICE, _his Mother, prisoner at the +Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall_, viz. + +The said _Iames Deuice_ saith, That on Good-Friday last, about +twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates +said mothers house, at Malking-Tower, a number of persons, whereof +three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they +met there for three causes following (as this Examinates said mother +told this Examinate) The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, +which _Alizon Deuice_, now prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not +name him, because shee was not there.[G4_a_] The second was, for the +deliuerie of his said Grandmother, olde _Dembdike_; this Examinates +said sister _Allizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her daughter +_Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the next +Assises to blow vp the Castle there: and to that end the aforesaid +prisoners might by that time make an escape, and get away. All which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +And he also sayth, That the names of the said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grandmothers house, and now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as hee did know, were +these, _viz._ The wife of _Hugh Hargreiues_ of Burley; the wife of +_Christopher Bulcock_, of the Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne; the +mother of _Myles Nutter_; _Elizabeth_, the wife of _Christopher +Hargreiues_, of Thurniholme; _Christopher Howgate_, and _Elizabeth_, +his wife; _Alice Graye_ of Coulne, and one _Mould-heeles_ wife, of the +same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further +sayth, That all the Witches went out of the said House in their owne +shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of the +dores, gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, +some of another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when shee got +on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates +sight. And before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete +at the said _Prestons_ wiues [Sidenote: _Executed at Yorke the last +Assises._] house that day twelue-moneths; at which time the said +_Prestons_ wife promised to make them a great Feast. And if they had +occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen, +that they all should meete vpon _Romleyes_ Moore.[G4_b_] + +And there they parted, with resolution to execute their deuillish and +bloudie practises, for the deliuerance of their friends, vntill they +came to meete here, where their power and strength was gone. And now +finding her Meanes was gone, shee cried out for Mercie. Whereupon shee +being taken away, the next in order was her sonne _Iames Deuice_, whom +shee and her Mother, old _Dembdike_, brought to act his part in this +wofull Tragedie. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of +Pendle, within the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, Laborer, +for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August, +at the Assises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at +Lancaster_ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_James Deuice._ + +This wicked and miserable Wretch, whether by practise, or meanes, +to bring himselfe to some vntimely death, and thereby to auoide his +Tryall by his Countrey, and iust iudgement of the Law; or ashamed to +bee openly charged with so many deuillish practises, and so much +innocent bloud as hee had spilt; or by reason of his Imprisonment so +long time before his Tryall (which was with more fauour, +commiseration, and reliefe then hee deserued) I know not: But being +brought forth to the Barre, to receiue his Triall before this worthie +Iudge, and so Honourable and Worshipfull an Assembly of Iustices for +this seruice, was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as +he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp[H2_a_1] +when hee was brought to the place of his Arraignement, to receiue his +triall. + +This _Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle, being brought to the +Barre, was there according to the forme, order, and course, Indicted +and Arraigned; for that hee Felloniously had practised, vsed, and +exercised diuers wicked and deuillish Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, +_Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Anne +Towneley_, wife of _Henrie Towneley_ of the Carre,[H2_a_2] in the +Countie of Lancaster Gentleman, and her by force of the same, +felloniously had killed. _Contra pacem, &c._ + +The said _Iames Deuice_ was the second time Indicted and Arraigned in +the same manner and forme, for the death of _Iohn Duckworth_, by +witch-craft. _Contra pacem, &c._ + +To these two seuerall Indictments vpon his Arraignment, he pleaded not +guiltie, and for the triall of his life put himselfe vpon God and his +Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged +to finde, whether he be guiltie of these, or either of them. + +Whereupon Master _Nowel_ humbly prayed Master _Towneley_ might be +called,[H2_a_3] who attended to prosecute and giue euidence against +him for the King's Majestie, and that the particular Examinations +taken before him and others, might be openly published & read in +Court,[H2_a_4] in the hearing of the Prisoner. + +But because it were infinite to bring him to his particular Triall for +euery offence, which hee hath committed in his time, and euery +practice wherein he hath had his hand: I shall proceede in order with +the Euidence remayning vpon Record against him, amongst the Records of +the Crowne; both how, and in what sort hee came to be a witch: and +shew you what apparant proofe there is to charge him with the death of +these two seuerall persons, for the which hee now standeth vpon his +triall for al the rest of his deuillish practises, incantantions, +murders, charmes, sorceries, meetings to consult with Witches, to +execute mischiefe (take them as they are against him vpon Record:) +Enough, I doubt not. For these with the course of his life will serue +his turne to deliuer you from the danger of him that neuer tooke +felicitie in any things, but in reuenge, bloud, & mischiefe with +crying out vnto God for vengeance; which hath now at the length +brought him to the place where hee standes to receiue his Triall with +more honor, fauour, and respect, then such a Monster in Nature doth +deserue; And I doubt not, but in due time by the Iustice of the Law, +to an vntimely and shamefull death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, Labourer. Taken the +seuen and twentieth day of Aprill, Annoq; Reg. Regis_ +IACOBI, _Anglię, &c._ x^o. _& Scotię Quadragesimo quinto._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace +within the said Countie._ + +He saith, that vpon Sheare Thursday[H3_a_] was two yeares, his +Grand-Mother _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, did bid him this +Examinate goe to the Church to receiue the Communion (the next day +after being Good Friday) and then not to eate the Bread the Minister +gaue him, but to bring it and deliuer it to such a thing as should +meet him in his way homewards: Notwithstanding her perswasions, this +Examinate did eate the Bread: and so in his comming homeward some +fortie roodes off the said Church, there met him a thing in the shape +of a Hare, who spoke vnto this Examinate, and asked him whether hee +had brought the Bread that his Grand-mother had bidden him, or no? +whereupon this Examinate answered, hee had not: and thereupon the said +thing threatned to pull this Examinate in peeces, and so this +Examinate thereupon marked himselfe to God, and so the said thing +vanished out of this Examinates sight. And within some foure daies +after that, there appeared in this Examinates sight, hard by the new +Church in Pendle, a thing like vnto a browne _Dogge_, who asked this +Examinate to giue him his Soule, and he should be reuenged of any whom +hee would: whereunto this Examinate answered, that his Soule was not +his to giue, but was his _Sauiour Iesus Christs_, but as much as was +in him this Examinate to giue, he was contented he should haue it. + +And within two or three daies after, this Examinate went to the +Carre-Hall, and vpon some speeches betwixt Mistris _Towneley_ and this +Examinate; Shee charging this Examinate and his said mother, to haue +stolne some Turues of hers, badde him packe the doores: and withall as +he went forth of the doore, the said Mistris _Towneley_ gaue him a +knock betweene the shoulders: and about a day or two after that, there +appeared vnto this Examinate in his way, a thing like vnto a black +dog, who put this Examinate in minde of the said Mistris _Towneleyes_ +falling out with him this Examinate; who bad this Examinate make a +Picture of Clay, like vnto the said Mistris _Towneley_: and that this +Examinate with the helpe of his Spirit (who then euer after bidde this +Examinate to call it _Dandy_) would kill or destroy the said Mistris +_Towneley_: and so the said dogge vanished out of this Examinates +sight. And the next morning after, this Examinate tooke Clay, and made +a Picture of the said Mistris _Towneley_, and dried it the same night +by the fire: and within a day after, hee, this Examinate began to +crumble the said Picture, euery day some, for the space of a weeke: +and within two daies after all was crumbled away; the said Mistris +_Towneley_ died. + +And hee further saith, That in Lent last one _Iohn Duckworth_ of the +Lawnde, promised this Examinate an old shirt: and within a fortnight +after, this Examinate went to the said _Duckworthes_ house, and +demanded the said old shirt: but the said _Duckworth_ denied him +thereof. And going out of the said house, the said Spirit _Dandy_ +appeared vnto this Examinate, and said, Thou didst touch the said +_Duckworth_; whereunto this Examinate answered, he did not touch him: +yes (said the Spirit againe) thou didst touch him, and therfore I haue +power of him: whereupon this Examinate ioyned with the said Spirit, +and then wished the said Spirit to kill the said _Duckworth_: and +within one weeke, then next after, _Duckworth_ died. + +This voluntary Confession and Examination of his owne, containing in +it selfe matter sufficient in Law to charge him, and to proue his +offences, contained in the two seuerall Indictments, was sufficient to +satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death, that he is +guiltie of them, and either of them: yet my Lord _Bromley_ commanded, +for their better satisfaction, that the Witnesses present in Court +against any of the Prisoners, should be examined openly, _viua voce_, +that the Prisoner might both heare and answere to euery particular +point of their Euidence; notwithstanding any of their Examinations +taken before any of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said +Countie. + +Herein do but obserue the wonderfull work of God; to raise vp a young +Infant, the very sister of the Prisoner, _Iennet Deuice_, to discouer, +iustifie and proue these things against him, at the time of his +Arraignement and Triall, as hereafter followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE _daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, +_late wife of_ IOHN DEVICE _of the Forrest of Pendle, +in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IAMES DEVICE, _Prisoner at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement +and Triall._ viz. + +Being examined in open Court, she saith, That her brother _Iames +Device_, the Prisoner at the Barre, hath beene a Witch for the space +of three yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared +vnto him, in this Examinates mothers house, a Black-Dogge, which +[Sidenote: _Dandy._] her said brother called _Dandy_. And further, +this Examinate confesseth, & saith: That her said brother about a +twelue month since, in the presence of this Examinate, and in the +house aforesaid, called for the said _Dandy_, who thereupon appeared: +asking this Examinates brother what he would haue him to doe. This +Examinates brother then said, he would haue him to helpe him to kill +old Mistris _Towneley_ of the Carre: whereunto the said _Dandy_ +answered, and said, That her said brother should haue his best helpe +for the doing of the same; and that her said brother, and the said +_Dandy_, did both in this Examinates hearing, say, they would make +away the said Mistris _Towneley_. And about a weeke after, this +Examinate comming to the Carre-Hall, saw the said Mistris _Towneley_ +in the Kitchin there, nothing well: whereupon it came into this +Examinates minde, that her said brother, by the help of _Dandy_, had +brought the said Mistris _Towneley_ into the state she then was in. + +Which Examinat, although she were but very yong, yet it was wonderfull +to the Court, in so great a Presence and Audience, with what modestie, +gouernement, and vnderstanding, shee deliuered this Euidence against +the Prisoner at the Barre, being her owne naturall brother, which he +himselfe could not deny, but there acknowledged in euery particular to +be iust and true. + +But behold a little further, for here this bloudy Monster did not stay +his hands: for besides his wicked and diuellish Spels, practises, +meetings to consult of murder and mischiefe, which (by Gods grace) +hereafter shall follow in order against him; there is yet more bloud +to be laid vnto his charge. For although he were but yong, and in the +beginning of his Time, yet was he carefull to obserue his Instructions +from _Old Demdike_ his Grand-mother, and _Elizabeth Deuice_ his +mother, in so much that no time should passe since his first entrance +into that damnable Arte and exercise of Witchcrafts, Inchantments, +Charmes and Sorceries, without mischiefe or murder. Neither should any +man vpon the least occasion of offence giuen vnto him, escape his +hands, without some danger. For these particulars were no sooner giuen +in Euidence against him, when he was againe Indicted and Arraigned for +the murder of these two. _viz._ + +_Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the Countie of +Lancaster, Labourer, the third time Indicted and Arraigned for the +death of _Iohn Hargraues_ of Gould-shey-booth, in the Countie of +Lancaster, by Witchcraft, as aforesaid. _Contra &c._ + +To this Inditement vpon his Arraignement he pleaded thereunto not +guiltie: and for his Triall put himselfe vpon God and his Countrey, +&c. + +_Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the County of +Lancaster, Labourer, the fourth time Indicted and Arraigned for the +death of _Blaze Hargreues_ of Higham, in the Countie of Lancaster, by +Witchcraft, as aforesaid. _Contra Pacem_, &c. + +To this Indictment vpon his Arraignement, he pleaded thereunto not +guiltie; and for the Triall of his life, put himselfe vpon God and the +Countrey. &c. + +Hereupon _Iennet Deuice_ produced, sworne and examined, as a witnesse +on his Maiesties behalfe, against the said _Iames Deuice_, was +examined in open Court, as followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE _aforesaid._ + +Against + +IAMES DEVICE, _her brother, Prisoner at the Barre, +vpon his Arraignement and Triall._ viz. + +Being sworne and examined in open Court, she saith, That her +brother _Iames Deuice_ hath beene a Witch for the space of three +yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared vnto him, in +this Examinates mothers house, a Blacke-Dogge, which her said brother +called _Dandy_, which _Dandy_ did aske her said brother what he would +haue him to doe, whereunto he answered, hee would haue him to kill +_Iohn Hargreiues_, of Gold-shey-booth: whereunto _Dandy_ answered that +he would doe it: since which time the said _Iohn_ is dead. + +And at another time this Examinate confesseth and saith, That her said +brother did call the said _Dandy_: who thereupon appeared in the said +house, asking this Examinates brother what hee would haue him to doe: +whereupon this Examinates said brother said, he would haue him to kill +_Blaze Hargreiues_ of Higham: whereupon _Dandy_ answered, hee should +haue his best helpe, and so vanished away: and shee saith, that since +that time the said _Hargreiues_ is dead; but how long after, this +Examinate doth not now remember. + +All which things, when he heard his sister vpon her Oath affirme, +knowing them in his conscience to bee iust and true, slenderly denyed +them, and thereupon insisted. + +To this Examination were diuerse witnesses examined in open Court +_viua voce_, concerning the death of the parties, in such manner and +forme, and at such time as the said _Iennet Deuice_ in her Euidence +hath formerly declared to the Court. + + Which is all, and I doubt not but matter sufficient in Law + to charge him with, for the death of these parties. + +For the proofe of his Practises, Charmes, Meetings at Malking-Tower, +to consult with Witches to execute mischiefe, Master _Nowel_ humbly +prayed, his owne Examination, taken and certified, might openly be +read; and the rest in order, as they remaine vpon Record amongst the +Records of the Crowne at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth, _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest +of Pendle: Taken the seuen and twentieth day of +Aprill aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within +the said Countie_, viz. + +And being examined, he further saith, That vpon Sheare-Thursday +last, in the euening, he this Examinate stole a Wether from _Iohn +Robinson_ of Barley, and brought it to his Grand-mothers house, old +_Dembdike_, and there killed it: and that vpon the day following, +being Good-Friday, about twelue of the clocke in the day time, there +dined in this Examinates mothers house a number of persons, whereof +three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they +met there for three Causes following, as this Examinates said Mother +told this Examinate. + +1 The first was, for the naming of the Spirit which _Alizon Deuice_, +now prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was +not there. + +2 The second Cause was, for the deliuerie of his said Grand-mother; +this Examinates said sister _Alizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her +daughter _Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the +next Assises to blow vp the Castle there, to the end the aforesaid +persons might by that meanes make an escape & get away; all which this +Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +3 And the third Cause was, for that there was a woman dwelling in +Gisborne Parish, who came into this Examinates said Grandmothers +house, who there came and craued assistance of the rest of them that +were then there, for the killing of Master _Lister_ of Westby, because +(as shee then said) he had borne malice vnto her, and had thought to +haue put her away at the last Assises at Yorke, but could not: and +this Examinate heard the said woman say, That her power was not strong +ynough to doe it her selfe, being now lesse then before time it had +beene. + +And also, that the said _Iennet Preston_ had a Spirit with her like +vnto a white Foale, with a blacke spot in the forhead. + +And he also saith, That the names of the said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, & now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as he did know, were +these, _viz._ the wife of _Hugh Hargreiues_ of Barley; the wife of +_Christopher Bulcock_ of the Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne; the +mother of _Myles Nutter_; _Elizabeth_, the wife of _Christopher +Hargreiues_, of Thurniholme; _Christopher Howgate_, and _Elizabeth_, +his wife; _Alice Graye_ of Coulne, and one _Mould-heeles_ wife, of the +same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further +saith, That all the said Witches went out of the said House in their +owne shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of +the dores, were gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one +colour, some of another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when +shee got on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this +Examinates sight. And before their said parting away, they all +appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wiues house that day +twelue-moneths; at which time the said _Prestons_ wife promised to +make them a great Feast. And if they had occasion to meete in the +meane time, then should warning be giuen, that they all should meete +vpon _Romleyes_ Moore. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE. + +Against + +IAMES DEVICE _her said Brother, Prisoner at the +Barre, vpon his Arraignement and Triall: Taken before_ +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER +_Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace +within the said Countie._ viz. + +Shee saith, that vpon Good-Friday last there was about twentie +persons, whereof only two were men, to this Examinates remembrance, at +her said Grand-mothers house, called _Malking-Tower_ aforesaid, about +twelue of the clock: all which persons this Examinates said Mother +told her were Witches, and that they came to giue a name to _Alizon +Deuice_ Spirit or Familiar, Sister to this Examinate, and now +Prisoner, in the Castle of Lancaster: And also this Examinate saith, +that the persons aforesaid had to their Dinners, Beefe, Bacon, and +rosted Mutton, which Mutton, as this Examinates said brother said, was +of a Weather of _Robinsons_ of Barley: which Weather was brought in +the night before into this Examinates mothers house, by the said +_Iames Deuice_ this Examinates said brother, and in this Examinates +sight killed, and eaten, as aforesaid: And shee further saith, that +shee knoweth the names of sixe of the said Witches, _viz._ the wife of +the said _Hugh Hargreiues_, vnder Pendle: _Christopher Howget_, of +Pendle, Vncle to this Examinate: and _Dick Miles_ wife, of the +Rough-Lee: _Christopher Iacks_, of Thorny-holme, and his Wife: and the +names of the residue shee this Examinate doth not know, sauing that +this Examinates Mother and Brother were both there. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _Mother of the said_ IAMES DEVICE, _of +the Forrest of Pendle, taken the seuen and twentieth day of +Aprill aforesaid._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER +_Esquires; as aforesaid._ viz. + +Being examined, the said _Elizabeth_ saith and confesseth, that +vpon Good-Friday last there dined at this Examinates house, those +which she hath said to be Witches, and doth verily thinke them to bee +Witches, and their names are those, whom _Iames Deuice_ hath formerly +spoken of to be there. + +And shee also confesseth in all things touching the Christning of her +Spirit, and the killing of Master _Lister_ of Westby, as the said +_Iames Deuice_ confesseth. But denieth that any talke was amongst +th[=e] the said Witches, to her now remembrance, at the said meeting +together, touching the killing of the Gaoler at Lancaster; blowing vp +of the Castle, thereby to deliuer old _Dembdike_ her Mother; _Alizon +Deuice_ her Daughter, and other Prisoners, committed to the said +Castle for Witchcraft. + + After all these things opened, and deliuered in euidence + against him; Master _Couil_, who hath the custodie of the + Gaole at Lancaster, hauing taken great paines with him + during the time of his imprisonment, to procure him to + discouer his practizes, and such other Witches as he knew to + bee dangerous: Humbly prayed the fauour of the Court that + his voluntarie confession to M. _Anderton_, M. _Sands_ the + Major of Lancaster, M. _Couel_, and others, might openly bee + published and declared in Court. + + * * * * * + +_The voluntarie confession and declaration +of_ IAMES DEVICE, _Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster._ + +Before + +WILLIAM SANDS, _Maior of Lancaster_, IAMES +ANDERTON, _Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices of +Peace within the Countie of Lancaster: And_ THOMAS +COVEL, _Gentleman, one of his Maiesties Coroners in the +same Countie._ viz. + +_Iames Deuice_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, saith, That +his said Spirit _Dandie_, being very earnest with him to giue him his +soule, He answered, he would giue him that part thereof that was his +owne to giue: and thereupon the said Spirit said, hee was aboue CHRIST +IESVS, and therefore hee must absolutely giue him his Soule: and that +done, hee would giue him power to reuenge himselfe against any whom he +disliked. + +And he further saith, that the said Spirit did appeare vnto him after +sundrie times, in the likenesse of a Dogge, and at euery time most +earnestly perswaded him to giue him his Soule absolutely: who answered +as before, that he would giue him his owne part and no further. And +hee saith, that at the last time that the said Spirit was with him, +which was the Tuesday next before his apprehension; when as hee could +not preuaile with him to haue his Soule absolutely granted vnto him, +as aforesaid; the said Spirit departed from him, then giuing a most +fearefull crie and yell, and withall caused a great flash of fire to +shew about him: which said Spirit did neuer after trouble this +Examinate. + + _William Sands_, + _James Anderton._ + _Tho. Couel, Coroner._ + +The said _Iennet Deuice_, his Sister, in the very end of her +Examination against the said _Iames Deuice_, confesseth and saith, +that her Mother taught her two Prayers: the one to get drinke, which +was this. _viz._ + + _Crucifixus hoc signum vitam + Eternam._ Amen. + +And shee further saith, That her Brother _Iames Deuice_, the Prisoner +at the Barre, hath confessed to her this Examinate, that he by this +Prayer hath gotten drinke: and that within an houre after the saying +the said Prayer, drinke hath come into the house after a very strange +manner. And the other Prayer, the said _Iames Deuice_ affirmed, would +cure one bewitched, which shee recited as followeth. _viz._ + + _A Charme._[K_b_1] + + _Vpon Good-Friday, I will fast while I may + Vntill I heare them knell + Our Lords owne Bell, + Lord in his messe + With his twelue Apostles good, + What hath he in his hand + Ligh in leath wand:[K_b_2] + What hath he in his other hand? + Heauens doore key, + Open, open Heauen doore keyes, + Steck, steck hell doore. + Let Crizum child + Goe to it Mother mild,[K_b_3] + What is yonder that casts a light so farrandly,[K_b_4] + Mine owne deare Sonne that's naild to the Tree. + He is naild sore by the heart and hand, + And holy harne Panne, + Well is that man + That Fryday spell can, + His Childe to learne; + A Crosse of Blew, and another of Red, + As good Lord was to the Roode._ + Gabriel _laid him downe to sleepe + Vpon the ground of holy weepe:[K2_a_1] + Good Lord came walking by, + Sleep'st thou, wak'st thou_ Gabriel, + _No Lord I am sted with sticke and stake, + That I can neither sleepe nor wake: + Rise vp_ Gabriel _and goe with me, + The stick nor the stake shall neuer deere thee.[K2_a_2] + Sweete Iesus our Lord, Amen._ + _Iames Deuice._ + +What can be said more of this painfull Steward, that was so carefull +to prouide Mutton against this Feast and solemne meeting at +_Malking-Tower_, of this hellish and diuellish band of Witches, (the +like whereof hath not been heard of) then hath beene openly published +and declared against him at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement and +Triall: wherein it pleased God to raise vp Witnesses beyond +expectation to conuince him; besides his owne particular Examinations, +which being shewed and read vnto him; he acknowledged to be iust and +true. And what I promised to set forth against him, in the beginning +of his Arraignment and Triall, I doubt not but therein I haue +satisfied your expectation at large, wherein I haue beene very sparing +to charge him with any thing, but with sufficient matter of Record and +Euidence, able to satisfie the consciences of the Gentlemen of the +Iury of Life and Death; to whose good consideration I leaue him, with +the perpetuall Badge and Brand of as dangerous and malicious a Witch, +as euer liued in these parts of Lancashire, of his time: and spotted +with as much Innocent bloud, as euer any Witch of his yeares. + +After all these proceedings, by direction of his Lordship, were their +seuerall Examinations, subscribed by euery one of them in particular, +shewed vnto them at the time of their Triall, & acknowledged by th[=e] +to be true, deliuered to the gentlemen of the Iury of Life & Death, +for the better satisfaction of their consciences: after due +consideration of which said seuerall examinations, confessions, and +voluntary declarations, as well of themselues as of their children, +friends and confederates, The Gentlemen deliuered vp their Verdict +against the Prisoners, as followeth. _viz._ + + +_The Verdict of Life and Death._ + +Who found _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, _Elizabeth Deuice_, and +_Iames Deuice_, guiltie of the seuerall murthers by Witchcraft, +contained in the Indictments against them, and euery of them. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE WITCHES OF +SALMESBVRY.[K3_a_] + +_The Arraignement and Triall of_ IENNET +BIERLEY ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE +SOVTHWORTH _of Salmesbury, in the County of +Lancaster; for Witchcraft vpon the bodie of_ GRACE +SOWERBVTS, _vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of +August: At the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuery, +holden at Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assize at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth._ +viz. + + _Iennet Bierley._ + _Ellen Bierley._ + _Iane Southworth._ + +Thus haue we for a time left the Graund Witches of the Forrest of +Pendle, to the good consideration of a verie sufficient Iury of worthy +Gentlemen of their Co[=u]trey. We are now come to the famous Witches +of Salmesbury, as the Countrey called them, who by such a subtill +practise and conspiracie of a Seminarie Priest,[K3_b_1] or, as the +best in this Honorable Assembly thinke, a Iesuite, whereof this +Countie of Lancaster hath good store,[K3_b_2] who by reason of the +generall entertainement they find, and great maintenance they haue, +resort hither, being farre from the Eye of Iustice, and therefore, +_Procul a fulmine_; are now brought to the Barre, to receiue their +Triall, and such a young witnesse prepared and instructed to giue +Euidence against them, that it must be the Act of GOD that must be the +means to discouer their Practises and Murthers, and by an infant: but +how and in what sort Almightie GOD deliuered them from the stroake of +Death, when the Axe was layd to the Tree, and made frustrate the +practise of this bloudie Butcher, it shall appeare vnto you vpon their +Arraignement and Triall, whereunto they are now come. + +Master _Thomas Couel_, who hath the charge of the prisoners in the +Castle at Lancaster, was commaunded to bring forth the said + + _Jennet Bierley_, + _Ellen Bierley_, + _Jane Southworth_, + +to the Barre to receiue their Triall. + + +Indictment. + +The said _Iennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and _Iane Southworth_ +of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, being indicted, for that +they and euery of them felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed +diuerse deuillish and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, +_Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in and vpon one _Grace +Sowerbuts_: so that by meanes thereof her bodie wasted and consumed, +_Contra formam Statuti &c. Et Contra Pacem dicti Domini Regis Coronam +& dignitatem &c._ + +To this Indictment vpon their Arraignement, they pleaded +_Not-Guiltie_; and for the Triall of their liues put themselues vpon +GOD and their Countrey. + +Whereupon Master Sheriffe of the Countie of Lancaster, by direction of +the Court, made returne of a very sufficient Iurie to passe betweene +the Kings Maiestie and them, vpon their liues and deaths, with such +others as follow in order. + +The Prisoners being now at the Barre vpon their Triall, _Grace +Sowerbutts_, the daughter of _Thomas Sowerbutts_, about the age of +foureteene yeares, was produced to giue Euidence for the Kings +Maiestie against them: who standing vp, she was commaunded to point +out the Prisoners, which shee did, and said as followeth, _viz_ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +GRACE SOWERBVTTS, _daughter of_ THOMAS +SOWERBVTTS, _of Salmesbury, in the Countie of +Lancaster Husband-man, vpon her Oath_, + +Against + +IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ +IANE SOVTHWORTH, _prisoners at the Barre, vpon +their Arraignement and Triall_, viz. + +The said _Grace Sowerbutts_ vpon her oath saith, That for the space +of some yeares now last past shee hath beene haunted and vexed with +some women, who haue vsed to come to her: which women, shee sayth, +were _Iennet Bierley_, this Informers Grand-mother; _Ellen Bierley_, +wife to _Henry Bierley_; _Iane Southworth_, late the wife of _Iohn +Southworth_, and one _Old Doewife_, all of Salmesburie aforesaid. And +shee saith, That now lately those foure women did violently draw her +by the haire of the head, and layd her on the toppe of a Hay-mowe, in +the said _Henry Bierleyes_ Barne. And shee saith further, That not +long after the said _Iennet Bierley_ did meete this Examinate neere +vnto the place where shee dwellleth, and first appeared in her owne +likenesse, and after that in the likenesse of a blacke Dogge, and as +this Examinate did goe ouer a Style, shee picked her off:[K4_b_] +howbeit shee saith shee had no hurt then, but rose againe, and went to +her Aunts in Osbaldeston, and returned backe againe to her Fathers +house the same night, being fetched home by her father. And she saith, +That in her way home-wards shee did then tell her Father, how shee +had beene dealt withall both then and at sundry times before that; and +before that time she neuer told any bodie thereof: and being examined +why she did not, she sayth, she could not speake thereof, though she +desired so to doe. And she further sayth, That vpon Saterday, being +the fourth of this instant Aprill, shee this Examinate going towards +Salmesbury bote, to meete her mother, comming from Preston, shee saw +the said _Iennet Bierley_, who met this Examinate at a place called +the Two Brigges, first in her owne shape, and afterwardes in the +likenesse of a blacke Dogge, with two legges, which Dogge went close +by the left side of this Examinate, till they came to a Pitte of +Water, and then the said Dogge spake, and persuaded this Examinate to +drowne her selfe there, saying, it was a faire and an easie death: +Whereupon this Examinate thought there came one to her in a white +sheete, and carried her away from the said Pitte, vpon the comming +whereof the said blacke Dogge departed away; and shortly after the +said white thing departed also: And after this Examinate had gone +further on her way, about the length of two or three Fields, the said +blacke Dogge did meete her againe, and going on her left side, as +aforesaid, did carrie her into a Barne of one _Hugh Walshmans_,[L_a_] +neere there by, and layed her vpon the Barne-floore, and couered this +Examinate with Straw on her bodie, and Haye on her head, and the Dogge +it selfe lay on the toppe of the said Straw, but how long the said +Dogge lay there, this Examinate cannot tell, nor how long her selfe +lay there: for shee sayth, That vpon her lying downe there, as +aforesaid, her Speech and Senses were taken from her: and the first +time shee knew where shee was, shee was layed vpon a bedde in the said +_Walshmans_ house, which (as shee hath since beene told) was vpon the +Monday at night following: and shee was also told, That shee was found +and taken from the place where shee first lay, by some of her friends, +and carried into the said _Walshmans_ house, within a few houres after +shee was layed in the Barne, as aforesaid. And shee further sayth, +That vpon the day following, being Tuesday, neere night of the same +day, shee this Examinate was fetched by her Father and Mother from the +said _Walshmans_ house to her Fathers house. And shee saith, That at +the place before specified, called the Two Brigges, the said _Iennet +Bierley_ and _Ellen Bierley_ did appeare vnto her in their owne +shapes: whereupon this Examinate fell downe, and after that was not +able to speake, or goe, till the Friday following: during which time, +as she lay in her Fathers house, the said _Iennet Bierley_ and _Ellen +Bierley_ did once appeare vnto her in their owne shapes, but they did +nothing vnto her then, neither did shee euer see them since. And shee +further sayth, That a good while before all this, this Examinate did +goe with the said _Iennet Bierley_, her Grand-mother, and the said +_Ellen Bierley_ her Aunt, at the bidding of her said Grand-mother, to +the house of one _Thomas Walshman_, in Salmesbury aforesaid. And +comming thither in the night, when all the house-hold was a-bed, the +doores being shut, the said _Iennet Bierley_ did open them, but this +Examinate knoweth not how: and beeing come into the said house, this +Examinate and the said _Ellen Bierley_ stayed there, and the said +_Iennet Bierley_ went into the Chamber where the said _Walshman_ and +his wife lay, & from thence brought a little child,[L2_a_1] which this +Examinate thinketh was in bed with it Father and Mother: and after the +said _Iennet Bierley_ had set her downe by the fire, with the said +child, shee did thrust a naile into the nauell of the said child: and +afterwards did take a pen and put it in at the said place, and did +suck there a good space, and afterwards laid the child in bed againe: +and then the said _Iennet_ and the said _Ellen_ returned to their owne +houses, and this Examinate with them. And shee thinketh that neither +the said _Thomas Walshman_, nor his wife knew that the said child was +taken out of the bed from them. And shee saith also, that the said +child did not crie when it was hurt, as aforesaid: But shee saith, +that shee thinketh that the said child did thenceforth languish, and +not long after dyed. And after the death of the said child; the next +night after the buriall thereof, the said _Iennet Bierley_ & _Ellen +Bierley_, taking this Examinate with them, went to Salmesburie Church, +and there did take vp the said child, and the said _Iennet_ did carrie +it out of the Church-yard in her armes, and then did put it in her lap +and carryed it home to her owne house, and hauing it there did boile +some therof in a Pot, and some did broile on the coales, of both which +the said _Iennet_ & _Ellen_ did eate, and would haue had this +Examinate and one _Grace Bierley_, Daughter of the said _Ellen_, to +haue eaten with them, but they refused so to doe: And afterwards the +said _Iennet_ & _Ellen_ did seethe the bones of the said child in a +pot, & with the Fat that came out of the said bones, they said they +would annoint themselues,[L2_a_2] that thereby they might sometimes +change themselues into other shapes. And after all this being done, +they said they would lay the bones againe in the graue the next night +following, but whether they did so or not, this Examinate knoweth not: +Neither doth shee know how they got it out of the graue at the first +taking of it vp. And being further sworne and examined, she deposeth & +saith, that about halfe a yeare agoe, the said _Iennet Bierley_, +_Ellen Bierley_, _Iane Southworth_, and this Examinate (who went by +the appointment of the said _Iennet_ her Grand mother) did meete at a +place called Red banck, vpon the North side of the water of Ribble, +euery Thursday and Sonday at night by the space of a fortnight, and at +the water side there came vnto them, as they went thether, foure black +things, going vpright, and yet not like men in the face: which foure +did carrie the said three women and this Examinate ouer the Water, and +when they came to the said Red Banck they found some thing there which +they did eate. But this Examinate saith, shee neuer saw such meate; +and therefore shee durst not eate thereof, although her said Grand +mother did bidde her eate. And after they had eaten, the said three +Women and this Examinate danced, euery one of them with one of the +blacke things aforesaid, and after their dancing the said black things +did pull downe the said three Women, and did abuse their bodies, as +this Examinate thinketh, for shee saith, that the black thing that was +with her, did abuse her bodie. + +The said Examinate further saith vpon her Oth, That about ten dayes +after her Examination taken at Blackborne, shee this Examinate being +then come to her Fathers house againe, after shee had beene certaine +dayes at her Vnckles house in Houghton: _Iane Southworth_ widow, did +meet this Examinate at her Fathers house dore and did carrie her into +the loft,[L3_a_] and there did lay her vppon the floore, where shee +was shortly found by her Father and brought downe, and laid in a bed, +as afterwards shee was told: for shee saith, that from the first +meeting of the said _Iane Southworth_, shee this Examinate had her +speech and senses taken from her. But the next day shee saith, shee +came somewhat to her selfe, and then the said Widow _Southworth_ came +againe to this Examinate to her bed-side, and tooke her out of bed, +and said to this Examinate, that shee did her no harme the other time, +in respect of that shee now would after doe to her, and thereupon put +her vpon a hey-stack, standing some three or foure yards high from the +earth, where shee was found after great search made, by a neighbours +Wife neare dwelling, and then laid in her bedde againe, where she +remained speechlesse and senselesse as before, by the space of two or +three daies: And being recouered, within a weeke after shee saith, +that the said _Iane Southworth_ did come againe to this Examinate at +her fathers house and did take her away, and laid her in a ditch neare +to the house vpon her face, and left her there, where shee was found +shortly after, and laid vpon a bedde, but had not her senses againe of +a day & a night, or thereabouts. And shee further saith, That vpon +Tuesday last before the taking of this her Examination, the said _Iane +Southworth_ came to this Examinates Fathers house, and finding this +Examinate without the doore, tooke her and carried her into the Barne, +and thrust her head amongst a companie of boords that were there +standing, where shee was shortly after found and laid in a bedde, and +remained in her old fit till the Thursday at night following. + +And being further examined touching her being at Red-bancke, shee +saith, That the three women, by her before named, were carried backe +againe ouer Ribble, by the same blacke things that carried them +thither; and saith that at their said meeting in the Red-bancke, there +did come also diuers other women, and did meete them there, some old, +some yong, which this Examinate thinketh did dwell vpon the North-side +of Ribble, because she saw them not come ouer the Water: but this +Examinate knew none of them, neither did she see them eat or dance, or +doe anything else that the rest did, sauing that they were there and +looked on. + +These particular points of Euidence being thus vrged against the +Prisoners: the father of this _Grace Sowerbutts_ prayed that _Thomas +Walshman_, whose childe they are charged to murther, might be examined +as a witnes vpon his oath, for the Kings Maiestie, against the +Prisoners at the Barre: who vpon this strange deuised accusation, +deliuered by this impudent wench, were in opinion of many of that +great Audience guilty of this bloudie murther, and more worthy to die +then any of these Witches. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +THOMAS WALSHMAN, _of Salmesbury, in the +Countie of Lancaster, Yeoman._ + +Against + +IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ +IANE SOVTHWORTH, _Prisoners at the Barre, vpon +their Arraignement and Triall, as followeth._ viz. + +The said Examinate, _Thomas Walshman_, vpon his oath saith, That hee +had a childe died about Lent was twelue-month, who had beene sicke by +the space of a fortnight or three weekes, and was afterwards buried in +Salmesburie Church: which childe when it died was about a yeare old; +But how it came to the death of it, this Examinate knoweth not. And he +further saith, that about the fifteenth of Aprill last, or +thereabouts, the said _Grace Sowerbutts_ was found in this Examinates +fathers Barne, laid vnder a little hay and straw, and from thence was +carried into this Examinates house, and there laid till the Monday at +night following: during which time shee did not speak, but lay as if +she had beene dead. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IOHN SINGLETON: +_Taken at Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, +the seuenth day of August_: Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI +Anglię, Francię, & Hibernię, Fidei Defensor. &c. +Decimo & Scotię, xlvj. + +Before + +ROBERT HOVLDEN,[L4_b_1] _Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Peace in the County of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ +IANE SOVTHWORTH, _which hereafter followeth._ + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That hee hath often heard +his old Master, Sir _Iohn Southworth_[L4_b_2] Knight, now deceased, +say, touching the late wife of _Iohn Southworth_, now in the Gaole, +for suspition of Witchcraft: That the said wife was as he thought an +euill woman, and a Witch: and he said that he was sorry for her +husband, that was his kinsman, for he thought she would kill him. And +this Examinate further saith, That the said Sir _Iohn Southworth_ in +his comming or going betweene his owne house at Salmesbury, and the +Towne of Preston, did for the most part forbeare to passe by the +house, where the said wife dwelled, though it was his nearest and best +way; and rode another way, only for feare of the said wife, as this +Examinate verily thinketh. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ WILLIAM +ALKER _of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, +Yeoman: Taken the fifteenth day of Aprill_, Anno Reg. +Regis IACOBI, Anglię, Francię, & Hibernię, Decimo +& Scotię, quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROBERT HOVLDEN, _one of his Maiesties Iustices +of Peace in the County of Lancaster: Against_ IENNET +BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE BIERLEY, +_which hereafter followeth._ viz. + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That hee hath seene the +said Sir _Iohn Southworth_ shunne to meet the said wife of _Iohn +Southworth_, now Prisoner in the Gaole, when he came neere where she +was. And hath heard the said Sir _Iohn Southworth_ say, that he liked +her not, and that he doubted she would bewitch him. + +Here was likewise _Thomas Sowerbutts_, father of _Grace Sowerbutts_, +examined vpon his oath, and many other witnesses to little purpose: +who being examined by the Court, could depose little against them: But +the finding of the wench vpon the hay in her counterfeit fits: +wherfore I leaue to trouble you with the particular declaration of +their Euidence against the Prisoners, In respect there was not any one +witnes able to charge them with one direct matter of Witchcraft; nor +proue any thing for the murther of the childe. + +Herein, before we come to the particular declaration of that wicked +and damnable practise of this Iesuite or Seminary, I shall commend +vnto your examination and iudgement some points of her Euidence, +wherein you shal see what impossibilities are in this accusati[=o] +brought to this perfection, by the great care and paines of this +officious Doctor, Master _Thompson_ or _Southworth_, who commonly +worketh vpon the Feminine disposition, being more Passiue then Actiue. + + * * * * * + +_The particular points of the Euidence_[M1_b_] _of_ GRACE SOWERBUTTS, +_viz._ + +Euidence. + + _That for the space of some yeares she hath been haunted + and vexed with some women, who haue vsed to come to her._ + +The Iesuite forgot to instruct his Scholler how long it is since she +was tormented: it seemes it is long since he read the old Badge of a +Lyer, _Oportet mendacem esse memorem_. He knowes not how long it is +since they came to church, after which time they began to practise +Witchcraft. It is a likely thing the Torment and Panges of Witchcraft +can be forgotten; and therefore no time can be set downe. + + _Shee saith that now lately these foure women did violently + draw her by the haire of the head, and lay her on the top of + a Hay-mow._ + +Heere they vse great violence to her, whome in another place they make +choise to be of their counsell, to go with them to the house of +_Walshman_ to murther the childe. This courtesie deserues no discouery +of so foule a Fact. + + _Not long after, the said_ Iennet Bierley _did meet this + Examinate neere vnto the place where she dwelled, and first + appeared in her owne likenesse, and after that in the + likenesse of a blacke Dogge._ + +_Vno & eodem tempore_, shee transformed her selfe into a Dogge. I +would know by what meanes any Priest can maintaine this point of +Euidence. + + _And as shee went ouer a Style, shee picked her ouer, but + had no hurt._ + +This is as likely to be true as the rest, to throw a child downe from +the toppe of a House, and neuer hurt her great toe. + + _She rose againe; had no hurt, went to her Aunt, and + returned backe againe to her Fathers house, being fetched + home._ + +I pray you obserue these contrarieties, in order as they are placed, +to accuse the Prisoners. + + _Saterday the fourth of this instant Aprill._ + +Which was about the very day the Witches of the Forrest of Pendle were +sent to Lancaster. Now was the time for the Seminarie to instruct, +accuse, and call into question these poore women: for the wrinkles of +an old wiues face is good euidence to the Iurie against a Witch.[M2_a_] +And how often will the common people say (_Her eyes are sunke in her +head_, GOD _blesse vs from her._) But old _Chattox_ had +_Fancie_,[M2_b_] besides her withered face, to accuse her. + + _This Examinate did goe with the said_ Iennet Bierley _her + Grand-mother, and_ Ellen Bierley _her Aunt, to the house of_ + Walshman, _in the night-time, to murther a Child in strange + manner._ + +This of all the rest is impossible, to make her of their counsell, to +doe murther, whome so cruelly and barbarously they pursue from day to +day, and torment her. The Witches of the Forrest of Pendle were neuer +so cruell nor barbarous. + + _And shee also saith, the Child cried not when it was hurt._ + +All this time the Child was asleepe, or the Child was of an +extraordinarie patience, _ō inauditum facinus_! + + _After they had eaten, the said three women and this + Examinate daunced euery one of them with one of the Blacke + things: and after, the Blacke things abused the said women._ + +Here is good Euidence to take away their liues. This is more proper +for the Legend of Lyes, then the Euidence of a witnesse vpon Oath, +before a reuerend and learned Iudge, able to conceiue this Villanie, +and finde out the practise. Here is the Religious act of a Priest, but +behold the euent of it. + + _She describes the foure Blacke things to goe vpright, but + not like Men in the face._ + +The Seminarie mistakes the face for the feete: For _Chattox_ and all +her fellow Witches agree, the Deuill is clouen-footed: but _Fancie_ +had a very good face, and was a very proper Man. + + _About tenne dayes after her Examination taken at + Black-borne, then she was tormented._ + +Still he pursues his Proiect: for hearing his Scholler had done well, +he laboured she might doe more in this nature. But notwithstanding, +many things are layd to be in the times when they were Papists: yet +the Priest neuer tooke paines to discouer them, nor instruct his +Scholler, vntill they came to Church. Then all this was the Act of +GOD, to raise a child to open all things, and then to difcouer his +plotted Tragedie. Yet in this great discouerie, the Seminarie forgot +to deuise a Spirit for them. + +And for _Thomas Walshman_, vpon his Oath he sayth, That his Childe had +beene sicke by the space of a fortnight, or three weekes, before it +died. And _Grace Sowerbutts_ saith, they tooke it out of the bedde, +strucke a nayle into the Nauell, sucked bloud, layd it downe againe; +and after, tooke it out of the Graue, with all the rest, as you haue +heard. How these two agree, you may, vpon view of their Euidence, the +better conceiue, and be able to judge. + +How well this proiect, to take away the liues of three innocent poore +creatures by practise and villanie; to induce a young Scholler to +commit periurie, to accuse her owne Grand-mother, Aunt, &c. agrees +either with the Title of a Iesuite, or the dutie of a Religious +Priest, who should rather professe Sinceritie and Innocencie, then +practise Trecherie: But this was lawfull; for they are Heretikes +accursed, to leaue the companie of Priests; to frequent Churches, +heare the word of GOD preached, and professe Religion sincerely. + +But by the course of Times and Accidents, wise men obserue, that very +seldome hath any mischieuous attempt beene vnder-taken without the +direction or assistance of a Iesuit, or Seminarie Priest. + +Who did not condemne these Women vpon this euidence, and hold them +guiltie of this so foule and horrible murder? But Almightie God, who +in his prouidence had prouided meanes for their deliuerance, although +the Priest by the help of the Deuill, had prouided false witnesses to +accuse them; yet GOD had prepared and placed in the Seate of Iustice, +an vpright Iudge to sit in Iudgement vpon their liues, who after he +had heard all the euidence at large against the Prisoners for the +Kings Majestie, demanded of them what answere they could make. They +humbly vpon their knees with weeping teares, desired him for Gods +cause to examine _Grace Sowerbuts_, who set her on, or by whose meanes +this accusation came against them. + +Immediately the countenance of this _Grace Sowerbuts_ changed: The +witnesses being behinde, began to quarrell and accuse one an other. In +the end his Lordship examined the Girle, who could not for her life +make any direct answere, but strangely amazed, told him, shee was put +to a Master to learne, but he told her nothing of this. + +But here as his Lordships care and paines was great to discouer the +practises of these odious Witches of the Forrest of Pendle, and other +places, now vpon their triall before him: So was he desirous to +discouer this damnable practise, to accuse these poore Women, and +bring their liues in danger, and thereby to deliuer the innocent. + +And as he openly deliuered it vpon the Bench, in the hearing of this +great Audience: That if a Priest or Iesuit had a hand in one end of +it, there would appeare to bee knauerie, and practise in the other end +of it. And that it might the better appeare to the whole World, +examined _Thomas Sowerbuts_, what Master taught his daughter: in +generall termes, he denyed all. + +The Wench had nothing to say, but her Master told her nothing of this. +In the end, some that were present told his Lordship the truth, and +the Prisoners informed him how shee went to learne with one _Thompson_ +a Seminarie Priest, who had instructed and taught her this accusation +against them, because they were once obstinate Papists, and now came +to Church. Here is the discouerie of this Priest, and of his whole +practise. Still this fire encreased more and more, and one witnesse +accusing an other, all things were laid open at large. + +In the end his Lordship tooke away the Girle from her Father, and +committed her to M. _Leigh_, a very religious Preacher,[M4_a_] and M. +_Chisnal_, two Iustices of the Peace, to be carefully examined. Who +tooke great paines to examine her of euery particular point: In the +end they came into the Court, and there deliuered this Examination as +followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ GRACE SOWERBVTS, +_of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster, Spinster: +Taken vpon Wednesday the 19. of August 1612. +Annoq; Reg. Regis_, IACOBI _Anglię, Francię, & Hibernię, +Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo & Scotię_, xlvi. + +Before + +WILLIAM LEIGH, _and_ EDWARD CHISNAL, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same +Countie: At the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden +at Lancaster._ + +By + +_Direction of Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one +of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._ + +Being demanded whether the accusation shee laid vppon her +Grand-mother, _Iennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and _Iane +Southworth_, of Witchcraft, _viz._ of the killing of the child of +_Thomas Walshman_, with a naile in the Nauell, the boyling, eating, +and oyling, thereby to transforme themselues into diuers shapes, was +true; Shee doth vtterly denie the same; or that euer shee saw any such +practises done by them. + +Shee further saith, that one Master _Thompson_, which she taketh to be +Master _Christopher Southworth_, to whom shee was sent to learne her +prayers, did perswade, counsell, and aduise her, to deale as formerly +hath beene said against her said Grand-mother, Aunt, and _Southworths_ +wife. + +And further shee confesseth and saith, that shee neuer did know, or +saw any Deuils, nor any other Visions, as formerly by her hath beene +alleaged and informed. + +Also shee confesseth and saith, That shee was not throwne or cast vpon +the Henne-ruffe, and Hay-mow in the Barne, but that shee went vp vpon +the Mow her selfe by the wall side. + +Being further demanded whether shee euer was at the Church, shee +saith, shee was not, but promised her after to goe to the Church, and +that very willingly. + + _Signum_ [Symbol: Maltese cross] Grace Sowerbuts. + + _William Leigh._ + + _Edward Chisnal._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IENNET BIERLEY, +ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE SOVTHWORTH, +_of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster, +Taken vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August_ 1612. +_Annoq; Reg. Regis_, IACOBI _Anglię, Francię, & Hibernię, +Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo & Scotię_, xlvi. + +Before + +WILLIAM LEIGH, _and_ EDWARD CHISNAL, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same +Countie: At the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden +at Lancaster._ + +By + +_Direction of Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one +of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._ + +_Iennet Bierley_ being demanded what shee knoweth, or hath heard, +how _Grace Sowerbuts_ was brought to _Christopher Southworth_, Priest; +shee answereth, that shee was brought to M. _Singletons_ house by her +owne Mother, where the said Priest was, and that shee further heard +her said Mother say, after her Daughter had been in her fit, that shee +should be brought vnto her Master, meaning the said Priest. + +And shee further saith, that shee thinketh it was by and through the +Counsell of the said M. _Thomson_, alias _Southworth_, Priest, That +_Grace Sowerbuts_ her Grand-child accused her of Witchcraft, and of +such practises as shee is accused of: and thinketh further, the cause +why the said _Thompson_, alias _Southworth_ Priest, should practise +with the Wench to doe it was, for that shee went to the Church. + +_Iane Southworth_ saith shee saw Master _Thompson_, alias +_Southworth_, the Priest, a month or sixe weekes before she was +committed to the Gaole; and had conference with him in a place called +Barne-hey-lane, where and when shee challenged him for slandering her +to bee a Witch: whereunto he answered, that what he had heard thereof, +he heard from her mother and her Aunt: yet she, this Examinate, +thinketh in her heart it was by his procurement, and is moued so to +thinke, for that shee would not be disswaded from the Church. + +_Ellen Bierley_ saith, Shee saw Master _Thompson_, alias _Southworth_, +sixe or eight weeks before she was committed, and thinketh the said +Priest was the practiser with _Grace Sowerbutts_, to accuse her of +Witchcraft, and knoweth no cause why he should so doe, but because she +goeth to the Church. + + _Signum_, [Symbol: Maltese cross] Iennet Bierley. + + _Signum_, £ Iane Southworth. + + _Signum_, [Symbol: Greek Phi] Ellen Bierley. + + _William Leigh._ + + _Edward Chisnall._ + +These Examinations being taken, they were brought into the Court, and +there openly in the presence of this great Audience published, and +declared to the Iurie of Life and Death; and thereupon the Gentlemen +of their Iury required to consider of them. For although they stood +vpon their Triall, for matter of Fact of Witchcraft, Murther, and much +more of the like nature: yet in respect all their Accusations did +appeare to bee practise: they were now to consider of them, and to +acquit them. Thus were these poore Innocent creatures, by the great +care and paines of this honorable Iudge, deliuered from the danger of +this conspiracie; this bloudie practise of the Priest laid open: of +whose fact I may lawfully say; _Etiam si ego tacuero clamabunt +lapides_. + +These are but ordinary with Priests and Iesuites: no respect of Bloud, +kindred, or friendship, can moue them to forbeare their Conspiracies: +for when he had laboured treacherously to seduce and conuert them, and +yet could doe no good; then deuised he this meanes. + +_God of his great mercie deliuer vs all from them and their damnable +conspiracies: and when any of his Maiesties subiects, so free and +innocent as these, shall come in question, grant them as honorable a +Triall, as Reuerend and worthy a Iudge to sit in Iudgement vpon them; +and in the end as speedie a deliuerance. And for that which I haue +heard of them; seene with my eyes, and taken paines to Reade of them: +My humble prayer shall be to God Almightie._ Vt Conuertantur ne +pereant. Aut confundantur ne noceant. + +To conclude, because the discourse of these three women of Salmesbury +hath beene long and troublesome to you; it is heere placed amongst +the Witches, by special order and commandement, to set forth to the +World the practise and conspiracie of this bloudy Butcher. And because +I haue presented to your view a Kalender in the Frontispice of this +Booke, of twentie notorious Witches: I shall shew you their +deliuerance in order, as they came to their Arraignement and Triall +euery day, and as the Gentlemen of euery Iury for life and death stood +charged with them. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ANNE REDFERNE,[N3_b_] +_Daughter of_ ANNE WHITTLE, _alias_ CHATTOX, +_of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, for +Witchcraft; vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August, +at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at +Lancaster_, + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Anne Redferne._ + +Svch is the horror of Murther, and the crying sinne of Bloud, that +it will neuer bee satisfied but with Bloud. So fell it out with this +miserable creature, _Anne Redferne_, the daughter of _Anne Whittle_, +alias _Chattox_: who, as shee was her Mother, and brought her into the +World, so was she the meanes to bring her into this danger, and in the +end to her Execution, for much Bloud spilt, and many other mischiefes +done. + +For vpon Tuesday night (although you heare little of her at the +Arraignement and Triall of old _Chattox_, her Mother) yet was shee +arraigned for the murther of _Robert Nutter_, and others: and by the +fauour and mercifull consideration of the Iurie, the Euidence being +not very pregnant against her, she was acquited, and found Not +guiltie. + +Such was her condition and course of life, as had she liued, she would +haue beene very dangerous: for in making pictures of Clay, she was +more cunning then any: But the innocent bloud yet vnsatisfied, and +crying out vnto GOD for satisfaction and reuenge; the crie of his +people (to deliuer them from the danger of such horrible and bloudie +executioners, and from her wicked and damnable practises) hath now +againe brought her to a second Triall, where you shall heare what wee +haue vpon Record against her. + +This _Anne Redferne_, prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre, before the great Seat of Iustice, was there, +according to the former order and course, indicted and arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her deuillish +and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and +_Sorceries_, in and vpon one _Christopher Nutter_, and him the said +_Christopher Nutter_, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously +did kill and murther, _Contra formam Statuti &c. Et Contra Pacem &c._ + +Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, she pleaded _Not-Guiltie_; +and for the triall of her life put her selfe vpon GOD and the +Countrey. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged +with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Anne Redferne, _Prisoner at the + Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +SOTHERNES, alias OLD DEMBDIKE, _taken at the +Fence, in the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, +the second day of Aprill_, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI, +Anglię, &c. decimo, & Scotię xlv. + +Against + +ANNE REDFERNE (_the daughter of_ ANNE WHITTLE, +alias CHATTOX) _Prisoner at the Barre:_ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _of Reade, Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Peace within the said Countie._ + +This Examinate saith, That about halfe a yeare before _Robert +Nutter_ died, as this Examinate thinketh, this Examinate went to the +house of _Thomas Redferne_, which was about Midsummer, as shee this +Examinate now remembreth it: and there, within three yards of the East +end of the said house, shee saw the said _Anne Whittle_ and _Anne +Redferne_, wife of the said _Thomas Redferne_, and daughter of the +said _Anne Whittle_, the one on the one side of a Ditch, and the other +on the other side, and two pictures of Clay or Marle lying by them, +and the third picture the said _Anne Whittle_ was making. And the said +_Anne Redferne_, her said daughter, wrought her Clay or Marle to make +the third picture withall. And this Examinate passing by them, a +Spirit, called _Tibbe_, in the shape of a blacke Cat, appeared vnto +her this Examinate and said, Turne backe againe, and doe as they doe. +To whom this Examinate said, What are they doing? Whereunto the said +Spirit said, They are making three pictures: whereupon shee asked, +whose pictures they were? whereunto the said Spirit said, They are the +pictures of _Christopher Nutter_, _Robert Nutter_, and _Mary_, wife of +the said _Robert Nutter_. But this Examinate denying to goe backe to +helpe them to make the pictures aforesaid, the said Spirit seeming to +be angrie therefore, shot or pushed this Examinate into the Ditch; and +so shedde the milke which this Examinate had in a Kanne, or Kitt; and +so thereupon the Spirit at that time vanished out of this Examinates +sight. But presently after that, the said Spirit appeared vnto this +Examinate again in the shape of a Hare, and so went with her about a +quarter of a myle, but said nothing vnto her this Examinate, nor shee +to it. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ MARGARET +CROOKE + +Against + +_the said_ ANNE REDFERNE: _Taken the day and +yeare aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _aforesaid, Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of the Peace in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +This Examinate, sworne & examined vpon her oath, sayth, That about +eighteene or nineteene yeares agoe, this Examinates brother, called +_Robert Nutter_, about Whitsontide the same yeare, meeting with the +said _Anne Redferne_, vpon some speeches betweene them they fell out, +as this Examinats said brother told this Examinat: and within some +weeke, or fort-night, then next after, this Examinats said brother +fell sicke, and so languished vntill about Candlemas then next after, +and then died. In which time of his sicknesse, he did a hundred times +at the least say, That the said _Anne Redferne_ and her associates had +bewitched him to death. And this Examinate further saith, That this +Examinates Father, called _Christopher Nutter_, about Maudlintide next +after following fell sicke, and so languished, vntill Michaelmas then +next after, and then died: during which time of his sicknesse, hee did +sundry times say, That hee was bewitched; but named no bodie that +should doe the same. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IOHN NVTTER, +_of Higham Booth, in the Forrest of Pendle, in the +Countie of Lancaster, yeoman_, + +Against + +_the said_ ANNE REDFERNE: _Taken the day and yeare +aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices +of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +This Examinate, sworne and examined vpon his oath, sayth, That in +or about Christmas, some eighteene or nineteene yeares agoe, this +Examinat comming from Burnley with _Christopher Nutter_ and _Robert +Nutter_, this Examinates Father and Brother, this Examinate heard his +said Brother then say vnto his said Father these words, or to this +effect. _Father, I am sure I am bewitched by the_ Chattox, Anne +Chattox, _and_ Anne Redferne _her daughter, I pray you cause them to +bee layed in Lancaster Castle:_ Whereunto this Examinates Father +answered, Thou art a foolish Ladde, it is not so, it is thy +miscarriage. Then this Examinates Brother weeping, said; nay, I am +sure that I am bewitched by them, and if euer I come againe (for hee +was readie to goe to Sir _Richard Shuttleworths_, then his Master) I +will procure them to bee laid where they shall be glad to bite Lice in +two with their teeth. + +Hereupon _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, her Mother, was brought +forth to bee examined, who confessed the making of the pictures of +Clay, and in the end cried out very heartily to God to forgiue her +sinnes, and vpon her knees intreated for this _Redferne_, her +daughter. + +Here was likewise many witnesses examined vpon oth _Viua voce_, who +charged her with many strange practises, and declared the death of the +parties, all in such sort, and about the time in the Examinations +formerly mentioned. + +All men that knew her affirmed, shee was more dangerous then her +Mother, for shee made all or most of the Pictures of Clay, that were +made or found at any time. + +Wherefore I leaue her to make good vse of the little time she hath to +repent in: but no meanes could moue her to repentance, for as shee +liued, so shee dyed. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_taken the day and yeare afore-said._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace +within the said Countie of Lancaster._ viz. + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That about two yeares agoe, +hee this Examinate saw three Pictures of Clay, of halfe a yard long, +at the end of _Redfernes_ house, which _Redferne_ had one of the +Pictures in his hand, _Marie_ his daughter had another in her hand, +and the said _Redfernes_ wife, [Sidenote: _Anne Redferne the Witch._] +now prisoner at Lancaster, had an other Picture in her hand, which +Picture she the said _Redfernes_ wife, was then crumbling, but whose +Pictures they were, this Examinate cannot tell. And at his returning +backe againe, some ten Roods off them there appeared vnto him this +Examinate a thing like a Hare, which spit fire at him this Examinate. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ALICE NUTTER, +_of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, for +Witch-craft; upon Wednesday the nineteenth of August, +at the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at +Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his +Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._ + +_Alice Nutter._[O3_a_] + +The two degrees of persons which chiefly practise Witch-craft, are +such, as are in great miserie and pouertie, for such the Deuill +allures to follow him, by promising great riches, and worldly +commoditie; Others, though rich, yet burne in a desperate desire of +Reuenge; Hee allures them by promises, to get their turne satisfied to +their hearts contentment, as in the whole proceedings against old +_Chattox_: the examinations of old _Dembdike_; and her children, there +was not one of them, but have declared the like, when the Deuill first +assaulted them. + +But to attempt this woman in that sort, the Diuel had small meanes: +For it is certaine she was a rich woman; had a great estate, and +children of good hope: in the common opinion of the world, of good +temper, free from enuy or malice; yet whether by the meanes of the +rest of the Witches, or some vnfortunate occasion, shee was drawne to +fall to this wicked course of life, I know not: but hither shee is now +come to receiue her Triall, both for Murder, and many other vilde and +damnable practises. + +Great was the care and paines of his Lordship, to make triall of the +Innocencie of this woman, as shall appeare vnto you vpon the +Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, in open Court, at the time of her +Arraignement and Triall; by an extraordinary meanes of Triall, to +marke her out from the rest. + +It is very certaine she was of the Grand-counsell at Malking-Tower +vpon Good-Friday, and was there present, which was a very great +argument to condemne her. + +This _Alice Nutter_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being +brought to the Barre before the Great Seat of Iustice; was there +according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish +and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and +_Sorceries_, in and vpon _Henry Mitton_: and him the said _Henry +Mitton_, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously did kill and +murther. _Contra formam Statuti_, &c. _Et Contra Pacem_, &c. + +Vpon her Arraignement, to this Indictment shee pleaded not guiltie; +and for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and the +Countrey. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iury of life and death stand charged +with her, as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Alice Nutter _Prisoner + at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE +_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken the seuen +and twentieth day of Aprill_: Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI +Anglię, Francię, & Hibernię, Fidei Defensor. &c. +Decimo & Scotię, xlvj. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, _two of his Maiesties Iustices of +Peace in the Countie of Lancaster. Against Alice Nutter._ + +The said Examinate saith vpon his oath, That hee heard his +Grand-mother say, about a yeare ago, that his mother, called +_Elizabeth Deuice_, and his Grand-mother, and the wife of _Richard +Nutter_, [Sidenote: _Alice Nutter_ the Prisoner.] of the Rough-Lee +aforesaid, had killed one _Henry Mitton_, of the Rough-Lee aforesaid, +by Witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so killed, was for that +this Examinats said Grand-mother had asked the said _Mitton_ a penny: +and hee denying her thereof; thereupon shee procured his death as +aforesaid. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _mother of the said_ IAMES DEVICE. + +Against + +ALICE NVTTER, _wife of_ RICHARD NVTTER, +_Prisoner at the Barre, vpon her Arraignement and +Triall._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, the day and yeare aforesaid._ + +This Examinate vpon her oath confesseth, and saith, That she, with +the wife of _Richard Nutter_, called _Alice Nutter_, Prisoner at the +Barre; and this Examinates said mother, _Elizabeth Sotherne_, alias +_Old Demdike_; ioyned altogether, and bewitched the said _Henry +Mitton_ to death. + +This Examinate further saith, That vpon Good-friday last, there dined +at this examinats house two women of Burneley Parish, whose names the +said _Richard Nutters_ wife, _Alice Nutter_, now Prisoner at the +Barre, doth know. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE +_aforesaid._ + +Against + +_The said_ ALICE NVTTER, _the daye and yeare aforesaid._ + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That vpon Good-Friday about +twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinats +said mothers house, a number of persons, whereof three were men, with +this Examinate, and the rest women: and that they mette there for +these three causes following, as this Examinats said mother told this +Examinate. + +The first was for the naming of the Spirit, which _Alizon Deuice_, now +Prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was not +there. + +The second cause was, for the deliuerie of his said Grand-mother; this +Examinates said sister, _Alizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her +daughter _Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster, and before the +next Assizes to blow vp the Castle there; to the end that the foresaid +Prisoners might by that meanes make an escape, and get away: all which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +And he also saith, The names of such Witches as were on Good-Friday at +this Examinats said Grand-mothers house, and now this Examinates owne +mothers, for so many of them as he doth know, were amongst others, +_Alice Nutter_, mother of _Myles Nutter_, now Prisoner at the Barre. +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses; and they all, +by that time they were forth of the doores, were gotten on +horse-backe, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, and some of +another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when shee got on +horse-back, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates sight: +and before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete at the +said _Prestons_ wifes house that day twelue month, at which time the +said _Prestons_ wife promised to make them a great feast: and if they +had occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen +to meet up[=o] Romleys Moore. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IENNET DEVICE, _daughter of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE. + +Against + +ALICE NVTTER, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +The said Examinate saith, That on Good-Friday last, there was about +20. persons, whereof only two were men (to this Examinates +remembrance) at her said Grand-mothers house at Malking-Tower, about +twelue of the clock; all which persons, this Examinats said mother +tould her, were Witches. And she further saith, she knoweth the names +of six of them, _viz._ the wife of _Hugh Hargreiues_ vnder Pendle, +_Christopher Howgate_ of Pendle, Vncle to this Examinat and +_Elizabeth_ his wife; and _Dick Myles_ wife of the Rough-Lee, +_Christopher Iacks_ of Thorniholme, and his wife; and the names of the +residue, she this Examinate doth not know. + +After these Examinations were openly read, his Lordship being very +suspitious of the accusation of this yong wench _Iennet Deuice_, +commanded one to take her away into the vpper Hall, intending in the +meane time to make Triall of her Euidence, and the Accusation +especially against this woman, who is charged to haue beene at +Malking-Tower, at this great meeting. Master _Couel_ was commanded to +set all his prisoners by themselues, and betwixt euery Witch another +Prisoner, and some other strange women amongst them, so as no man +could iudge the one from the other: and these being set in order +before the Court from the prisoners, then was the Wench _Iennet +Deuice_ commaunded to be brought into the Court: and being set before +my Lord, he tooke great paines to examine her of euery particular +Point, What women were at Malking-Tower vpon Good-Friday? How she knew +them? What were the names of any of them? And how she knew them to be +such as she named? + +In the end being examined by my Lord,[P2_a_1] Whether she knew them +that were there by their faces, if she saw them? she told my Lord she +should: whereupon in the presence of this great Audience, in open +Court, she went and tooke _Alice Nutter_, this prisoner, by the hand, +and accused her to be one: and told her in what place shee sat at the +Feast at Malking-Tower, at the great assembly of the Witches, and who +sat next her: what conference they had, and all the rest of their +proceedings at large, without any manner of contrarietie. + +Being demaunded further by his Lordship, Whether she knew _Iohan a +Style_?[P2_a_2] she alledged, she knew no such wom[=a] to be there, +neither did she euer heare her name. + +This could be no forged or false Accusation, but the very Act of GOD +to discouer her. + +Thus was no meanes left to doe her all indifferent fauour, but it was +vsed to saue her life; and to this shee could giue no answere. + +But nothing would serue: for old _Dembdike_, old _Chattox_, and +others, had charged her with innocent bloud, which cries out for +Reuenge, and will be satisfied. And therefore Almightie GOD, in his +Iustice, hath cut her off. + +And here I leaue her, vntill shee come to her Execution, where you +shall heare shee died very impenitent; insomuch as her owne children +were neuer able to moue her to confesse any particular offence, or +declare any thing, euen in _Articulo Mortis_: which was a very +fearefull thing to all that were present, who knew shee was guiltie. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ KATHERINE HEWIT, +_Wife of_ IOHN HEWIT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES,[P3_a_] +_of Coulne, in the Countie of Lancaster Clothier, for +Witchcraft; vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August, +at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at +Lancaster_, + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Katherine Hewit._ + +Who but Witches can be proofes, and so witnesses of the doings of +Witches? since all their Meetings, Conspiracies, Practises, and +Murthers, are the workes of Darkenesse: But to discouer this wicked +_Furie_, GOD hath not only raised meanes beyond expectation, by the +voluntarie Confession and Accusation of all that are gone before, to +accuse this Witch (being Witches, and thereby witnesses of her doings) +but after they were committed, by meanes of a Child, to discouer her +to be one, and a Principall in that wicked assembly at Malking-Tower, +to deuise such a damnable course for the deliuerance of their friends +at Lancaster, as to kill the Gaoler, and blow vp the Castle, wherein +the Deuill did but labour to assemble them together, and so being +knowne to send them all one way: And herein I shall commend vnto your +good consideration the wonderfull meanes to condemne these parties, +that liued in the world, free from suspition of any such offences, as +are proued against them: And thereby the more dangerous, that in the +successe we may lawfully say, the very Finger of God did point th[=e] +out. And she that neuer saw them, but in that meeting, did accuse +them, and by their faces discouer them. + +This _Katherine Hewyt_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre before the great Seate of Iustice, was there +according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practized, exercised, and vsed her Deuillish +and wicked Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_, and +_Sorceries_, in, and vpon _Anne Foulds_; and the same _Anne Foulds_, +by force of the same witch-craft, felloniously did kill and murder. +_Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et contra Pacem dicti Domini Regis, &c._ + +Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; +And for the triall of her life put her selfe vpon God and her +Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, stand charged +with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Katherine Hewyt, + _Prisoner at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken the seuen and +twentieth day of Aprill_, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI, Anglię, +Francię, & Hibernię, decimo, et Scotię quadragesimo +quarto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace, +in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +KATHERINE HEWYT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES +_of Colne._ viz. + +This Examinate saith, that vpon Good-Friday last, about twelue of +the Clock in the day time, there dined at this Examinates Mothers +house a number of persons: And hee also saith, that they were Witches; +and that the names of the said Witches, that were there, for so many +of them as he did know, were amongst others _Katherine Hewyt_, wife of +_Iohn Hewyt_, alias _Mould-heeles_, of Colne, in the Countie of +Lancaster Clothier; And that the said Witch, called _Katherine Hewyt_, +alias _Mould-heeles_, and one _Alice Gray_, did confesse amongst the +said Witches at their meeting at _Malkin-Tower_ aforesaid, that they +had killed _Foulds_ wifes child, called _Anne Foulds_, of +Colne:[P4_a_1] And also said, that they had then in hanck a +child[P4_a_2] of _Michael Hartleys_ of Colne. + +And this Examinate further saith, that all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their own shapes and likenesses, and by that time +they were gotten forth of the doores, they were gotten on Horse-back +like vnto foales, some of one colour, some of an other, and the said +_Prestons_ wife was the last: And when she got on Horse-back, they all +presently vanished out of this Examinates sight. And before their said +parting away they all appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wifes +house that day twelue Moneths: at which time the said _Prestons_ wife +promised to make them a great feast, and if they had occasion to meete +in the meane time, then should warning be giuen that they all should +meet vpon Romlesmoore. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _Mother of the said_ IAMES +DEVICE. + +Against + +KATHERINE HEWYT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES, +_Prisoner at the Barre vpon her Arraignement and Triall, +taken the day and yeare aforesaid._ viz. + +This Examinate vpon her oath confesseth, that vpon Good-Friday last +there dyned at this Examinates house, which she hath said are Witches, +and verily thinketh to bee Witches, such as the said _Iames Deuice_ +hath formerly spoken of: amongst which was _Katherine Hewyt_, alias +_Mould-heeles_, now Prisoner at the Barre: and shee also saith, that +at their meeting on Good-Friday at _Malkin-Tower_ aforesaid, the said +_Katherine Hewyt_, alias _Mould-heeles_, and _Anne Gray_, did +confesse, they had killed a child of _Foulds_ of Colne, called _Anne +Foulds_, and had gotten hold of another. + +And shee further saith, the said _Katherine Hewyt_ with all the rest, +there gaue her consent with the said _Prestons_ wife for the murder of +Master _Lister_. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IENNET DEVICE, + +Against + +KATHERINE HEWYT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES, +_Prisoner at the Barre._ + +The said Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last, there was +about twentie persons, whereof two were men to this Examinates +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called _Malkin-Tower_ +aforesaid, about twelue of the clock: All which persons this +Examinates said mother told her were Witches, and that shee knoweth +the names of sixe of the said Witches. + +Then was the said _Iennet Deuice_ commanded by his Lordship, to finde +and point out the said _Katherine Hewyt_, alias _Mould-heeles_, +amongst all the rest of the said Women, whereupon shee went and tooke +the said _Katherine Hewyt_ by the hand: Accused her to bee one, and +told her in what place shee sate at the feast at _Malkin-Tower_, at +the great Assembly of the Witches, and who sate next her; what +conference they had, and all the rest of their proceedings at large, +without any manner of contrarietie: Being demanded further by his +Lordship, whether _Ioane a Downe_ were at that Feast, and meeting, or +no? shee alleaged shee knew no such woman to be there, neither did +shee euer heare her name. + +If this were not an Honorable meanes to trie the accusation against +them, let all the World vpon due examination giue iudgement of it. And +here I leaue her the last of this companie, to the Verdict of the +Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, as hereafter shall appeare. + +Heere the Iurie of Life and Death, hauing spent the most part of the +day, in due consideration of their offences, Returned into the Court +to deliuer vp their Verdict against them, as followeth. + +_The Verdict of Life and +Death._ + +Who vpon their Oathes found _Iennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and +_Iane Southworth_, not guiltie of the offence of Witch-craft, +conteyned in the Indictment against them. + +_Anne Redferne_, guiltie of the fellonie & murder, conteyned in the +Indictment against her. + +_Alice Nutter_, guiltie of the fellonie and murder conteyned in the +Indictment against her. + +And + +_Katherine Hewyt_, guiltie of the fellonie & murder conteyned in the +Indictment against her. + +Whereupon Master _Couell_ was commanded by the Court to take away the +Prisoners Conuicted, and to bring forth _Iohn Bulcocke_, _Iane +Bulcocke_ his mother,[Q2_a_] and _Alizon Deuice_, Prisoners in the +Castle at Lancaster, to receiue their Trialls. + +Who were brought to their Arraignement and Triall as hereafter +followeth. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ IOHN BVLCOCK, +_and_ IANE BVLCOCK _his mother, wife of_ CHRISTOPHER +BVLCOCK, _of the Mosse-end, in the Countie +of Lancaster, for Witch-craft: vpon Wednesday in the +after-noone, the nineteenth of August, 1612. At the Assizes +and generall Gaole deliuery, holden at Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY, _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes at Lancaster._ + +_John Bulcock_, +and +_Jane Bulcock_ his mother. + +If there were nothing to charge these Prisoners withall, whom now +you may behold vpon their Arraignement and Triall but their poasting +in haste to the great Assembly at Malking-Tower, there to aduise and +consult amongst the Witches, what were to bee done to set at liberty +the Witches in the Castle at Lancaster: Ioyne with _Iennet Preston_ +for the murder of Master _Lister_; and such like wicked & diuellish +practises: It were sufficient to accuse them for Witches, & to bring +their liues to a lawfull Triall. But amongst all the Witches in this +company, there is not a more fearefull and diuellish Act committed, +and voluntarily confessed by any of them, comparable to this, vnder +the degree of Murder: which impudently now (at the Barre hauing +formerly confessed;)[Q3_a_1] they forsweare, swearing they were neuer +at the great assembly at Malking Tower; although the very Witches that +were present in that action with them, iustifie, maintaine, and sweare +the same to be true against them: Crying out in very violent & +outragious manner, euen to the gallowes,[Q3_a_2] where they died +impenitent for any thing we know, because they died silent in the +particulars. These of all others were the most desperate wretches +(void of all feare or grace) in all this Packe; Their offences not +much inferiour to Murther: for which you shall heare what matter of +Record wee haue against them; and whether they be worthie to continue, +we leaue it to the good consideration of the Iury. + +The said _Iohn Bulcock_, and _Iane Bulcock_ his mother, Prisoners in +the Castle at Lancaster, being brought to the Barre before the great +Seat of Iustice: were there according to the former order and course +Indicted and Arraigned, for that they felloniously had practised, +exercised and vfed their diuellish & wicked Arts, called +_Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and _Sorceries_, in and vpon +the body of _Iennet Deane_: so as the body of the said _Iennet Deane_, +by force of the said Witchcrafts, wasted and consumed; and after she, +the said _Iennet_, became madde. _Contra formam Statuti_, &c. _Et +Contra pacem_, &c. + +Vpon their Arraignement, to this Indictment they pleaded not guiltie; +and for the triall of their liues put themselues vpon God and their +Countrey. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged +with them as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Iohn Bulcock, _and_ Jane + Bulcock _his mother, Prisoners at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE +_taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill aforesaid._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in +the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IOHN BVLCOCK _and_ IANE BVLCOCK _his mother._ + +This Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday, about twelue of the +clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates said Mothers +house a number of persons, whereof three were men with this Examinate, +and the rest women, and that they met there for these three causes +following, as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate. The +first was, for the naming of the Spirit which _Allison Deuice_, now +prisoner at Lancaster had, but did not name him, because shee was not +there. The second cause was, for the deliuerie of his said +Grand-mother; this Examinates said sister _Allison_; the said _Anne +Chattox_, and her daughter _Redferne_, killing the Gaoler at +Lancaster, and before the next Assises to blow vp the Castle there, to +that end the aforesaid prisoners might by that meanes make an escape, +and get away: All which this Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +And he also sayth, That the names of such said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, and now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as hee did know, were +these, _viz._ _Iane Bulcock_, wife of _Christopher Bulcock_, of the +Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne amongst others, &c. + +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their own shapes and likenesses: and they all, by +that they were forth of the dores, were gotten on horse-backe, like +vnto Foales, some of one colour, and some of another, and _Prestons_ +wife was the last: and when shee got on horse-backe, they all +presently vanished out of this Examinates sight. + +And further he saith, That the said _Iohn Bulcock_ and _Iane_ his said +Mother, did confesse vpon Good-Friday last at the said Malking-Tower, +in the hearing of this Examinate, That they had bewitched, at the +new-field Edge in Yorkeshire, a woman called _Iennet_, wife of _Iohn +Deyne_, besides, her reason; and the said Womans name so bewitched, he +did not heare them speake of. And this Examinate further saith, That +at the said Feast at Malking-Tower this Examinate heard them all giue +their consents to put the said Master _Thomas Lister_ of Westby[Q4_a_] +to death. And after Master _Lister_ should be made away by +Witch-craft, then all the said Witches gaue their consents to ioyne +all together, to hanck Master _Leonard Lister_, when he should come +to dwell at the Cow-gill, and so put him to death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _Taken the day and yeare aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in +the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IOHN BVLCOCK, _and_ IANE BVLCOCK, _his +mother._ + +This Examinate saith vpon her oath, That she doth verily thinke, +that the said _Bulcockes_ wife doth know of some Witches to bee about +Padyham and Burnley.[Q4_b_] + +And shee further saith, That at the said meeting at Malking-Tower, as +aforesaid, _Katherine Hewyt_ and _Iohn Bulcock_, with all the rest +then there, gaue their consents, with the said _Prestons_ wife, for +the killing of the said Master _Lister_. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IENNET DEVICE + +Against + +IOHN BVLCOCKE _and_ IANE _his mother, prisoners +at the Barre._ + +The said Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last there was +about twentie persons, whereof two were men, to this Examinates +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called Malking-Tower +aforesaid: all which persons, this Examinates said mother told her +were Witches, and that she knoweth the names of sixe of the said +Witches. + +Then was the said _Iennet Deuice_ commaunded by his Lordship to finde +and point out the said _Iohn Bulcock_ and _Iane Bulcock_ amongst all +the rest; whereupon shee went and tooke _Iane Bulcock_ by the hand, +accused her to be one, and told her in what place shee sat at the +Feast at Malking-Tower, at the great Assembly of the Witches; and who +sat next her: and accused the said _Iohn Bulcock_ to turne the Spitt +there;[R_a_] what conference they had, and all the rest of their +proceedings at large, without any manner of contrarietie. + +Shee further told his Lordship, there was a woman that came out of +Craven to that Great Feast at Malking-Tower, but shee could not finde +her out amongst all those women. + + * * * * * + +¶ The names of the Witches at the +_Great Assembly and Feast at_ +Malking-Tower, _viz._ vpon Good-Friday +last, 1612.[R1_b_] + +_Elizabeth Deuice._ + +_Alice Nutter._ + +_Katherine Hewit_, alias + _Mould-heeles._ + +_John Bulcock._ + +_Jane Bulcock._ + +_Alice Graie._ + +_Jennet Hargraues._ + +_Elizabeth Hargraues._ + +_Christopher Howgate._ + Sonne to old _Dembdike_. + +_Christopher Hargraues._ + +_Grace Hay_, of Padiham. + +_Anne Crunckshey_, of Marchden. + +_Elizabeth Howgate._ + +_Jennet Preston_, Executed at Yorke +for the Murder of Master _Lister_, + +With many more, which being bound ouer to appeare at the last Assizes, +are since that time fled to saue themselues. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ALIZON DEVICE, +_Daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _within the Forrest +of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, for +Witch-craft._ + +_Alizon Deuice._ + +Behold, aboue all the rest, this lamentable spectacle of a poore +distressed Pedler, how miserably hee was tormented, and what +punishment hee endured for a small offence, by the wicked and damnable +practise of this odious Witch, first instructed therein by old +_Dembdike_ her Grand-mother, of whose life and death with her good +conditions, I haue written at large before in the beginning of this +worke, out of her owne Examinations and other Records, now remayning +with the Clarke of the Crowne at Lancaster: And by her Mother brought +vp in this detestable course of life; wherein I pray you obserue but +the manner and course of it in order, euen to the last period at her +Execution, for this horrible fact, able to terrifie and astonish any +man liuing. + +This _Alizon Deuice_, Prisoner in the Castle of Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice, was there +according to the former order and course indicted and arraigned, for +that shee felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her +Deuillish and wicked Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchantments_, +_Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Iohn Law_, a +Petti-chapman, and him had lamed; so that his bodie wasted and +consumed, &c. _Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et contra pacem dicti Domini +Regis, Coronam & Dignitatem, &c._ + +Vpon the Arraignement, The poore Pedler, by name _Iohn Law_, being in +the Castle about the Moot-hall, attending to be called, not well able +to goe or stand, being led thether by his poore sonne _Abraham Law_: +My Lord _Gerrard_[R3_a_] moued the Court to call the poore Pedler, who +was there readie, and had attended all the Assizes, to giue euidence +for the Kings Majestie against the said _Alizon Deuice_, Prisoner at +the Barre, euen now vpon her Triall. The Prisoner being at the Barre, +& now beholding the Pedler, deformed by her Witch-craft, and +transformed beyond the course of Nature, appeared to giue euidence +against her; hauing not yet pleaded to her Indictment, saw it was in +vaine to denie it, or stand vpon her justification: Shee humbly vpon +her knees at the Barre with weeping teares, prayed the Court to heare +her. + +Whereupon my Lord _Bromley_ commanded shee should bee brought out from +the Prisoners neare vnto the Court, and there on her knees, shee +humbly asked forgiuenesse for her offence: And being required to make +an open declaration or confession of her offence: Shee confessed as +followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Confession of_ ALIZON DEVICE, +_Prisoner at the Barre: published and declared at time +of her Arraignement and Triall in open Court._ + +She saith, That about two yeares agone, her Grand-mother, called +_Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, did (sundry times in going or +walking together, as they went begging) perswade and aduise this +Examinate to let a Diuell or a Familiar appeare to her, and that shee, +this Examinate would let him suck at some part of her; and she might +haue and doe what shee would. And so not long after these perswasions, +this Examinate being walking towards the Rough-Lee, in a Close of one +_Iohn Robinsons_, there appeared vnto her a thing like vnto a Blacke +Dogge: speaking vnto her, this Examinate, and desiring her to giue him +her Soule, and he would giue her power to doe any thing shee would: +whereupon this Examinate being therewithall inticed, and setting her +downe; the said Blacke-Dogge did with his mouth (as this Examinate +then thought) sucke at her breast, a little below her Paps, which +place did remain blew halfe a yeare next after: which said +Blacke-Dogge did not appeare to this Examinate, vntill the eighteenth +day of March last: at which time this Examinate met with a Pedler on +the high-way, called Colne-field, neere vnto Colne: and this Examinate +demanded of the said Pedler to buy some pinnes of him; but the said +Pedler sturdily answered this Examinate that he would not loose his +Packe; and so this Examinate parting with him: presently there +appeared to this Examinate the Blacke-Dogge, which appeared vnto her +as before: which Black Dogge spake vnto this Examinate in English, +saying; What wouldst thou haue me to do vnto yonder man? to whom this +Examinate said, What canst thou do at him? and the Dogge answered +againe, I can lame him: whereupon this Examinat answered, and said to +the said Black Dogge, Lame him: and before the Pedler was gone fortie +Roddes further, he fell downe Lame: and this Examinate then went after +the said Pedler; and in a house about the distance aforesaid, he was +lying Lame: and so this Examinate went begging in Trawden Forrest that +day, and came home at night: and about fiue daies next after, the said +Black-Dogge did appeare to this Examinate, as she was going a begging, +in a Cloase neere the New-Church in Pendle, and spake againe to her, +saying; Stay and speake with me; but this Examinate would not: +Sithence which time this Examinat neuer saw him. + + _Which agreeth_ verbatim _with her owne Examination taken + at_ Reade, _in the Countie of Lancaster, the thirtieth day + of March, before Master_ Nowel, _when she was apprehended + and taken._ + +My Lord _Bromley_, and all the whole Court not a little wondering, +as they had good cause, at this liberall and voluntarie confession of +the Witch; which is not ordinary with people of their condition and +qualitie: and beholding also the poore distressed Pedler, standing by, +commanded him vpon his oath to declare the manner how, and in what +sort he was handled; how he came to be lame, and so to be deformed; +who deposed vpon his oath, as followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The Euidence of_ IOHN LAW, +_Pettie Chapman, vpon his Oath:_ + +Against + +ALIZON DEVICE, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +He deposeth and saith, That about the eighteenth of March last +past, hee being a Pedler, went with his Packe of wares at his backe +thorow Colne-field: where vnluckily he met with _Alizon Deuice_, now +Prisoner at the Barre, who was very earnest with him for pinnes, but +he would giue her none: whereupon she seemed to be very angry; and +when hee was past her, hee fell downe lame in great extremitie; and +afterwards by meanes got into an Ale-house in Colne, neere vnto the +place where hee was first bewitched: and as hee lay there in great +paine, not able to stirre either hand or foote; he saw a great +Black-Dogge stand by him, with very fearefull firie eyes, great teeth, +and a terrible countenance, looking him in the face; whereat he was +very sore afraid: and immediately after came in the said _Alizon +Deuice_, who staid not long there, but looked on him, and went away. + +After which time hee was tormented both day and night with the said +_Alizon Deuice_; and so continued lame, not able to trauell or take +paines euer since that time: which with weeping teares in great +passion turned to the Prisoner; in the hearing of all the Court hee +said to her, _This thou knowest to be too true_: and thereupon she +humblie acknowledged the same, and cried out to God to forgiue her; +and vpon her knees with weeping teares, humbly prayed him to forgiue +her that wicked offence; which he very freely and voluntarily did. + +Hereupon Master _Nowel_ standing vp, humbly prayed the fauour of the +Court, in respect this Fact of Witchcraft was more eminent and +apparant than the rest, that for the better satisfaction of the +Audience, the Examination of _Abraham Law_ might be read in Court. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ABRAHAM +LAW, _of Hallifax, in the Countie of Yorke, Cloth-dier, +taken vpon oath the thirtieth day of March, 1612._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _Esquire, aforesaid._ + +Being sworne and examined, saith, That vpon Saturday last saue one, +being the one and twentieth day of this instant March, he, this +Examinate was sent for, by a letter that came from his father, that he +should come to his father, _Iohn Law_, who then lay in Colne +speechlesse, and had the left-side lamed all saue his eye: and when +this Examinate came to his father, his said father had something +recouered his speech, and did complaine that hee was pricked with +Kniues, Elsons and Sickles,[S_a_] and that the same hurt was done vnto +him at Colne-field, presently after that _Alizon Deuice_ had offered +to buy some pinnes of him, and she had no money to pay for them +withall; but as this Examinates father told this Examinate, he gaue +her some pinnes. And this Examinate further saith, That he heard his +said father say, that the hurt he had in his lamenesse was done vnto +him by the said _Alizon Deuice_, by Witchcraft. And this Examinate +further saith, that hee heard his said Father further say, that the +said _Alizon Deuice_ did lie vpon him and trouble him. And this +Examinate seeing his said Father so tormented with the said _Alizon_ +and with one other olde woman, whome this Examinates Father did not +know as it seemed: This Examinate made search after the said _Alizon_, +and hauing found her, brought her to his said Father yesterday being +the nine and twenteth of this instant March: whose said Father in the +hearing of this Examinate and diuers others did charge the said +_Alizon_ to haue bewitched him, which the said _Alizon_ +confessing[S_b_] did aske this Examinates said Father forgiuenesse +vpon her knees for the same; whereupon this Examinates Father +accordingly did forgiue her. Which Examination in open Court vpon his +oath hee iustified to be true. + +Whereupon it was there affirmed to the Court that this _Iohn Law_ the +Pedler, before his vnfortunate meeting with this Witch, was a verie +able sufficient stout man of Bodie, and a goodly man of Stature. But +by this Deuillish art of _Witch-craft_ his head is drawne awrie, his +Eyes and face deformed, His speech not well to bee vnderstood; his +Thighes and Legges starcke lame: his Armes lame especially the left +side, his handes lame and turned out of their course, his Bodie able +to indure no trauell: and thus remaineth at this present time. + +The Prisoner being examined by the Court whether shee could helpe the +poore Pedler to his former strength and health, she answered she could +not, and so did many of the rest of the Witches: But shee, with +others, affirmed, That if old _Dembdike_ had liued, shee could and +would haue helped him out of that great miserie, which so long he hath +endured for so small an offence, as you haue heard. + +These things being thus openly published against her, and she knowing +her selfe to be guiltie of euery particular, humbly acknowledged the +Indictment against her to be true, and that she was guiltie of the +offence therein contained, and that she had iustly deserued death for +that and many other such like: whereupon she was carried away, vntill +she should come to the Barre to receiue her judgement of death. + +Oh, who was present at this lamentable spectacle, that was not moued +with pitie to behold it! + +Hereupon my Lord _Gerard_, Sir _Richard Houghton_, and others, who +much pitied the poore Pedler, At the entreatie of my Lord _Bromley_ +the Iudge, promised some present course should be taken for his +reliefe and maintenance; being now discharged and sent away. + +But here I may not let her passe; for that I find some thing more vpon +Record to charge her withall: for although she were but a young Witch, +of a yeares standing, and thereunto induced by _Dembdike_ her +Grand-mother, as you haue formerly heard, yet she was spotted with +innocent bloud among the rest: for in one part of the Examination of +_Iames Deuice_, her brother, he deposeth as followeth, _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_brother to the said_ ALIZON DEVICE: _Taken +vpon Oath_ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire, aforesaid, the thirtieth day +of March, 1612._ + +_Iames Deuice_, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of +Lancaster, Labourer, sworne and examined, sayth, That about _Saint +Peters_ day last one _Henry Bulcock_ came to the house of _Elizabeth +Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, Grand-mother to this Examinate, and +said, That the said _Alizon Deuice_ had bewitched a Child of his, and +desired her, that shee would goe with him to his house: which +accordingly shee did: and thereupon shee the said _Alizon_ fell downe +on her knees, and asked the said _Bulcock_ forgiuenesse; and confessed +to him, that she had bewitched the said Child, as this Examinate heard +his said sister confesse vnto him this Examinate. + +And although shee were neuer indicted for this offence, yet being +matter vpon Record, I thought it conuenient to joyne it vnto her +former Fact. + +Here the Iurie of Life and Death hauing spent the most part of the +day in due consideration of their offences, returned into the Court to +deliuer up their Verdict against them, as followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The Verdict of Life +and Death._ + +Who vpon their Oathes found _Iohn Bulcock_ and _Iane Bulcock_ his +mother, not guiltie of the Felonie by Witch-craft, contained in the +Indictment against them. + +_Alizon Deuice_ conuicted vpon her owne Confession. + +Whereupon Master _Couel_ was commaunded by the Court to take away the +Prisoners conuicted, and to bring forth _Margaret Pearson_,[S3_b_] and +_Isabell Robey_, Prisoners in the Castle at Lancaster, to receiue +their Triall. + +Who were brought to their Arraignement and Trialls, as hereafter +followeth, _viz._ + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ MARGARET PEARSON +_of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, for +Witchcraft; the nineteenth of August, 1612. at the +Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster_, + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Margaret Pearson._ + +Thus farre haue I proceeded in hope your patience will endure the +end of this discourse, which craues time, and were better not begunne +at all, then not perfected. + +This _Margaret Pearson_ was the wife of _Edward Pearson_ of Paddiham, +in the Countie of Lancaster; little inferiour in her wicked and +malicious course of life to any that hath gone before her: A very +dangerous Witch of long continuance, generally suspected and feared in +all parts of the Countrie, and of all good people neare her, and not +without great cause: For whosoeuer gaue her any iust occasion of +offence, shee tormented with great miserie, or cut off their +children, goods, or friends. + +This wicked and vngodly Witch reuenged her furie vpon goods, so that +euery one neare her sustained great losse. I place her in the end of +these notorious Witches, by reason her iudgement is of an other +Nature, according to her offence; yet had not the fauour and mercie of +the Iurie beene more than her desert, you had found her next to old +_Dembdike_; for this is the third time shee is come to receiue her +Triall; one time for murder by Witch-craft; an other time for +bewitching a Neighbour; now for goods. + + How long shee hath been a Witch, the Deuill and shee knows + best. + +The Accusations, Depositions, and particular Examinations vpon Record +against her are infinite, and were able to fill a large Volume; But +since shee is now only to receiue her Triall for this last offence. I +shall proceede against her in order, and set forth what matter we haue +vpon Record, to charge her withall. + +This _Margaret Pearson_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being +brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice; was there +according to the course and order of the Law Indicted and Arraigned, +for that shee had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish and +wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and +_Sorceries_, and one Mare of the goods and Chattels of one _Dodgeson_ +of Padiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, wickedly, maliciously, and +voluntarily did kill. _Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et Contra pacem +dicti Domini Regis. &c._ + +Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; +And for the triall of her offence put her selfe vpon God and her +Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of her offence and death, stand +charged with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Margaret Pearson, + _Prisoner at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +ANNE WHITTLE, _alias_ CHATTOX. + +Against + +MARGARET PEARSON, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +The said _Anne Chattox_ being examined saith, That the wife of one +_Pearson_ of Paddiham, is a very euill Woman, and confessed to this +Examinate, that shee is a Witch, and hath a Spirit which came to her +the first time in likenesse of a Man, and clouen footed, and that shee +the said _Pearsons_ wife hath done very much harme to one _Dodgesons_ +goods, who came in at a loope-hole into the said _Dodgesons_ Stable, +and shee and her Spirit together did sit vpon his Horse or Mare, +vntill the said Horse or Mare died. And likewise, that shee the said +_Pearsons_ wife did confesse vnto her this Examinate, that shee +bewitched vnto death one _Childers_ wife, and her Daughter, and that +shee the said _Pearsons_ wife is as ill as shee. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IENNET BOOTH, +_of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, the ninth day +of August 1612._ + +Before + +NICHOLAS BANNESTER, _Esquire; one of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +_Iennet_, the wife of _Iames Booth_, of Paddiham, vpon her oath +saith, That the Friday next after, the said _Pearsons_ wife, was +committed to the Gaole at Lancaster, this Examinate was carding in the +said _Pearsons_ house, hauing a little child with her, and willed the +said _Margerie_ to giue her a little Milke, to make her said child a +little meat, who fetcht this Examinate some, and put it in a pan; this +examinat meaning to set it on the fire, found the said fire very ill, +and taking vp a stick that lay by her, and brake it in three or foure +peeces, and laid vpon the coales to kindle the same, then set the pan +and milke on the fire: and when the milke was boild to this Examinates +content, she tooke the pan wherein the milke was, off the said fire, +and with all, vnder the bottome of the same, there came a Toade, or a +thing very like a Toade, and to this Examinates thinking came out of +the fire, together with the said Pan, and vnder the bottome of the +same, and that the said _Margerie_ did carrie the said Toade out of +the said house in a paire of tonges;[T_a_] But what shee the said +_Margerie_ did therewith, this Examinate knoweth not. + +After this were diuers witnesses examined against her in open Court, +_viua voce_, to proue the death of the Mare, and diuers other vild +and odious practises by her committed, who vpon their Examinations +made it so apparant to the Iurie as there was no question; But because +the fact is of no great importance, in respect her life is not in +question by this Indictment, and the Depositions and examinations are +many, I leaue to trouble you with any more of them, for being found +guiltie of this offence, the penaltie of the Law is as much as her +good Neighbours doe require, which is to be deliuered from the +companie of such a dangerous, wicked, and malicious Witch. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ISABEL ROBEY +_in the Countie of Lancaster, for Witch-craft: vpon Wednesday +the nineteenth of August, 1612. At the Assizes and generall +Goale-deliuery, holden at Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY, _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes at Lancaster._ + +_Isabel Robey._[T2_a_1] + +Thus at one time may you behold Witches of all sorts from many +places in this Countie of Lancaster which now may lawfully bee said to +abound asmuch in Witches of diuers kindes as Seminaries, Iesuites, and +Papists.[T2_a_2] Here then is the last that came to act her part in +this lamentable and wofull Tragedie, wherein his Maiestie hath lost so +many Subjects, Mothers their Children, Fathers their Friends, and +Kinsfolkes[T2_a_3] the like whereof hath not beene set forth in any +age. What hath the Kings Maiestie written and published in his +_Dęmonologie_, by way of premonition and preuention, which hath not +here by the first or last beene executed, put in practise or +discouered? What Witches haue euer vpon their Arraignement and Trial +made such open liberall and voluntarie declarations of their liues, +and such confessions of their offences: The manner of their attempts +and their bloudie practises, their meetings, consultations and what +not? Therefore I shall now conclude with this _Isabel Robey_ who is +now come to her triall. + +This _Isabel Robey_ Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster being brought +to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice was there according to +the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for that shee +Felloniously had practised, exercised and vsed her Deuilish and wicked +Artes called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes and Sorceries_. + +Vpon her Arraignment to this Indictment she pleaded not guiltie, and +for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and her Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged +with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Isabel Robey + _Prisoner at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ PETER CHADDOCK +_of Windle, in the Countie of Lancaster: Taken at +Windle aforesaid, the 12. day of Iuly 1612._ Anno Reg. +Regis IACOBI, Anglię, &c. decimo, & Scotię xlv. + +Before + +_Sir_ THOMAS GERRARD _Knight, and Barronet. One +of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within the said +Countie._ + +The said Examinate vpon his Oath saith, That before his Marriage +hee heard say that the said _Isabel Robey_ was not pleased that hee +should marrie his now wife: whereupon this Examinate called the said +_Isabel_ Witch, and said that hee did not care for her. Then within +two dayes next after this Examinate was sore pained in his bones: And +this Examinate hauing occasion to meete Master _Iohn Hawarden_ at +Peaseley Crosse, wished one _Thomas Lyon_ to goe thither with him, +which they both did so; but as they came home-wards, they both were in +euill case. But within a short time after, this Examinate and the said +_Thomas Lyon_ were both very well amended. + +And this Examinate further saith, that about foure yeares last past, +his now wife was angrie with the said _Isabel_, shee then being in his +house, and his said Wife thereupon went out of the house, and +presently after that the said _Isabel_ went likewise out of the house +not well pleased, as this Examinate then did thinke, and presently +after vpon the same day, this Examinate with his said wife working in +the Hay, a paine and a starknesse fell into the necke of this Examinat +which grieued him very sore; wherup[=o] this Examinat sent to one +_Iames_ a Glouer, which then dwelt in Windle, and desired him to pray +for him, and within foure or fiue dayes next after this Examinate did +mend very well. Neuerthelesse this Examinate during the same time was +very sore pained, and so thirstie withall, and hot within his body, +that hee would haue giuen any thing hee had, to haue slaked his +thirst, hauing drinke enough in the house, and yet could not drinke +vntill the time that the said _Iames_ the Glouer came to him, and this +Examinate then said before the said Glouer, I would to God that I +could drinke, where upon the said Glouer said to this Examinate, take +that drinke, and in the name of the _Father_, the _Sonne_, and the +_Holy Ghost_, drinke it, saying; The Deuill and Witches are not able +to preuaile against GOD and his Word, whereupon this Examinate then +tooke the glasse of drinke, and did drinke it all, and afterwards +mended very well, and so did continue in good health, vntill our Ladie +day in Lent was twelue moneth or thereabouts, since which time this +Examinate saith, that hee hath beene sore pained with great warch in +his bones,[T3_b_] and all his limmes, and so yet continueth, and this +Examinate further saith, that his said warch and paine came to him +rather by meanes of the said _Isabel Robey_, then otherwise, as he +verily thinketh. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IANE WILKINSON, +_Wife of_ FRANCIS WILKINSON, _of Windle aforesaid: +Taken before the said Sir_ THOMAS GERRARD, +_Knight and Barronet, the day and place aforesaid. +Against the said_ ISABEL ROBEY. + +The said Examinate vpon her oath saith, that vpon a time the said +_Isabel Robey_ asked her milke, and shee denied to giue her any: And +afterwards shee met the said _Isabel_, whereupon this Examinate waxed +afraid of her, and was then presently sick, and so pained that shee +could not stand, and the next day after this Examinate going to +Warrington, was suddenly pinched on her Thigh as shee thought, with +foure fingers & a Thumbe twice together, and thereupon was sicke, in +so much as shee could not get home but on horse-backe, yet soone after +shee did mend. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ MARGARET +LYON _wife of_ THOMAS LYON _the yonger, of +Windle aforesaid: Taken before the said Sir_ THOMAS +GERRARD, _Knight and Barronet, the day and place aforesaid. +Against the said_ ISABEL ROBEY. + +The said _Margaret Lyon_ vpon her Oath saith, that vpon a time +_Isabel Robey_ came into her house and said that _Peter Chaddock_ +should neuer mend vntill he had asked her forgiuenesse; and that shee +knew hee would neuer doe: whereupon this Examinate said, how doe you +know that, for he is a true Christian, and hee would aske all the +world forgiuenesse? then the said _Isabel_ said, that is all one, for +hee will neuer aske me forgiuenesse, therefore hee shall neuer mend; +And this Examinate further saith, that shee being in the house of the +said _Peter Chaddock_, the wife of the said _Peter_, who is +God-Daughter of the said _Isabel_, and hath in times past vsed her +companie much, did affirme, that the said _Peter_ was now satisfied, +that the said _Isabel Robey_ was no Witch, by sending to one +_Halseworths_, which they call a wiseman,[T4_b_1] and the wife of the +said _Peter_ then said, to abide vpon it,[T4_b_2] I thinke that my +Husband will neuer mend vntill hee haue asked her forgiuenesse, choose +him whether hee will bee angrie or pleased, for this is my opinion: to +which he answered, when he did need to aske her forgiuenesse, he +would, but hee thought hee did not need, for any thing hee knew: and +yet this Examinate further saith, That the said _Peter Chaddock_ had +very often told her, that he was very afraid that the said _Isabel_ +had done him much hurt; and that he being fearefull to meete her, he +hath turned backe at such time as he did meet her alone, which the +said _Isabel_ hath since then affirmed to be true, saying, that hee +the said _Peter_ did turne againe when he met her in the Lane. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ MARGARET +PARRE _wife of_ HVGH PARRE _of Windle aforesaid, +Taken before the said Sir_ THOMAS GERARD +_Knight and Baronet, the day and place aforesaid. Against +the said_ ISABEL ROBEY. + +The said Examinate vpon her oath saith, that vpon a time, the said +_Isabel Robey_ came to her house, and this Examinate asked her how +_Peter Chaddock_ did, And the said _Isabel_ answered shee knew not, +for shee went not to see, and then this Examinate asked her how _Iane +Wilkinson_ did, for that she had beene lately sicke and suspected to +haue beene bewitched: then the said _Isabel_ said twice together, I +haue bewitched her too: and then this Examinate said that shee trusted +shee could blesse her selfe from all Witches and defied them; and then +the said _Isabel_ said twice together, would you defie me? & +afterwards the said _Isabel_ went away not well pleased. + +Here the Gentlemen of the last Iurie of Life and Death hauing taken +great paines, the time being farre spent, and the number of the +Prisoners great, returned into the Court to deliuer vp their Verdict +against them as followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Verdict of Life and +Death._ + +Who vpon their Oathes found the said _Isabel Robey_ guiltie of the +Fellonie by Witch-craft, contained in the Indictment against her. And +_Margaret Pearson_ guiltie of the offence by Witch-craft, contained in +the Indictment against her. + +Whereupon Master _Couell_ was commaunded by the Court in the +afternoone to bring forth all the Prisoners that stood Conuicted, to +receiue their Iudgment of Life and Death. + +For his Lordship now intended to proceed to a finall dispatch of the +Pleas of the Crowne. And heere endeth the Arraignement and Triall of +the Witches at Lancaster. + +Thus at the length haue we brought to perfection this intended +Discouery of Witches, with the Arraignement and Triall of euery one of +them in order, by the helpe of Almightie God, and this Reuerend Iudge; +the Lanterne from whom I haue received light to direct me in this +course to the end. And as in the beginning, I presented vnto their +view a Kalender containing the names of all the witches: So now I +shall present vnto you in the conclusion and end, such as stand +conuicted, and come to the Barre to receiue the iudgement of the Law +for their offences, and the proceedings of the Court against such as +were acquitted, and found not guiltie: with the religious Exhortation +of this Honorable Iudge, as eminent in gifts and graces, as in place +and preeminence, which I may lawfully affirme without base flattery +(the canker of all honest and worthie minds) drew the eyes and +reuerend respect of all that great Audience present, to heare their +Iudgement, and the end of these proceedings. + + * * * * * + +_The Prisoners being brought to the Barre._ + +The Court commanded three solemne Proclamations for silence, vntill +Iudgement for Life and Death were giuen. + +Whereupon I presented to his Lordship the names of the Prisoners in +order, which were now to receiue their Iudgement. + + * * * * * + +¶ The names of the Prisoners at the +_Barre to receiue their Judgement_ +of Life and Death. + +_Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox._ + +_Elizabeth Deuice._ + +_James Deuice._ + +_Anne Redferne._ + +_Alice Nutter._ + +_Katherine Hewet_, + +_John Bulcock._ + +_Jane Bulcock._ + +_Alizon Deuice._ + +_Isabel Robey._ + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE IVDGEMENT +OF THE RIGHT HONORABLE +Sir EDWARD BROMLEY, Knight, one +_of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster +vpon the Witches conuicted_, +as followeth. + +_There is no man aliue more vnwilling to pronounce this wofull and +heauy Iudgement against you, then my selfe: and if it were possible, I +would to God this cup might passe from me. But since it is otherwise +prouided, that after all proceedings of the Law, there must be a +Iudgement; and the Execution of that Iudgement must succeed and follow +in due time: I pray you haue patience to receiue that which the Law +doth lay vpon you. You of all people haue the least cause to +complaine: since in the Triall of your liues there hath beene great +care and paines taken, and much time spent: and very few or none of +you, but stand conuicted vpon your owne voluntarie confessions and +Examinations_, Ex ore proprio. _Few Witnesses examined against you, +but such as were present, and parties in your Assemblies. Nay I may +further affirme, What persons of your nature and condition, euer were +Arraigned and Tried with more solemnitie, had more libertie giuen to +pleade or answere to euerie particular point of Euidence against you? +In conclusion such hath beene the generall care of all, that had to +deale with you, that you haue neither cause to be offended in the +proceedings of the Iustices, that first tooke paines in these +businesses, nor with the Court that hath had great care to giue +nothing in euidence against you, but matter of fact; Sufficient matter +vpon Record, and not to induce or leade the Iurie to finde any one of +you guiltie vpon matter of suspition or presumption, nor with the +witnesses who haue beene tried, as it were in the fire: Nay, you +cannot denie but must confesse what extraordinarie meanes hath beene +vsed to make triall of their euidence, and to discouer the least +intended practice in any one of them, to touch your liues vniustly._ + +_As you stand simply (your offences and bloudie practises not +considered) your fall would rather moue compassion, then exasperate +any man. For whom would not the ruine of so many poore creatures at +one time, touch, as in apparance simple, and of little vnderstanding?_ + +_But the bloud of those innocent children, and others his Maiesties +Subiects, whom cruelly and barbarously you haue murdered, and cut off, +with all the rest of your offences, hath cryed out vnto the Lord +against you, and sollicited for satisfaction and reuenge, and that +hath brought this heauie iudgement vpon you at this time._ + +_It is therefore now time no longer wilfully to striue, both against +the prouidence of God, and the Iustice of the Land: the more you +labour to acquit your selues, the more euident and apparant you make +your offences to the World. And vnpossible it is that they shall +either prosper or continue in this World, or receiue reward in the +next, that are stained with so much innocent bloud._ + +_The worst then I wish to you, standing at the Barre conuicted, to +receiue your Iudgement, is, Remorse, and true Repentance, for the +safegard of your Soules, and after, an humble, penitent, and heartie +acknowledgement of your grieuous sinnes and offences committed both +against_ GOD _and Man._ + +_First, yeeld humble and heartie thankes to Almightie_ GOD _for taking +hold of you in your beginning, and making stay of your intended +bloudie practises (although_ GOD _knowes there is too much done +alreadie) which would in time have cast so great a weight of Iudgement +vpon your Soules._ + +_Then praise_ GOD _that it pleased him not to surprize or strike you +suddenly, euen in the execution of your bloudie Murthers, and in the +middest of your wicked practises, but hath giuen you time, and takes +you away by a iudiciall course and triall of the Law._ + +_Last of all, craue pardon of the World, and especially of all such as +you haue iustly offended, either by tormenting themselues, children, +or friends, murder of their kinsfolks, or losse of any their goods._ + +_And for leauing to future times the president of so many barbarous +and bloudie murders, with such meetings, practises, consultations, and +meanes to execute reuenge, being the greatest part of your comfort in +all your actions, which may instruct others to hold the like course, +or fall in the like sort:_ + +_It only remaines I pronounce the Iudgement of the Court against you +by the Kings authoritie, which is;_ You shall all goe from hence to +the Castle, from whence you came; from thence you shall bee carried to +the place of Execution for this Countie: where your bodies shall bee +hanged vntill you be dead; AND GOD HAVE MERCIE VPON YOVR SOVLES; For +your comfort in this world I shall commend a learned and worthie +Preacher to instruct you, and prepare you, for an other World: All I +can doe for you is to pray for your Repentance in this World, for the +satisfaction of many; And forgiuenesse in the next world, for sauing +of your Soules. And God graunt you may make good vse of the time you +haue in this world, to his glorie and your owne comfort. + + +_Margaret Pearson._ + +The Iudgement of the Court against you, is, You shall stand vpon +the Pillarie in open Market, at _Clitheroe_, _Paddiham_, _Whalley_, +and _Lancaster_, foure Market dayes, with a Paper vpon your head, in +great Letters, declaring your offence, and there you shall confesse +your offence, and after to remaine in Prison for one yeare without +Baile, and after to be bound with good Sureties, to be of the good +behauiour. + + * * * * * + +_To the Prisoners found not guiltie_ +by the IVRIES. + +_Elizabeth Astley._ +_John Ramsden._ +_Alice Gray._ +_Isabel Sidegraues._ +_Lawrence Hay._[X_a_] + +_To you that are found not guiltie, and are by the Law to bee +acquited, presume no further of your Innocencie then you haue just +cause: for although it pleased God out of his Mercie, to spare you at +this time, yet without question there are amongst you, that are as +deepe in this Action, as any of them that are condemned to die for +their offences: The time is now for you to forsake the Deuill: +Remember how, and in what sort hee hath dealt with all of you: make +good vse of this great mercie and fauour: and pray unto God you fall +not againe: For great is your happinesse to haue time in this World, +to prepare your selues against the day when you shall appeare before +the Great Iudge of all._ + +_Notwithstanding, the iudgement of the Court, is_, You shall all enter +Recognizances with good sufficient Suerties, to appeare at the next +Assizes at Lancaster, and in the meane time to be of the good +behauiour. All I can say to you: + +_Jennet Bierley_, + +_Ellen Bierley_, + +_Jane Southworth_, is, That GOD hath deliuered you beyond expectation, +I pray GOD you may vse this mercie and fauour well; and take heed you +fall not hereafter: And so the Court doth order you shall be +deliuered. + +What more can bee written or published of the proceedings of this +honourable Court: but to conclude with the Execution of the +Witches,[X_b_] who were executed the next day following at the common +place of Execution, neare vnto Lancaster. Yet in the end giue mee +leaue to intreate some fauour that haue beene afraid to speake vntill +my worke were finished. If I haue omitted any thing materiall, or +published any thing imperfect, excuse me for that I haue done: It was +a worke imposed vpon me by the Iudges, in respect I was so wel +instructed in euery particular. In hast I haue vndertaken to finish it +in a busie Tearme amongst my other imploiments. + +My charge was to publish the proceedings of Iustice, and matter of +Fact, wherein I wanted libertie to write what I would, and am limited +to set forth nothing against them, but matter vpon Record, euen in +their owne Countrie tearmes, which may seeme strange. And this I hope +will giue good satisfaction to such as vnderstand how to iudge of a +businesse of this nature. Such as haue no other imploiment but to +question other mens Actions, I leaue them to censure what they please, +It is no part of my profession to publish any thing in print, neither +can I paint in extraordinarie tearmes.[X2_a_] But if this discouerie +may serue for your instruction, I shall thinke my selfe very happie in +this Seruice, and so leaue it to your generall censure. + + _Da veniam Ignoto non displicuisse meretur, + Festinat stud’s qui placuisse tibi._ + +[Illustration: decoration] + + * * * * * + +_THE_ +ARRAIGNEMENT +AND TRIALL OF +IENNET PRESTON, OF +GISBORNE IN CRAVEN, +in the Countie of Yorke. + +At the Assises and Generall Gaole-_Deliuerie_ +_holden at the Castle of Yorke_ +in the Countie of Yorke, the xxvij. day of +Iuly last past, _Anno Regni Regis_ IACOBI +_Anglię, &c. Decimo, & Scotię +quadragesimo quinto._ + +Before + +_Sir_ IAMES ALTHAM _Knight, one_ +of the Barons of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer; +and Sir EDWARD BROMLEY Knight, another of +_the Barons of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer;_ +his Maiesties Iustices of Assise, Oyer and Terminer, +_and generall Gaole-Deliuerie, in the Circuit +of the North-parts._ + +[Illustration: decoration] + +LONDON. + +Printed by W. STANSBY for IOHN BARNES, and +are to be sold at his Shoppe neere Holborne +Conduit. 1612. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ IENNET PRESTON +_of Gisborne in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke, at +the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at the +Castle of Yorke, in the Countie of Yorke, the seuen and +twentieth day of Iuly last past._ Anno Regni Regis Iacobi +Anglię &c. Decimo & Scotię xlvj. + +_Jennet Preston._ + +Many haue vndertaken to write great discourses of Witches and many +more dispute and speake of them. And it were not much if as many wrote +of them as could write at al, to set forth to the world the particular +Rites and Secrets of their vnlawfull Artes, with their infinite and +wonderfull practises which many men little feare till they seaze vpon +them. As by this late wonderfull discouerie of Witches in the Countie +of Lancaster may appeare, wherein I find such apparant matter to +satisfie the World, how dangerous and malitious a Witch this _Iennet +Preston_ was, How vnfit to liue, hauing once so great mercie extended +to her: And againe to reuiue her practises, and returne to her former +course of life; that I thinke it necessarie not to let the memorie of +her life and death die with her; But to place her next to her fellowes +and to set forth the Arraignement Triall and Conviction of her, with +her offences for which she was condemned and executed. + +And although shee died for her offence before the rest, I yet can +afford her no better place then in the end of this Booke in respect +the proceedings was in an other Countie; + +You that were husband to this _Iennet Preston_; her friends and +kinsfolkes, who haue not beene sparing to deuise so scandalous a +slander out of the malice of your hearts, as that shee was maliciously +prosecuted by Master _Lister_ and others; Her life vniustly taken away +by practise; and that (euen at the Gallowes where shee died impenitent +and void of all feare or grace) she died an Innocent woman, because +she would confesse nothing: You I say may not hold it strange, though +at this time, being not only moued in conscience, but directed, for +example sake, with that which I haue to report of her, I suffer you +not to wander any further, but with this short discourse oppose your +idle conceipts able to seduce others: And by Charmes of Imputations +and slander, laid vpon the Iustice of the Land, to cleare her that was +iustly condemned and executed for her offence; That this _Iennet +Preston_ was for many yeares well thought of and esteemed by Master +_Lister_ who afterwards died for it Had free accesse to his house, +kind respect and entertainment; nothing denied her she stood in need +of. Which of you that dwelleth neare them in Crauen but can and will +witnesse it? which might haue incouraged a Woman of any good condition +to haue runne a better course. + +The fauour and goodnesse of this Gentleman Master _Lister_ now liuing, +at his first entrance after the death of his Father extended towards +her, and the reliefe she had at all times, with many other fauours +that succeeded from time to time, are so palpable and euident to all +men as no man can denie them. These were sufficient motiues to haue +perswaded her from the murder of so good a friend. + +But such was her execrable Ingratitude, as euen this grace and +goodnesse was the cause of his miserable and vntimely death. And euen +in the beginning of his greatest fauours extended to her, began shee +to worke this mischiefe, according to the course of all Witches. + +This _Iennet Preston_, whose Arraignment and Triall, with the +particular Euidence against her I am now to set forth vnto you, one +that liued at Gisborne in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke, neare +Master _Lister_ of Westbie, against whom she practised much mischiefe; +for hauing cut off _Thomas Lister_ Esquire, father to this gentleman +now liuing,[Y_a_1] shee reuenged her selfe vpon his sonne: who in +short time receiued great losse in his goods and cattell by her +meanes. + +These things in time did beget suspition, and at the Assizes and +Generall Gaole deliuerie holden at the Castle of Yorke in Lent last +past, before my Lord _Bromley_, shee was Indicted and Arraigned for +the murder of a Child of one _Dodg-sonnes_,[Y_a_2] but by the fauour +and mercifull consideration of the Iurie thereof acquited. + +But this fauour and mercie was no sooner extended towardes her, and +shee set at libertie, But shee began to practise the utter ruine and +ouerthrow of the name and bloud of this Gentleman. + +And the better to execute her mischiefe and wicked intent, within +foure dayes after her deliuerance out of the Castle at Yorke, went to +the great Assembly of Witches at _Malking-Tower_ vpon Good-friday +last: to praye aide and helpe, for the murder of Master _Lister_, in +respect he had prosecuted against her at the same Assizes. + +Which it pleased God in his mercie to discouer, and in the end, +howsoeuer he had blinded her, as he did the King of Ęgypt and his +Instruments, for the brighter euidence of his own powerfull glory: Yet +by a Iudiciall course and triall of the Law, cut her off, and so +deliuered his people from the danger of her Deuilish and wicked +practises: which you shall heare against her, at her Arraignement and +Triall, which I shall now set forth to you in order as it was +performed, with the wonderfull signes and tokens of GOD, to satisfie +the Iurie to finde her guiltie of this bloudie murther, committed +foure yeares since. + + * * * * * + +Indictment. + +This _Iennet Preston_ being Prisoner in the Castle at Yorke, and +indicted, for that shee felloniously had practised, vsed, and +exercised diuerse wicked and deuillish Arts, called Witchcrafts, +Inchauntments, Charmes, and Sorceries, in and vpon one _Thomas Lister_ +of Westby in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke Esquire, and by force of +the same Witchcraft felloniously the said _Thomas Lister_ had killed, +_Contra Pacem &c._ beeing at the Barre, was arraigned. + +To this Indictment vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded not guiltie, +and for the Triall of her life put her selfe vpon GOD and her +Countrey. + +Whereupon my Lord _Altham_ commaunded Master Sheriffe of the Countie +of Yorke, in open Court to returne a Iurie of sufficient Gentlemen of +vnderstanding, to passe betweene our Soueraigne Lord the Kings +Majestie and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues and +deaths; who were afterwards sworne, according to the forme and order +of the Court, the prisoner being admitted to her lawfull challenge. + +Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre to receiue her Tryall, +Master _Heyber_,[Y2_a_] one of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the +same County, hauing taken great paines in the proceedings against her; +and being best instructed of any man of all the particular points of +Euidence against her, humbly prayed, the witnesses hereafter following +might be examined against her, and the seuerall Examinations, taken +before Master _Nowel_, and certified, might openly bee published +against her; which hereafter follow in order, _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Euidence for the Kings Maiestie_ + +Against + +IENNET PRESTON, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +Hereupon were diuerse Examinations taken and read openly against +her, to induce and satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and +Death, to finde she was a Witch; and many other circumstances for the +death of M. _Lister_. In the end _Anne Robinson_ and others were both +examined, who vpon their Oathes declared against her, That M. _Lister_ +lying in great extremitie, vpon his death bedde, cried out vnto them +that stood about him; that _Iennet Preston_ was in the house, looke +where shee is, take hold of her: for Gods sake shut the doores, and +take her, shee cannot escape away. Looke about for her, and lay hold +on her, for shee is in the house: and so cryed very often in his great +paines, to them that came to visit him during his sicknesse. + + +_Anne Robinson_, + +and + +_Thomas Lister_, + +Being examined further, they both gaue this in euidence against her, +That when Master _Lister_ lay vpon his death-bedde, hee cryed out in +great extremitie; _Iennet Preston_ lyes heauie vpon me, _Prestons_ +wife lies heauie vpon me; helpe me, helpe me: and so departed, crying +out against her. + +These, with many other witnesses, were further examined, and deposed, +That _Iennet Preston_, the Prisoner at the Barre, being brought to M. +_Lister_ after hee was dead, & layd out to be wound vp in his +winding-sheet, the said _Iennet Preston_ comming to touch the dead +corpes, they bled fresh bloud presently,[Y3_a_] in the presence of all +that were there present: Which hath euer beene held a great argument +to induce a Iurie to hold him guiltie that shall be accused of +Murther, and hath seldome, or neuer, fayled in the Tryall. + +But these were not alone: for this wicked and bloud-thirstie Witch was +no sooner deliuered at the Assises holden at Yorke in Lent last past, +being indicted, arraigned, and by the fauor and mercie of the Iurie +found not guiltie, for the murther of a Child by Witch-craft: but vpon +the Friday following, beeing Good-Friday, shee rode in hast to the +great meeting at Malking-Tower, and there prayed aide for the murther +of M. _Thomas Lister:_ as at large shall appeare, by the seuerall +Examinations hereafter following; sent to these Assises from Master +_Nowel_ and other his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of +Lancaster, to be giuen in euidence against her, vpon her Triall, +_viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IAMES DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie +of Lancaster, Labourer, taken at the house of_ IAMES +WILSEY, _of the Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of +Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill_, Anno +Reg. Regis IACOBI Anglię, &c. Decimo ac Scotię +quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace +within the Countie of Lancaster_, viz. + +This Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last about twelue of +the clocke in the day-time, there dined in this Examinates said +mothers house a number of persons, whereof three were men, with this +Examinate, and the rest women: and that they met there for these three +causes following (as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate): +First was for the naming of the Spirit, which _Alizon Deuice_, now +Prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because shee was not +there. The second cause was for the deliuery of his said Grand-mother, +this Examinates said sister _Alizon_, the said _Anne Chattox_, and her +daughter _Redferne_: Killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the +next Assizes to blow vp the Castle there; to that end the aforesaid +Prisoners might by that meanes make an escape and get away. All which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. And the third cause was, +for that there was a woman dwelling in Gilburne Parish, who came into +this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, who there came, and craued +assistance of the rest of them that were then there, for the killing +of Master _Lister_ of Westby: because, as she then said, he had borne +malice vnto her, and had thought to haue put her away at the last +Assizes at Yorke; but could not. And then this Examinat heard the said +woman say, that her power was not strong enough to doe it her selfe, +being now lesse then before time it had beene. + +And he also further saith, that the said _Prestons_ wife had a Spirit +with her like unto a white Foale, with a blacke-spot in the forehead. +And further, this Examinat saith, That since the said meeting, as +aforesaid, this Examinate hath beene brought to the wife of one +_Preston_ in Gisburne Parish aforesaid, by _Henry Hargreiues_ of +Goldshey, to see whether shee was the woman that came amongst the said +Witches, on the said last Good-Friday, to craue their aide and +assistance for the killing of the said Master _Lister_: and hauing had +full view of her; hee this Examinate confesseth, That shee was the +selfe-same woman which came amongst the said Witches on the said last +Good-Friday, for their aide for the killing of the said Master +_Lister_; and that brought the Spirit with her, in the shape of a +White Foale, as aforesaid. + +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses, and they all, +by that they were forth of the doores, were gotten on horse-backe like +vnto Foales, some of one colour, some of another, and _Prestons_ wife +was the last; and when she got on horse-backe, they all presently +vanished out of this Examinats sight: and before their said parting +away, they all appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wifes house +that day twelue-month; at which time the said _Prestons_ wife +promised to make them a great feast; and if they had occasion to meet +in the meane time, then should warning bee giuen that they all should +meete vpon Romles-Moore. And this Examinate further saith, That at the +said feast at Malking-Tower, this Examinat heard them all giue their +consents to put the said Master _Thomas Lister_ of Westby to death: +and after Master _Lister_ should be made away by Witchcraft, then al +the said Witches gaue their consents to ioyne altogether to hancke +Master _Leonard Lister_,[Z_a_] when he should come to dwell at the +Sowgill, and so put him to death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ HENRIE HARGREIVES +_of Goldshey-booth, in the Forrest of +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster Yeoman, taken the +fifth day of May_, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI Anglię, +&c. Decimo, ac Scocię quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_and_ ROBERT HOLDEN, _Esquires; three of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said Countie._ + +This Examinat vpon his oath saith, That _Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox_, confessed vnto him, that she knoweth one _Prestons_ wife +neere Gisburne, and that the said _Prestons_ wife should haue beene at +the said feast, vpon the said Good-Friday, and that shee was an ill +woman, and had done Master _Lister_ of Westby great hurt. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _mother of_ IAMES DEVICE, _taken before_ +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, the day and yeare aforesaid_, viz. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_ vpon her Examination confesseth, That +vpon Good-Friday last, there dined at this Examinats house, which she +hath said are Witches, and doth verily thinke them to be Witches; and +their names are those whom _Iames Deuice_ hath formerly spoken of to +be there. + +She also confesseth in all things touching the killing of Master +_Lister_ of Westby, as the said _Iames Deuice_ hath before confessed. + +And the said _Elizabeth Deuice_ also further saith, That at the said +meeting at Malking-Tower, as aforesaid, the said _Katherine Hewyt_ and +_Iohn Bulcock_, with all the rest then there, gaue their consents, +with the said _Prestons_ wife, for the killing of the said Master +_Lister_. And for the killing of the said Master _Leonard Lister_, she +this Examinate saith in all things, as the said _Iames Deuice_ hath +before confessed in his Examination. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IENNET DEVICE, +_daughter of_ ELIZABETH _late wife of_ IOHN +DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, +about the age of nine yeares or thereabouts, taken +the day and yeare aboue-said:_ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in +the Countie of Lancaster._ + +The said Examinate vpon her Examination saith, that vpon Good-friday +last there was about twenty persons, whereof only two were men, to +this Examinats remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called +Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: all which +persons, this Examinates said mother told her were Witches, and that +she knoweth the names of diuers of the said Witches. + + * * * * * + +After all these Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence, deliuered +in open Court against her, His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue +the particular circumstances;[Z2_a_] first, Master _Lister_ in his +great extremitie, to complaine hee saw her, and requested them that +were by him to lay hold on her. + +After he cried out shee lay heauie vpon him, euen at the time of his +death. + +But the Conclusion is of more consequence then all the rest, that +_Iennet Preston_ being brought to the dead corps, they bled freshly. +And after her deliuerance in Lent, it is proued shee rode vpon a white +Foale, and was present in the great assembly at _Malkin Tower_ with +the Witches, to intreat and pray for aide of them, to kill Master +_Lister_, now liuing, for that he had prosequuted against her. + +And against these people you may not expect such direct euidence, +since all their workes are the workes of darkenesse, no witnesses are +present to accuse them, therefore I pray God direct your consciences. + +After the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death had spent the most +part of the day, in consideration of the euidence against her, they +returned into the Court and deliuered vp their Verdict of Life and +Death. + + * * * * * + +_The Verdict of Life and Death._ + +Who found _Iennet Preston_ guiltie of the fellonie and murder by +Witch-craft of _Thomas Lister_, Esquire; conteyned in the Indictment +against her, &c. + +Afterwards, according to the course and order of the Lawes, his +Lordship pronounced Iudgement against her to bee hanged for her +offence. And so the Court arose. + + * * * * * + +Here was the wonderfull discouerie of this _Iennet Preston_, who +for so many yeares had liued at Gisborne in Crauen, neare Master +_Lister_: one thing more I shall adde to all these particular +Examinations, and euidence of witnesses, which I saw, and was present +in the Court at Lancaster, when it was done at the Assizes holden in +August following. + +My Lord _Bromley_ being very suspicious of the accusation of _Iennet +Deuice_, the little Wench, commanded her to looke vpon the Prisoners +that were present, and declare which of them were present at _Malkin +Tower_, at the great assembly of Witches vpon Good-Friday last: shee +looked vpon and tooke many by the handes, and accused them to be +there, and when shee had accused all that were there present, shee +told his Lordship there was a Woman that came out of Crauen that was +amongst the Witches at that Feast, but shee saw her not amongst the +Prisoners at the Barre. + +What a singular note was this of a Child, amongst many to misse her, +that before that time was hanged for her offence, which shee would +neuer confesse or declare at her death? here was present old _Preston_ +her husband, who then cried out and went away: being fully satisfied +his wife had Iustice, and was worthie of death. + +To conclude then this present discourse, I heartilie desire you, my +louing Friends and Countrie-men, for whose particular instructions +this is added to the former of the wonderfull discouerie of Witches in +the Countie of Lancaster: And for whose particular satisfaction this +is published; Awake in time, and suffer not your selues to be thus +assaulted. + +Consider how barbarously this Gentleman hath been dealt withall; and +especially you that hereafter shall passe vpon any Iuries of Life and +Death, let not your conniuence, or rather foolish pittie, spare such +as these, to exequute farther mischiefe. + +Remember that shee was no sooner set at libertie, but shee plotted the +ruine and ouerthrow of this Gentleman, and his whole Familie. + +Expect not, as this reuerend and learned Iudge saith, such apparent +proofe against them, as against others, since all their workes, are +the workes of darkenesse: and vnlesse it please Almightie God to raise +witnesses to accuse them, who is able to condemne them? + +Forget not the bloud that cries out vnto God for reuenge, bring it not +vpon your owne heads. + +Neither doe I vrge this any farther, then with this, that I would +alwaies intreat you to remember, that it is as great a crime (as +_Salomon_ sayth, _Prov._ 17.) to condemne the innocent, as to let the +guiltie escape free. + +Looke not vpon things strangely alledged, but iudiciously consider +what is justly proued against them. + +And that as well all you that were witnesses, present at the +Arraignement and Triall of her, as all other strangers, to whome this +Discourse shall come, may take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute +these hellish Furies to their end:[Z3_b_1] labor to root them out of +the Commonwealth, for the common good of your Countrey. The greatest +mercie extended to them, is soone forgotten. + +GOD graunt vs the long and prosperous cotinuance of these Honorable +and Reuerend Iudges, vnder whose Gouernment we liue in these North +parts: for we may say, that GOD Almightie hath singled them out, and +set him on his Seat, for the defence of Iustice. + +And for this great deliuerance, let vs all pray to GOD Almightie, that +the memorie of these worthie Iudges may bee blessed to all +Posterities.[Z3_b_2] + + +_FINIS._ + + + + +NOTES. + + +[The references are to the alphabetical letters or signatures at the +bottom of each page: _a_ is intended for the first and _b_ the second +page, marked with such letter or signature.] + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original text, a single note reference +sometimes applies to more than one note. For clarity's sake, in this +e-text a number has been added to the end of such references to +distinguish among the notes.] + + +DEDICATION. "_The Right Honorable Thomas Lord Knyvet._"] Sir Thomas +Knivet, or Knyvet, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to James the First, +was afterwards created Baron of Escricke, in the county of York. He it +was who was intrusted to search the vaults under the Parliament House, +and who discovered the thirty-six barrels of gunpowder, and +apprehended Guido Fawkes, who declared to him, that if he had happened +to be within the house when he took him, as he was immediately before, +he would not have failed to blow him up, house and all. (Howell's +_State Trials_, vol. ii., p. 202.) His courage and conduct on this +occasion seem to have recommended him to the especial favour of James. +Dying without issue, the title of Lord Howard of Escrick was conferred +on Sir Edward Howard, son of Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who had +married the eldest daughter and co-heir of Sir H. Knivet; and, having +been enjoyed successively by his two sons, ended in his grandson +Charles, in the beginning of the last century. It must be admitted +that the writer has chosen his patron very felicitously. Who so fit to +have the book dedicated to him as one who had acted so conspicuous a +part on the memorable occasion at Westminster? The blowing up of +Lancaster Castle and good Mr. Covel, by the conclave of witches at +Malkin's Tower, was no discreditable imitation of the grand +metropolitan drama on provincial boards. + +A 2. FIRST IMPRIMATUR. "_Ja. Altham, Edw. Bromley._"] These two judges +were Barons of the Court of Exchequer, but neither of them seems to +have left a name extraordinarily distinguished for legal learning. +Altham was one of the assistants named in the commission for the trial +of the Countess of Somerset for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury in +1616. Bromley appears, from incidental notices contained in the diary +of Nicholas Assheton, (see Whitaker's _Whalley_, third edition, page +300,) and other sources, to have frequently taken the northern +circuit. He was not of the family of Lord Chancellor Bromley, but of +another stock. + +A 3. SECOND IMPRIMATUR: "_Edward Bromley. I took upon mee to reuise +and correct it._"] This revision by the judge who presided at the +trial gives a singular and unique value and authority to the work. We +have no other report of any witch trial which has an equal stamp of +authenticity. How many of the rhetorical flourishes interspersed in +the book are the property of Thomas Potts, Esquier, and how many are +the interpolation of the "excellent care" of the worthy Baron, it is +scarcely worth while to investigate. Certainly never were judge and +clerk more admirably paired. The _Shallow_ on the bench was well +reflected in the _Master Slender_ below. + +B _a_. "_The number of them being knowen to exceed all others at any +time heretofore at one time to be indicted, arraigned, and receiue +their tryall._"] Probably this was the case, at least in England; but +a greater number had been convicted before, even in this country, at +one time, than were found guilty on this occasion, as it appears from +Scot, (_Discovery of Witchcraft_, page 543, edition 1584,) that +seventeen or eighteen witches were condemned at once, at St. Osith, in +Essex, in 1576, of whom an account was written by Brian Darcy, with +the names and colours of their spirits. + +B _b_. "_She was a very old woman, about the age of fourescore._"] Dr. +Henry More would have styled old Demdike "An eximious example of +Moses, his Mecassephah, the word which he uses in that law,--Thou +shalt not suffer a witch to live." Margaret Agar and Julian Cox, (see +Glanvill's _Collection of Relations_, p. 135, edition 1682,) on whom +he dwells with such delighted interest, were very inferior subjects to +what, in his hands, Elizabeth Sothernes would have made. They had +neither of them the finishing attribute of blindness, so fearful in a +witch, to complete the sketch; nor such a fine foreground for the +painting as the forest of Pendle presented; nor the advantage, for +grouping, of a family of descendants in which witchcraft might be +transmitted to the third generation. + +B 2 _a_. "_Roger Nowell, Esquire._"] This busy and mischievous +personage who resided at Read Hall, in the immediate neighbourhood of +Pendle, was sheriff of Lancashire in 1610. He married Katherine, +daughter of John Murton, of Murton, and was buried at Whalley, January +31st, 1623. He was of the same family as Alexander Nowell, the Dean of +St. Paul's, and Lawrence Nowell, the restorer of Saxon literature in +England; and tarnished a name which they had rendered memorable, by +becoming, apparently, an eager and willing instrument in that wicked +persecution which resulted in the present trial. His ill-directed +activity seems to have fanned the dormant embers into a blaze, and to +have given aim and consistency to the whole scheme of oppression. From +this man was descended, in the female line, one whose merits might +atone for a whole generation of Roger Nowells, the truly noble-minded +and evangelical Reginald Heber. + +B 2 _b_ 1. "_Gouldshey_,"] so commonly pronounced, but more properly +Goldshaw, or Goldshaw Booth. + +B 2 _b_ 2. "_The spirit answered, his name was Tibb._"] Bernard, who +is learned in the nomenclature of familiar spirits, gives, in his +_Guide to Grand Jurymen_, 1630, 12mo, the following list of the names +of the more celebrated familiars of English witches. "Such as I have +read of are these: Mephistophiles, Lucifer, Little Lord, Fimodes, +David, Jude, Little Robin, Smacke, Litefoote, Nonsuch, Lunch, +Makeshift, Swash, Pluck, Blue, Catch, White, Callico, Hardname, Tibb, +Hiff, Ball, Puss, Rutterkin, Dicke, Prettie, Grissil, and Jacke." In +the confession of Isabel Gowdie, a famous Scotch witch, (in +_Pitcairne's Trials_, vol. iii. page 614,) we have the following +catalogue of attendant spirits, rather, it must be confessed, a +formidable band. "The names of our Divellis, that waited upon us, ar +thes: first, Robert the Jakis; Sanderis, the Read Roaver; Thomas the +Fearie; Swain, the Roaring Lion; Thieffe of Hell; Wait upon Hirself; +Mak Hectour; Robert the Rule; Hendrie Laing; and Rorie. We would ken +them all, on by on, from utheris. Some of theim apeirit in sadd dunn, +som in grasse-grein, som in sea-grein, and some in yallow." Archbishop +Harsnet, in his admirable _Declaration of Popish Impostures, under the +pretence of casting out Devils_, 1605, 4to, a work unsurpassed for +rich humour and caustic wit, clothed in good old idiomatic English, +has a chapter "on the strange names of these devils," in which he +observes, (p. 46,) "It is not amiss that you be acquainted with these +extravagant names of devils, least meeting them otherwise by chance +you mistake them for the names of tapsters, or juglers." Certainly, +some of the names he marshalls in array smell strongly of the tavern. +These are some of them: Pippin, Philpot, Modu, Soforce, Hilco, +Smolkin, Hillio, Hiaclito, Lustie Huffe-cap, Killico, Hob, Frateretto, +Fliberdigibbet, Hoberdidance, Tocobatto, and Lustie Jollie Jenkin. + +B 2 _b_ 3. "_About Day-light Gate._"] Day-light Gate, i.e. Evening, +the down gate of daylight. See _Promptuarium Parvulorum_, (edited by +Way for the Camden Society,) page 188, "Gate down, or downe gate of +the Sunne or any other planet."--Occasus. Palgrave gives, "At the +sonne gate downe; sur le soleil couchant." + +B 3 _a_ 1. "_The said Deuill did get blood vnder her left arme._"] It +would seem (see Elizabeth Device's Examination afterwards) as if some +preliminary search were made, in the case of this poor old woman, for +the marks which were supposed to come by the sucking or drawing of the +Spirit or Familiar. Most probably her confession was the result of +this and other means of annoyance and torture employed in the usual +unscrupulous manner, upon a blind woman of eighty. Of those marks +supposed to be produced by the sucking of the Spirit or Familiar, the +most curious and scientific (if the word may be applied to such a +subject) account will be found in a very scarce tract, which seems to +have been unknown to the writers on witchcraft. Its title is "A +Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft, containing these several +particulars; That there are Witches called bad Witches, and Witches +untruly called good or white Witches, and what manner of people they +be, and how they may be knowne, with many particulars thereunto +tending. Together with the Confessions of many of those executed since +May, 1645, in the several Counties hereafter mentioned. As also some +objections Answered. By John Stearne, now of Lawshall, neere Burie +Saint Edmunds in Suffolke, sometimes of Manningtree in Essex. Prov. +xvii. 15, He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the +just, even they both are an abomination to the Lord. Deut. xiii. 14, +Thou shall therefore enquire, and make search, and aske diligently +whether it be truth and the thing certaine. London, Printed by William +Wilson, dwelling in Little Saint Bartholomews, neere Smithfield, 1648, +pages 61, besides preface." Stearne, in whom Remigius and De Lancre +would have recognized a congenial soul, had a sort of joint commission +with Hopkins, as Witch-finder, and tells us (see address to Reader) +that he had been in part an agent in finding out or discovering about +200 witches in Essex, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Huntingtonshire, +Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and the Isle of Ely. He deals +with the subject undoubtedly like a man whose extensive experience and +practice had enabled him to reduce the matter to a complete system. +(See his account of their marks, pp. 43 to 50.) He might, like John +Kincaid in Tranent, (see Pitcairne's _Criminal Trials_, vol. iii. p. +599,) have assumed the right of Common Pricker, i.e. Searcher for the +devil's marks, and had his own tests, which were infallible. He +complains, good man, "that in many places I never received penny as +yet, nor any am like, notwithstanding I have hands for satisfaction, +except I should sue; [he should have sued by all means, we might then +have had his bill of particulars, which would have been curious;] but +many rather fall upon me for what hath been received, but I hope such +suits will be disannulled, and that where I have been out of moneys +for Towns in charges and otherwise such course will be taken that I +may be satisfied and paid with reason." He was doubtless well +deserving of a recompense, and his neighbours were much to blame if he +did not receive a full and ample one. Of the latter end of his +coadjutor, Hopkins, whom Sir Walter Scott (see Somers's Tracts, vol. +iii. p. 97, edit. 1810,) and several other writers represent as +ultimately executed himself for witchcraft, he gives a very different, +and no doubt more correct account; which, singularly enough, has +hitherto remained entirely unnoticed. "He died peaceably at +Manningtree, after a long sicknesse of a consumption, as many of his +generation had done before him, without any trouble of conscience for +what he had done, as was falsely reported of him. He was the son of a +godly minister, and therefore, without doubt, within the Covenant." +Were not the interests of truth too sacred to be compromised, it might +seem almost a pity to demolish that merited and delightful retribution +which Butler's lines have immortalized. + +B 3 _a_ 2. "_I will burne the one of you and hang the other._"] The +following extracts from that fine old play, "The Witch of Edmonton," +bear a strong resemblance to the scene described in the text. Mother +Sawyer, in whom the milk of human kindness is turned to gall by +destitution, imbittered by relentless outrage and insult, and who, +driven out of the pale of human fellowship, is thrown upon strange and +fearful allies, would almost appear to be the counterpart of Mother +Demdike. The weird sisters of our transcendant bard are wild and +wonderful creations, but have no close relationship to the plain old +traditional witch of our ancestors, which is nowhere represented by +our dramatic writers with faithfulness and truth except in the Witch +of Edmonton:-- + +_Enter_ ELIZABETH SAWYER, _gathering sticks._ + +_Saw._ And why on me? why should the envious world +Throw all their scandalous malice upon me? +'Cause I am poor, deform'd, and ignorant, +And like a bow buckled and bent together, +By some more strong in mischiefs than myself, +Must I for that be made a common sink, +For all the filth and rubbish of men's tongues +To fall and run into? Some call me Witch, +And being ignorant of myself, they go +About to teach me how to be one; urging, +That my bad tongue (by their bad usage made so) +Forespeaks their cattle, doth bewitch their corn, +Themselves, their servants, and their babes at nurse. +This they enforce upon me; and in part +Make me to credit it; and here comes one +Of my chief adversaries. + +_Enter_ Old BANKS. + +_Banks._ Out, out upon thee, witch! + +_Saw._ Dost call me witch? + +_Banks._ I do, witch, I do; and worse I would, knew I a name more +hateful. What makest thou upon my ground? + +_Saw._ Gather a few rotten sticks to warm me. + +_Banks._ Down with them when I bid thee, quickly; I'll make thy bones +rattle in thy skin else. + +_Saw._ You won't, churl, cut-throat, miser!--there they be; [_Throws +them down._] would they stuck across thy throat, thy bowels, thy maw, +thy midriff. + +_Banks._ Say'st thou me so, hag? Out of my ground! [_Beats her._ + +_Saw._ Dost strike me, slave, curmudgeon! Now thy bones aches, thy +joints cramps, and convulsions stretch and crack thy sinews! + +_Banks._ Cursing, thou hag! take that, and that. [_Beats her, and +exit._ + +_Saw._ Strike, do!--and wither'd may that hand and arm +Whose blows have lamed me, drop from the rotten trunk! +Abuse me! beat me! call me hag and witch! +What is the name? where, and by what art learn'd, +What spells, what charms or invocations? +May the thing call'd Familiar be purchased? + + * * * * * + +_Saw._ Still vex'd! still tortured! that curmudgeon Banks +Is ground of all my scandal; I am shunn'd +And hated like a sickness; made a scorn +To all degrees and sexes. I have heard old beldams +Talk of familiars in the shape of mice, +Rats, ferrets, weasels, and I wot not what, +That have appear'd, and suck'd, some say, their blood; +But by what means they came acquainted with them, +I am now ignorant. Would some power, good or bad, +Instruct me which way I might be revenged +Upon this churl, I'd go out of myself, +And give this fury leave to dwell within +This ruin'd cottage, ready to fall with age! +Abjure all goodness, be at hate with prayer, +And study curses, imprecations, +Blasphemous speeches, oaths, detested oaths, +Or anything that's ill; so I might work +Revenge upon this miser, this black cur, +That barks and bites, and sucks the very blood +Of me, and of my credit. 'Tis all one, +To be a witch, as to be counted one: +Vengeance, shame, ruin light upon that canker! + +_Enter a_ Black Dog. + +_Dog._ Ho! have I found thee cursing? now thou art +Mine own. + +_Saw._ Thine! what art thou? + +_Dog._ He thou hast so often +Importuned to appear to thee, the devil. + +_Saw._ Bless me! the devil! + +_Dog._ Come, do not fear; I love thee much too well +To hurt or fright thee; if I seem terrible, +It is to such as hate me. I have found +Thy love unfeign'd; have seen and pitied +Thy open wrongs, and come, out of my love, +To give thee just revenge against thy foes. + +_Saw._ May I believe thee? + +_Dog._ To confirm't, command me +Do any mischief unto man or beast. +And I'll effect it, on condition +That, uncompell'd, thou make a deed of gift +Of soul and body to me. + +_Saw._ Out, alas! +My soul and body? + +_Dog._ And that instantly, +And seal it with thy blood: if thou deniest, +I'll tear thy body in a thousand pieces. + +_Saw._ I know not where to seek relief: but shall I, +After such covenants seal'd, see full revenge +On all that wrong me? + +_Dog._ Ha, ha! silly woman! +The devil is no liar to such as he loves-- +Didst ever know or hear the devil a liar +To such as he affects? + +_Saw._ Then I am thine; at least so much of me +As I can call mine own-- + +_Dog._ Equivocations? +Art mine or no? speak, or I'll tear-- + +_Saw._ All thine. + +_Dog._ Seal't with thy blood. + +[_She pricks her arm, which he sucks.--Thunder and lightning._ + +See! now I dare call thee mine! +For proof, command me: instantly I'll run +To any mischief; goodness can I none. + +_Saw._ And I desire as little. There's an old churl, +One Banks-- + +_Dog._ That wrong'd thee: he lamed thee, call'd thee witch. + +_Saw._ The same; first upon him I'd be revenged. + +_Dog._ Thou shalt; do but name how? + +_Saw._ Go, touch his life. + +_Dog._ I cannot. + +_Saw._ Hast thou not vow'd? Go, kill the slave! + +_Dog._ I will not. + +_Saw._ I'll cancel then my gift. + +_Dog._ Ha, ha! + +_Saw._ Dost laugh! +Why wilt not kill him? + +_Dog._ Fool, because I cannot. +Though we have power, know, it is circumscribed, +And tied in limits: though he be curst to thee, +Yet of himself, he is loving to the world, +And charitable to the poor; now men, that, +As he, love goodness, though in smallest measure, +Live without compass of our reach: his cattle +And corn I'll kill and mildew; but his life +(Until I take him, as I late found thee, +Cursing and swearing) I have no power to touch. + +_Saw._ Work on his corn and cattle then. + +_Dog._ I shall. +The WITCH OF EDMONTON shall see his fall. + +_Ford's Plays_, edit. 1839, p. 190. + +B 3 _a_. "_Alizon Device._"] Device is merely the common name Davies +spelled as pronounced in the neighbourhood of Pendle. + +B 3 _b_. "_Is to make a picture of clay._"] + +_Hecate._ What death is't you desire for Almachildes? + +_Duchess._ A sudden and a subtle. + +_Hecate._ Then I've fitted you. +Here be the gifts of both; sudden and subtle: +His picture made in wax and gently molten +By a blue fire kindled with dead men's eyes +Will waste him by degrees. + +_Duchess._ In what time, prithee? + +_Hecate._ Perhaps in a moon's progress. + +_Middleton's Witch_, edit. 1778, p. 100. + +None of the offices in the Witches rubric had higher classical warrant +than this method, a favourite one, it appears, of Mother Demdike, but +in which Anne Redfern had the greatest skill of any of these Pendle +witches, of victimizing by moulding and afterwards pricking or burning +figures of clay representing the individual whose life was aimed at. +Horace, Lib. i. Sat. 8, mentions both waxen and woollen images-- + + Lanea et effigies erat altera cerea, &c. + +And it appears from Tacitus, that the death of Germanicus was supposed +to have been sought by similar practices. By such a Simulachrum, or +image, the person was supposed to be devoted to the infernal deities. +According to the Platonists, the effect produced arose from the +operation of the sympathy and synergy of the Spiritus Mundanus, (which +Plotinus calls [Greek: ton megan goźta] [Transcriber's Note: typo "t" +for "ton" in original Greek], the grand magician,) such as they resolve +the effect of the weaponsalve and other magnetic cures into. The +following is the Note in Brand on this part of witchcraft:-- + + King James, in his "Dęmonology," book ii., chap. 5, tells + us, that "the Devil teacheth how to make pictures of wax or + clay, that, by roasting thereof, the persons that they bear + the name of may be continually melted or dried away by + continual sickness." + + See Servius on the 8th Eclogue of Virgil; Theocritus, Idyll, + ii., 22; Hudibras, part II., canto ii., l. 351. + + Ovid says: + + "Devovet absentes, simulachraque cerea figit + Et miserum tenues in jecur urget acus." + _Heroid._ Ep. vi., l. 91. + + See also "Grafton's Chronicle," p. 587, where it is laid to + the charge (among others) of Roger Bolinbrook, a cunning + necromancer, and Margery Jordane, the cunning Witch of Eye, + that they, at the request of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester, + had devised an image of wax, representing the king, (Henry + the Sixth,) which by their sorcery a little and a little + consumed; intending thereby in conclusion to waste and + destroy the king's person. Shakspeare mentions this, Henry + VI., P. II., act i., sc. 4. + + It appears, from Strype's "Annals of the Reformation,", vol. + i., p. 8, under anno 1558, that Bishop Jewel, preaching + before the queen, said, "It may please your grace to + understand that witches and sorcerers within these few last + years are marvellously increased within your grace's realm. + Your grace's subjects pine away, even unto the death; their + colour fadeth, their flesh rotteth, their speech is + benumbed, their senses are bereft. I pray God they never + practise _further than upon the subject_." "This," Strype + adds, "I make no doubt was the occasion of bringing in a + bill, the next parliament, for making enchantments and + witchcraft felony." One of the bishop's strong expressions + is, "_These eyes have seen_ most evident and manifest marks + of their wickedness." + + It appears from the same work, vol. iv., p. 6, sub anno + 1589, that "one Mrs. Dier had practised conjuration against + the queen, to work some mischief to her majesty; for which + she was brought into question: and accordingly her words and + doings were sent to Popham, the queen's attorney, and + Egerton, her solicitor, by Walsingham, the secretary, and + Sir Thomas Heneage, her vice-chamberlain, for their + judgment, whose opinion was that Mrs. Dier was not within + the compass of the statute touching witchcraft, for that she + did no act, and spake certain lewd speeches tending to that + purpose, but neither set figure nor made pictures." _Ibid._, + vol. ii., p. 545, sub anno 1578, Strype says: "Whether it + were the effect of magic, or proceeded from some natural + cause, but the queen was in some part of this year under + excessive anguish _by pains of her teeth_, insomuch that she + took no rest for divers nights, and endured very great + torment night and day." + + Andrews, in his "Continuation of Henry's History of Great + Britain," 4to, p. 93, tells us, speaking of Ferdinand, Earl + of Derby, who in the reign of Queen Elizabeth died by + poison, "The credulity of the age attributed his death to + witchcraft. The disease was odd, and operated as a perpetual + emetic; and a _waxen image, with hair like that of the + unfortunate earl_, found in his chamber, reduced every + suspicion to certainty." + + "The wife of Marshal d'Ancre was apprehended, imprisoned, + and beheaded for a witch, upon a surmise that she had + inchanted the queen to dote upon her husband; and they say + the young king's picture was found in her closet, in virgin + wax, with one leg melted away. When asked by her judges what + spells she had made use of to gain so powerful an ascendancy + over the queen, she replied, 'that ascendancy only which + strong minds ever gain over weak ones.'" Seward's "Anecdotes + of some Distinguished Persons," &c., vol. ii., p. 215. + + Blagrave, in his "Astrological Practice of Physick," p. 89, + observes that "the way which the witches usually take for to + afflict man or beast in this kind is, as I conceive, done by + image or model, made in the likeness of that man or beast + they intend to work mischief upon, and by the subtlety of + the devil made at such hours and times when it shall work + most powerfully upon them, by thorn, pin, or needle, pricked + into that limb or member of the body afflicted." + + This is farther illustrated by a passage in one of Daniel's + Sonnets: + + "The slie inchanter, when to work his will + And secret wrong on some forspoken wight, + Frames waxe, in forme to represent aright + The poore unwitting wretch he meanes to kill, + And prickes the image, framed by magick's skill, + Whereby to vex the partie day and night." + _Son. 10; from Poems and Sonnets annexed to "Astrophil + and Stella_," 4to, 1591. + + Again, in "Diaria, or the Excellent Conceitful Sonnets of + H.C.," (Henry Constable,) 1594: + + "Witches, which some murther do intend, + Doe make a picture, and doe shoote at it; + And in that part where they the picture hit, + The parties self doth languish to his end." + _Decad. II., Son. ii._ + + Coles, in his "Art of Simpling," &c., p. 66, says that + witches "take likewise the roots of mandrake, according to + some, or, as I rather suppose, the _roots of briony_, which + simple folke take for the true mandrake, and make thereof an + ugly image, by which they represent the person on whom they + intend to exercise their witchcraft." He tells us, _ibid._, + p. 26, "Some plants have roots with a number of threads, + like beards, as mandrakes, whereof witches and impostors + make an ugly image, giving it the form of the face at the + top of the root, and leave those strings to make a broad + beard down to the feet."--_Brand's Antiquities_, vol. iii. + p. 9. + +Ben Johnson has not forgotten this superstition in his learned and +fanciful _Masque of Queens_, in which so much of the lore of +witchcraft is embodied. There are few finer things in English poetry +than his 3rd Charm:-- + + The owl is abroad, the bat, and the toad, + And so is the cat-a-mountain, + The ant and the mole sit both in a hole, + And the frog peeps out o' the fountain; + The dogs they do bay, and the timbrels play, + The spindle is now a turning; + The moon it is red, and the stars are fled, + But all the sky is a burning: + The ditch is made, and our nails the spade, + _With pictures full, of wax and of wool; + Their livers I stick, with needles quick;_ + There lacks but the blood, to make up the flood. + Quickly, dame, then bring your part in, + Spur, spur upon little Martin, + Merrily, merrily, make him sail, + A worm in his mouth, and a thorn in his tail, + Fire above, and fire below, + With a whip in your hand, to make him go. + _Ben Johnson's Works, by Gifford_, vol. vii. p. 121. + +Meric Casaubon, who is always an amusing writer, and whose works, +notwithstanding his appetite for the wonderful, do not merit the total +oblivion into which they have fallen, is very angry with Jerome +Cardan, an author not generally given to scepticism, for the +hesitation he displays on the subject of these waxen images:-- + + I know some who question not the power of devils or witches; + yet in this particular are not satisfied how such a thing + can be. For there is no relation or sympathy in nature, + (saith one, who hath written not many years ago,) between a + man and his effigies, that upon the pricking of the one the + other should grow sick. It is upon another occasion that he + speaks it; but his exception reacheth this example equally. + A wonder to me he should so argue, who in many things hath + very well confuted the incredulity of others, though in some + things too credulous himself. If we must believe nothing but + what we can reduce to natural, or, to speak more properly, + (for I myself believe the devil doth very little, but by + nature, though to us unknown,) manifest causes, he doth + overthrow his own grounds, and leaves us but very little of + magical operations to believe. But of all men, Cardan had + least reason to except against this kind of magick as + ridiculous or incredible, who himself is so full of + incredible stories in that kind, upon his own credit alone, + that they had need to be of very easie belief that believe + him, especially when they know (whereof more afterwards) + what manner of man he was. But I dare say, that from Plato's + time, who, among other appurtenances of magic, doth mention + these, [Greek: kźrina mimźmata] [Transcriber's Note: typo + "mimkmata" for "mimźmata" in original Greek] that is, as + Ovid doth call them, _Simulachra cerea_, or as Horace, + _cereas imagines_, (who also in another place more + particularly describes them,) there is not any particular + rite belonging to that art more fully attested by histories + of all ages than this is. Besides, who doth not know that + it is the devil's fashion (we shall meet with it afterwards + again) to amuse his servants and vassals with many rites and + ceremonies, which have certainly no ground in nature, no + relation or sympathy to the thing, as for other reasons, so + to make them believe, they have a great hand in the + production of such and such effects; when, God knows, many + times all that they do, though taught and instructed by him, + is nothing at all to the purpose, and he, in very deed, is + the only agent, by means which he doth give them no account + of. Bodinus, in his preface to his "Dęmonology," relateth, + that three waxen images, whereof one of Queen Elizabeth's, + of glorious memory, and two other, _Reginę proximorum_, of + two courtiers, of greatest authority under the queen, were + found in the house of a priest at Islington, a magician, or + so reputed, to take away their lives. This he doth repeat + again in his second book, chap. 8, but more particularly + that it was in the year of the Lord 1578, and that Legatus + Anglię and many Frenchmen did divulge it so; but withal, in + both places he doth add, that the business was then under + trial, and not yet perfectly known. I do not trust my + memory: I know my age and my infirmities. Cambden, I am + sure, I have read; and read again; but neither in him, nor + in Bishop Carleton's "Thankful Remembrancer," do I remember + any such thing. Others may, perchance. Yet, in the year + 1576, I read in both of some pictures, representing some + that would have kill'd that glorious queen with a motto, + _Quorsum hęc, alio properantibus!_ which pictures were made + by some of the conspiracy for their incouragement; but + intercepted, and showed, they say, to the queen. Did the + time agree, it is possible these pictures might be the + ground of those mistaken, if mistaken, waxen images, which I + desire to be taught by others who can give a better + account.--_Casaubon's (M.) Treatise, proving Spirits, + Witches, and Supernatural Operations_, 1672. 12mo., p. 92. + +In Scotland this practice was in high favour with witches, both in +ancient and modern times. The lamentable story of poor King Duff, as +related by Hector Boethius, a story which has blanched the cheek and +spoiled the rest of many a youthful reader, is too well known to need +extracting. Even so late as 1676, Sir George Maxwell, of Pollock, (See +Scott's _Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft_, p. 323,) apparently a +man of melancholy and valetudinarian habits, believed himself +bewitched to death by six witches, one man and five women, who were +leagued for the purpose of tormenting a clay image in his likeness. +Five of the accused were executed, and the sixth only escaped on +account of extreme youth. + +Isabel Gowdie, the famous Scotch witch before referred to, in her +confessions gives a very particular account of the mode in which these +images were manufactured. It is curious, and worth quoting:-- + + _Johne Taylor_ and _Janet Breadhead_, his wyff, in + Bellnakeith, _Bessie Wilsone_, in Aulderne, and _Margret + Wilsone_, spows to _Donald Callam_ in Aulderne, and I, maid + an pictur of clay, to distroy _the Laird of Parkis_ + meall[62] children. _Johne Taylor_ browght hom the clay, in + his plaid newk;[63] his wyff brak it verie small, lyk + meall,[64] and sifted it with a siew,[65] and powred in + water among it, in _the Divellis_ nam, and vrought it werie + sore, lyk rye-bowt;[66] and maid of it a pictur of _the + Lairdis_ sones. It haid all the pairtis and merkis of a + child, such as heid, eyes, nose, handis, foot, mowth, and + little lippes. It wanted no mark of a child; and the handis + of it folded down by its sydes. It was lyk a pow,[67] or a + flain gryce.[68] We laid the face of it to the fyre, till it + strakned;[69] and a cleir fyre round abowt it, till it ves + read lyk a cole.[70] After that, we wold rest it now and + then; each other day[71] ther wold be an piece of it weill + rosten. _The Laird of Parkis_ heall maill children by it ar + to suffer, if it be not gotten and brokin, als weill as thes + that ar borne and dead alreadie. It ves still putt in and + taken out of the fyre, in _the Divellis_ name. It wes hung + wp wpon an knag. It is yet in _Johne Taylor's_ hows, and it + hes a cradle of clay abowt it. Onlie _Johne Taylor_ and his + wyff, _Janet Breadhead_, _Bessie_ and _Margret Wilsones_ in + Aulderne, and _Margret Brodie_, thair, and I, were onlie at + the making of it. All the multitud of our number of WITCHES, + of all the COEVENS, kent[72] all of it, at owr nixt meitting + after it was maid. + + The wordis which we spak, quhan we maid the pictur, for + distroyeing of _the Laird of Parkis_ meall-children, wer + thus: + + 'IN THE DIVELLIS nam, we powr in this water + among this mowld (meall,)[73] + For lang duyning and ill heall; + We putt it into the fyre, + That it mey be brunt both stik and stowre. + It salbe brunt, with owr will, + As any stikle[74] wpon a kill.' + + THE DIVELL taught ws the wordis; and quhan ve haid learned + them, we all fell downe wpon owr bare kneyis, and owr hair + abowt owr eyes, and owr handis lifted wp, looking steadfast + wpon THE DIVELL, still saying the wordis thryse ower, till + it wes maid. And then, in THE DIVELLIS nam, we did put it + in, in the midst of the fyre. Efter it had skrukned[75] a + little before the fyre, and quhan it ves read lyk a coale, + we took it owt in THE DIVELLIS nam. Till it be broken, it + will be the deathe of all the meall children that _the Laird + of Park_ will ewer get. Cast it ower an Kirk, it will not + brak quhill[76] it be broken with an aix, or som such lyk + thing, be a man's handis. If it be not broken, it will last + an hundreth yeir. It hes ane cradle about it of clay, to + preserue it from skaith;[77] and it wes rosten each vther + day, at the fyr; som tymes on pairt of it, som tymes an + vther pairt of it; it vold be a litle wat with water, and + then rosten. The bairn vold be brunt and rosten, ewin as it + ves by ws.--_Pitcairne's Criminal Trials_, Vol. iii. pp. 605 + and 612. + +[Footnote 62: Male.] + +[Footnote 63: In the nook, or corner, of his plaid.] + +[Footnote 64: Pounded, or powdered it, like meal.] + +[Footnote 65: To make the plaster fine, and free from earthy +particles.] + +[Footnote 66: Probably a sort of stir-about, or hasty-pudding, made of +rye-flour.] + +[Footnote 67: In another deposition it is thus expressed, 'lyk a _pow +or feadge_.' A _feadge_ was a sort of _scone_, or roll, of a pretty +large size. Perhaps this term signifies, as large as the quantity of +dough or paste necessary for making this kind of bread.] + +[Footnote 68: A flayed sucking pig, after being scalded and scraped.] + +[Footnote 69: Shrivelled with the heat.] + +[Footnote 70: Red like a coal.] + +[Footnote 71: Each alternate day.] + +[Footnote 72: Knew.] + +[Footnote 73: It is written _meall_ in the other Confession; and the +metre (such as it is) requires this liberty. _Mowld_ signifies 'earth' +or 'dust.'] + +[Footnote 74: Stubble.] + +[Footnote 75: Parched; shrivelled.] + +[Footnote 76: Until.] + +[Footnote 77: Harm; injury.] + +B 4 _b_ 1. "_And sayd that she should haue gould, siluer, and worldly +wealth at her will._"] These familiars, to use Warburton's expression, +always promised with the lavishness of a young courtier, and performed +with the indifference of an old one. Nothing seems to puzzle Dr. Dee +more, in the long and confidential intercourse he carried on so many +years with his spirits, than to account for the great scarcity of +specie they seemed to be afflicted with, and the unsatisfactory and +unfurnished state of their exchequer. Bills, to be sure, they gave at +long dates; but these constantly required renewing, and were never +honoured at last. Any application for present relief, in good current +coin of the realm, was invariably followed by what Meric Casaubon very +significantly calls "sermonlike stuff." The learned professor in +witchery, John Stearne, seems to fix six shillings as the maximum of +money payment at one time which in all his experience he had detected +between witches and their familiars. He was examining Joan Ruccalver, +of Powstead, in Suffolk, who had been promised by her spirit that she +should never want meat, drink, clothes, or money. "Then I asked her +whether they brought her any money or no; and she said sometimes four +shillings at a time, and sometimes six shillings at a time; but that +is but seldom, _for I never knew any that had any money before_, +except of Clarke's wife, of Manningtree, who confessed the same, and +showed some, which, she said, her impe brought her, which was proper +money." Confirmation, page 27. Judging from the anxiety which this +worthy displays to be "satisfied and paid with reason" for his +itinerant labours, such a scanty and penurious supply would soon have +disgusted him, if he had been witch, instead of witch-finder. + +B 4 _b_ 2. "_She had bewitched to death Richard Ashton, sonne of +Richard Ashton, of Downeham, Esquire._"] Richard Assheton, (as the +name is more properly spelled,) thus done to death by witchcraft, was +the son of Richard Assheton, of Downham, an old manor house, the scite +of which is now supplied by a modern structure, which Dr. Whitaker +thinks, in point of situation, has no equal in the parish of Whalley. +Richard, the son, married Isabel, daughter and heiress of Mr. Hancock, +of Pendleton Hall, and died without offspring. The family estate +accordingly descended to the younger brother, Nicholas Assheton, whose +diary for part of the year 1617 and part of the year following is +given, page 303 of Whitaker's _History of Whalley_, edition 1818, and +is a most valuable record of the habits, pursuits, and course of life +of a Lancashire country gentleman of that period. It well deserves +detaching in a separate publication, and illustrating with a more +expanded commentary. + +C _b_. "_Piggin full._"] Piggin is properly a sort of bowl, or pail, +with one of the staves much longer than the rest, made for a handle, +to lade water by, and used especially in brewhouses to measure out the +liquor with. + +C 2 _a_. "_Nicholas Banister._"] Dr. Whitaker, in the pedigree of the +Banisters, of Altham, (genealogy was, it is well known, one of the +vulnerable parts of this Achilles of topography,) erroneously states +this Nicholas Banister to have been buried at Altham, December 7, +1611. It appears, however, from a deed, an inspection of which I owe +to the kindness of my friend, Dr. Fleming, that his will was dated the +15th August, 1612. In all probability he did not die for some years +after that date. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of +Richard Elston, of Brockall, Esq.; and, second, Catherine, daughter of +Edmund Ashton, of Chaderton, Esq. The manor house of Altham, for more +than five centuries the residence of this ancient family, stands, to +use Dr. Whitaker's words, upon a gentle elevation on the western side +of the river Calder, commanding a low and fertile domain. It has been +surrounded, according to the prudence or jealousy of the feudal times, +with a very deep quadrangular moat, which must have included all the +apparatus of the farm. + +C 3 _a_. "_At Malking Tower, in the forrest of Pendle._"] Malkin Tower +was the habitation of Mother Demdike, the situation of which is +preserved, for the structure no longer exists, by local tradition. +Malkin is the Scotch or north country word for hare, as this animal +was one into which witches were supposed to be fond of transforming +themselves. Malkin Tower is, in fact, the Witches' Tower. The term is +used in the following passage in Morison's _Poems_, p. 7, which bears +upon the above explanation:-- + + "Or tell the pranks o' winter's nights, + How Satan blazes uncouth lights; + Or how he does a core convene + Upon a witch-frequented green, + Wi' spells and cauntrips hellish rantin', + Like mawkins thro' the fields they're janting." + +C 4 _b_. "_We want old Demdike, who dyed in the castle before she came +to her tryall._"] Worn out most probably with her imprisonment, she +having been committed in April, and the cruelties she had undergone, +both before and after her commitment. Master Nowell and Master Potts +both _wanted_ her, we may readily conceive, to fill up the miserable +pageant; but she was gone where the wicked cease from troubling, and +the weary are at rest. With the exception of Alice Nutter, in whom +interest is excited from very different grounds, Mother Demdike +attracts attention in a higher degree than any other of these Pendle +witches. She was, beyond dispute, the Erictho of Pendle. Mother +Chattox was but second in rank. There is something fearfully intense +in the expression of the former,--blind, on the last verge of the +extreme limit of human existence, and mother of a line of +witches,--"that she would pray for the said Baldwin, both still and +loud." She is introduced in Shadwell's play, the _Lancashire Witches_, +1682, as a _persona dramatis_, along with Mother Dickinson and Mother +Hargrave, two of the witches convicted in 1633, but without any regard +to the characteristic circumstances under which she appears in the +present narrative. The following invocation, which is put into her +mouth, is rather a favourable specimen of that play, certainly not one +of the worst of Shadwell's, in which there are many vigorous strokes, +with an alloy of coarseness not unusual in his works, and some +powerful conceptions of character: + + Come, sisters, come, why do you stay? + Our business will not brook delay; + The owl is flown from the hollow oak, + From lakes and bogs the toads do croak; + The foxes bark, the screech-owl screams, + Wolves howl, bats fly, and the faint beams + Of glow-worms light grows bright a-pace; + The stars are fled, the moon hides her face. + The spindle now is turning round, + Mandrakes are groaning under ground: + I'th' hole i'th' ditch (our nails have made) + Now all our images are laid, + Of wax and wooll, which we must prick, + With needles urging to the quick. + Into the hole I'le poure a flood + Of black lambs bloud, to make all good. + The lamb with nails and teeth wee'l tear. + Come, where's the sacrifice? appear. + + * * * * * + + Oyntment for flying here I have, + Of childrens fat, stoln from the grave: + The juice of smallage, and night-shade, + Of poplar leaves, and aconite, made + With these. + The aromatic reed I boyl, + With water-parsnip and cinquefoil; + With store of soot, and add to that + The reeking blood of many a bat. + _Lancashire Witches_, pp. 10, 41. + +One of the peculiarities of Shadwell's play is the introduction of the +Lancashire dialect, which he makes his clown Clod speak. The subjoined +extract may perhaps amuse my readers. Collier would have enjoyed it: + + _Clod._ An yeow been a mon Ay'st talk wy ye a bit, yeow mun + tack a care o your sells, the plecs haunted with Buggarts, + and Witches, one of 'em took my Condle and Lanthorn out of + my hont, and flew along wy it; and another Set me o top o'th + tree, where I feel dawn now, Ay ha well neegh brocken my + theegh. + + _Doubt._ The fellows mad, I neither understand his words, + nor his Sence, prethee how far is it to Whalley? + + _Clod._ Why yeow are quite besaid th' road mon, yeow + Shoulden a gon dawn th' bonk by _Thomas_ o _Georges_, and + then ee'n at yate, and turn'd dawn th' Lone, and left the + Steepo o'th reeght hont. + + _Bell._ Prithee don't tell us what we should have done, but + how far is it to Whalley? + + _Clod._ Why marry four mail and a bit. + + _Doubt._ Wee'l give thee an Angel and show us the way + thither. + + _Clod._ Marry thats Whaint. I canno see my hont, haw con Ay + show yeow to Whalley to neeght. + + _Bell._ Canst thou show us to any house where we may have + Shelter and Lodging to night? we are Gentlemen and + strangers, and will pay you well for't. + + _Clod._ Ay byr Lady con I, th' best ludging and diet too in + aw Lancashire. Yonder at th' hough where yeow seen th' + leeghts there. + + _Doubt._ Whose house is that? + + _Clod._ Why what a pox, where han yeow lived? why yeow are + Strongers indeed! why, 'tis Sir _Yedard Harfourts_, he Keeps + oppen hawse to all Gentry, yeou'st be welcome to him by day + and by neeght he's Lord of aw here abauts. + + _Bell._ My Mistresses Father, Luck if it be thy will, have + at my _Isabella_, Canst thou guide us thither? + + _Clod._ Ay, Ay, there's a pawer of Company there naw, Sir + _Jeffery Shaklehead_, and the Knight his Son, and Doughter. + + _Doubt._ Lucky above my wishes, O my dear _Theodosia_, how + my heart leaps at her! prethee guide us thither, wee'l pay + thee well. + + _Clod._ Come on, I am e'n breed aut o my sences, I was ne'er + so freeghtened sin I was born, give me your + hont.--_Lancashire Witches_, p. 14. + +D _b_. "_Ann Whittle, alias Chattox._"] Chattox, from her continually +chattering. + +D 2 _a_ 1. "_Her lippes euer chattering and walking._"] Walking, +_i.e._, working. Old Chattox might have sat to Archbishop Harsnet for +her portrait. What can exceed the force and graphic truth, the +searching wit and sarcasm, of the picture he sketches in 1605? + + Out of these is shaped vs the true _Idoea_ of a Witch, an + old weather-beaten Croane, hauing her chinne, & her knees + meeting for age, walking like a bow leaning on a shaft, + hollow eyed, vntoothed, furrowed on her face, hauing her + lips trembling with the palsie, going mumbling in the + streetes, one that hath forgott[=e] her _pater noster_, and + hath yet a shrewd tongue in her head, to call a drab, a + drab. If shee haue learned of an olde wife in a chimnies + end: _Pax, max, fax_, for a spel: or can say Sir _Iohn of + Grantams_ curse, for the Millers Eeles, that were stolne: + All you that haue stolne the Millers Eeles, _Laudate dominum + de coelis_: And all they that haue consented thereto, + _benedicamus domino_: Why then ho, beware, looke about you + my neighbours; if any of you haue a sheepe sicke of the + giddies, or an hogge of the mumps, or an horse of the + staggers, or a knauish boy of the schoole, or an idle girle + of the wheele, or a young drab of the sullens, and hath not + fat enough for her porredge, nor her father, and mother, + butter enough for their bread; and she haue a little helpe + of the _Mother_, _Epilepsie_, or _Cramp_, to teach her role + her eyes, wrie her mouth, gnash her teeth, startle with her + body, holde her armes and hands stiffe, make anticke faces, + grine, mow, and mop like an Ape, tumble like a Hedge-hogge, + and can mutter out two or three words of gibridg, as _obus, + bobus_: and then with-all old mother _Nobs_ hath called her + by chaunce, idle young huswife, or bid the deuill scratch + her, then no doubt but mother _Nobs_ is the Witch: the young + girle is Owle-blasted, and possessed: and it goes hard but + ye shall haue some idle adle, giddie, lymphaticall, + illuminate dotrel, who being out of credite, learning, + sobriety, honesty, and wit, will take this holy aduantage, + to raise the ruines of his desperate decayed name, and for + his better glory wil be-pray the iugling drab, and cast out + _Mopp_ the deuil. + + They that haue their braines baited, and their fancies + distempered with the imaginations, and apprehensions of + Witches, Coniurers, and Fayries, and all that Lymphatical + _Chimęra_: I finde to be marshalled in one of these fiue + rankes, children, fooles, women, cowards, sick, or blacke, + melancholicke, discomposed wits. The Scythians being a + warlike Nation (as _Plutarch_ reports) neuer saw any + visions.--_Harsnet's Declaration_, p. 136. + +D 2 _a_ 2. "_From these two sprung all the rest in order._"] The +descent from these two rival witch stocks, between which a deadly feud +and animosity prevailed, which led to the destruction of both +families, is shewn as follows: + + Elizabeth Sothernes, + alias Old Demdike, + died in prison in 1612, + about 80 years old. + 1 | 2 + ------------------------------ + | | +Christopher = Eliz. Elizabeth, executed = John Device, or +Howgate. Both of at Lancaster, | Davies, supposed +them were reputed 1612. | to have been bewitched +to be at the witches | to death, +meeting on Good | by Widow Chattox, +Friday, 1612, but | because he had not +were not indicted. | paid her his yearly +Perhaps they were | aghen dole of meal. +the "one Holgate | +and his wife" mentioned | +amongst the | +witches in 1633. | + 1 2 | 3 + --------------------------------------------------- + | | | + James Device, or Alizon, executed Jennet, 9 years old + Davies, executed at at Lancaster in 1612. in 1612, and an evidence + Lancaster in 1612. in the present + trial. Condemned + herself, along with + 16 other persons, + for witchcraft, in + 1633, when she appears + to have been + unmarried, but not + executed. + +Anne Whittle, alias +Chattox, executed +at Lancaster, 1612, +about 80 years old. + | +Anne, executed = Thomas Redferne. +in 1612. | + | + Mary. + +D 3 _a_. "_Commaunded this examinate to call him by the name of +Fancie._"] The fittest name for a familiar she could possibly have +chosen. Sir Walter Scott (_Letters on Demonology_, p. 242) +unaccountably speaks of Fancie as a female devil. Master Potts would +have told him, (see M 2 _b_,) "that Fancie had a very good face, and +was a very proper man." + +D 3 _b_ 1. "_The wife of Richard Baldwin, of Pendle._"] Richard +Baldwin was the miller who accosted Old Dembdike so unceremoniously. + +D 3 _b_ 2. "_Robert Nutter._"] The family of the Nutters, of Pendle, +bore a great share in the proceedings referred to in this trial. It +seems to have been a family of note amongst the inferior gentry or +yeomanry of the forest. A Nutter held courts for many years about this +period, as deputy steward at Clitheroe. (See Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. +307.) Three of the name are stated in the evidence to have been killed +by witchcraft, Christopher Nutter, Robert Nutter, and Anne, the +daughter of Anthony Nutter; and one of the unfortunate persons +convicted is Alice Nutter. The branch to which Robert belonged is +shewn in the following table: + +Robert Nutter, the elder, = Elizabeth, who is reputed +of Pendle, called old | to have employed Anne +Robert Nutter. | Chattox, Loomeshaw's + | wife, and Jane Boothman + | to bewitch to death young + | Robert Nutter, that other + | relations might inherit. + | + Christopher, reputed + to have died of witchcraft + about 18 years before. + | + 1 | 2 3 + ------------------------------------------------------ + | | | +Robert, of Greenhead, = Mary John, of Higham Margaret = Crooke +in Pendle, a retainer Booth. | +of Sir Richard | | +Shuttleworth, --------------------------- +reputed to have been gave evidence at the trial. +bewitched to death +18 or 19 years +before the trial +took place. + +D 4 _a_. "_One Mr. Baldwyn (the late Schoole-maister at Coulne) did by +his learning, stay the sayd Loomeshaws wife, and therefore had a Capon +from Redfearne._"] I regret that I can give no account of this learned +Theban, who appears to have stayed the plague, and who taught at the +school at which Archbishop Tillotson was afterwards educated. He well +deserved his capon. Had he continued at Colne up to the time of this +trial, he might perhaps, on the same easy terms, have kept the powers +of darkness in check, and prevented some imputed crimes which cost ten +unfortunates their lives. + +E _b_ 1. "_Iames Robinson._"] Baines, in his _History of Lancashire_, +vol. i. p. 605, speaks of Edmund Robinson, the father of the boy on +whose evidence the witches were convicted in 1633, as if he had been a +witness at the present trial; which is probably a mistake for this +James Robinson, as no Edmund Robinson appears amongst the witnessses +whose depositions are given. + +E _b_ 2. "_Anne Whittle alias Chattox was hired by this examinates +wife to card wooll._"] She seems to have been by occupation a carder +of wool, and to have filled up the intervals, when she had no +employment, by mendicancy. + +E 2 _a_. "_Sir Richard Shuttleworth._"} Of the family of the +Shuttleworths of Gawthorp, "where they resided" Whitaker observes, "in +the condition of inferior gentry till the lucrative profession of the +law raised them, in the reign of Elizabeth, to the rank of knighthood +and an estate proportioned to its demands." Sir Richard was +Sergeant-at-law, and Chief Justice of Chester, 31st Elizabeth, and +died without issue about 1600. + +E 2 _b_. "_A Charme._"] Evidently in so corrupted a state as to bid +defiance to any attempt at elucidation. + +E 3 _a_ 1. "_Perceiuing Anthonie Nutter of Pendle to fauour Elizabeth +Sothernes alias Dembdike._"] The Sothernes and Davies's and the +Whittles and Redfernes were the Montagus and Capulets of Pendle. The +poor cottager whose drink was forsepoken or bewitched, or whose cow +went mad, and who in his attempt to propitiate one of the rival powers +offended the other, would naturally exclaim from the innermost +recesses of his heart, "A plague on both your houses." + +E 3 _a_ 2. "_Gaping as though he would haue wearied this Examinate._"] +Wearied for worried. + +E 3 _b_. "_Examination of Iames Device._"] This is a very curious +examination. The production of the four teeth and figure of clay dug +up at the west-end of Malkin Tower would look like a "damning witness" +to the two horror-struck justices and the assembled concourse at Read, +who did not perhaps consider how easily such evidences may be +furnished, and how readily they who hide may find. The incident +deposed to at the burial at the New Church in Pendle is a wild and +striking one. + +E 4 _a_. "_About eleuen yeares agoe, this Examinate and her mother had +their firehouse broken._"] The inference intended is, that Whittle's +family committed the robbery from Old Demdike's house. This was, in +all probability, the origin of their feuds. The abstraction of the +coif and band, tempting articles to the young daughter of Old Chattox, +not destitute, if we may judge from one occurrence deposed to, of +personal attractions, may be said to have convulsed Lancashire from +the Leven to the Mersey,--to have caused a sensation, the shock of +which, after more than two centuries, has scarcely yet subsided, and +to have actually given a new name to the fair sex. + +E 4 _b_ 1. "_One Aghen-dole of meale._"] This Aghen-dole, a word +still, I believe, in use for a particular measure of any article, was, +I presume, a kind of witches' black mail. My friend, the Rev. Canon +Parkinson, informs me that Aghen-dole, sometimes pronounced +Acken-dole, signifies an half-measure of anything, from +half-hand-dole. Mr. Halliwell has omitted it in his Glossary, now in +progress. + +E 4 _b_ 2. "_Iohn Moore of Higham, Gentleman._"] Sir Jonas Moore, of +whom an account is contained in Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 479, and whom +he characterizes as a sanguine projector, was born in Pendle Forest, +and was probably of this family. + +E 4 _b_ 3. "_She would meet with the said Iohn Moore, or his._"] i.e. +She would be equal with him. + +F _a_ 1. "_Charne._"] i.e. Charm. + +F _a_ 2. "_With weeping teares she humbly acknowledged them to be +true._"] She seems to have confessed in the hope of saving her +daughter, Anne Redfern. But from such a judge as Sir Edward Bromley, +mercy was as little to be expected as common sense from his "faithful +chronicler," Thomas Potts. + +F 2 _b_. "_Sparing no man with fearefull execrable curses and +banning._"] Nothing seems to shock the nerves of these witch +historiographers so much as the utter want of decorum and propriety +exhibited by these unhappy creatures in giving vent to these indignant +outbreaks, which a sense of the wicked injustice of their fate, and +seeing their own offspring brought up in evidence against them, +through the most detestable acts, and by the basest subornation, would +naturally extort from minds even of iron mould. If ever Lear's or +Timon's power of malediction could be justifiably called into +exercise, it would be against such a tribunal and such witnesses as +they had generally to encounter. + +F 4 _a_. "_That at the third time her Spirit._"] Something seems to be +wanting here, as she does not state what occurred at the two previous +interviews. The learned judge may have exercised a sound discretion in +this omission, as the particulars might be of a nature unfit for +publication. The present tract is, undoubtedly, remarkably free from +those disgusting details of which similar reports are generally full +to overflowing. + +F 4 _b_. "_The said Iennet Deuice, being a yong Maide, about the age +of nine yeares._"] This child must have been admirably trained, (some +Master Thomson might have been near at hand to instruct her,) or must +have had great natural capacity for deception. She made an excellent +witness on this occasion. What became of her after the wholesale +extinction of her family, to which she was so mainly instrumental, is +not now known. In all likelihood she dragged on a miserable existence, +a forlorn outcast, pointed at by the hand of scorn, or avoided with +looks of horror in the wilds of Pendle. As if some retributive +punishment awaited her, she is reported to have been the Jennet Davies +who was condemned in 1633, on the evidence of Edmund Robinson the +younger, with Mother Dickenson and others, but not executed. Her +confession, if she made one at the second trial, might not have been +unsimilar to that of Alexander Sussums, of Melford in Suffolk, who, +Hearne tells us, confessed "that he had things which did draw those +marks I found upon him, but said he could not help it, for that all +his kinred were naught. Then I asked him how it was possible they +could suck without his consent. He said he did consent to that. Then I +asked him again why he should do it when as God was so merciful +towards him, as I then told him of, being a man whom I had been +formerly acquainted withal, as having lived in town. He answered +again, he could not help it, for that all his generation was naught; +and so told me _his mother and aunt were hanged, his grandmother burnt +for witchcraft, and ten others of them questioned and hanged_. This +man is yet living, notwithstanding he confessed the sucking of such +things above sixteen years together."--_Confirmation_, p. 36. + +G 3 _a_. "_Anne Crouckshey._"] Anne Cronkshaw. + +G 3 _b_ 1. "_Vpon Good Friday last there was about twentie persons._"] +This meeting, if not a witches' Sabbath, was a close approximation to +one. On the subject of the Sabbath, or periodical meeting of witches, +De Lancre is the leading authority. He who is curious cannot do better +than consult this great hierophant, (his work is entitled Tableau de +l'Inconstance des mauvais Anges et Demons. Paris, 1613, 4to.) whose +knowledge and experience well qualified him to have been constituted +the Itinerant Master of Ceremonies, an officer who, he assures us, +was never wanting on such occasions. In that singular book, _The +History of Monsieur Oufle_, p. 288, (English Translation, 1711, 8vo.) +are collected from various sources all the ceremonies and +circumstances attending the holding the Sabbath. It appears that +non-attendance invariably incurred a penalty, which is computed upon +the average at the eighth part of a crown, or in French currency at +ten sous--that, though the contrary has been maintained by many grave +authors, egress and ingress by the chimney (De Lancre had depositions +without number, he tells us, _vide_ p. 114, on this important head,) +was not a matter of solemn obligation, but was an open question--that +no grass ever grows upon the place where the Sabbath is kept; which is +accounted for by the circumstance of its being trodden by so many of +those whose feet are constitutionally hot, and therefore being burnt +up and consequently very barren--that two devils of note preside on +the occasion, the great negro, who is called Master Leonard, and a +little devil, whom Master Leonard sometimes substitutes in his place +as temporary vice-president; his name is Master John Mullin. (De +Lancre, p. 126.) With regard to a very important point, the bill of +fare, great difference of opinion exists: some maintaining that every +delicacy of the season, to use the newspaper phrase, is provided; +others stoutly asserting that nothing is served up but toads, the +flesh of hanged criminals, dead carcases fresh buried taken out of +Churchyards, flesh of unbaptized infants, or beasts which died of +themselves--that they never eat with salt, and that their bread is of +black millet. (De Lancre, pp. 104, 105.) In this diversity of opinion +I can only suggest, that difference of climate, habit, and fashion, +might possibly have its weight, and render a very different larder +necessary for the witches of Pendle and those of Gascony or Lorrain. +The fare of the former on this occasion appears to have been of a very +substantial and satisfactory kind, "beef, bacon, and roasted mutton:" +the old saying so often quoted by the discontented masters of +households applying emphatically in this case:-- + + "God sends us good meat, but the devil sends cooks." + +We find in the present report no mention made of the + + "Dance and provencal song" + +which formed one great accompaniment of the orgies of the southern +witches. Bodin's authority is express, that each, the oldest not +excused, was expected to perform a coranto, and great attention was +paid to the regularity of the steps. We owe to him the discovery, +which is not recorded in any annals of dancing I have met with, that +the lavolta, a dance not dissimilar, according to his description, to +the polka of the present day, was brought out of Italy into France by +the witches at their festive meetings. Of the language spoken at these +meetings, De Lancre favours us with a specimen, valuable, like the +Punic fragment in the Poenolus, for its being the only one of the +kind. _In nomine patrica araguenco petrica agora, agora, Valentia +jouando goure gaiti goustia._ As it passes my skill, I can only +commend it to the especial notice of Mr. Borrow against his next +journey into Spain. What was spoken at Malkin Tower was, doubtless, a +dialect not yet obsolete, and which Tummus and Meary would have had no +difficulty in comprehending. On the subject of these witches' +Sabbaths, Dr. Ferriar remarks, in his curious and agreeable _Essay on +Popular Illusions_, (see _Memoirs of the Manchester Literary and +Philosophical Society_, vol. iii., p. 68,) a sketch which it is much +to be regretted that he did not subsequently expand and revise, and +publish in a separate form:-- + + The solemn meetings of witches are supposed to be put beyond + all doubt by the numerous confessions of criminals, who have + described their ceremonies, named the times and places of + meeting, and the persons present, and who have agreed in + their relations, though separately delivered.[78] But I + would observe, first, that the circumstances told of those + festivals are ridiculous and incredible in themselves; for + they are represented as gloomy and horrible, yet with a + mixture of childish and extravagant fancies, more likely to + disgust and alienate than to conciliate the minds of the + guests. They have every appearance of uneasy dreams; + sometimes the devil and his subjects _say mass_, sometimes + he _preaches_ to them, more commonly he was seen in the form + of a black goat, surrounded by imps in a thousand frightful + shapes; but none of these forms are _new_, they all resemble + known quadrupeds or reptiles. Secondly, I observe, that + there is direct proof furnished even by demonologists, that + all these supposed journies and entertainments are nothing + more than dreams. Persons accused of witchcraft have been + repeatedly watched, about the time which they had fixed for + the meeting; they have been seen to anoint themselves with + soporific compositions, after which they fell into profound + sleep, and on awaking, several hours afterwards, they have + related their journey through the air, their amusement at + the festival, and have named the persons whom they saw + there. In the instance told by Hoffman, the dreamer was + chained to the floor. Common sense would rest satisfied + here, but the enthusiasm of demonology has invented more + than one theory to get rid of these untoward facts. Dr. + Henry More, as was formerly mentioned, believed that the + astral spirit only was carried away: other demonologists + imagined that the witch was really removed to the place of + meeting, but that a cacodemon was left in her room, as an + [Greek: eidōlon], to delude the spectators. Thirdly, some + stories of the festivals are evidently tricks. Such is that + related by Bodinus, with much gravity: a man is found in a + gentleman's cellar, and apprehended as a thief; he declares + his wife had brought him thither to a witch-meeting, and on + his pronouncing the name of God, she and all her companions + had vanished, and left him inclosed. His wife is immediately + seized, on this righteous evidence, and hanged, with several + other persons, named as present at the meeting. + +[Footnote 78: There is a grave relation, in Delrio, of a witch being +shot flying, by a Spanish centinel, at the bridge of Nieulet, near +Calais, after that place was taken by the Spaniards. The soldier saw a +black cloud advancing rapidly, from which voices issued: when it came +near, he fired into it; immediately a witch dropped. This is +_undoubted proof_ of the meetings!--_Disq. Mag._, p. 708.] + +G 3 _b_ 2. "_Christopher Iackes, of Thorny-holme, and his wife._"] +This would appear to be Christopher Hargreaves, called here +Christopher Jackes, for o' or of Jack, according to the Lancashire +mode of forming patronymics. + +G 4 _a_. "_The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, which Alizon +Deuice, now Prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not name him, because +shee was not there._"] Gaule says, speaking of the ceremonies at the +witches' solemn meetings: "If the witch be outwardly Christian, +baptism must be renounced, and the party must be rebaptized in the +Devil's name, and a new name is also imposed by him; and here must be +godfathers too, for the Devil takes them not to be so adult as to +promise and vow for themselves." (_Cases of Conscience touching +Witches_, page 59. 1646, 12mo.) But Gaule does not mention any naming +or baptism of spirits and familiars on such occasions. + +G 4 _b_. "_Romleyes Moore._"] Romilly's or Rumbles Moor, a wild and +mountainous range in Craven, not unaptly selected for a meeting on a +special emergency of a conclave of witches. + +H 2 _a_ 1. "_Was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as +he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp._"] +Pitiable, truly, was the situation of this unhappy wretch. Brought out +from the restraint of a long imprisonment, before and during which he +had, as we may conjecture, been subjected to every inhumanity, in a +state more dead than alive, into a court which must have looked like +one living mass, with every eye lit up with horror, and curses, not +loud but deep, muttered with harmonious concord from the mouths of +every spectator. + +H 2 _a_ 2. "_Anne Towneley, wife of Henrie Townely, of the Carre._"] +Would this be Anne, the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Catterall, +of Catterall and Little Mitton, Esq., who married Henry Townley, the +son of Lawrence Townley? (See Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 396.) The +Townleys of Barnside and Carr were a branch of the Townleys, of +Townley. Barnside, or Barnsete, is an ancient mansion in the township +of Colne, which, Whitaker observes, was abandoned by the family, for +the warmer situation of Carr, about the middle of the last century. + +H 2 _a_ 3. "_Master Nowel humbly prayed Master Towneley might be +called._"] It is to be regretted we have no copy of the _viva voce_ +examination of Mr. Townley, the husband of the lady whose life was +said to have been taken away by witchcraft. The examinations given in +this tract are altogether those of persons in a humble rank of life. +The contrast between their evidence and that of an individual +occupying the position of the descendant of one of the oldest families +in the neighbourhood, with considerable landed possessions, might have +been amusing and instructive. + +H 2 _a_ 4. "_Master Nowell humbly prayed, that the particular +examinations taken before him and others might be openly published and +read in court._"] This kind of evidence, the witnesses being in court, +and capable of being examined, would not be received at the present +day. At that time a greater laxity prevailed. + +H 3 _a_. "_Sheare Thursday._"] The Thursday before Easter, and so +called, for that, in the old Fathers' days, the people would that day, +"shave their hedes, and clypp their berdes, and pool their heedes, and +so make them honest against Easter Day."--_Brand's Popular +Antiquities_, vol. i., p. 83, edition 1841. + +K _b_ 1. "_A Charme._"] Sinclair, in his _Satan's Invisible World +Discovered_, informs us, that "At night, in the time of popery, when +folks went to bed, they believed the repetition of this following +prayer was effectual to preserve them from danger, and the house too. + + "Who sains the house the night, + They that sains it ilka night. + Saint Bryde and her brate, + Saint Colme and his hat, + Saint Michael and his spear, + Keep this house from the weir; + From running thief, + And burning thief; + And from and ill Rea, + That be the gate can gae; + And from an ill weight, + That be the gate can light + Nine reeds about the house; + Keep it all the night, + What is that, what I see + So red, so bright, beyond the sea? + 'Tis he was pierc'd through the hands, + Through the feet, through the throat, + Through the tongue; + Through the liver and the lung. + Well is them that well may + Fast on Good-friday." + +which lines are not unlike some of those in the present "charme," +which, evidently much corrupted by recitation, is a very singular and +interesting string of fragments handed down from times long anterior +to the Reformation, when they had been employed as armour of proof by +the credulous vulgar against the Robin Goodfellows, urchins, elves, +hags, and fairies of earlier superstition. I regret that I cannot +throw more light upon it. The concluding lines are not deficient in +poetical spirit. + +K _b_ 2. "_Ligh in leath wand._"] Leath is no doubt lithe, flexible. +What "ligh in" is intended for, unless it be lykinge, which the +_Promptorium Parvulorum_ (_vide_ part i. p. 304) explains by lusty, or +craske, _Delicativus_, crassus, I am unable to conjecture. It is +clear, that the wand in one hand is to steck, _i.e._ stake, or fasten, +the latch of hell door, while the key in his other hand is to open +heaven's lock. + +K _b_ 3. "_Let Crizum child goe to it Mother mild._"] The chrisom, +according to the usual explanation, was a white cloth placed upon the +head of an infant at baptism, when the chrism, or sacred oil of the +Romish Church, was used in that sacrament. If the child died within a +month of its birth, that cloth was used as a shroud; and children so +dying were called chrisoms in the old bills of mortality. + +K _b_ 4. "_A light so farrandly._"] Farrandly, or farrantly, a word +still in use in Lancashire, and which is equivalent to fair, likely, +or handsome. (See _Lancashire Dialect and Glossary_.) "Harne panne," +_i.e._, cranium.--_Promptorium Parvulorum_, p. 237. + +K 2 _a_ 1. "_Vpon the ground of holy weepe._"] I know not how to +explain this, unless it mean the ground of holy weeping, _i.e._, the +Garden of Gethsemane. + +K 2 _a_ 2. "_Shall neuer deere thee._"] The word to dere, or hurt, +says Mr. Way, _Promptorium Parvulorum_, p. 119, is commonly used by +Chaucer and most other writers until the sixteenth century: + + "Fyr he schal hym nevyr dere." + _Coeur de Lion_, 1638. + +Fabyan observes, under the year 1194, "So fast besyed this good Kyng +Richarde to vex and dere the infydelys of Sury." Palsgrave gives, "To +dere or hurte a noye nuire, I wyll never dere you by my good wyll." +Ang. Sax., [Anglo-Saxon: derian] _nocere_, [Anglo-Saxon: derung] +_lęsio_. + +K 3 _a_. "_The Witches of Salmesbvry._"] Or, more properly, +Samlesbury. This wicked attempt on the part of this priest, or Jesuit, +Thompson, _alias_ Southworth, to murder the three persons whose trial +is next reported, by suborning a child of the family to accuse them of +what, in the excited state of the public mind at the time, was almost +certain to consign them to a public execution, has few parallels in +the annals of atrocity. The plot was defeated, and the lives of the +persons accused, Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, and Jane Southworth, +saved, by no sagacity of the judge or wisdom of the jury, but by the +effect of one simple question, wrung from the intended victims on the +verge of anticipated condemnation, and which, natural as it might +appear, was one the felicity of which Garrow or Erskine might have +envied. It demolished, like Ithuriel's spear, the whole fabric of +imposture, and laid it open even to the comprehension of Sir Edward +Bromley and Master Thomas Potts. This was a case which well deserved +Archbishop Harsnet for its historian. His vein of irony, which Swift +or Echard never surpassed, and the scorching invective of which he was +so consummate a master, would have been well employed in handing down +to posterity a scene of villainy to which the frauds of Somers and the +stratagems of Weston were mere child's play. We might then have had, +from the most enlightened man of his age, a commentary on the statute +1st James First, which would have neutralized its mischief, and spared +a hecatomb of victims. His resistless ridicule would, perhaps, have +accomplished at once what was slowly and with difficulty brought about +by the arguments of Scot and Webster, the establishment of the Royal +Society, and a century's growth of intelligence and knowledge. + +K 3 _b_ 1. "_A Seminarie Priest._"] Of this Thompson, _alias_ +Southworth, I find no account in Dodd's _Catholic Church History_. A +John Southworth is noticed, vol. iii. p. 303, who is described as of +an ancient family in Lancashire, and who was executed at Tyburn, June +28th, 1655. His dying speech is to be found in the same volume, p. +360. The interval of time, as well as the difference of surname, +excludes the presumption of his being identical with the person +referred to in the text, the hero of this extraordinary conspiracy, +and who was probably of the family of Sir John Southworth, after +mentioned. + +K 3 _b_ 2. "_A Iesuite, whereof this Countie of Lancaster hath good +store._"] Lancashire was, about this period, the great hot-bed of +Popish recusants. From the very curious list of recusants given +(Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. i. p. 541,) it would seem that Samlesbury +was one of their strongholds:-- + + James Cowper a seminarie prieste receipted releived and + mainteined att the lodge of Sir John Southworthe in + Samlesburie Parke by Mr. Tho: Southworthe, one of the + younger sonnes of the said Sir John. And att the howse of + John Warde dwellinge in Samlesburie Park syde. And the said + Prieste sayeth Masse att the said lodge and att the said + Wards howse. Whether resorte, Mr. Sowthworthe, Mres. An + Sowthworthe, John Walmesley servante to Sir John + Southworthe, Tho. Southworthe dwellinge in the Parke, John + Gerrerde, servante to Sir John Southworthe, John Singleton, + John Wrighte, James Sherples iunior, John Warde of + Samlesburie, John Warde of Medler thelder, Henrie Potter of + Medler, John Gouldon of Winwicke, Thomas Gouldon of the + same, Roberte Anderton of Samlesburie and John Sherples of + Stanleyhurst in Samlesburie.--_Baines's Lancashire_, vol. i. + p. 543. + + Att the lodge in Samlesburie Parke there be masses daylie + and Seminaries dyuerse Resorte thither as James Cowpe, + Harrisson Bell and such like, The like vnlawfull meetings + are made daylie att the howse of John Warde by the Parke + syde of Samlesburie all wiche matters, masses, resorte to + Masses, receipting of Seminaries wilbe Justifyed by Mr. Adam + Sowtheworthe Thomas Sherples and John Osbaldston.--_Ibid._, + p. 544. + +K 4 _b_. "_Picked her off._"] Threw her off. + +L _a_. "_Hugh Walshmans._"] The wife of Hugh Walshman, of Samlesbury, +is mentioned in the list of recusants; Baines, vol. i. p. 544. + +L 2 _a_ 1. "_Brought a little child._"] The evidence against the +Pendle witches exhibits meagreness and poverty of imagination compared +with the accumulated horrors with which the Jesuit, fresh, it may be, +from Bodin and Delrio, made his "fire burn and cauldron bubble." With +respect to this old story of the magical use made of the corpses of +infants, Ben Jonson, in a note on + + "I had a dagger: what did I with that? + Killed an infant to have his fat;" + +tells us with great gravity: + + Their killing of infants is common, both for confection of + their ointment (whereto one ingredient is the fat boiled, as + I have shewed before out of Paracelsus and Porta) as also + out of a lust to do murder. _Sprenger in Mal. Malefic._ + reports that a witch, a midwife in the diocese of Basil, + confessed to have killed above forty infants (ever as they + were new born, with pricking them in the brain with a + needle) which she had offered to the devil. See the story of + the three witches in _Rem. Dęmonola lib. cap._ 3, about the + end of the chapter. And M. Phillippo Ludwigus Elich _Quęst._ + 8. And that it is no new rite, read the practice of Canidia, + _Epod. Horat. lib. ode_ 5, and Lucan, _lib._ 6, whose + admirable verses I can never be weary to transcribe:-- + + Nec cessant ą cęde manus, si sanguine vivo + Est opus, erumpat jugulo qui primus aperto. + Nec refugit cędes, vivum si sacra cruorem + Extaque funereę poscunt trepidantia mensę. + Vulnere si ventris, non quā natura vocabat, + Extrahitur partus calidus ponendus in aris; + Et quoties sęvis opus est, et fortibus umbris + Ipsa facit maneis. Hominum mors omnis in usu est. + + _Ben Johnson's Works, by Gifford_, vol. vii. p. 130. + +L 2 _a_ 2. "_They said they would annoint themselues._"] Ben Jonson +informs us: + + When they are to be transported from place to place, they + use to anoint themselves, and sometimes the things they ride + on. Beside Apul. testimony, see these later, _Remig. + Dęmonolatrię lib._ 1. _cap._ 14. _Delrio, Disquis. Mag. l._ + 2. _quęst._ 16. _Bodin Dęmonoman. lib._ 2 _c._ 14. _Barthol. + de Spina. quęst. de Strigib. Phillippo Ludwigus Elich. + quęst._ 10. _Paracelsus in magn. et occul. Philosophia_, + teacheth the confection. _Unguentum ex carne recens natorum + infantium, in pulmenti, forma coctum, et cum herbis + somniferis, quales sunt Papaver, Solanum, Cicuta_, &c. And + _Giov. Bapti. Porta, lib._ 2. _Mag. Natur. cap._ 16.--_Ben + Jonson's Works by Gifford_, vol. vii. p. 119. + +L 3 _a_. "_Did carrie her into the loft._"] There is something in this +strange tissue of incoherencies, for knavery has little variety, which +forcibly reminds us of the inventions of Elizabeth Canning, who ought +to have lived in the days when witchcraft was part of the popular +creed. What an admirable witch poor old Mary Squires would have made, +and how brilliantly would her persecutor have shone in the days of the +Baxters and Glanvilles, who acquitted herself so creditably in those +of the Fieldings and the Hills. + +L 4 _b_ 1. "_Robert Hovlden, Esquire._"] This individual would be of +the ancient family of Holden, of Holden, the last male heir of which +died without issue, 1792. (See Whitaker's _Whalley_, 418.) + +L 4 _b_ 2. "_Sir John Southworth._"] In this family the manor of +Samlesbury remained for three hundred and fifty years. This was, +probably, the John (for the pedigree contained in Whitaker's +_Whalley_, p. 430, does not give the clearest light on the subject) +who married Jane, daughter of Sir Richard Sherburne, of Stonyhurst, +and who took a great lead amongst the Catholics of Lancashire. What +was the degree of relationship between Sir John and the husband of the +accused, Jane Southworth, there is nothing in the descent to show. +Family bickering might have a share, as well as superstition, in the +opinion he entertained, "that she was an evil woman." Of the old hall +at Samlesbury, the residence of the Southworths, a most interesting +account will be found in Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 431. He considers +the centre of very high antiquity, probably not later than Edward III; +and observes, "There is about the house a profusion and bulk of oak +that must almost have laid prostrate a forest to erect it." + +M 1 _b_. "_The particular points of the Evidence._"] What a waste of +ingenuity Master Potts displays in this recapitulation, where he is +merely slaying the slain, and where his wisdom was not needed. Had he +applied it to the service of the Pendle witches, he would have found +still grosser contrarieties, and as great absurdity. But in that case, +there was no horror of Popery to sharpen his faculties, or Jesuit in +the background to call his humanity into play. + +M 2 _a_. "_The wrinkles of an old wiues face is good euidence to the +Iurie against a Witch._"] _Si sic omnia!_ For once the worthy clerk in +court has a lucid interval, and speaks the language of common sense. + +M 2 _b_. "_But old Chattox had Fancie._"] A great truth, though Master +Potts might not be aware of the extent of it. + +M 4 _a_. "_M. Leigh, a very religious Preacher._"] Parson of Standish, +a man memorable in his day. He published several pieces, amongst +others the two following: 1. "The Drumme of Devotion," by W. Leigh, of +Standish, 1613.--2. "News of a Prodigious Monster in Aldington, in the +Parish of Standish, in Lancashire," 1613, 4to, which show him to have +been an adept in the science of title-making. He was one of the tutors +of Prince Henry, and was great-grandfather of Dr. Leigh, author of the +_History of Lancashire_. + +N 3 _b_. "_The Arraignment and Triall of Anne Redferne._"] This poor +woman seems to have been regularly hunted to death by her prosecutors, +who pursued her with all the dogged pertinacity of blood-hounds. +Neither the imploring appeal for mercy, in her case, from her wretched +mother, who did not ask for any in her own, nor the want of even the +shadow of a ground for the charge, had the slightest effect upon the +besotted prejudices of the judge and jury. Acquitted on one +indictment, she is now put on her trial on another; the imputed crime +being her having caused the death of a person, who did not even accuse +her of being accessory to it, nearly eighteen years before, by +witchcraft; the only evidence, true or false, being, that she had been +seen, about the same period, making figures of clay or marl. Her real +offence, it may well be conjectured, was her having rejected the +improper advances of the ill-conditioned young man whose death she was +first indicted for procuring, and to which circumstance the rancour of +his relations, the prosecutors, may evidently be traced. It is +gratifying to know that she had firmness of mind to persist in the +declaration of her innocence to the last. + +O 3 _a_. "_Alice Nutter._"] We now come to a person of a different +description from any of those who have preceded as parties accused, +and on whose fate some extraordinary mystery seems to hang. Alice +Nutter was not, like the others, a miserable mendicant, but was a lady +of large possessions, of a respectable family, and with children whose +position appears to have been such as, it might have been expected, +would have afforded her the means of escaping the fate which overtook +her humbler companions. + + "I knew her a good woman and well bred, + Of an unquestion'd carriage, well reputed + Amongst her neighbours, reckoned with the best." + _Heywood's Lancashire Witches._ + +She is described as the wife of Richard Nutter of the Rough Lee, and +mother of Miles Nutter, who were in all likelihood nearly related to +the other Nutters whose descent has been given. The tradition is, that +she was closely connected by relationship or marriage with Eleanor +Nutter, the daughter of Ellis Nutter of Pendle Forest, the grandmother +of Archbishop Tillotson. That she was the victim of a foul and +atrocious conspiracy, in which the movers were some of her own family, +there seems no reason to doubt. The anxiety of her children to induce +her to confess may possibly have originated in no impure or sinister +motive, but it is difficult altogether to dismiss from the mind the +suspicion that her wealth was her great misfortune; and that to secure +it within their grasp her own household were passive, if not active, +agents in her destruction. Any thing more childish or absurd than the +evidence against her--as, for instance, that she joyned in killing +Henry Mitton because he refused a penny to Old Demdike--it would not +be easy, even from the records of witch trials, to produce. As regards +Alice Nutter, Potts is singularly meagre, and it is to be lamented +that the deficiency of information cannot at present be supplied. +Almost the only fact he furnishes us with is, that she died +maintaining her innocence. It would have been most interesting to have +had the means of ascertaining how she conducted herself at her trial +and after her condemnation; and how she met the iniquitous injustice +of her fate, sharpened, as it must have been, by the additional +bitterness of the insults and execrations of the blind and infuriated +populace at her execution. It is far from improbable that some of the +correspondence now deposited in the family archives in the county +hitherto unpublished may ultimately furnish these particulars. + +Alice Nutter was doubtless the original of the story of which Heywood +availed himself in _The Late Lancashire Witches_, 1634, 4to, which is +frequently noticed by the writers of the 17th century--that the wife +of a Lancashire country gentleman had been detected in practising +witchcraft and unlawful arts, and condemned and executed. In that play +there can be little hesitation in ascribing to Heywood the scenes in +which Mr. Generous and his wife are the interlocutors, and to Broome, +Heywood's coadjutor, the subordinate and farcical portions. It is a +very unequal performance, but not destitute of those fine touches, +which Heywood is never without, in the characters of English country +gentlemen and the pathos of domestic tragedy. The following scene, +which I am tempted to extract, though very inferior to the noble ones +in his _Woman Killed by Kindness_, between Mr. and Mrs. Frankford, +which it somewhat resembles in character, is not unworthy of this +great and truly national dramatic writer:-- + +MR. GENEROUS. WIFE. ROBIN, _a groom._ + +_Gen._ My blood is turn'd to ice, and all my vitals +Have ceas'd their working. Dull stupidity +Surpriseth me at once, and hath arrested +That vigorous agitation, which till now +Exprest a life within me. I, methinks, +Am a meer marble statue, and no man. +Unweave my age, O time, to my first thread; +Let me lose fifty years, in ignorance spent; +That, being made an infant once again, +I may begin to know. What, or where am I, +To be thus lost in wonder? + +_Wife._ Sir. + +_Gen._ Amazement still pursues me, how am I chang'd, +Or brought ere I can understand myself +Into this new world! + +_Rob._ You will believe no witches? + +_Gen._ This makes me believe all, aye, anything; +And that myself am nothing. Prithee, Robin, +Lay me to myself open; what art thou, +Or this new transform'd creature? + +_Rob._ I am Robin; +And this your wife, my mistress. + +_Gen._ Tell me, the earth +Shall leave its seat, and mount to kiss the moon; +Or that the moon, enamour'd of the earth, +Shall leave her sphere, to stoop to us thus low. +What, what's this in my hand, that at an instant +Can from a four-legg'd creature make a thing +So like a wife! + +_Rob._ A bridle; a jugling bridle, Sir. + +_Gen._ A bridle! Hence, enchantment. +A viper were more safe within my hand, +Than this charm'd engine.-- +A witch! my wife a witch! +The more I strive to unwind +Myself from this meander, I the more +Therein am intricated. Prithee, woman, +Art thou a witch? + +_Wife._ It cannot be denied, +I am such a curst creature. + +_Gen._ Keep aloof: +And do not come too near me. O my trust; +Have I, since first I understood myself, +Been of my soul so chary, still to study +What best was for its health, to renounce all +The works of that black fiend with my best force; +And hath that serpent twined me so about, +That I must lie so often and so long +With a devil in my bosom? + +_Wife._ Pardon, Sir. [_She looks down._] + +_Gen._ Pardon! can such a thing as that be hoped? +Lift up thine eyes, lost woman, to yon hills; +It must be thence expected: look not down +Unto that horrid dwelling, which thou hast sought +At such dear rate to purchase. Prithee, tell me, +(For now I can believe) art thou a witch? + +_Wife._ I am. + +_Gen._ With that word I am thunderstruck, +And know not what to answer; yet resolve me. +Hast thou made any contract with that fiend, +The enemy of mankind? + +_Wife._ O I have. + +_Gen._ What? and how far? + +_Wife._ I have promis'd him my soul. + +_Gen._ Ten thousand times better thy body had +Been promis'd to the stake; aye, and mine too, +To have suffer'd with thee in a hedge of flames, +Than such a compact ever had been made. Oh-- +Resolve me, how far doth that contract stretch? + +_Wife._ What interest in this Soul myself could claim, +I freely gave him; but his part that made it +I still reserve, not being mine to give. + +_Gen._ O cunning devil: foolish woman, know, +Where he can claim but the least little part, +He will usurp the whole. Thou'rt a lost woman. + +_Wife._ I hope, not so. + +_Gen._ Why, hast thou any hope? + +_Wife._ Yes, sir, I have. + +_Gen._ Make it appear to me. + +_Wife._ I hope I never bargain'd for that fire, +Further than penitent tears have power to quench. + +_Gen._ I would see some of them. + +_Wife._ You behold them now +(If you look on me with charitable eyes) +Tinctur'd in blood, blood issuing from the heart. +Sir, I am sorry; when I look towards heaven, +I beg a gracious pardon; when on you, +Methinks your native goodness should not be +Less pitiful than they; 'gainst both I have err'd; +From both I beg atonement. + +_Gen._ May I presume 't? + +_Wife._ I kneel to both your mercies. + +_Gen._ Knowest thou what +A witch is? + +_Wife._ Alas, none better; +Or after mature recollection can be +More sad to think on 't. + +_Gen._ Tell me, are those tears +As full of true hearted penitence, +As mine of sorrow to behold what state, +What desperate state, thou'rt fain in? + +_Wife._ Sir, they are. + +_Gen._ Rise; and, as I do you, so heaven pardon me; +We all offend, but from such falling off +Defend us! Well, I do remember, wife, +When I first took thee, 'twas _for good and bad_: +O change thy bad to good, that I may keep thee +(As then we past our faiths) 'till Death us sever. +O woman, thou hast need to weep thyself +Into a fountain, such a penitent spring +As may have power to quench invisible flames; +In which my eyes shall aid: too little, all. + _Late Lancashire Witches, Act 4._ + +P 2 _a_ 1. "_Being examined by my Lord._"] She had evidently learned +her lesson well; but this was, with all submission to his Lordship, if +adopted as a test, a mighty poor one. Jennet Device must have known +well the persons of the parties she accused, and who were now upon +their trial, as they were all her near neighbours. + +P 2 _a_ 2. "_Whether she knew Iohan a Style?_"] His Lordship's +introduction of this apocryphal legal personage on such an occasion is +very amusing. Had he studied Littleton and Perkins a little less, and +given some attention to the Lancashire dialect, and some also to the +study of that great book, in which even a judge may find valuable +matter, the book of human nature, he might have been more successfull +in his examination. Jack's o' Dick's o' Harry's would have been more +likely to have been recognised as a veritable person of this world by +Jennet Device, than such a name as Johan a Style; which, though very +familiar at Westminster, would scarcely have its prototype at Pendle. +But Jennet Device, young as she was, in natural shrewdness was far +more than a match for his lordship. + +P 3 _a_. "_Katherine Hewit, alias Movld-heeles._"] Of this person, who +comes next in the list of witches, our information is very scanty. She +was not of Pendle, but of Colne; and as her husband is described as a +"clothier," may be presumed to have been in rather better +circumstances than Elizabeth Southernes or Anne Whittle's families. +She made no confession. + +P 4 _a_ 1. "_Anne Foulds of Colne. Michael Hartleys of Colne._"] Folds +and Hartley are still the names of families at and in the +neighbourhood of Colne. + +P 4 _a_ 2. "_Had then in hanck a child._"] The meaning of this term is +clear, the origin rather dubious. It may come from the Scotch word, +_to hanck_, i.e. to have in holdfast or secure, vide Jamieson's Scotch +Dictionary, tit. hanck, or from handkill, to murder, vide Jamieson, +under that word; or lastly, may be metaphorically used, from hanck, +also signifying a skein of yarn or worsted which is tied or trussed +up. + +Q 2 _a_. "_Iohn Bulcocke, Iane Bulcocke his mother._"] The condition +of these persons is not stated. It may be conjectured that they were +of the lowest class. + +Q 3 _a_ 1. "_At the Barre hauing formerly confessed._"] Why is not +their confession given? + +Q 3 _a_ 2. "_Crying out in very violent and outrageous manner, even to +the gallowes._"] The latter end of these unfortunate people was +perhaps similar to that of Isobel Crawford, executed in Scotland the +year after for witchcraft, who, on being sentenced, openly denied all +her former confessions, and died without any sign of repentance, +offering repeated interruption to the minister in his prayer, and +refusing to pardon the executioner. + +Q 4 _a_. "_Master Thomas Lister of Westby._"] See note on p. Y _a_. + +Q 4 _b_. "_The said Bulcockes wife doth know of some Witches to bee +about Padyham and Burnley._"] Precious evidence this to put the lives +of two poor creatures into jeopardy. + +R _a_. "_Accused the said Iohn Bulcock to turne the Spitt there._"] +What a fact this would have been for De Lancre. With all his accurate +statistics on the subject of the witches' Sabbath, he was not aware +that a turnspit was a necessary officer on such occasions, as well as +a master of ceremonies. This artful and well instructed jade, Jennet +Device, must have borne especial malice against John Bulcock. + +R 1 _b_. "_The names of the Witches at the Great Assembly and Feast at +Malking-Tower, viz. vpon Good-Friday last, 1612._"] In this list of +fourteen individuals, Master Potts has omitted "the painful steward so +careful to provide mutton," James Device, who made up the number to +fifteen. Of these persons seven were not indicted: Jennet Hargraves, +the wife of Hugh Hargraves, of Barley under Pendle; Elizabeth +Hargraves, the wife of Christopher Hargraves; Christopher Howgate, the +son of Old Demdike; Christopher Hargraves, who is described as of +Thurniholme, or Thornholme, and as Christopher o' Jacks, and was +husband of Elizabeth Hargraves; Grace Hay, of Padiham; Anne Crunkshey, +of Marchden, or more properly, Cronkshaw of Marsden; and Elizabeth +Howgate, the wife of Christopher Howgate. The two Howgates were, it +may be, the "one Holgate and his wife," mentioned in Robinson's +deposition in 1633. Alice Graie, or Gray, included in the list, was +indicted, though no copy of the indictment is afforded by Potts, and, +singular as it may seem, acquitted. Richard Miles' wife, of the Rough +Lee, stated to have been present in some of the depositions, (G 3 +_b_,) was, beyond doubt, Alice Nutter, so called as the wife of +Richard and mother of Miles Nutter. + +It may afford matter for speculation, whether any real meeting took +place of any of the persons above enumerated, which gave occasion for +the monstrous versions of the witnesses at this trial. It is far from +unlikely, that on the apprehension and commitment of Old Demdike, Old +Chattox, Alizon Device, and Anne Redfern to Lancaster, a meeting would +take place of their near relations, and others who might attend from +curiosity, or from its being rumoured that they were themselves +implicated by the confessions of those apprehended, and who by such +attendance sealed their dooms. In all similar fabrications there is +generally some slight foundation of fact, some scintilla of homely +truth, from which, like the inverted apex of a pyramid, the +disproportioned fabric expands. It is possible that, from the simple +occurrence of an unusual attendance at Malking Tower on Good Friday, +not unnatural under the circumstances, some of the witnesses, ignorant +and easily persuaded, might be afterwards led to believe in the +existence of those monstrous superadditions with which the convention +was afterwards clothed. However this may be, there must have been at +hand for working up the materials into a plausible form, some drill +sergeant of evidence behind the curtain, who had his own interest to +serve or revenge to gratify. The two particulars in the narrative that +one feels least disposed to question, are, that James Device stole a +wether from John Robinson of Barley, to provide a family dinner on +Good Friday, and that when the meat was roasted John Bulcock performed +the humble, but very necessary, duty of turning the spit. + +R 3 _a_. "_My Lord Gerrard._"] Thomas Gerard, son and heir of Sir +Gilbert Gerard, Master of the Robes 23d Elizabeth, was raised to the +peerage by the title of Lord Gerard of Gerard's Bromley, in +Staffordshire, 1603. He died 1618. + +S _a_. "_Kniues, Elsons, and Sickles._" In the _Promptorium +Parvulorum_, p. 138, to Elsyn (elsyng^k) Sibula, Mr. Way appends this +note: "This word occurs in the Gloss on Gautier de Bibelesworth, +Arund. MS. 220, where a buckled girdle is described:-- + + "Een isy doyt le hardiloun (že tunnge) + Passer par tru de subiloun (a bore of an alsene.) + +"An elsyne,--acus, subula. Cath. Ang. Sibula, an elsyn, an alle or a +bodkyn. ORTUS. In the inventory of the goods of a merchant at +Newcastle, A.D. 1571, occur, 'vj. doss' elsen heftes, 12_d_; 1 clowte +and 1/2 a C elsen blades, viij_s_. viij_d_; xiij. clowtes of talier, +needles, &c.' Wills and Inventories published by the Surtees Society, +l. 361. The term is derived from the French _alene_; elson for +cordwayners, alesne. Palsg. In Yorkshire and some other parts of +England an awl is still called an elsen." + +S _b_. "_Which the said Alizon confessing._"] In the case of this +paralytic pedlar, John Law, his mishap could scarcely be called such, +as it would for the remainder of his life, be an all-sufficient +stock-in-trade for him, and popular wonder and sympathy, without the +judge's interposition, would provide for his relief and maintenance. +The near apparent connection and correspondence of the _damnum +minatum_ and _damnum secutum_, in this instance, imposed upon this +unfortunate woman, as it had done upon many others, and gave to her +confession an earnestness which would appear to the unenlightened +spectator to spring only from reality and truth. + +S 3 _b_. "_Margaret Pearson._"] This Padiham witch fared better than +her neighbours, being sentenced only to the pillory. Nothing affords a +stronger proof of the vindictive pertinacity with which these +prosecutions were carried on than the fact of this old and helpless +creature being put on her trial three several times upon such evidence +as follows. Chattox, like many other persons in her situation, was +disposed to have as many companions in punishment, crime or no crime, +as she could compass, and denounced her accordingly: "The said +Pearson's wife is as ill as shee." + +T _a_. "_The said Margerie did carrie the said Toade out of the said +house in a paire of tonges._"] This toad was disposed of more easily +than that of Julian Cox, as to which see Glanvil's _Collection of +Relations_, p. 192:-- + + Another witness swore, that as he passed by Cox her door, + she was taking a pipe of tobacco upon the threshold of her + door, and invited him to come in and take a pipe, which he + did. And as he was talking Julian said to him, Neighbour, + look what a pretty thing there is. He look't down, and there + was a monstrous great toad betwixt his leggs, staring him in + the face. He endeavoured to kill it by spurning it, but + could not hit it. Whereupon Julian bad him forbear, and it + would do him no hurt. But he threw down his pipe and went + home, (which was about two miles off of Julian Cox her + house,) and told his family what had happened, and that he + believed it was one of Julian Cox her devils. After, he was + taking a pipe of tobacco at home, and the same toad appeared + betwixt his leggs. He took the toad out to kill it, and to + his thinking cut it in several pieces, but returning to his + pipe, the toad still appeared. He endeavoured to burn it, + but could not. At length he took a switch and beat it. The + toad ran several times about the room to avoid him he still + pursuing it with correction. At length the toad cryed and + vanish't, and he was never after troubled with it. + +Dr. More's comment on the circumstance is written with all the +seriousness so important a part of a witch's supellex deserves. He +commences defending the huntsman, who swore that he hunted a hare, and +when he came to take it up, he found it to be Julian Cox: + + Those half-witted people thought he swore false, I suppose + because they imagined that what he told implied that Julian + Cox was turned into an hare. Which she was not, nor did his + report imply any such real metamorphosis of her body, but + that these ludicrous dęmons exhibited to the sight of this + huntsman and his doggs the shape of an Hare, one of them + turning himself into such a form, and others hurrying on the + body of Julian near the same place, and at the same + swiftness, but interposing betwixt that hare-like spectre + and her body, modifying the air so that the scene there, to + the beholders sight, was as if nothing but air were there, + and a shew of earth perpetually suited to that where the + hare passed. As I have heard of some painters that have + drawn the sky in an huge large landskip, so lively that the + birds have flown against it, thinking it free air, and so + have fallen down. And if painters and juglers by the tricks + of legerdemain can do such strange feats to the deceiving of + the sight, it is no wonder that these airy invisible spirits + as far surpass them in all such pręstigious doings as the + air surpasses the earth for subtilty. + + And the like pręstigię may be in the toad. It might be a + real toad (though actuated and guided by a dęmon) which was + cut in pieces, and that also which was whipt about, and at + last snatcht out of sight (as if it had vanished) by these + aerial hocus-pocus's. And if some juglers have tricks to + take hot coals into their mouth without hurt, certainly it + is not surprising that some small attempt did not suffice to + burn that toad. That such a toad, sent by a witch and + crawling up the body of the man of the house as he sate by + the fire's side, was overmastered by him and his wife + together, and burnt in the fire; I have heard credibly + reported by one of the Isle of Ely. _Of these dęmoniack + vermin, I have heard other stories also, as of a rat that + followed a man some score of miles trudging through thick + and thin along with him._ So little difficulty is there in + that of the toad.--_Glanvil's Collection of Relations_, p. + 200. + +T 2 _a_ 1. "_Isabel Robey._" This person was of Windle, in the parish +of Prescot, a considerable distance from Pendle. The Gerards were +lords of the manor of Windle. Sir Thomas Gerard, before whom the +examinations were taken, was created baronet, 22nd May, 9th James I.; +and thrice married. From him the present Sir John Gerard, of New Hall, +near Warrington, is descended. Sir Thomas was determined that the +hundred of West Derby should have its witch as well as the other parts +of the county. A more melancholy tissue of absurd and incoherent +accusations than those against this last of the prisoners convicted on +this occasion, it would not be easy to find; who was hanged, for all +that appears, because one person was suddenly "pinched on her thigh, +as she thought, with four fingers and a thumb," and because another +was "sore pained with a great warch in his bones." + +T 2 _a_ 2. "_This Countie of Lancaster, which now may lawfully bee +said to abound asmuch in Witches of diuers kindes as Seminaries, +Iesuites, and Papists._"] Truly, the county palatine was in sad case, +according to Master Potts's account. If the crop of each of these was +over abundant, it was from no fault of the learned judges, who, in +their commissions of _Oyer and Terminer_, subjected it pretty +liberally to the pruning-hook of the executioner. + +T 2 _a_ 3. "_This lamentable and wofull Tragedie, wherein his Maiestie +hath lost so many Subjects, Mothers their Children, Fathers their +Friends and Kinsfolk._" The Lancashire bill of mortality, under the +head witchcraft, so far as it can be collected from this tract, will +run thus:-- + + 1. Robert Nutter, of Greenhead, in Pendle. + 2. Richard Assheton, son of Richard Assheton, of Downham, Esquire. + 3. Child of Richard Baldwin, of Wheethead, within the forest of Pendle. + 4. John Device, or Davies, of Pendle. + 5. Anne Nutter, daughter of Anthony Nutter, of Pendle. + 6. Child of John Moore, of Higham. + 7. Hugh Moore, of Pendle. + 8. John Robinson, _alias_ Swyer. + 9. James Robinson. +10. Henry Mytton, of the Rough Lee. +11. Anne Townley, wife of Henry Townley, of the Carr, gentleman. +12. John Duckworth. +13. John Hargraves, of Goldshaw Booth. +14. Blaze Hargraves, of Higham. +15. Christopher Nutter. +16. Anne Folds, of Colne. + +Sixteen persons reported dead of this common epidemic, besides a +countless number with pains and "starkness in their limbs," and "a +great warch in their bones!" No wonder that Doctors Bromley and Potts +thought active treatment necessary, with a decided preference for +hemp, as the leading specific. + +T 3 _b_. "_With great warch in his bones._"] Warch is a word well +known and still used in this sense, _i.e._, pain, in Lancashire. + +T 4 _b_ 1. "_The said Peter was now satisfied that the said Isabel +Robey was no Witch, by sending to one Halseworths, which they call a +wiseman._"] I honour the memory of this Halsworth, or Houldsworth, as +I suppose it should be spelled, for he was indeed a wise man in days +when wisdom was an extremely scarce commodity. + +T 4 _b_ 2. "_To abide vpon it._"] _i.e._, my abiding opinion is. + +X _a_. "_Elizabeth Astley, John Ramsden, Alice Gray, Isabel +Sidegraues, Lawrence Hay._"] The specific charges against these +persons, with the exception of Alice Gray, do not appear, nor is it +said where their places of residence were. Alice Gray was reputed to +have been at the meeting of witches at Malkin's Tower, and to her the +judge refers, perhaps, in particular, when he says, "Without question, +there are amongst you that are as deepe in this action as any of them +that are condemned to die for their offences." + +X _b_. "_The Execution of the Witches._"] We could have dispensed with +many of the flowers of rhetoric with which the pages of this discovery +are strewed, if Master Potts would have favoured us with a plain, +unvarnished account of what occurred at this execution. It is here, in +the most interesting point of all, that his narrative, in other +respects so full and abundant, stops short, and seems curtailed of its +just proportions. The "learned and worthy preacher," to whom the +prisoners were commended by the judge, was probably Mr. William Leigh, +of Standish, before mentioned. Amongst his papers or correspondence, +if they should happen to have been preserved, some account may +eventually be found of the sad closing scene of these melancholy +victims of superstition. + +X 2 _a_. "_Neither can I paint in extraordinarie tearmes._"] The +worthy clerk is too modest. He is a great painter, the Tintoretto of +witchcraft. + +Y _a_ 1. "_Hauing cut off Thomas Lister, Esquire, father to this +gentleman now liuing._"] Thomas Lister, of Westby, ancestor of the +Listers, Lords Ribblesdale, married Jane, daughter of John Greenacres, +Esquire, of Worston, county of Lancaster, and was buried at Gisburn, +February 8th, 1607. His son, Thomas Lister, referred to as the +"gentleman now living," married Jane, daughter of Thomas Heber, Esq., +of Marton, after mentioned, and was buried at Gisburn, July 10th, +1619. + +Y _a_ 2. "_Was Indicted and Arraigned for the murder of a Child of one +Dodg-sonnes._"] One acquittal was no protection to these unhappy +creatures. It caused only additional exasperation, and, sooner or +later, they were brought within what Donne calls "the hungry statutes' +gaping jaws." Whether superstition or malice prompted this +prosecution, on the part of Mr. Lister, it is difficult to say. Some +grudge he entertained, or cause of offence he had taken up against +this Jennet Preston, might be her death warrant in those days, when it +was penal for a woman to be old, helpless, ugly, and poor. She was not +so fortunate as the females tried at York, nine years afterwards, for +bewitching the children of Edward Fairfax, of Fuyston, in the forest +of Knaresborough, to whom we owe the only English translation of Tasso +worthy of the name. These females, six in number, were indicted at two +successive assizes, and every effort was made by the + + "Prevailing poet! whose undoubting mind + Believed the magic wonders which he sung," + +to procure their conviction. Never was a more unequal contest. On the +one side was a relentless antagonist, armed with wealth, influence, +learning, and accomplishments, and whose family connections gave him +an unlimited power in the county; and on the other, six helpless +persons, whose sex, age, and poverty were almost sufficient for their +condemnation, without any evidence at all. Yet, owing to the +magnanimous firmness of the judge, whose name, deserving of immortal +honour, I regret has not been preserved, these efforts were +frustrated, and the women accused delivered from the gulph which +yawned before them. The disappointment he experienced in this +instance, in being defrauded, as he thought, of a conviction for +which he had strained every nerve and sinew, and in not being allowed +to render the forest of Knaresborough as famous as that of Pendle, +cast a gloom of despondency over the remaining days of this admirable +poet, who has left a narration of the whole transaction, of most +singular interest and curiosity, yet unpublished. The MSS. now in my +possession, and which came from Mr. Bright's collection, consists of +seventy-eight closely-written folio pages. It is entitled "A Discourse +of Witchcraft, as it was enacted in the family of Mr. Edward Fairfax, +of Fuystone, coun. Ebor, 1621." From page 78 to 144 are a series of +ninety-three most extraordinary and spirited sketches, made with the +pen, of the witches, devils, monsters, and apparitions referred to in +the narrative. + +Y 2 _a_. "_Master Heyber._"] This was Thomas Hayber, or Heber, of +Marton, in Craven, Esquire, who was buried at Marton, 7th February, +1633. He was the ancestor of Bishop Reginald Heber and the late +Richard Heber, Esq. + +Y 3 _a_. "_The said Iennet Preston comming to touch the dead corpes, +they bled fresh bloud presently._"] On the popular superstition of +touching the corpse of a murdered person, as an ordeal or test for the +discovery of the innocence or guilt of suspected murderers, the reader +cannot better be referred than to the very learned and elaborate essay +in Pitcairne's _Criminal Trials_, vol. iii. p. 182-189. Amongst the +authors there quoted, Webster is omitted, who, (see _Displaying of +supposed Witchcraft_, p. 304,) discusses the point at considerable +length, and with an earnest and implicit faith singularly at variance +with his enlightened scepticism in other matters. But there were +regions of superstition in which even this Sampson of logic became +imbecile and powerless. The rationale of the bleeding of a murdered +corpse at the touch of the murderer is given by Sir Kenelm Digby with +his usual force and spirit: + + To this cause, peradventure, may be reduced the strange + effect which is frequently seen in England, when, _at the + approach of the Murderer, the slain body suddenly bleedeth + afresh_. For certainly the Souls of them that are + treacherously murdered by surprise, use to leaue their + bodies with extreme unwillingness, and with vehement + indignation against them that force them to so unprovided + and abhorred a passage! That Soul, then, to wreak its evil + talent against the hated Murderer, and to draw a just and + desired revenge upon his head, would do all it can to + manifest the author of the fact! To _speak_ it cannot--for + in itself it wanteth the organs of voice; and those it is + parted from are now grown too heavy, and are too benummed, + for to give motion unto: Yet some change it desireth to + make in the body, which it hath so vehement inclination to; + and therefore is the aptest for it to work upon. It must + then endeavour to cause a motion in the subtilest and most + fluid parts (and consequently the most moveable ones) of it. + This can be nothing but THE BLOOD, which then being + violently moved, _must needs gush out at those places where + it findeth issue_! + +In the two following Scotch cases of witchcraft, this test was +resorted to. The first was that of + + MARIOUN PEEBLES,[79] _alias_ Pardone, spouse to SWENE, in + Hildiswick, who was, on March 22, 1644, sentenced to be + strangled at a stake, and burnt to ashes, at _the Hill of + Berrie_, for WITCHCRAFT and MURDER. Marion and her husband + having 'ane deadlie and venefical malice in her heart' + against Edward Halero in Overure, and being determined 'to + destroy and put him down,' being 'transformed in the lyknes + of ane pellack-quhaill, (the Devill changing her spirit, + quhilk fled in the same quhaill,') and the said Edward and + other four individuals being in a fishing-boat, coming from + the Sea, at the North-banks of Hildiswick, 'on ane fair + morning, did cum under the said boat, and overturnit her + with ease, and drowned and devoired thame in the sey, right + at the shore, when there wis na danger wtherwayis.' The + bodies of Halero and another of these hapless fishermen + having been found, Marion and Swene 'wir sent for, and + brought to see thame, and to lay thair hands on thame, ... + dayis after said death and away-casting, quhaire thair bluid + was evanished and desolved, from every natural cours or + caus, shine, and run; the said umquhill Edward _bled at the + collir-bain or craig-bane_, and the said ...,[80] _in the + hand and fingers, gushing out bluid thairat_, to the great + admiration of the beholders--and revelation of the judgement + of the Almytie! And by which lyk occasionis and miraculous + works of God, made manifest in Murders and the Murderers; + whereby, be many frequent occasiones brought to light, and + the Murderers, be the said proof brought to judgment, + conuict and condemned, not only in this Kingdom, also this + countrie, but lykwayis in maist forrin Christiane Kingdomis; + and be so manie frequent precedentis and practising of and + tuitching Murderis and Murdereris, notourlie known: So, the + forsaid Murder and Witchcraft of the saidis persons, with + the rest of their companions, through your said Husband's + deed, art, part, rad,[81] and counsall, is manifest and + cleir to all, not onlie through and by the foirsaid + precedentis of your malice, wicked and malishes[82] + practises, by Witchcraft, Confessionis, and Declarationis of + the said umquill Janet Fraser, Witch, revealed to her, as + said is, and quha wis desyrit by him to concur and assist + with you to the doing thereof; but lykways _be the + declaration and revelation of the justice and judgementis of + God, through the said issuing of bluid from the bodies_!' + &c. + + A similar and very remarkable instance is related in the + following Triall: In the Dittay of CHRISTIAN WILSON, alias + _the Lanthorne_,[83] accused of Murder, Witchcraft, &c., + (which is founded upon the examinations of James Wilson, + Abraham Macmillan, William Crichton, and Fyfe and George + Erskine, &c. led before Sir William Murray of Newtoun, and + other Commissioners, at Dalkeith, Jun. 14, 1661,) it is + stated, that 'Ther being enimitie betuixt the said + Christiane and Alexander Wilsone, her brother, and shoe + having often tymes threatned him, at length, about 7 or 8 + monthes since, altho' the said Alexander was sene that day + of his death, at three houres afternoone, in good health, + walking about his bussnesse and office; yitt, at fyve howres + in that same night, he was fownd dead, lying in his owne + howse, naked as he was borne, with his face torne and rent, + without any appearance of a spot of blood either wpon his + bodie or neigh to it. And altho' many of the neiboures in + the toune (Dalkeith) come into his howse to see the dead + corpe, yitt shoe newar offered to come, howbeit her dwelling + was nixt adjacent thairto; nor had shoe so much as any + seiming greiff for his death. Bot the Minister and + Bailliffes of the towne, taking great suspitione of her, in + respect of her cairiage comand it that shoe showld be + browght in; bot when shoe come, shoe come trembling all the + way to the howse--bot _shoe refuised to come nigh_ THE CORPS + _or to_ TUITCH _it_ saying, that shoe "nevir tuitched a dead + corpe in her lyfe!" Bot being arnestly desyred by the + Minister, Bailliffes, and hir brother's friends who was + killed, that shoe wold "bot _tuitch the corpes softlie_," + shoe granted to doe it--but before shoe did it, the Sone + being shyning in at the howse, shoe exprest her selfe thus, + humbly desyring, that "as the Lord made the Sone to shyne + and give light into that howse, that also _he wald give + light to discovering of that Murder_!" And with these words, + shoe TUITCHEING _the wound of the dead man, verie saftlie_, + it being whyte and cleane, without any spot of blod or the + lyke!--yitt IMEDIATLY, _whill her fingers was wpon it_, THE + BLOOD RUSHED OWT OF IT, to the great admiratioune[84] of all + the behoulders, who tooke it for _discoverie of the Murder_, + according to her owne prayers.--For ther was ane great lumpe + of flesh taken out of his cheik, so smowthlie, as no rasor + in the world cowld have made so ticht ane incisioune, wpon + flesh, or cheis--and ther wes no blood at all in the + wownd--nor did it at all blead, altho' that many persones + befor had tuitched it, whill[85] shoe did tuitche it! And + the howse being searched all over, for the shirt of the dead + man, yitt it cowld not be found; and altho' the howse was + full of people all that night, ever vatching the corpes;[86] + neither did any of them tuitch him that night--which is + probable[87]--yitt, in the morneing, his shirt was fownd + tyed fast abowt his neck, as a brechame,[88] non knowing how + this come to pass! And this Cristian did immediatlie + transport all her owne goods owt of her own howse into her + dowghter's, purposing to flie away--bot was therwpon + apprehendit and imprisoned.'--_Pitcairn's Criminal Trials_, + vol. iii. p. 194. + +[Footnote 79: See Dr. Hibbert's "History of Orkney," &c., to which +this remarkable Trial is appended.] + +[Footnote 80: The name left blank.] + +[Footnote 81: Rede; advice.] + +[Footnote 82: Malicious.] + +[Footnote 83: The name given at her baptism by the Devil. From +"Collection of Original Documents," belonging to the Society of +Antiquaries of Scotland, MS. As a specimen of the other charges, take +the following: "Williame Richardsone, in Dalkeith, haiving felled ane +hen of the said Cristianes with ane stone, and wpone her sight thereof +did imediatly threatne him, and with ane frowneing countenance told +him, that he 'should newer cast ane vther stone!' And imediatly the +said Williame fell into ane franicie and madnes, and tooke his bed, +and newer rose agane, but died within a few dayes: And in the tyme of +his sicknes, he always cryed owt, that the said Cristiane was present +befor him, in the likeness of ane grey catt! And some tyme eftir his +death, James Richardsone, nephew to the said Williame, being a boy +playing in the said Cristiane her yaird, and be calling her Lantherne, +shoe threatned, that, if he held not his peace, shoe sowld cause him +to die the death his nephew (uncle) died of!' Whairby it would appeare +that shoe tooke wpon hir his nepheas (uncle's) death."] + +[Footnote 84: Wonder; amazement.] + +[Footnote 85: Until. That is, many previous trials had been made of +other persons suspected, or of those who were near neighbours, perhaps +living at enmity with the deceased, who had voluntarily offered +themselves to this solemn ordeal, or had been called upon thus +publicly to attest their innocence of his blood.] + +[Footnote 86: Holding the lyke-wake.] + +[Footnote 87: Can be proved, by testimony or probation.] + +[Footnote 88: The large collar which goes about a draught-horse's +neck.] + +Z _a_. "_Master Leonard Lister._"] This Leonard Lister was the brother +of Master Thomas Lister, for whose murder Jennet Preston was indicted; +and married Ann, daughter of ---- Loftus, of Coverham Abbey, county of +York. + +Z 2 _a_. "_His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue the particular +circumstances._"] The judge in this case was Altham, who seems even to +have been more superstitious, bigotted, and narrow-minded than his +brother in commission, Bromley. Fenner, who tried the witches of +Warbois, and Archer, before whom the trial of Julian Cox took place, +are the only judges I can meet with, quite on a level with this +learned baron in grovelling absurdity, upon whom "Jennet Preston would +lay heavy at the time of his death," whether she had so lain upon Mr. +Thomas Lister or not, if bigotry, habit, and custom did not render him +seared and callous to conscience and pity. + +Z 3 _b_ 1. "_Take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute these hellish +Furies to their end._"] It is marvellous that Potts does not, like +Delrio, recommend the rack to be applied to witches "in moderation, +and according to the regulations of Pope Pius the Third, and so as not +to cripple the criminal for life." Not that this learned Jesuit is +much averse to simple dislocations occasioned by the rack. These, he +thinks, cannot be avoided in the press of business. He is rather +opposed, though in this he speaks doubtfully and with submission to +authority, to those tortures which fracture the bones or lacerate the +tendons. Verily, the Catholic and the Protestant author might have +shaken hands; they were, beyond dispute, _poene Gemelli_. + +Z 3 _b_ 2. "_Posterities._"] Master Potts, of the particulars of whose +life nothing is known, made, as far as can be discovered, no further +attempt to acquire fame in the character of an author. No subject so +interesting probably again occurred, as that which had diversified his +legal pursuits "in his lodgings in Chancery-lane," from the pleasing +recollections associated with his Summer Circuit of 1612. He was not, +however, the only person of the name of Pott, or Potts, who +distinguished himself in the field of Witchcraft. The author of the +following tract, in my possession, might have garnished it with +various flowers from the work now reprinted, if he had been aware of +such a repository: "Pott (Joh. Henr.) De nefando Lamiarum cum Diabolo +coitu." 4to. Lond. 1689. The other celebrated cases of supposed +witchcraft occurring in the county of Lancaster, besides those +connected with the foregoing republication, are, the extraordinary one +of Ferdinand, Earl of Derby, who died at Latham in 1594, for which the +reader is referred to Camden's _Annals of Elizabeth_, years 1593, +1594; Kennet, 2. 574, 580; or Pennant's _Tour from Downing to Alston +Moor_, p. 29;--the case of Edmund Hartley, hanged at Lancaster in +1597, for bewitching some members of the family of Mr. Starkie, of +Cleworth, which will be fully considered in the proposed republication +of the Chetham Society, which gives the history of that event;--and +lastly, that of a person of the name of Utley, (Whitaker, p. 528; +Baines, vol. i. p. 604,) who was hanged at Lancaster about 1630, for +having bewitched to death Richard, the son of Ralph Assheton, Esq., +Lord of Middleton, of whose trial, unfortunately, no report is in +existence. Webster also mentions two supposed witches as having been +put to death at Lancaster, within eighteen years before his +_Displaying of supposed Witchcraft_ was published; and which +occurrence, not referred to by any other historian, must therefore +have taken place about the year 1654. + + +Manchester: +Printed by Charles Simms and Co. + + * * * * * + +Chetham Society + +[Illustration] + +FOR THE PUBLICATION OF + +HISTORICAL AND LITERARY REMAINS + +CONNECTED WITH THE PALATINE COUNTIES OF + +LANCASTER & CHESTER. + + * * * * * + +Patrons. + +The Right Honourable The EARL OF DERBY. +The Right Honourable The EARL OF BALCARRES. +The Right Honourable The EARL OF WILTON. +The Right Honourable The EARL OF BURLINGTON. +The Right Honourable the EARL GROSVENOR. +The Right Honourable LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, M.P. +The Right Honourable LORD STANLEY. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF CHESTER. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF ELY. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF NORWICH. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF CHICHESTER. +The Right Honourable LORD DELAMERE. +The Right Honourable LORD DE TABLEY. +The Right Honourable LORD SKELMERSDALE. +The Right Honourable SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART., M.P. +SIR PHILIP DE MALPAS GREY EGERTON, BART., M.P. +GEORGE CORNWALL LEGH, ESQ., M.P. +JOHN WILSON PATTEN, ESQ., M.P. + +Council. + +EDWARD HOLME, M.D., _President._ +Rev. RICHARD PARKINSON, B.D., Canon of Manchester, _Vice-President._ +The Hon. and Very Rev. WILLIAM HERBERT, Dean of Manchester. +GEORGE ORMEROD, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S. +SAM. HIBBERT WARE, M.D. F.R.S.E. +REV. THOMAS CORSER, M.A. +REV. GEORGE DUGARD, M.A. +REV. C.G. HULTON, M.A. +Rev. J. PICCOPE, M.A. +Rev. F.R. RAINES, M.A., F.S.A. +JAMES CROSSLEY. +JAMES HEYWOOD, F.R.S. + +_Treasurer._ +WILLIAM LANGTON. + +_Hon. Secretary._ +WILLIAM FLEMING, M.D. + + * * * * * + +RULES OF THE CHETHAM SOCIETY. + +1. That the Society shall be limited to three hundred and fifty +members. + +2. That the Society shall consist of members being subscribers of one +pound annually, such subscription to be paid in advance, on or before +the day of general meeting in each year. The first general meeting to +be held on the 23rd day of March, 1843, and the general meeting in +each year afterwards on the 1st day of March, unless it should fall on +a Sunday, when some other day is to be named by the Council. + +3. That the affairs of the Society be conducted by a Council, +consisting of a permanent President and Vice-President, and twelve +other members, including a Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom, with +the exception of the President and Vice-President, shall be elected at +the general meeting of the Society. + +4. That any member may compound for his future subscriptions, by the +payment of ten pounds. + +5. That the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Society be +audited annually, by three auditors, to be elected at the general +meeting; and that any member who shall be one year in arrear of his +subscription, shall no longer be considered as belonging to the +Society. + +6. That every member not in arrear of his annual subscription, be +entitled to a copy of each of the works published by the Society. + +7. That twenty copies of each work shall be allowed to the Editor of +the same, in addition to the one to which he may be entitled as a +member. + + * * * * * + +LIST OF MEMBERS + +FOR THE YEAR 1844. + +Ackers, James, M.P., Heath House, Ludlow +Addey, H.M., Liverpool +Ainsworth, Ralph F., M.D., Manchester +Ainsworth, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Hartford Hall, Cheshire +Ainsworth, W.H., Kensal Manor House, Harrow-road, London +Alexander, Edward N., F.S.A., Halifax +Allen, Rev. John Taylor, M.A., Stradbrooke Vicarage, Suffolk +Ambery, Charles, Manchester +Armstrong, Thomas, Higher Broughton, Manchester +Ashton, John, Warrington +Atherton, Miss, Kersal Cell, near Manchester +Atherton, James, Swinton House, near Manchester +Atkinson, F.R., Pendleton, near Manchester +Atkinson, William, Weaste, near Manchester + +Balcarres, The Earl of, Haigh Hall, near Wigan +Baldwin, Rev. John, M.A., Dalton, near Ulverstone +Bannerman, Alexander, Didsbury, near Manchester +Bannerman, Henry, Burnage, near Manchester +Bannerman, John, Swinton, near Manchester +Bardsley, Samuel Argent, M.D., Green Heys, near Manchester +Barker, John, Manchester +Barker, Thomas, Oldham +Barratt, James, Jun., Manchester +Barrow, Miss, Green Bank, near Manchester +Barrow, Rev. Andrew, President of Stonyhurst College, near Blackburn +Barrow, Peter, Manchester +Bartlemore, William, Castleton Hall, Rochdale +Barton, John, Manchester +Barton, R.W., Springwood, near Manchester +Barton, Samuel, Didsbury, Manchester +Barton, Thomas, Manchester +Bayne, Rev. Thos. Vere, M.A., Broughton, Manchester +Beamont, William, Warrington +Beard, Rev. John R., D.D., Stony Knolls, near Manchester +Beardoe, James, Manchester +Beever, James F., Manchester +Bellairs, Rev. H.W., M.A., London +Bentley, Rev. T.R., M.A., Manchester +Birley, Hugh Hornby, Broom House, near Manchester +Birley, Hugh, Didsbury, near Manchester +Birley, Richard, Manchester +Birley, Thos. H., Manchester +Bohn, Henry G., London +Booth, Benjamin W., Manchester +Booth, John, Barton-upon-Irwell +Booth, William, Manchester +Boothman, Thomas, Ardwick, near Manchester +Botfield, Beriah, M.P., Norton Hall, Northamptonshire +Bower, George, London +Brackenbury, Ralph, Manchester +Bradbury, Charles, Salford +Bradshaw, John, Weaste House, near Manchester +Brooke, Edward, Manchester +Brooks, Samuel, Manchester +Broome, William, Manchester +Brown, Robert, Preston +Buckley, Edmund, M.P., Ardwick, near Manchester +Buckley, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Old Trafford, near Manchester +Buckley, Nathaniel, F.L.S., Rochdale +Burlington, The Earl of, Holkar Hall + +Calvert, Robert, Salford +Cardwell, Rev. Edward, D.D., Principal of St. Alban's Hall and Camden + Professor, Oxford +Cardwell, Edward, M.P., M.A., Regent's Park, London +Chadwick, Elias, M.A., Swinton Hall, near Manchester +Chesshyre, Mrs., Pendleton, near Manchester +Chester, The Bishop of +Chichester, The Bishop of +Chippindall, John, Chetham Hill, near Manchester +Clare, Peter, F.R.A.S., Manchester +Clarke, George, Crumpsall, near Manchester +Clayton, Japheth, Pendleton, near Manchester +Clifton, Rev. R.C., M.A., Canon of Manchester +Consterdine, James, Manchester +Cook, Thomas, Gorse Field, Pendleton, near Manchester +Cooper, William, Manchester +Corser, George, Whitchurch, Shropshire +Corser, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Stand, near Manchester +Cottam, S.E., F.R.A.S., Manchester +Coulthart, John Ross, Ashton-under-Lyne +Crook, Thomas A., Rochdale +Cross, William Assheton, Redscar, near Preston +Crossley, George, Manchester +Crossley, James, Manchester +Crossley, John, M.A., Scaitcliffe House, Todmorden +Currer, Miss Richardson, Eshton Hall, near Skipton + +Daniel, George, Manchester +Darbishire, Samuel D., Manchester +Darwell, James, Manchester +Darwell, Thomas, Manchester +Davies, John, M.W.S., Manchester +Dawes, Matthew, F.G.S., Westbrooke, near Bolton +Dearden, James, The Orchard, Rochdale +Dearden, Thomas Ferrand, Rochdale +Delamere, The Lord, Vale Royal, near Northwich +Derby, The Earl of, Knowsley +Dilke, C.W., London +Dinham, Thomas, Manchester +Driver, Richard, Manchester +Dugard, Rev. George, M.A., Birch, near Manchester +Dyson, T.J., Tower, London + +Earle, Richard, Edenhurst, near Prescott +Eccles, William, Wigan +Egerton, The Lord Francis, M.P., Worsley Hall +Egerton, Sir Philip de Malpas Grey, Bart., M.P., Oulton Park, + Tarporley +Egerton, Wilbraham, Tatton Park +Ely, The Bishop of +Eyton, J.W.K., F.S.A. L. & E., Elgin Villa, Leamington + +Faulkner, George, Manchester +Feilden, Joseph, Witton, near Blackburn +Fenton, James, Jun., Lymm Hall, Cheshire +Fernley, John, Manchester +Ffarrington, J. Nowell, Worden, near Chorley +Ffrance, Thomas Robert Wilson, Rawcliffe Hall, Garstang +Fleming, Thomas, Pendleton, near Manchester +Fleming, William, M.D., Ditto +Fletcher, John, Haulgh, near Bolton +Fletcher, Samuel, Broomfield, near Manchester +Fletcher, Samuel, Ardwick, near Manchester +Flintoff, Thomas, Manchester +Ford, Henry, Manchester +Fraser, James W., Manchester +Frere, W.E., Rottingdean, Sussex + +Gardner, Thomas, Worcester College, Oxford +Garner, J.G., Manchester +Garnett, William James, Quernmore Park, Lancaster +Germon, Rev. Nicholas, M.A., High Master, Free Grammar School, + Manchester +Gibb, William, Manchester +Gladstone, Robertson, Liverpool +Gladstone, Robert, Withington, near Manchester +Gordon, Hunter, Manchester +Gould, John, Manchester +Grant, Daniel, Manchester +Grave, Joseph, Manchester +Gray, Benjamin, B.A., Trinity Coll. Cambridge +Gray, James, Manchester +Greaves, John, Irlam Hall, near Manchester +Greenall, G., Walton Hall, near Warrington +Grey, The Hon. William Booth +Grosvenor, The Earl +Grundy, George, Chetham Fold, near Manchester + +Hadfield, George, Manchester +Hailstone, Edward, F.S.A., Horton Hall, Bradford, Yorkshire +Hardman, Henry, Bury, Lancashire +Hardy, William, Manchester +Hargreaves, George J., Hulme, Manchester +Harland, John, Manchester +Harrison, William, Brearey, Isle of Man +Harter, James Collier, Broughton Hall, near Manchester +Harter, William, Hope Hall, near Manchester +Hately, Isaiah, Manchester +Hatton, James, Richmond House, near Manchester +Hawkins, Edward, F.R.S., F.S.A., F.L.S., British Museum, London +Heelis, Stephen, Manchester +Henshaw, William, Manchester +Herbert, Hon. and Very Rev. Wm., Dean of Manchester +Heron, Rev. George, M.A., Carrington, Cheshire +Heywood, Sir Benjamin, Bart., Claremont, near Manchester +Heywood, James, F.R.S., F.G.S., Acresfield, near Manchester +Heywood, John Pemberton, near Liverpool +Heywood, Thomas, F.S.A., Hope End, Ledbury, Herefordshire +Heywood, Thomas, Pendleton, near Manchester +Heyworth, Lawrence, Oakwood, near Stockport +Hibbert, Mrs., Salford +Hickson, Charles, Manchester +Hinde, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Winwick, Warrington +Hoare, G.M., The Lodge, Morden, Surrey +Hoare, P.R., Kelsey Park, Beckenham, Kent +Holden, Thomas, Summerfield, Bolton +Holden, Thomas, Rochdale +Holme, Edward, M.D., Manchester +Hughes, William, Old Trafford, near Manchester +Hulme, Davenport, M.D., Manchester +Hulme, Hamlet, Medlock Vale, Manchester +Hulton, Rev. A.H., M.A., Ashton-under-Lyne +Hulton, Rev. C.G., M.A., Chetham College, Manchester +Hulton, H.T., Manchester +Hulton, W.A., Preston +Hunter, Rev. Joseph, F.S.A., London + +Jackson, H.B., Manchester +Jackson, Joseph, Ardwick, near Manchester +Jacson, Charles R., Barton Lodge, Preston +James, Rev. J.G., M.A., Habergham Eaves, near Burnley +James, Paul Moon, Summerville, near Manchester +Jemmett, William Thomas, Manchester +Johnson, W.R., Manchester +Johnson, Rev. W.W., M.A., Manchester +Jones, Jos., Jun., Hathershaw, Oldham +Jones, W., Manchester +Jordan, Joseph, Manchester +Kay, James, Turton Tower, Bolton +Kay, Samuel, Manchester +Kelsall, Strettle, Manchester +Kendrick, James, M.D., F.L.S., Warrington +Kennedy, John, Ardwick House, near Manchester +Ker, George Portland, Salford +Kershaw, James, Green Heys, near Manchester +Kidd, Rev. W.J., M.A., Didsbury, near Manchester + +Langton, William, Manchester +Larden, Rev. G.E., M.A., Brotherton Vicarage, Yorkshire +Leeming, W.B., Salford +Legh, G. Cornwall, M.P., F.G.S., High Legh, Cheshire +Legh, Rev. Peter, M.A., Newton in Makerfield +Leigh, Rev. Edward Trafford, M.A., Cheadle, Cheshire +Leigh, Henry, Moorfield Cottage, Worsley +Leresche, J.H., Manchester +Lloyd, William Horton, F.S.A., L.S., Park-square, London +Lloyd, Edward Jeremiah, Oldfield House, Altringham +Lomas, Edward, Manchester +Lomax, Robert, Harwood, near Bolton +Love, Benjamin, Manchester +Lowndes, William, Egremont, Liverpool +Loyd, Edward, Green Hill, Manchester +Lycett, W.E., Manchester +Lyon, Edmund, M.D., Manchester +Lyon, Thomas, Appleton Hall, Warrington + +McClure, William, Peel Cottage, Eccles +McFarlane, John, Manchester +McKenzie, John Whitefoord, Edinburgh +McVicar, John, Manchester +Mann, Robert, Manchester +Marc, E.R. Le, School Lodge, Cheshire +Markland, J.H., F.R.S., F.S.A., Bath +Markland, Thomas, Mab Field, near Manchester +Marsden, G.E., Manchester +Marsden, William, Manchester +Marsh, John Fitchett, Warrington +Marshall, Miss, Ardwick, near Manchester +Marshall, William, Penwortham Hall, Preston +Marshall, Frederick Earnshaw, Ditto +Marshall, John, Ditto +Mason, Thomas, Copt Hewick, near Ripon +Master, Rev. Robert M., M.A., Burnley +Maude, Daniel, M.A., Salford +Millar, Thomas, Green Heys, near Manchester +Molyneux, Edward, Chetham Hill, Manchester +Monk, John, Manchester +Moore, John, F.L.S., Cornbrook, near Manchester +Mosley, Sir Oswald, Bart., Rolleston Hall, Staffordshire +Murray, James, Manchester + +Nield, William, Mayfield, Manchester +Nelson, George, Manchester +Neville, James, Beardwood, near Blackburn +Newall, Mrs. Robert, Littleborough, near Rochdale +Newall, W.N., Wellington Lodge, Littleborough +Newbery, Henry, Manchester +Nicholson, William, Thelwall Hall, Warrington +Norris, Edward, Manchester +Norwich, The Bishop of + +Ormerod, George, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S., Sedbury Park, + Gloucestershire +Ormerod, George Wareing, M.A., F.G.S., Manchester +Ormerod, Henry Mere, Manchester +Owen, John, Manchester + +Parkinson, Rev. Richard, B.D., Canon of Manchester +Patten, J. Wilson, M.P., Bank Hall, Warrington +Pedley, Rev. J.T., M.A., Peakirk-cum-Glinton, Market Deeping +Peel, Sir Robert, Bart., M.P., Drayton Manor +Peel, George, Brookfield, Cheadle +Peel, Joseph, Singleton Brook, near Manchester +Peet, Thomas, Manchester +Pegge, John, Newton Heath, near Manchester +Percival, Stanley, Liverpool +Philips, Mark, M.P., The Park, Manchester +Philippi, Frederick Theod., Belfield Hall, near Rochdale +Phillips, Shakspeare, Barlow Hall, near Manchester +Phillipps, Sir Thomas, Bart., Middle Hill, Worcestershire +Piccope, Rev. John, M.A., Farndon, Cheshire +Pickford, Thomas, Mayfield, Manchester +Pickford, Thomas E., Manchester +Pierpoint, Benjamin, Warrington +Pilkington, George, Manchester +Pilling, Charles R., Caius College, Cambridge +Plant, George, Manchester +Pooley, Edward, Manchester +Pooley, John, Hulme, near Manchester +Porrett, Robert, Tower, London +Prescott, J.C., Summerville, near Manchester +Price, John Thomas, Manchester + +Radford, Thomas, M.D., Higher Broughton, near Manchester +Raffles, Rev. Thomas, D.D., LL.D., Liverpool +Raikes, Rev. Henry, M.A., Hon. Can., and Chancellor of Chester +Raines, Rev. F.R., M.A., F.S.A., Milnrow Parsonage, Rochdale +Reiss, Leopold, High Field, near Manchester +Rickards, Charles H., Manchester +Ridgway, Mrs., Ridgemont, near Bolton +Ridgway, John Withenshaw, Manchester +Robson, John, Warrington +Roberts, W.J., Liverpool +Roby, John, M.R.S.L., Rochdale +Royds, Albert Hudson, Rochdale + +Samuels, John, Manchester +Sattersfield, Joshua, Manchester +Scholes, Thomas Seddon, High Bank, near Manchester +Schuster, Leo, Weaste, near Manchester +Sharp, John, Lancaster +Sharp, Robert C., Bramall Hall, Cheshire +Sharp, Thomas B., Manchester +Sharp, William, Lancaster +Sharp, William, London +Simms, Charles S., Manchester +Simms, George, Manchester +Skaife, John, Blackburn +Skelmersdale, The Lord, Lathom House +Smith, Rev. Jeremiah, D.D., Leamington +Smith, Junius, Strangeways Hall, Manchester +Smith, J.R., Old Compton-street, London +Sowler, R.S., Manchester +Sowler, Thomas, Manchester +Spear, John, Manchester +Standish, W.J., Duxbury Hall, Chorley +Stanley, The Lord, Knowsley +Sudlow, John, Jun., Manchester +Swain, Charles, M.R.S.L., Cheetwood Priory, near Manchester +Swanwick, Josh. W., Hollins Vale, Bury, Lancashire + +Tabley, The Lord De, Tabley, Cheshire +Tattershall, Rev. Thomas, D.D., Liverpool +Tatton, Thos., Withenshaw, Cheshire +Tayler, Rev. John James, B.A., Manchester +Taylor, Thomas Frederick, Wigan +Teale, Josh., Salford +Thomson, James, Manchester +Thorley, George, Manchester +Thorpe, Robert, Manchester +Tobin, Rev. John, M.A., Liscard, Cheshire +Townend, John, Polygon, Manchester +Townend, Thomas, Polygon, Manchester +Turnbull, W.B., D.D., Edinburgh +Turner, Samuel, F.R.S, F.S.A., F.G.S., Liverpool +Turner, Thomas, Manchester + +Vitrč, Edward Denis De, M.D., Lancaster + +Walker, John, Weaste, near Manchester +Walker, Samuel, Prospect Hill, Pendleton +Wanklyn, J.B., Salford +Wanklyn, James H., Crumpsall House, near Manchester +Warburton, R.E.E., Arley Hall, near Northwich +Ware, Samuel Hibbert, M.D., F.R.S.E., Edinburgh +Wareing, Ralph, Manchester +Westhead, Joshua P., Manchester +Whitehead, James, Manchester +Whitelegg, Rev. William, M.A., Hulme, near Manchester +Whitmore, Edward, Jun., Manchester +Whitmore, Henry, Manchester +Wilson, William James, Manchester +Wilton, The Earl of, Heaton House +Winter, Gilbert, Stocks, near Manchester +Worthington, Edward, Manchester +Wray, Rev. Cecil Daniel, M.A., Canon of Manchester +Wright, Rev. Henry, M.A., Mottram, St. Andrew's, near Macclesfield +Wroe, Thomas, Manchester + +Yates, Joseph B., West Dingle, Liverpool +Yates, Richard, Manchester + + * * * * * + +WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE CHETHAM SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1843. + +Brereton's Travels. + +The Lancashire Civil War Tracts. + +Chester's Triumph in Honor of her Prince. + + * * * * * + +WORKS IN THE PRESS. + +Pott's Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster, from the +edition of 1613. + +The Life of the Rev. Adam Martindale, Vicar of Rostherne, in Cheshire, +from the MS. in the British Museum. (4239 Ascough's Catalogue.) + +Dee's Compendious Rehearsal, and other Autobiographical Tracts, not +included in the recent Publication of the Camden Society edited by Mr. +Halliwell, with his Collected correspondence. + +Iter Lancastrense, by Dr. Richard James; an English Poem, written in +1636, containing a Metrical Account of some of the Principal Families +and Mansions in Lancashire; from the unpublished MS. in the Bodleian +Library, Oxford. + + * * * * * + +WORKS SUGGESTED FOR PUBLICATION. + +Selections from the Unpublished Correspondence of the Rev. John +Whittaker, Author of the History of Manchester, and other Works. + +More's (George) Discourse concerning the Possession and Dispossession +of Seven Persons in one Family in Lancashire, from a Manuscript +formerly belonging to Thoresby, and which gives a much fuller Account +of that Transaction than the Printed Tract of 1600; with a +Bibliographical and Critical Review of the Tracts in the Darrel +Controversy. + +A Selection of the most Curious Papers and Tracts relating to the +Pretender's Stay in Manchester in 1745, in Print and Manuscript. + +Proceedings of the Presbyterian Classis of Manchester and the +Neighbourhood, from 1646 to 1660, from an Unpublished Manuscript. + +Catalogue of the Alchemical Library of John Webster, of Clitheroe, +from a Manuscript in the Rev. T. Corser's possession; with a fuller +Life of him, and List of his Works, than has yet appeared. + +Correspondence between Samuel Hartlib (the Friend of Milton), and Dr. +Worthington, of Jesus College, Cambridge (a native of Manchester), +from 1655 to 1661, on various Literary Subjects. + +"Antiquities concerning Cheshire," by Randall Minshull, written A.D. +1591, from a MS. in the Gough Collection. + +Register of the Lancaster Priory, from a MS. (No. 3764) in the +Harleian Collection. + +Selections from the Visitations of Lancashire in 1533, 1567, and 1613, +in the Herald's College, British Museum, Bodleian, and Caius College +Libraries. + +Selections from Dodsworth's MSS. in the Bodleian Library, Randal +Holmes's Collections for Lancashire and Cheshire (MSS. Harleian), and +Warburton's Collections for Cheshire (MSS. Lansdown). + +Annales Cestrienses, or Chronicle of St. Werburgh, from the MS. in the +British Museum. + +A Reprint of Henry Bradshaw's Life and History of St. Werburgh, from +the very rare 4to of 1521, printed by Pynson. + +The Letters and Correspondence of Sir William Brereton, from the +original MSS., in 5 vols. folio, in the British Museum. + +A Poem, by Laurence Bostock, on the subject of the Saxon and Norman +Earls of Chester. + +Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Cestriensis, on the subject of the +Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Diocese of Chester, from the +original MS. + +History of the Earldom of Chester, collected by Archbishop Parker, +entitled De Successione Comitum Cestrię a Hugone Lupo ad Johannem +Scoticum, from the original MS. in Ben'et College Library, Cambridge. + +Volume of Funeral Certificates of Lancashire and Cheshire. + +Volume of Early Lancashire and Cheshire Wills. + +A Selection of Papers relating to the Rebellion of 1715, including +Clarke's Journal of the March of the Rebels from Carlisle to Preston. + +A Memoir of the Chetham Family, from original documents. + +The Diary of the Rev. Henry Newcome, M.A., from the original MS. in +the possession of his descendant, the Rev. Thomas Newcome, M.A., +Rector of Shenley, Herts. + +Lucianus Monacus de laude Cestrie, a Latin MS. of the 13th century, +descriptive of the walls, gates, &c., of the City of Chester, formerly +belonging to Thomas Allen, DD., and now in the Bodleian Library, +Oxford. + +Richard Robinson's Golden Mirrour, Bk. lett. 4to. Lond., 1580. +Containing Poems on the Etymology of the names of several Cheshire +Families; from the exceedingly rare copy formerly in the collection of +Richard Heber, Esq., (see Cat. pt. iv. 2413,) and now in the British +Museum. + +A volume of the early Ballad Poetry of Lancashire. + +The Coucher Book of Whalley Abbey. + +[Illustration] + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOVERY OF WITCHES*** + + +******* This file should be named 18253-8.txt or 18253-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/2/5/18253 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Discovery of Witches</p> +<p> The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster</p> +<p>Author: Thomas Potts</p> +<p>Editor: James Crossley</p> +<p>Release Date: April 25, 2006 [eBook #18253]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOVERY OF WITCHES***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Clare Boothby, Linda Cantoni,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net/)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + + + +<h1>REMAINS</h1> + +<h2>HISTORICAL & LITERARY</h2> + +<h3>CONNECTED WITH THE PALATINE COUNTIES OF</h3> + +<h1>LANCASTER AND CHESTER</h1> + + +<h3>PUBLISHED BY</h3> + +<h2>THE CHETHAM SOCIETY.</h2> + + +<h3>VOL. VI.</h3> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +PRINTED FOR THE CHETHAM SOCIETY.<br /> +M.DCCC.XLV.</p> + + +<p> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image01.png" alt="The Chetham Society" width="300" height="295" /></p> + + +<p> </p> + +<h3>Council.</h3> + +<p> +EDWARD HOLME, <span class="smcap">Esq., M.D., President</span>.<br /> +REV. RICHARD PARKINSON, B.D., <span class="smcap">Canon of Manchester, Vice-President.</span><br /> +THE HON. & VERY REV. WILLIAM HERBERT, <span class="smcap">Dean of Manchester</span>.<br /> +GEORGE ORMEROD, <span class="smcap">Esq., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S., Sedbury Park</span>.<br /> +SAMUEL HIBBERT WARE, <span class="smcap">Esq., M.D., F.R.S.E., Edinburgh</span>.<br /> +REV. THOMAS CORSER, M.A.<br /> +REV. GEORGE DUGARD, M.A.<br /> +REV. C.G. HULTON, M.A.<br /> +REV. J. PICCOPE, M.A.<br /> +REV. F.R. RAINES, M.A., F.S.A., <span class="smcap">Milnrow Parsonage, near Rochdale</span>.<br /> +JAMES CROSSLEY, <span class="smcap">Esq</span>.<br /> +JAMES HEYWOOD, <span class="smcap">Esq</span>., F.R.S.<br /> +WILLIAM LANGTON, <span class="smcap">Esq., Treasurer</span>.<br /> +WILLIAM FLEMING, <span class="smcap">Esq., M.D., Hon. Secretary</span>.<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image02.png" width="163" height="200" alt="coat of arms" /></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>POTTS'S</h1> + +<h1>DISCOVERY OF WITCHES</h1> + +<h3>In the County of Lancaster,</h3> + + +<h3>REPRINTED FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION OF</h3> + +<h3>1613.</h3> + + +<h3>WITH AN</h3> + +<h2>INTRODUCTION AND NOTES,</h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>JAMES CROSSLEY, <span class="smcap">Esq</span>.</h2> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +PRINTED FOR THE CHETHAM SOCIETY.<br /> +M.DCC.XLV.<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Manchester:<br /> +Printed by Charles Simms and Co.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center">[Transcriber's Note: This Table of Contents +was not present in the original.]</p> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<a href="#INTRODUCTION"><b>INTRODUCTION.</b></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"><a href="#DISCOVERIE"><b>THE WONDERFVLL DISCOVERIE OF WITCHES IN THE COVNTIE OF LANCASTER.</b></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"><a href="#NOTES"><b>NOTES.</b></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"><a href="#CHETHAM"><b>Chetham Society.</b></a></p> +<p style="text-align: center"><a href="#FOOTNOTES"><b>Footnotes.</b></a><br /> +</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Were</span> not every chapter of the history of the human mind too precious +an inheritance to be willingly relinquished,—for appalling as its +contents may be, the value of the materials it may furnish may be +inestimable,—we might otherwise be tempted to wish that the miserable +record in which the excesses occasioned by the witch mania are +narrated, could be struck out of its pages, and for ever cancelled. +Most assuredly, he, who is content to take the fine exaggeration of +the author of <i>Hydriotaphia</i> as a serious and literal truth, and who +believes with him that "man is a glorious animal," must not go to the +chapter which contains that record for his evidences and proofs. If he +should be in search of materials for humiliation and abasement, he +will find in the history of witchcraft in this country, from the +beginning to the end of the seventeenth century, large and abundant +materials, whether it affects the species or the individual. In truth, +human nature is never seen in worse colours than in that dark and +dismal review. Childhood, without any of its engaging properties, +appears prematurely artful, wicked and cruel<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>; woman, the victim of +a wretched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span> and debasing bigotry, has yet so little of the feminine +adjuncts, that the fountains of our sympathies are almost closed; and +man, tyrannizing over the sex he was bound to protect, in its helpless +destitution and enfeebled decline, seems lost in prejudice and +superstition and only strong in oppression. If we turn from the common +herd to the luminaries of the age, to those whose works are the +landmarks of literature and science, the reference is equally +disappointing;—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The sun itself is dark<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And silent as the moon<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hid in her vacant interlunar cave."<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> +<p>We find the illustrious author of the Novum Organon sacrificing to +courtly suppleness his philosophic truth, and gravely prescribing the +ingredients for a witches' ointment;<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>—Raleigh, adopting miserable +fallacies at second hand, without subjecting them to the crucible of +his acute and vigorous understanding;<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>—Selden, maintaining that +crimes of the imagination may be punished with death;<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>—The detector +of Vulgar Errors, and the most humane of physicians,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> giving the +casting weight to the vacillating bigotry of Sir Matthew +Hale;<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>—Hobbes, ever sceptical, penetrating and sagacious,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> yet here +paralyzed, and shrinking from the subject as if afraid to touch +it;<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a>—The adventurous explorer, who sounded the depths and channels +of the "Intellectual System" along all the "wide watered" shores of +antiquity, running after witches to hear them recite the Common Prayer +and the Creed, as a rational test of guilt or innocence;<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>—The +gentle spirit of Dr. Henry More, girding on the armour of persecution, +and rousing itself from a Platonic reverie on the Divine Life, to +assume the hood and cloak of a familiar of the Inquisition;<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>—and +the patient and enquiring Boyle, putting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> aside for a while his +searches for the grand Magisterium, and listening, as if spell-bound, +with gratified attention to stories of witches at Oxford, and devils +at Mascon.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> Nor is it from a retrospect of our own intellectual +progress only that we find how capricious, how intermitting, and how +little privileged to great names or high intellects, or even to those +minds which seemed to possess the very qualifications which would +operate as conductors, are those illuminating gleams of common sense +which shoot athwart the gloom, and aid a nation on its tardy progress +to wisdom, humanity, and justice. If on the Continent there were, in +the sixteenth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> century, two men from whom an exposure of the +absurdities of the system of witchcraft might have been naturally and +rationally expected, and who seem to stand out prominently from the +crowd as predestined to that honourable and salutary office, those two +men were John Bodin<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> and Thomas Erastus.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> The former a +lawyer—much exercised in the affairs of men—whose learning was not +merely umbratic—whose knowledge of history was most philosophic and +exact—of piercing penetration and sagacity—tolerant—liberal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span> +minded—disposed to take no proposition upon trust, but to canvass and +examine every thing for himself, and who had large views of human +nature and society—in fact, the Montesquieu of the seventeenth +century. The other, a physician and professor, sage, judicious, +incredulous,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The scourge of impostors, the terror of quacks,"</p></div> + +<p>who had routed irrecoverably empiricism in almost every +shape—Paracelsians—Astrologers—Alchemists—Rosicrucians—and who +weighed and scrutinized and analyzed every conclusion, from +excommunication and the power of the keys to the revolutions of comets +and their supposed effects on empires, and all with perfect +fearlessness and intuitive insight into the weak points of an +argument. Yet, alas! for human infirmity. Bodin threw all the weight +of his reasoning and learning and vivacity into the scale of the witch +supporters, and made the "hell-broth boil and bubble" anew, and +increased the witch <i>furor</i> to downright fanaticism, by the +publication of his <i>Demo-manie</i>,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> a work in which</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Learning, blinded first and then beguiled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Looks dark as ignorance, as frenzy wild;"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>but which it is impossible to read without being carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span> along by the +force of mind and power of combination which the author manifests, and +without feeling how much ingenious sophistry can perform to mitigate +and soften the most startling absurdity. His contemporary, Erastus, +after all his victories on the field of imposition, was foiled by the +subject of witchcraft at last. This was his pet delusion—almost the +only one he cared not to discard—like the dying miser's last +reserve:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">—— "My manor, sir? he cried;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Not that, I cannot part with that,—and died."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In his treatise <i>De Lamiis</i>, published in 1577, 8vo., he defends +nearly all the absurdities of the system with a blind zealotry which +in such a man is very remarkable. His book has accordingly taken its +place on the same shelf with Sprenger, Remigius, Delrio, and De +Lancre, and deserves insertion only in a list which has yet to be made +out, and which if accurately compiled would be a literary curiosity, +of the singularly illogical books of singularly able reasoners. What +was left unaccomplished by the centurions of literature came +ultimately from the strangest of all possible quarters; from the study +of an humble pupil of the transmuter of metals and prince of +mountebanks and quacks—the expounder of Reuchlin <i>de verbo mirifico</i>, +and lecturer in the unknown tongues—the follower of +Trismegistus—cursed with bell, book and candle, by every decorous +Church in Christendom—the redoubted Cornelius Agrippa; who, if he +left not to his pupil Wierus the secret of the philosopher's stone or +grand elixir, seems to have communicated a treasure perhaps equally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> +rare and not less precious, the faculty of seeing a truth which should +open the eyes of bigotry and dispel the mists of superstition, which +should stop the persecution of the helpless and stay the call for +blood. If, in working out this virgin ore from the mine, he has +produced it mixed up with the <i>scoria</i> of his master's <i>Occult +Philosophy</i>; if he gives us catalogues of devils and spirits, with +whose acquaintance we could have dispensed; if he pleads the great +truth faintly, inconsistently, imperfectly, and is evidently unaware +of the strength of the weapons he wields; these deductions do not the +less entitle Wierus to take his place in the first rank of Humanity's +honoured professors, the true philanthropists and noble benefactors of +mankind.</p> + +<p>In our own country, it may be curious and edifying to observe to whom +we mainly owe those enlightened views on this subject, which might +have been expected to proceed in their natural channel, but for which +we look in vain, from the "triumphant heirs of universal praise," the +recognized guides of public opinion, whose fame sheds such a lustre on +our annals,—the Bacons, the Raleighs, the Seldens, the Cudworths, and +the Boyles.</p> + +<p>The strangely assorted and rather grotesque band to whom we are +principally indebted for a vindication of outraged common sense and +insulted humanity in this instance, and whose vigorous exposition of +the absurdities of the prevailing system, in combination with other +lights and sources of intelligence, led at last to its being +universally abandoned, consists of four individuals—on any of whom a +literary Pharisee would look down with supercilious scorn:—a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span> country +gentleman, devoted to husbandry, and deep in platforms of hop +gardens,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>—a baronet, whose name for upwards of a century has been +used as a synonyme for incurable political bigotry,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>—a little, +crooked, and now forgotten man, who died, as his biographer tells us, +"distracted, occasioned by a deep conceit of his own parts, and by a +continual bibbing of strong and high tasted liquors,"<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>—and last, +but not least assuredly, of one who was by turns a fanatical preacher +and an obscure practitioner of physic, and who passed his old age at +Clitheroe in Lancashire in attempting to transmute metals and discover +the philosopher's stone.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> So strange a band of Apostles of reason +may occasion a smile; it deserves, at all events, a little more +particular consideration before we address ourselves to the short +narration which may be deemed necessary as an introduction to the +republication which follows.</p> + +<p>Of the first of the number, Reginald or Reynold Scot, it is to be +regretted that more particulars are not known. Nearly the whole are +contained in the following information afforded by Anthony à Wood, +<i>Athenæ.</i>, vol. i. p. 297; from which it appears that he took to +"solid reading" at a crisis of life when it is generally thrown aside. +"Reynolde Scot, a younger son of Sir John Scot, of Scot's Hall, near +to Smeeth, in Kent, by his wife, daughter of Reynolde Pimp, of Pimp's +Court, Knight, was born in that county, and at about 17 years of age +was sent to Oxon, particularly as it seems to Hart Hall, where several +of his countrymen and name studied in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span> the latter end of K. Henry +VIII. and the reign of Edward VI., &c. Afterwards he retired to his +native country, without the honour of a Degree, and settled at Smeeth, +where he found great encouragement in his studies from his kinsman, +Sir Thomas Scot. <i>About which time, taking to him a wife, he gave +himself up solely to solid reading</i>, to the perusing of obscure +authors that had, by the generality of scholars, been neglected, and +at times of leisure to husbandry and gardening. He died in September +or October in 1599, and was buried among his ancestors, in the church +at Smeeth before mentioned." Retired as his life and obscure as his +death might be, he is one whose name will be remembered as long as +vigorous sense, flowing from the "wells of English undefiled," hearty +and radiant humour, and sterling patriotism, are considered as +deserving of commemoration. His <i>Discoverie of Witchcraft</i>, first +published in 1584, is indeed a treat to him who wishes to study the +idioms, manners, opinions, and superstitions of the reign of +Elizabeth. Its entire title deserves to be given:—</p> + +<p>"<i>The discouerie of witchcraft, wherein the lewde dealing of witches +and witchmongers is notablie detected, the knauerie of coniurors, the +impietie of inchantors, the follie of soothsaiers, the impudent +falshood of cousenors, the infidelitie of atheists, the pestilent +practises of Pythonists, the curiositie of figurecasters, the vanitie +of dreamers, the beggerlie art of Alcumystrie, the abhomination of +idolatrie, the horrible art of poisoning, the vertue and power of +naturall magike, and all the conueiances of Legierdemaine and iuggling +are deciphered: and many other things opened, which haue long lien +hidden,</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span> <i>howbeit verie necessarie to be knowne. Heerevnto is added a +treatise vpon the nature and substance of spirits and diuels, &c: all +latelie written by Reginald Scot Esquire.</i> 1 John, 4, 1. <i>Beleeue not +euerie spirit but trie the spirits, whether they are of God; for many +false prophets are gone out into the world, &c.</i> 1584."</p> + +<p>This title is sufficient to show that he gives no quarter to the +delusion he undertakes to expose, and though he does not deny that +there may be witches in the abstract, (to have done so would have left +him a preacher without an audience,) yet he guards so cautiously +against any practical application of that principle, and battles so +vigorously against the error which assimilated the witches of modern +times to the witches of Scripture, and, denying the validity of the +confessions of those convicted, throws such discredit and ridicule +upon the whole system, that the popular belief cannot but have +received a severe shock from the publication of his work.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> By an +extraordinary elevation of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv-xvi]</a></span> good sense, he managed, not only to see +through the absurdities of witchcraft, but likewise of other errors +which long maintained their hold upon the learned as well as the +vulgar. Indeed, if not generally more enlightened, he was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</a></span> in some +respects, more emancipated from delusion than even his great +successor, the learned and sagacious Webster, who, a century after, +clung still to alchemy which Reginald Scot had ridiculed and exposed. +Yet with all its strong points and broad humour, it is undeniable that +<i>The Discoverie of Witchcraft</i> only scotched the snake instead of +killing it; and that its effect was any thing but final and complete. +Inveterate error is seldom prostrated by a blow from one hand, and +truth seems to be a tree which cannot be forced by planting it before +its time. There was something, too, in the book itself which militated +against its entire acceptance by the public. It is intended to form a +little Encyclopædia of the different arts of imposition practised in +Scot's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</a></span> time; and in order to illustrate the various tricks and modes +of cozenage, he gives us so many charms and diagrams and conjurations, +to say nothing of an inventory of seventy-nine devils and spirits, and +their several seignories and degrees, that the <i>Occult Philosophy</i> of +Cornelius Agrippa himself looks scarcely less appalling, at first +sight, than the <i>Discoverie</i>. This gave some colour to the declamation +of the author's opponents, who held him up as Wierus had been +represented before him, as if he were as deeply dipped in diabolical +practises as any of those whom he defended. Atheist and Sadducee, if +not very wizard himself, were the terms in which his name was +generally mentioned, and as such, the royal author of the <i>Demonology</i> +anathematizes him with great unction and very edifying horror. Against +the papists, the satire of Scot had been almost as much directed as +against what he calls the "witch-mongers," so that that very powerful +party were to a man opposed to him. Vigorous, therefore, as was his +onslaught, its effect soon passed by; and when on the accession of +James, the statute which so long disgraced our penal code was enacted, +as the adulatory tribute of all parties, against which no honest voice +was raised, to the known opinions of the monarch, Scot became too +unfashionable to be seen on the tables of the great or in the +libraries of the learned. If he were noticed, it was only to be +traduced as a sciolist, (imperitus dialecticæ et aliarum bonarum +artium, says Dr. Reynolds,) and to be exposed for imagined lapses in +scholarship in an age when for a writer not to be a scholar, was like +a traveller journeying without a passport. Meric Casaubon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[xix]</a></span> who +carried all the prejudices of the time of James the first into the +reign of Charles the second, but who, though overshadowed by the fame +of his father, was no unworthy scion of that incomparable stock, at +the same time that he denounces Scot as illiterate, will only +acknowledge to having met with him "at friends houses" and +"booksellers shops," as if his work were one which would bring +contamination to a scholar's library. Scot was certainly not a scholar +in the sense in which the term is applied to the Scaligers, Casaubons, +and Vossius's, though he would have been considered a prodigy of +reading in these days of superficial acquisition. But he had original +gifts far transcending scholarship. He had a manly, straightforward, +vigorous understanding, which, united with an honest integrity of +purpose, kept him right when greater men went wrong. How invaluable a +phalanx would the battalion of folios which the reign of James the +first produced now afford us, if the admirable mother-wit and +single-minded sincerity of Reginald Scot could only have vivified and +informed them.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[xx]</a></span></p> + +<p>After the lapse of another half century, and at the very period when +the persecution against witches waxed hotter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[xxi]</a></span> and the public +prejudice had become only more inveterate, from the ingredient of +fanaticism having been largely thrown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">[xxii]</a></span> in as a stimulant, another ally +to the cause of compassion and common sense started up, in the person +of one whose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">[xxiii]</a></span> name has rounded many a period and given point to many +an invective. To find the proscribed author of the <i>Patriarcha</i> +purging with "euphrasy and rue" the eyes of the dispensers of justice, +and shouldering the crowd to obtain for reason a fair and impartial +hearing, is indeed like meeting with Saul among the prophets. If there +be one name which has been doomed to run the gauntlet, and against +which every pert and insolent political declaimer has had his fling, +it is that of this unfortunate writer; yet in his short but masterly +and unanswerable "Advertisement to the Jurymen of England, touching +Witches, together with a difference between an English and Hebrew +Witch," first published in 1653, 4to., he has addressed himself so +cogently and decisively to the main fallacy of the arguments in favour +of witchcraft which rested their force on Scripture misunderstood, and +has so pertinently and popularly urged the points to be considered, +that his tract must have had the greatest weight on the class to whom +his reasoning was principally addressed, and on whose fiat the fates +of his unhappy clients may be said to have hung. For this good +service, reason and common sense owe Sir Robert Filmer a debt which +does not yet appear to have been paid. The verdict of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiv" id="Page_xxiv">[xxiv]</a></span> proscription +against him was pronounced by the most incompetent and superficial æra +of our literature, and no friendly appellant has yet moved the court +of posterity for its reversal. Yet without entering upon the theory of +the patriarchal scheme, which after all, perhaps, was not so +irrational as may be supposed, or discussing on an occasion like the +present the conflicting theories of government, it may be allowable to +express a doubt whether even the famous author of the "Essay on the +Human Understanding," to whose culminating star the decadence of the +rival intelligence is attributable, can be shewn to have been as much +in advance of his generation in the time of king William, as from the +tract on witchcraft, and another written on a different subject, but +with equally enlightened views,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> Sir Robert Filmer manifestly +appears to have outrun his at the period of the usurpation.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxv" id="Page_xxv">[xxv]</a></span></p><p>The next champion in this unpopular cause, John Wagstaffe, who +published "The Question of Witchcraft Debated," 1669, 12mo,<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> was, +as A. à Wood informs us, "the son of John Wagstaffe, citizen of +London, descended from those of his name of Hasland Hall, in +Derbyshire, was born in Cheapside, within the city of London, became a +commoner of Oriel College in the latter end of 1649, took the degrees +in Arts, and applied himself to the study of politics and other +learning. At length, being raised from an academical life to the +inheritance of Hasland, by the death of an uncle,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvi" id="Page_xxvi">[xxvi]</a></span> who died without +male issue, he spent his life afterwards in single estate." His death +took place in 1677. The Oxford historian, who had little reverence for +new lights, and never loses an opportunity of girding at those whose +weights and measures were not according to the current and only +authentic standard, has left no very flattering account of his person. +"He was a little crooked man, and of a despicable presence. He was +laughed at by the boys of this University, because, as they said, he +himself looked like a little wizard." Small as might be his stature, +and questionable the shape in which he appeared, he might still have +taken up the boast of the author of the <i>Religio Medici</i>: "Men that +look upon my outside do err in my altitude, for I am above Atlas's +shoulders." None but a large-souled and kindly-affectioned man, whose +intellect was as comprehensive as his feelings were benevolent, could +have produced the excellent little treatise which claims him as its +author. The following is the lofty and memorable peroration in which +he sums up the strength of his cause:—</p> + +<p>"I cannot think without trembling and horror on the vast numbers of +people that in several ages and several countries have been sacrificed +unto this idol, Opinion. Thousands, ten thousands, are upon record to +have been slain, and many of them not with simple deaths, but horrid, +exquisite tortures. And yet, how many are there more who have +undergone the same fate, of whom we have no memorial extant. Since, +therefore, the opinion of witchcraft is a mere stranger unto +Scripture, and wholly alien from true religion; since it is ridiculous +by asserting fables and impossibilities; since it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvii" id="Page_xxvii">[xxvii]</a></span> appears, when duly +considered, to be all bloody and full of dangerous consequence unto +the lives and safety of men; I hope that with this my Discourse, +opposing an absurd and pernicious error, I can not at all disoblige +any sober, unbiassed person; especially if he be of such ingenuity as +to have freed himself from a slavish subjection unto those prejudicial +opinions which custom and education do with too much tyranny +impose.—If the doctrine of witchcraft should be carried up to a +height, and the inquisition after it should be intrusted in the hands +of ambitious, covetous and malicious men, it would prove of far more +fatal consequence unto the lives and safety of mankind, than that +ancient, heathenish custom of sacrificing men unto idol gods; insomuch +that we stand in need of another Hercules Liberator, who, as the +former freed the world from human sacrifice, should, in like manner, +travel from country to country, and by his all-commanding authority, +free it from <i>this euil and base custom of torturing people to confess +themselves witches, and burning them after extorted confessions</i>. +Surely the blood of men ought not to be so cheap, nor so easily to be +shed by those who, under the name of God, do gratifie exorbitant +passions and selfish ends; for without question, under this side +heaven, there is nothing so sacred as the life of man; for the +preservation whereof all policies and forms of government, all laws +and magistrates are most especially ordained. Wherefore I presume that +this Discourse of mine, attempting to prove the vanity and +impossibility of witchcraft, is so far from any deserved censure and +blame, that it rather deserves commendation and praise, if I can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxviii" id="Page_xxviii">[xxviii]</a></span> in +the least measure contribute to the saving of the lives of men."</p> + +<p>Wagstaffe was answered by Meric Casaubon in his treatise "Of Credulity +and Incredulity in Things Divine and Spiritual," 1670, 12mo; and if +his reply be altogether inconclusive, it cannot be denied to be, as +indeed every thing of Meric Casaubon's writing was, learned, +discursive and entertaining. He observes of Wagstaffe:—</p> + +<p>"He doth make some show of a scholar and a man of some learning, but +whether he doth acquit himself as a gentleman (which I hear he is) in +it, I shall leave to others to judge." This is surely the first time +that a belief in witchcraft was ever made a test of gentlemanly +propriety.</p> + +<p>Two years before the trial, which is the subject of the following +republication, took place, the hamlet of Thornton, in the parish of +Coxwold, in the adjoining county of York, gave birth to one who was +destined so utterly to demolish the unstable and already shaken and +tottering structure which Bodin, Delrio, and their followers had set +up, as not to leave one stone of that unhallowed edifice remaining +upon another. Of the various course of life of John Webster, the +author of "The Displaying of supposed Witchcraft," his travels, +troubles, and persecutions; of the experience he had had in restless +youth and in unsettled manhood of religion under various forms, +amongst religionists of almost every denomination; and of those +profound and wide-ranging researches in every art and science in which +his vigorous intellect delighted, and by which it was in declining age +enlightened, sobered and composed; it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxix" id="Page_xxix">[xxix]</a></span> much to be regretted that we +have not his own narrative, written in the calm evening of his days, +when he walked the slopes of Pendle, from where,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"Through shadow dimly seen<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rose Clid'row's castle grey;"<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>when, to use his own expressions, he lived a "solitary and sedentary +life, <i>mihi et musis</i>, having more converse with the dead than the +living, that is, more with books than with men." The facts for his +biography are scanty and meagre, and are rather collected by inference +from his works, than from any other source. He was born at Thornton on +the 3rd of February, 1610. From a passing notice of A. à Wood, and an +incidental allusion in his own works, he may be presumed to have +passed some time at Cambridge, though with what views, or at what +period of his life, is uncertain. He was ordained Presbyter by Dr. +Morton, when Bishop of Durham, who was, it will be recollected, the +sagacious prelate by whom the frauds of the boy of Bilson were +detected. In the year 1634, Webster was curate of Kildwick in Craven, +and while in that cure the scene occurred which he has so vividly +sketched in the passage after quoted, and which supplied the hint, and +laid the foundation, for the work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxx" id="Page_xxx">[xxx]</a></span> which has perpetuated his fame. How +long he continued in this cure we know not: but, if one authority may +be relied on, he was Master of the Free Grammar School at Clitheroe in +1643. To this foundation he may be considered as a great benefactor, +for, from information supplied from a manuscript source, I find that +he recovered for its use, with considerable trouble and no small +personal charge, an income of about £60. per annum, which had been +given to the school, but was illegally diverted and withheld. From +this period there is a blank in his biography for about ten years. +Most probably his life was rambling and desultory. He speaks of +himself as having been about that time a chaplain in the army. His +first two works, published in 1653 and 1654, "The Saints' Guide," and +"The Judgment Set and the Books Opened,"<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxi" id="Page_xxxi">[xxxi]</a></span> show that in the +interval he had deserted the Established Church, and, probably, after +some of those restless fluctuations of belief to which men of his +ardent temperament are subject, settled at last in a wilder sort of +Independency, which he eulogizes as "unmanacling the simple and pure +light of the Gospel from the chains and fetters of cold and dead +formality, and of restrictive and compulsory power." His language in +these two works is more assimilated to that of the Seekers or Quakers, +which it resembles in the cloudy mysteriousness of its phraseology, +than that of the more rational and sober writers of the Independent +school. Amongst the dregs of fanaticism of which they consist, the +reader will look in vain for any germ or promise of future excellence +or distinction as an author. It would seem that he preached the +sermons contained in "The Judgment Set and Books Opened" at the church +of All-Hallows, Lombard-street, at which he must have been for some +time the officiating minister, and where the amusing incident, in +which Webster was concerned, narrated by Wood, which had many a +parallel in those times, no doubt occurred. "On the 12th of Oct., +1653," says the author of the <i>Athenæ.</i>,<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> "he (<i>i.e.</i> William<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxii" id="Page_xxxii">[xxxii]</a></span> +Erbury) with John Webster, sometimes a Cambridge scholar, endeavoured +to knock down learning and the ministry both together, in a +disputation that they then had against two ministers in a church in +Lombard-street, in London. Erbury then declared that the wisest +ministers and purest churches were at that time befool'd, confounded, +and defil'd, by reason of learning. Another while he said, that the +ministry were monsters, beasts, asses, greedy dogs, false prophets; +and that they are the Beast with seven heads and ten horns. The same +person also spoke out and said that Babylon is the Church in her +ministers, and that the Great Whore is the Church in her worship, &c.; +so that with him there was an end of ministers and churches and +ordinations altogether. While these things were babbled to and fro, +the multitude being of various opinions, began to mutter, and many to +cry out, and immediately it came to a meeting or tumult, (call it +which you please,) <i>wherein the women bore away the Bell, but lost +some of them their kerchiefs</i>: and the dispute being hot, there was +more danger of pulling down the church than the ministry."<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p> + +<p>Of Erbury who, being originally in holy orders and a beneficed +clergyman, deserted the Established Church and ran into all the +excesses of Antinomianism, Webster was a great admirer, and has in a +preface, hitherto unnoticed, prefixed to a scarce tract of Erbury's, +entitled "The great Earthquake, or Fall of all the Churches," +published in 1654, 4to, left a sketch of his opinions and character, +in which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiii" id="Page_xxxiii">[xxxiii]</a></span> his defence is undertaken with great zeal and no small +ingenuity. One of his apologist's conclusions most of Erbury's readers +will find no difficulty in assenting to, "the world is not ripe for +such discoveries as our author held forth." The verses which are +appended to this sketch, characterizing Erbury—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i7">"As him<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who did the saintship sever<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From the opinion; this fails, that shall never,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Chymist of Truth and Gospel;"—<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>are, also, evidently Webster's, and their quality is not such as to +make us unreasonably impatient for any further manifestations of his +poetical skill. In the year 1654 he published another tract of +singular interest and curiosity, in which he attacks the Universities +and the received system of education there, always with vigour and +various learning, and frequently with success. It is entitled +"Academiarum Examen, or the Examination of Academies; wherein is +discussed and examined the matter, method, and customes of academick +and scholastic learning, and the insufficiency thereof discovered and +laid open; as also some expedients proposed for the reforming of +schools, and the perfecting and promoting of all kind of science; +offered to the judgment of all those that love the proficiencie of +arts and sciences and the advancement of learning. By Jo. Webster. In +moribus et institutis academiarum, collegiorum et similium conventium +quo ad doctorum hominum sedes et operas mutuas destinata sunt, omnia +progressui scientiarum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiv" id="Page_xxxiv">[xxxiv]</a></span> in ulterius adversa inveniri. Franc. Bacon de +Verulamio lib. de cogitat. et vis. pag. mihi. 14. London: Printed for +Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the sign of the Black +Spread-Eagle, at the west end of Paul's. 1654." 4to. In this tract, +which, like some other attacks upon the seats of learning, displays +more power in objection than in substitution, in pulling down than in +building up again, he shews the same fondness for the philosophers of +the Hermetic school, for Paracelsus, Dee, Fludd and Van Helmont, and +the same adhesion to planetary sigils, astrology, and the doctrine of +sympathies and primæval signatures, which is perceptible in the +deliberate performance of his old age. Of himself he observes: "I owe +little to the advantages of those things called the goods of fortune, +but most (next under the goodness of God) to industry: however, I am a +free born Englishman, a citizen of the world and a seeker of +knowledge, and am willing to teach what I know, and learn what I know +not." No one can read the <i>Academiarum Examen</i> without feeling that it +is the production of a vigorous and powerful mind, which had "tasted," +and that not scantily, of the "sweet fruit of far fetched and dear +bought science." Yet it still remains a literary problem rather +difficult of solution, how a performance so clear, well digested, and +rational, could proceed, and that contemporaneously, from the same +author as the cloudy and fanatical "Judgment Set and Books Opened." On +behalf of the Universities, answerers started up in the persons of +Ward and Wilkins, both afterwards bishops, and the part taken by the +first of them in the controversy was considered of sufficient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxv" id="Page_xxxv">[xxxv]</a></span> +importance to form matter of commemoration in his monumental +inscription. Two opponents so famous, might almost seem to threaten +extinction to one, of whom it could only be said, that he had been an +obscure country schoolmaster, and whose acquirements, whatever they +were, were mainly the result of his own unassisted study. In the joint +answer, the title of which is "Vindiciæ Academiarum, containing some +briefe animadversions upon Mr. Webster's book entitled the +'Examination of Academies,' together with an appendix concerning what +Mr. Hobbes and Mr. Dell have published in this argument, Oxford, +1654," 4to., there is no want of bitterness nor of controversial +skill, but though, particularly in the limited arena of the prescribed +course of academical study, the knowledge displayed in it is more +exact, there is neither visible in it the same power of mind, nor the +same breadth of views, nor even the same variety of learning, as is +conspicuous in the original tract. This, with the two fanatical pieces +which Webster published contemporaneously with it, were entirely +unknown to his biographer, Dr. Whitaker, who has ceded him a place +amongst the distinguished natives and residents of the parish of +Whalley, in the full confidence "that there is no puritanical taint in +his writings, and that his taste had evidently been formed upon better +models.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>" Had these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvi" id="Page_xxxvi">[xxxvi]</a></span> early theological and literary delinquencies +of the physician of Clitheroe been communicated to his historian, it +may be questioned whether the portals of his provincial temple of fame +would have opened to receive so heinous a transgressor. But Dr. +Whitaker's deduction would have been perhaps perfectly warrantable, +had Webster left no remains but his <i>History of Metals</i>, and +<i>Displaying of Witchcraft</i>—so little do an author's latest works +afford a clue to the character of his earliest. From 1654 to 1671, +when he published his <i>History of Metals</i>, little is known of +Webster's course of life. He appears to have retired into the country +and devoted himself to medical practice and study, and to have taken +up his residence in or near Clitheroe. He complains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvii" id="Page_xxxvii">[xxxvii]</a></span> that in the year +1658 all his books and papers were taken from him, an abstraction +which, so far as his manuscripts are concerned, posterity is not +called upon to lament, if they all resembled his <i>Judgment Set and +Books Opened</i>. But his capacious and acute understanding was gradually +unfolding new resources, supplying the defects, and overcoming the +disadvantages of his imperfect education and desultory and irregular +studies, while his matured and enlightened judgment had abandoned and +discarded the fanatical pravities and erroneous tenets, which his +ardent enthusiasm had too hastily imbibed. When he again became a +candidate for the honours of authorship, it was evident that he knew +well how to apply those quarries of learning into which, during his +long recess, he had been digging so indefatigably, to furnish +materials for solid and durable structures, rising in honourable and +gratifying contrast to the fabrics which had preceded them. In 1671 +came forth his "Metallographia, or History of Metals,"<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> in which +all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxviii" id="Page_xxxviii">[xxxviii]</a></span> that recondite learning and extensive observation could bring +together, on a subject which experiment had scarcely yet placed upon a +rational basis, is collected. He styles himself on the Title page, +"Practitioner in Physic and Chirurgery." In 1677, he published his +great work. Its Title is "The Displaying of supposed Witchcraft. +Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of Deceivers and +Impostors. And Divers persons under a passive Delusion of Melancholy +and Fancy. But that there is a Corporeal League made betwixt the Devil +and the Witch, Or that he sucks on the Witches Body, has Carnal +Copulation, or that Witches are turned into Cats, Dogs, raise +Tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also +is handled, the Existence of Angels and Spirits, the truth of +Apparitions, the Nature of Astral and Sydereal Spirits, the force of +Charms and Philters; with other abstruse matters. By John Webster, +Practitioner in Physic. Falsæ etenim opiniones Hominum præoccupantes, +non solum surdos, sed et cæcos faciunt, ita ut videre nequeant, quæ +aliis perspicua apparent. Galen, lib. 8. de Comp. Med. London, Printed +by J.M. and are to be sold by the Booksellers in London. 1677," (fol.) +In this memorable book he exhausts the subject, as far as it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxix" id="Page_xxxix">[xxxix]</a></span> +possible to do so, by powerful ridicule, cogent arguments, and the +most various and well applied learning, leaving to Hutchinson, and +others who have since followed in his track, little further necessary +than to reproduce his facts and reasonings in a more popular, it can +scarcely be said, in a more effective, form.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> Those who love +literary parallels may compare Webster, as he appears in this his +last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xl" id="Page_xl">[xl]</a></span> and most characteristic performance, with two famous medical +contemporaries, Sir Thomas Browne, and Thomas Bartholinus the Dane, +whom he strongly resembled in the character of his mind, in the +complexion and variety of his studies, in grave simplicity, in +exactness of observation, in general philosophical incredulity with +some startling reserves, in elaborate and massive ratiocination, and +in the enthusiasm, subdued but not extinguished, which gives zest to +his speculations and poignancy and colouring to his style. He who +seeks to measure great men in their strength and in their weakness, +and what operation of literary analysis is more instructive or +delightful, will find ample employment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xli" id="Page_xli">[xli]</a></span> for collation and comparison +in this extraordinary book, in which, keen as is the penetration +displayed on almost every subject of imposition and delusion, he +appears still to cling, with the obstinacy of a veteran, to some of +the darling Dalilahs of his youth, "to the admirable and +soul-ravishing knowledge of the three great Hypostatical principles of +nature, salt, sulphur, and mercury," and, <i>proh pudor!</i> to alchemy and +astrology—and those seraphic doctors and professors, Crollius, +Libavius, and Van Helmont. He closed his literary performances with +this noble fabric of logic and learning, not the less striking, and +scarcely less useful, because it is chequered by some of the mosaic +work of human imperfection,—a performance which may be said to have +grown up under the umbrage of Pendle, and which he might have +bequeathed to its future Demdikes and Chattox's as an amulet of +irresistible power.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlii" id="Page_xlii">[xlii]</a></span></p> + +<p>But it is necessary to proceed from the authors on witchcraft to that +extraordinary case which forms the subject of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xliii" id="Page_xliii">[xliii]</a></span> the present +republication, and which first gave to Pendle its title to be +considered as the Hartz Forest of England.</p> + +<p>The Forest of Pendle is a portion of the greater one of +Blackburnshire, and is so called from the celebrated mountain of that +name, over the declivity of which it extends and stretches in a long +but interrupted descent of five miles, to the water of Pendle, a +barren and dreary tract. Dr. Whitaker observes of this and the +neighbouring forests, and the remark even yet holds good, "that they +still bear the marks of original barrenness, and recent cultivation; +that they are still distinguished from the ancient freehold tracts +around them, by want of old houses, old woods, high fences; (for these +were forbidden by the forest laws;) by peculiarities of dialect and +manners in their inhabitants; and lastly, by a general air of poverty +which all the opulence of manufactures cannot remove." He considers +that "at an uncertain period during the occupancy of the Lacies, the +first principle of population" (in these forests) commenced; it was +found that these wilds, bleak and barren as they were, might be +occupied to some advantage in breeding young and depasturing lean +"cattle, which were afterwards fattened in the lower domains. +<i>Vaccaries</i>, or great upland pastures, were laid out for this purpose; +<i>booths</i> or mansions erected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xliv" id="Page_xliv">[xliv]</a></span> upon them for the residence of herdsmen; +and at the same time that herds of deer were permitted to range at +large as heretofore, <i>lawnds</i>, by which are meant parks within a +forest, were inclosed, in order to chase them with greater facility, +or, by confinement, to produce fatter venison. Of these lawnds Pendle +had new and old lawnd, with the contiguous park of Ightenhill."</p> + +<p>In the early part of the seventeenth century, the inhabitants of this +district must have been, with few exceptions, a wretchedly poor and +uncultivated race, having little communication with the occupants of +the more fertile regions around them, and in whose minds superstition, +even yet unextinguished, must have had absolute and uncontrollable +domination. Under the disenchanting influence of steam, manufactures, +and projected rail-roads, still much of the old character of its +population remains. <i>Hodie manent vestigia ruris.</i> The "parting +genius" of superstition still clings to the hoary hill tops and rugged +slopes and mossy water sides, along which the old forest stretched its +length, and the voices of ancestral tradition are still heard to speak +from the depth of its quiet hollows, and along the course of its +gurgling streams. He who visits Pendle<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> will yet find that charms +are generally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlv" id="Page_xlv">[xlv]</a></span> resorted to amongst the lower classes; that there are +hares which, in their persuasion, never can be caught, and which +survive only to baffle and confound the huntsman; that each small +hamlet has its peculiar and gifted personage, whom it is dangerous to +offend; that the wise man and wise woman (the white witches of our +ancestors) still continue their investigations of truth, undisturbed +by the rural police or the progress of the schoolmaster; that each +locality has its haunted house; that apparitions still walk their +ghostly rounds—and little would his reputation for piety avail that +clergyman in the eyes of his parishioners who should refuse to lay +those "extravagant and erring spirits," when requested, by those due +liturgic ceremonies which the orthodoxy of tradition requires.</p> + +<p>In the early part of the reign of James the first, and at the period +when his execrable statute against witchcraft might have been +sharpening its appetite by a temporary fast for the full meal of blood +by which it was eventually glutted,—for as yet it could count no +recorded victims,—two wretched old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlvi" id="Page_xlvi">[xlvi]</a></span> women with their families resided +in the Forest of Pendle. Their names were Elizabeth Southernes and Ann +Whittle, better known, perhaps, in the chronicles of witchcraft, by +the appellations of Old Demdike and Old Chattox.<a name="FNanchor_32_35" id="FNanchor_32_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_35" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> Both had +attained, or had reached the verge of the advanced age of eighty, were +evidently in a state of extreme poverty, subsisting with their +families by occasional employment, by mendicancy, but principally, +perhaps, by the assumption of that unlawful power, which commerce with +spirits of evil was supposed to procure, and of which their sex, life, +appearance, and peculiarities, might seem to the prejudiced +neighbourhood in the Forest to render them not unsuitable +depositaries. In both, perhaps, some vindictive wish, which appeared +to have been gratified nearly as soon as uttered, or some one of those +curious coincidences which no individual's life is without, led to an +impression which time, habit, and general recognition would gradually +deepen into full conviction, that each really possessed the powers +which witchcraft was believed to confer. Whether it be with witches as +it is said to be with a much maligned branch of a certain profession, +that it needs two of its members in a district to make its exercise +profitable, it is not for me to say; but it is seldom found that +competition is accompanied by any very amicable feeling in the +competitors, or by a disposition to underrate the value of the +merchandize which each has to offer for sale. Accordingly, great was +the rivalry, constant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlvii" id="Page_xlvii">[xlvii]</a></span> the feuds, and unintermitting the respective +criminations of the Erictho and Canidia of Pendle,<a name="FNanchor_33_36" id="FNanchor_33_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_36" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> who had opened +shops for the vending of similar contraband commodities, and were +called upon to decry each other's stock, as well as to magnify their +own. Each "gave her little senate laws," and had her own party (or +tail, according to modern phraseology) in the Forest. Some looked up +to and patronized one, and some the other. If old Demdike could boast +that she had Tibb as a familiar, old Chattox was not without her +Fancy. If the former had skill in waxen images, the latter could dig +up the scalps of the dead, and make their teeth serviceable to her +unhallowed purposes. In the anxiety which each felt to outvie the +other, and to secure the greater share of the general custom of a not +very extended or very lucrative market, each would wish to be +represented as more death-dealing, destructive, and powerful than her +neighbour; and she who could number up the most goodly assortment of +damage done to man and beast, whether real or not was quite +immaterial, as long as the draught was spiced and flavoured to suit +the general taste, stood the best chance of obtaining a monopoly. It +is a curious fact, that the son-in-law of one of these two +individuals, and whose wife was herself executed as a witch, paid to +the other a yearly rent,<a name="FNanchor_34_37" id="FNanchor_34_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_37" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> on an express covenant that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlviii" id="Page_xlviii">[xlviii]</a></span> should +exempt him from her charms and witchcrafts. Where the possession of a +commission from the powers of darkness was thus eagerly and +ostentatiously paraded, every death, the cause of which was not +perfectly obvious, whether it ended in a sudden termination or a slow +and gradual decline, would be placed to the general account of one of +the two (to use Master Potts's description,) "agents for the devil in +those parts," as the party responsible for these unclaimed dividends +of mortality. Did a cow go mad, or was a horse unaccountably afflicted +with the staggers, the same solution was always at hand to clear +negligence and save the trouble of inquiry; and so far from modestly +disclaiming these atrocities, the only struggle on the parts of +Mothers Demdike and Chattox would be which should first appropriate +them. And in all this it must not be forgotten that their own +credulity was at least as great as the credulity of their neighbours, +and that each had the power in question was so much an admitted point, +that she had long ceased, in all probability, to entertain any doubts +on the subject. With this general conviction on one hand, and a +sincere persuasion on the other, it would be surprising if, in the +course of a few years, the scandalous chronicle of Pendle had not +accumulated a <i>corpus delicti</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlix" id="Page_xlix">[xlix]</a></span> against them, which only required that +"<i>one of his Majesties Justices in these parts, a very religious +honest gentleman, painful in the service of his country</i>," should work +the materials into shape, and make "the gruel thick and slab."</p> + +<p>Such a man was soon found in the representative of the old family of +the Nowels of Read, who, desirous of signalizing himself as an active +and stirring justice, took up the case of these self-accusing +culprits, for both made confessions when examined before him, with a +vigour worthy of a better cause. On the 2nd April, 1612, he committed +old Demdike, old Chattox, Alizon Device, and Anne Redfern to +Lancaster, to take their trial at the next assizes for various murders +and witchcrafts. "Here," says the faithful chronicler, Master Potts, +"they had not stayed a weeke, when their children and friendes being +abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at Malking Tower<a name="FNanchor_35_38" id="FNanchor_35_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_38" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> +in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_l" id="Page_l">[l]</a></span> Forrest of Pendle, vpon Good-fryday, within a weeke after they +were committed, of all the most dangerous, wicked, and damnable +witches in the county farre and neere. Vpon Good-fryday they met, +according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized this great festiuall day +according to their former order, with great cheare, merry company, and +much conference. In the end, in this great assemblie it was decreed +that M. Covell, [he was the gaoler of Lancaster Castle,] by reason of +his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises, the Castle at +Lancaster to be blown up," &c., &c. This witches' convention, so +historically famous, we unquestionably owe to the "painful justice" +whose scent after witches and plots entitled him to a promotion which +he did not obtain. An overt act so alarming and so indisputable, at +once threw the country, far and near, into the greatest +ferment—<i>furiis surrexit Etruria justis</i>—while it supplied an +admirable <i>locus in quo</i> for tracing those whose retiring habits had +prevented their propensities to witchcraft from being generally known +to their intimate friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_li" id="Page_li">[li]</a></span> and connexions. The witness by whose +evidence this legend was principally supported, was Jennet Device, a +child about nine years old, and grand-daughter of old Demdike. A more +dangerous tool in the hands of an unscrupulous evidence-compeller, +being at once intelligent, cunning and pliant, than the child proved +herself, it would not have been easy to have discovered. A foundation +being now laid capable of embracing any body of confederates, the +indefatigable justice proceeded in his inquiries, and in the end, +Elizabeth Device the daughter of old Demdike, James Device her son, +Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock, with some +others, were committed for trial at Lancaster. The very curious report +of that trial is contained in the work now republished, which was +compiled under the superintendence of the judges who presided, by +Master Thomas Potts, clerk in court, and present at the trial. His +report, notwithstanding its prolixity and its many repetitions, it has +been thought advisable to publish entire, and the <a href="#DISCOVERIE">reprint</a> which +follows is as near a fac-simile as possible of the original tract.</p> + +<p>It is rather strange that Dr. Whitaker, to whom local superstitions +were always matters of the strongest interest, and welcome as manna to +the sojourners in the wilderness,<a name="FNanchor_36_39" id="FNanchor_36_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_39" class="fnanchor">[36]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lii" id="Page_lii">[lii]</a></span> should have been ignorant, not +merely of Master Potts's discovery, but even of the fact of this trial +of the witches in 1612. It is equally singular that Sir Walter Scott +should have forgotten, when writing his letters on Demonology and +Witchcraft, that he had republished this tract, somewhat inaccurately, +but with rather a long introduction and notes, in the third volume of +his edition of the Somers Tracts, which appeared in 1810. He mentions +Potts's <i>Discoverie</i>, in the amusing but very inaccurate and imperfect +historical sketch referred to,<a name="FNanchor_37_40" id="FNanchor_37_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_40" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> as a curious and rare book, which +he had then for the first time obtained a sight of. What could have +been his meaning in referring his readers, for an account of Mother +Demdike and a description of Malking Tower, to "Mr. Roby's Antiquities +of Lancaster," that apocryphal historian having given no such account +or description, and having published no such work, it is rather +difficult to conjecture.</p> + +<p>With all his habitual tautology and grave absurdity,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_liii" id="Page_liii">[liii]</a></span> Master Potts is, +nevertheless, a faithful and accurate chronicler, and we owe his +memory somewhat for furnishing us with so elaborate a report of what +took place on this trial, and giving us, "in their own country terms," +the examinations of the witnesses, which contain much which throws +light on the manners and language of the times, and nearly all that is +necessary to enable us to form a judgment on the proceedings. It will +be observed that he follows with great exactness the course pursued in +court, in opening the case and recapitulating the evidence separately +against each prisoner, so as most graphically to place before us the +whole scene as it occurred. The part in which he is felt to be most +deficient, is in the want of some further account of the prisoners +convicted, from the trial up to the time of their execution. To Master +Potts, a man of legal forms and ceremonies, the entire interest in the +case seems to have come in and gone out with the judge's trumpets.</p> + +<p>As most of the points in the trial which appeared to require +observation, have been adverted to in the <a href="#NOTES">notes</a> which follow the +<a href="#DISCOVERIE">reprint</a>, it is not considered necessary to enter into any analysis or +review of the evidence adduced at the trial, which presents such a +miserable mockery of justice. Mother Demdike, it will be seen, died in +prison before the trial came on. Of the Pendle witches four, namely +Old Chattox, Elizabeth Device, James Device, and Alizon Device, had +all made confessions, and had little chance, therefore, of escaping +condemnation. They were all found guilty; and with them were +convicted, Anne Redfern, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John +Bulcock,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_liv" id="Page_liv">[liv]</a></span> and Jane Bulcock, who were all of Pendle or its +neighbourhood, and who maintained their innocence and refused to make +any confession. They were executed, along with the first-mentioned +four and Isabel Robey, who was of Windle, in the parish of Prescot, +and had been found guilty of similar practises, the day after the +trial, viz. on the 18th of August, 1612, "at the common place of +execution near to Lancaster."</p> + +<p>The main interest in reviewing this miserable band of victims will be +felt to centre in Alice Nutter.<a name="FNanchor_38_41" id="FNanchor_38_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_41" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> Wealthy, well conducted, well +connected, and placed probably on an equality with most of the +neighbouring families and the magistrate before whom she was brought, +and by whom she was committed, she deserves to be distinguished from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lv" id="Page_lv">[lv]</a></span> +the companions with whom she suffered, and to attract an attention +which has never yet been directed towards her.<a name="FNanchor_39_42" id="FNanchor_39_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_42" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> That Jennet Device, +on whose evidence she was convicted, was instructed to accuse her by +her own nearest relatives, to whom "superfluous lagged the veteran on +the stage," and that the magistrate, Roger Nowell, entered actively as +a confederate into the conspiracy from a grudge entertained against +her on account of a long disputed boundary, are allegations which +tradition has preserved, but the truth or falsehood of which, at this +distance of time, it is scarcely possible satisfactorily to examine. +With such a witness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lvi" id="Page_lvi">[lvi]</a></span> however, as Jennet Device, and such an admirable +engine as the meeting at Malking-Tower, the guests at which she could +multiply <i>ad libitum</i>, doling out the <i>plaat</i>, as Titus Oates would +call it, by such instalments, and in such fragmentary portions, as +would conduce to an easy digestion of the whole, the wonder seems not +to be, that one unfortunate victim of a higher class should have +perished in the meshes of artful and complicated villainy, but that +its ramifications were not more extensive, and still more fatal and +destructive. From one so capable of taking a hint as the little +precocious prodigy of wickedness, in whose examination, Potts tells +us, "<i>Mr. Nowell took such great paines</i>," a very summary deliverance +might be expected from troublesome neighbours, or still more +troublesome relatives; and if, by a leading question, she could only +be induced to marshal them in their allotted places at the witches' +imaginary banquet, there was little doubt of their taking their +station at a place of meeting where the sad realities of life were +only to be encountered, "the common place of execution near to +Lancaster."</p> + +<p>The trial of the Samlesbury witches, Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, +and Jane Southworth, forms a curious episode in Potts's <i>Discoverie</i>. +A Priest or Jesuit, of the name of Thomson, <i>alias</i> Southworth, had +tutored the principal evidence, Grace Sowerbuts, a girl of the age of +fourteen, but who had not the same instinctive genius for perjury as +Jennet Device, to accuse the three persons above mentioned of having +bewitched her; "so that," as the indictment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lvii" id="Page_lvii">[lvii]</a></span> runs, "by means thereof +her body wasted and consumed." "The chief object," says Sir Walter +Scott, "in this imposture, was doubtless the advantage and promotion +of the Catholic cause, as the patient would have been in due time +exorcised and the fiend dispossessed, by the same priest who had +taught her to counterfeit the fits. Revenge against the women, who had +become proselytes to the Church of England, was probably an additional +motive." But the imposture broke down, from the inability of the +principal witness to support the scheme of deception. Unsuccessful, +however, as it proved, the time was well chosen, the groundwork +excellently laid, the evidence industriously got up, and it must ever +deserve a prominent place in the history—a history, how delightful +when it shall be written in the spirit of philosophy and with due +application of research—of human fraud and imposture.</p> + +<p>We can only speculate, of course, on such an occasion, but perhaps no +trial is recorded as having taken place, with the results of which +every body, the parties convicted only excepted, was, in all +probability, better pleased or satisfied, than at this witch trial at +Lancaster in 1612. The mob would be delighted with a pageant, always +acceptable, in the execution of ten witches; and still more, that one +of them was of a rank superior to their own;—the judge had no doubt, +in his opinion, avoided each horn of the dilemma—the abomination +mentioned in Scripture—punishing the innocent or letting the guilty +go free—by tracking guilt with well breathed sagacity, and +unravelling imposture<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lviii" id="Page_lviii">[lviii]</a></span> with unerring skill;—a Jesuit had been +unkennelled, a spectacle as gratifying to a serious Protestant in +those days, as running down a fox to a thorough sportsman;—a plot had +been discovered which might have made Lancaster Castle "to topple on +its warders" and "slope its head to its foundations," and Master +Cowell, who had held so many inquests, to vanish without leaving +anything in his own person whereon an inquest could be holden;—a +pestilent nest of incorrigible witches had been dug out and rooted up, +and Pendle Hill placed under sanatory regulations;—and last, and not +least, as affording matter of pride and exultation to every loyal +subject, a commentary had at last been collected for two texts, which +had long called for some such support without finding it, King James's +<i>Demonology</i>, and his statute against witchcraft. When the +<i>Discoverie</i> of Master Potts, with its rich treasury of illustrative +evidence, came to hand, would not the monarch be the happiest man in +his dominions!</p> + +<p>Twenty years after the publication of the <a href="#DISCOVERIE">tract</a> now reprinted, Pendle +Forest again became the scene of pretended witchcrafts; and from +various circumstances, the trial which took place then (in 1633) has +acquired even greater notoriety than the one which preceded it, though +no Master Potts could be found to transmit a report of the proceedings +in the second case, a deficiency which is greatly to be lamented. The +particulars are substantially comprised in the following examination, +which is given from the copy in Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, p. 213, which, +on comparison, is unquestionably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lix" id="Page_lix">[lix]</a></span> more accurate than the other two +versions, in Webster, p. 347, and Baines's <i>Lancashire</i>, vol. i. p. +604:<a name="FNanchor_40_43" id="FNanchor_40_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_43" class="fnanchor">[40]</a>—</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">"<span class="smcap">The Examination of Edmund Robinson</span>,</p> + +<p>"Son of <i>Edm. Robinson</i>, of <i>Pendle</i> forest, mason,<a name="FNanchor_41_44" id="FNanchor_41_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_44" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lx" id="Page_lx">[lx]</a></span> at +<i>Padiham</i> before <i>Richard Shuttleworth</i><a name="FNanchor_42_45" id="FNanchor_42_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_45" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> and <i>John Starkie</i>,<a name="FNanchor_43_46" id="FNanchor_43_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_46" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> +Esqs. two of his majesty's justices of the peace, within the county of +<i>Lancaster</i>, 10th of February, A.D. 1633.</p> + +<p>"Who informeth upon oath, (beeinge examined concerninge the greate +meetings of the witches) and saith, that upon All-saints day last +past, hee, this informer, beeinge with one <i>Henry Parker</i>, a neare +doore neighbor to him in <i>Wheatley-lane</i>,<a name="FNanchor_44_47" id="FNanchor_44_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_47" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> desyred the said +<i>Parker</i> to give him leave to get some bulloes,<a name="FNanchor_45_48" id="FNanchor_45_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_48" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> which hee did. In +which tyme of gettinge bulloes, hee sawe two greyhounds, viz. a blacke +and a browne one, came runninge over the next field towards him, he +verily thinkinge the one of them to bee Mr. <i>Nutters</i>,<a name="FNanchor_46_49" id="FNanchor_46_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_49" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxi" id="Page_lxi">[lxi]</a></span> the +other to bee Mr. <i>Robinsons</i>,<a name="FNanchor_47_50" id="FNanchor_47_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_50" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> the said Mr. <i>Nutter</i> and Mr. +<i>Robinson</i> havinge then such like. And the said greyhounds came to him +and fawned on him, they havinge about theire necks either of them a +coller, and to either of which collers was tyed a stringe, which +collers as this informer affirmeth did shine like gould, and hee +thinkinge that some either of Mr. <i>Nutter's</i> or Mr. <i>Robinson's</i> +family should have followed them: but seeinge noe body to followe +them, he tooke the said greyhounds thinkinge to hunt with them, and +presently a hare did rise very neare before him, at the sight whereof +he cryed, loo, loo, but the dogges would not run. Whereupon beeinge +very angry, he tooke them, and with the strings that were at theire +collers tyed either of them to a little bush on the next hedge, and +with a rod that hee had in his hand, hee bett them. And in stede of +the blacke greyhound, one <i>Dickonson</i> wife stoode up (a neighb<sup>r</sup>.) +whom this informer knoweth, and in steade of the browne greyhound a +little boy whom this informer knoweth not. At which sight this +informer beeinge affraid indevoured to run away: but beeinge stayed by +the woman, viz. by <i>Dickonson's</i> wife, shee put her hand into her +pocket, and pulled out a peace of silver much like to a faire +shillinge, and offered to give him to hould his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxii" id="Page_lxii">[lxii]</a></span> tongue, and not to +tell, whiche hee refused, sayinge, nay thou art a witch; Whereupon +shee put her hand into her pocket againe, and pulled out a stringe +like unto a bridle<a name="FNanchor_48_51" id="FNanchor_48_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_51" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> that gingled, which shee put upon the litle +boyes heade that stood up in the browne greyhounds steade; whereupon +the said boy stood up a white horse. Then immediately the said +<i>Dickonson</i> wife tooke this informer before her upon the said horse, +and carried him to a new house called <i>Hoarestones</i>,<a name="FNanchor_49_52" id="FNanchor_49_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_52" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> beinge about +a quarter of a mile off, whither, when they were comme, there were +divers persons about the doore, and hee sawe divers others cominge +rideinge upon horses of severall colours towards the said house, which +tyed theire horses to a hedge neare to the sed house; and which +persons went into the sed house, to the number of threescore or +thereabouts, as this informer thinketh, where they had a fyer and +meate roastinge, and some other meate stirringe in the house, whereof +a yonge woman whom hee this informer knoweth not, gave him flesh and +breade upon a trencher, and drinke in a glasse, which, after the first +taste, hee refused, and would have noe more, and said it was nought. +And presently after, seeinge diverse of the company goinge to a barn +neare adioyneinge,<a name="FNanchor_50_53" id="FNanchor_50_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_53" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> hee followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxiii" id="Page_lxiii">[lxiii]</a></span> after, and there he sawe sixe of +them kneelinge, and pullinge at sixe severall roapes which were +fastened or tyed to ye toppe of the house; at or with which pullinge +came then in this informers sight flesh smoakeinge, butter in lumps, +and milke as it were syleinge<a name="FNanchor_51_54" id="FNanchor_51_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_54" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> from the said roapes, all which fell +into basons whiche were placed under the saide roapes. And after that +these sixe had done, there came other sixe which did likewise, and +duringe all the tyme of theire so pullinge, they made such foule faces +that feared<a name="FNanchor_52_55" id="FNanchor_52_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_55" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> this informer, soe as hee was glad to steale out and +run home, whom, when they wanted, some of theire company came runninge +after him neare to a place in a high way, called Boggard-hole,<a name="FNanchor_53_56" id="FNanchor_53_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_56" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> +where this informer met two horsemen, at the sight whereof the sed +persons left followinge him, and the foremost of which persons yt +followed him, hee knoweth to bee one <i>Loynd</i> wife, which said wife, +together with one <i>Dickonson</i> wife, and one <i>Jenet Davies</i><a name="FNanchor_54_57" id="FNanchor_54_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_57" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> he hath +seene at severall tymes in a croft or close adioninge to his fathers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxiv" id="Page_lxiv">[lxiv]</a></span> +house, whiche put him in a greate feare. And further, this informer +saith, upon Thursday after New Yeares day last past, he sawe the sed +<i>Loynd</i> wife sittinge upon a crosse peece of wood, beeinge within the +chimney of his father's dwellinge house, and hee callinge to her, +said, come downe thou <i>Loynd</i> wife, and immediately the sed <i>Loynd</i> +wife went up out of his sight. And further, this informer saith, yt +after hee was comme from ye company aforesed to his father's house, +beeinge towards eveninge, his father bad him goe fetch home two kyne +to seale,<a name="FNanchor_55_58" id="FNanchor_55_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_58" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> and in the way, in a field called the Ollers, hee +chanced to hap upon a boy, who began to quarrell with him, and they +fought soe together till this informer had his eares made very bloody +by fightinge, and lookinge downe, hee sawe the boy had a cloven foote, +at which sight hee was affraid, and ran away from him to seeke the +kyne. And in the way hee sawe a light like a lanthorne, towards which +he made hast, supposinge it to bee carried by some of Mr. <i>Robinson's</i> +people: But when hee came to the place, hee onley found a woman +standinge on a bridge, whom, when hee sawe her, he knewe to bee +<i>Loynd</i> wife, and knowinge her, he turned backe againe, and immediatly +hee met with ye aforesed boy, from whom he offered to run, which boy +gave him a blow on the back which caus'd him to cry. And hee farther +saith, yt when hee was in the barne, he sawe three women take three +pictures from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxv" id="Page_lxv">[lxv]</a></span> off the beame, in the which pictures many thornes, or +such like things sticked, and yt <i>Loynd</i> wife tooke one of the said +pictures downe, but thother two women yt tooke thother two pictures +downe hee knoweth not.<a name="FNanchor_56_59" id="FNanchor_56_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_59" class="fnanchor">[56]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxvi" id="Page_lxvi">[lxvi]</a></span> And beeinge further asked, what persons +were at ye meeteinge aforesed, hee nominated these persons hereafter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxvii" id="Page_lxvii">[lxvii]</a></span> +mentioned, viz. <i>Dickonson</i> wife, <i>Henry Priestley</i> wife and her sone, +<i>Alice Hargreaves</i> widdowe, <i>Jennet Davies</i>, <i>Wm.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxviii" id="Page_lxviii">[lxviii]</a></span> <i>Davies</i>, uxor. +<i>Hen. Jacks</i> and her sone <i>John</i>, <i>James Hargreaves</i> of <i>Marsden</i>, +<i>Miles</i> wife of <i>Dicks</i>, <i>James</i> wife,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxix" id="Page_lxix">[lxix]</a></span> <i>Saunders</i> sicut credit, +<i>Lawrence</i> wife of <i>Saunders</i>, <i>Loynd</i> wife, <i>Buys</i> wife of +<i>Barrowford</i>, one <i>Holgate</i> and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxx" id="Page_lxx">[lxx]</a></span> wife sicut credit, <i>Little Robin</i> +wife of <i>Leonard's</i>, of the <i>West Cloase</i>.<a name="FNanchor_57_61" id="FNanchor_57_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_61" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxi" id="Page_lxxi">[lxxi]</a></span></p><p>"<i>Edmund Robinson</i> of <i>Pendle</i>, father of ye sd <i>Edmunde Robinson</i>, +the aforesaid informer, upon oath saith, that upon <i>All Saints' Day</i>, +he sent his sone, the aforesed informer, to fetch home two kyne to +seale, and saith yt hee thought his sone stayed longer than he should +have done, went to seeke him, and in seekinge him, heard him cry very +pittifully, and found him soe afraid and distracted, yt hee neither +knew his father, nor did know where he was, and so continued very +neare a quarter of an hower before he came to himselfe,<a name="FNanchor_58_62" id="FNanchor_58_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_62" class="fnanchor">[58]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxii" id="Page_lxxii">[lxxii]</a></span> and he +tould this informer, his father, all the particular passages yt are +before declared in the said <i>Edmund Robinson</i>, his sone's +information."</p> + +<p>The name of Margaret Johnson does not appear in Edmund Robinson's +examination. Whether accused or not, the opportunity was too alluring +to be lost by a personage full of matter, being like old Mause +Headrigg, "as a bottle that lacketh vent," and too desirous of +notoriety, to let slip such an occasion. She made, on the 2nd of March +following, before the same justices who had taken Robinson's +examination, the following confession, which must have been considered +a most instructive one by those who were in search of some short <i>vade +mecum</i> of the statistics of witchcraft in Pendle:—</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center">"<span class="smcap">The Confession of Margaret Johnson</span>.</p> + +<p>"That betwixt seaven and eight yeares since, shee beeinge in her owne +house in <i>Marsden</i>, in a greate passion of anger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxiii" id="Page_lxxiii">[lxxiii]</a></span> and discontent, and +withall pressed with some want, there appeared unto her a spirit or +devill in ye proportion or similitude of a man, apparrelled in a suite +of blacke, tyed about with silk points, who offered yt if shee would +give him her soule hee would supply all her wants, and bringe to her +whatsoever shee did neede. And at her appointment would in revenge +either kill or hurt whom or what shee desyred, weare it man or beast. +And saith, yt after a solicitation or two shee contracted and +covenanted with ye said devill for her soule. And yt ye said devill or +spirit badde her call him by the name of <i>Mamilian</i>. And when shee +would have him to doe any thinge for her, call in <i>Mamilian</i>, and hee +would bee ready to doe her will. And saith, yt in all her talke or +conference shee calleth her said devill, <i>Mamil</i> my God. Shee further +saith, yt ye said <i>Mamilian</i>, her devill, (by her consent) did abuse +and defile her body by comittinge wicked uncleannesse together. And +saith, yt shee was not at the greate meetings at <i>Hoarestones</i>, at the +forest of <i>Pendle</i>, upon All-Saints Day, where ——. But saith yt shee +was at a second meetinge ye Sunday next after All-Saints Day, at the +place aforesaid; where there was at yt tyme between 30 and 40 witches, +who did all ride to the said meetinge, and the end of theire said +meeting was to consult for the killinge and hurtinge of men and +beasts. And yt besides theire particular familiars or spirits, there +was one greate or grand devill or spirit more eminent than the rest. +And if any desyre to have a greate and more wonderfull devill, whereby +they may have more power to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxiv" id="Page_lxxiv">[lxxiv]</a></span> hurt, they may have one such. And sayth, +yt such witches as have sharp bones given them by the devill to pricke +them, have no pappes or dugges whereon theire devill may sucke, but +theire devill receiveth bloud from the place, pricked with the bone. +And they are more grand witches than any yt have marks. Shee allsoe +saith, yt if a witch have but one marke, shee hath but one spirit, if +two then two spirits, if three yet but two spirits. And saith, yt +theire spirits usually have knowledge of theire bodies. And being +desyred to name such as shee knewe to be witches, shee named, &c.<a name="FNanchor_59_63" id="FNanchor_59_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_63" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> +And if they would torment a man, they bid theire spirit goe and tormt. +him in any particular place. And yt Good-Friday is one constant day +for a yearely generall meetinge of witches. And yt on Good-Friday +last, they had a meetinge neare <i>Pendle</i> water syde. Shee alsoe saith, +that men witches usually have women spirits, and women witches men +spirits. And theire devill or spirit gives them notice of theire +meetinge, and tells them the place where it must bee. And saith, if +they desyre to be in any place upon a sodaine, theire devill or spirit +will upon a rodde, dogge, or any thinge els, presently convey them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxv" id="Page_lxxv">[lxxv]</a></span> +thither: yea, into any roome of a man's house. But shee saith it is +not the substance of theire bodies, but theire spirit assumeth such +form and shape as goe into such roomes. Shee alsoe saith, yt ye devill +(after he begins to sucke) will make a pappe or dugge in a short tyme, +and the matter which hee sucks is blood. And saith yt theire devills +can cause foule weather and storms, and soe did at theire meetings. +Shee alsoe saith yt when her devill did come to sucke her pappe, hee +usually came to her in ye liknes of a cat, sometymes of one colour and +sometymes of an other. And yt since this trouble befell her, her +spirit hath left her, and shee never sawe him since."</p> + +<p>On the evidence contained in these examinations several persons were +committed for trial at Lancaster, and seventeen, on being tried at the +ensuing assizes, were found guilty by the jury. The judge before whom +the trial took place was, however, more sagacious and enlightened than +his predecessors, Bromley and Altham. He respited the execution of the +prisoners; and on the case being reported to the king in council, the +Bishop of Chester, Dr. Bridgman, was required to investigate the +circumstances. The inquiry was instituted at Chester, and four of the +convicted witches, namely, Margaret Johnson, Frances Dickonson, Mary +Spencer, and the wife of one of the Hargreaves's, were sent to London, +and examined, first by the king's physicians and surgeons, and +afterwards by Charles the first in person.</p> + +<p>"A stranger scene" to quote Dr. Whitaker's concluding paragraph "can +scarcely be conceived; and it is not easy to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxvi" id="Page_lxxvi">[lxxvi]</a></span> imagine whether the +untaught manners, rude dialect, and uncouth appearance of these poor +foresters, would more astonish the king; or his dignity of person and +manners, together with the splendid scene with which they were +surrounded, would overwhelm them. The end, however, of the business +was, that strong presumptions appeared of the boy having been suborned +to accuse them falsely, and they were accordingly dismissed. The boy +afterwards confessed that he was suborned."<a name="FNanchor_60_64" id="FNanchor_60_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_64" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p> + +<p>In Dr. Whitaker's astonishment that Margaret Johnson should make the +confession she appears to have done, in a clear case of imposture, few +of his readers will be disposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxvii" id="Page_lxxvii">[lxxvii]</a></span> to participate, who are at all +conversant with the trials of reputed witches in this country. +Confessions were so common on those occasions, that there is, I +believe, not a single instance of any great number of persons being +convicted of witchcraft at one time, some of whom did not make a +confession of guilt. Nor is there anything extraordinary in that +circumstance, when it is remembered that many of them sincerely +believed in the existence of the powers attributed to them; and +others, aged and of weak understanding, were, in a measure, coerced by +the strong persuasion of their guilt, which all around them +manifested, into an acquiescence in the truth of the accusation. In +many cases the confessions were made in the hope, and no doubt with +the promise, seldom performed, that a respite from punishment would be +eventually granted. In other instances, there is as little doubt, that +they were the final results of irritation, agony, and despair.<a name="FNanchor_61_65" id="FNanchor_61_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_65" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> The +confessions are generally composed of "such stuff as dreams are made +of," and what they report to have occurred, might either proceed, when +there was no intention to fabricate, from intertwining the fantastic +threads which sometimes stream upon the waking senses from the land of +shadows, or be caused by those ocular hallucinations of which medical +science has supplied full and satisfactory solution. There is no +argument which so long maintained its ground in support of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxviii" id="Page_lxxviii">[lxxviii]</a></span> witchcraft +as that which was founded on the confessions referred to. It was the +last plank clung to by many a witch-believing lawyer and divine. And +yet there is none which will less bear critical scrutiny and +examination, or the fallacy of which can more easily be shown, if any +particular reported confession is taken as a test and subjected to a +searching analysis and inquiry.</p> + +<p>It is said that we owe to the grave and saturnine Monarch, who +extended his pardon to the seventeen convicted in 1633, that happy +generalisation of the term, which appropriates honourably to the sex +in Lancashire the designation denoting the fancied crime of a few +miserable victims of superstition. That gentle sex will never +repudiate a title bestowed by one, little given to the playful sports +of fancy, whose sorrows and unhappy fate have never wanted their +commiseration, and who distinguished himself on this memorable +occasion, at a period when</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"'twas the time's plague<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That madmen led the blind,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>—in days when philosophy stumbled and murder arrayed itself in the +robes of justice—by an enlightened exercise of the kingly prerogative +of mercy. Proceeding from such a fountain of honour, and purified by +such an appropriation, the title of witch has long lost its original +opprobrium in the County Palatine, and survives only to call forth the +gayest and most delightful associations. In process of time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxix" id="Page_lxxix">[lxxix]</a></span> even the +term <i>witchfinder</i> may lose the stains which have adhered to it from +the atrocities of Hopkins, and may be adopted by general usage, as a +sort of companion phrase, to signify the fortunate individual, who, by +an union with a Lancashire witch, has just asserted his indefeasible +title to be considered as the happiest of men.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">J.C.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p style="text-align: center"><a name="DISCOVERIE" id="DISCOVERIE"></a><b>THE</b><br /> +<span class="largest">W O N D E R F V L L</span><br /> +<span class="larger">DISCOVERIE OF</span><br /> +<b>WITCHES, &c.</b> +</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>THE</b><br /> +<span class="largest">W O N D E R F V L L</span><br /> +<span class="larger">D I S C O V E R I E  O F</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">WITCHES IN THE COVNTIE</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">OF LANCASTER.</span> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="larger">With  the  Arraignement  and  Triall  of</span><br /> +<b>Nineteene notorious <span class="smcap">Witches</span>, at the Assizes and<br /> +generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at the Castle of<br /> +<span class="smcap">Lancaster</span>, <i>vpon Munday, the seuenteenth</i><br /> +<i>of August last</i>,</b><br /> +<span class="larger">1612.</span> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="larger">Before  Sir <span class="smcap"> I a m e s  A l t h a m</span>,  and</span><br /> +<b>Sir <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span>, Knights; <span class="smcap">Barons</span> of his<br /> +Maiesties Court of <span class="smcap">Excheqver</span>: And Iustices<br /> +<i>of Assize</i>, Oyer <i>and</i> Terminor, <i>and generall</i><br /> +Gaole deliuerie in the circuit of the<br /> +<i>North Parts.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b>Together  with  the  Arraignement  and  Triall  of <span class="smcap"> Iennet</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Preston</span>, <i>at the Assizes holden at the Castle of Yorke</i>,<br /> +<i>the seuen and twentieth day of Iulie last past</i>,<br /> +with her Execution for the murther<br /> +of Master <span class="smcap">Lister</span><br /> +<i>by Witchcraft.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b>Published and set forth by commandement of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assize in the North Parts.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><i>By</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas Potts</span> <i>Esquier.</i></b></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +LONDON,<br /> +Printed by <i>W. Stansby</i> for <i>John Barnes</i>, dwelling neare<br /> +Holborne Conduit. <b>1613.</b><br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image03.png" width="500" height="87" alt="decoration" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="largest">T O  T H E  R I G H T  H O N O R A B L E,</span><br /> +<span class="larger"> <i>THOMAS</i>, LORD KNYVET, BARON OF ESCRICK</span><br /> +<b>in the Countie of Yorke, my very honorable</b><br /> +<b><i>good Lord and Master.</i></b><a href="#A1">[A1]</a><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="smcap">And</span><br /> +<span class="larger">T O  T H E  R I G H T  H O N O R A B L E</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>AND VERTVOVS LADIE, THE</i></span><br /> +<b><i>Ladie</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Knyvet</span> <i>his Wife, my</i><br /> +honorable good Ladie and<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mistris</span>.</b><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Right Honorable</span>,</p> + +<p><img src="images/image04.png" alt="L" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p><i>ET it stand (I beseech you) with your fauours whom profession of +the same true Religion towards God, and so great loue hath vnited +together in one, Jointly to accept the Protection and Patronage of +these my labours, which not their owne worth hath encouraged, but your +Worthinesse hath enforced me to consecrate vnto your Honours.</i></p> + +<p><i>To you (Right Honourable my very good Lord) of Right doe they belong: +for to whom shall I rather present their first fruits of my learning +then to your Lordship: who nourished then both mee and them, when +there was scarce any being to mee or them? And whose iust and vpright +carriage of causes, whose zeale to Justice and Honourable curtesie to +all men, have purchased you a Reuerend and worthie Respect of all men +in all partes of this Kingdome, where you are knowne. And to your good +Ladiship they doe of great right belong likewise; Whose Religion, +Iustice, and Honourable admittance of my Vnworthie Seruice to your +Ladiship do challenge at my handes the vttermost of what euer I may +bee able to performe.</i></p> + +<p><i>Here is nothing of my own act worthie to bee commended to your +Honours, it is the worke, of those Reuerend Magistrates, His Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes in the North partes, and no more then a Particular +Declaration of the proceedings of Iustice in those partes. Here shall +you behold the Iustice of this Land, truely administred</i>, <span class="smcap">Prœmium & +Pœnam</span>, <i>Mercie and Iudgement, freely and indifferently bestowed and +inflicted; And aboue all thinges to bee remembred, the excellent care +of these Iudges in the Triall of offendors.</i></p> + +<p><i>It hath pleased them out of their respect to mee to impose this worke +vpon mee, and according to my vnderstanding, I haue taken paines to +finish, and now confirmed by their Iudgement to publish the same, for +the benefit of my Countrie. That the example of these conuicted vpon +their owne Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence at the Barre, may +worke good in others, Rather by with-holding them from, then +imboldening them to, the Atchieuing such desperate actes as these or +the like.</i></p> + +<p><i>These are some part of the fruits of my time spent in the Seruice of +my Countrie, Since by your Graue and Reuerend Counsell (my Good Lord) +I reduced my wauering and wandring thoughts to a more quiet harbour of +repose.</i></p> + +<p><i>If it please your Honours to giue them your Honourable respect, the +world may iudge them the more worthie of acceptance, to whose various +censures they are now exposed.</i></p> + +<p><i>God of Heauen whose eies are on them that feare him, to bee their +Protector and guide, behold your Honours with the eye of fauor, be +euermore your strong hold, and your great reward, and blesse you with +blessings in this life, Externall and Internall, Temporall and +Spirituall, and with Eternall happines in the World to come: to which +I commend your Honours; And rest both now and euer, From my Lodging +in Chancerie Lane, the sixteenth of Nouember 1612.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Your Honours</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center">humbly deuoted</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">Seruant,</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Thomas Potts.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p> +<img src="images/image05.png" alt="V" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Pon the Arraignement and triall of these Witches at the last +Assizes and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster, wee found +such apparent matters against them, that we thought it necessarie to +publish them to the World, and thereupon imposed the labour of this +Worke vpon this Gentleman, by reason of his place, being a Clerke at +that time in Court, imploied in the Arraignement and triall of them.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right"><i>Ja. Altham.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: right"><i>Edw. Bromley.</i><a href="#A2">[A2]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><img src="images/image06.png" alt="A" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p><i>Fter he had taken great paines to finish it, I tooke vpon mee to +reuise and correct it, that nothing might passe but matter of Fact, +apparant against them by record. It is very little he hath inserted, +and that necessarie, to shew what their offences were, what people, +and of what condition they were: The whole proceedings and Euidence +against them, I finde vpon examination carefully set forth, and truely +reported, and iudge the worke fit and worthie to be published.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: right">Edward Bromley.<a href="#A3">[A3]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Gentle Reader, although the care of this Gentleman the +Author, was great to examine and publish this his worke +perfect according to the Honorable testimonie of the Iudges, +yet some faults are committed by me in the Printing, and yet +not many, being a worke done in such great haste, at the end +of a Tearme, which I pray you, with your fauour to excuse.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image07.png" alt="woodcut" width="250" height="247" /></p> + + +<p> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image08.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="78" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="largest">A  p a r t i c u l a r  D e c l a r a t i o n  o f</span><br /> +<span class="larger">the  most  barberous  and  damnable  Practises,</span><br /> +<b>Murthers,  +wicked  and  diuelish  Conspiracies,  practized<br /> +<i>and executed by the most dangerous and malitious</i><br /> +Witch <i>Elizabeth Sowthernes</i> alias <i>Demdike</i>,<br /> +of the Forrest of <i>Pendle</i> in the Countie of<br /> +<i>Lancaster</i> Widdow, who died in the<br /> +Castle at <i>Lancaster</i> before she<br /> +came to receiue her tryall.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image09.png" alt="T" width="126" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Hough publique iustice hath passed at these Assises vpon the +Capitall offendours, and after the Arraignement & tryall of them, +Iudgement being giuen, due and timely Execution succeeded; which doth +import and giue the greatest satisfaction that can be, to all men; yet +because vpon the caryage, and euent of this businesse, the Eyes of all +the partes of <i>Lancashire</i>, and other Counties in the North partes +thereunto adioyning were bent: And so infinite a multitude came to the +Arraignement & tryall of these Witches at <i>Lancaster</i>, the number of +them being knowen to exceed all others at any time heretofore, at one +time to be indicted, arraigned, and receiue their tryall,<a href="#Ba">[B<i>a</i>]</a> +especially for so many Murders, Conspiracies, Charmes, Meetinges, +hellish and damnable practises, so apparant vpon their owne +examinations & confessions. These my honourable & worthy Lords, the +Iudges of Assise, vpon great consideration, thought it necessarie & +profitable, to publish to the whole world, their most barbarous and +damnable practises, with the direct proceedinges of the Court against +them, aswell for that there doe passe diuers vncertaine reportes and +relations of such Euidences, as was publiquely giuen against them at +their Arraignement. As for that diuers came to prosecute against many +of them that were not found guiltie, and so rest very discontented, +and not satisfied. As also for that it is necessary for men to know +and vnderstande the meanes whereby they worke their mischiefe, the +hidden misteries of their diuelish and wicked Inchauntmentes, Charmes, +and Sorceries, the better to preuent and auoyde the danger that may +ensue. And lastly, who were the principall authors and actors in this +late woefull and lamentable <i>Tragedie</i>, wherein so much Blood was +spilt.</p> + +<p>Therefore I pray you giue me leaue, (with your patience and fauour,) +before I proceed to the Indictment, Arraignement, and Tryall of such +as were prisoners in the Castle, to lay open the life and death of +this damnable and malicious Witch, of so long continuance (old +<i>Demdike</i>) of whom our whole businesse hath such dependence, that +without the particular Declaration and Record of her Euidence, with +the circumstaunces, wee shall neuer bring any thing to good +perfection: for from this Sincke of villanie and mischiefe, haue all +the rest proceeded; as you shall haue them in order.</p> + +<p>She was a very old woman, about the age of Fourescore<a href="#Bb">[B<i>b</i>]</a> yeares, +and had been a Witch for fiftie yeares. Shee dwelt in the Forrest of +<i>Pendle</i>, a vaste place, fitte for her profession: What shee committed +in her time, no man knowes.</p> + +<p>Thus liued shee securely for many yeares, brought vp her owne +Children, instructed her Graund-children, and tooke great care and +paines to bring them to be Witches. Shee was a generall agent for the +Deuill in all these partes: no man escaped her, or her Furies, that +euer gaue them any occasion of offence, or denyed them any thing they +stood need of: And certaine it is, no man neere them, was secure or +free from danger.</p> + +<p>But God, who had in his diuine prouidence prouided to cut them off, +and roote them out of the Commonwealth, so disposed aboue, that the +Iustices of those partes, vnderstanding by a generall charme and +muttering, the great and vniuersall resort to <i>Maulking Tower</i>, the +common opinion, with the report of these suspected people, the +complaint of the Kinges subiectes for the losse of their Children, +Friendes, Goodes, and Cattle, (as there could not be so great Fire +without some Smoake,) sent for some of the Countrey, and tooke great +paynes to enquire after their proceedinges, and courses of life.</p> + +<p>In the end, <i>Roger Nowell</i> Esquire,<a href="#B2a">[B2<i>a</i>]</a> one of his Maiesties +Iustices in these partes, a very religious honest Gentleman, painefull +in the seruice of his Countrey: whose fame for this great seruice to +his Countrey, shall liue after him, tooke vpon him to enter into the +particular examination of these suspected persons: And to the honour +of God, and the great comfort of all his Countrey, made such a +discouery of them in order, as the like hath not been heard of: which +for your better satisfaction, I haue heere placed in order against +her, as they are vpon Record, amongst the Recordes of the <i>Crowne</i> at +<i>Lancaster</i>, certified by M. <i>Nowell</i>, and others.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image10.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="82" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="largest">T h e  v o l u n t a r i e  C o n f e s s i o n</span><br /> +<b>and Examination of <i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i> alias<br /> +<i>Demdike</i>, taken at the Fence in the Forrest<br /> +of <i>Pendle</i> in the Countie<br /> +of <i>Lancaster.</i><br /> +<br /> +The  second  day  of  Aprill,  <i>Annoq;  Regni  Regis  Iacobi<br /> +Anggliæ, &c. Decimo, et Scotiæ, Quadragesimo quinto;</i><br /> +Before <i>Roger Nowell</i> of <i>Reade</i> Esquire, one of his<br /> +Maiesties Iustices of the peace within<br /> +the sayd Countie, <i>Viz.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image11.png" alt="T" width="126" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>He said <i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i> confesseth, and sayth; That about +twentie yeares past, as she was comming homeward from begging, there +met her this Examinate neere vnto a Stonepit in <i>Gouldshey</i>,<a href="#B2b1">[B2<i>b</i>1]</a> +in the sayd Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>, a Spirit or Deuill in the shape of a +Boy, the one halfe of his Coate blacke, and the other browne, who bade +this Examinate stay, saying to her, that if she would giue him her +Soule, she should haue any thing that she would request. Wherevpon +this Examinat demaunded his name? and the Spirit answered, his name +was <i>Tibb</i>:<a href="#B2b2">[B2<i>b</i>2]</a> and so this Examinate in hope of such gaine as was +promised by the sayd Deuill or <i>Tibb</i>, was contented to giue her Soule +to the said Spirit: And for the space of fiue or sixe yeares next +after, the sayd Spirit or Deuill appeared at sundry times vnto her +this Examinate about <i>Day-light</i> Gate,<a href="#B2b3">[B2<i>b</i>3]</a> alwayes bidding her +stay, and asking her this Examinate what she would haue or doe? To +whom this Examinate replyed, Nay nothing: for she this Examinate said, +she wanted nothing yet. And so about the end of the said sixe yeares, +vpon a Sabboth day in the morning, this Examinate hauing a litle Child +vpon her knee, and she being in a slumber, the sayd Spirit appeared +vnto her in the likenes of a browne Dogg, forcing himselfe to her +knee, to get blood vnder her left Arme: and she being without any +apparrell sauing her Smocke, the said Deuill did get blood vnder her +left arme.<a href="#B3a1">[B3<i>a</i>1]</a> And this Examinate awaking, sayd, <i>Iesus saue my +Child</i>; but had no power, nor could not say, <i>Iesus saue her selfe</i>: +wherevpon the Browne Dogge vanished out of this Examinats sight: after +which, this Examinate was almost starke madd for the space of eight +weekes.</p> + +<p>And vpon her examination, she further confesseth, and saith. That a +little before Christmas last, this Examinates Daughter hauing been to +helpe <i>Richard Baldwyns</i> Folkes at the Mill: This Examinates Daughter +did bid her this Examinate goe to the sayd <i>Baldwyns</i> house, and aske +him some thing for her helping of his Folkes at the Mill, (as +aforesaid:) and in this Examinates going to the said <i>Baldwyns</i> house, +and neere to the sayd house, she mette with the said <i>Richard +Baldwyn</i>; Which <i>Baldwyn</i> sayd to this Examinate, and the said <i>Alizon +Deuice</i><a href="#B3a3">[B3<i>a</i>3]</a> (who at that time ledde this Examinate, being blinde) +get out of my ground Whores and Witches, I will burne the one of you, +and hang the other.<a href="#B3a2">[B3<i>a</i>2]</a> To whom this Examinate answered: I care +not for thee, hang thy selfe: Presently wherevpon, at this Examinates +going ouer the next hedge, the said Spirit or Diuell called <i>Tibb</i>, +appeared vnto this Examinat, and sayd, <i>Reuenge thee of him</i>. To whom, +this Examinate sayd againe to the said Spirit. <i>Revenge thee eyther of +him, or his.</i> And so the said Spirit vanished out of her sight, and +she neuer saw him since.</p> + +<p>And further this Examinate confesseth, and sayth, that the speediest +way to take a mans life away by Witchcraft, is to make a Picture of +Clay,<a href="#B3b">[B3<i>b</i>]</a> like vnto the shape of the person whom they meane to +kill, & dry it thorowly: and when they would haue them to be ill in +any one place more then an other; then take a Thorne or Pinne, and +pricke it in that part of the Picture you would so haue to be ill: and +when you would haue any part of the Body to consume away, then take +that part of the Picture, and burne it. And when they would haue the +whole body to consume away, then take the remnant of the sayd Picture, +and burne it: and so therevpon by that meanes, the body shall die.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">The  Confession  and  Examination</span><br /> +<span class="larger">of  Anne  Whittle  <i>alias</i>  Chattox,  being</span><br /> +<b>Prisoner at <i>Lancaster</i>; taken the 19 day of May,</b><br /> +<b><i>Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi Angliæ, Decimo:</i><br /> +<i>ac Scotie Quadragesimo quinto</i>; Before<br /> +<i>William Sandes</i> Maior of the Borrough<br /> +towne of <i>Lancaster.</i><br /> +<br /> +<i>Iames Anderton</i> of <i>Clayton</i>, one of his Maiesties Iustices<br /> +of Peace within the same County, and <i>Thomas<br /> +Cowell</i> one of his Maiesties Coroners in<br /> +the sayd Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +<i>Viz.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image12.png" alt="F" width="126" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Irst, the sayd <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, sayth, that about +foureteene yeares past she entered, through the wicked perswasions and +counsell of <i>Elizabeth Southerns</i>, alias <i>Demdike</i>, and was seduced to +condescend & agree to become subiect vnto that diuelish abhominable +profession of Witchcraft: Soone after which, the Deuill appeared vnto +her in the liknes of a Man, about midnight, at the house of the sayd +<i>Demdike</i>: and therevpon the sayd <i>Demdike</i> and shee, went foorth of +the said house vnto him; wherevpon the said wicked Spirit mooued this +Examinate, that she would become his Subiect, and giue her Soule vnto +him: the which at first, she refused to assent vnto; but after, by the +great perswasions made by the sayd <i>Demdike</i>, shee yeelded to be at +his commaundement and appoyntment: wherevpon the sayd wicked Spirit +then sayd vnto her, that hee must haue one part of her body for him to +sucke vpon; the which shee denyed then to graunt vnto him; and withall +asked him, what part of her body hee would haue for that vse; who +said, hee would haue a place of her right side neere to her ribbes, +for him to sucke vpon: whereunto shee assented.</p> + +<p>And she further sayth, that at the same time, there was a thing in the +likenes of a spotted Bitch, that came with the sayd Spirit vnto the +sayd <i>Demdike</i>, which then did speake vnto her in this Examinates +hearing, and sayd, that she should haue Gould, Siluer, and worldly +Wealth, at her will.<a href="#B4b1">[B4<i>b</i>1]</a> And at the same time she saith, there was +victuals, <i>viz.</i> Flesh, Butter, Cheese, Bread, and Drinke, and bidde +them eate enough. And after their eating, the Deuill called <i>Fancie</i>, +and the other Spirit calling himselfe <i>Tibbe</i>, carried the remnant +away: And she sayeth, that although they did eate, they were neuer the +fuller, nor better for the same; and that at their said Banquet, the +said Spirits gaue them light to see what they did, although they +neyther had fire nor Candle light; and that they were both shee +Spirites, and Diuels.</p> + +<p>And being further examined how many sundry Person haue been bewitched +to death, and by whom they were so bewitched: She sayth, that one +<i>Robert Nuter</i>, late of the <i>Greene-head</i> in <i>Pendle</i>, was bewitched +by this Examinate, the said <i>Demdike</i>, and Widdow <i>Lomshawe</i>, (late of +<i>Burneley</i>) now deceased.</p> + +<p>And she further sayth, that the said <i>Demdike</i> shewed her, that she +had bewitched to death, <i>Richard Ashton</i>, Sonne of <i>Richard Ashton</i> of +<i>Downeham</i> Esquire.<a href="#B4b2">[B4<i>b</i>2]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">T h e  E x a m i n a t i o n  o f  A l i z o n</span><br /> +<span class="larger">Deuice, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the County</span><br /> +<b>of <i>Lancaster</i> Spinster, taken at <i>Reade</i> in the said<br /> +Countie of <i>Lancaster</i>, the xiij. day of March,<br /> +<i>Anno Regni Jacobi Angliæ, &c.</i><br /> +<i>Nono: et Scotiæ xlv.</i><br /> +<br /> +Before <i>Roger Nowell</i> of <i>Reade</i> aforesayd Esquire, one of<br /> +his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within the sayd<br /> +Countie, against <i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i>, alias<br /> +<i>Demdike</i> her Graund-mother.<br /> +<i>Viz.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image13.png" alt="T" width="126" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>He sayd <i>Alizon Deuice</i> sayth, that about two yeares agon, her +Graund-mother (called <i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i>, alias old <i>Demdike</i>) did +sundry times in going or walking togeather as they went begging, +perswade and aduise this Examinate to let a Deuill or Familiar appeare +vnto her; and that shee this Examinate, would let him sucke at some +part of her, and shee might haue, and doe what shee would.</p> + +<p>And she further sayth, that one <i>Iohn Nutter</i> of the <i>Bulhole</i> in +<i>Pendle</i> aforesaid, had a Cow which was sicke, & requested this +examinats Grand-mother to amend the said Cow; and her said +Graund-mother said she would, and so her said Graund-mother about ten +of the clocke in the night, desired this examinate to lead her foorth; +which this Examinate did, being then blind: and her Graund-mother did +remaine about halfe an houre foorth: and this Examinates sister did +fetch her in againe; but what she did when she was so foorth, this +Examinate cannot tell. But the next morning this Examinate heard that +the sayd Cow was dead. And this Examinate verily thinketh, that her +sayd Graund-mother did bewitch the sayd Cow to death.</p> + +<p>And further, this Examinate sayth, that about two yeares agon, this +Examinate hauing gotten a Piggin full<a href="#Cb">[C<i>b</i>]</a> of blew Milke by begging, +brought it into the house of her Graund-mother, where (this Examinate +going foorth presently, and staying about halfe an houre) there was +Butter to the quantity of a quarterne of a pound in the said milke, +and the quantitie of the said milke still remayning; and her +Graund-mother had no Butter in the house when this Examinate went +foorth: duering which time, this Examinates Graund-mother still lay in +her bed.</p> + +<p>And further this Examinate sayth, that <i>Richard Baldwin</i> of <i>Weethead</i> +within the Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>, about 2. yeeres agoe, fell out with +this Examinates Graund-mother, & so would not let her come vpon his +Land: and about foure or fiue dayes then next after, her said +Graund-mother did request this Examinate to lead her foorth about ten +of the clocke in the night: which this Examinate accordingly did, and +she stayed foorth then about an houre, and this Examinates sister +fetched her in againe. And this Examinate heard the next morning, that +a woman Child of the sayd <i>Richard Baldwins</i> was fallen sicke; and as +this Examinate did then heare, the sayd Child did languish afterwards +by the space of a yeare, or thereaboutes, and dyed: And this Examinate +verily thinketh, that her said Graund-mother did bewitch the sayd +Child to death.</p> + +<p>And further, this Examinate sayth, that she heard her sayd +Graund-mother say presently after her falling out with the sayd +<i>Baldwin</i>, shee would pray for the sayd <i>Baldwin</i> both still and +loude: and this Examinate heard her cursse the sayd <i>Baldwin</i> sundry +times.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">The Examination of <i>Iames Deuice</i> of the Forrest of</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>Pendle</i>, in the Countie of <i>Lancaster</i> Labourer, taken the</span><br /> +<b>27. day of April, <i>Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi, Angliæ, &c.</i><br /> +<i>Decimo: ac Scotie Quadragesimo quinto</i>: Before<br /> +<i>Roger Nowell and Nicholas Banister, Esq.</i><br /> +<span class="smaller">two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">the sayd Countie.</span></b><span class="smaller"><a href="#C2a">[C2<i>a</i>]</a></span><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image14.png" alt="T" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + + +<p>HE sayd Examinate <i>Iames Deuice</i> sayth, that about a month agoe, +as this Examinate was comming towards his Mothers house, and at +day-gate of the same night, <span class="sidenote"><i>Euening.</i></span> this Examinate mette +a browne Dogge comming from his Graund-mothers house, about tenne +Roodes distant from the same house: and about two or three nights +after, that this Examinate heard a voyce of a great number of Children +screiking and crying pittifully, about day-light gate; and likewise, +about ten Roodes distant of this Examinates sayd Graund-mothers house. +And about fiue nights then next following, presently after daylight, +within 20. Roodes of the sayd <i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i> house, he heard a +foule yelling like vnto a great number of Cattes: but what they were, +this Examinate cannot tell. And he further sayth, that about three +nights after that, about midnight of the same, there came a thing, and +lay vpon him very heauily about an houre, and went then from him out +of his Chamber window, coloured blacke, and about the bignesse of a +Hare or Catte. And he further sayth, that about <i>S. Peter's</i> day last, +one <i>Henry Bullocke</i> came to the sayd <i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i> house, and +sayd, that her Graund-child <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, had bewitched a Child of +his, and desired her that she would goe with him to his house; which +accordingly she did: And therevpon she the said <i>Alizon</i> fell downe on +her knees, & asked the said <i>Bullocke</i> forgiuenes, and confessed to +him, that she had bewitched the said child, as this Examinate heard +his said sister confesse vnto him this Examinate.</p> + + +<p> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image15.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="82" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">T h e  E x a m i n a t i o n  o f  E l i z a b e t h</span><br /> +<span class="larger">Deuice, Daughter of old Demdike, taken</span><br /> +<b>at <i>Read</i> before <i>Roger Nowell</i> Esquire, one of<br /> +his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the<br /> +Countie of <i>Lancaster</i> the xxx. day<br /> +of March, <i>Annoq; Regni Jacobi</i><br /> +<i>Decimo, ac Scotie xlv.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image16.png" alt="T" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>He sayd <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> the Examinate, sayth, that the sayd +<i>Elizabeth Sowtherns</i>, alias <i>Demdike</i>, hath had a place on her left +side by the space of fourty yeares, in such sort, as was to be seene +at this Examinates Examination taking, at this present time.</p> + +<p>Heere this worthy Iustice M. <i>Nowell</i>, out of these particular +Examinations, or rather Accusations, finding matter to proceed; and +hauing now before him old <i>Demdike</i>, old <i>Chattox</i>, <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, +and <i>Redferne</i> both old and young, <i>Reos confitentes, et Accusantes +Inuicem</i>. About the second of Aprill last past, committed and sent +them away to the Castle at <i>Lancaster</i>, there to remaine vntill the +comming of the Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Assise, then to receiue +their tryall.</p> + +<p>But heere they had not stayed a weeke, when their Children and +Friendes being abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at +<i>Malking Tower</i> in the Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>,<a href="#C3a">[C3<i>a</i>]</a> vpon Good-fryday, +within a weeke after they were committed, of all the most dangerous, +wicked, and damnable Witches in the County farre and neere. Vpon +Good-fryday they met, according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized +this great Feastiuall day according to their former order, with great +cheare, merry company, and much conference.</p> + +<p>In the end, in this great Assemblie, it was decreed M. <i>Couell</i> by +reason of his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises: The +Castle of <i>Lancaster</i> to be blowen vp, and ayde and assistance to be +sent to kill M. <i>Lister</i>, with his old Enemie and wicked Neighbour +<i>Iennet Preston</i>; with some other such like practices: as vpon their +Arraignement and Tryall, are particularly set foorth, and giuen in +euidence against them.</p> + +<p>This was not so secret, but some notice of it came to M. <i>Nowell</i>, and +by his great paines taken in the Examination of <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, al +their practises are now made knowen. Their purpose to kill M. +<i>Couell</i>, and blow vp the Castle, is preuented. All their Murders, +Witchcraftes, Inchauntments, Charmes, & Sorceries, are discouered; and +euen in the middest of their consultations, they are all confounded, +and arrested by Gods Iustice: brought before M. <i>Nowell</i>, and M. +<i>Bannester</i>, vpon their voluntary confessions, Examinations, and other +Euidence accused, and so by them committed to the Castle: So as now +both old and young, haue taken vp their lodgings with M. <i>Couell</i>, +vntill the next Assises, expecting their Tryall and deliuerance, +according to the Lawes prouided for such like.</p> + +<p>In the meane time, M. <i>Nowell</i> hauing knowledge by this discouery of +their meeting at <i>Malkeing Tower</i>, and their resolution to execute +mischiefe, takes great paines to apprehend such as were at libertie, +and prepared Euidence against all such as were in question for +Witches.</p> + +<p>Afterwardes sendes some of these Examinations, to the Assises at +Yorke, to be giuen in Evidence against <i>Iennet Preston</i>, who for the +murder of M. <i>Lister</i>, is condemned and executed.</p> + +<p>The Circuite of the North partes being now almost ended.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center">The 16. of August.</p> + +<p>Vpon Sunday in the after noone, my honorable Lords the Iudges of +Assise, came from <i>Kendall</i> to <i>Lancaster</i>.</p> + +<p>Wherevpon M. <i>Couell</i>, presented vnto their Lordships a Calender, +conteyning the Names of the Prisoners committed to his charge, which +were to receiue their Tryall at the Assises: Out of which, we are +onely to deale with the proceedings against Witches, which were as +followeth.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"><span class="largest">The  Names  of  the</span><br /> +<b>Witches committed to the<br /> +Castle of <i>Lancaster</i>.</b><br /> +</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Demdike"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td align="center"> +<i>Elizabeth Sowtherns.</i></td> + <td align="center">}</td> + <td align="center">Who dyed before</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="center">alias</td> + <td align="center">}</td> + <td align="center"> +shee</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="center"> +<i>Old Demdike.</i></td> + <td align="center">}</td> + <td align="center">came to her tryall.</td> + </tr> +</tbody> +</table> + +<p><i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox.</i><br /> +<i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, Daughter of old <i>Demdike.</i><br /> +<i>Iames Deuice</i>, Sonne of <i>Elizabeth Deuice.</i><br /> +<i>Anne Readfearne</i>, Daughter of <i>Anne Chattox.</i><br /> +<i>Alice Nutter.</i><br /> +<i>Katherine Hewytte.</i><br /> +<i>Iohn Bulcocke.</i><br /> +<i>Iane Bulcocke.</i><br /> +<i>Alizon Deuice</i>, Daughter of <i>Elizabeth Deuice.</i><br /> +<i>Isabell Robey.</i><br /> +<i>Magaret Pearson.</i><br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>The Witches of Salmesbury.</b></p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="witches"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> +<i>Iennet Bierley.</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Elizabeth Astley.</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> +<i>Elen Bierley.</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Alice Gray.</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> +<i>Iane Southworth.</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Isabell Sidegraues.</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> +<i>Iohn Ramesden.</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Lawrence Haye.</i></td> + </tr> +</tbody> +</table> +</div> + +<p>The next day, being Monday, the 17. of August, were the Assises holden +in the Castle of <i>Lancaster</i>, as followeth.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Placita Coronæ.</h2> + + +<p><img src="images/image17.png" alt="D" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + + +<p><span class="sidenote"><i>Lanc. fss.</i></span><i>Eliberatio Gaolæ Domini Regis Castri fui Lancasstr. ac +Prisonariorū in eadem existent. Tenta apud Lancastr. in com. +Lancastr. Die Lunæ, Decimo septimo die Augusti, Anno Regni Domini +nostri Iacobi dei gratia Anglicæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ, Regis fidei +defensoris; Decimo: et Scotiæ Quadragesimo sexto; Coram Iacobo Altham +Milit. vno Baronum Scaccarij Domini Regis, et Edwardo Bromley Milit. +altero Baronum eiusdem Scaccarij Domini Regis: ac Iustic. dicti Domini +Regis apud Lancastr.</i></p> + + +<p> </p> + + +<p><span class="dropcap">V</span>Pon the Tewesday in the after noone, the Iudges according to the +course and order, deuided them selues, where vpon my Lord <i>Bromley</i>, +one of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise comming into the Hall to +proceede with the Pleaes of the Crowne, & the Arraignement and Tryall +of Prisoners, commaunded a generall Proclamation, that all Iustices of +Peace that had taken any Recognisaunces, or Examinations of Prisoners, +should make Returne of them: And all such as were bound to prosecute +Indictmentes, and giue Euidence against Witches, should proceede, and +giue attendance: For hee now intended to proceede to the Arraignement +and Tryall of Witches.</p> + +<p>After which, the Court being set, M. Sherieffe was commaunded to +present his Prisoners before his Lordship, and prepare a sufficient +Iurie of Gentlemen for life and death. But heere we want old +<i>Demdike</i>, who dyed in the Castle before she came to her +tryall.<a href="#C4b">[C4<i>b</i>]</a></p> + +<p>Heere you may not expect the exact order of the Assises, with the +Proclamations, and other solemnities belonging to so great a Court of +Iustice; but the proceedinges against the Witches, who are now vpon +their deliuerance here in order as they came to the Barre, with the +particular poyntes of Euidence against them: which is the labour and +worke we now intend (by Gods grace) to performe as we may, to your +generall contentment.</p> + +<p>Wherevpon, the first of all these, <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias +<i>Chattox</i>,<a href="#Db">[D<i>b</i>]</a> was brought to the Barre: against whom wee are now +ready to proceed.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image18.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="93" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">T h e  A r r a i g n e m e n t  a n d</span><br /> +<span class="larger">Tryall of Anne Whittle, <i>alias</i> Chattox,</span><br /> +<b>of the Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>, in the Countie<br /> +of <i>Lancaster</i>, Widdow;<br /> +about the age of</b><br /> +<span class="smaller">Fourescore yeares,</span><br /> +<span class="smaller">or thereaboutes.</span><br /> +</p> + +<h3><i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image19.png" alt="I" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>F in this damnable course of life, and offences, more horrible and +odious, then any man is able to expresse: any man lyuing could lament +the estate of any such like vpon earth: The example of this poore +creature, would haue moued pittie, in respect of her great contrition +and repentance, after she was committed to the Castle at <i>Lancaster</i>, +vntill the comming of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise. But such was the +nature of her offences, & the multitude of her crying sinnes, as it +tooke away all sense of humanity. And the repetition of her hellish +practises, and Reuenge; being the chiefest thinges wherein she alwayes +tooke great delight, togeather with a particular declaration of the +Murders shee had committed, layde open to the world, and giuen in +Euidence against her at the time of her Arraignement and Tryall; as +certainely it did beget contempt in the Audience, and such as she +neuer offended.</p> + +<p>This <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, was a very old withered spent +and decreped creature, her sight almost gone: A dangerous Witch, of +very long continuance; alwayes opposite to old <i>Demdike</i>: For whom the +one fauoured, the other hated deadly: <span class="sidenote"><i>Her owne +examination</i></span>and how they enuie and accuse one an other, in their +Examinations, may appeare.</p> + +<p>In her Witchcraft, alwayes more ready to doe mischiefe to mens goods, +then themselues. Her lippes euer chattering and walking:<a href="#D2a1">[D2<i>a</i>1]</a> but +no man knew what. She liued in the Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>, amongst this +wicked company of dangerous Witches. Yet in her Examination and +Confession, she dealt alwayes very plainely and truely: for vpon a +speciall occasion being oftentimes examined in open Court, shee was +neuer found to vary, but alwayes to agree in one, and the selfe same +thing.</p> + +<p>I place her in order, next to that wicked fire-brand of mischiefe, old +<i>Demdike</i>, because from these two, sprung all the rest in +order:<a href="#D2a2">[D2<i>a</i>2]</a> and were the Children and Friendes, of these two +notorious Witches.</p> + +<p>Many thinges in the discouery of them, shall be very worthy your +obseruation. As the times and occasions to execute their mischiefe. +And this in generall: the Spirit could neuer hurt, till they gaue +consent.</p> + +<p>And, but that it is my charge, to set foorth a particular Declaration +of the Euidence against them, vpon their Arraignement and Tryall; with +their Diuelish practises, consultations, meetings, and murders +committed by them, in such sort, as they were giuen in Euidence +against them; for the which, I shall haue matter vpon Record. I could +make a large Comentarie of them: But it is my humble duety, to obserue +the Charge and Commaundement of these my Honorable good Lordes the +Iudges of Assise, and not to exceed the limits of my Commission. +Wherefore I shall now bring this auncient Witch, to the due course of +her Tryall, in order. <i>viz.</i></p> + + +<h3>Indictment.</h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, of the Forrest of <i>Pendle</i> in +the Countie of <i>Lancaster</i> Widdow, being Indicted, for that shee +feloniously had practised, vsed, and exercised diuers wicked and +diuelish Artes called Witchcraftes, Inchauntmentes, Charmes, and +Sorceries, in and vpon one <i>Robert Nutter</i> of <i>Greenehead</i>, in the +Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>, in the Countie of <i>Lanc</i>: and by force of the +same Witchcraft, feloniously the sayd <i>Robert Nutter</i> had killed, +<i>Contra Pacem, &c.</i> Being at the Barre, was arraigned.</p> + +<p>To this Indictment, vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded, Not guiltie: +and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and her +Country.</p> + +<p>Wherevpon my Lord <i>Bromley</i> commaunded M. Sheriffe of the County of +<i>Lancaster</i> in open Court, to returne a Iurie of worthy sufficient +Gentlemen of vnderstanding, to passe betweene our soueraigne Lord the +Kinges Maiestie, and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues +and deathes; as hereafter follow in order: who were afterwardes +sworne, according to the forme and order of the Court, the Prisoners +being admitted to their lawfull challenges.</p> + +<p>Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre readie to receiue her +Tryall: M. <i>Nowell</i>, being the best instructed of any man, of all the +particular poyntes of Euidence against her, and her fellowes, hauing +taken great paynes in the proceedinges against her and her fellowes; +Humbly prayed, her owne voluntary Confession and Examination taken +before him, when she was apprehended and committed to the Castle of +<i>Lancaster</i> for Witchcraft; might openly be published against her: +which hereafter followeth. <i>Viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger">The voluntary Confession and Examination of</span><br /> +<b><i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, taken at the <i>Fence</i> in the<br /> +Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>, in the Countie of <i>Lancaster</i>;<br /> +Before <i>Roger Nowell Esq</i>, one of the<br /> +Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Peace<br /> +in the Countie of Lancaster.<br /> +Viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image20.png" alt="T" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>He sayd <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, vpon her Examination, +voluntarily confesseth, and sayth, That about foureteene or fifteene +yeares agoe, a thing like a Christian man for foure yeares togeather, +did sundry times come to this Examinate, and requested this Examinate +to giue him her Soule: And in the end, this Examinate was contented to +giue him her sayd Soule, shee being then in her owne house, in the +Forrest of <i>Pendle</i>; wherevpon the Deuill then in the shape of a Man, +sayd to this Examinate: Thou shalt want nothing; and be reuenged of +whom thou list. And the Deuill then further commaunded this +Examinate, to call him by the name of <i>Fancie</i>;<a href="#D3a">[D3<i>a</i>]</a> and when she +wanted any thing, or would be reuenged of any, call on <i>Fancie</i>, and +he would be ready. And the sayd Spirit or Deuill, did appeare vnto her +not long after, in mans likenesse, and would haue had this Examinate +to haue consented, that he might hurt the wife of <i>Richard Baldwin</i> of +<i>Pendle</i>;<a href="#D3b1">[D3<i>b</i>1]</a> But this Examinate would not then consent vnto him: +For which cause, the sayd Deuill would then haue bitten her by the +arme; and so vanished away, for that time.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further sayth, that <i>Robert Nutter</i><a href="#D3b2">[D3<i>b</i>2]</a> did +desire her Daughter one <i>Redfearns</i> wife, to haue his pleasure of her, +being then in <i>Redfearns</i> house: but the sayd <i>Redfearns</i> wife denyed +the sayd <i>Robert</i>; wherevpon the sayd <i>Robert</i> seeming to be greatly +displeased therewith, in a great anger tooke his Horse, and went away, +saying in a great rage, that if euer the Ground came to him, shee +should neuer dwell vpon his Land. Wherevpon this Examinate called +<i>Fancie</i> to her; who came to her in the likenesse of a Man in a +parcell of Ground called, <i>The Laund</i>; asking this Examinate, what +shee would haue him to doe? And this Examinate bade him goe reuenge +her of the sayd <i>Robert Nutter</i>. After which time, the sayd <i>Robert +Nutter</i> liued about a quarter of a yeare, and then dyed.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further sayth, that <i>Elizabeth Nutter</i>, wife to old +<i>Robert Nutter</i>, did request this Examinate, and <i>Loomeshaws</i> wife of +<i>Burley</i>, and one <i>Iane Boothman</i>, of the same, who are now both dead, +(which time of request, was before that <i>Robert Nutter</i> desired the +company of <i>Redfearns</i> wife) to get young <i>Robert Nutter</i> his death, +if they could; all being togeather then at that time, to that end, +that if <i>Robert</i> were dead, then the Women their Coosens might haue +the Land: By whose perswasion, they all consented vnto it. After which +time, this Examinates Sonne in law <i>Thomas Redfearne</i>, did perswade +this Examinate, not to kill or hurt the sayd <i>Robert Nutter</i>; for +which perswasion, the sayd <i>Loomeshaws</i> Wife, had like to haue killed +the sayd <i>Redfearne</i>, but that one M. <i>Baldwyn</i> (the late +Schoole-maister at <i>Coulne</i>) did by his learning, stay the sayd +<i>Loomeshaws</i> wife, and therefore had a Capon from <i>Redfearne</i>.<a href="#D4a">[D4<i>a</i>]</a></p> + +<p>And this Examinate further sayth, that she thinketh the sayd +<i>Loomeshaws</i> wife, and <i>Iane Boothman</i>, did what they could to kill +the sayd <i>Robert Nutter</i>, as well as this Examinate did.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b><span class="smcap">Sothernes</span>, alias <span class="smcap">Old Dembdike</span>: <i>taken at<br /> +the Fence in the Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +the day and yeare aforesaid.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before,</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>Esquire, one of the Kings Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Peace in the said Countie, against</i> <span class="smcap">Anne<br /> +Whittle</span>, alias <span class="smcap">Chattox</span>.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Elizabeth Southernes</i> saith vpon her Examination, that +about halfe a yeare before <i>Robert Nutter</i> died, as this Examinate +thinketh, this Examinate went to the house of <i>Thomas Redfearne</i>, +which was about Mid-sommer, as this Examinate remembreth it. And there +within three yards of the East end of the said house, shee saw the +said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, and <i>Anne Redferne</i> wife of the +said <i>Thomas Redferne</i>, and Daughter of the said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias +<i>Chattox</i>: the one on the one side of the Ditch, and the other on the +other: and two Pictures of Clay or Marle lying by them: and the third +Picture the said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, was making: and the +said <i>Anne Redferne</i> her said Daughter, wrought her Clay or Marle to +make the third picture withall. And this Examinate passing by them, +the said Spirit, called <i>Tibb</i>, in the shape of a black Cat, appeared +vnto her this Examinate, and said, turne back againe, and doe as they +doe: To whom this Examinate said, what are they doing? whereunto the +said Spirit said; they are making three Pictures: whereupon she asked +whose pictures they were? whereunto the said Spirit said; they are +the pictures of <i>Christopher Nutter</i>, <i>Robert Nutter</i>, and <i>Marie</i>, +wife of the said <i>Robert Nutter</i>: But this Examinate denying to goe +back to helpe them to make the Pictures aforesaid; the said Spirit +seeming to be angrie, therefore shoue or pushed this Examinate into +the ditch, and so shed the Milke which this Examinate had in a Can or +Kit: and so thereupon the Spirit at that time vanished out of this +Examinates sight: But presently after that, the said Spirit appeared +to this Examinate againe in the shape of a Hare, and so went with her +about a quarter of a mile, but said nothing to this Examinate, nor +shee to it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames</span></span><br /> +<b><span class="smcap">Robinson</span>,<a href="#Eb1">[E<i>b</i>1]</a> <i>taken the day and yeare aforesaid.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>Esquire aforesaid, against</i> <span class="smcap">Anne<br /> +Whittle</span>, alias <span class="smcap">Chattox</span>, <i>Prisoner at the Barre<br /> +as followeth.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate saith, that about sixe yeares agoe, <i>Anne +Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, was hired by this Examinates wife to card +wooll;<a href="#Eb2">[E<i>b</i>2]</a> and so vpon a Friday and Saturday, shee came and carded +wooll with this Examinates wife, and so the Munday then next after +shee came likewise to card: and this Examinates wife hauing newly +tunned drinke into Stands, which stood by the said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, +alias <i>Chattox</i>: and the said <i>Ann Whittle</i> taking a Dish or Cup, and +drawing drinke seuerall times: and so neuer after that time, for some +eight or nine weekes, they could haue any drinke, but spoiled, and as +this Examinate thinketh was by the meanes of the said <i>Chattox</i>. And +further he saith, that the said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, and +<i>Anne Redferne</i> her said Daughter, are commonly reputed and reported +to bee Witches. And hee also saith, that about some eighteene yeares +agoe, he dwelled with one <i>Robert Nutter</i> the elder, of Pendle +aforesaid. And that yong <i>Robert Nutter</i>, who dwelled with his +Grand-father, in the Sommer time, he fell sicke, and in his said +sicknesse hee did seuerall times complaine, that hee had harme by +them: and this Examinate asking him what hee meant by that word +<i>Them</i>, He said, that he verily thought that the said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, +alias <i>Chattox</i>, and the said <i>Redfernes</i> wife, had bewitched him: and +the said <i>Robert Nutter</i> shortly after, being to goe with his then +Master, called Sir <i>Richard Shattleworth</i>,<a href="#E2a">[E2<i>a</i>]</a> into Wales, this +Examinate heard him say before his then going, vnto the said <i>Thomas +Redferne</i>, that if euer he came againe he would get his Father to put +the said <i>Redferne</i> out of his house, or he himselfe would pull it +downe; to whom the said <i>Redferne</i> replyed, saying; when you come back +againe you will be in a better minde: but he neuer came back againe, +but died before Candlemas in Cheshire, as he was comming homeward.</p> + +<p>Since the voluntarie confession and examination of a Witch, doth +exceede all other euidence, I spare to trouble you with a multitude of +Examinations, or Depositions of any other witnesses, by reason this +bloudie fact, for the Murder of <i>Robert Nutter</i>, vpon so small an +occasion, as to threaten to take away his owne land from such as were +not worthie to inhabite or dwell vpon it, is now made by that which +you haue alreadie heard, so apparant, as no indifferent man will +question it, or rest vnsatisfied: I shall now proceede to set forth +vnto you the rest of her actions, remaining vpon Record. And how +dangerous it was for any man to liue neere these people, to giue them +any occasion of offence, I leaue it to your good consideration.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and voluntarie Confession</i></span><i><br /> +<b>of</b></i><b> <span class="smcap">Anne Whittle</span>, alias <span class="smcap">Chattox</span>, <i>taken<br /> +at the Fence in the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie<br /> +of Lancaster, the second day of Aprill</i>, Anno Regni<br /> +Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi Angliæ</span>, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, decimo<br /> +& Scotiæ xlv.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b><span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>Esquire, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Peace within the Countie of Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap"> S</span>He the said Examinate saith, That shee was sent for by the wife of +<i>Iohn Moore</i>, to helpe drinke that was forspoken or bewitched: at +which time shee vsed this Prayer for the amending of it, <i>viz.</i></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="larger"><i>A Charme.</i></span><a href="#E2b">[E2<i>b</i>]</a></span></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<i><span class="i0">Three Biters hast thou bitten,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The Hart, ill Eye, ill Tonge:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three bitter shall be thy Boote,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost<br /></span> +<span class="i4">a Gods name,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fiue Pater-nosters, fiue Auies,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">and a Creede,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In worship of fiue wounds<br /></span> +<span class="i2">of our Lord.</span></i><br /> +</div></div> + +<p>After which time that this Examinate had vsed these prayers, and +amended her drinke, the said <i>Moores</i> wife did chide this Examinate, +and was grieued at her.</p> + +<p>And thereupon this Examinate called for her Deuill <i>Fancie</i>, and bad +him goe bite a browne Cow of the said <i>Moores</i> by the head, and make +the Cow goe madde: and the Deuill then, in the likenesse of a browne +Dogge, went to the said Cow, and bit her: which Cow went madde +accordingly, and died within six weekes next after, or thereabouts.</p> + +<p>Also this Examinate saith, That she perceiuing <i>Anthonie Nutter</i> of +Pendle to fauour <i>Elizabeth Sothernes</i>, alias <i>Dembdike</i>,<a href="#E3a1">[E3<i>a</i>1]</a> she, +this Examinate, called <i>Fancie</i> to her, (who appeared like a man) and +bad him goe kill a Cow of the said <i>Anthonies</i>; which the said Deuill +did, and that Cow died also.</p> + +<p>And further this Examinate saith, That the Deuill, or <i>Fancie</i>, hath +taken most of her sight away from her. And further this Examinate +saith, That in Summer last, saue one, the said Deuill, or <i>Fancie</i>, +came vpon this Examinate in the night time: and at diuerse and sundry +times in the likenesse of a Beare, gaping as though he would haue +wearied this Examinate.<a href="#E3a2">[E3<i>a</i>2]</a> And the last time of all shee, this +Examinate, saw him, was vpon Thursday last yeare but one, next before +Midsummer day, in the euening, like a Beare, and this Examinate would +not then speake vnto him, for the which the said Deuill pulled this +Examinate downe.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><a href="#E3b">[E3<i>b</i>]</a><br /> +<b> +<i>sonne of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>taken the seuen and<br /> +twentieth day of Aprill</i>, Annoq; Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span><br /> +Angliæ, &c. Decimo ac Scotiæ xlv.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b><span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> and <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banister</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within<br /> +the said Countie.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">A</span>Nd further saith, That twelue yeares agoe, the said <i>Anne Chattox</i> +at a Buriall at the new Church in Pendle, did take three scalpes of +people, which had been buried, and then cast out of a graue, as she +the said <i>Chattox</i> told this Examinate; and tooke eight teeth out of +the said Scalpes, whereof she kept foure to her selfe, and gaue other +foure to the said <i>Demdike</i>, this Examinates Grand-mother: which foure +teeth now shewed to this Examinate, are the foure teeth that the said +<i>Chattox</i> gaue to his said Grand-mother, as aforesaid; which said +teeth haue euer since beene kept, vntill now found by the said <i>Henry +Hargreiues</i> & this Examinate, at the West-end of this Examinates +Grand-mothers house, and there buried in the earth, and a Picture of +Clay there likewise found by them, about halfe a yard ouer in the +earth, where the said teeth lay, which said picture so found was +almost withered away, and was the Picture of <i>Anne</i>, <i>Anthony Nutters</i> +daughter; as this Examinates Grand-mother told him.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Allizon Device</span></span><br /> +<b><i>daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>: <i>Taken at<br /> +Reade, in the Countie of Lancaster, the thirtieth day of<br /> +March</i>, Annoq; Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> nunc Angliæ,<br /> +&c. Decimo, & Scotiæ Quadragesimo quinto.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b><span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>of Reade aforesaid, Esquire, one<br /> +of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace, within the said<br /> +Countie.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate saith, that about eleuen yeares agoe, this Examinate +and her mother had their firehouse broken,<a href="#E4a">[E4<i>a</i>]</a> and all, or the most +part of their linnen clothes, & halfe a peck of cut oat-meale, and a +quantitie of meale gone, all which was worth twentie shillings, or +aboue: and vpon a Sunday then next after, this Examinate did take a +band and a coife, parcell of the goods aforesaid, vpon the daughter of +<i>Anne Whittle, alias Chattox</i>, and claimed them to be parcell of the +goods stolne, as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further saith, That her father, called <i>Iohn +Deuice</i>, being afraid, that the said <i>Anne Chattox</i> should doe him or +his goods any hurt by Witchcraft; did couenant with the said <i>Anne</i>, +that if she would hurt neither of them, she should yearely haue one +Aghen-dole of meale;<a href="#E4b1">[E4<i>b</i>1]</a> which meale was yearely paid, vntill the +yeare which her father died in, which was about eleuen yeares since: +Her father vpon his then-death-bed, taking it that the said <i>Anne +Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, did bewitch him to death, because the said +meale was not paid the last yeare.</p> + +<p>And she also saith, That about two yeares agone, this Examinate being +in the house of <i>Anthony Nutter</i> of Pendle aforesaid, and being then +in company with <i>Anne Nutter</i>, daughter of the said <i>Anthony</i>: the +said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, came into the said <i>Anthony +Nutters</i> house, and seeing this Examinate, and the said <i>Anne Nutter</i> +laughing, and saying, that they laughed at her the said <i>Chattox</i>: +well said then (sayes <i>Anne Chattox</i>) I will be meet with the one of +you. And vpon the next day after, she the said <i>Anne Nutter</i> fell +sicke, and within three weekes after died. And further, this Examinate +saith, That about two yeares agoe, she, this Examinate, hath heard, +That the said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, was suspected for +bewitching the drinke of <i>Iohn Moore</i> of Higham Gentleman:<a href="#E4b2">[E4<i>b</i>2]</a> and +not long after, shee this Examinate heard the said <i>Chattox</i> say, that +she would meet with the said <i>Iohn Moore</i>, or his.<a href="#E4b3">[E4<i>b</i>3]</a> Whereupon a +child of the said <i>Iohn Moores</i>, called <i>Iohn</i>, fell sick, and +languished about halfe a yeare, and then died: during which +languishing, this Examinate saw the said <i>Chattox</i> sitting in her owne +garden, and a picture of Clay like vnto a child in her Apron; which +this Examinate espying, the said <i>Anne Chattox</i> would haue hidde with +her Apron: and this Examinate declaring the same to her mother, her +mother thought it was the picture of the said <i>Iohn Moores</i> childe.</p> + +<p>And she this Examinate further saith, That about sixe or seuen yeares +agoe, the said <i>Chattox</i> did fall out with one <i>Hugh Moore</i> of Pendle, +as aforesaid, about certaine cattell of the said <i>Moores</i>, which the +said <i>Moore</i> did charge the said <i>Chattox</i> to haue bewitched: for +which the said <i>Chattox</i> did curse and worry the said <i>Moore</i>, and +said she would be Reuenged of the said <i>Moore</i>: whereupon the said +<i>Moore</i> presently fell sicke, and languished about halfe a yeare, and +then died. Which <i>Moore</i> vpon his death-bed said, that the said +<i>Chattox</i> had bewitched him to death. And she further saith, That +about sixe yeares agoe, a daughter of the said <i>Anne Chattox</i>, called +<i>Elizabeth</i>, hauing been at the house of <i>Iohn Nutter</i> of the +Bull-hole, to begge or get a dish full of milke, which she had, and +brought to her mother, who was about a fields breadth of the said +<i>Nutters</i> house, which her said mother <i>Anne Chattox</i> tooke and put +into a Kan, and did charne<a href="#Fa1">[F<i>a</i>1]</a> the same with two stickes acrosse in +the same field: whereupon the said <i>Iohn Nutters</i> sonne came vnto her, +the said <i>Chattox</i>, and misliking her doings, put the said Kan and +milke ouer with his foot; and the morning next after, a Cow of the +said <i>Iohn Nutters</i> fell sicke, and so languished three or foure +dayes, and then died.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +In the end being openly charged with all this in open Court; with weeping<br /> +teares she humbly acknowledged them to be true, <a href="#Fa2">[F<i>a</i>2]</a> and cried out<br /> +vnto God for Mercy +and forgiuenesse of her sinnes, and humbly<br /> +prayed my +Lord to be mercifull vnto <i>Anne Redfearne</i><br /> +her daughter, +of whose life and condition you shall<br /> +heare more vpon +her Arraignement and Triall:<br /> +whereupon shee being +taken away,<br /> +<i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> comes now<br /> +to receiue +her Triall being<br /> +the next in order, of<br /> +whom +you shall<br /> +heare at<br /> +large.<br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image21.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="81" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span></span><br /> +<b>(<i>Daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Sothernes</span>,<br /> +alias <span class="smcap">Old Dembdike</span>) <i>late wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Io. Device</span>,<br /> +<i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, widow,<br /> +for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August,<br /> +at the Assises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at<br /> +Lancaster</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<h3><i>Elizabeth Deuice.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image22.png" alt="O" width="126" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Barbarous and inhumane Monster, beyond example; so farre from +sensible vnderstanding of thy owne miserie, as to bring thy owne +naturall children into mischiefe and bondage; and thy selfe to be a +witnesse vpon the Gallowes, to see thy owne children, by thy deuillish +instructions hatcht vp in Villanie and Witchcraft, to suffer with +thee, euen in the beginning of their time, a shamefull and vntimely +Death. Too much (so it be true) cannot be said or written of her. Such +was her life and condition: that euen at the Barre, when shee came to +receiue her Triall (where the least sparke of Grace or modestie would +haue procured fauour, or moued pitie) she was not able to containe her +selfe within the limits of any order or gouernment: but exclaiming, in +very outragious manner crying out against her owne children, and such +as came to prosecute Indictments & Euidence for the Kings Maiestie +against her, for the death of their Children, Friends, and Kinsfolkes, +whome cruelly and bloudily, by her Enchauntments, Charmes, and +Sorceries she had murthered and cut off; sparing no man with fearefull +execrable curses and banning:<a href="#F2b">[F2<i>b</i>]</a> Such in generall was the common +opinion of the Countrey where she dwelt, in the Forrest of Pendle (a +place fit for people of such condition) that no man neere her, neither +his wife, children, goods, or cattell should be secure or free from +danger.</p> + +<p>This <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> was the daughter of <i>Elizabeth Sothernes</i>, old +<i>Dembdike</i>, a malicious, wicked, and dangerous Witch for fiftie +yeares, as appeareth by Record: and how much longer, the Deuill and +shee knew best with whome shee made her couenant.</p> + +<p>It is very certaine, that amongst all these Witches there was not a +more dangerous and deuillish Witch to execute mischiefe, hauing old +<i>Dembdike</i>, her mother, to assist her; <i>Iames Deuice</i> and <i>Alizon +Deuice</i>, her owne naturall children, all prouided with Spirits, vpon +any occasion of offence readie to assist her.</p> + +<p>Vpon her Examination, although Master <i>Nowel</i> was very circumspect, +and exceeding carefull in dealing with her, yet she would confesse +nothing, vntill it pleased God to raise vp a yong maid, <i>Iennet +Deuice</i>, her owne daughter, about the age of nine yeares (a witnesse +vnexpected) to discouer all their Practises, Meetings, Consultations, +Murthers, Charmes, and Villanies: such, and in such sort, as I may +iustly say of them, as a reuerend and learned Iudge of this Kingdome +speaketh of the greatest Treason that euer was in this Kingdome, <i>Quis +hæc posteris sic narrare poterit, vt facta non ficta esse videantur?</i> +That when these things shall be related to Posteritie, they will be +reputed matters fained, not done.</p> + +<p>And then knowing, that both <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, her daughter, <i>Iames +Deuice</i>, her sonne, and <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, with others, had accused her +and layed open all things, in their Examinations taken before Master +<i>Nowel</i>, and although she were their owne naturall mother, yet they +did not spare to accuse her of euery particular fact, which in her +time she had committed, to their knowledge; she made a very liberall +and voluntarie Confession, as hereafter shall be giuen in euidence +against her, vpon her Arraignment and Triall.</p> + +<p>This <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> being at libertie, after Old <i>Dembdike</i> her +mother, <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, her daughter, and old <i>Chattocks</i> were +committed to the Castle of Lancaster for Witchcraft; laboured not a +little to procure a solemne meeting at Malkyn-Tower of the Graund +Witches of the Counties of Lancaster and Yorke, being yet vnsuspected +and vntaken, to consult of some speedie course for the deliuerance of +their friends, the Witches at Lancaster, and for the putting in +execution of some other deuillish practises of Murther and Mischiefe: +as vpon the Arraignement and Triall of <i>Iames Deuice</i>, her sonne, +shall hereafter in euery particular point appeare at large against +her.</p> + + +<h3>The first Indictment.</h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, late the wife of <i>Iohn Deuice</i>, of the +Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of Lancaster Widdow, being indicted, +for that shee felloniously had practized, vsed, and exercised diuers +wicked and deuillish Arts, called <i>Witch-crafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, +<i>Charmes</i>, and <i>Sorceries</i>, in, and vpon one <i>Iohn Robinson</i>, alias +<i>Swyer</i>: and by force of the same felloniously, the said <i>Iohn +Robinson</i>, alias <i>Swyer</i>, had killed. <i>Contra pacem, &c.</i> being at the +Barre was arraigned.</p> + + +<h3>2. Indictment.</h3> + +<p>The said <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> was the second time indicted in the same +manner and forme, for the death of <i>Iames Robinson</i>, by Witch-craft. +<i>Contra pacem, &c.</i></p> + + +<h3>3. Indictment.</h3> + +<p>The said <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, was the third time with others, <i>viz.</i> +<i>Alice Nutter</i>, and <i>Elizabeth Sothernes</i>, alias <i>Old-Dembdike</i>, her +Grand-mother, Indicted in the same manner and forme, for the death of +<i>Henrie Mytton</i>. <i>Contra pacem, &c.</i></p> + +<p>To these three seuerall Indictments vpon her Arraignement, shee +pleaded not guiltie; and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe +vpon God and her Countrie.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, stand charged +to finde, whether shee bee guiltie of them, or any of them.</p> + +<p>Whereupon there was openly read, and giuen in euidence against her, +for the Kings Majestie, her owne voluntarie Confession and +Examination, when shee was apprehended, taken, and committed to the +Castle of Lancaster by M. <i>Nowel</i>, and M. <i>Bannester</i>, two of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same Countie. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i> +<span class="larger">The Examination and voluntarie Confession</span><br /> +<b>of</b></i><b> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>taken at the house of</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Iames Wilsey</span> <i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie<br /> +of Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill:<br /> +Anno Reg.</i> <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span>, <i>Angl. &c. decimo, & Scotiæ</i> xlv.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace<br /> +within the same Countie.</i> viz.</b><br /> +<br /> +The said <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, Mother of the said<br /> +<i>Iames</i>, being examined, confesseth and saith.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>Hat at the third time her Spirit,<a href="#F4a">[F4<i>a</i>]</a> the Spirit <i>Ball</i>, +appeared to her in the shape of a browne Dogge, at, or in her Mothers +house in Pendle Forrest aforesaid: about foure yeares agoe the said +Spirit bidde this Examinate make a picture of Clay after the said +<i>Iohn Robinson</i>, alias <i>Swyer</i>, which this Examinate did make +accordingly at the West end of her said Mothers house, and dryed the +same picture with the fire and crumbled all the same picture away +within a weeke or thereabouts, and about a weeke after the Picture +was crumbled or mulled away; the said <i>Robinson</i> dyed.</p> + +<p>The reason wherefore shee this Examinate did so bewitch the said +<i>Robinson</i> to death, was: for that the said <i>Robinson</i> had chidden and +becalled this Examinate, for hauing a Bastard-child with one <i>Seller</i>.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further saith and confesseth, that shee did bewitch +the said <i>Iames Robinson</i> to death, as in the said <i>Iennet Deuice</i> her +examination is confessed.</p> + +<p>And further shee saith, and confesseth, that shee with the wife of +<i>Richard Nutter</i>, and this Examinates said Mother, ioyned altogether, +and did bewitch the said <i>Henrie Mytton</i> to death.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>Daughter of the said</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth<br /> +Device</span>, <i>late Wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Device</span>, <i>of the<br /> +Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span> <i>her Mother, Prisoner at the<br /> +Barre vpon her Arraignement and Triall.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, being a yong Maide, about the age of nine +yeares,<a href="#F4b">[F4<i>b</i>]</a> and commanded to stand vp to giue euidence against her +Mother, Prisoner at the Barre: Her Mother, according to her accustomed +manner, outragiously cursing, cryed out against the child in such +fearefull manner, as all the Court did not a little wonder at her, and +so amazed the child, as with weeping teares shee cryed out vnto my +Lord the Iudge, and told him, shee was not able to speake in the +presence of her Mother.</p> + +<p>This odious Witch was branded with a preposterous marke in Nature, +euen from her birth, which was her left eye, standing lower then the +other; the one looking downe, the other looking vp, so strangely +deformed, as the best that were present in that Honorable assembly, +and great Audience, did affirme, they had not often seene the like.</p> + +<p>No intreatie, promise of fauour, or other respect, could put her to +silence, thinking by this her outragious cursing and threatning of the +child, to inforce her to denie that which she had formerly confessed +against her Mother, before M. <i>Nowel</i>: Forswearing and denying her +owne voluntarie confession, which you haue heard, giuen in euidence +against her at large, and so for want of further euidence to escape +that, which the Iustice of the Law had prouided as a condigne +punishment for the innocent bloud shee had spilt, and her wicked and +deuillish course of life.</p> + +<p>In the end, when no meanes would serue, his Lordship commanded the +Prisoner to be taken away, and the Maide to bee set vpon the Table in +the presence of the whole Court, who deliuered her euidence in that +Honorable assembly, to the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, +as followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<p><i>Iennet Deuice</i>, Daughter of <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, late Wife of <i>Iohn +Deuice</i>, of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid Widdow, confesseth and +saith, that her said Mother is a Witch, and that this shee knoweth to +be true; for, that shee had seene her Spirit sundrie times come vnto +her said Mother in her owne house, called <i>Malking-Tower</i>, in the +likenesse of a browne Dogge, which shee called <i>Ball</i>; and at one time +amongst others, the said <i>Ball</i> did aske this Examinates Mother what +she would haue him to doe: and this Examinates Mother answered, that +she would haue the said <i>Ball</i> to helpe her to kill <i>Iohn Robinson</i> of +<i>Barley</i>, alias <i>Swyer</i>: by helpe of which said <i>Ball</i>, the said +<i>Swyer</i> was killed by witch-craft accordingly; and that this +Examinates Mother hath continued a Witch for these three or foure +yeares last past. And further, this Examinate confesseth, that about a +yeare after, this Examinates Mother called for the said <i>Ball</i>, who +appeared as aforesaid, asking this Examinates Mother what shee would +haue done, who said, that shee would haue him to kill <i>Iames +Robinson</i>, alias <i>Swyer</i>, of Barlow aforesaid, Brother to the said +<i>Iohn</i>: whereunto <i>Ball</i> answered, hee would doe it; and about three +weekes after, the said <i>Iames</i> dyed.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +And this Examinate also saith, that one other time +shee was present, when<br /> +her said Mother did call for the +<i>Ball</i>, <span class="sidenote">Her Spirit.</span>who appeared in manner as<br /> +aforesaid, and asked +this Examinates Mother what shee<br /> +would haue him to +doe, whereunto this Examinates<br /> +Mother then said +shee would haue him to kill<br /> +one <i>Mitton</i> of the +Rough-Lee, whereupon<br /> +the said <i>Ball </i>said, he would doe it, and<br /> +so vanished +away, and about three<br /> +weekes after, the said<br /> +<i>Mitton</i> likewise<br /> +dyed.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>sonne of the said</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>: <i>Taken the<br /> +seuen and twentieth day of Aprill</i>, Annoq; Reg. Regis<br /> +<span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> Angliæ, &c. Decimo ac Scociæ, xlv.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace, within<br /> +the said Countie.</i> viz.</b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Iames Deuice</i> being examined, saith, That he heard his +Grand-mother say, about a yeare agoe, That his mother called +<i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, and others, had killed one <i>Henry Mitton</i> of the +Rough-Lee aforesaid, by Witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so +killed, was for that this Examinates said Grand-mother <i>Old Demdike</i>, +had asked the said <i>Mitton</i> a penny; and he denying her thereof, +thereupon she procured his death, as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>And he, this Examinate also saith, That about three yeares agoe, this +Examinate being in his Grand-mothers house, with his said mother; +there came a thing in shape of a browne dogge, which his mother called +<i>Ball</i>, who spake to this Examinates mother, in the sight and hearing +of this Examinate, and bad her make a Picture of Clay like vnto <i>Iohn +Robinson</i>, alias <i>Swyer</i>, and drie it hard, and then crumble it by +little and little; and as the said Picture should crumble or mull +away, so should the said <i>Io. Robinson</i> alias <i>Swyer</i> his body decay +and weare away. And within two or three dayes after, the Picture shall +so all be wasted, and mulled away; so then the said <i>Iohn Robinson</i> +should die presently. Vpon the agreement betwixt the said dogge and +this Examinates mother; the said dogge suddenly vanished out of this +Examinates sight. And the next day, this Examinate saw his said mother +take Clay at the West end of her said house, and make a Picture of it +after the said <i>Robinson</i>, and brought into her house, and dried it +some two dayes: and about two dayes after the drying thereof, this +Examinates said mother fell on crumbling the said Picture of Clay, +euery day some, for some three weekes together; and within two dayes +after all was crumbled or mulled away, the said <i>Iohn Robinson</i> died.</p> + +<p>Being demanded by the Court, what answere shee could giue to the +particular points of the Euidence against her, for the death of these +seuerall persons; Impudently shee denied them, crying out against her +children, and the rest of the Witnesses against her.</p> + +<p>But because I haue charged her to be the principall Agent, to procure +a solemne meeting at <i>Malking-Tower</i> of the Grand-witches, to consult +of some speedy course for the deliuerance of her mother, <i>Old +Demdike</i>, her daughter, and other Witches at Lancaster: the speedie +Execution of Master <i>Couell</i>, who little suspected or deserued any +such practise or villany against him: The blowing up of the Castle, +with diuers other wicked and diuellish practises and murthers; I shall +make it apparant vnto you, by the particular Examinations and Euidence +of her owne children, such as were present at the time of their +Consultation, together with her owne Examination and Confession, +amongst the Records of the Crowne at Lancaster, as hereafter +followeth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i> +<span class="larger">The voluntary Confession and Examination</span><br /> +<b>of</b></i><b> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>taken at the house of</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Iames Wilsey</span>, <i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the<br /> +Countie of Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill,</i><br /> +Annoq: Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> Angliæ, &c. Decimo,<br /> +& Scotiæ Quadragesimo quinto.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> and <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banister</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within<br /> +the same Countie.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> being further Examined, confesseth that +vpon Good-Friday last, there dined at this Examinates house, called +<i>Malking-Tower</i>, those which she hath said are Witches, and doth +verily think them to be Witches: and their names are those whom <i>Iames +Deuice</i> hath formerly spoken of to be there. And she further saith, +that there was also at her said mothers house, at the day and time +aforesaid, two women of Burneley Parish, whose names the wife of +<i>Richard Nutter</i> doth know. And there was likewise there one <i>Anne +Crouckshey</i><a href="#G3a">[G3<i>a</i>]</a> of Marsden: And shee also confesseth, in all things +touching the Christening of the Spirit, and the killing of Master +<i>Lister</i> of Westbie, as the said <i>Iames Deuice</i> hath before confessed; +but denieth of any talke was amongst them the said Witches, to her now +remembrance, at the said meeting together, touching the killing of the +Gaoler, or the blowing vp of Lancaster Castle.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>Daughter of the said</i><span class="smcap"> Elizabeth<br /> +Device</span>, <i>late Wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Device</span>, <i>of the<br /> +Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>her Mother, Prisoner at the<br /> +Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall</i>, viz.</b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Iennet Deuice</i> saith, That vpon Good Friday last there +was about twentie persons<a href="#G3b1">[G3<i>b</i>1]</a> (whereof onely two were men, to this +Examinates remembrance) at her said Grandmothers house, called +Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: all which persons +this Examinates said mother told her, were Witches, and that they came +to giue a name to <i>Alizon Deuice</i> Spirit, or Familiar, sister to this +Examinate, and now prisoner at Lancaster. And also this Examinate +saith, That the persons aforesaid had to their dinners Beefe, Bacon, +and roasted Mutton; which Mutton (as this Examinates said brother +said) was of a Wether of <i>Christopher Swyers</i> of Barley: which Wether +was brought in the night before into this Examinates mothers house by +the said <i>Iames Deuice</i>, this Examinates said brother: and in this +Examinates sight killed and eaten, as aforesaid. And shee further +saith, That shee knoweth the names of sixe of the said Witches, <i>viz.</i> +the wife of <i>Hugh Hargraues</i> vnder Pendle, <i>Christopher Howgate</i> of +Pendle, vnckle to this Examinate, and <i>Elizabeth</i> his wife, and <i>Dicke +Miles</i> his wife of the Rough-Lee; <i>Christopher Iackes</i> of +Thorny-holme, and his wife:<a href="#G3b2">[G3<i>b</i>2]</a> and the names of the residue shee +this Examinate doth not know, sauing that this Examinates mother and +brother were both there. And lastly, she this Examinate confesseth and +saith, That her mother hath taught her two prayers: the one to cure +the bewitched, and the other to get drinke; both which particularly +appeare.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>sonne of the said</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>,<br /> +<i>late wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Device</span>, <i>of the Forrest of<br /> +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>his Mother, prisoner at the<br /> +Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall</i>, viz. </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Iames Deuice</i> saith, That on Good-Friday last, about +twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates +said mothers house, at Malking-Tower, a number of persons, whereof +three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they +met there for three causes following (as this Examinates said mother +told this Examinate) The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, +which <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, now prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not +name him, because shee was not there.<a href="#G4a">[G4<i>a</i>]</a> The second was, for the +deliuerie of his said Grandmother, olde <i>Dembdike</i>; this Examinates +said sister <i>Allizon</i>; the said <i>Anne Chattox</i>, and her daughter +<i>Redferne</i>; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the next +Assises to blow vp the Castle there: and to that end the aforesaid +prisoners might by that time make an escape, and get away. All which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of.</p> + +<p>And he also sayth, That the names of the said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grandmothers house, and now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as hee did know, were +these, <i>viz.</i> The wife of <i>Hugh Hargreiues</i> of Burley; the wife of +<i>Christopher Bulcock</i>, of the Mosse end, and <i>Iohn</i> her sonne; the +mother of <i>Myles Nutter</i>; <i>Elizabeth</i>, the wife of <i>Christopher +Hargreiues</i>, of Thurniholme; <i>Christopher Howgate</i>, and <i>Elizabeth</i>, +his wife; <i>Alice Graye</i> of Coulne, and one <i>Mould-heeles</i> wife, of the +same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further +sayth, That all the Witches went out of the said House in their owne +shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of the +dores, gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, +some of another; and <i>Prestons</i> wife was the last: and when shee got +on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates +sight. And before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete +at the said <i>Prestons</i> wiues <span class="sidenote"><i>Executed at Yorke the last +Assises.</i></span>house that day twelue-moneths; at which time the said +<i>Prestons</i> wife promised to make them a great Feast. And if they had +occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen, +that they all should meete vpon <i>Romleyes</i> Moore.<a href="#G4b">[G4<i>b</i>]</a></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +And there they parted, with resolution to execute +their deuillish and bloudie<br /> +practises, for the deliuerance +of their friends, vntill they came to<br /> +meete here, +where their power and strength was gone. And<br /> +now +finding her Meanes was gone, shee cried out for<br /> +Mercie. +Whereupon shee being taken away, the<br /> +next +in order was her sonne <i>Iames Deuice</i>,<br /> +whom +shee and her Mother, old<br /> +<i>Dembdike</i>, +brought to act his<br /> +part +in this wofull<br /> +Tragedie.<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image23.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="77" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b><i>Sonne of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>of the Forrest of<br /> +Pendle, within the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, Laborer,<br /> +for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August,<br /> +at the Assises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at<br /> +Lancaster</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<h3><i>James Deuice.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image24.png" alt="T" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>His wicked and miserable Wretch, whether by practise, or meanes, +to bring himselfe to some vntimely death, and thereby to auoide his +Tryall by his Countrey, and iust iudgement of the Law; or ashamed to +bee openly charged with so many deuillish practises, and so much +innocent bloud as hee had spilt; or by reason of his Imprisonment so +long time before his Tryall (which was with more fauour, +commiseration, and reliefe then hee deserued) I know not: But being +brought forth to the Barre, to receiue his Triall before this worthie +Iudge, and so Honourable and Worshipfull an Assembly of Iustices for +this seruice, was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as +he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp<a href="#H2a1">[H2<i>a</i>1]</a> +when hee was brought to the place of his Arraignement, to receiue his +triall.</p> + +<p>This <i>Iames Deuice</i> of the Forrest of Pendle, being brought to the +Barre, was there according to the forme, order, and course, Indicted +and Arraigned; for that hee Felloniously had practised, vsed, and +exercised diuers wicked and deuillish Arts, called <i>Witch-crafts</i>, +<i>Inchauntments</i>, <i>Charmes</i>, and <i>Sorceries</i>, in, and vpon one <i>Anne +Towneley</i>, wife of <i>Henrie Towneley</i> of the Carre,<a href="#H2a2">[H2<i>a</i>2]</a> in the +Countie of Lancaster Gentleman, and her by force of the same, +felloniously had killed. <i>Contra pacem, &c.</i></p> + +<p>The said <i>Iames Deuice</i> was the second time Indicted and Arraigned in +the same manner and forme, for the death of <i>Iohn Duckworth</i>, by +witch-craft. <i>Contra pacem, &c.</i></p> + +<p>To these two seuerall Indictments vpon his Arraignment, he pleaded not +guiltie, and for the triall of his life put himselfe vpon God and his +Countrie.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged +to finde, whether he be guiltie of these, or either of them.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Master <i>Nowel</i> humbly prayed Master <i>Towneley</i> might be +called,<a href="#H2a3">[H2<i>a</i>3]</a> who attended to prosecute and giue euidence against +him for the King's Majestie, and that the particular Examinations +taken before him and others, might be openly published & read in +Court,<a href="#H2a4">[H2<i>a</i>4]</a> in the hearing of the Prisoner.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +But because it were infinite to bring him to his particular +Triall for euery offence, which hee hath committed in his<br /> +time, and euery practice wherein he hath had +his hand: I shall proceede in order with the Euidence remayning<br /> +vpon Record against him, amongst the Records +of the Crowne; both how, and in what sort hee came to<br /> +be a witch: and shew you what apparant proofe +there is to charge him with the death of these two<br /> +seuerall +persons, for the which hee now standeth vpon his +triall for al the rest of his deuillish<br /> +practises, incantantions, +murders, charmes, sorceries, meetings to consult with +Witches,<br /> +to execute mischiefe (take them as they are against +him vpon Record:) Enough, I<br /> +doubt not. For +these with the course of his life will serue his turne to deliuer<br /> +you from the danger of him that neuer tooke +felicitie in any things,<br /> +but in reuenge, bloud, & mischiefe +with crying out vnto God<br /> +for vengeance; which hath +now at the length brought him<br /> +to the place where hee +standes to receiue his Triall<br /> +with more honor, fauour, +and respect, then<br /> +such a Monster in Nature doth deserue;<br /> +And I doubt not, but in due time<br /> +by the +Iustice of the Law,<br /> +to an vntimely +and<br /> +shamefull<br /> +death.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>sonne of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>of the Forrest of<br /> +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, Labourer. Taken the<br /> +seuen and twentieth day of Aprill, Annoq; Reg. Regis</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Iacobi</span>, <i>Angliæ, &c.</i> x<sup>o</sup>. <i>& Scotiæ Quadragesimo quinto.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace<br /> +within the said Countie.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">H</span>E saith, that vpon Sheare Thursday<a href="#H3a">[H3<i>a</i>]</a> was two yeares, his +Grand-Mother <i>Elizabeth Sothernes</i>, alias <i>Dembdike</i>, did bid him this +Examinate goe to the Church to receiue the Communion (the next day +after being Good Friday) and then not to eate the Bread the Minister +gaue him, but to bring it and deliuer it to such a thing as should +meet him in his way homewards: Notwithstanding her perswasions, this +Examinate did eate the Bread: and so in his comming homeward some +fortie roodes off the said Church, there met him a thing in the shape +of a Hare, who spoke vnto this Examinate, and asked him whether hee +had brought the Bread that his Grand-mother had bidden him, or no? +whereupon this Examinate answered, hee had not: and thereupon the said +thing threatned to pull this Examinate in peeces, and so this +Examinate thereupon marked himselfe to God, and so the said thing +vanished out of this Examinates sight. And within some foure daies +after that, there appeared in this Examinates sight, hard by the new +Church in Pendle, a thing like vnto a browne <i>Dogge</i>, who asked this +Examinate to giue him his Soule, and he should be reuenged of any whom +hee would: whereunto this Examinate answered, that his Soule was not +his to giue, but was his <i>Sauiour Iesus Christs</i>, but as much as was +in him this Examinate to giue, he was contented he should haue it.</p> + +<p>And within two or three daies after, this Examinate went to the +Carre-Hall, and vpon some speeches betwixt Mistris <i>Towneley</i> and this +Examinate; Shee charging this Examinate and his said mother, to haue +stolne some Turues of hers, badde him packe the doores: and withall as +he went forth of the doore, the said Mistris <i>Towneley</i> gaue him a +knock betweene the shoulders: and about a day or two after that, there +appeared vnto this Examinate in his way, a thing like vnto a black +dog, who put this Examinate in minde of the said Mistris <i>Towneleyes</i> +falling out with him this Examinate; who bad this Examinate make a +Picture of Clay, like vnto the said Mistris <i>Towneley</i>: and that this +Examinate with the helpe of his Spirit (who then euer after bidde this +Examinate to call it <i>Dandy</i>) would kill or destroy the said Mistris +<i>Towneley</i>: and so the said dogge vanished out of this Examinates +sight. And the next morning after, this Examinate tooke Clay, and made +a Picture of the said Mistris <i>Towneley</i>, and dried it the same night +by the fire: and within a day after, hee, this Examinate began to +crumble the said Picture, euery day some, for the space of a weeke: +and within two daies after all was crumbled away; the said Mistris +<i>Towneley</i> died.</p> + +<p>And hee further saith, That in Lent last one <i>Iohn Duckworth</i> of the +Lawnde, promised this Examinate an old shirt: and within a fortnight +after, this Examinate went to the said <i>Duckworthes</i> house, and +demanded the said old shirt: but the said <i>Duckworth</i> denied him +thereof. And going out of the said house, the said Spirit <i>Dandy</i> +appeared vnto this Examinate, and said, Thou didst touch the said +<i>Duckworth</i>; whereunto this Examinate answered, he did not touch him: +yes (said the Spirit againe) thou didst touch him, and therfore I haue +power of him: whereupon this Examinate ioyned with the said Spirit, +and then wished the said Spirit to kill the said <i>Duckworth</i>: and +within one weeke, then next after, <i>Duckworth</i> died.</p> + +<p>This voluntary Confession and Examination of his owne, containing in +it selfe matter sufficient in Law to charge him, and to proue his +offences, contained in the two seuerall Indictments, was sufficient to +satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death, that he is +guiltie of them, and either of them: yet my Lord <i>Bromley</i> commanded, +for their better satisfaction, that the Witnesses present in Court +against any of the Prisoners, should be examined openly, <i>viua voce</i>, +that the Prisoner might both heare and answere to euery particular +point of their Euidence; notwithstanding any of their Examinations +taken before any of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said +Countie.</p> + +<p>Herein do but obserue the wonderfull work of God; to raise vp a young +Infant, the very sister of the Prisoner, <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, to discouer, +iustifie and proue these things against him, at the time of his +Arraignement and Triall, as hereafter followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span> <i>daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>,<br /> +<i>late wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Device</span> <i>of the Forrest of Pendle,<br /> +in the Countie of Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>, <i>Prisoner at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement<br /> +and Triall.</i> viz. </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">B</span>Eing examined in open Court, she saith, That her brother <i>Iames +Device</i>, the Prisoner at the Barre, hath beene a Witch for the space +of three yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared +vnto him, in this Examinates mothers house, a Black-Dogge, which +<span class="sidenote"><i>Dandy.</i></span>her said brother called <i>Dandy</i>. And further, +this Examinate confesseth, & saith: That her said brother about a +twelue month since, in the presence of this Examinate, and in the +house aforesaid, called for the said <i>Dandy</i>, who thereupon appeared: +asking this Examinates brother what he would haue him to doe. This +Examinates brother then said, he would haue him to helpe him to kill +old Mistris <i>Towneley</i> of the Carre: whereunto the said <i>Dandy</i> +answered, and said, That her said brother should haue his best helpe +for the doing of the same; and that her said brother, and the said +<i>Dandy</i>, did both in this Examinates hearing, say, they would make +away the said Mistris <i>Towneley</i>. And about a weeke after, this +Examinate comming to the Carre-Hall, saw the said Mistris <i>Towneley</i> +in the Kitchin there, nothing well: whereupon it came into this +Examinates minde, that her said brother, by the help of <i>Dandy</i>, had +brought the said Mistris <i>Towneley</i> into the state she then was in.</p> + +<p>Which Examinat, although she were but very yong, yet it was wonderfull +to the Court, in so great a Presence and Audience, with what modestie, +gouernement, and vnderstanding, shee deliuered this Euidence against +the Prisoner at the Barre, being her owne naturall brother, which he +himselfe could not deny, but there acknowledged in euery particular to +be iust and true.</p> + +<p>But behold a little further, for here this bloudy Monster did not stay +his hands: for besides his wicked and diuellish Spels, practises, +meetings to consult of murder and mischiefe, which (by Gods grace) +hereafter shall follow in order against him; there is yet more bloud +to be laid vnto his charge. For although he were but yong, and in the +beginning of his Time, yet was he carefull to obserue his Instructions +from <i>Old Demdike</i> his Grand-mother, and <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> his +mother, in so much that no time should passe since his first entrance +into that damnable Arte and exercise of Witchcrafts, Inchantments, +Charmes and Sorceries, without mischiefe or murder. Neither should any +man vpon the least occasion of offence giuen vnto him, escape his +hands, without some danger. For these particulars were no sooner giuen +in Euidence against him, when he was againe Indicted and Arraigned for +the murder of these two. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<p><i>Iames Deuice</i> of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the Countie of +Lancaster, Labourer, the third time Indicted and Arraigned for the +death of <i>Iohn Hargraues</i> of Gould-shey-booth, in the Countie of +Lancaster, by Witchcraft, as aforesaid. <i>Contra &c.</i></p> + +<p>To this Inditement vpon his Arraignement he pleaded thereunto not +guiltie: and for his Triall put himselfe vpon God and his Countrey, +&c.</p> + +<p><i>Iames Deuice</i> of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the County of +Lancaster, Labourer, the fourth time Indicted and Arraigned for the +death of <i>Blaze Hargreues</i> of Higham, in the Countie of Lancaster, by +Witchcraft, as aforesaid. <i>Contra Pacem</i>, &c.</p> + +<p>To this Indictment vpon his Arraignement, he pleaded thereunto not +guiltie; and for the Triall of his life, put himselfe vpon God and the +Countrey. &c.</p> + +<p>Hereupon <i>Iennet Deuice</i> produced, sworne and examined, as a witnesse +on his Maiesties behalfe, against the said <i>Iames Deuice</i>, was +examined in open Court, as followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span> <i>aforesaid.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>, <i>her brother, Prisoner at the Barre,<br /> +vpon his Arraignement and Triall.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">B</span>Eing sworne and examined in open Court, she saith, That her +brother <i>Iames Deuice</i> hath beene a Witch for the space of three +yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared vnto him, in +this Examinates mothers house, a Blacke-Dogge, which her said brother +called <i>Dandy</i>, which <i>Dandy</i> did aske her said brother what he would +haue him to doe, whereunto he answered, hee would haue him to kill +<i>Iohn Hargreiues</i>, of Gold-shey-booth: whereunto <i>Dandy</i> answered that +he would doe it: since which time the said <i>Iohn</i> is dead.</p> + +<p>And at another time this Examinate confesseth and saith, That her said +brother did call the said <i>Dandy</i>: who thereupon appeared in the said +house, asking this Examinates brother what hee would haue him to doe: +whereupon this Examinates said brother said, he would haue him to kill +<i>Blaze Hargreiues</i> of Higham: whereupon <i>Dandy</i> answered, hee should +haue his best helpe, and so vanished away: and shee saith, that since +that time the said <i>Hargreiues</i> is dead; but how long after, this +Examinate doth not now remember.</p> + +<p>All which things, when he heard his sister vpon her Oath affirme, +knowing them in his conscience to bee iust and true, slenderly denyed +them, and thereupon insisted.</p> + +<p>To this Examination were diuerse witnesses examined in open Court +<i>viua voce</i>, concerning the death of the parties, in such manner and +forme, and at such time as the said <i>Iennet Deuice</i> in her Euidence +hath formerly declared to the Court.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Which is all, and I doubt not but matter sufficient in Law +to charge him with, for the death of these parties.</p></div> + +<p>For the proofe of his Practises, Charmes, Meetings at Malking-Tower, +to consult with Witches to execute mischiefe, Master <i>Nowel</i> humbly +prayed, his owne Examination, taken and certified, might openly be +read; and the rest in order, as they remaine vpon Record amongst the +Records of the Crowne at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth, <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Sonne of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>of the Forrest<br /> +of Pendle: Taken the seuen and twentieth day of<br /> +Aprill aforesaid,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span><br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within<br /> +the said Countie</i>, viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">A</span>Nd being examined, he further saith, That vpon Sheare-Thursday +last, in the euening, he this Examinate stole a Wether from <i>Iohn +Robinson</i> of Barley, and brought it to his Grand-mothers house, old +<i>Dembdike</i>, and there killed it: and that vpon the day following, +being Good-Friday, about twelue of the clocke in the day time, there +dined in this Examinates mothers house a number of persons, whereof +three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they +met there for three Causes following, as this Examinates said Mother +told this Examinate.</p> + +<p>1 The first was, for the naming of the Spirit which <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, +now prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was +not there.</p> + +<p>2 The second Cause was, for the deliuerie of his said Grand-mother; +this Examinates said sister <i>Alizon</i>; the said <i>Anne Chattox</i>, and her +daughter <i>Redferne</i>; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the +next Assises to blow vp the Castle there, to the end the aforesaid +persons might by that meanes make an escape & get away; all which this +Examinate then heard them conferre of.</p> + +<p>3 And the third Cause was, for that there was a woman dwelling in +Gisborne Parish, who came into this Examinates said Grandmothers +house, who there came and craued assistance of the rest of them that +were then there, for the killing of Master <i>Lister</i> of Westby, because +(as shee then said) he had borne malice vnto her, and had thought to +haue put her away at the last Assises at Yorke, but could not: and +this Examinate heard the said woman say, That her power was not strong +ynough to doe it her selfe, being now lesse then before time it had +beene.</p> + +<p>And also, that the said <i>Iennet Preston</i> had a Spirit with her like +vnto a white Foale, with a blacke spot in the forhead.</p> + +<p>And he also saith, That the names of the said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, & now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as he did know, were +these, <i>viz.</i> the wife of <i>Hugh Hargreiues</i> of Barley; the wife of +<i>Christopher Bulcock</i> of the Mosse end, and <i>Iohn</i> her sonne; the +mother of <i>Myles Nutter</i>; <i>Elizabeth</i>, the wife of <i>Christopher +Hargreiues</i>, of Thurniholme; <i>Christopher Howgate</i>, and <i>Elizabeth</i>, +his wife; <i>Alice Graye</i> of Coulne, and one <i>Mould-heeles</i> wife, of the +same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further +saith, That all the said Witches went out of the said House in their +owne shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of +the dores, were gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one +colour, some of another; and <i>Prestons</i> wife was the last: and when +shee got on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this +Examinates sight. And before their said parting away, they all +appointed to meete at the said <i>Prestons</i> wiues house that day +twelue-moneths; at which time the said <i>Prestons</i> wife promised to +make them a great Feast. And if they had occasion to meete in the +meane time, then should warning be giuen, that they all should meete +vpon <i>Romleyes</i> Moore.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iames Device</span> <i>her said Brother, Prisoner at the<br /> +Barre, vpon his Arraignement and Triall: Taken before</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span><br /> +<i>Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace<br /> +within the said Countie.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">S</span>Hee saith, that vpon Good-Friday last there was about twentie +persons, whereof only two were men, to this Examinates remembrance, at +her said Grand-mothers house, called <i>Malking-Tower</i> aforesaid, about +twelue of the clock: all which persons this Examinates said Mother +told her were Witches, and that they came to giue a name to <i>Alizon +Deuice</i> Spirit or Familiar, Sister to this Examinate, and now +Prisoner, in the Castle of Lancaster: And also this Examinate saith, +that the persons aforesaid had to their Dinners, Beefe, Bacon, and +rosted Mutton, which Mutton, as this Examinates said brother said, was +of a Weather of <i>Robinsons</i> of Barley: which Weather was brought in +the night before into this Examinates mothers house, by the said +<i>Iames Deuice</i> this Examinates said brother, and in this Examinates +sight killed, and eaten, as aforesaid: And shee further saith, that +shee knoweth the names of sixe of the said Witches, <i>viz.</i> the wife of +the said <i>Hugh Hargreiues</i>, vnder Pendle: <i>Christopher Howget</i>, of +Pendle, Vncle to this Examinate: and <i>Dick Miles</i> wife, of the +Rough-Lee: <i>Christopher Iacks</i>, of Thorny-holme, and his Wife: and the +names of the residue shee this Examinate doth not know, sauing that +this Examinates Mother and Brother were both there.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>Mother of the said</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>, <i>of<br /> +the Forrest of Pendle, taken the seuen and twentieth day of<br /> +Aprill aforesaid.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span><br /> +<i>Esquires; as aforesaid.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">B</span>Eing examined, the said <i>Elizabeth</i> saith and confesseth, that +vpon Good-Friday last there dined at this Examinates house, those +which she hath said to be Witches, and doth verily thinke them to bee +Witches, and their names are those, whom <i>Iames Deuice</i> hath formerly +spoken of to be there.</p> + +<p>And shee also confesseth in all things touching the Christning of her +Spirit, and the killing of Master <i>Lister</i> of Westby, as the said +<i>Iames Deuice</i> confesseth. But denieth that any talke was amongst +thē the said Witches, to her now remembrance, at the said meeting +together, touching the killing of the Gaoler at Lancaster; blowing vp +of the Castle, thereby to deliuer old <i>Dembdike</i> her Mother; <i>Alizon +Deuice</i> her Daughter, and other Prisoners, committed to the said +Castle for Witchcraft.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>After all these things opened, and deliuered in euidence +against him; Master <i>Couil</i>, who hath the custodie of the +Gaole at Lancaster, hauing taken great paines with him +during the time of his imprisonment, to procure him to +discouer his practizes, and such other Witches as he knew to +bee dangerous: Humbly prayed the fauour of the Court that +his voluntarie confession to M. <i>Anderton</i>, M. <i>Sands</i> the +Major of Lancaster, M. <i>Couel</i>, and others, might openly bee +published and declared in Court.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The voluntarie confession and declaration</i></span><i><br /> +<b>of</b></i><b> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>, <i>Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster.</i></b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">William Sands</span>, <i>Maior of Lancaster</i>, <span class="smcap">Iames<br /> +Anderton</span>, <i>Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices of<br /> +Peace within the Countie of Lancaster: And</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas<br /> +Covel</span>, <i>Gentleman, one of his Maiesties Coroners in the<br /> +same Countie.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><i><span class="dropcap"> I</span>Ames Deuice</i>, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, saith, That +his said Spirit <i>Dandie</i>, being very earnest with him to giue him his +soule, He answered, he would giue him that part thereof that was his +owne to giue: and thereupon the said Spirit said, hee was aboue <span class="smcap">Christ +Iesvs</span>, and therefore hee must absolutely giue him his Soule: and that +done, hee would giue him power to reuenge himselfe against any whom he +disliked.</p> + +<p>And he further saith, that the said Spirit did appeare vnto him after +sundrie times, in the likenesse of a Dogge, and at euery time most +earnestly perswaded him to giue him his Soule absolutely: who answered +as before, that he would giue him his owne part and no further. And +hee saith, that at the last time that the said Spirit was with him, +which was the Tuesday next before his apprehension; when as hee could +not preuaile with him to haue his Soule absolutely granted vnto him, +as aforesaid; the said Spirit departed from him, then giuing a most +fearefull crie and yell, and withall caused a great flash of fire to +shew about him: which said Spirit did neuer after trouble this +Examinate.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>William Sands,</i><br /> +<i>James Anderton.</i><br /> +<i>Tho. Couel, Coroner.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p>The said <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, his Sister, in the very end of her +Examination against the said <i>Iames Deuice</i>, confesseth and saith, +that her Mother taught her two Prayers: the one to get drinke, which +was this. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>Crucifixus hoc signum vitam<br /> +Eternam.</i> Amen.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>And shee further saith, That her Brother <i>Iames Deuice</i>, the Prisoner +at the Barre, hath confessed to her this Examinate, that he by this +Prayer hath gotten drinke: and that within an houre after the saying +the said Prayer, drinke hath come into the house after a very strange +manner. And the other Prayer, the said <i>Iames Deuice</i> affirmed, would +cure one bewitched, which shee recited as followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="larger"><i>A Charme.</i></span><a href="#Kb1">[K<i>b</i>1]</a><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<i><span class="i0">Vpon Good-Friday, I will fast while I may<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vntill I heare them knell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our Lords owne Bell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lord in his messe<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With his twelue Apostles good,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What hath he in his hand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ligh in leath wand:<a href="#Kb2">[Kb2]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">What hath he in his other hand?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heauens doore key,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Open, open Heauen doore keyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Steck, steck hell doore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let Crizum child<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Goe to it Mother mild,<a href="#Kb3">[Kb3]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">What is yonder that casts a light so farrandly,<a href="#Kb4">[Kb4]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mine owne deare Sonne that's naild to the Tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He is naild sore by the heart and hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And holy harne Panne,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well is that man<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That Fryday spell can,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His Childe to learne;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Crosse of Blew, and another of Red,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As good Lord was to the Roode.<br /></span></i> +<span class="i0">Gabriel <i>laid him downe to sleepe</i><br /></span> +<i><span class="i0">Vpon the ground of holy weepe:<a href="#K2a1">[K2a1]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Good Lord came walking by,<br /></span></i> +<span class="i0"><i>Sleep'st thou, wak'st thou</i> Gabriel,<br /></span> +<i><span class="i0">No Lord I am sted with sticke and stake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That I can neither sleepe nor wake:<br /></span></i> +<span class="i0"><i>Rise vp</i> Gabriel <i>and goe with me,</i><br /></span> +<i><span class="i0">The stick nor the stake shall neuer deere thee.<a href="#K2a2">[K2a2]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweete Iesus our Lord, Amen.</span><br /> +<span class="i31">Iames Deuice.<br /></span></i> +</div></div> + +<p>What can be said more of this painfull Steward, that was so carefull +to prouide Mutton against this Feast and solemne meeting at +<i>Malking-Tower</i>, of this hellish and diuellish band of Witches, (the +like whereof hath not been heard of) then hath beene openly published +and declared against him at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement and +Triall: wherein it pleased God to raise vp Witnesses beyond +expectation to conuince him; besides his owne particular Examinations, +which being shewed and read vnto him; he acknowledged to be iust and +true. And what I promised to set forth against him, in the beginning +of his Arraignment and Triall, I doubt not but therein I haue +satisfied your expectation at large, wherein I haue beene very sparing +to charge him with any thing, but with sufficient matter of Record and +Euidence, able to satisfie the consciences of the Gentlemen of the +Iury of Life and Death; to whose good consideration I leaue him, with +the perpetuall Badge and Brand of as dangerous and malicious a Witch, +as euer liued in these parts of Lancashire, of his time: and spotted +with as much Innocent bloud, as euer any Witch of his yeares.</p> + +<p>After all these proceedings, by direction of his Lordship, were their +seuerall Examinations, subscribed by euery one of them in particular, +shewed vnto them at the time of their Triall, & acknowledged by thē +to be true, deliuered to the gentlemen of the Iury of Life & Death, +for the better satisfaction of their consciences: after due +consideration of which said seuerall examinations, confessions, and +voluntary declarations, as well of themselues as of their children, +friends and confederates, The Gentlemen deliuered vp their Verdict +against the Prisoners, as followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<h3><i>The Verdict of Life and Death.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>Ho found <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, and +<i>Iames Deuice</i>, guiltie of the seuerall murthers by Witchcraft, +contained in the Indictments against them, and euery of them.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image25.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="86" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE WITCHES OF</span><br /> +<span class="larger">SALMESBVRY.</span><a href="#K3a">[K3<i>a</i>]</a><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Arraignement and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Bierley</span> <span class="smcap">Ellen Bierley</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane<br /> +Sovthworth</span> <i>of Salmesbury, in the County of<br /> +Lancaster; for Witchcraft vpon the bodie of</i> <span class="smcap">Grace<br /> +Sowerbvts</span>, <i>vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of<br /> +August: At the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuery,<br /> +holden at Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assize at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth.</i><br /> +viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<h3> +<i>Iennet Bierley.</i><br /> +<i>Ellen Bierley.</i><br /> +<i>Iane Southworth.</i><br /> +</h3> + +<p><img src="images/image26.png" alt="T" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Hus haue we for a time left the Graund Witches of the Forrest of +Pendle, to the good consideration of a verie sufficient Iury of worthy +Gentlemen of their Coūtrey. We are now come to the famous Witches +of Salmesbury, as the Countrey called them, who by such a subtill +practise and conspiracie of a Seminarie Priest,<a href="#K3b1">[K3<i>b</i>1]</a> or, as the +best in this Honorable Assembly thinke, a Iesuite, whereof this +Countie of Lancaster hath good store,<a href="#K3b2">[K3<i>b</i>2]</a> who by reason of the +generall entertainement they find, and great maintenance they haue, +resort hither, being farre from the Eye of Iustice, and therefore, +<i>Procul a fulmine</i>; are now brought to the Barre, to receiue their +Triall, and such a young witnesse prepared and instructed to giue +Euidence against them, that it must be the Act of <span class="smcap">God</span> that must be the +means to discouer their Practises and Murthers, and by an infant: but +how and in what sort Almightie <span class="smcap">God</span> deliuered them from the stroake of +Death, when the Axe was layd to the Tree, and made frustrate the +practise of this bloudie Butcher, it shall appeare vnto you vpon their +Arraignement and Triall, whereunto they are now come.</p> + +<p>Master <i>Thomas Couel</i>, who hath the charge of the prisoners in the +Castle at Lancaster, was commaunded to bring forth the said</p> + +<h3> +<i>Jennet Bierley,</i><br /> +<i>Ellen Bierley,</i><br /> +<i>Jane Southworth,</i><br /> +</h3> + +<p>to the Barre to receiue their Triall.</p> + + +<h3>Indictment.</h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, <i>Ellen Bierley</i>, and <i>Iane Southworth</i> +of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, being indicted, for that +they and euery of them felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed +diuerse deuillish and wicked Arts, called <i>Witchcrafts</i>, +<i>Inchauntments</i>, <i>Charmes</i>, and <i>Sorceries</i>, in and vpon one <i>Grace +Sowerbuts</i>: so that by meanes thereof her bodie wasted and consumed, +<i>Contra formam Statuti &c. Et Contra Pacem dicti Domini Regis Coronam +& dignitatem &c.</i></p> + +<p>To this Indictment vpon their Arraignement, they pleaded +<i>Not-Guiltie</i>; and for the Triall of their liues put themselues vpon +<span class="smcap">God</span> and their Countrey.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Master Sheriffe of the Countie of Lancaster, by direction of +the Court, made returne of a very sufficient Iurie to passe betweene +the Kings Maiestie and them, vpon their liues and deaths, with such +others as follow in order.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +The Prisoners being now at the Barre vpon their Triall +<i>Grace<br /> +Sowerbutts</i>, the daughter of <i>Thomas Sowerbutts</i>, +about<br /> +the age of foureteene yeares, was produced +to giue<br /> +Euidence for the Kings Maiestie against them:<br /> +who standing vp, she was commaunded<br /> +to point out the Prisoners, which<br /> +shee +did, and said as<br /> +followeth,<br /> +<i>viz</i><br /> +* *<br /> + *<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Grace Sowerbvtts</span>, <i>daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas<br /> +Sowerbvtts</span>, <i>of Salmesbury, in the Countie of<br /> +Lancaster Husband-man, vpon her Oath,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iennet Bierley</span>, <span class="smcap">Ellen Bierley</span>, <i>and</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Iane Sovthworth</span>, <i>prisoners at the Barre, vpon<br /> +their Arraignement and Triall</i>, viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Grace Sowerbutts</i> vpon her oath saith, That for the space +of some yeares now last past shee hath beene haunted and vexed with +some women, who haue vsed to come to her: which women, shee sayth, +were <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, this Informers Grand-mother; <i>Ellen Bierley</i>, +wife to <i>Henry Bierley</i>; <i>Iane Southworth</i>, late the wife of <i>Iohn +Southworth</i>, and one <i>Old Doewife</i>, all of Salmesburie aforesaid. And +shee saith, That now lately those foure women did violently draw her +by the haire of the head, and layd her on the toppe of a Hay-mowe, in +the said <i>Henry Bierleyes</i> Barne. And shee saith further, That not +long after the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i> did meete this Examinate neere +vnto the place where shee dwellleth, and first appeared in her owne +likenesse, and after that in the likenesse of a blacke Dogge, and as +this Examinate did goe ouer a Style, shee picked her off:<a href="#K4b">[K4<i>b</i>]</a> +howbeit shee saith shee had no hurt then, but rose againe, and went to +her Aunts in Osbaldeston, and returned backe againe to her Fathers +house the same night, being fetched home by her father. And she saith, +That in her way home-wards shee did then tell her Father, how shee +had beene dealt withall both then and at sundry times before that; and +before that time she neuer told any bodie thereof: and being examined +why she did not, she sayth, she could not speake thereof, though she +desired so to doe. And she further sayth, That vpon Saterday, being +the fourth of this instant Aprill, shee this Examinate going towards +Salmesbury bote, to meete her mother, comming from Preston, shee saw +the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, who met this Examinate at a place called +the Two Brigges, first in her owne shape, and afterwardes in the +likenesse of a blacke Dogge, with two legges, which Dogge went close +by the left side of this Examinate, till they came to a Pitte of +Water, and then the said Dogge spake, and persuaded this Examinate to +drowne her selfe there, saying, it was a faire and an easie death: +Whereupon this Examinate thought there came one to her in a white +sheete, and carried her away from the said Pitte, vpon the comming +whereof the said blacke Dogge departed away; and shortly after the +said white thing departed also: And after this Examinate had gone +further on her way, about the length of two or three Fields, the said +blacke Dogge did meete her againe, and going on her left side, as +aforesaid, did carrie her into a Barne of one <i>Hugh Walshmans</i>,<a href="#La">[L<i>a</i>]</a> +neere there by, and layed her vpon the Barne-floore, and couered this +Examinate with Straw on her bodie, and Haye on her head, and the Dogge +it selfe lay on the toppe of the said Straw, but how long the said +Dogge lay there, this Examinate cannot tell, nor how long her selfe +lay there: for shee sayth, That vpon her lying downe there, as +aforesaid, her Speech and Senses were taken from her: and the first +time shee knew where shee was, shee was layed vpon a bedde in the said +<i>Walshmans</i> house, which (as shee hath since beene told) was vpon the +Monday at night following: and shee was also told, That shee was found +and taken from the place where shee first lay, by some of her friends, +and carried into the said <i>Walshmans</i> house, within a few houres after +shee was layed in the Barne, as aforesaid. And shee further sayth, +That vpon the day following, being Tuesday, neere night of the same +day, shee this Examinate was fetched by her Father and Mother from the +said <i>Walshmans</i> house to her Fathers house. And shee saith, That at +the place before specified, called the Two Brigges, the said <i>Iennet +Bierley</i> and <i>Ellen Bierley</i> did appeare vnto her in their owne +shapes: whereupon this Examinate fell downe, and after that was not +able to speake, or goe, till the Friday following: during which time, +as she lay in her Fathers house, the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i> and <i>Ellen +Bierley</i> did once appeare vnto her in their owne shapes, but they did +nothing vnto her then, neither did shee euer see them since. And shee +further sayth, That a good while before all this, this Examinate did +goe with the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, her Grand-mother, and the said +<i>Ellen Bierley</i> her Aunt, at the bidding of her said Grand-mother, to +the house of one <i>Thomas Walshman</i>, in Salmesbury aforesaid. And +comming thither in the night, when all the house-hold was a-bed, the +doores being shut, the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i> did open them, but this +Examinate knoweth not how: and beeing come into the said house, this +Examinate and the said <i>Ellen Bierley</i> stayed there, and the said +<i>Iennet Bierley</i> went into the Chamber where the said <i>Walshman</i> and +his wife lay, & from thence brought a little child,<a href="#L2a1">[L2<i>a</i>1]</a> which this +Examinate thinketh was in bed with it Father and Mother: and after the +said <i>Iennet Bierley</i> had set her downe by the fire, with the said +child, shee did thrust a naile into the nauell of the said child: and +afterwards did take a pen and put it in at the said place, and did +suck there a good space, and afterwards laid the child in bed againe: +and then the said <i>Iennet</i> and the said <i>Ellen</i> returned to their owne +houses, and this Examinate with them. And shee thinketh that neither +the said <i>Thomas Walshman</i>, nor his wife knew that the said child was +taken out of the bed from them. And shee saith also, that the said +child did not crie when it was hurt, as aforesaid: But shee saith, +that shee thinketh that the said child did thenceforth languish, and +not long after dyed. And after the death of the said child; the next +night after the buriall thereof, the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i> & <i>Ellen +Bierley</i>, taking this Examinate with them, went to Salmesburie Church, +and there did take vp the said child, and the said <i>Iennet</i> did carrie +it out of the Church-yard in her armes, and then did put it in her lap +and carryed it home to her owne house, and hauing it there did boile +some therof in a Pot, and some did broile on the coales, of both which +the said <i>Iennet</i> & <i>Ellen</i> did eate, and would haue had this +Examinate and one <i>Grace Bierley</i>, Daughter of the said <i>Ellen</i>, to +haue eaten with them, but they refused so to doe: And afterwards the +said <i>Iennet</i> & <i>Ellen</i> did seethe the bones of the said child in a +pot, & with the Fat that came out of the said bones, they said they +would annoint themselues,<a href="#L2a2">[L2<i>a</i>2]</a> that thereby they might sometimes +change themselues into other shapes. And after all this being done, +they said they would lay the bones againe in the graue the next night +following, but whether they did so or not, this Examinate knoweth not: +Neither doth shee know how they got it out of the graue at the first +taking of it vp. And being further sworne and examined, she deposeth & +saith, that about halfe a yeare agoe, the said <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, +<i>Ellen Bierley</i>, <i>Iane Southworth</i>, and this Examinate (who went by +the appointment of the said <i>Iennet</i> her Grand mother) did meete at a +place called Red banck, vpon the North side of the water of Ribble, +euery Thursday and Sonday at night by the space of a fortnight, and at +the water side there came vnto them, as they went thether, foure black +things, going vpright, and yet not like men in the face: which foure +did carrie the said three women and this Examinate ouer the Water, and +when they came to the said Red Banck they found some thing there which +they did eate. But this Examinate saith, shee neuer saw such meate; +and therefore shee durst not eate thereof, although her said Grand +mother did bidde her eate. And after they had eaten, the said three +Women and this Examinate danced, euery one of them with one of the +blacke things aforesaid, and after their dancing the said black things +did pull downe the said three Women, and did abuse their bodies, as +this Examinate thinketh, for shee saith, that the black thing that was +with her, did abuse her bodie.</p> + +<p>The said Examinate further saith vpon her Oth, That about ten dayes +after her Examination taken at Blackborne, shee this Examinate being +then come to her Fathers house againe, after shee had beene certaine +dayes at her Vnckles house in Houghton: <i>Iane Southworth</i> widow, did +meet this Examinate at her Fathers house dore and did carrie her into +the loft,<a href="#L3a">[L3<i>a</i>]</a> and there did lay her vppon the floore, where shee +was shortly found by her Father and brought downe, and laid in a bed, +as afterwards shee was told: for shee saith, that from the first +meeting of the said <i>Iane Southworth</i>, shee this Examinate had her +speech and senses taken from her. But the next day shee saith, shee +came somewhat to her selfe, and then the said Widow <i>Southworth</i> came +againe to this Examinate to her bed-side, and tooke her out of bed, +and said to this Examinate, that shee did her no harme the other time, +in respect of that shee now would after doe to her, and thereupon put +her vpon a hey-stack, standing some three or foure yards high from the +earth, where shee was found after great search made, by a neighbours +Wife neare dwelling, and then laid in her bedde againe, where she +remained speechlesse and senselesse as before, by the space of two or +three daies: And being recouered, within a weeke after shee saith, +that the said <i>Iane Southworth</i> did come againe to this Examinate at +her fathers house and did take her away, and laid her in a ditch neare +to the house vpon her face, and left her there, where shee was found +shortly after, and laid vpon a bedde, but had not her senses againe of +a day & a night, or thereabouts. And shee further saith, That vpon +Tuesday last before the taking of this her Examination, the said <i>Iane +Southworth</i> came to this Examinates Fathers house, and finding this +Examinate without the doore, tooke her and carried her into the Barne, +and thrust her head amongst a companie of boords that were there +standing, where shee was shortly after found and laid in a bedde, and +remained in her old fit till the Thursday at night following.</p> + +<p>And being further examined touching her being at Red-bancke, shee +saith, That the three women, by her before named, were carried backe +againe ouer Ribble, by the same blacke things that carried them +thither; and saith that at their said meeting in the Red-bancke, there +did come also diuers other women, and did meete them there, some old, +some yong, which this Examinate thinketh did dwell vpon the North-side +of Ribble, because she saw them not come ouer the Water: but this +Examinate knew none of them, neither did she see them eat or dance, or +doe anything else that the rest did, sauing that they were there and +looked on.</p> + +<p>These particular points of Euidence being thus vrged against the +Prisoners: the father of this <i>Grace Sowerbutts</i> prayed that <i>Thomas +Walshman</i>, whose childe they are charged to murther, might be examined +as a witnes vpon his oath, for the Kings Maiestie, against the +Prisoners at the Barre: who vpon this strange deuised accusation, +deliuered by this impudent wench, were in opinion of many of that +great Audience guilty of this bloudie murther, and more worthy to die +then any of these Witches.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Thomas Walshman</span>, <i>of Salmesbury, in the<br /> +Countie of Lancaster, Yeoman.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iennet Bierley</span>, <span class="smcap">Ellen Bierley</span>, <i>and</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Iane Sovthworth</span>, <i>Prisoners at the Barre, vpon<br /> +their Arraignement and Triall, as followeth.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p> +<span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate, <i>Thomas Walshman</i>, vpon his oath +saith, That hee had a childe died about Lent was +twelue-month, who had beene sicke by the space of a +fortnight or three weekes, and was afterwards buried in +Salmesburie Church: which childe when it died was about +a yeare old; But how it came to the death of it, this +Examinate knoweth not. And he further saith, that about +the fifteenth of Aprill last, or thereabouts, the +said <i>Grace Sowerbutts</i> was found in this Examinates fathers +Barne, laid vnder a little hay and straw, and from +thence was carried into this Examinates house, +and there laid till the Monday at night following: +during which time shee did +not speak, but lay as if she had +beene dead. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Singleton</span>:</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Taken at Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +the seuenth day of August</i>: Anno Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span><br /> +Angliæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Fidei Defensor. &c.<br /> +Decimo & Scotiæ, xlvj.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Robert Hovlden</span>,</b><a href="#L4b1">[L4<i>b</i>1]</a><b> +<i>Esquire, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Peace in the County of Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iennet Bierley</span>, <span class="smcap">Ellen Bierley</span>, <i>and</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Iane Sovthworth</span>, <i>which hereafter followeth.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That hee hath often heard +his old Master, Sir <i>Iohn Southworth</i><a href="#L4b2">[L4<i>b</i>2]</a> Knight, now deceased, +say, touching the late wife of <i>Iohn Southworth</i>, now in the Gaole, +for suspition of Witchcraft: That the said wife was as he thought an +euill woman, and a Witch: and he said that he was sorry for her +husband, that was his kinsman, for he thought she would kill him. And +this Examinate further saith, That the said Sir <i>Iohn Southworth</i> in +his comming or going betweene his owne house at Salmesbury, and the +Towne of Preston, did for the most part forbeare to passe by the +house, where the said wife dwelled, though it was his nearest and best +way; and rode another way, only for feare of the said wife, as this +Examinate verily thinketh.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">William</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Alker</span> <i>of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +Yeoman: Taken the fifteenth day of Aprill</i>, Anno Reg.<br /> +Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span>, Angliæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Decimo<br /> +& Scotiæ, quadragesimo quinto.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Robert Hovlden</span>, <i>one of his Maiesties Iustices<br /> +of Peace in the County of Lancaster: Against</i><span class="smcap"> Iennet<br /> +Bierley</span>, <span class="smcap">Ellen Bierley</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane Bierley</span>,<br /> +<i>which hereafter followeth.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That hee hath seene the +said Sir <i>Iohn Southworth</i> shunne to meet the said wife of <i>Iohn +Southworth</i>, now Prisoner in the Gaole, when he came neere where she +was. And hath heard the said Sir <i>Iohn Southworth</i> say, that he liked +her not, and that he doubted she would bewitch him.</p> + +<p>Here was likewise <i>Thomas Sowerbutts</i>, father of <i>Grace Sowerbutts</i>, +examined vpon his oath, and many other witnesses to little purpose: +who being examined by the Court, could depose little against them: But +the finding of the wench vpon the hay in her counterfeit fits: +wherfore I leaue to trouble you with the particular declaration of +their Euidence against the Prisoners, In respect there was not any one +witnes able to charge them with one direct matter of Witchcraft; nor +proue any thing for the murther of the childe.</p> + +<p>Herein, before we come to the particular declaration of that wicked +and damnable practise of this Iesuite or Seminary, I shall commend +vnto your examination and iudgement some points of her Euidence, +wherein you shal see what impossibilities are in this accusatiō +brought to this perfection, by the great care and paines of this +officious Doctor, Master <i>Thompson</i> or <i>Southworth</i>, who commonly +worketh vpon the Feminine disposition, being more Passiue then Actiue.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The particular points of the Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Grace Sowerbutts</span>, <i>viz.</i></b><a href="#M1b">[M1<i>b</i>]</a></p> + +<h3>Euidence.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i><span class="dropcap">T</span>Hat for the space of some yeares she hath been haunted +and vexed with some women, who haue vsed to come to her.</i></p></div> + +<p>The Iesuite forgot to instruct his Scholler how long it is since she +was tormented: it seemes it is long since he read the old Badge of a +Lyer, <i>Oportet mendacem esse memorem</i>. He knowes not how long it is +since they came to church, after which time they began to practise +Witchcraft. It is a likely thing the Torment and Panges of Witchcraft +can be forgotten; and therefore no time can be set downe.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Shee saith that now lately these foure women did violently +draw her by the haire of the head, and lay her on the top of +a Hay-mow.</i></p></div> + +<p>Heere they vse great violence to her, whome in another place they make +choise to be of their counsell, to go with them to the house of +<i>Walshman</i> to murther the childe. This courtesie deserues no discouery +of so foule a Fact.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Not long after, the said</i> Iennet Bierley <i>did meet this +Examinate neere vnto the place where she dwelled, and first +appeared in her owne likenesse, and after that in the +likenesse of a blacke Dogge.</i></p></div> + +<p><i>Vno & eodem tempore</i>, shee transformed her selfe into a Dogge. I +would know by what meanes any Priest can maintaine this point of +Euidence.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>And as shee went ouer a Style, shee picked her ouer, but +had no hurt.</i></p></div> + +<p>This is as likely to be true as the rest, to throw a child downe from +the toppe of a House, and neuer hurt her great toe.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>She rose againe; had no hurt, went to her Aunt, and +returned backe againe to her Fathers house, being fetched +home.</i></p></div> + +<p>I pray you obserue these contrarieties, in order as they are placed, +to accuse the Prisoners.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Saterday the fourth of this instant Aprill.</i></p></div> + +<p>Which was about the very day the Witches of the Forrest of Pendle were +sent to Lancaster. Now was the time for the Seminarie to instruct, +accuse, and call into question these poore women: for the wrinkles of +an old wiues face is good euidence to the Iurie against a Witch.<a href="#M2a">[M2<i>a</i>]</a> +And how often will the common people say (<i>Her eyes are sunke in her +head</i>, <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>blesse vs from her.</i>) But old <i>Chattox</i> had +<i>Fancie</i>,<a href="#M2b">[M2<i>b</i>]</a> besides her withered face, to accuse her.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>This Examinate did goe with the said</i> Iennet Bierley <i>her +Grand-mother, and</i> Ellen Bierley <i>her Aunt, to the house of</i> +Walshman, <i>in the night-time, to murther a Child in strange +manner.</i></p></div> + +<p>This of all the rest is impossible, to make her of their counsell, to +doe murther, whome so cruelly and barbarously they pursue from day to +day, and torment her. The Witches of the Forrest of Pendle were neuer +so cruell nor barbarous.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>And shee also saith, the Child cried not when it was hurt.</i></p></div> + +<p>All this time the Child was asleepe, or the Child was of an +extraordinarie patience, <i>ô inauditum facinus</i>!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>After they had eaten, the said three women and this +Examinate daunced euery one of them with one of the Blacke +things: and after, the Blacke things abused the said women.</i></p></div> + +<p>Here is good Euidence to take away their liues. This is more proper +for the Legend of Lyes, then the Euidence of a witnesse vpon Oath, +before a reuerend and learned Iudge, able to conceiue this Villanie, +and finde out the practise. Here is the Religious act of a Priest, but +behold the euent of it.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>She describes the foure Blacke things to goe vpright, but +not like Men in the face.</i></p></div> + +<p>The Seminarie mistakes the face for the feete: For <i>Chattox</i> and all +her fellow Witches agree, the Deuill is clouen-footed: but <i>Fancie</i> +had a very good face, and was a very proper Man.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>About tenne dayes after her Examination taken at +Black-borne, then she was tormented.</i></p></div> + +<p>Still he pursues his Proiect: for hearing his Scholler had done well, +he laboured she might doe more in this nature. But notwithstanding, +many things are layd to be in the times when they were Papists: yet +the Priest neuer tooke paines to discouer them, nor instruct his +Scholler, vntill they came to Church. Then all this was the Act of +<span class="smcap">God</span>, to raise a child to open all things, and then to difcouer his +plotted Tragedie. Yet in this great discouerie, the Seminarie forgot +to deuise a Spirit for them.</p> + +<p>And for <i>Thomas Walshman</i>, vpon his Oath he sayth, That his Childe had +beene sicke by the space of a fortnight, or three weekes, before it +died. And <i>Grace Sowerbutts</i> saith, they tooke it out of the bedde, +strucke a nayle into the Nauell, sucked bloud, layd it downe againe; +and after, tooke it out of the Graue, with all the rest, as you haue +heard. How these two agree, you may, vpon view of their Euidence, the +better conceiue, and be able to judge.</p> + +<p>How well this proiect, to take away the liues of three innocent poore +creatures by practise and villanie; to induce a young Scholler to +commit periurie, to accuse her owne Grand-mother, Aunt, &c. agrees +either with the Title of a Iesuite, or the dutie of a Religious +Priest, who should rather professe Sinceritie and Innocencie, then +practise Trecherie: But this was lawfull; for they are Heretikes +accursed, to leaue the companie of Priests; to frequent Churches, +heare the word of <span class="smcap">God</span> preached, and professe Religion sincerely.</p> + +<p>But by the course of Times and Accidents, wise men obserue, that very +seldome hath any mischieuous attempt beene vnder-taken without the +direction or assistance of a Iesuit, or Seminarie Priest.</p> + +<p>Who did not condemne these Women vpon this euidence, and hold them +guiltie of this so foule and horrible murder? But Almightie God, who +in his prouidence had prouided meanes for their deliuerance, although +the Priest by the help of the Deuill, had prouided false witnesses to +accuse them; yet <span class="smcap">God</span> had prepared and placed in the Seate of Iustice, +an vpright Iudge to sit in Iudgement vpon their liues, who after he +had heard all the euidence at large against the Prisoners for the +Kings Majestie, demanded of them what answere they could make. They +humbly vpon their knees with weeping teares, desired him for Gods +cause to examine <i>Grace Sowerbuts</i>, who set her on, or by whose meanes +this accusation came against them.</p> + +<p>Immediately the countenance of this <i>Grace Sowerbuts</i> changed: The +witnesses being behinde, began to quarrell and accuse one an other. In +the end his Lordship examined the Girle, who could not for her life +make any direct answere, but strangely amazed, told him, shee was put +to a Master to learne, but he told her nothing of this.</p> + +<p>But here as his Lordships care and paines was great to discouer the +practises of these odious Witches of the Forrest of Pendle, and other +places, now vpon their triall before him: So was he desirous to +discouer this damnable practise, to accuse these poore Women, and +bring their liues in danger, and thereby to deliuer the innocent.</p> + +<p>And as he openly deliuered it vpon the Bench, in the hearing of this +great Audience: That if a Priest or Iesuit had a hand in one end of +it, there would appeare to bee knauerie, and practise in the other end +of it. And that it might the better appeare to the whole World, +examined <i>Thomas Sowerbuts</i>, what Master taught his daughter: in +generall termes, he denyed all.</p> + +<p>The Wench had nothing to say, but her Master told her nothing of this. +In the end, some that were present told his Lordship the truth, and +the Prisoners informed him how shee went to learne with one <i>Thompson</i> +a Seminarie Priest, who had instructed and taught her this accusation +against them, because they were once obstinate Papists, and now came +to Church. Here is the discouerie of this Priest, and of his whole +practise. Still this fire encreased more and more, and one witnesse +accusing an other, all things were laid open at large.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +In the end his Lordship tooke away the Girle from +her Father, and<br /> +committed her to M. <i>Leigh</i>, a very religious +Preacher,<a href="#M4a">[M4<i>a</i>]</a><br /> +and M. <i>Chisnal</i>, two Iustices of the Peace, +to be carefully<br /> +examined. Who tooke great paines to +examine her of<br /> +euery particular point: In the +end they came into<br /> +the Court, and there +deliuered this<br /> +Examination +as followeth.<br /> +* *<br /> + *<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Grace Sowerbvts</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster, Spinster:<br /> +Taken vpon Wednesday the 19. of August 1612.<br /> +Annoq; Reg. Regis,</i> <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> <i>Angliæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ,<br /> +Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo & Scotiæ,</i> xlvi. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">William Leigh</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Chisnal</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same<br /> +Countie: At the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden<br /> +at Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>By</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Direction of Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one<br /> +of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">B</span>Eing demanded whether the accusation shee laid vppon her +Grand-mother, <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, <i>Ellen Bierley</i>, and <i>Iane +Southworth</i>, of Witchcraft, <i>viz.</i> of the killing of the child of +<i>Thomas Walshman</i>, with a naile in the Nauell, the boyling, eating, +and oyling, thereby to transforme themselues into diuers shapes, was +true; Shee doth vtterly denie the same; or that euer shee saw any such +practises done by them.</p> + +<p>Shee further saith, that one Master <i>Thompson</i>, which she taketh to be +Master <i>Christopher Southworth</i>, to whom shee was sent to learne her +prayers, did perswade, counsell, and aduise her, to deale as formerly +hath beene said against her said Grand-mother, Aunt, and <i>Southworths</i> +wife.</p> + +<p>And further shee confesseth and saith, that shee neuer did know, or +saw any Deuils, nor any other Visions, as formerly by her hath beene +alleaged and informed.</p> + +<p>Also shee confesseth and saith, That shee was not throwne or cast vpon +the Henne-ruffe, and Hay-mow in the Barne, but that shee went vp vpon +the Mow her selfe by the wall side.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Being further demanded whether shee euer was at<br /> +the Church, shee saith, shee was not, but promised<br /> +her after to goe to the Church,<br /> +and that very willingly.<br /> +</p> + + +<h3><i>Signum</i> + Grace Sowerbuts.</h3> + +<h3><i>William Leigh.</i></h3> + +<h3><i>Edward Chisnal.</i></h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet Bierley</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Ellen Bierley</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane Sovthworth</span>,<br /> +<i>of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +Taken vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August</i> 1612.<br /> +<i>Annoq; Reg. Regis</i>, <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> <i>Angliæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ,<br /> +Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo & Scotiæ,</i> xlvi.</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">William Leigh</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Chisnal</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same<br /> +Countie: At the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden<br /> +at Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>By</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Direction of Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one<br /> +of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><i><span class="dropcap"> I</span>Ennet Bierley</i> being demanded what shee knoweth, or hath heard, +how <i>Grace Sowerbuts</i> was brought to <i>Christopher Southworth</i>, Priest; +shee answereth, that shee was brought to M. <i>Singletons</i> house by her +owne Mother, where the said Priest was, and that shee further heard +her said Mother say, after her Daughter had been in her fit, that shee +should be brought vnto her Master, meaning the said Priest.</p> + +<p>And shee further saith, that shee thinketh it was by and through the +Counsell of the said M. <i>Thomson</i>, alias <i>Southworth</i>, Priest, That +<i>Grace Sowerbuts</i> her Grand-child accused her of Witchcraft, and of +such practises as shee is accused of: and thinketh further, the cause +why the said <i>Thompson</i>, alias <i>Southworth</i> Priest, should practise +with the Wench to doe it was, for that shee went to the Church.</p> + +<p><i>Iane Southworth</i> saith shee saw Master <i>Thompson</i>, alias +<i>Southworth</i>, the Priest, a month or sixe weekes before she was +committed to the Gaole; and had conference with him in a place called +Barne-hey-lane, where and when shee challenged him for slandering her +to bee a Witch: whereunto he answered, that what he had heard thereof, +he heard from her mother and her Aunt: yet she, this Examinate, +thinketh in her heart it was by his procurement, and is moued so to +thinke, for that shee would not be disswaded from the Church.</p> + +<p><i>Ellen Bierley</i> saith, Shee saw Master <i>Thompson</i>, alias <i>Southworth</i>, +sixe or eight weeks before she was committed, and thinketh the said +Priest was the practiser with <i>Grace Sowerbutts</i>, to accuse her of +Witchcraft, and knoweth no cause why he should so doe, but because she +goeth to the Church.</p> + +<h3><i>Signum</i>, + Iennet Bierley.</h3> + +<h3><i>Signum</i>, £ Iane Southworth.</h3> + +<h3><i>Signum</i>, Φ Ellen Bierley.</h3> + +<h3><i>William Leigh.</i></h3> + +<h3><i>Edward Chisnall.</i></h3> + +<p>These Examinations being taken, they were brought into the Court, and +there openly in the presence of this great Audience published, and +declared to the Iurie of Life and Death; and thereupon the Gentlemen +of their Iury required to consider of them. For although they stood +vpon their Triall, for matter of Fact of Witchcraft, Murther, and much +more of the like nature: yet in respect all their Accusations did +appeare to bee practise: they were now to consider of them, and to +acquit them. Thus were these poore Innocent creatures, by the great +care and paines of this honorable Iudge, deliuered from the danger of +this conspiracie; this bloudie practise of the Priest laid open: of +whose fact I may lawfully say; <i>Etiam si ego tacuero clamabunt +lapides</i>.</p> + +<p>These are but ordinary with Priests and Iesuites: no respect of Bloud, +kindred, or friendship, can moue them to forbeare their Conspiracies: +for when he had laboured treacherously to seduce and conuert them, and +yet could doe no good; then deuised he this meanes.</p> + +<p><i>God of his great mercie deliuer vs all from them and their damnable +conspiracies: and when any of his Maiesties subiects, so free and +innocent as these, shall come in question, grant them as honorable a +Triall, as Reuerend and worthy a Iudge to sit in Iudgement vpon them; +and in the end as speedie a deliuerance. And for that which I haue +heard of them; seene with my eyes, and taken paines to Reade of them: +My humble prayer shall be to God Almightie.</i> Vt Conuertantur ne +pereant. Aut confundantur ne noceant.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +To conclude, because the discourse of these three +women of Salmesbury<br /> +hath beene long and troublesome +to you; it is heere placed amongst<br /> +the Witches, +by special order and commandement, to set forth to<br /> +the +World the practise and conspiracie of this bloudy Butcher.<br /> +And because I haue presented to your view a Kalender in<br /> +the Frontispice of this Booke, of twentie +notorious<br /> +Witches: I shall shew you their +deliuerance in<br /> +order, as they came to +their Arraignement<br /> +and Triall euery +day, and as the<br /> +Gentlemen of euery Iury for<br /> +life and death stood<br /> +charged with<br /> +them.<br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image27.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="83" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Anne Redferne</span>,</span><a href="#N3b">[N3<i>b</i>]</a><br /> +<b> +<i>Daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Anne Whittle</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Chattox</span>,<br /> +<i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, for<br /> +Witchcraft; vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August,<br /> +at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at<br /> +Lancaster,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<h3><i>Anne Redferne.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image28.png" alt="S" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Vch is the horror of Murther, and the crying sinne of Bloud, that +it will neuer bee satisfied but with Bloud. So fell it out with this +miserable creature, <i>Anne Redferne</i>, the daughter of <i>Anne Whittle</i>, +alias <i>Chattox</i>: who, as shee was her Mother, and brought her into the +World, so was she the meanes to bring her into this danger, and in the +end to her Execution, for much Bloud spilt, and many other mischiefes +done.</p> + +<p>For vpon Tuesday night (although you heare little of her at the +Arraignement and Triall of old <i>Chattox</i>, her Mother) yet was shee +arraigned for the murther of <i>Robert Nutter</i>, and others: and by the +fauour and mercifull consideration of the Iurie, the Euidence being +not very pregnant against her, she was acquited, and found Not +guiltie.</p> + +<p>Such was her condition and course of life, as had she liued, she would +haue beene very dangerous: for in making pictures of Clay, she was +more cunning then any: But the innocent bloud yet vnsatisfied, and +crying out vnto <span class="smcap">God</span> for satisfaction and reuenge; the crie of his +people (to deliuer them from the danger of such horrible and bloudie +executioners, and from her wicked and damnable practises) hath now +againe brought her to a second Triall, where you shall heare what wee +haue vpon Record against her.</p> + +<p>This <i>Anne Redferne</i>, prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre, before the great Seat of Iustice, was there, +according to the former order and course, indicted and arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her deuillish +and wicked Arts, called <i>Witchcrafts</i>, <i>Inchauntments</i>, <i>Charmes</i>, and +<i>Sorceries</i>, in and vpon one <i>Christopher Nutter</i>, and him the said +<i>Christopher Nutter</i>, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously +did kill and murther, <i>Contra formam Statuti &c. Et Contra Pacem &c.</i></p> + +<p>Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, she pleaded <i>Not-Guiltie</i>; +and for the triall of her life put her selfe vpon <span class="smcap">God</span> and the +Countrey.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged +with her as with others.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>The Euidence against</i> Anne Redferne, <i>Prisoner at the +Barre.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Sothernes</span>, alias <span class="smcap">Old Dembdike</span>, <i>taken at the<br /> +Fence, in the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +the second day of Aprill</i>, Anno Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span>,<br /> +Angliæ, &c. decimo, & Scotiæ xlv.</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Anne Redferne</span> (<i>the daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Anne Whittle</span>,<br /> +alias <span class="smcap">Chattox</span>) <i>Prisoner at the Barre:</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>of Reade, Esquire, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Peace within the said Countie.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate saith, That about halfe a yeare before <i>Robert +Nutter</i> died, as this Examinate thinketh, this Examinate went to the +house of <i>Thomas Redferne</i>, which was about Midsummer, as shee this +Examinate now remembreth it: and there, within three yards of the East +end of the said house, shee saw the said <i>Anne Whittle</i> and <i>Anne +Redferne</i>, wife of the said <i>Thomas Redferne</i>, and daughter of the +said <i>Anne Whittle</i>, the one on the one side of a Ditch, and the other +on the other side, and two pictures of Clay or Marle lying by them, +and the third picture the said <i>Anne Whittle</i> was making. And the said +<i>Anne Redferne</i>, her said daughter, wrought her Clay or Marle to make +the third picture withall. And this Examinate passing by them, a +Spirit, called <i>Tibbe</i>, in the shape of a blacke Cat, appeared vnto +her this Examinate and said, Turne backe againe, and doe as they doe. +To whom this Examinate said, What are they doing? Whereunto the said +Spirit said, They are making three pictures: whereupon shee asked, +whose pictures they were? whereunto the said Spirit said, They are the +pictures of <i>Christopher Nutter</i>, <i>Robert Nutter</i>, and <i>Mary</i>, wife of +the said <i>Robert Nutter</i>. But this Examinate denying to goe backe to +helpe them to make the pictures aforesaid, the said Spirit seeming to +be angrie therefore, shot or pushed this Examinate into the Ditch; and +so shedde the milke which this Examinate had in a Kanne, or Kitt; and +so thereupon the Spirit at that time vanished out of this Examinates +sight. But presently after that, the said Spirit appeared vnto this +Examinate again in the shape of a Hare, and so went with her about a +quarter of a myle, but said nothing vnto her this Examinate, nor shee +to it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Margaret</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Crooke</span></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>the said</i> <span class="smcap">Anne Redferne</span>: <i>Taken the day and<br /> +yeare aforesaid,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>aforesaid, Esquire, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of the Peace in the Countie of Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate, sworne & examined vpon her oath, sayth, That about +eighteene or nineteene yeares agoe, this Examinates brother, called +<i>Robert Nutter</i>, about Whitsontide the same yeare, meeting with the +said <i>Anne Redferne</i>, vpon some speeches betweene them they fell out, +as this Examinats said brother told this Examinat: and within some +weeke, or fort-night, then next after, this Examinats said brother +fell sicke, and so languished vntill about Candlemas then next after, +and then died. In which time of his sicknesse, he did a hundred times +at the least say, That the said <i>Anne Redferne</i> and her associates had +bewitched him to death. And this Examinate further saith, That this +Examinates Father, called <i>Christopher Nutter</i>, about Maudlintide next +after following fell sicke, and so languished, vntill Michaelmas then +next after, and then died: during which time of his sicknesse, hee did +sundry times say, That hee was bewitched; but named no bodie that +should doe the same.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Nvtter</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>of Higham Booth, in the Forrest of Pendle, in the<br /> +Countie of Lancaster, yeoman,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>the said</i> <span class="smcap">Anne Redferne</span>: <i>Taken the day and yeare<br /> +aforesaid,</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices<br /> +of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate, sworne and examined vpon his oath, sayth, That in +or about Christmas, some eighteene or nineteene yeares agoe, this +Examinat comming from Burnley with <i>Christopher Nutter</i> and <i>Robert +Nutter</i>, this Examinates Father and Brother, this Examinate heard his +said Brother then say vnto his said Father these words, or to this +effect. <i>Father, I am sure I am bewitched by the</i> Chattox, Anne +Chattox, <i>and</i> Anne Redferne <i>her daughter, I pray you cause them to +bee layed in Lancaster Castle:</i> Whereunto this Examinates Father +answered, Thou art a foolish Ladde, it is not so, it is thy +miscarriage. Then this Examinates Brother weeping, said; nay, I am +sure that I am bewitched by them, and if euer I come againe (for hee +was readie to goe to Sir <i>Richard Shuttleworths</i>, then his Master) I +will procure them to bee laid where they shall be glad to bite Lice in +two with their teeth.</p> + +<p>Hereupon <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias <i>Chattox</i>, her Mother, was brought +forth to bee examined, who confessed the making of the pictures of +Clay, and in the end cried out very heartily to God to forgiue her +sinnes, and vpon her knees intreated for this <i>Redferne</i>, her +daughter.</p> + +<p>Here was likewise many witnesses examined vpon oth <i>Viua voce</i>, who +charged her with many strange practises, and declared the death of the +parties, all in such sort, and about the time in the Examinations +formerly mentioned.</p> + +<p>All men that knew her affirmed, shee was more dangerous then her +Mother, for shee made all or most of the Pictures of Clay, that were +made or found at any time.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Wherefore I leaue her to make good vse of the little<br /> +time she hath to repent in: but no meanes<br /> +could moue her to repentance, for<br /> +as shee liued, so shee<br /> +dyed.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>taken the day and yeare afore-said.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace<br /> +within the said Countie of Lancaster.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That about +two yeares agoe, hee this Examinate saw three Pictures +of Clay, of halfe a yard long, at the end of <i>Redfernes</i> +house, which <i>Redferne</i> had one of the Pictures in +his hand, <i>Marie</i> his daughter had another in her hand, +and the said <i>Redfernes</i> wife, <span class="sidenote"><i>Anne Redferne the Witch.</i></span>now prisoner at Lancaster, +had an other Picture in her hand, which Picture she the +said <i>Redfernes</i> wife, was then crumbling, but whose Pictures +they were, this Examinate cannot tell. And at +his returning backe againe, some ten Roods off them +there appeared vnto him this Examinate a +thing like a Hare, which spit fire +at him this Examinate. +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image29.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="127" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Alice Nutter</span>,</span><br /> +<b><i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, for<br /> +Witch-craft; upon Wednesday the nineteenth of August,<br /> +at the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at<br /> +Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b><i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his<br /> +Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<h3><i>Alice Nutter.</i><a href="#O3a">[O3<i>a</i>]</a></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image30.png" alt="T" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>He two degrees of persons which chiefly practise Witch-craft, are +such, as are in great miserie and pouertie, for such the Deuill +allures to follow him, by promising great riches, and worldly +commoditie; Others, though rich, yet burne in a desperate desire of +Reuenge; Hee allures them by promises, to get their turne satisfied to +their hearts contentment, as in the whole proceedings against old +<i>Chattox</i>: the examinations of old <i>Dembdike</i>; and her children, there +was not one of them, but have declared the like, when the Deuill first +assaulted them.</p> + +<p>But to attempt this woman in that sort, the Diuel had small meanes: +For it is certaine she was a rich woman; had a great estate, and +children of good hope: in the common opinion of the world, of good +temper, free from enuy or malice; yet whether by the meanes of the +rest of the Witches, or some vnfortunate occasion, shee was drawne to +fall to this wicked course of life, I know not: but hither shee is now +come to receiue her Triall, both for Murder, and many other vilde and +damnable practises.</p> + +<p>Great was the care and paines of his Lordship, to make triall of the +Innocencie of this woman, as shall appeare vnto you vpon the +Examination of <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, in open Court, at the time of her +Arraignement and Triall; by an extraordinary meanes of Triall, to +marke her out from the rest.</p> + +<p>It is very certaine she was of the Grand-counsell at Malking-Tower +vpon Good-Friday, and was there present, which was a very great +argument to condemne her.</p> + +<p>This <i>Alice Nutter</i>, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being +brought to the Barre before the Great Seat of Iustice; was there +according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish +and wicked Arts, called <i>Witchcrafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, <i>Charmes</i> and +<i>Sorceries</i>, in and vpon <i>Henry Mitton</i>: and him the said <i>Henry +Mitton</i>, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously did kill and +murther. <i>Contra formam Statuti</i>, &c. <i>Et Contra Pacem</i>, &c.</p> + +<p>Vpon her Arraignement, to this Indictment shee pleaded not guiltie; +and for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and the +Countrey.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iury of life and death stand charged +with her, as with others.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>The Euidence against</i> Alice Nutter <i>Prisoner<br /> +at the Barre.</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span></span><br /> +<b> +<i>sonne of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>: <i>Taken the seuen<br /> +and twentieth day of Aprill</i>: Anno Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span><br /> +Angliæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Fidei Defensor. &c.<br /> +Decimo & Scotiæ, xlvj. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>, <i>two of his Maiesties Iustices of +Peace in the Countie of Lancaster. Against Alice Nutter.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate saith vpon his oath, That hee heard his +Grand-mother say, about a yeare ago, that his mother, called +<i>Elizabeth Deuice</i>, and his Grand-mother, and the wife of <i>Richard +Nutter</i>, <span class="sidenote"><i>Alice Nutter</i> the Prisoner.</span>of the Rough-Lee +aforesaid, had killed one <i>Henry Mitton</i>, of the Rough-Lee aforesaid, +by Witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so killed, was for that +this Examinats said Grand-mother had asked the said <i>Mitton</i> a penny: +and hee denying her thereof; thereupon shee procured his death as +aforesaid.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>mother of the said</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>. +</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Alice Nvtter</span>, <i>wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Richard Nvtter</span>,<br /> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre, vpon her Arraignement and<br /> +Triall.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, the day and yeare aforesaid.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate vpon her oath confesseth, and saith, That she, with +the wife of <i>Richard Nutter</i>, called <i>Alice Nutter</i>, Prisoner at the +Barre; and this Examinates said mother, <i>Elizabeth Sotherne</i>, alias +<i>Old Demdike</i>; ioyned altogether, and bewitched the said <i>Henry +Mitton</i> to death.</p> + +<p>This Examinate further saith, That vpon Good-friday last, there dined +at this examinats house two women of Burneley Parish, whose names the +said <i>Richard Nutters</i> wife, <i>Alice Nutter</i>, now Prisoner at the +Barre, doth know.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span></span><br /> +<b> +<i>aforesaid.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><i>The said</i> <span class="smcap">Alice Nvtter</span>, <i>the daye and yeare aforesaid.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>HE said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That vpon Good-Friday about +twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinats +said mothers house, a number of persons, whereof three were men, with +this Examinate, and the rest women: and that they mette there for +these three causes following, as this Examinats said mother told this +Examinate.</p> + +<p>The first was for the naming of the Spirit, which <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, now +Prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was not +there.</p> + +<p>The second cause was, for the deliuerie of his said Grand-mother; this +Examinates said sister, <i>Alizon</i>; the said <i>Anne Chattox</i>, and her +daughter <i>Redferne</i>; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster, and before the +next Assizes to blow vp the Castle there; to the end that the foresaid +Prisoners might by that meanes make an escape, and get away: all which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of.</p> + +<p>And he also saith, The names of such Witches as were on Good-Friday at +this Examinats said Grand-mothers house, and now this Examinates owne +mothers, for so many of them as he doth know, were amongst others, +<i>Alice Nutter</i>, mother of <i>Myles Nutter</i>, now Prisoner at the Barre. +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses; and they all, +by that time they were forth of the doores, were gotten on +horse-backe, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, and some of +another; and <i>Prestons</i> wife was the last: and when shee got on +horse-back, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates sight: +and before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete at the +said <i>Prestons</i> wifes house that day twelue month, at which time the +said <i>Prestons</i> wife promised to make them a great feast: and if they +had occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen +to meet upō Romleys Moore.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iennet Device</span>, <i>daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth<br /> +Device</span>. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">Alice Nvtter</span>, <i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate saith, That on Good-Friday last, there was about +20. persons, whereof only two were men (to this Examinates +remembrance) at her said Grand-mothers house at Malking-Tower, about +twelue of the clock; all which persons, this Examinats said mother +tould her, were Witches. And she further saith, she knoweth the names +of six of them, <i>viz.</i> the wife of <i>Hugh Hargreiues</i> vnder Pendle, +<i>Christopher Howgate</i> of Pendle, Vncle to this Examinat and +<i>Elizabeth</i> his wife; and <i>Dick Myles</i> wife of the Rough-Lee, +<i>Christopher Iacks</i> of Thorniholme, and his wife; and the names of the +residue, she this Examinate doth not know.</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">A</span>Fter these Examinations were openly read, his Lordship being very +suspitious of the accusation of this yong wench <i>Iennet Deuice</i>, +commanded one to take her away into the vpper Hall, intending in the +meane time to make Triall of her Euidence, and the Accusation +especially against this woman, who is charged to haue beene at +Malking-Tower, at this great meeting. Master <i>Couel</i> was commanded to +set all his prisoners by themselues, and betwixt euery Witch another +Prisoner, and some other strange women amongst them, so as no man +could iudge the one from the other: and these being set in order +before the Court from the prisoners, then was the Wench <i>Iennet +Deuice</i> commaunded to be brought into the Court: and being set before +my Lord, he tooke great paines to examine her of euery particular +Point, What women were at Malking-Tower vpon Good-Friday? How she knew +them? What were the names of any of them? And how she knew them to be +such as she named?</p> + +<p>In the end being examined by my Lord,<a href="#P2a1">[P2<i>a</i>1]</a> Whether she knew them +that were there by their faces, if she saw them? she told my Lord she +should: whereupon in the presence of this great Audience, in open +Court, she went and tooke <i>Alice Nutter</i>, this prisoner, by the hand, +and accused her to be one: and told her in what place shee sat at the +Feast at Malking-Tower, at the great assembly of the Witches, and who +sat next her: what conference they had, and all the rest of their +proceedings at large, without any manner of contrarietie.</p> + +<p>Being demaunded further by his Lordship, Whether she knew <i>Iohan a +Style</i>?<a href="#P2a2">[P2<i>a</i>2]</a> she alledged, she knew no such womā to be there, +neither did she euer heare her name.</p> + +<p>This could be no forged or false Accusation, but the very Act of <span class="smcap">God</span> +to discouer her.</p> + +<p>Thus was no meanes left to doe her all indifferent fauour, but it was +vsed to saue her life; and to this shee could giue no answere.</p> + +<p>But nothing would serue: for old <i>Dembdike</i>, old <i>Chattox</i>, and +others, had charged her with innocent bloud, which cries out for +Reuenge, and will be satisfied. And therefore Almightie <span class="smcap">God</span>, in his +Iustice, hath cut her off.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +And here I leaue her, vntill shee come to her Execution, +where<br /> +you shall heare shee died very impenitent; +insomuch as<br /> +her owne children were neuer able to +moue her to<br /> +confesse any particular offence, or declare any<br /> +thing, euen in <i>Articulo Mortis</i>: which was<br /> +a very fearefull thing to all that were<br /> +present, who knew shee<br /> +was guiltie.<br /> +* *<br /> + *<br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image31.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="79" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Katherine Hewit</span>,</span><br /> +<b><i>Wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Hewit</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Movld-heeles</span>,<a href="#P3a">[P3<i>a</i>]</a><br /> +<i>of Coulne, in the Countie of Lancaster Clothier, for<br /> +Witchcraft; vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August,<br /> +at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at<br /> +Lancaster,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster.</i></b><br /> +</p> + +<h3><i>Katherine Hewit.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image32.png" alt="W" width="129" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Ho but Witches can be proofes, and so witnesses of the doings of +Witches? since all their Meetings, Conspiracies, Practises, and +Murthers, are the workes of Darkenesse: But to discouer this wicked +<i>Furie</i>, <span class="smcap">God</span> hath not only raised meanes beyond expectation, by the +voluntarie Confession and Accusation of all that are gone before, to +accuse this Witch (being Witches, and thereby witnesses of her doings) +but after they were committed, by meanes of a Child, to discouer her +to be one, and a Principall in that wicked assembly at Malking-Tower, +to deuise such a damnable course for the deliuerance of their friends +at Lancaster, as to kill the Gaoler, and blow vp the Castle, wherein +the Deuill did but labour to assemble them together, and so being +knowne to send them all one way: And herein I shall commend vnto your +good consideration the wonderfull meanes to condemne these parties, +that liued in the world, free from suspition of any such offences, as +are proued against them: And thereby the more dangerous, that in the +successe we may lawfully say, the very Finger of God did point thē +out. And she that neuer saw them, but in that meeting, did accuse +them, and by their faces discouer them.</p> + +<p>This <i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre before the great Seate of Iustice, was there +according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practized, exercised, and vsed her Deuillish +and wicked Arts, called <i>Witch-crafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, <i>Charmes</i>, and +<i>Sorceries</i>, in, and vpon <i>Anne Foulds</i>; and the same <i>Anne Foulds</i>, +by force of the same witch-craft, felloniously did kill and murder. +<i>Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et contra Pacem dicti Domini Regis, &c.</i></p> + +<p>Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; +And for the triall of her life put her selfe vpon God and her +Countrie.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, stand charged +with her as with others.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>The Euidence against</i> Katherine Hewyt,<br /> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Sonne of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>taken the seuen and<br /> +twentieth day of Aprill</i>, Anno Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span>, Angliæ,<br /> +Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, decimo, et Scotiæ quadragesimo<br /> +quarto. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace,<br /> +in the Countie of Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Katherine Hewyt</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Movld-heeles</span><br /> +<i>of Colne.</i> viz.</b><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate saith, that vpon Good-Friday last, about twelue of +the Clock in the day time, there dined at this Examinates Mothers +house a number of persons: And hee also saith, that they were Witches; +and that the names of the said Witches, that were there, for so many +of them as he did know, were amongst others <i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, wife of +<i>Iohn Hewyt</i>, alias <i>Mould-heeles</i>, of Colne, in the Countie of +Lancaster Clothier; And that the said Witch, called <i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, +alias <i>Mould-heeles</i>, and one <i>Alice Gray</i>, did confesse amongst the +said Witches at their meeting at <i>Malkin-Tower</i> aforesaid, that they +had killed <i>Foulds</i> wifes child, called <i>Anne Foulds</i>, of +Colne:<a href="#P4a1">[P4<i>a</i>1]</a> And also said, that they had then in hanck a +child<a href="#P4a2">[P4<i>a</i>2]</a> of <i>Michael Hartleys</i> of Colne.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further saith, that all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their own shapes and likenesses, and by that time +they were gotten forth of the doores, they were gotten on Horse-back +like vnto foales, some of one colour, some of an other, and the said +<i>Prestons</i> wife was the last: And when she got on Horse-back, they all +presently vanished out of this Examinates sight. And before their said +parting away they all appointed to meete at the said <i>Prestons</i> wifes +house that day twelue Moneths: at which time the said <i>Prestons</i> wife +promised to make them a great feast, and if they had occasion to meete +in the meane time, then should warning be giuen that they all should +meet vpon Romlesmoore.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>Mother of the said</i> <span class="smcap">Iames<br /> +Device</span>. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Katherine Hewyt</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Movld-heeles</span>,<br /> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre vpon her Arraignement and Triall,<br /> +taken the day and yeare aforesaid.</i> viz.<br /> +</b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate vpon her oath confesseth, that vpon Good-Friday last +there dyned at this Examinates house, which she hath said are Witches, +and verily thinketh to bee Witches, such as the said <i>Iames Deuice</i> +hath formerly spoken of: amongst which was <i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, alias +<i>Mould-heeles</i>, now Prisoner at the Barre: and shee also saith, that +at their meeting on Good-Friday at <i>Malkin-Tower</i> aforesaid, the said +<i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, alias <i>Mould-heeles</i>, and <i>Anne Gray</i>, did +confesse, they had killed a child of <i>Foulds</i> of Colne, called <i>Anne +Foulds</i>, and had gotten hold of another.</p> + +<p>And shee further saith, the said <i>Katherine Hewyt</i> with all the rest, +there gaue her consent with the said <i>Prestons</i> wife for the murder of +Master <i>Lister</i>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iennet Device</span>, </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Katherine Hewyt</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Movld-heeles</span>,<br /> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i></b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last, there was +about twentie persons, whereof two were men to this Examinates +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called <i>Malkin-Tower</i> +aforesaid, about twelue of the clock: All which persons this +Examinates said mother told her were Witches, and that shee knoweth +the names of sixe of the said Witches.</p> + +<p>Then was the said <i>Iennet Deuice</i> commanded by his Lordship, to finde +and point out the said <i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, alias <i>Mould-heeles</i>, +amongst all the rest of the said Women, whereupon shee went and tooke +the said <i>Katherine Hewyt</i> by the hand: Accused her to bee one, and +told her in what place shee sate at the feast at <i>Malkin-Tower</i>, at +the great Assembly of the Witches, and who sate next her; what +conference they had, and all the rest of their proceedings at large, +without any manner of contrarietie: Being demanded further by his +Lordship, whether <i>Ioane a Downe</i> were at that Feast, and meeting, or +no? shee alleaged shee knew no such woman to be there, neither did +shee euer heare her name.</p> + +<p>If this were not an Honorable meanes to trie the accusation against +them, let all the World vpon due examination giue iudgement of it. And +here I leaue her the last of this companie, to the Verdict of the +Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, as hereafter shall appeare.</p> + +<p>Heere the Iurie of Life and Death, hauing spent the most part of the +day, in due consideration of their offences, Returned into the Court +to deliuer vp their Verdict against them, as followeth.</p> + +<h3> +<i>The Verdict of Life and<br /> +Death.</i> +</h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>Ho vpon their Oathes found <i>Iennet Bierley</i>, <i>Ellen Bierley</i>, and +<i>Iane Southworth</i>, not guiltie of the offence of Witch-craft, +conteyned in the Indictment against them.</p> + +<p><i>Anne Redferne</i>, guiltie of the fellonie & murder, conteyned in the +Indictment against her.</p> + +<p><i>Alice Nutter</i>, guiltie of the fellonie and murder conteyned in the +Indictment against her.</p> + +<p>And</p> + +<p><i>Katherine Hewyt</i>, guiltie of the fellonie & murder conteyned in the +Indictment against her.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Master <i>Couell</i> was commanded by the Court to take away the +Prisoners Conuicted, and to bring forth <i>Iohn Bulcocke</i>, <i>Iane +Bulcocke</i> his mother,<a href="#Q2a">[Q2<i>a</i>]</a> and <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, Prisoners in the +Castle at Lancaster, to receiue their Trialls.</p> + +<p>Who were brought to their Arraignement and Triall as hereafter +followeth.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image33.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="85" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Bvlcock</span>,</span><br /> +<b><i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane Bvlcock</span> <i>his mother, wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Christopher<br /> +Bvlcock</span>, <i>of the Mosse-end, in the Countie<br /> +of Lancaster, for Witch-craft: vpon Wednesday in the<br /> +after-noone, the nineteenth of August, 1612. At the Assizes<br /> +and generall Gaole deliuery, holden at Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span>, <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assizes at Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<h3> +<i>John Bulcock</i>,<br /> +and<br /> +<i>Jane Bulcock</i> his mother. +</h3> + +<p><img src="images/image19.png" alt="I" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>F there were nothing to charge these Prisoners withall, whom now +you may behold vpon their Arraignement and Triall but their poasting +in haste to the great Assembly at Malking-Tower, there to aduise and +consult amongst the Witches, what were to bee done to set at liberty +the Witches in the Castle at Lancaster: Ioyne with <i>Iennet Preston</i> +for the murder of Master <i>Lister</i>; and such like wicked & diuellish +practises: It were sufficient to accuse them for Witches, & to bring +their liues to a lawfull Triall. But amongst all the Witches in this +company, there is not a more fearefull and diuellish Act committed, +and voluntarily confessed by any of them, comparable to this, vnder +the degree of Murder: which impudently now (at the Barre hauing +formerly confessed;)<a href="#Q3a1">[Q3<i>a</i>1]</a> they forsweare, swearing they were neuer +at the great assembly at Malking Tower; although the very Witches that +were present in that action with them, iustifie, maintaine, and sweare +the same to be true against them: Crying out in very violent & +outragious manner, euen to the gallowes,<a href="#Q3a2">[Q3<i>a</i>2]</a> where they died +impenitent for any thing we know, because they died silent in the +particulars. These of all others were the most desperate wretches +(void of all feare or grace) in all this Packe; Their offences not +much inferiour to Murther: for which you shall heare what matter of +Record wee haue against them; and whether they be worthie to continue, +we leaue it to the good consideration of the Iury.</p> + +<p>The said <i>Iohn Bulcock</i>, and <i>Iane Bulcock</i> his mother, Prisoners in +the Castle at Lancaster, being brought to the Barre before the great +Seat of Iustice: were there according to the former order and course +Indicted and Arraigned, for that they felloniously had practised, +exercised and vfed their diuellish & wicked Arts, called +<i>Witchcrafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, <i>Charmes</i> and <i>Sorceries</i>, in and vpon +the body of <i>Iennet Deane</i>: so as the body of the said <i>Iennet Deane</i>, +by force of the said Witchcrafts, wasted and consumed; and after she, +the said <i>Iennet</i>, became madde. <i>Contra formam Statuti</i>, &c. <i>Et +Contra pacem</i>, &c.</p> + +<p>Vpon their Arraignement, to this Indictment they pleaded not guiltie; +and for the triall of their liues put themselues vpon God and their +Countrey.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged +with them as with others.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>The Euidence against</i> Iohn Bulcock, <i>and</i> Jane<br /> +Bulcock <i>his mother, Prisoners at the Barre.</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span></span><br /> +<b> +<i>taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill aforesaid.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in<br /> +the Countie of Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iohn Bvlcock</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane Bvlcock</span> <i>his mother.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday, about twelue of the +clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates said Mothers +house a number of persons, whereof three were men with this Examinate, +and the rest women, and that they met there for these three causes +following, as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate. The +first was, for the naming of the Spirit which <i>Allison Deuice</i>, now +prisoner at Lancaster had, but did not name him, because shee was not +there. The second cause was, for the deliuerie of his said +Grand-mother; this Examinates said sister <i>Allison</i>; the said <i>Anne +Chattox</i>, and her daughter <i>Redferne</i>, killing the Gaoler at +Lancaster, and before the next Assises to blow vp the Castle there, to +that end the aforesaid prisoners might by that meanes make an escape, +and get away: All which this Examinate then heard them conferre of.</p> + +<p>And he also sayth, That the names of such said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, and now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as hee did know, were +these, <i>viz.</i> <i>Iane Bulcock</i>, wife of <i>Christopher Bulcock</i>, of the +Mosse end, and <i>Iohn</i> her sonne amongst others, &c.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their own shapes and likenesses: and they all, by +that they were forth of the dores, were gotten on horse-backe, like +vnto Foales, some of one colour, and some of another, and <i>Prestons</i> +wife was the last: and when shee got on horse-backe, they all +presently vanished out of this Examinates sight.</p> + +<p>And further he saith, That the said <i>Iohn Bulcock</i> and <i>Iane</i> his said +Mother, did confesse vpon Good-Friday last at the said Malking-Tower, +in the hearing of this Examinate, That they had bewitched, at the +new-field Edge in Yorkeshire, a woman called <i>Iennet</i>, wife of <i>Iohn +Deyne</i>, besides, her reason; and the said Womans name so bewitched, he +did not heare them speake of. And this Examinate further saith, That +at the said Feast at Malking-Tower this Examinate heard them all giue +their consents to put the said Master <i>Thomas Lister</i> of Westby<a href="#Q4a">[Q4<i>a</i>]</a> +to death. And after Master <i>Lister</i> should be made away by +Witch-craft, then all the said Witches gaue their consents to ioyne +all together, to hanck Master <i>Leonard Lister</i>, when he should come +to dwell at the Cow-gill, and so put him to death.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>Taken the day and yeare aforesaid,</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in<br /> +the Countie of Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iohn Bvlcock</span>, <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane Bvlcock</span>, <i>his<br /> +mother.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate saith vpon her oath, That she doth verily thinke, +that the said <i>Bulcockes</i> wife doth know of some Witches to bee about +Padyham and Burnley.<a href="#Q4b">[Q4<i>b</i>]</a></p> + +<p>And shee further saith, That at the said meeting at Malking-Tower, as +aforesaid, <i>Katherine Hewyt</i> and <i>Iohn Bulcock</i>, with all the rest +then there, gaue their consents, with the said <i>Prestons</i> wife, for +the killing of the said Master <i>Lister</i>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iennet Device</span> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iohn Bvlcocke</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Iane</span> <i>his mother, prisoners<br /> +at the Barre.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last there was +about twentie persons, whereof two were men, to this Examinates +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called Malking-Tower +aforesaid: all which persons, this Examinates said mother told her +were Witches, and that she knoweth the names of sixe of the said +Witches.</p> + +<p>Then was the said <i>Iennet Deuice</i> commaunded by his Lordship to finde +and point out the said <i>Iohn Bulcock</i> and <i>Iane Bulcock</i> amongst all +the rest; whereupon shee went and tooke <i>Iane Bulcock</i> by the hand, +accused her to be one, and told her in what place shee sat at the +Feast at Malking-Tower, at the great Assembly of the Witches; and who +sat next her: and accused the said <i>Iohn Bulcock</i> to turne the Spitt +there;<a href="#Ra">[R<i>a</i>]</a> what conference they had, and all the rest of their +proceedings at large, without any manner of contrarietie.</p> + +<p>Shee further told his Lordship, there was a woman that came out of +Craven to that Great Feast at Malking-Tower, but shee could not finde +her out amongst all those women.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger">¶ The names of the Witches at the</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>Great Assembly and Feast at</i></span><br /> +<b>Malking-Tower, <i>viz.</i> vpon<br /> +</b> +<span class="smaller">Good-Friday last, 1612.<a href="#R1b">[R1<i>b</i>]</a></span><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Elizabeth Deuice.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Alice Nutter.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>Katherine Hewit</i>, alias<br /> +<i>Mould-heeles.</i> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>John Bulcock.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Jane Bulcock.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Alice Graie.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Jennet Hargraues.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Elizabeth Hargraues.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>Christopher Howgate.</i><br /> +Sonne to old <i>Dembdike</i>. +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Christopher Hargraues.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Grace Hay</i>, of Padiham.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Anne Crunckshey</i>, of Marchden.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Elizabeth Howgate.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>Jennet Preston</i>, Executed at Yorke<br /> +for the Murder of Master <i>Lister</i>, +</p> + +<p>With many more, which being bound ouer to appeare at the last Assizes, +are since that time fled to saue themselues.</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image34.png" alt="decoration" width="400" height="106" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Alizon Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b><i>Daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Device</span>, <i>within the Forrest<br /> +of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, for<br /> +Witch-craft.</i></b> +</p> + +<h3><i>Alizon Deuice.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image35.png" alt="B" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Ehold, aboue all the rest, this lamentable spectacle of a poore +distressed Pedler, how miserably hee was tormented, and what +punishment hee endured for a small offence, by the wicked and damnable +practise of this odious Witch, first instructed therein by old +<i>Dembdike</i> her Grand-mother, of whose life and death with her good +conditions, I haue written at large before in the beginning of this +worke, out of her owne Examinations and other Records, now remayning +with the Clarke of the Crowne at Lancaster: And by her Mother brought +vp in this detestable course of life; wherein I pray you obserue but +the manner and course of it in order, euen to the last period at her +Execution, for this horrible fact, able to terrifie and astonish any +man liuing.</p> + +<p>This <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, Prisoner in the Castle of Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice, was there +according to the former order and course indicted and arraigned, for +that shee felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her +Deuillish and wicked Arts, called <i>Witch-crafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, +<i>Charmes</i>, and <i>Sorceries</i>, in, and vpon one <i>Iohn Law</i>, a +Petti-chapman, and him had lamed; so that his bodie wasted and +consumed, &c. <i>Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et contra pacem dicti Domini +Regis, Coronam & Dignitatem, &c.</i></p> + +<p>Vpon the Arraignement, The poore Pedler, by name <i>Iohn Law</i>, being in +the Castle about the Moot-hall, attending to be called, not well able +to goe or stand, being led thether by his poore sonne <i>Abraham Law</i>: +My Lord <i>Gerrard</i><a href="#R3a">[R3<i>a</i>]</a> moued the Court to call the poore Pedler, who +was there readie, and had attended all the Assizes, to giue euidence +for the Kings Majestie against the said <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, Prisoner at +the Barre, euen now vpon her Triall. The Prisoner being at the Barre, +& now beholding the Pedler, deformed by her Witch-craft, and +transformed beyond the course of Nature, appeared to giue euidence +against her; hauing not yet pleaded to her Indictment, saw it was in +vaine to denie it, or stand vpon her justification: Shee humbly vpon +her knees at the Barre with weeping teares, prayed the Court to heare +her.</p> + +<p>Whereupon my Lord <i>Bromley</i> commanded shee should bee brought out from +the Prisoners neare vnto the Court, and there on her knees, shee +humbly asked forgiuenesse for her offence: And being required to make +an open declaration or confession of her offence: Shee confessed as +followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Confession of</i> <span class="smcap">Alizon Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre: published and declared at time<br /> +of her Arraignement and Triall in open Court.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">S</span>He saith, That about two yeares agone, her Grand-mother, called +<i>Elizabeth Sothernes</i>, alias <i>Dembdike</i>, did (sundry times in going or +walking together, as they went begging) perswade and aduise this +Examinate to let a Diuell or a Familiar appeare to her, and that shee, +this Examinate would let him suck at some part of her; and she might +haue and doe what shee would. And so not long after these perswasions, +this Examinate being walking towards the Rough-Lee, in a Close of one +<i>Iohn Robinsons</i>, there appeared vnto her a thing like vnto a Blacke +Dogge: speaking vnto her, this Examinate, and desiring her to giue him +her Soule, and he would giue her power to doe any thing shee would: +whereupon this Examinate being therewithall inticed, and setting her +downe; the said Blacke-Dogge did with his mouth (as this Examinate +then thought) sucke at her breast, a little below her Paps, which +place did remain blew halfe a yeare next after: which said +Blacke-Dogge did not appeare to this Examinate, vntill the eighteenth +day of March last: at which time this Examinate met with a Pedler on +the high-way, called Colne-field, neere vnto Colne: and this Examinate +demanded of the said Pedler to buy some pinnes of him; but the said +Pedler sturdily answered this Examinate that he would not loose his +Packe; and so this Examinate parting with him: presently there +appeared to this Examinate the Blacke-Dogge, which appeared vnto her +as before: which Black Dogge spake vnto this Examinate in English, +saying; What wouldst thou haue me to do vnto yonder man? to whom this +Examinate said, What canst thou do at him? and the Dogge answered +againe, I can lame him: whereupon this Examinat answered, and said to +the said Black Dogge, Lame him: and before the Pedler was gone fortie +Roddes further, he fell downe Lame: and this Examinate then went after +the said Pedler; and in a house about the distance aforesaid, he was +lying Lame: and so this Examinate went begging in Trawden Forrest that +day, and came home at night: and about fiue daies next after, the said +Black-Dogge did appeare to this Examinate, as she was going a begging, +in a Cloase neere the New-Church in Pendle, and spake againe to her, +saying; Stay and speake with me; but this Examinate would not: +Sithence which time this Examinat neuer saw him.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Which agreeth</i> verbatim <i>with her owne Examination taken +at</i> Reade, <i>in the Countie of Lancaster, the thirtieth day +of March, before Master</i> Nowel, <i>when she was apprehended +and taken.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap">M</span>Y Lord <i>Bromley</i>, and all the whole Court not a little wondering, +as they had good cause, at this liberall and voluntarie confession of +the Witch; which is not ordinary with people of their condition and +qualitie: and beholding also the poore distressed Pedler, standing by, +commanded him vpon his oath to declare the manner how, and in what +sort he was handled; how he came to be lame, and so to be deformed; +who deposed vpon his oath, as followeth.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Euidence of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn Law</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Pettie Chapman, vpon his Oath:</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">Alizon Device</span>, <i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">H</span>E deposeth and saith, That about the eighteenth of March last +past, hee being a Pedler, went with his Packe of wares at his backe +thorow Colne-field: where vnluckily he met with <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, now +Prisoner at the Barre, who was very earnest with him for pinnes, but +he would giue her none: whereupon she seemed to be very angry; and +when hee was past her, hee fell downe lame in great extremitie; and +afterwards by meanes got into an Ale-house in Colne, neere vnto the +place where hee was first bewitched: and as hee lay there in great +paine, not able to stirre either hand or foote; he saw a great +Black-Dogge stand by him, with very fearefull firie eyes, great teeth, +and a terrible countenance, looking him in the face; whereat he was +very sore afraid: and immediately after came in the said <i>Alizon +Deuice</i>, who staid not long there, but looked on him, and went away.</p> + +<p>After which time hee was tormented both day and night with the said +<i>Alizon Deuice</i>; and so continued lame, not able to trauell or take +paines euer since that time: which with weeping teares in great +passion turned to the Prisoner; in the hearing of all the Court hee +said to her, <i>This thou knowest to be too true</i>: and thereupon she +humblie acknowledged the same, and cried out to God to forgiue her; +and vpon her knees with weeping teares, humbly prayed him to forgiue +her that wicked offence; which he very freely and voluntarily did.</p> + +<p>Hereupon Master <i>Nowel</i> standing vp, humbly prayed the fauour of the +Court, in respect this Fact of Witchcraft was more eminent and +apparant than the rest, that for the better satisfaction of the +Audience, the Examination of <i>Abraham Law</i> might be read in Court.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Abraham</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Law</span>, <i>of Hallifax, in the Countie of Yorke, Cloth-dier,<br /> +taken vpon oath the thirtieth day of March, 1612.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <i>Esquire, aforesaid.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">B</span>Eing sworne and examined, saith, That vpon Saturday last saue one, +being the one and twentieth day of this instant March, he, this +Examinate was sent for, by a letter that came from his father, that he +should come to his father, <i>Iohn Law</i>, who then lay in Colne +speechlesse, and had the left-side lamed all saue his eye: and when +this Examinate came to his father, his said father had something +recouered his speech, and did complaine that hee was pricked with +Kniues, Elsons and Sickles,<a href="#Sa">[S<i>a</i>]</a> and that the same hurt was done vnto +him at Colne-field, presently after that <i>Alizon Deuice</i> had offered +to buy some pinnes of him, and she had no money to pay for them +withall; but as this Examinates father told this Examinate, he gaue +her some pinnes. And this Examinate further saith, That he heard his +said father say, that the hurt he had in his lamenesse was done vnto +him by the said <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, by Witchcraft. And this Examinate +further saith, that hee heard his said Father further say, that the +said <i>Alizon Deuice</i> did lie vpon him and trouble him. And this +Examinate seeing his said Father so tormented with the said <i>Alizon</i> +and with one other olde woman, whome this Examinates Father did not +know as it seemed: This Examinate made search after the said <i>Alizon</i>, +and hauing found her, brought her to his said Father yesterday being +the nine and twenteth of this instant March: whose said Father in the +hearing of this Examinate and diuers others did charge the said +<i>Alizon</i> to haue bewitched him, which the said <i>Alizon</i> +confessing<a href="#Sb">[S<i>b</i>]</a> did aske this Examinates said Father forgiuenesse +vpon her knees for the same; whereupon this Examinates Father +accordingly did forgiue her. Which Examination in open Court vpon his +oath hee iustified to be true.</p> + +<p>Whereupon it was there affirmed to the Court that this <i>Iohn Law</i> the +Pedler, before his vnfortunate meeting with this Witch, was a verie +able sufficient stout man of Bodie, and a goodly man of Stature. But +by this Deuillish art of <i>Witch-craft</i> his head is drawne awrie, his +Eyes and face deformed, His speech not well to bee vnderstood; his +Thighes and Legges starcke lame: his Armes lame especially the left +side, his handes lame and turned out of their course, his Bodie able +to indure no trauell: and thus remaineth at this present time.</p> + +<p>The Prisoner being examined by the Court whether shee could helpe the +poore Pedler to his former strength and health, she answered she could +not, and so did many of the rest of the Witches: But shee, with +others, affirmed, That if old <i>Dembdike</i> had liued, shee could and +would haue helped him out of that great miserie, which so long he hath +endured for so small an offence, as you haue heard.</p> + +<p>These things being thus openly published against her, and she knowing +her selfe to be guiltie of euery particular, humbly acknowledged the +Indictment against her to be true, and that she was guiltie of the +offence therein contained, and that she had iustly deserued death for +that and many other such like: whereupon she was carried away, vntill +she should come to the Barre to receiue her judgement of death.</p> + +<p>Oh, who was present at this lamentable spectacle, that was not moued +with pitie to behold it!</p> + +<p>Hereupon my Lord <i>Gerard</i>, Sir <i>Richard Houghton</i>, and others, who +much pitied the poore Pedler, At the entreatie of my Lord <i>Bromley</i> +the Iudge, promised some present course should be taken for his +reliefe and maintenance; being now discharged and sent away.</p> + +<p>But here I may not let her passe; for that I find some thing more vpon +Record to charge her withall: for although she were but a young Witch, +of a yeares standing, and thereunto induced by <i>Dembdike</i> her +Grand-mother, as you haue formerly heard, yet she was spotted with +innocent bloud among the rest: for in one part of the Examination of +<i>Iames Deuice</i>, her brother, he deposeth as followeth, <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>brother to the said</i> <span class="smcap">Alizon Device</span>: <i>Taken<br /> +vpon Oath</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>Esquire, aforesaid, the thirtieth day<br /> +of March, 1612.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><i><span class="dropcap"> I</span>Ames Deuice</i>, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of +Lancaster, Labourer, sworne and examined, sayth, That about <i>Saint +Peters</i> day last one <i>Henry Bulcock</i> came to the house of <i>Elizabeth +Sothernes</i>, alias <i>Dembdike</i>, Grand-mother to this Examinate, and +said, That the said <i>Alizon Deuice</i> had bewitched a Child of his, and +desired her, that shee would goe with him to his house: which +accordingly shee did: and thereupon shee the said <i>Alizon</i> fell downe +on her knees, and asked the said <i>Bulcock</i> forgiuenesse; and confessed +to him, that she had bewitched the said Child, as this Examinate heard +his said sister confesse vnto him this Examinate.</p> + +<p>And although shee were neuer indicted for this offence, yet being +matter vpon Record, I thought it conuenient to joyne it vnto her +former Fact.</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">H</span>Ere the Iurie of Life and Death hauing spent the most part of the +day in due consideration of their offences, returned into the Court to +deliuer up their Verdict against them, as followeth.</p> + +<h3><i>The Verdict of Life<br /> +and Death.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>Ho vpon their Oathes found <i>Iohn Bulcock</i> and <i>Iane Bulcock</i> his +mother, not guiltie of the Felonie by Witch-craft, contained in the +Indictment against them.</p> + +<p><i>Alizon Deuice</i> conuicted vpon her owne Confession.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Master <i>Couel</i> was commaunded by the Court to take away the +Prisoners conuicted, and to bring forth <i>Margaret Pearson</i>,<a href="#S3b">[S3<i>b</i>]</a> and +<i>Isabell Robey</i>, Prisoners in the Castle at Lancaster, to receiue +their Triall.</p> + +<p>Who were brought to their Arraignement and Trialls, as hereafter +followeth, <i>viz.</i></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image36.png" alt="decoration" width="400" height="110" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Margaret Pearson</span></span><br /> +<b><i>of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, for<br /> +Witchcraft; the nineteenth of August, 1612. at the<br /> +Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster,</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span> <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<h3><i>Margaret Pearson.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image37.png" alt="T" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Hus farre haue I proceeded in hope your patience will endure the +end of this discourse, which craues time, and were better not begunne +at all, then not perfected.</p> + +<p>This <i>Margaret Pearson</i> was the wife of <i>Edward Pearson</i> of Paddiham, +in the Countie of Lancaster; little inferiour in her wicked and +malicious course of life to any that hath gone before her: A very +dangerous Witch of long continuance, generally suspected and feared in +all parts of the Countrie, and of all good people neare her, and not +without great cause: For whosoeuer gaue her any iust occasion of +offence, shee tormented with great miserie, or cut off their +children, goods, or friends.</p> + +<p>This wicked and vngodly Witch reuenged her furie vpon goods, so that +euery one neare her sustained great losse. I place her in the end of +these notorious Witches, by reason her iudgement is of an other +Nature, according to her offence; yet had not the fauour and mercie of +the Iurie beene more than her desert, you had found her next to old +<i>Dembdike</i>; for this is the third time shee is come to receiue her +Triall; one time for murder by Witch-craft; an other time for +bewitching a Neighbour; now for goods.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>How long shee hath been a Witch, the Deuill and shee knows +best.</p></div> + +<p>The Accusations, Depositions, and particular Examinations vpon Record +against her are infinite, and were able to fill a large Volume; But +since shee is now only to receiue her Triall for this last offence. I +shall proceede against her in order, and set forth what matter we haue +vpon Record, to charge her withall.</p> + +<p>This <i>Margaret Pearson</i>, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being +brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice; was there +according to the course and order of the Law Indicted and Arraigned, +for that shee had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish and +wicked Arts, called <i>Witchcrafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, <i>Charmes</i> and +<i>Sorceries</i>, and one Mare of the goods and Chattels of one <i>Dodgeson</i> +of Padiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, wickedly, maliciously, and +voluntarily did kill. <i>Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et Contra pacem +dicti Domini Regis. &c.</i></p> + +<p>Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; +And for the triall of her offence put her selfe vpon God and her +Countrie.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of her offence and death, stand +charged with her as with others.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>The Euidence against</i> Margaret Pearson,<br /> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Anne Whittle</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Chattox</span>. +</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">Margaret Pearson</span>, <i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Anne Chattox</i> being examined saith, That the wife of one +<i>Pearson</i> of Paddiham, is a very euill Woman, and confessed to this +Examinate, that shee is a Witch, and hath a Spirit which came to her +the first time in likenesse of a Man, and clouen footed, and that shee +the said <i>Pearsons</i> wife hath done very much harme to one <i>Dodgesons</i> +goods, who came in at a loope-hole into the said <i>Dodgesons</i> Stable, +and shee and her Spirit together did sit vpon his Horse or Mare, +vntill the said Horse or Mare died. And likewise, that shee the said +<i>Pearsons</i> wife did confesse vnto her this Examinate, that shee +bewitched vnto death one <i>Childers</i> wife, and her Daughter, and that +shee the said <i>Pearsons</i> wife is as ill as shee.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet Booth</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, the ninth day<br /> +of August 1612.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span>, <i>Esquire; one of his<br /> +Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><i><span class="dropcap"> I</span>Ennet</i>, the wife of <i>Iames Booth</i>, of Paddiham, vpon her oath +saith, That the Friday next after, the said <i>Pearsons</i> wife, was +committed to the Gaole at Lancaster, this Examinate was carding in the +said <i>Pearsons</i> house, hauing a little child with her, and willed the +said <i>Margerie</i> to giue her a little Milke, to make her said child a +little meat, who fetcht this Examinate some, and put it in a pan; this +examinat meaning to set it on the fire, found the said fire very ill, +and taking vp a stick that lay by her, and brake it in three or foure +peeces, and laid vpon the coales to kindle the same, then set the pan +and milke on the fire: and when the milke was boild to this Examinates +content, she tooke the pan wherein the milke was, off the said fire, +and with all, vnder the bottome of the same, there came a Toade, or a +thing very like a Toade, and to this Examinates thinking came out of +the fire, together with the said Pan, and vnder the bottome of the +same, and that the said <i>Margerie</i> did carrie the said Toade out of +the said house in a paire of tonges;<a href="#Ta">[T<i>a</i>]</a> But what shee the said +<i>Margerie</i> did therewith, this Examinate knoweth not.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +After this were diuers witnesses examined against her +in open Court, <i>viua voce</i>, to<br /> +proue the death of the Mare, +and diuers other vild and odious practises by her<br /> +committed, +who vpon their Examinations made it so apparant to the Iurie as<br /> +there was no question; But because +the fact is of no great importance,<br /> +in respect her life is +not in question by this Indictment, and the<br /> +Depositions +and examinations are many, I leaue to trouble<br /> +you with +any more of them, for being found guiltie of<br /> +this offence, +the penaltie of the Law is as much as<br /> +her good +Neighbours doe require, which is to<br /> +be deliuered +from the companie of such a<br /> +dangerous +wicked, and<br /> +malicious +Witch.<br /> +* *<br /> + *<br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image38.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="87" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Isabel Robey</span></span><br /> +<b><i>in the Countie of Lancaster, for Witch-craft: vpon Wednesday<br /> +the nineteenth of August, 1612. At the Assizes and generall<br /> +Goale-deliuery, holden at Lancaster.</i></b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Edward Bromley</span>, <i>Knight, one of his Maiesties<br /> +Iustices of Assizes at Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<h3><i>Isabel Robey.</i><a href="#T2a1">[T2<i>a</i>1]</a></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image39.png" alt="T" width="123" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Hus at one time may you behold Witches of all sorts from many +places in this Countie of Lancaster which now may lawfully bee said to +abound asmuch in Witches of diuers kindes as Seminaries, Iesuites, and +Papists.<a href="#T2a2">[T2<i>a</i>2]</a> Here then is the last that came to act her part in +this lamentable and wofull Tragedie, wherein his Maiestie hath lost so +many Subjects, Mothers their Children, Fathers their Friends, and +Kinsfolkes<a href="#T2a3">[T2<i>a</i>3]</a> the like whereof hath not beene set forth in any +age. What hath the Kings Maiestie written and published in his +<i>Dæmonologie</i>, by way of premonition and preuention, which hath not +here by the first or last beene executed, put in practise or +discouered? What Witches haue euer vpon their Arraignement and Trial +made such open liberall and voluntarie declarations of their liues, +and such confessions of their offences: The manner of their attempts +and their bloudie practises, their meetings, consultations and what +not? Therefore I shall now conclude with this <i>Isabel Robey</i> who is +now come to her triall.</p> + +<p>This <i>Isabel Robey</i> Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster being brought +to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice was there according to +the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for that shee +Felloniously had practised, exercised and vsed her Deuilish and wicked +Artes called <i>Witchcrafts</i>, <i>Inchantments</i>, <i>Charmes and Sorceries.</i></p> + +<p>Vpon her Arraignment to this Indictment she pleaded not guiltie, and +for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and her Countrie.</p> + +<p>So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged +with her as with others.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>The Euidence against</i> Isabel Robey<br /> +<i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Peter Chaddock</span></span><br /> +<b> +<i>of Windle, in the Countie of Lancaster: Taken at<br /> +Windle aforesaid, the 12. day of Iuly 1612.</i> Anno Reg.<br /> +Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span>, Angliæ, &c. decimo, & Scotiæ xlv. +</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas Gerrard</span> <i>Knight, and Barronet. One<br /> +of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within the said<br /> +Countie.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon his Oath saith, That before his Marriage +hee heard say that the said <i>Isabel Robey</i> was not pleased that hee +should marrie his now wife: whereupon this Examinate called the said +<i>Isabel</i> Witch, and said that hee did not care for her. Then within +two dayes next after this Examinate was sore pained in his bones: And +this Examinate hauing occasion to meete Master <i>Iohn Hawarden</i> at +Peaseley Crosse, wished one <i>Thomas Lyon</i> to goe thither with him, +which they both did so; but as they came home-wards, they both were in +euill case. But within a short time after, this Examinate and the said +<i>Thomas Lyon</i> were both very well amended.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further saith, that about foure yeares last past, +his now wife was angrie with the said <i>Isabel</i>, shee then being in his +house, and his said Wife thereupon went out of the house, and +presently after that the said <i>Isabel</i> went likewise out of the house +not well pleased, as this Examinate then did thinke, and presently +after vpon the same day, this Examinate with his said wife working in +the Hay, a paine and a starknesse fell into the necke of this Examinat +which grieued him very sore; wherupō this Examinat sent to one +<i>Iames</i> a Glouer, which then dwelt in Windle, and desired him to pray +for him, and within foure or fiue dayes next after this Examinate did +mend very well. Neuerthelesse this Examinate during the same time was +very sore pained, and so thirstie withall, and hot within his body, +that hee would haue giuen any thing hee had, to haue slaked his +thirst, hauing drinke enough in the house, and yet could not drinke +vntill the time that the said <i>Iames</i> the Glouer came to him, and this +Examinate then said before the said Glouer, I would to God that I +could drinke, where upon the said Glouer said to this Examinate, take +that drinke, and in the name of the <i>Father</i>, the <i>Sonne</i>, and the +<i>Holy Ghost</i>, drinke it, saying; The Deuill and Witches are not able +to preuaile against <span class="smcap">God</span> and his Word, whereupon this Examinate then +tooke the glasse of drinke, and did drinke it all, and afterwards +mended very well, and so did continue in good health, vntill our Ladie +day in Lent was twelue moneth or thereabouts, since which time this +Examinate saith, that hee hath beene sore pained with great warch in +his bones,<a href="#T3b">[T3<i>b</i>]</a> and all his limmes, and so yet continueth, and this +Examinate further saith, that his said warch and paine came to him +rather by meanes of the said <i>Isabel Robey</i>, then otherwise, as he +verily thinketh.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iane Wilkinson</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Francis Wilkinson</span>, <i>of Windle aforesaid:<br /> +Taken before the said Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas Gerrard</span>,<br /> +<i>Knight and Barronet, the day and place aforesaid.<br /> +Against the said</i> <span class="smcap">Isabel Robey</span>.</b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon her oath saith, that vpon a time the said +<i>Isabel Robey</i> asked her milke, and shee denied to giue her any: And +afterwards shee met the said <i>Isabel</i>, whereupon this Examinate waxed +afraid of her, and was then presently sick, and so pained that shee +could not stand, and the next day after this Examinate going to +Warrington, was suddenly pinched on her Thigh as shee thought, with +foure fingers & a Thumbe twice together, and thereupon was sicke, in +so much as shee could not get home but on horse-backe, yet soone after +shee did mend.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Margaret</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Lyon</span> <i>wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas Lyon</span> <i>the yonger, of<br /> +Windle aforesaid: Taken before the said Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas<br /> +Gerrard</span>, <i>Knight and Barronet, the day and place aforesaid.<br /> +Against the said</i> <span class="smcap">Isabel Robey</span>. </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Margaret Lyon</i> vpon her Oath saith, that vpon a time +<i>Isabel Robey</i> came into her house and said that <i>Peter Chaddock</i> +should neuer mend vntill he had asked her forgiuenesse; and that shee +knew hee would neuer doe: whereupon this Examinate said, how doe you +know that, for he is a true Christian, and hee would aske all the +world forgiuenesse? then the said <i>Isabel</i> said, that is all one, for +hee will neuer aske me forgiuenesse, therefore hee shall neuer mend; +And this Examinate further saith, that shee being in the house of the +said <i>Peter Chaddock</i>, the wife of the said <i>Peter</i>, who is +God-Daughter of the said <i>Isabel</i>, and hath in times past vsed her +companie much, did affirme, that the said <i>Peter</i> was now satisfied, +that the said <i>Isabel Robey</i> was no Witch, by sending to one +<i>Halseworths</i>, which they call a wiseman,<a href="#T4b1">[T4<i>b</i>1]</a> and the wife of the +said <i>Peter</i> then said, to abide vpon it,<a href="#T4b2">[T4<i>b</i>2]</a> I thinke that my +Husband will neuer mend vntill hee haue asked her forgiuenesse, choose +him whether hee will bee angrie or pleased, for this is my opinion: to +which he answered, when he did need to aske her forgiuenesse, he +would, but hee thought hee did not need, for any thing hee knew: and +yet this Examinate further saith, That the said <i>Peter Chaddock</i> had +very often told her, that he was very afraid that the said <i>Isabel</i> +had done him much hurt; and that he being fearefull to meete her, he +hath turned backe at such time as he did meet her alone, which the +said <i>Isabel</i> hath since then affirmed to be true, saying, that hee +the said <i>Peter</i> did turne againe when he met her in the Lane.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Margaret</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Parre</span> <i>wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Hvgh Parre</span> <i>of Windle aforesaid,<br /> +Taken before the said Sir</i> <span class="smcap">Thomas Gerard</span><br /> +<i>Knight and Baronet, the day and place aforesaid. Against<br /> +the said</i> <span class="smcap">Isabel Robey</span>. </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon her oath saith, that vpon a time, the said +<i>Isabel Robey</i> came to her house, and this Examinate asked her how +<i>Peter Chaddock</i> did, And the said <i>Isabel</i> answered shee knew not, +for shee went not to see, and then this Examinate asked her how <i>Iane +Wilkinson</i> did, for that she had beene lately sicke and suspected to +haue beene bewitched: then the said <i>Isabel</i> said twice together, I +haue bewitched her too: and then this Examinate said that shee trusted +shee could blesse her selfe from all Witches and defied them; and then +the said <i>Isabel</i> said twice together, would you defie me? & +afterwards the said <i>Isabel</i> went away not well pleased.</p> + +<p>Here the Gentlemen of the last Iurie of Life and Death hauing taken +great paines, the time being farre spent, and the number of the +Prisoners great, returned into the Court to deliuer vp their Verdict +against them as followeth. <i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3> +<i>The Verdict of Life and<br /> +Death.</i><br /> +</h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>Ho vpon their Oathes found the said <i>Isabel Robey</i> guiltie of the +Fellonie by Witch-craft, contained in the Indictment against her. And +<i>Margaret Pearson</i> guiltie of the offence by Witch-craft, contained in +the Indictment against her.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Master <i>Couell</i> was commaunded by the Court in the +afternoone to bring forth all the Prisoners that stood Conuicted, to +receiue their Iudgment of Life and Death.</p> + +<p>For his Lordship now intended to proceed to a finall dispatch of the +Pleas of the Crowne. And heere endeth the Arraignement and Triall of +the Witches at Lancaster.</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>Hus at the length haue we brought to perfection this intended +Discouery of Witches, with the Arraignement and Triall of euery one of +them in order, by the helpe of Almightie God, and this Reuerend Iudge; +the Lanterne from whom I haue received light to direct me in this +course to the end. And as in the beginning, I presented vnto their +view a Kalender containing the names of all the witches: So now I +shall present vnto you in the conclusion and end, such as stand +conuicted, and come to the Barre to receiue the iudgement of the Law +for their offences, and the proceedings of the Court against such as +were acquitted, and found not guiltie: with the religious Exhortation +of this Honorable Iudge, as eminent in gifts and graces, as in place +and preeminence, which I may lawfully affirme without base flattery +(the canker of all honest and worthie minds) drew the eyes and +reuerend respect of all that great Audience present, to heare their +Iudgement, and the end of these proceedings.</p> + +<h3><i>The Prisoners being brought to the Barre.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He Court commanded three solemne Proclamations for silence, vntill +Iudgement for Life and Death were giuen.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Whereupon I presented to his Lordship the<br /> +names of the Prisoners in order, which<br /> +were now to receiue their<br /> +Iudgement.<br /> +* *<br /> + *<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger">¶ The names of the Prisoners at the</span><br /> +<b> +<i>Barre to receiue their Judgement</i><br /> +of Life and Death.<br /> +</b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias<br /> +<i>Chattox.</i><br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Elizabeth Deuice.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>James Deuice.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Anne Redferne.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Alice Nutter.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Katherine Hewet,</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>John Bulcock.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Jane Bulcock.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Alizon Deuice.</i></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Isabel Robey.</i></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image40.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="81" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">T  H  E   I  V  D  G  E  M  E  N  T</span><br /> +<span class="larger">OF THE RIGHT HONORABLE</span><br /> +<b>Sir <span class="smcap"> Edward  Bromley</span>,  Knight,  one<br /> +<i>of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize</i><br /> +</b> +<span class="smaller"><i>at Lancaster vpon the Witches conuicted</i>,</span><b><br /> +</b> +<span class="smaller">as followeth.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><img src="images/image41.png" alt="T" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p><i>Here is no man aliue more vnwilling to pronounce this wofull and +heauy Iudgement against you, then my selfe: and if it were possible, I +would to God this cup might passe from me. But since it is otherwise +prouided, that after all proceedings of the Law, there must be a +Iudgement; and the Execution of that Iudgement must succeed and follow +in due time: I pray you haue patience to receiue that which the Law +doth lay vpon you. You of all people haue the least cause to +complaine: since in the Triall of your liues there hath beene great +care and paines taken, and much time spent: and very few or none of +you, but stand conuicted vpon your owne voluntarie confessions and +Examinations</i>, Ex ore proprio. <i>Few Witnesses examined against you, +but such as were present, and parties in your Assemblies. Nay I may +further affirme, What persons of your nature and condition, euer were +Arraigned and Tried with more solemnitie, had more libertie giuen to +pleade or answere to euerie particular point of Euidence against you? +In conclusion such hath beene the generall care of all, that had to +deale with you, that you haue neither cause to be offended in the +proceedings of the Iustices, that first tooke paines in these +businesses, nor with the Court that hath had great care to giue +nothing in euidence against you, but matter of fact; Sufficient matter +vpon Record, and not to induce or leade the Iurie to finde any one of +you guiltie vpon matter of suspition or presumption, nor with the +witnesses who haue beene tried, as it were in the fire: Nay, you +cannot denie but must confesse what extraordinarie meanes hath beene +vsed to make triall of their euidence, and to discouer the least +intended practice in any one of them, to touch your liues vniustly.</i></p> + +<p><i>As you stand simply (your offences and bloudie practises not +considered) your fall would rather moue compassion, then exasperate +any man. For whom would not the ruine of so many poore creatures at +one time, touch, as in apparance simple, and of little vnderstanding?</i></p> + +<p><i>But the bloud of those innocent children, and others his Maiesties +Subiects, whom cruelly and barbarously you haue murdered, and cut off, +with all the rest of your offences, hath cryed out vnto the Lord +against you, and sollicited for satisfaction and reuenge, and that +hath brought this heauie iudgement vpon you at this time.</i></p> + +<p><i>It is therefore now time no longer wilfully to striue, both against +the prouidence of God, and the Iustice of the Land: the more you +labour to acquit your selues, the more euident and apparant you make +your offences to the World. And vnpossible it is that they shall +either prosper or continue in this World, or receiue reward in the +next, that are stained with so much innocent bloud.</i></p> + +<p><i>The worst then I wish to you, standing at the Barre conuicted, to +receiue your Iudgement, is, Remorse, and true Repentance, for the +safegard of your Soules, and after, an humble, penitent, and heartie +acknowledgement of your grieuous sinnes and offences committed both +against</i> <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>and Man.</i></p> + +<p><i>First, yeeld humble and heartie thankes to Almightie</i> <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>for taking +hold of you in your beginning, and making stay of your intended +bloudie practises (although</i> <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>knowes there is too much done +alreadie) which would in time have cast so great a weight of Iudgement +vpon your Soules.</i></p> + +<p><i>Then praise</i> <span class="smcap">God</span> <i>that it pleased him not to surprize or strike you +suddenly, euen in the execution of your bloudie Murthers, and in the +middest of your wicked practises, but hath giuen you time, and takes +you away by a iudiciall course and triall of the Law.</i></p> + +<p><i>Last of all, craue pardon of the World, and especially of all such as +you haue iustly offended, either by tormenting themselues, children, +or friends, murder of their kinsfolks, or losse of any their goods.</i></p> + +<p><i>And for leauing to future times the president of so many barbarous +and bloudie murders, with such meetings, practises, consultations, and +meanes to execute reuenge, being the greatest part of your comfort in +all your actions, which may instruct others to hold the like course, +or fall in the like sort:</i></p> + +<p><i>It only remaines I pronounce the Iudgement of the Court against you +by the Kings authoritie, which is;</i> You shall all goe from hence to +the Castle, from whence you came; from thence you shall bee carried to +the place of Execution for this Countie: where your bodies shall bee +hanged vntill you be dead; <span class="smcap">And God Have Mercie Vpon Yovr Sovles</span>; For +your comfort in this world I shall commend a learned and worthie +Preacher to instruct you, and prepare you, for an other World: All I +can doe for you is to pray for your Repentance in this World, for the +satisfaction of many; And forgiuenesse in the next world, for sauing +of your Soules. And God graunt you may make good vse of the time you +haue in this world, to his glorie and your owne comfort.</p> + + +<h3><i>Margaret Pearson.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He Iudgement of the Court against you, is, You shall stand vpon +the Pillarie in open Market, at <i>Clitheroe</i>, <i>Paddiham</i>, <i>Whalley</i>, +and <i>Lancaster</i>, foure Market dayes, with a Paper vpon your head, in +great Letters, declaring your offence, and there you shall confesse +your offence, and after to remaine in Prison for one yeare without +Baile, and after to be bound with good Sureties, to be of the good +behauiour.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>To the Prisoners found not guiltie</i></span><br /> +<b>by the <span class="smcap">Ivries</span>.</b> +</p> + +<h3> +<i>Elizabeth Astley.</i><br /> +<i>John Ramsden.</i><br /> +<i>Alice Gray.</i><br /> +<i>Isabel Sidegraues.</i><br /> +<i>Lawrence Hay.</i><a href="#Xa">[X<i>a</i>]</a> +</h3> + +<p><img src="images/image42.png" alt="T" width="124" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p><i>O you that are found not guiltie, and are by the Law to bee +acquited, presume no further of your Innocencie then you haue just +cause: for although it pleased God out of his Mercie, to spare you at +this time, yet without question there are amongst you, that are as +deepe in this Action, as any of them that are condemned to die for +their offences: The time is now for you to forsake the Deuill: +Remember how, and in what sort hee hath dealt with all of you: make +good vse of this great mercie and fauour: and pray unto God you fall +not againe: For great is your happinesse to haue time in this World, +to prepare your selues against the day when you shall appeare before +the Great Iudge of all.</i></p> + +<p><i>Notwithstanding, the iudgement of the Court, is</i>, You shall all enter +Recognizances with good sufficient Suerties, to appeare at the next +Assizes at Lancaster, and in the meane time to be of the good +behauiour. All I can say to you:</p> + +<h3><i>Jennet Bierley</i>,</h3> + +<h3><i>Ellen Bierley</i>,</h3> + +<h3><i>Jane Southworth</i>,</h3> + +<p>is, That <span class="smcap">God</span> hath deliuered you beyond expectation, +I pray <span class="smcap">God</span> you may vse this mercie and fauour well; and take heed you +fall not hereafter: And so the Court doth order you shall be +deliuered.</p> + +<p>What more can bee written or published of the proceedings of this +honourable Court: but to conclude with the Execution of the +Witches,<a href="#Xb">[X<i>b</i>]</a> who were executed the next day following at the common +place of Execution, neare vnto Lancaster. Yet in the end giue mee +leaue to intreate some fauour that haue beene afraid to speake vntill +my worke were finished. If I haue omitted any thing materiall, or +published any thing imperfect, excuse me for that I haue done: It was +a worke imposed vpon me by the Iudges, in respect I was so wel +instructed in euery particular. In hast I haue vndertaken to finish it +in a busie Tearme amongst my other imploiments.</p> + +<p>My charge was to publish the proceedings of Iustice, and matter of +Fact, wherein I wanted libertie to write what I would, and am limited +to set forth nothing against them, but matter vpon Record, euen in +their owne Countrie tearmes, which may seeme strange. And this I hope +will giue good satisfaction to such as vnderstand how to iudge of a +businesse of this nature. Such as haue no other imploiment but to +question other mens Actions, I leaue them to censure what they please, +It is no part of my profession to publish any thing in print, neither +can I paint in extraordinarie tearmes.<a href="#X2a">[X2<i>a</i>]</a> But if this discouerie +may serue for your instruction, I shall thinke my selfe very happie in +this Seruice, and so leaue it to your generall censure.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<i><span class="i0">Da veniam Ignoto non displicuisse meretur,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Festinat studÿs qui placuisse tibi.</span></i><br /> +</div></div> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image43.png" alt="decoration" width="198" height="200" /></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><i>THE</i></h2> + +<h1>ARRAIGNEMENT</h1> + +<h2>A N D  T R I A L L  OF</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">I e n n e t  P r e s t o n,  Of</span></h3> + +<h4>GISBORNE IN CRAVEN,</h4> + +<h5>in the Countie of Yorke.</h5> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger">At   the   Assises   and   Generall   Gaole-</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>Deliuerie holden at the Castle of Yorke</i></span><br /> +<b>in the Countie of Yorke, the xxvij. day of<br /> +Iuly last past, <i>Anno Regni Regis</i> <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span><br /> +</b> +<span class="smaller"><i>Angliæ, &c. Decimo, & Scotiæ</i></span><br /> +<span class="smaller"><i>quadragesimo quinto.</i></span> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>Sir</i> <span class="smcap">  I a m e s  A l t h a m </span> <i> Knight,   one</i></span><br /> +<b>of the Barons of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer;<br /> +and Sir <span class="smcap">E d w a r d B r o m l e y</span> Knight, another of<br /> +<i>the Barons of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer;</i></b><br /> +<span class="smaller">his Maiesties Iustices of Assise, Oyer and Terminer,</span><br /> +<span class="smaller"><i>and generall Gaole-Deliuerie, in the Circuit</i></span><br /> +<span class="smaller"><i>of the North-parts.</i></span> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image44.png" alt="decoration" width="200" height="59" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center">LONDON.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Printed by <span class="smcap">W. Stansby</span> for <span class="smcap">Iohn Barnes</span>, and<br /> +are to be sold at his Shoppe neere Holborne<br /> +Conduit. 1612.<br /> +</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image45.png" alt="decoration" width="500" height="105" /></p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="largest">THE ARRAIGNMENT</span><br /> +<span class="larger"><i>and Triall of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet Preston</span></span><br /> +<b><i>of Gisborne in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke, at<br /> +the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at the<br /> +Castle of Yorke, in the Countie of Yorke, the seuen and<br /> +twentieth day of Iuly last past.</i> Anno Regni Regis Iacobi<br /> +Angliæ &c. Decimo & Scotiæ xlvj.</b> +</p> + +<h3><i>Jennet Preston.</i></h3> + +<p><img src="images/image46.png" alt="M" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>ANY haue vndertaken to write great discourses of Witches and many +more dispute and speake of them. And it were not much if as many wrote +of them as could write at al, to set forth to the world the particular +Rites and Secrets of their vnlawfull Artes, with their infinite and +wonderfull practises which many men little feare till they seaze vpon +them. As by this late wonderfull discouerie of Witches in the Countie +of Lancaster may appeare, wherein I find such apparant matter to +satisfie the World, how dangerous and malitious a Witch this <i>Iennet +Preston</i> was, How vnfit to liue, hauing once so great mercie extended +to her: And againe to reuiue her practises, and returne to her former +course of life; that I thinke it necessarie not to let the memorie of +her life and death die with her; But to place her next to her fellowes +and to set forth the Arraignement Triall and Conviction of her, with +her offences for which she was condemned and executed.</p> + +<p>And although shee died for her offence before the rest, I yet can +afford her no better place then in the end of this Booke in respect +the proceedings was in an other Countie;</p> + +<p>You that were husband to this <i>Iennet Preston</i>; her friends and +kinsfolkes, who haue not beene sparing to deuise so scandalous a +slander out of the malice of your hearts, as that shee was maliciously +prosecuted by Master <i>Lister</i> and others; Her life vniustly taken away +by practise; and that (euen at the Gallowes where shee died impenitent +and void of all feare or grace) she died an Innocent woman, because +she would confesse nothing: You I say may not hold it strange, though +at this time, being not only moued in conscience, but directed, for +example sake, with that which I haue to report of her, I suffer you +not to wander any further, but with this short discourse oppose your +idle conceipts able to seduce others: And by Charmes of Imputations +and slander, laid vpon the Iustice of the Land, to cleare her that was +iustly condemned and executed for her offence; That this <i>Iennet +Preston</i> was for many yeares well thought of and esteemed by Master +<i>Lister</i> who afterwards died for it Had free accesse to his house, +kind respect and entertainment; nothing denied her she stood in need +of. Which of you that dwelleth neare them in Crauen but can and will +witnesse it? which might haue incouraged a Woman of any good condition +to haue runne a better course.</p> + +<p>The fauour and goodnesse of this Gentleman Master <i>Lister</i> now liuing, +at his first entrance after the death of his Father extended towards +her, and the reliefe she had at all times, with many other fauours +that succeeded from time to time, are so palpable and euident to all +men as no man can denie them. These were sufficient motiues to haue +perswaded her from the murder of so good a friend.</p> + +<p>But such was her execrable Ingratitude, as euen this grace and +goodnesse was the cause of his miserable and vntimely death. And euen +in the beginning of his greatest fauours extended to her, began shee +to worke this mischiefe, according to the course of all Witches.</p> + +<p>This <i>Iennet Preston</i>, whose Arraignment and Triall, with the +particular Euidence against her I am now to set forth vnto you, one +that liued at Gisborne in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke, neare +Master <i>Lister</i> of Westbie, against whom she practised much mischiefe; +for hauing cut off <i>Thomas Lister</i> Esquire, father to this gentleman +now liuing,<a href="#Ya1">[Y<i>a</i>1]</a> shee reuenged her selfe vpon his sonne: who in +short time receiued great losse in his goods and cattell by her +meanes.</p> + +<p>These things in time did beget suspition, and at the Assizes and +Generall Gaole deliuerie holden at the Castle of Yorke in Lent last +past, before my Lord <i>Bromley</i>, shee was Indicted and Arraigned for +the murder of a Child of one <i>Dodg-sonnes</i>,<a href="#Ya2">[Y<i>a</i>2]</a> but by the fauour +and mercifull consideration of the Iurie thereof acquited.</p> + +<p>But this fauour and mercie was no sooner extended towardes her, and +shee set at libertie, But shee began to practise the utter ruine and +ouerthrow of the name and bloud of this Gentleman.</p> + +<p>And the better to execute her mischiefe and wicked intent, within +foure dayes after her deliuerance out of the Castle at Yorke, went to +the great Assembly of Witches at <i>Malking-Tower</i> vpon Good-friday +last: to praye aide and helpe, for the murder of Master <i>Lister</i>, in +respect he had prosecuted against her at the same Assizes.</p> + +<p>Which it pleased God in his mercie to discouer, and in the end, +howsoeuer he had blinded her, as he did the King of Ægypt and his +Instruments, for the brighter euidence of his own powerfull glory: Yet +by a Iudiciall course and triall of the Law, cut her off, and so +deliuered his people from the danger of her Deuilish and wicked +practises: which you shall heare against her, at her Arraignement and +Triall, which I shall now set forth to you in order as it was +performed, with the wonderfull signes and tokens of <span class="smcap">God</span>, to satisfie +the Iurie to finde her guiltie of this bloudie murther, committed +foure yeares since.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>Indictment.</h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His <i>Iennet Preston</i> being Prisoner in the Castle at Yorke, and +indicted, for that shee felloniously had practised, vsed, and +exercised diuerse wicked and deuillish Arts, called Witchcrafts, +Inchauntments, Charmes, and Sorceries, in and vpon one <i>Thomas Lister</i> +of Westby in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke Esquire, and by force of +the same Witchcraft felloniously the said <i>Thomas Lister</i> had killed, +<i>Contra Pacem &c.</i> beeing at the Barre, was arraigned.</p> + +<p>To this Indictment vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded not guiltie, +and for the Triall of her life put her selfe vpon <span class="smcap">God</span> and her +Countrey.</p> + +<p>Whereupon my Lord <i>Altham</i> commaunded Master Sheriffe of the Countie +of Yorke, in open Court to returne a Iurie of sufficient Gentlemen of +vnderstanding, to passe betweene our Soueraigne Lord the Kings +Majestie and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues and +deaths; who were afterwards sworne, according to the forme and order +of the Court, the prisoner being admitted to her lawfull challenge.</p> + +<p>Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre to receiue her Tryall, +Master <i>Heyber</i>,<a href="#Y2a">[Y2<i>a</i>]</a> one of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the +same County, hauing taken great paines in the proceedings against her; +and being best instructed of any man of all the particular points of +Euidence against her, humbly prayed, the witnesses hereafter following +might be examined against her, and the seuerall Examinations, taken +before Master <i>Nowel</i>, and certified, might openly bee published +against her; which hereafter follow in order, <i>viz.</i></p> + +<h3><i>The Euidence for the Kings Maiestie</i></h3> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Against</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">Iennet Preston</span>, <i>Prisoner at the Barre.</i></b></p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">H</span>Ereupon were diuerse Examinations taken and read openly against +her, to induce and satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and +Death, to finde she was a Witch; and many other circumstances for the +death of M. <i>Lister</i>. In the end <i>Anne Robinson</i> and others were both +examined, who vpon their Oathes declared against her, That M. <i>Lister</i> +lying in great extremitie, vpon his death bedde, cried out vnto them +that stood about him; that <i>Iennet Preston</i> was in the house, looke +where shee is, take hold of her: for Gods sake shut the doores, and +take her, shee cannot escape away. Looke about for her, and lay hold +on her, for shee is in the house: and so cryed very often in his great +paines, to them that came to visit him during his sicknesse.</p> + + +<h3><i>Anne Robinson</i>,</h3> + +<h3>and</h3> + +<h3><i>Thomas Lister</i>,</h3> + +<p>Being examined further, they both gaue this in euidence against her, +That when Master <i>Lister</i> lay vpon his death-bedde, hee cryed out in +great extremitie; <i>Iennet Preston</i> lyes heauie vpon me, <i>Prestons</i> +wife lies heauie vpon me; helpe me, helpe me: and so departed, crying +out against her.</p> + +<p>These, with many other witnesses, were further examined, and deposed, +That <i>Iennet Preston</i>, the Prisoner at the Barre, being brought to M. +<i>Lister</i> after hee was dead, & layd out to be wound vp in his +winding-sheet, the said <i>Iennet Preston</i> comming to touch the dead +corpes, they bled fresh bloud presently,<a href="#Y3a">[Y3<i>a</i>]</a> in the presence of all +that were there present: Which hath euer beene held a great argument +to induce a Iurie to hold him guiltie that shall be accused of +Murther, and hath seldome, or neuer, fayled in the Tryall.</p> + +<p>But these were not alone: for this wicked and bloud-thirstie Witch was +no sooner deliuered at the Assises holden at Yorke in Lent last past, +being indicted, arraigned, and by the fauor and mercie of the Iurie +found not guiltie, for the murther of a Child by Witch-craft: but vpon +the Friday following, beeing Good-Friday, shee rode in hast to the +great meeting at Malking-Tower, and there prayed aide for the murther +of M. <i>Thomas Lister:</i> as at large shall appeare, by the seuerall +Examinations hereafter following; sent to these Assises from Master +<i>Nowel</i> and other his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of +Lancaster, to be giuen in euidence against her, vpon her Triall, +<i>viz.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination and Euidence of</i></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>, <i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie<br /> +of Lancaster, Labourer, taken at the house of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames<br /> +Wilsey</span>, <i>of the Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of<br /> +Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill</i>, Anno<br /> +Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> Angliæ, &c. Decimo ac Scotiæ<br /> +quadragesimo quinto. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace<br /> +within the Countie of Lancaster</i>, viz. </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last about twelue of +the clocke in the day-time, there dined in this Examinates said +mothers house a number of persons, whereof three were men, with this +Examinate, and the rest women: and that they met there for these three +causes following (as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate): +First was for the naming of the Spirit, which <i>Alizon Deuice</i>, now +Prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because shee was not +there. The second cause was for the deliuery of his said Grand-mother, +this Examinates said sister <i>Alizon</i>, the said <i>Anne Chattox</i>, and her +daughter <i>Redferne</i>: Killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the +next Assizes to blow vp the Castle there; to that end the aforesaid +Prisoners might by that meanes make an escape and get away. All which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. And the third cause was, +for that there was a woman dwelling in Gilburne Parish, who came into +this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, who there came, and craued +assistance of the rest of them that were then there, for the killing +of Master <i>Lister</i> of Westby: because, as she then said, he had borne +malice vnto her, and had thought to haue put her away at the last +Assizes at Yorke; but could not. And then this Examinat heard the said +woman say, that her power was not strong enough to doe it her selfe, +being now lesse then before time it had beene.</p> + +<p>And he also further saith, that the said <i>Prestons</i> wife had a Spirit +with her like unto a white Foale, with a blacke-spot in the forehead. +And further, this Examinat saith, That since the said meeting, as +aforesaid, this Examinate hath beene brought to the wife of one +<i>Preston</i> in Gisburne Parish aforesaid, by <i>Henry Hargreiues</i> of +Goldshey, to see whether shee was the woman that came amongst the said +Witches, on the said last Good-Friday, to craue their aide and +assistance for the killing of the said Master <i>Lister</i>: and hauing had +full view of her; hee this Examinate confesseth, That shee was the +selfe-same woman which came amongst the said Witches on the said last +Good-Friday, for their aide for the killing of the said Master +<i>Lister</i>; and that brought the Spirit with her, in the shape of a +White Foale, as aforesaid.</p> + +<p>And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses, and they all, +by that they were forth of the doores, were gotten on horse-backe like +vnto Foales, some of one colour, some of another, and <i>Prestons</i> wife +was the last; and when she got on horse-backe, they all presently +vanished out of this Examinats sight: and before their said parting +away, they all appointed to meete at the said <i>Prestons</i> wifes house +that day twelue-month; at which time the said <i>Prestons</i> wife +promised to make them a great feast; and if they had occasion to meet +in the meane time, then should warning bee giuen that they all should +meete vpon Romles-Moore. And this Examinate further saith, That at the +said feast at Malking-Tower, this Examinat heard them all giue their +consents to put the said Master <i>Thomas Lister</i> of Westby to death: +and after Master <i>Lister</i> should be made away by Witchcraft, then al +the said Witches gaue their consents to ioyne altogether to hancke +Master <i>Leonard Lister</i>,<a href="#Za">[Z<i>a</i>]</a> when he should come to dwell at the +Sowgill, and so put him to death.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Henrie Hargreives</span></span><br /> +<b> +<i>of Goldshey-booth, in the Forrest of<br /> +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster Yeoman, taken the<br /> +fifth day of May</i>, Anno Reg. Regis <span class="smcap">Iacobi</span> Angliæ,<br /> +&c. Decimo, ac Scociæ quadragesimo quinto. </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span>, <span class="smcap">Nicholas Bannester</span>,<br /> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Robert Holden</span>, <i>Esquires; three of his<br /> +Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said Countie.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>His Examinat vpon his oath saith, That <i>Anne Whittle</i>, alias +<i>Chattox</i>, confessed vnto him, that she knoweth one <i>Prestons</i> wife +neere Gisburne, and that the said <i>Prestons</i> wife should haue beene at +the said feast, vpon the said Good-Friday, and that shee was an ill +woman, and had done Master <i>Lister</i> of Westby great hurt.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span></span><br /> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Device</span>, <i>mother of</i> <span class="smcap">Iames Device</span>, <i>taken before</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, the day and yeare aforesaid</i>, viz. </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> vpon her Examination confesseth, That +vpon Good-Friday last, there dined at this Examinats house, which she +hath said are Witches, and doth verily thinke them to be Witches; and +their names are those whom <i>Iames Deuice</i> hath formerly spoken of to +be there.</p> + +<p>She also confesseth in all things touching the killing of Master +<i>Lister</i> of Westby, as the said <i>Iames Deuice</i> hath before confessed.</p> + +<p>And the said <i>Elizabeth Deuice</i> also further saith, That at the said +meeting at Malking-Tower, as aforesaid, the said <i>Katherine Hewyt</i> and +<i>Iohn Bulcock</i>, with all the rest then there, gaue their consents, +with the said <i>Prestons</i> wife, for the killing of the said Master +<i>Lister</i>. And for the killing of the said Master <i>Leonard Lister</i>, she +this Examinate saith in all things, as the said <i>Iames Deuice</i> hath +before confessed in his Examination.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="larger"><i>The Examination of</i> <span class="smcap">Iennet Device</span>,</span><br /> +<b> +<i>daughter of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span> <i>late wife of</i> <span class="smcap">Iohn<br /> +Device</span>, <i>of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster,<br /> +about the age of nine yeares or thereabouts, taken<br /> +the day and yeare aboue-said:</i> </b> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b>Before</b></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<b> +<span class="smcap">Roger Nowel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nicholas Banester</span>,<br /> +<i>Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in<br /> +the Countie of Lancaster.</i> </b> +</p> + +<p><span class="dropcap">T</span>He said Examinate vpon her Examination saith, +that vpon Good-friday last there was about twenty +persons, whereof only two were men, to this Examinats +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called +Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: +all which persons, this Examinates said mother +told her were Witches, and that she knoweth +the names of diuers of the said +Witches. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><span class="dropcap">A</span>Fter all these Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence, deliuered +in open Court against her, His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue +the particular circumstances;<a href="#Z2a">[Z2<i>a</i>]</a> first, Master <i>Lister</i> in his +great extremitie, to complaine hee saw her, and requested them that +were by him to lay hold on her.</p> + +<p>After he cried out shee lay heauie vpon him, euen at the time of his +death.</p> + +<p>But the Conclusion is of more consequence then all the rest, that +<i>Iennet Preston</i> being brought to the dead corps, they bled freshly. +And after her deliuerance in Lent, it is proued shee rode vpon a white +Foale, and was present in the great assembly at <i>Malkin Tower</i> with +the Witches, to intreat and pray for aide of them, to kill Master +<i>Lister</i>, now liuing, for that he had prosequuted against her.</p> + +<p>And against these people you may not expect such direct euidence, +since all their workes are the workes of darkenesse, no witnesses are +present to accuse them, therefore I pray God direct your consciences.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +After the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death +had<br /> +spent the most part of the day, in consideration of<br /> +the euidence against her, they returned into the<br /> +Court and deliuered vp their Verdict +of<br /> +Life and Death.<br /> +* *<br /> + *<br /> +</p> + +<h3><i>The Verdict of Life and Death.</i></h3> + +<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>Ho found <i>Iennet Preston</i> guiltie of the fellonie and murder by +Witch-craft of <i>Thomas Lister</i>, Esquire; conteyned in the Indictment +against her, &c.</p> + +<p>Afterwards, according to the course and order of the Lawes, his +Lordship pronounced Iudgement against her to bee hanged for her +offence. And so the Court arose.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><img src="images/image47.png" alt="H" width="125" height="125" class="floatl" /></p> + +<p>Ere was the wonderfull discouerie of this <i>Iennet Preston</i>, who +for so many yeares had liued at Gisborne in Crauen, neare Master +<i>Lister</i>: one thing more I shall adde to all these particular +Examinations, and euidence of witnesses, which I saw, and was present +in the Court at Lancaster, when it was done at the Assizes holden in +August following.</p> + +<p>My Lord <i>Bromley</i> being very suspicious of the accusation of <i>Iennet +Deuice</i>, the little Wench, commanded her to looke vpon the Prisoners +that were present, and declare which of them were present at <i>Malkin +Tower</i>, at the great assembly of Witches vpon Good-Friday last: shee +looked vpon and tooke many by the handes, and accused them to be +there, and when shee had accused all that were there present, shee +told his Lordship there was a Woman that came out of Crauen that was +amongst the Witches at that Feast, but shee saw her not amongst the +Prisoners at the Barre.</p> + +<p>What a singular note was this of a Child, amongst many to misse her, +that before that time was hanged for her offence, which shee would +neuer confesse or declare at her death? here was present old <i>Preston</i> +her husband, who then cried out and went away: being fully satisfied +his wife had Iustice, and was worthie of death.</p> + +<p>To conclude then this present discourse, I heartilie desire you, my +louing Friends and Countrie-men, for whose particular instructions +this is added to the former of the wonderfull discouerie of Witches in +the Countie of Lancaster: And for whose particular satisfaction this +is published; Awake in time, and suffer not your selues to be thus +assaulted.</p> + +<p>Consider how barbarously this Gentleman hath been dealt withall; and +especially you that hereafter shall passe vpon any Iuries of Life and +Death, let not your conniuence, or rather foolish pittie, spare such +as these, to exequute farther mischiefe.</p> + +<p>Remember that shee was no sooner set at libertie, but shee plotted the +ruine and ouerthrow of this Gentleman, and his whole Familie.</p> + +<p>Expect not, as this reuerend and learned Iudge saith, such apparent +proofe against them, as against others, since all their workes, are +the workes of darkenesse: and vnlesse it please Almightie God to raise +witnesses to accuse them, who is able to condemne them?</p> + +<p>Forget not the bloud that cries out vnto God for reuenge, bring it not +vpon your owne heads.</p> + +<p>Neither doe I vrge this any farther, then with this, that I would +alwaies intreat you to remember, that it is as great a crime (as +<i>Salomon</i> sayth, <i>Prov.</i> 17.) to condemne the innocent, as to let the +guiltie escape free.</p> + +<p>Looke not vpon things strangely alledged, but iudiciously consider +what is justly proued against them.</p> + +<p>And that as well all you that were witnesses, present at the +Arraignement and Triall of her, as all other strangers, to whome this +Discourse shall come, may take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute +these hellish Furies to their end:<a href="#Z3b1">[Z3<i>b</i>1]</a> labor to root them out of +the Commonwealth, for the common good of your Countrey. The greatest +mercie extended to them, is soone forgotten.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">God</span> graunt vs the long and prosperous cotinuance of these Honorable +and Reuerend Iudges, vnder whose Gouernment we liue in these North +parts: for we may say, that <span class="smcap">God</span> Almightie hath singled them out, and +set him on his Seat, for the defence of Iustice.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +And for this great deliuerance, let vs all pray to<br /> +<span class="smcap">God</span> Almightie, that the memorie of<br /> +these worthie Iudges may bee<br /> +blessed to all Posterities.<br /> +<a href="#Z3b2">[Z3<i>b</i>2]</a><br /> +</p> + + +<h3><i>FINIS.</i></h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES"></a>NOTES.</h2> + + +<p>[The references are to the alphabetical letters or signatures at the +bottom of each page: <i>a</i> is intended for the first and <i>b</i> the second +page, marked with such letter or signature.]</p> + +<div class="mynote"> +<p><i>Transcriber's Notes:</i> In the original text, a single note reference sometimes +applies to more than one note. For clarity's sake, in this e-text a number has +been added to the end of such references to distinguish among the notes.</p> + +<p>There are a few phrases in Greek. In the original text, some of the Greek +characters have diacritical marks which do not display properly in some +browsers, such as Internet Explorer. In order to make this e-text as accessible +as possible, the diacritical marks have been ignored. All text in Greek has a +mouse-hover transliteration, e.g., <span lang="el" title="Greek: kalos">καλος</span>.</p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap"><a name="A1">Dedication</a></span>. "<i>The Right Honorable Thomas Lord Knyvet.</i>"] Sir Thomas +Knivet, or Knyvet, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to James the First, +was afterwards created Baron of Escricke, in the county of York. He it +was who was intrusted to search the vaults under the Parliament House, +and who discovered the thirty-six barrels of gunpowder, and +apprehended Guido Fawkes, who declared to him, that if he had happened +to be within the house when he took him, as he was immediately before, +he would not have failed to blow him up, house and all. (Howell's +<i>State Trials</i>, vol. ii., p. 202.) His courage and conduct on this +occasion seem to have recommended him to the especial favour of James. +Dying without issue, the title of Lord Howard of Escrick was conferred +on Sir Edward Howard, son of Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who had +married the eldest daughter and co-heir of Sir H. Knivet; and, having +been enjoyed successively by his two sons, ended in his grandson +Charles, in the beginning of the last century. It must be admitted +that the writer has chosen his patron very felicitously. Who so fit to +have the book dedicated to him as one who had acted so conspicuous a +part on the memorable occasion at Westminster? The blowing up of +Lancaster Castle and good Mr. Covel, by the conclave of witches at +Malkin's Tower, was no discreditable imitation of the grand +metropolitan drama on provincial boards.</p> + +<p><a name="A2">A 2</a>. <span class="smcap">First Imprimatur</span>. "<i>Ja. Altham, Edw. Bromley.</i>"] These two judges +were Barons of the Court of Exchequer, but neither of them seems to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +have left a name extraordinarily distinguished for legal learning. +Altham was one of the assistants named in the commission for the trial +of the Countess of Somerset for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury in +1616. Bromley appears, from incidental notices contained in the diary +of Nicholas Assheton, (see Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, third edition, page +300,) and other sources, to have frequently taken the northern +circuit. He was not of the family of Lord Chancellor Bromley, but of +another stock.</p> + +<p><a name="A3">A 3</a>. <span class="smcap">Second Imprimatur</span>: "<i>Edward Bromley. I took upon mee to reuise +and correct it.</i>"] This revision by the judge who presided at the +trial gives a singular and unique value and authority to the work. We +have no other report of any witch trial which has an equal stamp of +authenticity. How many of the rhetorical flourishes interspersed in +the book are the property of Thomas Potts, Esquier, and how many are +the interpolation of the "excellent care" of the worthy Baron, it is +scarcely worth while to investigate. Certainly never were judge and +clerk more admirably paired. The <i>Shallow</i> on the bench was well +reflected in the <i>Master Slender</i> below.</p> + +<p><a name="Ba">B <i>a</i></a>. "<i>The number of them being knowen to exceed all others at any +time heretofore at one time to be indicted, arraigned, and receiue +their tryall.</i>"] Probably this was the case, at least in England; but +a greater number had been convicted before, even in this country, at +one time, than were found guilty on this occasion, as it appears from +Scot, (<i>Discovery of Witchcraft</i>, page 543, edition 1584,) that +seventeen or eighteen witches were condemned at once, at St. Osith, in +Essex, in 1576, of whom an account was written by Brian Darcy, with +the names and colours of their spirits.</p> + +<p><a name="Bb">B <i>b</i></a>. "<i>She was a very old woman, about the age of fourescore.</i>"] Dr. +Henry More would have styled old Demdike "An eximious example of +Moses, his Mecassephah, the word which he uses in that law,—Thou +shalt not suffer a witch to live." Margaret Agar and Julian Cox, (see +Glanvill's <i>Collection of Relations</i>, p. 135, edition 1682,) on whom +he dwells with such delighted interest, were very inferior subjects to +what, in his hands, Elizabeth Sothernes would have made. They had +neither of them the finishing attribute of blindness, so fearful in a +witch, to complete the sketch; nor such a fine foreground for the +painting as the forest of Pendle presented; nor the advantage, for +grouping, of a family of descendants in which witchcraft might be +transmitted to the third generation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="B2a">B 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Roger Nowell, Esquire.</i>"] This busy and mischievous +personage who resided at Read Hall, in the immediate neighbourhood of +Pendle, was sheriff of Lancashire in 1610. He married Katherine, +daughter of John Murton, of Murton, and was buried at Whalley, January +31st, 1623. He was of the same family as Alexander Nowell, the Dean of +St. Paul's, and Lawrence Nowell, the restorer of Saxon literature in +England; and tarnished a name which they had rendered memorable, by +becoming, apparently, an eager and willing instrument in that wicked +persecution which resulted in the present trial. His ill-directed +activity seems to have fanned the dormant embers into a blaze, and to +have given aim and consistency to the whole scheme of oppression. From +this man was descended, in the female line, one whose merits might +atone for a whole generation of Roger Nowells, the truly noble-minded +and evangelical Reginald Heber.</p> + +<p><a name="B2b1">B 2 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>Gouldshey</i>,"] so commonly pronounced, but more properly +Goldshaw, or Goldshaw Booth.</p> + +<p><a name="B2b2">B 2 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>The spirit answered, his name was Tibb.</i>"] Bernard, who +is learned in the nomenclature of familiar spirits, gives, in his +<i>Guide to Grand Jurymen</i>, 1630, 12mo, the following list of the names +of the more celebrated familiars of English witches. "Such as I have +read of are these: Mephistophiles, Lucifer, Little Lord, Fimodes, +David, Jude, Little Robin, Smacke, Litefoote, Nonsuch, Lunch, +Makeshift, Swash, Pluck, Blue, Catch, White, Callico, Hardname, Tibb, +Hiff, Ball, Puss, Rutterkin, Dicke, Prettie, Grissil, and Jacke." In +the confession of Isabel Gowdie, a famous Scotch witch, (in +<i>Pitcairne's Trials</i>, vol. iii. page 614,) we have the following +catalogue of attendant spirits, rather, it must be confessed, a +formidable band. "The names of our Divellis, that waited upon us, ar +thes: first, Robert the Jakis; Sanderis, the Read Roaver; Thomas the +Fearie; Swain, the Roaring Lion; Thieffe of Hell; Wait upon Hirself; +Mak Hectour; Robert the Rule; Hendrie Laing; and Rorie. We would ken +them all, on by on, from utheris. Some of theim apeirit in sadd dunn, +som in grasse-grein, som in sea-grein, and some in yallow." Archbishop +Harsnet, in his admirable <i>Declaration of Popish Impostures, under the +pretence of casting out Devils</i>, 1605, 4to, a work unsurpassed for +rich humour and caustic wit, clothed in good old idiomatic English, +has a chapter "on the strange names of these devils," in which he +observes, (p. 46,) "It is not amiss that you be acquainted with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> these +extravagant names of devils, least meeting them otherwise by chance +you mistake them for the names of tapsters, or juglers." Certainly, +some of the names he marshalls in array smell strongly of the tavern. +These are some of them: Pippin, Philpot, Modu, Soforce, Hilco, +Smolkin, Hillio, Hiaclito, Lustie Huffe-cap, Killico, Hob, Frateretto, +Fliberdigibbet, Hoberdidance, Tocobatto, and Lustie Jollie Jenkin.</p> + +<p><a name="B2b3">B 2 <i>b</i> 3</a>. "<i>About Day-light Gate.</i>"] Day-light Gate, i.e. Evening, +the down gate of daylight. See <i>Promptuarium Parvulorum</i>, (edited by +Way for the Camden Society,) page 188, "Gate down, or downe gate of +the Sunne or any other planet."—Occasus. Palgrave gives, "At the +sonne gate downe; sur le soleil couchant."</p> + +<p><a name="B3a1">B 3 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>The said Deuill did get blood vnder her left arme.</i>"] It +would seem (see Elizabeth Device's Examination afterwards) as if some +preliminary search were made, in the case of this poor old woman, for +the marks which were supposed to come by the sucking or drawing of the +Spirit or Familiar. Most probably her confession was the result of +this and other means of annoyance and torture employed in the usual +unscrupulous manner, upon a blind woman of eighty. Of those marks +supposed to be produced by the sucking of the Spirit or Familiar, the +most curious and scientific (if the word may be applied to such a +subject) account will be found in a very scarce tract, which seems to +have been unknown to the writers on witchcraft. Its title is "A +Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft, containing these several +particulars; That there are Witches called bad Witches, and Witches +untruly called good or white Witches, and what manner of people they +be, and how they may be knowne, with many particulars thereunto +tending. Together with the Confessions of many of those executed since +May, 1645, in the several Counties hereafter mentioned. As also some +objections Answered. By John Stearne, now of Lawshall, neere Burie +Saint Edmunds in Suffolke, sometimes of Manningtree in Essex. Prov. +xvii. 15, He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the +just, even they both are an abomination to the Lord. Deut. xiii. 14, +Thou shall therefore enquire, and make search, and aske diligently +whether it be truth and the thing certaine. London, Printed by William +Wilson, dwelling in Little Saint Bartholomews, neere Smithfield, 1648, +pages 61, besides preface." Stearne, in whom Remigius and De Lancre +would have recognized a congenial soul, had a sort of joint commission +with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> Hopkins, as Witch-finder, and tells us (see address to Reader) +that he had been in part an agent in finding out or discovering about +200 witches in Essex, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Huntingtonshire, +Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and the Isle of Ely. He deals +with the subject undoubtedly like a man whose extensive experience and +practice had enabled him to reduce the matter to a complete system. +(See his account of their marks, pp. 43 to 50.) He might, like John +Kincaid in Tranent, (see Pitcairne's <i>Criminal Trials</i>, vol. iii. p. +599,) have assumed the right of Common Pricker, i.e. Searcher for the +devil's marks, and had his own tests, which were infallible. He +complains, good man, "that in many places I never received penny as +yet, nor any am like, notwithstanding I have hands for satisfaction, +except I should sue; [he should have sued by all means, we might then +have had his bill of particulars, which would have been curious;] but +many rather fall upon me for what hath been received, but I hope such +suits will be disannulled, and that where I have been out of moneys +for Towns in charges and otherwise such course will be taken that I +may be satisfied and paid with reason." He was doubtless well +deserving of a recompense, and his neighbours were much to blame if he +did not receive a full and ample one. Of the latter end of his +coadjutor, Hopkins, whom Sir Walter Scott (see Somers's Tracts, vol. +iii. p. 97, edit. 1810,) and several other writers represent as +ultimately executed himself for witchcraft, he gives a very different, +and no doubt more correct account; which, singularly enough, has +hitherto remained entirely unnoticed. "He died peaceably at +Manningtree, after a long sicknesse of a consumption, as many of his +generation had done before him, without any trouble of conscience for +what he had done, as was falsely reported of him. He was the son of a +godly minister, and therefore, without doubt, within the Covenant." +Were not the interests of truth too sacred to be compromised, it might +seem almost a pity to demolish that merited and delightful retribution +which Butler's lines have immortalized.</p> + +<p><a name="B3a2">B 3 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>I will burne the one of you and hang the other.</i>"] The +following extracts from that fine old play, "The Witch of Edmonton," +bear a strong resemblance to the scene described in the text. Mother +Sawyer, in whom the milk of human kindness is turned to gall by +destitution, imbittered by relentless outrage and insult, and who, +driven out of the pale of human fellowship, is thrown upon strange and +fearful allies, would almost appear to be the counterpart of Mother +Demdike. The weird sisters of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> transcendant bard are wild and +wonderful creations, but have no close relationship to the plain old +traditional witch of our ancestors, which is nowhere represented by +our dramatic writers with faithfulness and truth except in the Witch +of Edmonton:—</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Sawyer</span>, <i>gathering sticks.</i></p> + +<p> +<i>Saw.</i> And why on me? why should the envious world<br /> +Throw all their scandalous malice upon me?<br /> +'Cause I am poor, deform'd, and ignorant,<br /> +And like a bow buckled and bent together,<br /> +By some more strong in mischiefs than myself,<br /> +Must I for that be made a common sink,<br /> +For all the filth and rubbish of men's tongues<br /> +To fall and run into? Some call me Witch,<br /> +And being ignorant of myself, they go<br /> +About to teach me how to be one; urging,<br /> +That my bad tongue (by their bad usage made so)<br /> +Forespeaks their cattle, doth bewitch their corn,<br /> +Themselves, their servants, and their babes at nurse.<br /> +This they enforce upon me; and in part<br /> +Make me to credit it; and here comes one<br /> +Of my chief adversaries.<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Enter</i> Old <span class="smcap">Banks</span>.</p> + +<p><i>Banks.</i> Out, out upon thee, witch!</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Dost call me witch?</p> + +<p><i>Banks.</i> I do, witch, I do; and worse I would, knew I a name more +hateful. What makest thou upon my ground?</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Gather a few rotten sticks to warm me.</p> + +<p><i>Banks.</i> Down with them when I bid thee, quickly; I'll make thy bones +rattle in thy skin else.</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> You won't, churl, cut-throat, miser!—there they be; [<i>Throws +them down.</i>] would they stuck across thy throat, thy bowels, thy maw, +thy midriff.</p> + +<p><i>Banks.</i> Say'st thou me so, hag? Out of my ground!</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">[<i>Beats her.</i></p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Dost strike me, slave, curmudgeon! Now thy bones aches, thy +joints cramps, and convulsions stretch and crack thy sinews!</p> + +<p><i>Banks.</i> Cursing, thou hag! take that, and that.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">[<i>Beats her, and +exit.</i></p> + +<p> +<i>Saw.</i> Strike, do!—and wither'd may that hand and arm<br /> +Whose blows have lamed me, drop from the rotten trunk!<br /> +Abuse me! beat me! call me hag and witch!<br /> +What is the name? where, and by what art learn'd,<br /> +What spells, what charms or invocations?<br /> +May the thing call'd Familiar be purchased?<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p> +<i>Saw.</i> Still vex'd! still tortured! that curmudgeon Banks<br /> +Is ground of all my scandal; I am shunn'd<br /> +And hated like a sickness; made a scorn<br /> +To all degrees and sexes. I have heard old beldams<br /> +Talk of familiars in the shape of mice,<br /> +Rats, ferrets, weasels, and I wot not what,<br /> +That have appear'd, and suck'd, some say, their blood;<br /> +But by what means they came acquainted with them,<br /> +I am now ignorant. Would some power, good or bad,<br /> +Instruct me which way I might be revenged<br /> +Upon this churl, I'd go out of myself,<br /> +And give this fury leave to dwell within<br /> +This ruin'd cottage, ready to fall with age!<br /> +Abjure all goodness, be at hate with prayer,<br /> +And study curses, imprecations,<br /> +Blasphemous speeches, oaths, detested oaths,<br /> +Or anything that's ill; so I might work<br /> +Revenge upon this miser, this black cur,<br /> +That barks and bites, and sucks the very blood<br /> +Of me, and of my credit. 'Tis all one,<br /> +To be a witch, as to be counted one:<br /> +Vengeance, shame, ruin light upon that canker!<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"><i>Enter a</i> Black Dog.</p> + +<p> +<i>Dog.</i> Ho! have I found thee cursing? now thou art<br /> +Mine own.<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Thine! what art thou?</p> + +<p> +<i>Dog.</i> He thou hast so often<br /> +Importuned to appear to thee, the devil.<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Bless me! the devil!</p> + +<p> +<i>Dog.</i> Come, do not fear; I love thee much too well<br /> +To hurt or fright thee; if I seem terrible,<br /> +It is to such as hate me. I have found<br /> +Thy love unfeign'd; have seen and pitied<br /> +Thy open wrongs, and come, out of my love,<br /> +To give thee just revenge against thy foes.<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> May I believe thee?</p> + +<p> +<i>Dog.</i> To confirm't, command me<br /> +Do any mischief unto man or beast.<br /> +And I'll effect it, on condition<br /> +That, uncompell'd, thou make a deed of gift<br /> +Of soul and body to me.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Saw.</i> Out, alas!<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>My soul and body?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Dog.</i> And that instantly,<br /> +And seal it with thy blood: if thou deniest,<br /> +I'll tear thy body in a thousand pieces.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Saw.</i> I know not where to seek relief: but shall I,<br /> +After such covenants seal'd, see full revenge<br /> +On all that wrong me?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Dog.</i> Ha, ha! silly woman!<br /> +The devil is no liar to such as he loves—<br /> +Didst ever know or hear the devil a liar<br /> +To such as he affects?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Saw.</i> Then I am thine; at least so much of me<br /> +As I can call mine own—<br /> +<br /> +<i>Dog.</i> Equivocations?<br /> +Art mine or no? speak, or I'll tear—<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> All thine.</p> + +<p><i>Dog.</i> Seal't with thy blood.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right">[<i>She pricks her arm, which he sucks.—Thunder and lightning.</i></p> + +<p> +See! now I dare call thee mine!<br /> +For proof, command me: instantly I'll run<br /> +To any mischief; goodness can I none.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Saw.</i> And I desire as little. There's an old churl,<br /> +One Banks—<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Dog.</i> That wrong'd thee: he lamed thee, call'd thee witch.</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> The same; first upon him I'd be revenged.</p> + +<p><i>Dog.</i> Thou shalt; do but name how?</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Go, touch his life.</p> + +<p><i>Dog.</i> I cannot.</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Hast thou not vow'd? Go, kill the slave!</p> + +<p><i>Dog.</i> I will not.</p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> I'll cancel then my gift.</p> + +<p><i>Dog.</i> Ha, ha!</p> + +<p> +<i>Saw.</i> Dost laugh!<br /> +Why wilt not kill him?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Dog.</i> Fool, because I cannot.<br /> +Though we have power, know, it is circumscribed,<br /> +And tied in limits: though he be curst to thee,<br /> +Yet of himself, he is loving to the world,<br /> +And charitable to the poor; now men, that,<br /> +As he, love goodness, though in smallest measure,<br /> +Live without compass of our reach: his cattle<br /> +And corn I'll kill and mildew; but his life<br /> +(Until I take him, as I late found thee,<br /> +Cursing and swearing) I have no power to touch.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Saw.</i> Work on his corn and cattle then.</p> + +<p> +<i>Dog.</i> I shall.<br /> +The <span class="smcap">Witch of Edmonton</span> shall see his fall.<br /> +</p> + +<p style="text-align: right"><i>Ford's Plays</i>, edit. 1839, p. 190.</p> + +<p><a name="B3a3">B 3 <i>a</i> 3</a>. "<i>Alizon Device.</i>"] Device is merely the common name Davies +spelled as pronounced in the neighbourhood of Pendle.</p> + +<p><a name="B3b">B 3 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Is to make a picture of clay.</i>"]</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Hecate.</i> What death is't you desire for Almachildes?</p> + +<p><i>Duchess.</i> A sudden and a subtle.</p> + +<p> +<i>Hecate.</i> Then I've fitted you.<br /> +Here be the gifts of both; sudden and subtle:<br /> +His picture made in wax and gently molten<br /> +By a blue fire kindled with dead men's eyes<br /> +Will waste him by degrees.<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>Duchess.</i> In what time, prithee?</p> + +<p><i>Hecate.</i> Perhaps in a moon's progress.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right"><i>Middleton's Witch</i>, edit. 1778, p. 100.</p></div> + +<p>None of the offices in the Witches rubric had higher classical warrant +than this method, a favourite one, it appears, of Mother Demdike, but +in which Anne Redfern had the greatest skill of any of these Pendle +witches, of victimizing by moulding and afterwards pricking or burning +figures of clay representing the individual whose life was aimed at. +Horace, Lib. i. Sat. 8, mentions both waxen and woollen images—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Lanea et effigies erat altera cerea, &c.</p></div> + +<p>And it appears from Tacitus, that the death of Germanicus was supposed +to have been sought by similar practices. By such a Simulachrum, or +image, the person was supposed to be devoted to the infernal deities. +According to the Platonists, the effect produced arose from the +operation of the sympathy and synergy of the Spiritus Mundanus, (which +Plotinus calls <span lang="el" title="Greek: ton megan goźta; typo "t" for "ton" in original">τον μεγαν γοητα</span>, the grand magician,) such as they resolve +the effect of the weaponsalve and other magnetic cures into. The +following is the Note in Brand on this part of witchcraft:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>King James, in his "Dæmonology," book ii., chap. 5, tells +us, that "the Devil teacheth how to make pictures of wax or +clay, that, by roasting thereof, the persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> that they bear +the name of may be continually melted or dried away by +continual sickness."</p> + +<p>See Servius on the 8th Eclogue of Virgil; Theocritus, Idyll, +ii., 22; Hudibras, part II., canto ii., l. 351.</p> + +<p>Ovid says:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Devovet absentes, simulachraque cerea figit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Et miserum tenues in jecur urget acus."<br /></span> +<span class="i16"><i>Heroid.</i> Ep. vi., l. 91.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>See also "Grafton's Chronicle," p. 587, where it is laid to +the charge (among others) of Roger Bolinbrook, a cunning +necromancer, and Margery Jordane, the cunning Witch of Eye, +that they, at the request of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester, +had devised an image of wax, representing the king, (Henry +the Sixth,) which by their sorcery a little and a little +consumed; intending thereby in conclusion to waste and +destroy the king's person. Shakspeare mentions this, Henry +VI., P. II., act i., sc. 4.</p> + +<p>It appears, from Strype's "Annals of the Reformation,", vol. +i., p. 8, under anno 1558, that Bishop Jewel, preaching +before the queen, said, "It may please your grace to +understand that witches and sorcerers within these few last +years are marvellously increased within your grace's realm. +Your grace's subjects pine away, even unto the death; their +colour fadeth, their flesh rotteth, their speech is +benumbed, their senses are bereft. I pray God they never +practise <i>further than upon the subject</i>." "This," Strype +adds, "I make no doubt was the occasion of bringing in a +bill, the next parliament, for making enchantments and +witchcraft felony." One of the bishop's strong expressions +is, "<i>These eyes have seen</i> most evident and manifest marks +of their wickedness."</p> + +<p>It appears from the same work, vol. iv., p. 6, sub anno +1589, that "one Mrs. Dier had practised conjuration against +the queen, to work some mischief to her majesty; for which +she was brought into question: and accordingly her words and +doings were sent to Popham, the queen's attorney, and +Egerton, her solicitor, by Walsingham, the secretary, and +Sir Thomas Heneage, her vice-chamberlain, for their +judgment, whose opinion was that Mrs. Dier was not within +the compass of the statute touching witchcraft, for that she +did no act, and spake certain lewd speeches tending to that +purpose, but neither set figure nor made pictures." <i>Ibid.</i>, +vol. ii., p. 545, sub anno 1578, Strype says: "Whether it +were the effect of magic, or proceeded from some natural +cause, but the queen was in some part of this year under +excessive anguish <i>by pains of her teeth</i>, insomuch that she +took no rest for divers nights, and endured very great +torment night and day."</p> + +<p>Andrews, in his "Continuation of Henry's History of Great +Britain," 4to, p. 93, tells us, speaking of Ferdinand, Earl +of Derby, who in the reign of Queen Elizabeth died by +poison, "The credulity of the age attributed his death to +witchcraft. The disease was odd, and operated as a perpetual +emetic; and a <i>waxen image, with hair like that of the +unfortunate earl</i>, found in his chamber, reduced every +suspicion to certainty."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The wife of Marshal d'Ancre was apprehended, imprisoned, +and beheaded for a witch, upon a surmise that she had +inchanted the queen to dote upon her husband; and they say +the young king's picture was found in her closet, in virgin +wax, with one leg melted away. When asked by her judges what +spells she had made use of to gain so powerful an ascendancy +over the queen, she replied, 'that ascendancy only which +strong minds ever gain over weak ones.'" Seward's "Anecdotes +of some Distinguished Persons," &c., vol. ii., p. 215.</p> + +<p>Blagrave, in his "Astrological Practice of Physick," p. 89, +observes that "the way which the witches usually take for to +afflict man or beast in this kind is, as I conceive, done by +image or model, made in the likeness of that man or beast +they intend to work mischief upon, and by the subtlety of +the devil made at such hours and times when it shall work +most powerfully upon them, by thorn, pin, or needle, pricked +into that limb or member of the body afflicted."</p> + +<p>This is farther illustrated by a passage in one of Daniel's +Sonnets:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The slie inchanter, when to work his will<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And secret wrong on some forspoken wight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frames waxe, in forme to represent aright<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The poore unwitting wretch he meanes to kill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And prickes the image, framed by magick's skill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whereby to vex the partie day and night."<br /></span> +<span class="i2"><i>Son. 10; from Poems and Sonnets annexed to "Astrophil +and Stella</i>," 4to, 1591.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Again, in "Diaria, or the Excellent Conceitful Sonnets of +H.C.," (Henry Constable,) 1594:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Witches, which some murther do intend,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doe make a picture, and doe shoote at it;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And in that part where they the picture hit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The parties self doth languish to his end."<br /></span> +<span class="i8"><i>Decad. II., Son. ii.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Coles, in his "Art of Simpling," &c., p. 66, says that +witches "take likewise the roots of mandrake, according to +some, or, as I rather suppose, the <i>roots of briony</i>, which +simple folke take for the true mandrake, and make thereof an +ugly image, by which they represent the person on whom they +intend to exercise their witchcraft." He tells us, <i>ibid.</i>, +p. 26, "Some plants have roots with a number of threads, +like beards, as mandrakes, whereof witches and impostors +make an ugly image, giving it the form of the face at the +top of the root, and leave those strings to make a broad +beard down to the feet."—<i>Brand's Antiquities</i>, vol. iii. +p. 9.</p></div> + +<p>Ben Johnson has not forgotten this superstition in his learned and +fanciful <i>Masque of Queens</i>, in which so much of the lore of +witchcraft is embodied. There are few finer things in English poetry +than his 3rd Charm:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The owl is abroad, the bat, and the toad,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And so is the cat-a-mountain,<br /></span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +<span class="i0">The ant and the mole sit both in a hole,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And the frog peeps out o' the fountain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dogs they do bay, and the timbrels play,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The spindle is now a turning;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The moon it is red, and the stars are fled,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But all the sky is a burning:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The ditch is made, and our nails the spade,<br /></span> +<i><span class="i2">With pictures full, of wax and of wool;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their livers I stick, with needles quick;<br /></span></i> +<span class="i2">There lacks but the blood, to make up the flood.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Quickly, dame, then bring your part in,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Spur, spur upon little Martin,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Merrily, merrily, make him sail,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A worm in his mouth, and a thorn in his tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fire above, and fire below,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With a whip in your hand, to make him go.<br /></span> +<span class="i9"><i>Ben Johnson's Works, by Gifford</i>, vol. vii. p. 121.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meric Casaubon, who is always an amusing writer, and whose works, +notwithstanding his appetite for the wonderful, do not merit the total +oblivion into which they have fallen, is very angry with Jerome +Cardan, an author not generally given to scepticism, for the +hesitation he displays on the subject of these waxen images:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I know some who question not the power of devils or witches; +yet in this particular are not satisfied how such a thing +can be. For there is no relation or sympathy in nature, +(saith one, who hath written not many years ago,) between a +man and his effigies, that upon the pricking of the one the +other should grow sick. It is upon another occasion that he +speaks it; but his exception reacheth this example equally. +A wonder to me he should so argue, who in many things hath +very well confuted the incredulity of others, though in some +things too credulous himself. If we must believe nothing but +what we can reduce to natural, or, to speak more properly, +(for I myself believe the devil doth very little, but by +nature, though to us unknown,) manifest causes, he doth +overthrow his own grounds, and leaves us but very little of +magical operations to believe. But of all men, Cardan had +least reason to except against this kind of magick as +ridiculous or incredible, who himself is so full of +incredible stories in that kind, upon his own credit alone, +that they had need to be of very easie belief that believe +him, especially when they know (whereof more afterwards) +what manner of man he was. But I dare say, that from Plato's +time, who, among other appurtenances of magic, doth mention +these, <span lang="el" title="Greek: kźrina mimźmata; typo mimkmata for mimźmata in original">κηρινα +μιμηματα</span> that is, as +Ovid doth call them, <i>Simulachra cerea</i>, or as Horace, +<i>cereas imagines</i>, (who also in another place more +particularly describes them,) there is not any particular +rite belonging to that art more fully attested by histories +of all ages<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> than this is. Besides, who doth not know that +it is the devil's fashion (we shall meet with it afterwards +again) to amuse his servants and vassals with many rites and +ceremonies, which have certainly no ground in nature, no +relation or sympathy to the thing, as for other reasons, so +to make them believe, they have a great hand in the +production of such and such effects; when, God knows, many +times all that they do, though taught and instructed by him, +is nothing at all to the purpose, and he, in very deed, is +the only agent, by means which he doth give them no account +of. Bodinus, in his preface to his "Dæmonology," relateth, +that three waxen images, whereof one of Queen Elizabeth's, +of glorious memory, and two other, <i>Reginæ proximorum</i>, of +two courtiers, of greatest authority under the queen, were +found in the house of a priest at Islington, a magician, or +so reputed, to take away their lives. This he doth repeat +again in his second book, chap. 8, but more particularly +that it was in the year of the Lord 1578, and that Legatus +Angliæ and many Frenchmen did divulge it so; but withal, in +both places he doth add, that the business was then under +trial, and not yet perfectly known. I do not trust my +memory: I know my age and my infirmities. Cambden, I am +sure, I have read; and read again; but neither in him, nor +in Bishop Carleton's "Thankful Remembrancer," do I remember +any such thing. Others may, perchance. Yet, in the year +1576, I read in both of some pictures, representing some +that would have kill'd that glorious queen with a motto, +<i>Quorsum hæc, alio properantibus!</i> which pictures were made +by some of the conspiracy for their incouragement; but +intercepted, and showed, they say, to the queen. Did the +time agree, it is possible these pictures might be the +ground of those mistaken, if mistaken, waxen images, which I +desire to be taught by others who can give a better +account.—<i>Casaubon's (M.) Treatise, proving Spirits, +Witches, and Supernatural Operations</i>, 1672. 12mo., p. 92.</p></div> + +<p>In Scotland this practice was in high favour with witches, both in +ancient and modern times. The lamentable story of poor King Duff, as +related by Hector Boethius, a story which has blanched the cheek and +spoiled the rest of many a youthful reader, is too well known to need +extracting. Even so late as 1676, Sir George Maxwell, of Pollock, (See +Scott's <i>Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft</i>, p. 323,) apparently a +man of melancholy and valetudinarian habits, believed himself +bewitched to death by six witches, one man and five women, who were +leagued for the purpose of tormenting a clay image in his likeness. +Five of the accused were executed, and the sixth only escaped on +account of extreme youth.</p> + +<p>Isabel Gowdie, the famous Scotch witch before referred to, in her +confessions gives a very particular account of the mode in which these +images were manufactured. It is curious, and worth quoting:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Johne Taylor</i> and <i>Janet Breadhead</i>, his wyff, in +Bellnakeith, <i>Bessie Wilsone</i>, in Aulderne, and <i>Margret +Wilsone</i>, spows to <i>Donald Callam</i> in Aulderne, and I,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> maid +an pictur of clay, to distroy <i>the Laird of Parkis</i> +meall<a name="FNanchor_62_66" id="FNanchor_62_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_66" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> children. <i>Johne Taylor</i> browght hom the clay, in +his plaid newk;<a name="FNanchor_63_67" id="FNanchor_63_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_67" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> his wyff brak it verie small, lyk +meall,<a name="FNanchor_64_68" id="FNanchor_64_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_68" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> and sifted it with a siew,<a name="FNanchor_65_69" id="FNanchor_65_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_69" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> and powred in +water among it, in <i>the Divellis</i> nam, and vrought it werie +sore, lyk rye-bowt;<a name="FNanchor_66_70" id="FNanchor_66_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_70" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> and maid of it a pictur of <i>the +Lairdis</i> sones. It haid all the pairtis and merkis of a +child, such as heid, eyes, nose, handis, foot, mowth, and +little lippes. It wanted no mark of a child; and the handis +of it folded down by its sydes. It was lyk a pow,<a name="FNanchor_67_71" id="FNanchor_67_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_71" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> or a +flain gryce.<a name="FNanchor_68_72" id="FNanchor_68_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_72" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> We laid the face of it to the fyre, till it +strakned;<a name="FNanchor_69_73" id="FNanchor_69_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_73" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> and a cleir fyre round abowt it, till it ves +read lyk a cole.<a name="FNanchor_70_74" id="FNanchor_70_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_74" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> After that, we wold rest it now and +then; each other day<a name="FNanchor_71_75" id="FNanchor_71_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_75" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> ther wold be an piece of it weill +rosten. <i>The Laird of Parkis</i> heall maill children by it ar +to suffer, if it be not gotten and brokin, als weill as thes +that ar borne and dead alreadie. It ves still putt in and +taken out of the fyre, in <i>the Divellis</i> name. It wes hung +wp wpon an knag. It is yet in <i>Johne Taylor's</i> hows, and it +hes a cradle of clay abowt it. Onlie <i>Johne Taylor</i> and his +wyff, <i>Janet Breadhead</i>, <i>Bessie</i> and <i>Margret Wilsones</i> in +Aulderne, and <i>Margret Brodie</i>, thair, and I, were onlie at +the making of it. All the multitud of our number of <span class="smcap">Witches</span>, +of all the <span class="smcap">Coevens</span>, kent<a name="FNanchor_72_76" id="FNanchor_72_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_76" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> all of it, at owr nixt meitting +after it was maid.</p> + +<p>The wordis which we spak, quhan we maid the pictur, for +distroyeing of <i>the Laird of Parkis</i> meall-children, wer +thus:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'<span class="smcap">In the Divellis</span> nam, we powr in this water among this mowld (meall,)<a name="FNanchor_73_77" id="FNanchor_73_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_77" class="fnanchor">[73]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">For lang duyning and ill heall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We putt it into the fyre,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That it mey be brunt both stik and stowre.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It salbe brunt, with owr will,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As any stikle<a name="FNanchor_74_78" id="FNanchor_74_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_78" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> wpon a kill.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Divell</span> taught ws the wordis; and quhan ve haid learned +them, we all fell downe wpon owr bare kneyis, and owr hair +abowt owr eyes, and owr handis lifted wp, looking steadfast +wpon <span class="smcap">the Divell</span>, still saying the wordis thryse ower, till +it wes maid. And then, in <span class="smcap">the Divellis</span> nam, we did put it +in, in the midst of the fyre. Efter it had skrukned<a name="FNanchor_75_79" id="FNanchor_75_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_79" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> a +little before the fyre, and quhan it ves read lyk a coale, +we took it owt in <span class="smcap">the Divellis</span> nam. Till it be broken, it +will be the deathe of all the meall children that <i>the Laird +of Park</i> will ewer get. Cast it ower an Kirk, it will not +brak quhill<a name="FNanchor_76_80" id="FNanchor_76_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_80" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> it be broken with an aix, or som such lyk +thing, be a man's handis. If it be not broken, it will last +an hundreth yeir. It hes ane cradle about it of clay, to +preserue it from skaith;<a name="FNanchor_77_81" id="FNanchor_77_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_81" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> and it wes rosten each vther +day, at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> fyr; som tymes on pairt of it, som tymes an +vther pairt of it; it vold be a litle wat with water, and +then rosten. The bairn vold be brunt and rosten, ewin as it +ves by ws.—<i>Pitcairne's Criminal Trials</i>, Vol. iii. pp. 605 +and 612.</p></div> + +<p><a name="B4b1">B 4 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>And sayd that she should haue gould, siluer, and worldly +wealth at her will.</i>"] These familiars, to use Warburton's expression, +always promised with the lavishness of a young courtier, and performed +with the indifference of an old one. Nothing seems to puzzle Dr. Dee +more, in the long and confidential intercourse he carried on so many +years with his spirits, than to account for the great scarcity of +specie they seemed to be afflicted with, and the unsatisfactory and +unfurnished state of their exchequer. Bills, to be sure, they gave at +long dates; but these constantly required renewing, and were never +honoured at last. Any application for present relief, in good current +coin of the realm, was invariably followed by what Meric Casaubon very +significantly calls "sermonlike stuff." The learned professor in +witchery, John Stearne, seems to fix six shillings as the maximum of +money payment at one time which in all his experience he had detected +between witches and their familiars. He was examining Joan Ruccalver, +of Powstead, in Suffolk, who had been promised by her spirit that she +should never want meat, drink, clothes, or money. "Then I asked her +whether they brought her any money or no; and she said sometimes four +shillings at a time, and sometimes six shillings at a time; but that +is but seldom, <i>for I never knew any that had any money before</i>, +except of Clarke's wife, of Manningtree, who confessed the same, and +showed some, which, she said, her impe brought her, which was proper +money." Confirmation, page 27. Judging from the anxiety which this +worthy displays to be "satisfied and paid with reason" for his +itinerant labours, such a scanty and penurious supply would soon have +disgusted him, if he had been witch, instead of witch-finder.</p> + +<p><a name="B4b2">B 4 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>She had bewitched to death Richard Ashton, sonne of +Richard Ashton, of Downeham, Esquire.</i>"] Richard Assheton, (as the +name is more properly spelled,) thus done to death by witchcraft, was +the son of Richard Assheton, of Downham, an old manor house, the scite +of which is now supplied by a modern structure, which Dr. Whitaker +thinks, in point of situation, has no equal in the parish of Whalley. +Richard, the son, married Isabel, daughter and heiress of Mr. Hancock, +of Pendleton Hall, and died without offspring. The family estate +accordingly descended to the younger brother, Nicholas Assheton, whose +diary for part of the year 1617 and part of the year following is +given, page 303 of Whitaker's <i>History of Whalley</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> edition 1818, and +is a most valuable record of the habits, pursuits, and course of life +of a Lancashire country gentleman of that period. It well deserves +detaching in a separate publication, and illustrating with a more +expanded commentary.</p> + +<p><a name="Cb">C <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Piggin full.</i>"] Piggin is properly a sort of bowl, or pail, +with one of the staves much longer than the rest, made for a handle, +to lade water by, and used especially in brewhouses to measure out the +liquor with.</p> + +<p><a name="C2a">C 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Nicholas Banister.</i>"] Dr. Whitaker, in the pedigree of the +Banisters, of Altham, (genealogy was, it is well known, one of the +vulnerable parts of this Achilles of topography,) erroneously states +this Nicholas Banister to have been buried at Altham, December 7, +1611. It appears, however, from a deed, an inspection of which I owe +to the kindness of my friend, Dr. Fleming, that his will was dated the +15th August, 1612. In all probability he did not die for some years +after that date. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of +Richard Elston, of Brockall, Esq.; and, second, Catherine, daughter of +Edmund Ashton, of Chaderton, Esq. The manor house of Altham, for more +than five centuries the residence of this ancient family, stands, to +use Dr. Whitaker's words, upon a gentle elevation on the western side +of the river Calder, commanding a low and fertile domain. It has been +surrounded, according to the prudence or jealousy of the feudal times, +with a very deep quadrangular moat, which must have included all the +apparatus of the farm.</p> + +<p><a name="C3a">C 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>At Malking Tower, in the forrest of Pendle.</i>"] Malkin Tower +was the habitation of Mother Demdike, the situation of which is +preserved, for the structure no longer exists, by local tradition. +Malkin is the Scotch or north country word for hare, as this animal +was one into which witches were supposed to be fond of transforming +themselves. Malkin Tower is, in fact, the Witches' Tower. The term is +used in the following passage in Morison's <i>Poems</i>, p. 7, which bears +upon the above explanation:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Or tell the pranks o' winter's nights,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How Satan blazes uncouth lights;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or how he does a core convene<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon a witch-frequented green,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wi' spells and cauntrips hellish rantin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like mawkins thro' the fields they're janting."<br /></span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></div></div> + +<p><a name="C4b">C 4 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>We want old Demdike, who dyed in the castle before she came +to her tryall.</i>"] Worn out most probably with her imprisonment, she +having been committed in April, and the cruelties she had undergone, +both before and after her commitment. Master Nowell and Master Potts +both <i>wanted</i> her, we may readily conceive, to fill up the miserable +pageant; but she was gone where the wicked cease from troubling, and +the weary are at rest. With the exception of Alice Nutter, in whom +interest is excited from very different grounds, Mother Demdike +attracts attention in a higher degree than any other of these Pendle +witches. She was, beyond dispute, the Erictho of Pendle. Mother +Chattox was but second in rank. There is something fearfully intense +in the expression of the former,—blind, on the last verge of the +extreme limit of human existence, and mother of a line of +witches,—"that she would pray for the said Baldwin, both still and +loud." She is introduced in Shadwell's play, the <i>Lancashire Witches</i>, +1682, as a <i>persona dramatis</i>, along with Mother Dickinson and Mother +Hargrave, two of the witches convicted in 1633, but without any regard +to the characteristic circumstances under which she appears in the +present narrative. The following invocation, which is put into her +mouth, is rather a favourable specimen of that play, certainly not one +of the worst of Shadwell's, in which there are many vigorous strokes, +with an alloy of coarseness not unusual in his works, and some +powerful conceptions of character:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come, sisters, come, why do you stay?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our business will not brook delay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The owl is flown from the hollow oak,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From lakes and bogs the toads do croak;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The foxes bark, the screech-owl screams,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wolves howl, bats fly, and the faint beams<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of glow-worms light grows bright a-pace;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The stars are fled, the moon hides her face.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The spindle now is turning round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mandrakes are groaning under ground:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'th' hole i'th' ditch (our nails have made)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now all our images are laid,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of wax and wooll, which we must prick,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With needles urging to the quick.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Into the hole I'le poure a flood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of black lambs bloud, to make all good.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lamb with nails and teeth wee'l tear.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come, where's the sacrifice? appear.<br /></span> +</div> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">* * * *</span> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oyntment for flying here I have,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of childrens fat, stoln from the grave:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The juice of smallage, and night-shade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of poplar leaves, and aconite, made<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With these.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The aromatic reed I boyl,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With water-parsnip and cinquefoil;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With store of soot, and add to that<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The reeking blood of many a bat.<br /></span> +<span class="i9"><i>Lancashire Witches</i>, pp. 10, 41.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>One of the peculiarities of Shadwell's play is the introduction of the +Lancashire dialect, which he makes his clown Clod speak. The subjoined +extract may perhaps amuse my readers. Collier would have enjoyed it:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Clod.</i> An yeow been a mon Ay'st talk wy ye a bit, yeow mun +tack a care o your sells, the plecs haunted with Buggarts, +and Witches, one of 'em took my Condle and Lanthorn out of +my hont, and flew along wy it; and another Set me o top o'th +tree, where I feel dawn now, Ay ha well neegh brocken my +theegh.</p> + +<p><i>Doubt.</i> The fellows mad, I neither understand his words, +nor his Sence, prethee how far is it to Whalley?</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Why yeow are quite besaid th' road mon, yeow +Shoulden a gon dawn th' bonk by <i>Thomas</i> o <i>Georges</i>, and +then ee'n at yate, and turn'd dawn th' Lone, and left the +Steepo o'th reeght hont.</p> + +<p><i>Bell.</i> Prithee don't tell us what we should have done, but +how far is it to Whalley?</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Why marry four mail and a bit.</p> + +<p><i>Doubt.</i> Wee'l give thee an Angel and show us the way +thither.</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Marry thats Whaint. I canno see my hont, haw con Ay +show yeow to Whalley to neeght.</p> + +<p><i>Bell.</i> Canst thou show us to any house where we may have +Shelter and Lodging to night? we are Gentlemen and +strangers, and will pay you well for't.</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Ay byr Lady con I, th' best ludging and diet too in +aw Lancashire. Yonder at th' hough where yeow seen th' +leeghts there.</p> + +<p><i>Doubt.</i> Whose house is that?</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Why what a pox, where han yeow lived? why yeow are +Strongers indeed! why, 'tis Sir <i>Yedard Harfourts</i>, he Keeps +oppen hawse to all Gentry, yeou'st be welcome to him by day +and by neeght he's Lord of aw here abauts.</p> + +<p><i>Bell.</i> My Mistresses Father, Luck if it be thy will, have +at my <i>Isabella</i>, Canst thou guide us thither?</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Ay, Ay, there's a pawer of Company there naw, Sir +<i>Jeffery Shaklehead</i>, and the Knight his Son, and Doughter.</p> + +<p><i>Doubt.</i> Lucky above my wishes, O my dear <i>Theodosia</i>, how +my heart leaps at her! prethee guide us thither, wee'l pay +thee well.</p> + +<p><i>Clod.</i> Come on, I am e'n breed aut o my sences, I was ne'er +so freeghtened sin I was born, give me your +hont.—<i>Lancashire Witches</i>, p. 14.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="Db">D <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Ann Whittle, alias Chattox.</i>"] Chattox, from her continually +chattering.</p> + +<p><a name="D2a1">D 2 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Her lippes euer chattering and walking.</i>"] Walking, +<i>i.e.</i>, working. Old Chattox might have sat to Archbishop Harsnet for +her portrait. What can exceed the force and graphic truth, the +searching wit and sarcasm, of the picture he sketches in 1605?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Out of these is shaped vs the true <i>Idœa</i> of a Witch, an +old weather-beaten Croane, hauing her chinne, & her knees +meeting for age, walking like a bow leaning on a shaft, +hollow eyed, vntoothed, furrowed on her face, hauing her +lips trembling with the palsie, going mumbling in the +streetes, one that hath forgottē her <i>pater noster</i>, and +hath yet a shrewd tongue in her head, to call a drab, a +drab. If shee haue learned of an olde wife in a chimnies +end: <i>Pax, max, fax</i>, for a spel: or can say Sir <i>Iohn of +Grantams</i> curse, for the Millers Eeles, that were stolne: +All you that haue stolne the Millers Eeles, <i>Laudate dominum +de cœlis</i>: And all they that haue consented thereto, +<i>benedicamus domino</i>: Why then ho, beware, looke about you +my neighbours; if any of you haue a sheepe sicke of the +giddies, or an hogge of the mumps, or an horse of the +staggers, or a knauish boy of the schoole, or an idle girle +of the wheele, or a young drab of the sullens, and hath not +fat enough for her porredge, nor her father, and mother, +butter enough for their bread; and she haue a little helpe +of the <i>Mother</i>, <i>Epilepsie</i>, or <i>Cramp</i>, to teach her role +her eyes, wrie her mouth, gnash her teeth, startle with her +body, holde her armes and hands stiffe, make anticke faces, +grine, mow, and mop like an Ape, tumble like a Hedge-hogge, +and can mutter out two or three words of gibridg, as <i>obus, +bobus</i>: and then with-all old mother <i>Nobs</i> hath called her +by chaunce, idle young huswife, or bid the deuill scratch +her, then no doubt but mother <i>Nobs</i> is the Witch: the young +girle is Owle-blasted, and possessed: and it goes hard but +ye shall haue some idle adle, giddie, lymphaticall, +illuminate dotrel, who being out of credite, learning, +sobriety, honesty, and wit, will take this holy aduantage, +to raise the ruines of his desperate decayed name, and for +his better glory wil be-pray the iugling drab, and cast out +<i>Mopp</i> the deuil.</p> + +<p>They that haue their braines baited, and their fancies +distempered with the imaginations, and apprehensions of +Witches, Coniurers, and Fayries, and all that Lymphatical +<i>Chimæra</i>: I finde to be marshalled in one of these fiue +rankes, children, fooles, women, cowards, sick, or blacke, +melancholicke, discomposed wits. The Scythians being a +warlike Nation (as <i>Plutarch</i> reports) neuer saw any +visions.—<i>Harsnet's Declaration</i>, p. 136.</p></div> + +<p><a name="D2a2">D 2 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>From these two sprung all the rest in order.</i>"] The +descent from these two rival witch stocks, between which a deadly feud +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> animosity prevailed, which led to the destruction of both +families, is shewn as follows:</p> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Family Tree" style="font-size: 90%"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td colspan="2" style="padding-left: 1em; padding-bottom: .5em;">Elizabeth Sothernes, alias Old Demdike, died in prison in 1612, about 80 years old.</td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + + <td> </td> + <td colspan="4" style="padding-bottom: .5em;">Anne Whittle, alias Chattox, executed at Lancaster, 1612, about 80 years old.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td style="width: 11%;"> </td> + <td style="width: 12%; border-bottom: 2px solid black; text-align: left; border-right: 1px solid black;">1</td> + <td style="width: 11%; border-bottom: 2px solid black; text-align: right; border-left: 1px solid black;">2</td> + + <td style="width: 15%;"> </td> + <td style="width: 1%;"> </td> + <td style="width: 1%;"> </td> + <td style="width: 16%;"> </td> + <td style="width: 2%;"> </td> + <td style="width: 15%;border-bottom: 2px solid black;"> </td> + <td style="width: 1%; border-right: 1px solid black; border-bottom: 2px solid black;"> </td> + <td style="width: 1%; border-left: 1px solid black;"> </td> + <td style="width: 14%;"> </td> + + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" style="padding-right: .5em; vertical-align: top; padding-top: .25em; padding-bottom: .5em;" rowspan="6">Christopher == Eliz. Howgate. Both of them were reputed to be at the witches meeting on Good + Friday, 1612, but were not indicted. Perhaps they were the "one Holgate and his wife" mentioned amongst the + witches in 1633.</td> + <td colspan="2" style="padding-left: .5em; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap; padding-top: .25em; padding-bottom: .5em;">Elizabeth, executed at Lancaster, 1612.</td> + <td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding-top: .25em; padding-bottom: .5em;">==</td> + <td style="padding-left: .2em; vertical-align: top; padding-top: .25em; padding-bottom: .5em;" rowspan="6">John Device, or Davies, supposed to have been bewitched to death, by Widow Chattox, + because he had not paid her his yearly aghen dole of meal.</td> + <td rowspan="6"> </td> + + <td style="vertical-align: top; padding-right: .25em; padding-left: .25em; white-space: nowrap; padding-top: .25em; padding-bottom: .5em;">Anne, executed in 1612.</td> + <td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top; padding-top: .25em; padding-bottom: .5em;">==</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top; padding-left: .25em; padding-top: .25em; white-space: nowrap; padding-bottom: .5em;">Thomas Redferne.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + + <td rowspan="5" style="border-right: 1px solid black;"> </td> + <td rowspan="5" style="border-left: 1px solid black;"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td style="border-right: 1px solid black;"> </td> + <td style="border-left: 1px solid black;"> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td> </td> + <td rowspan="4" colspan="4" style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Mary.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + + <td style="border-bottom: 2px solid black; text-align: left;">1</td> + <td style="border-bottom: 2px solid black; text-align: right;">2</td> + <td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 2px solid black; border-right: 1px solid black; text-align: right;"> </td> + <td style="border-bottom: 2px solid black; border-left: 1px solid black;"> </td> + <td style="border-bottom: 2px solid black;">3</td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2" style="padding-top: .5em; vertical-align: top;">James Device, or Davies, executed at Lancaster in 1612.</td> + <td style="padding-top: .5em; vertical-align: top;">Alizon, executed at Lancaster in 1612.</td> + <td colspan="4" style="padding-top: .5em; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 2em; vertical-align: top;">Jennet, 9 years old in 1612, and an evidence in the present + trial. Condemned herself, along with 16 other persons, for witchcraft, in 1633, when she appears + to have been unmarried, but not executed.</td> + + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> +</tbody> +</table> +</div> + +<p> </p> + + +<p><a name="D3a">D 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Commaunded this examinate to call him by the name of +Fancie.</i>"] The fittest name for a familiar she could possibly have +chosen. Sir Walter Scott (<i>Letters on Demonology</i>, p. 242) +unaccountably speaks of Fancie as a female devil. Master Potts would +have told him, (see <a href="#M2b">M 2 <i>b</i></a>,) "that Fancie had a very good face, and +was a very proper man."</p> + +<p><a name="D3b1">D 3 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>The wife of Richard Baldwin, of Pendle.</i>"] Richard +Baldwin was the miller who accosted Old Dembdike so unceremoniously.</p> + +<p><a name="D3b2">D 3 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Robert Nutter.</i>"] The family of the Nutters, of Pendle, +bore a great share in the proceedings referred to in this trial. It +seems to have been a family of note amongst the inferior gentry or +yeomanry of the forest. A Nutter held courts for many years about this +period, as deputy steward at Clitheroe. (See Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, p. +307.) Three of the name are stated in the evidence to have been killed +by witchcraft, Christopher Nutter, Robert Nutter, and Anne, the +daughter of Anthony Nutter;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> and one of the unfortunate persons +convicted is Alice Nutter. The branch to which Robert belonged is +shewn in the following table:</p> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" summary="Nutter" width="733"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td rowspan="2"> </td> + <td rowspan="2"> </td> + <td colspan="2" style="vertical-align: top;" rowspan="2">Robert Nutter, the elder, of +Pendle, called old Robert Nutter.</td> + <td align="center" colspan="2">=</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;" colspan="2" rowspan="2">Elizabeth, who is reputed to +have employed Anne Chattox, Loomeshaw's wife, and Jane Boothman to bewitch to death +young Robert Nutter, that other relations might inherit.<br /></td> + <td rowspan="2"> </td> + <td rowspan="2"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="center" style="border-right: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"> </td> + <td align="center" style="border-left: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;" colspan="4" align="center">Christopher, reputed to have +died of witchcraft about 18 years before.</td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td align="center" style="border-right: 1px solid black;" colspan="2"> </td> + <td align="center" style="border-left: 1px solid black;" colspan="2"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="center">1</td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td align="center" colspan="4">2</td> + <td align="right">3      </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="8" style="border-top: 2px solid black; text-align: left;"> </td> + <td align="center"> </td> + <td align="center"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td rowspan="6" style="vertical-align: top;">Robert, of Greenhead, in +Pendle, a retainer of Sir Richard Shuttleworth, reputed to have been bewitched to +death 18 or 19 years before the trial took place.</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;">=</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;">Mary</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;" colspan="4">John, of Higham Booth</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;" align="right">Margaret</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;">=</td> + <td style="vertical-align: top;">Crooke</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td style="border-top: 2px solid black;" colspan="5" align="center">gave +evidence at the trial</td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td colspan="4"> </td> + <td align="right"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td colspan="4"> </td> + <td align="right"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td colspan="4"> </td> + <td align="right"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td colspan="4"> </td> + <td align="right"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + </tr> +</tbody> +</table> +</div> + +<p><a name="D4a">D 4 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>One Mr. Baldwyn (the late Schoole-maister at Coulne) did by +his learning, stay the sayd Loomeshaws wife, and therefore had a Capon +from Redfearne.</i>"] I regret that I can give no account of this learned +Theban, who appears to have stayed the plague, and who taught at the +school at which Archbishop Tillotson was afterwards educated. He well +deserved his capon. Had he continued at Colne up to the time of this +trial, he might perhaps, on the same easy terms, have kept the powers +of darkness in check, and prevented some imputed crimes which cost ten +unfortunates their lives.</p> + +<p><a name="Eb1">E <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>Iames Robinson.</i>"] Baines, in his <i>History of Lancashire</i>, +vol. i. p. 605, speaks of Edmund Robinson, the father of the boy on +whose evidence the witches were convicted in 1633, as if he had been a +witness at the present trial; which is probably a mistake for this +James Robinson, as no Edmund Robinson appears amongst the witnessses +whose depositions are given.</p> + +<p><a name="Eb2">E <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Anne Whittle alias Chattox was hired by this examinates +wife to card wooll.</i>"] She seems to have been by occupation a carder +of wool, and to have filled up the intervals, when she had no +employment, by mendicancy.</p> + +<p><a name="E2a">E 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Sir Richard Shuttleworth.</i>"} Of the family of the +Shuttleworths of Gawthorp, "where they resided" Whitaker observes, "in +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> condition of inferior gentry till the lucrative profession of the +law raised them, in the reign of Elizabeth, to the rank of knighthood +and an estate proportioned to its demands." Sir Richard was +Sergeant-at-law, and Chief Justice of Chester, 31st Elizabeth, and +died without issue about 1600.</p> + +<p><a name="E2b">E 2 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>A Charme.</i>"] Evidently in so corrupted a state as to bid +defiance to any attempt at elucidation.</p> + +<p><a name="E3a1">E 3 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Perceiuing Anthonie Nutter of Pendle to fauour Elizabeth +Sothernes alias Dembdike.</i>"] The Sothernes and Davies's and the +Whittles and Redfernes were the Montagus and Capulets of Pendle. The +poor cottager whose drink was forsepoken or bewitched, or whose cow +went mad, and who in his attempt to propitiate one of the rival powers +offended the other, would naturally exclaim from the innermost +recesses of his heart, "A plague on both your houses."</p> + +<p><a name="E3a2">E 3 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Gaping as though he would haue wearied this Examinate.</i>"] +Wearied for worried.</p> + +<p><a name="E3b">E 3 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Examination of Iames Device.</i>"] This is a very curious +examination. The production of the four teeth and figure of clay dug +up at the west-end of Malkin Tower would look like a "damning witness" +to the two horror-struck justices and the assembled concourse at Read, +who did not perhaps consider how easily such evidences may be +furnished, and how readily they who hide may find. The incident +deposed to at the burial at the New Church in Pendle is a wild and +striking one.</p> + +<p><a name="E4a">E 4 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>About eleuen yeares agoe, this Examinate and her mother had +their firehouse broken.</i>"] The inference intended is, that Whittle's +family committed the robbery from Old Demdike's house. This was, in +all probability, the origin of their feuds. The abstraction of the +coif and band, tempting articles to the young daughter of Old Chattox, +not destitute, if we may judge from one occurrence deposed to, of +personal attractions, may be said to have convulsed Lancashire from +the Leven to the Mersey,—to have caused a sensation, the shock of +which, after more than two centuries, has scarcely yet subsided, and +to have actually given a new name to the fair sex.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="E4b1">E 4 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>One Aghen-dole of meale.</i>"] This Aghen-dole, a word +still, I believe, in use for a particular measure of any article, was, +I presume, a kind of witches' black mail. My friend, the Rev. Canon +Parkinson, informs me that Aghen-dole, sometimes pronounced +Acken-dole, signifies an half-measure of anything, from +half-hand-dole. Mr. Halliwell has omitted it in his Glossary, now in +progress.</p> + +<p><a name="E4b2">E 4 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Iohn Moore of Higham, Gentleman.</i>"] Sir Jonas Moore, of +whom an account is contained in Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, p. 479, and whom +he characterizes as a sanguine projector, was born in Pendle Forest, +and was probably of this family.</p> + +<p><a name="E4b3">E 4 <i>b</i> 3</a>. "<i>She would meet with the said Iohn Moore, or his.</i>"] i.e. +She would be equal with him.</p> + +<p><a name="Fa1">F <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Charne.</i>"] i.e. Charm.</p> + +<p><a name="Fa2">F <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>With weeping teares she humbly acknowledged them to be +true.</i>"] She seems to have confessed in the hope of saving her +daughter, Anne Redfern. But from such a judge as Sir Edward Bromley, +mercy was as little to be expected as common sense from his "faithful +chronicler," Thomas Potts.</p> + +<p><a name="F2b">F 2 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Sparing no man with fearefull execrable curses and +banning.</i>"] Nothing seems to shock the nerves of these witch +historiographers so much as the utter want of decorum and propriety +exhibited by these unhappy creatures in giving vent to these indignant +outbreaks, which a sense of the wicked injustice of their fate, and +seeing their own offspring brought up in evidence against them, +through the most detestable acts, and by the basest subornation, would +naturally extort from minds even of iron mould. If ever Lear's or +Timon's power of malediction could be justifiably called into +exercise, it would be against such a tribunal and such witnesses as +they had generally to encounter.</p> + +<p><a name="F4a">F 4 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>That at the third time her Spirit.</i>"] Something seems to be +wanting here, as she does not state what occurred at the two previous +interviews. The learned judge may have exercised a sound discretion in +this omission, as the particulars might be of a nature unfit for +publication. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> present tract is, undoubtedly, remarkably free from +those disgusting details of which similar reports are generally full +to overflowing.</p> + +<p><a name="F4b">F 4 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>The said Iennet Deuice, being a yong Maide, about the age +of nine yeares.</i>"] This child must have been admirably trained, (some +Master Thomson might have been near at hand to instruct her,) or must +have had great natural capacity for deception. She made an excellent +witness on this occasion. What became of her after the wholesale +extinction of her family, to which she was so mainly instrumental, is +not now known. In all likelihood she dragged on a miserable existence, +a forlorn outcast, pointed at by the hand of scorn, or avoided with +looks of horror in the wilds of Pendle. As if some retributive +punishment awaited her, she is reported to have been the Jennet Davies +who was condemned in 1633, on the evidence of Edmund Robinson the +younger, with Mother Dickenson and others, but not executed. Her +confession, if she made one at the second trial, might not have been +unsimilar to that of Alexander Sussums, of Melford in Suffolk, who, +Hearne tells us, confessed "that he had things which did draw those +marks I found upon him, but said he could not help it, for that all +his kinred were naught. Then I asked him how it was possible they +could suck without his consent. He said he did consent to that. Then I +asked him again why he should do it when as God was so merciful +towards him, as I then told him of, being a man whom I had been +formerly acquainted withal, as having lived in town. He answered +again, he could not help it, for that all his generation was naught; +and so told me <i>his mother and aunt were hanged, his grandmother burnt +for witchcraft, and ten others of them questioned and hanged</i>. This +man is yet living, notwithstanding he confessed the sucking of such +things above sixteen years together."—<i>Confirmation</i>, p. 36.</p> + +<p><a name="G3a">G 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Anne Crouckshey.</i>"] Anne Cronkshaw.</p> + +<p><a name="G3b1">G 3 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>Vpon Good Friday last there was about twentie persons.</i>"] +This meeting, if not a witches' Sabbath, was a close approximation to +one. On the subject of the Sabbath, or periodical meeting of witches, +De Lancre is the leading authority. He who is curious cannot do better +than consult this great hierophant, (his work is entitled Tableau de +l'Inconstance des mauvais Anges et Demons. Paris, 1613, 4to.) whose +knowledge and experience well qualified him to have been constituted +the Itinerant Master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> of Ceremonies, an officer who, he assures us, +was never wanting on such occasions. In that singular book, <i>The +History of Monsieur Oufle</i>, p. 288, (English Translation, 1711, 8vo.) +are collected from various sources all the ceremonies and +circumstances attending the holding the Sabbath. It appears that +non-attendance invariably incurred a penalty, which is computed upon +the average at the eighth part of a crown, or in French currency at +ten sous—that, though the contrary has been maintained by many grave +authors, egress and ingress by the chimney (De Lancre had depositions +without number, he tells us, <i>vide</i> p. 114, on this important head,) +was not a matter of solemn obligation, but was an open question—that +no grass ever grows upon the place where the Sabbath is kept; which is +accounted for by the circumstance of its being trodden by so many of +those whose feet are constitutionally hot, and therefore being burnt +up and consequently very barren—that two devils of note preside on +the occasion, the great negro, who is called Master Leonard, and a +little devil, whom Master Leonard sometimes substitutes in his place +as temporary vice-president; his name is Master John Mullin. (De +Lancre, p. 126.) With regard to a very important point, the bill of +fare, great difference of opinion exists: some maintaining that every +delicacy of the season, to use the newspaper phrase, is provided; +others stoutly asserting that nothing is served up but toads, the +flesh of hanged criminals, dead carcases fresh buried taken out of +Churchyards, flesh of unbaptized infants, or beasts which died of +themselves—that they never eat with salt, and that their bread is of +black millet. (De Lancre, pp. 104, 105.) In this diversity of opinion +I can only suggest, that difference of climate, habit, and fashion, +might possibly have its weight, and render a very different larder +necessary for the witches of Pendle and those of Gascony or Lorrain. +The fare of the former on this occasion appears to have been of a very +substantial and satisfactory kind, "beef, bacon, and roasted mutton:" +the old saying so often quoted by the discontented masters of +households applying emphatically in this case:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"God sends us good meat, but the devil sends cooks."</p></div> + +<p>We find in the present report no mention made of the</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Dance and provencal song"</p></div> + +<p>which formed one great accompaniment of the orgies of the southern +witches. Bodin's authority is express, that each, the oldest not +excused, was expected to perform a coranto, and great attention was +paid to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> regularity of the steps. We owe to him the discovery, +which is not recorded in any annals of dancing I have met with, that +the lavolta, a dance not dissimilar, according to his description, to +the polka of the present day, was brought out of Italy into France by +the witches at their festive meetings. Of the language spoken at these +meetings, De Lancre favours us with a specimen, valuable, like the +Punic fragment in the Pœnolus, for its being the only one of the +kind. <i>In nomine patrica araguenco petrica agora, agora, Valentia +jouando goure gaiti goustia.</i> As it passes my skill, I can only +commend it to the especial notice of Mr. Borrow against his next +journey into Spain. What was spoken at Malkin Tower was, doubtless, a +dialect not yet obsolete, and which Tummus and Meary would have had no +difficulty in comprehending. On the subject of these witches' +Sabbaths, Dr. Ferriar remarks, in his curious and agreeable <i>Essay on +Popular Illusions</i>, (see <i>Memoirs of the Manchester Literary and +Philosophical Society</i>, vol. iii., p. 68,) a sketch which it is much +to be regretted that he did not subsequently expand and revise, and +publish in a separate form:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The solemn meetings of witches are supposed to be put beyond +all doubt by the numerous confessions of criminals, who have +described their ceremonies, named the times and places of +meeting, and the persons present, and who have agreed in +their relations, though separately delivered.<a name="FNanchor_78_82" id="FNanchor_78_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_82" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> But I +would observe, first, that the circumstances told of those +festivals are ridiculous and incredible in themselves; for +they are represented as gloomy and horrible, yet with a +mixture of childish and extravagant fancies, more likely to +disgust and alienate than to conciliate the minds of the +guests. They have every appearance of uneasy dreams; +sometimes the devil and his subjects <i>say mass</i>, sometimes +he <i>preaches</i> to them, more commonly he was seen in the form +of a black goat, surrounded by imps in a thousand frightful +shapes; but none of these forms are <i>new</i>, they all resemble +known quadrupeds or reptiles. Secondly, I observe, that +there is direct proof furnished even by demonologists, that +all these supposed journies and entertainments are nothing +more than dreams. Persons accused of witchcraft have been +repeatedly watched, about the time which they had fixed for +the meeting; they have been seen to anoint themselves with +soporific compositions, after which they fell into profound +sleep, and on awaking, several hours afterwards, they have +related their journey through the air, their amusement at +the festival, and have named the persons whom they saw +there. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> the instance told by Hoffman, the dreamer was +chained to the floor. Common sense would rest satisfied +here, but the enthusiasm of demonology has invented more +than one theory to get rid of these untoward facts. Dr. +Henry More, as was formerly mentioned, believed that the +astral spirit only was carried away: other demonologists +imagined that the witch was really removed to the place of +meeting, but that a cacodemon was left in her room, as an +<span lang="el" title="Greek: eidōlon">ειδωλον</span>, to delude the spectators. Thirdly, some +stories of the festivals are evidently tricks. Such is that +related by Bodinus, with much gravity: a man is found in a +gentleman's cellar, and apprehended as a thief; he declares +his wife had brought him thither to a witch-meeting, and on +his pronouncing the name of God, she and all her companions +had vanished, and left him inclosed. His wife is immediately +seized, on this righteous evidence, and hanged, with several +other persons, named as present at the meeting.</p></div> + +<p><a name="G3b2">G 3 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Christopher Iackes, of Thorny-holme, and his wife.</i>"] +This would appear to be Christopher Hargreaves, called here +Christopher Jackes, for o' or of Jack, according to the Lancashire +mode of forming patronymics.</p> + +<p><a name="G4a">G 4 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, which Alizon +Deuice, now Prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not name him, because +shee was not there.</i>"] Gaule says, speaking of the ceremonies at the +witches' solemn meetings: "If the witch be outwardly Christian, +baptism must be renounced, and the party must be rebaptized in the +Devil's name, and a new name is also imposed by him; and here must be +godfathers too, for the Devil takes them not to be so adult as to +promise and vow for themselves." (<i>Cases of Conscience touching +Witches</i>, page 59. 1646, 12mo.) But Gaule does not mention any naming +or baptism of spirits and familiars on such occasions.</p> + +<p><a name="G4b">G 4 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Romleyes Moore.</i>"] Romilly's or Rumbles Moor, a wild and +mountainous range in Craven, not unaptly selected for a meeting on a +special emergency of a conclave of witches.</p> + +<p><a name="H2a1">H 2 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as +he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp.</i>"] +Pitiable, truly, was the situation of this unhappy wretch. Brought out +from the restraint of a long imprisonment, before and during which he +had, as we may conjecture, been subjected to every inhumanity, in a +state more dead than alive, into a court which must have looked like +one living mass, with every eye lit up with horror, and curses, not +loud but deep, muttered with harmonious concord from the mouths of +every spectator.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="H2a2">H 2 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Anne Towneley, wife of Henrie Townely, of the Carre.</i>"] +Would this be Anne, the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Catterall, +of Catterall and Little Mitton, Esq., who married Henry Townley, the +son of Lawrence Townley? (See Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, p. 396.) The +Townleys of Barnside and Carr were a branch of the Townleys, of +Townley. Barnside, or Barnsete, is an ancient mansion in the township +of Colne, which, Whitaker observes, was abandoned by the family, for +the warmer situation of Carr, about the middle of the last century.</p> + +<p><a name="H2a3">H 2 <i>a</i> 3</a>. "<i>Master Nowel humbly prayed Master Towneley might be +called.</i>"] It is to be regretted we have no copy of the <i>viva voce</i> +examination of Mr. Townley, the husband of the lady whose life was +said to have been taken away by witchcraft. The examinations given in +this tract are altogether those of persons in a humble rank of life. +The contrast between their evidence and that of an individual +occupying the position of the descendant of one of the oldest families +in the neighbourhood, with considerable landed possessions, might have +been amusing and instructive.</p> + +<p><a name="H2a4">H 2 <i>a</i> 4</a>. "<i>Master Nowell humbly prayed, that the particular +examinations taken before him and others might be openly published and +read in court.</i>"] This kind of evidence, the witnesses being in court, +and capable of being examined, would not be received at the present +day. At that time a greater laxity prevailed.</p> + +<p><a name="H3a">H 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Sheare Thursday.</i>"] The Thursday before Easter, and so +called, for that, in the old Fathers' days, the people would that day, +"shave their hedes, and clypp their berdes, and pool their heedes, and +so make them honest against Easter Day."—<i>Brand's Popular +Antiquities</i>, vol. i., p. 83, edition 1841.</p> + +<p><a name="Kb1">K <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>A Charme.</i>"] Sinclair, in his <i>Satan's Invisible World +Discovered</i>, informs us, that "At night, in the time of popery, when +folks went to bed, they believed the repetition of this following +prayer was effectual to preserve them from danger, and the house too.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Who sains the house the night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They that sains it ilka night.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saint Bryde and her brate,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saint Colme and his hat,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saint Michael and his spear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Keep this house from the weir;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From running thief,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And burning thief;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And from and ill Rea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That be the gate can gae;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And from an ill weight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That be the gate can light<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nine reeds about the house;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Keep it all the night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What is that, what I see<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So red, so bright, beyond the sea?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis he was pierc'd through the hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through the feet, through the throat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through the tongue;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through the liver and the lung.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well is them that well may<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fast on Good-friday."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>which lines are not unlike some of those in the present "charme," +which, evidently much corrupted by recitation, is a very singular and +interesting string of fragments handed down from times long anterior +to the Reformation, when they had been employed as armour of proof by +the credulous vulgar against the Robin Goodfellows, urchins, elves, +hags, and fairies of earlier superstition. I regret that I cannot +throw more light upon it. The concluding lines are not deficient in +poetical spirit.</p> + +<p><a name="Kb2">K <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Ligh in leath wand.</i>"] Leath is no doubt lithe, flexible. +What "ligh in" is intended for, unless it be lykinge, which the +<i>Promptorium Parvulorum</i> (<i>vide</i> part i. p. 304) explains by lusty, or +craske, <i>Delicativus</i>, crassus, I am unable to conjecture. It is +clear, that the wand in one hand is to steck, <i>i.e.</i> stake, or fasten, +the latch of hell door, while the key in his other hand is to open +heaven's lock.</p> + +<p><a name="Kb3">K <i>b</i> 3</a>. "<i>Let Crizum child goe to it Mother mild.</i>"] The chrisom, +according to the usual explanation, was a white cloth placed upon the +head of an infant at baptism, when the chrism, or sacred oil of the +Romish Church, was used in that sacrament. If the child died within a +month of its birth, that cloth was used as a shroud; and children so +dying were called chrisoms in the old bills of mortality.</p> + +<p><a name="Kb4">K <i>b</i> 4</a>. "<i>A light so farrandly.</i>"] Farrandly, or farrantly, a word +still in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> use in Lancashire, and which is equivalent to fair, likely, +or handsome. (See <i>Lancashire Dialect and Glossary</i>.) "Harne panne," +<i>i.e.</i>, cranium.—<i>Promptorium Parvulorum</i>, p. 237.</p> + +<p><a name="K2a1">K 2 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Vpon the ground of holy weepe.</i>"] I know not how to +explain this, unless it mean the ground of holy weeping, <i>i.e.</i>, the +Garden of Gethsemane.</p> + +<p><a name="K2a2">K 2 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Shall neuer deere thee.</i>"] The word to dere, or hurt, +says Mr. Way, <i>Promptorium Parvulorum</i>, p. 119, is commonly used by +Chaucer and most other writers until the sixteenth century:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Fyr he schal hym nevyr dere."<br /></span> +<span class="i4"><i>Cœur de Lion</i>, 1638.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Fabyan observes, under the year 1194, "So fast besyed this good Kyng +Richarde to vex and dere the infydelys of Sury." Palsgrave gives, "To +dere or hurte a noye nuire, I wyll never dere you by my good wyll." +Ang. Sax., +<img src="images/anglo1.png" alt="Anglo-Saxon: derian" width="64" height="22" /> <i>nocere</i>, +<img src="images/anglo2.png" alt="Anglo-Saxon: derung" width="69" height="22" /> <i>læsio</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="K3a">K 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>The Witches of Salmesbvry.</i>"] Or, more properly, +Samlesbury. This wicked attempt on the part of this priest, or Jesuit, +Thompson, <i>alias</i> Southworth, to murder the three persons whose trial +is next reported, by suborning a child of the family to accuse them of +what, in the excited state of the public mind at the time, was almost +certain to consign them to a public execution, has few parallels in +the annals of atrocity. The plot was defeated, and the lives of the +persons accused, Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, and Jane Southworth, +saved, by no sagacity of the judge or wisdom of the jury, but by the +effect of one simple question, wrung from the intended victims on the +verge of anticipated condemnation, and which, natural as it might +appear, was one the felicity of which Garrow or Erskine might have +envied. It demolished, like Ithuriel's spear, the whole fabric of +imposture, and laid it open even to the comprehension of Sir Edward +Bromley and Master Thomas Potts. This was a case which well deserved +Archbishop Harsnet for its historian. His vein of irony, which Swift +or Echard never surpassed, and the scorching invective of which he was +so consummate a master, would have been well employed in handing down +to posterity a scene of villainy to which the frauds of Somers and the +stratagems of Weston were mere child's play. We might then have had, +from the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> enlightened man of his age, a commentary on the statute +1st James First, which would have neutralized its mischief, and spared +a hecatomb of victims. His resistless ridicule would, perhaps, have +accomplished at once what was slowly and with difficulty brought about +by the arguments of Scot and Webster, the establishment of the Royal +Society, and a century's growth of intelligence and knowledge.</p> + +<p><a name="K3b1">K 3 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>A Seminarie Priest.</i>"] Of this Thompson, <i>alias</i> +Southworth, I find no account in Dodd's <i>Catholic Church History</i>. A +John Southworth is noticed, vol. iii. p. 303, who is described as of +an ancient family in Lancashire, and who was executed at Tyburn, June +28th, 1655. His dying speech is to be found in the same volume, p. +360. The interval of time, as well as the difference of surname, +excludes the presumption of his being identical with the person +referred to in the text, the hero of this extraordinary conspiracy, +and who was probably of the family of Sir John Southworth, after +mentioned.</p> + +<p><a name="K3b2">K 3 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>A Iesuite, whereof this Countie of Lancaster hath good +store.</i>"] Lancashire was, about this period, the great hot-bed of +Popish recusants. From the very curious list of recusants given +(Baines's <i>Lancashire</i>, vol. i. p. 541,) it would seem that Samlesbury +was one of their strongholds:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>James Cowper a seminarie prieste receipted releived and +mainteined att the lodge of Sir John Southworthe in +Samlesburie Parke by Mr. Tho: Southworthe, one of the +younger sonnes of the said Sir John. And att the howse of +John Warde dwellinge in Samlesburie Park syde. And the said +Prieste sayeth Masse att the said lodge and att the said +Wards howse. Whether resorte, Mr. Sowthworthe, Mres. An +Sowthworthe, John Walmesley servante to Sir John +Southworthe, Tho. Southworthe dwellinge in the Parke, John +Gerrerde, servante to Sir John Southworthe, John Singleton, +John Wrighte, James Sherples iunior, John Warde of +Samlesburie, John Warde of Medler thelder, Henrie Potter of +Medler, John Gouldon of Winwicke, Thomas Gouldon of the +same, Roberte Anderton of Samlesburie and John Sherples of +Stanleyhurst in Samlesburie.—<i>Baines's Lancashire</i>, vol. i. +p. 543.</p> + +<p>Att the lodge in Samlesburie Parke there be masses daylie +and Seminaries dyuerse Resorte thither as James Cowpe, +Harrisson Bell and such like, The like vnlawfull meetings +are made daylie att the howse of John Warde by the Parke +syde of Samlesburie all wiche matters, masses, resorte to +Masses, receipting of Seminaries wilbe Justifyed by Mr. Adam +Sowtheworthe Thomas Sherples and John Osbaldston.—<i>Ibid.</i>, +p. 544.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="K4b">K 4 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Picked her off.</i>"] Threw her off.</p> + +<p><a name="La">L <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Hugh Walshmans.</i>"] The wife of Hugh Walshman, of Samlesbury, +is mentioned in the list of recusants; Baines, vol. i. p. 544.</p> + +<p><a name="L2a1">L 2 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Brought a little child.</i>"] The evidence against the +Pendle witches exhibits meagreness and poverty of imagination compared +with the accumulated horrors with which the Jesuit, fresh, it may be, +from Bodin and Delrio, made his "fire burn and cauldron bubble." With +respect to this old story of the magical use made of the corpses of +infants, Ben Jonson, in a note on</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I had a dagger: what did I with that?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Killed an infant to have his fat;"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>tells us with great gravity:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Their killing of infants is common, both for confection of +their ointment (whereto one ingredient is the fat boiled, as +I have shewed before out of Paracelsus and Porta) as also +out of a lust to do murder. <i>Sprenger in Mal. Malefic.</i> +reports that a witch, a midwife in the diocese of Basil, +confessed to have killed above forty infants (ever as they +were new born, with pricking them in the brain with a +needle) which she had offered to the devil. See the story of +the three witches in <i>Rem. Dæmonola lib. cap.</i> 3, about the +end of the chapter. And M. Phillippo Ludwigus Elich <i>Quæst.</i> +8. And that it is no new rite, read the practice of Canidia, +<i>Epod. Horat. lib. ode</i> 5, and Lucan, <i>lib.</i> 6, whose +admirable verses I can never be weary to transcribe:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nec cessant à cæde manus, si sanguine vivo<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Est opus, erumpat jugulo qui primus aperto.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nec refugit cædes, vivum si sacra cruorem<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Extaque funereæ poscunt trepidantia mensæ.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vulnere si ventris, non quâ natura vocabat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Extrahitur partus calidus ponendus in aris;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Et quoties sævis opus est, et fortibus umbris<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ipsa facit maneis. Hominum mors omnis in usu est.<br /></span> +<span class="i4"><i>Ben Johnson's Works, by Gifford</i>, vol. vii. p. 130.</span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<p><a name="L2a2">L 2 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>They said they would annoint themselues.</i>"] Ben Jonson +informs us:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>When they are to be transported from place to place, they +use to anoint themselves, and sometimes the things they ride +on. Beside Apul. testimony, see these later, <i>Remig. +Dæmonolatriæ lib.</i> 1. <i>cap.</i> 14. <i>Delrio, Disquis. Mag. l.</i> +2. <i>quæst.</i> 16. <i>Bodin Dæmonoman. lib.</i> 2 <i>c.</i> 14. <i>Barthol. +de Spina. quæst. de Strigib. Phillippo</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> <i>Ludwigus Elich. +quæst.</i> 10. <i>Paracelsus in magn. et occul. Philosophia</i>, +teacheth the confection. <i>Unguentum ex carne recens natorum +infantium, in pulmenti, forma coctum, et cum herbis +somniferis, quales sunt Papaver, Solanum, Cicuta</i>, &c. And +<i>Giov. Bapti. Porta, lib.</i> 2. <i>Mag. Natur. cap.</i> 16.—<i>Ben +Jonson's Works by Gifford</i>, vol. vii. p. 119.</p></div> + +<p><a name="L3a">L 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Did carrie her into the loft.</i>"] There is something in this +strange tissue of incoherencies, for knavery has little variety, which +forcibly reminds us of the inventions of Elizabeth Canning, who ought +to have lived in the days when witchcraft was part of the popular +creed. What an admirable witch poor old Mary Squires would have made, +and how brilliantly would her persecutor have shone in the days of the +Baxters and Glanvilles, who acquitted herself so creditably in those +of the Fieldings and the Hills.</p> + +<p><a name="L4b1">L 4 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>Robert Hovlden, Esquire.</i>"] This individual would be of +the ancient family of Holden, of Holden, the last male heir of which +died without issue, 1792. (See Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, 418.)</p> + +<p><a name="L4b2">L 4 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Sir John Southworth.</i>"] In this family the manor of +Samlesbury remained for three hundred and fifty years. This was, +probably, the John (for the pedigree contained in Whitaker's +<i>Whalley</i>, p. 430, does not give the clearest light on the subject) +who married Jane, daughter of Sir Richard Sherburne, of Stonyhurst, +and who took a great lead amongst the Catholics of Lancashire. What +was the degree of relationship between Sir John and the husband of the +accused, Jane Southworth, there is nothing in the descent to show. +Family bickering might have a share, as well as superstition, in the +opinion he entertained, "that she was an evil woman." Of the old hall +at Samlesbury, the residence of the Southworths, a most interesting +account will be found in Whitaker's <i>Whalley</i>, p. 431. He considers +the centre of very high antiquity, probably not later than Edward III; +and observes, "There is about the house a profusion and bulk of oak +that must almost have laid prostrate a forest to erect it."</p> + +<p><a name="M1b">M 1 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>The particular points of the Evidence.</i>"] What a waste of +ingenuity Master Potts displays in this recapitulation, where he is +merely slaying the slain, and where his wisdom was not needed. Had he +applied it to the service of the Pendle witches, he would have found +still grosser contrarieties, and as great absurdity. But in that case, +there was no horror<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> of Popery to sharpen his faculties, or Jesuit in +the background to call his humanity into play.</p> + +<p><a name="M2a">M 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>The wrinkles of an old wiues face is good euidence to the +Iurie against a Witch.</i>"] <i>Si sic omnia!</i> For once the worthy clerk in +court has a lucid interval, and speaks the language of common sense.</p> + +<p><a name="M2b">M 2 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>But old Chattox had Fancie.</i>"] A great truth, though Master +Potts might not be aware of the extent of it.</p> + +<p><a name="M4a">M 4 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>M. Leigh, a very religious Preacher.</i>"] Parson of Standish, +a man memorable in his day. He published several pieces, amongst +others the two following: 1. "The Drumme of Devotion," by W. Leigh, of +Standish, 1613.—2. "News of a Prodigious Monster in Aldington, in the +Parish of Standish, in Lancashire," 1613, 4to, which show him to have +been an adept in the science of title-making. He was one of the tutors +of Prince Henry, and was great-grandfather of Dr. Leigh, author of the +<i>History of Lancashire</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="N3b">N 3 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>The Arraignment and Triall of Anne Redferne.</i>"] This poor +woman seems to have been regularly hunted to death by her prosecutors, +who pursued her with all the dogged pertinacity of blood-hounds. +Neither the imploring appeal for mercy, in her case, from her wretched +mother, who did not ask for any in her own, nor the want of even the +shadow of a ground for the charge, had the slightest effect upon the +besotted prejudices of the judge and jury. Acquitted on one +indictment, she is now put on her trial on another; the imputed crime +being her having caused the death of a person, who did not even accuse +her of being accessory to it, nearly eighteen years before, by +witchcraft; the only evidence, true or false, being, that she had been +seen, about the same period, making figures of clay or marl. Her real +offence, it may well be conjectured, was her having rejected the +improper advances of the ill-conditioned young man whose death she was +first indicted for procuring, and to which circumstance the rancour of +his relations, the prosecutors, may evidently be traced. It is +gratifying to know that she had firmness of mind to persist in the +declaration of her innocence to the last.</p> + +<p><a name="O3a">O 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Alice Nutter.</i>"] We now come to a person of a different<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +description from any of those who have preceded as parties accused, +and on whose fate some extraordinary mystery seems to hang. Alice +Nutter was not, like the others, a miserable mendicant, but was a lady +of large possessions, of a respectable family, and with children whose +position appears to have been such as, it might have been expected, +would have afforded her the means of escaping the fate which overtook +her humbler companions.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I knew her a good woman and well bred,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of an unquestion'd carriage, well reputed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Amongst her neighbours, reckoned with the best."<br /></span> +<span class="i4"><i>Heywood's Lancashire Witches.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>She is described as the wife of Richard Nutter of the Rough Lee, and +mother of Miles Nutter, who were in all likelihood nearly related to +the other Nutters whose descent has been given. The tradition is, that +she was closely connected by relationship or marriage with Eleanor +Nutter, the daughter of Ellis Nutter of Pendle Forest, the grandmother +of Archbishop Tillotson. That she was the victim of a foul and +atrocious conspiracy, in which the movers were some of her own family, +there seems no reason to doubt. The anxiety of her children to induce +her to confess may possibly have originated in no impure or sinister +motive, but it is difficult altogether to dismiss from the mind the +suspicion that her wealth was her great misfortune; and that to secure +it within their grasp her own household were passive, if not active, +agents in her destruction. Any thing more childish or absurd than the +evidence against her—as, for instance, that she joyned in killing +Henry Mitton because he refused a penny to Old Demdike—it would not +be easy, even from the records of witch trials, to produce. As regards +Alice Nutter, Potts is singularly meagre, and it is to be lamented +that the deficiency of information cannot at present be supplied. +Almost the only fact he furnishes us with is, that she died +maintaining her innocence. It would have been most interesting to have +had the means of ascertaining how she conducted herself at her trial +and after her condemnation; and how she met the iniquitous injustice +of her fate, sharpened, as it must have been, by the additional +bitterness of the insults and execrations of the blind and infuriated +populace at her execution. It is far from improbable that some of the +correspondence now deposited in the family archives in the county +hitherto unpublished may ultimately furnish these particulars.</p> + +<p>Alice Nutter was doubtless the original of the story of which Heywood +availed himself in <i>The Late Lancashire Witches</i>, 1634, 4to, which is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +frequently noticed by the writers of the 17th century—that the wife +of a Lancashire country gentleman had been detected in practising +witchcraft and unlawful arts, and condemned and executed. In that play +there can be little hesitation in ascribing to Heywood the scenes in +which Mr. Generous and his wife are the interlocutors, and to Broome, +Heywood's coadjutor, the subordinate and farcical portions. It is a +very unequal performance, but not destitute of those fine touches, +which Heywood is never without, in the characters of English country +gentlemen and the pathos of domestic tragedy. The following scene, +which I am tempted to extract, though very inferior to the noble ones +in his <i>Woman Killed by Kindness</i>, between Mr. and Mrs. Frankford, +which it somewhat resembles in character, is not unworthy of this +great and truly national dramatic writer:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p> +<span class="smcap">Mr. Generous</span>. <span class="smcap">Wife</span>. <span class="smcap">Robin</span>, <i>a groom.</i><br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> My blood is turn'd to ice, and all my vitals<br /> +Have ceas'd their working. Dull stupidity<br /> +Surpriseth me at once, and hath arrested<br /> +That vigorous agitation, which till now<br /> +Exprest a life within me. I, methinks,<br /> +Am a meer marble statue, and no man.<br /> +Unweave my age, O time, to my first thread;<br /> +Let me lose fifty years, in ignorance spent;<br /> +That, being made an infant once again,<br /> +I may begin to know. What, or where am I,<br /> +To be thus lost in wonder?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> Sir.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Amazement still pursues me, how am I chang'd,<br /> +Or brought ere I can understand myself<br /> +Into this new world!<br /> +<br /> +<i>Rob.</i> You will believe no witches?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> This makes me believe all, aye, anything;<br /> +And that myself am nothing. Prithee, Robin,<br /> +Lay me to myself open; what art thou,<br /> +Or this new transform'd creature?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Rob.</i> I am Robin;<br /> +And this your wife, my mistress.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Tell me, the earth<br /> +Shall leave its seat, and mount to kiss the moon;<br /> +Or that the moon, enamour'd of the earth,<br /> +Shall leave her sphere, to stoop to us thus low.<br /> +What, what's this in my hand, that at an instant<br /> +Can from a four-legg'd creature make a thing<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>So like a wife!<br /> +<br /> +<i>Rob.</i> A bridle; a jugling bridle, Sir.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> A bridle! Hence, enchantment.<br /> +A viper were more safe within my hand,<br /> +Than this charm'd engine.—<br /> +A witch! my wife a witch!<br /> +The more I strive to unwind<br /> +Myself from this meander, I the more<br /> +Therein am intricated. Prithee, woman,<br /> +Art thou a witch?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> It cannot be denied,<br /> +I am such a curst creature.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Keep aloof:<br /> +And do not come too near me. O my trust;<br /> +Have I, since first I understood myself,<br /> +Been of my soul so chary, still to study<br /> +What best was for its health, to renounce all<br /> +The works of that black fiend with my best force;<br /> +And hath that serpent twined me so about,<br /> +That I must lie so often and so long<br /> +With a devil in my bosom?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> Pardon, Sir. [<i>She looks down.</i>]<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Pardon! can such a thing as that be hoped?<br /> +Lift up thine eyes, lost woman, to yon hills;<br /> +It must be thence expected: look not down<br /> +Unto that horrid dwelling, which thou hast sought<br /> +At such dear rate to purchase. Prithee, tell me,<br /> +(For now I can believe) art thou a witch?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> I am.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> With that word I am thunderstruck,<br /> +And know not what to answer; yet resolve me.<br /> +Hast thou made any contract with that fiend,<br /> +The enemy of mankind?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> O I have.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> What? and how far?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> I have promis'd him my soul.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Ten thousand times better thy body had<br /> +Been promis'd to the stake; aye, and mine too,<br /> +To have suffer'd with thee in a hedge of flames,<br /> +Than such a compact ever had been made. Oh—<br /> +Resolve me, how far doth that contract stretch?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> What interest in this Soul myself could claim,<br /> +I freely gave him; but his part that made it<br /> +I still reserve, not being mine to give.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span><i>Gen.</i> O cunning devil: foolish woman, know,<br /> +Where he can claim but the least little part,<br /> +He will usurp the whole. Thou'rt a lost woman.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> I hope, not so.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Why, hast thou any hope?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> Yes, sir, I have.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Make it appear to me.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> I hope I never bargain'd for that fire,<br /> +Further than penitent tears have power to quench.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> I would see some of them.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> You behold them now<br /> +(If you look on me with charitable eyes)<br /> +Tinctur'd in blood, blood issuing from the heart.<br /> +Sir, I am sorry; when I look towards heaven,<br /> +I beg a gracious pardon; when on you,<br /> +Methinks your native goodness should not be<br /> +Less pitiful than they; 'gainst both I have err'd;<br /> +From both I beg atonement.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> May I presume 't?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> I kneel to both your mercies.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Knowest thou what<br /> +A witch is?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> Alas, none better;<br /> +Or after mature recollection can be<br /> +More sad to think on 't.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Tell me, are those tears<br /> +As full of true hearted penitence,<br /> +As mine of sorrow to behold what state,<br /> +What desperate state, thou'rt fain in?<br /> +<br /> +<i>Wife.</i> Sir, they are.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Gen.</i> Rise; and, as I do you, so heaven pardon me;<br /> +We all offend, but from such falling off<br /> +Defend us! Well, I do remember, wife,<br /> +When I first took thee, 'twas <i>for good and bad</i>:<br /> +O change thy bad to good, that I may keep thee<br /> +(As then we past our faiths) 'till Death us sever.<br /> +O woman, thou hast need to weep thyself<br /> +Into a fountain, such a penitent spring<br /> +As may have power to quench invisible flames;<br /> +In which my eyes shall aid: too little, all.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;"><i>Late Lancashire Witches, Act 4.</i></span><br /> +</p></div> + +<p><a name="P2a1">P 2 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Being examined by my Lord.</i>"] She had evidently learned +her lesson well; but this was, with all submission to his Lordship, if +adopted as a test, a mighty poor one. Jennet Device must have known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +well the persons of the parties she accused, and who were now upon +their trial, as they were all her near neighbours.</p> + +<p><a name="P2a2">P 2 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Whether she knew Iohan a Style?</i>"] His Lordship's +introduction of this apocryphal legal personage on such an occasion is +very amusing. Had he studied Littleton and Perkins a little less, and +given some attention to the Lancashire dialect, and some also to the +study of that great book, in which even a judge may find valuable +matter, the book of human nature, he might have been more successfull +in his examination. Jack's o' Dick's o' Harry's would have been more +likely to have been recognised as a veritable person of this world by +Jennet Device, than such a name as Johan a Style; which, though very +familiar at Westminster, would scarcely have its prototype at Pendle. +But Jennet Device, young as she was, in natural shrewdness was far +more than a match for his lordship.</p> + +<p><a name="P3a">P 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Katherine Hewit, alias Movld-heeles.</i>"] Of this person, who +comes next in the list of witches, our information is very scanty. She +was not of Pendle, but of Colne; and as her husband is described as a +"clothier," may be presumed to have been in rather better +circumstances than Elizabeth Southernes or Anne Whittle's families. +She made no confession.</p> + +<p><a name="P4a1">P 4 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Anne Foulds of Colne. Michael Hartleys of Colne.</i>"] Folds +and Hartley are still the names of families at and in the +neighbourhood of Colne.</p> + +<p><a name="P4a2">P 4 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Had then in hanck a child.</i>"] The meaning of this term is +clear, the origin rather dubious. It may come from the Scotch word, +<i>to hanck</i>, i.e. to have in holdfast or secure, vide Jamieson's Scotch +Dictionary, tit. hanck, or from handkill, to murder, vide Jamieson, +under that word; or lastly, may be metaphorically used, from hanck, +also signifying a skein of yarn or worsted which is tied or trussed +up.</p> + +<p><a name="Q2a">Q 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Iohn Bulcocke, Iane Bulcocke his mother.</i>"] The condition +of these persons is not stated. It may be conjectured that they were +of the lowest class.</p> + +<p><a name="Q3a1">Q 3 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>At the Barre hauing formerly confessed.</i>"] Why is not +their confession given?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="Q3a2">Q 3 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Crying out in very violent and outrageous manner, even to +the gallowes.</i>"] The latter end of these unfortunate people was +perhaps similar to that of Isobel Crawford, executed in Scotland the +year after for witchcraft, who, on being sentenced, openly denied all +her former confessions, and died without any sign of repentance, +offering repeated interruption to the minister in his prayer, and +refusing to pardon the executioner.</p> + +<p><a name="Q4a">Q 4 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Master Thomas Lister of Westby.</i>"] See note on p. +<a href="#Ya1">Y <i>a</i></a>.</p> + +<p><a name="Q4b">Q 4 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>The said Bulcockes wife doth know of some Witches to bee +about Padyham and Burnley.</i>"] Precious evidence this to put the lives +of two poor creatures into jeopardy.</p> + +<p><a name="Ra">R <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Accused the said Iohn Bulcock to turne the Spitt there.</i>"] +What a fact this would have been for De Lancre. With all his accurate +statistics on the subject of the witches' Sabbath, he was not aware +that a turnspit was a necessary officer on such occasions, as well as +a master of ceremonies. This artful and well instructed jade, Jennet +Device, must have borne especial malice against John Bulcock.</p> + +<p><a name="R1b">R 1 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>The names of the Witches at the Great Assembly and Feast at +Malking-Tower, viz. vpon Good-Friday last, 1612.</i>"] In this list of +fourteen individuals, Master Potts has omitted "the painful steward so +careful to provide mutton," James Device, who made up the number to +fifteen. Of these persons seven were not indicted: Jennet Hargraves, +the wife of Hugh Hargraves, of Barley under Pendle; Elizabeth +Hargraves, the wife of Christopher Hargraves; Christopher Howgate, the +son of Old Demdike; Christopher Hargraves, who is described as of +Thurniholme, or Thornholme, and as Christopher o' Jacks, and was +husband of Elizabeth Hargraves; Grace Hay, of Padiham; Anne Crunkshey, +of Marchden, or more properly, Cronkshaw of Marsden; and Elizabeth +Howgate, the wife of Christopher Howgate. The two Howgates were, it +may be, the "one Holgate and his wife," mentioned in Robinson's +deposition in 1633. Alice Graie, or Gray, included in the list, was +indicted, though no copy of the indictment is afforded by Potts, and, +singular as it may seem, acquitted. Richard Miles' wife, of the Rough +Lee, stated to have been present in some of the depositions, (<a href="#G3b1">G 3 +<i>b</i></a>,) was, beyond doubt, Alice Nutter, so called as the wife of +Richard and mother of Miles Nutter.</p> + +<p>It may afford matter for speculation, whether any real meeting took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +place of any of the persons above enumerated, which gave occasion for +the monstrous versions of the witnesses at this trial. It is far from +unlikely, that on the apprehension and commitment of Old Demdike, Old +Chattox, Alizon Device, and Anne Redfern to Lancaster, a meeting would +take place of their near relations, and others who might attend from +curiosity, or from its being rumoured that they were themselves +implicated by the confessions of those apprehended, and who by such +attendance sealed their dooms. In all similar fabrications there is +generally some slight foundation of fact, some scintilla of homely +truth, from which, like the inverted apex of a pyramid, the +disproportioned fabric expands. It is possible that, from the simple +occurrence of an unusual attendance at Malking Tower on Good Friday, +not unnatural under the circumstances, some of the witnesses, ignorant +and easily persuaded, might be afterwards led to believe in the +existence of those monstrous superadditions with which the convention +was afterwards clothed. However this may be, there must have been at +hand for working up the materials into a plausible form, some drill +sergeant of evidence behind the curtain, who had his own interest to +serve or revenge to gratify. The two particulars in the narrative that +one feels least disposed to question, are, that James Device stole a +wether from John Robinson of Barley, to provide a family dinner on +Good Friday, and that when the meat was roasted John Bulcock performed +the humble, but very necessary, duty of turning the spit.</p> + +<p><a name="R3a">R 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>My Lord Gerrard.</i>"] Thomas Gerard, son and heir of Sir +Gilbert Gerard, Master of the Robes 23d Elizabeth, was raised to the +peerage by the title of Lord Gerard of Gerard's Bromley, in +Staffordshire, 1603. He died 1618.</p> + +<p><a name="Sa">S <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Kniues, Elsons, and Sickles.</i>" In the <i>Promptorium +Parvulorum</i>, p. 138, to Elsyn (elsyng<sup>k</sup>) Sibula, Mr. Way appends this +note: "This word occurs in the Gloss on Gautier de Bibelesworth, +Arund. MS. 220, where a buckled girdle is described:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Een isy doyt le hardiloun (þe tunnge)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Passer par tru de subiloun (a bore of an alsene.)<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"An elsyne,—acus, subula. Cath. Ang. Sibula, an elsyn, an alle or a +bodkyn. <span class="smcap">Ortus</span>. In the inventory of the goods of a merchant at +Newcastle, A.D. 1571, occur, 'vj. doss' elsen heftes, 12<i>d</i>; 1 clowte +and ½ a C elsen blades,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> viij<i>s</i>. viij<i>d</i>; xiij. clowtes of talier, +needles, &c.' Wills and Inventories published by the Surtees Society, +l. 361. The term is derived from the French <i>alene</i>; elson for +cordwayners, alesne. Palsg. In Yorkshire and some other parts of +England an awl is still called an elsen."</p> + +<p><a name="Sb">S <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Which the said Alizon confessing.</i>"] In the case of this +paralytic pedlar, John Law, his mishap could scarcely be called such, +as it would for the remainder of his life, be an all-sufficient +stock-in-trade for him, and popular wonder and sympathy, without the +judge's interposition, would provide for his relief and maintenance. +The near apparent connection and correspondence of the <i>damnum +minatum</i> and <i>damnum secutum</i>, in this instance, imposed upon this +unfortunate woman, as it had done upon many others, and gave to her +confession an earnestness which would appear to the unenlightened +spectator to spring only from reality and truth.</p> + +<p><a name="S3b">S 3 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>Margaret Pearson.</i>"] This Padiham witch fared better than +her neighbours, being sentenced only to the pillory. Nothing affords a +stronger proof of the vindictive pertinacity with which these +prosecutions were carried on than the fact of this old and helpless +creature being put on her trial three several times upon such evidence +as follows. Chattox, like many other persons in her situation, was +disposed to have as many companions in punishment, crime or no crime, +as she could compass, and denounced her accordingly: "The said +Pearson's wife is as ill as shee."</p> + +<p><a name="Ta">T <i>a</i></a>. "<i>The said Margerie did carrie the said Toade out of the said +house in a paire of tonges.</i>"] This toad was disposed of more easily +than that of Julian Cox, as to which see Glanvil's <i>Collection of +Relations</i>, p. 192:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Another witness swore, that as he passed by Cox her door, +she was taking a pipe of tobacco upon the threshold of her +door, and invited him to come in and take a pipe, which he +did. And as he was talking Julian said to him, Neighbour, +look what a pretty thing there is. He look't down, and there +was a monstrous great toad betwixt his leggs, staring him in +the face. He endeavoured to kill it by spurning it, but +could not hit it. Whereupon Julian bad him forbear, and it +would do him no hurt. But he threw down his pipe and went +home, (which was about two miles off of Julian Cox her +house,) and told his family what had happened, and that he +believed it was one of Julian Cox her devils. After, he was +taking a pipe of tobacco at home, and the same toad appeared +betwixt his leggs. He took the toad out to kill it, and to +his thinking cut it in several pieces, but returning to his +pipe,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> the toad still appeared. He endeavoured to burn it, +but could not. At length he took a switch and beat it. The +toad ran several times about the room to avoid him he still +pursuing it with correction. At length the toad cryed and +vanish't, and he was never after troubled with it.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. More's comment on the circumstance is written with all the +seriousness so important a part of a witch's supellex deserves. He +commences defending the huntsman, who swore that he hunted a hare, and +when he came to take it up, he found it to be Julian Cox:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Those half-witted people thought he swore false, I suppose +because they imagined that what he told implied that Julian +Cox was turned into an hare. Which she was not, nor did his +report imply any such real metamorphosis of her body, but +that these ludicrous dæmons exhibited to the sight of this +huntsman and his doggs the shape of an Hare, one of them +turning himself into such a form, and others hurrying on the +body of Julian near the same place, and at the same +swiftness, but interposing betwixt that hare-like spectre +and her body, modifying the air so that the scene there, to +the beholders sight, was as if nothing but air were there, +and a shew of earth perpetually suited to that where the +hare passed. As I have heard of some painters that have +drawn the sky in an huge large landskip, so lively that the +birds have flown against it, thinking it free air, and so +have fallen down. And if painters and juglers by the tricks +of legerdemain can do such strange feats to the deceiving of +the sight, it is no wonder that these airy invisible spirits +as far surpass them in all such præstigious doings as the +air surpasses the earth for subtilty.</p> + +<p>And the like præstigiæ may be in the toad. It might be a +real toad (though actuated and guided by a dæmon) which was +cut in pieces, and that also which was whipt about, and at +last snatcht out of sight (as if it had vanished) by these +aerial hocus-pocus's. And if some juglers have tricks to +take hot coals into their mouth without hurt, certainly it +is not surprising that some small attempt did not suffice to +burn that toad. That such a toad, sent by a witch and +crawling up the body of the man of the house as he sate by +the fire's side, was overmastered by him and his wife +together, and burnt in the fire; I have heard credibly +reported by one of the Isle of Ely. <i>Of these dæmoniack +vermin, I have heard other stories also, as of a rat that +followed a man some score of miles trudging through thick +and thin along with him.</i> So little difficulty is there in +that of the toad.—<i>Glanvil's Collection of Relations</i>, p. +200.</p></div> + +<p><a name="T2a1">T 2 <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Isabel Robey.</i>" This person was of Windle, in the parish +of Prescot, a considerable distance from Pendle. The Gerards were +lords of the manor of Windle. Sir Thomas Gerard, before whom the +examinations were taken, was created baronet, 22nd May, 9th James I.; +and thrice married. From him the present Sir John Gerard, of New Hall, +near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> Warrington, is descended. Sir Thomas was determined that the +hundred of West Derby should have its witch as well as the other parts +of the county. A more melancholy tissue of absurd and incoherent +accusations than those against this last of the prisoners convicted on +this occasion, it would not be easy to find; who was hanged, for all +that appears, because one person was suddenly "pinched on her thigh, +as she thought, with four fingers and a thumb," and because another +was "sore pained with a great warch in his bones."</p> + +<p><a name="T2a2">T 2 <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>This Countie of Lancaster, which now may lawfully bee +said to abound asmuch in Witches of diuers kindes as Seminaries, +Iesuites, and Papists.</i>"] Truly, the county palatine was in sad case, +according to Master Potts's account. If the crop of each of these was +over abundant, it was from no fault of the learned judges, who, in +their commissions of <i>Oyer and Terminer</i>, subjected it pretty +liberally to the pruning-hook of the executioner.</p> + +<p><a name="T2a3">T 2 <i>a</i> 3</a>. "<i>This lamentable and wofull Tragedie, wherein his Maiestie +hath lost so many Subjects, Mothers their Children, Fathers their +Friends and Kinsfolk.</i>" The Lancashire bill of mortality, under the +head witchcraft, so far as it can be collected from this tract, will +run thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">1. Robert Nutter, of Greenhead, in Pendle.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">2. Richard Assheton, son of Richard Assheton, of Downham, Esquire.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">3. Child of Richard Baldwin, of Wheethead, within the forest of Pendle.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">4. John Device, or Davies, of Pendle.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">5. Anne Nutter, daughter of Anthony Nutter, of Pendle.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">6. Child of John Moore, of Higham.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">7. Hugh Moore, of Pendle.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">8. John Robinson, <i>alias</i> Swyer.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">9. James Robinson.</span><br /> +10. Henry Mytton, of the Rough Lee.<br /> +11. Anne Townley, wife of Henry Townley, of the Carr, gentleman.<br /> +12. John Duckworth.<br /> +13. John Hargraves, of Goldshaw Booth.<br /> +14. Blaze Hargraves, of Higham.<br /> +15. Christopher Nutter.<br /> +16. Anne Folds, of Colne.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p></div> + +<p>Sixteen persons reported dead of this common epidemic, besides a +countless number with pains and "starkness in their limbs," and "a +great warch in their bones!" No wonder that Doctors Bromley and Potts +thought active treatment necessary, with a decided preference for +hemp, as the leading specific.</p> + +<p><a name="T3b">T 3 <i>b</i></a>. "<i>With great warch in his bones.</i>"] Warch is a word well +known and still used in this sense, <i>i.e.</i>, pain, in Lancashire.</p> + +<p><a name="T4b1">T 4 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>The said Peter was now satisfied that the said Isabel +Robey was no Witch, by sending to one Halseworths, which they call a +wiseman.</i>"] I honour the memory of this Halsworth, or Houldsworth, as +I suppose it should be spelled, for he was indeed a wise man in days +when wisdom was an extremely scarce commodity.</p> + +<p><a name="T4b2">T 4 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>To abide vpon it.</i>"] <i>i.e.</i>, my abiding opinion is.</p> + +<p><a name="Xa">X <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Elizabeth Astley, John Ramsden, Alice Gray, Isabel +Sidegraues, Lawrence Hay.</i>"] The specific charges against these +persons, with the exception of Alice Gray, do not appear, nor is it +said where their places of residence were. Alice Gray was reputed to +have been at the meeting of witches at Malkin's Tower, and to her the +judge refers, perhaps, in particular, when he says, "Without question, +there are amongst you that are as deepe in this action as any of them +that are condemned to die for their offences."</p> + +<p><a name="Xb">X <i>b</i></a>. "<i>The Execution of the Witches.</i>"] We could have dispensed with +many of the flowers of rhetoric with which the pages of this discovery +are strewed, if Master Potts would have favoured us with a plain, +unvarnished account of what occurred at this execution. It is here, in +the most interesting point of all, that his narrative, in other +respects so full and abundant, stops short, and seems curtailed of its +just proportions. The "learned and worthy preacher," to whom the +prisoners were commended by the judge, was probably Mr. William Leigh, +of Standish, before mentioned. Amongst his papers or correspondence, +if they should happen to have been preserved, some account may +eventually be found of the sad closing scene of these melancholy +victims of superstition.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p><a name="X2a">X 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Neither can I paint in extraordinarie tearmes.</i>"] The +worthy clerk is too modest. He is a great painter, the Tintoretto of +witchcraft.</p> + +<p><a name="Ya1">Y <i>a</i> 1</a>. "<i>Hauing cut off Thomas Lister, Esquire, father to this +gentleman now liuing.</i>"] Thomas Lister, of Westby, ancestor of the +Listers, Lords Ribblesdale, married Jane, daughter of John Greenacres, +Esquire, of Worston, county of Lancaster, and was buried at Gisburn, +February 8th, 1607. His son, Thomas Lister, referred to as the +"gentleman now living," married Jane, daughter of Thomas Heber, Esq., +of Marton, after mentioned, and was buried at Gisburn, July 10th, +1619.</p> + +<p><a name="Ya2">Y <i>a</i> 2</a>. "<i>Was Indicted and Arraigned for the murder of a Child of one +Dodg-sonnes.</i>"] One acquittal was no protection to these unhappy +creatures. It caused only additional exasperation, and, sooner or +later, they were brought within what Donne calls "the hungry statutes' +gaping jaws." Whether superstition or malice prompted this +prosecution, on the part of Mr. Lister, it is difficult to say. Some +grudge he entertained, or cause of offence he had taken up against +this Jennet Preston, might be her death warrant in those days, when it +was penal for a woman to be old, helpless, ugly, and poor. She was not +so fortunate as the females tried at York, nine years afterwards, for +bewitching the children of Edward Fairfax, of Fuyston, in the forest +of Knaresborough, to whom we owe the only English translation of Tasso +worthy of the name. These females, six in number, were indicted at two +successive assizes, and every effort was made by the</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Prevailing poet! whose undoubting mind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Believed the magic wonders which he sung,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>to procure their conviction. Never was a more unequal contest. On the +one side was a relentless antagonist, armed with wealth, influence, +learning, and accomplishments, and whose family connections gave him +an unlimited power in the county; and on the other, six helpless +persons, whose sex, age, and poverty were almost sufficient for their +condemnation, without any evidence at all. Yet, owing to the +magnanimous firmness of the judge, whose name, deserving of immortal +honour, I regret has not been preserved, these efforts were +frustrated, and the women accused delivered from the gulph which +yawned before them. The disappointment he experienced in this +instance, in being defrauded, as he thought, of a conviction for +which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> he had strained every nerve and sinew, and in not being allowed +to render the forest of Knaresborough as famous as that of Pendle, +cast a gloom of despondency over the remaining days of this admirable +poet, who has left a narration of the whole transaction, of most +singular interest and curiosity, yet unpublished. The MSS. now in my +possession, and which came from Mr. Bright's collection, consists of +seventy-eight closely-written folio pages. It is entitled "A Discourse +of Witchcraft, as it was enacted in the family of Mr. Edward Fairfax, +of Fuystone, coun. Ebor, 1621." From page 78 to 144 are a series of +ninety-three most extraordinary and spirited sketches, made with the +pen, of the witches, devils, monsters, and apparitions referred to in +the narrative.</p> + +<p><a name="Y2a">Y 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Master Heyber.</i>"] This was Thomas Hayber, or Heber, of +Marton, in Craven, Esquire, who was buried at Marton, 7th February, +1633. He was the ancestor of Bishop Reginald Heber and the late +Richard Heber, Esq.</p> + +<p><a name="Y3a">Y 3 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>The said Iennet Preston comming to touch the dead corpes, +they bled fresh bloud presently.</i>"] On the popular superstition of +touching the corpse of a murdered person, as an ordeal or test for the +discovery of the innocence or guilt of suspected murderers, the reader +cannot better be referred than to the very learned and elaborate essay +in Pitcairne's <i>Criminal Trials</i>, vol. iii. p. 182-189. Amongst the +authors there quoted, Webster is omitted, who, (see <i>Displaying of +supposed Witchcraft</i>, p. 304,) discusses the point at considerable +length, and with an earnest and implicit faith singularly at variance +with his enlightened scepticism in other matters. But there were +regions of superstition in which even this Sampson of logic became +imbecile and powerless. The rationale of the bleeding of a murdered +corpse at the touch of the murderer is given by Sir Kenelm Digby with +his usual force and spirit:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>To this cause, peradventure, may be reduced the strange +effect which is frequently seen in England, when, <i>at the +approach of the Murderer, the slain body suddenly bleedeth +afresh</i>. For certainly the Souls of them that are +treacherously murdered by surprise, use to leaue their +bodies with extreme unwillingness, and with vehement +indignation against them that force them to so unprovided +and abhorred a passage! That Soul, then, to wreak its evil +talent against the hated Murderer, and to draw a just and +desired revenge upon his head, would do all it can to +manifest the author of the fact! To <i>speak</i> it cannot—for +in itself it wanteth the organs of voice; and those it is +parted from are now grown too heavy, and are too benummed, +for to give motion unto: Yet some change it desireth to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +make in the body, which it hath so vehement inclination to; +and therefore is the aptest for it to work upon. It must +then endeavour to cause a motion in the subtilest and most +fluid parts (and consequently the most moveable ones) of it. +This can be nothing but <span class="smcap">the blood</span>, which then being +violently moved, <i>must needs gush out at those places where +it findeth issue</i>!</p></div> + +<p>In the two following Scotch cases of witchcraft, this test was +resorted to. The first was that of</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Marioun Peebles</span>,<a name="FNanchor_79_83" id="FNanchor_79_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_83" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> <i>alias</i> Pardone, spouse to <span class="smcap">Swene</span>, in +Hildiswick, who was, on March 22, 1644, sentenced to be +strangled at a stake, and burnt to ashes, at <i>the Hill of +Berrie</i>, for <span class="smcap">Witchcraft</span> and <span class="smcap">Murder</span>. Marion and her husband +having 'ane deadlie and venefical malice in her heart' +against Edward Halero in Overure, and being determined 'to +destroy and put him down,' being 'transformed in the lyknes +of ane pellack-quhaill, (the Devill changing her spirit, +quhilk fled in the same quhaill,') and the said Edward and +other four individuals being in a fishing-boat, coming from +the Sea, at the North-banks of Hildiswick, 'on ane fair +morning, did cum under the said boat, and overturnit her +with ease, and drowned and devoired thame in the sey, right +at the shore, when there wis na danger wtherwayis.' The +bodies of Halero and another of these hapless fishermen +having been found, Marion and Swene 'wir sent for, and +brought to see thame, and to lay thair hands on thame, ... +dayis after said death and away-casting, quhaire thair bluid +was evanished and desolved, from every natural cours or +caus, shine, and run; the said umquhill Edward <i>bled at the +collir-bain or craig-bane</i>, and the said ...,<a name="FNanchor_80_84" id="FNanchor_80_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_84" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> <i>in the +hand and fingers, gushing out bluid thairat</i>, to the great +admiration of the beholders—and revelation of the judgement +of the Almytie! And by which lyk occasionis and miraculous +works of God, made manifest in Murders and the Murderers; +whereby, be many frequent occasiones brought to light, and +the Murderers, be the said proof brought to judgment, +conuict and condemned, not only in this Kingdom, also this +countrie, but lykwayis in maist forrin Christiane Kingdomis; +and be so manie frequent precedentis and practising of and +tuitching Murderis and Murdereris, notourlie known: So, the +forsaid Murder and Witchcraft of the saidis persons, with +the rest of their companions, through your said Husband's +deed, art, part, rad,<a name="FNanchor_81_85" id="FNanchor_81_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_85" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> and counsall, is manifest and +cleir to all, not onlie through and by the foirsaid +precedentis of your malice, wicked and malishes<a name="FNanchor_82_86" id="FNanchor_82_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_86" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> +practises, by Witchcraft, Confessionis, and Declarationis of +the said umquill Janet Fraser, Witch, revealed to her, as +said is, and quha wis desyrit by him to concur and assist +with you to the doing thereof; but lykways <i>be the +declaration and revelation of the justice and judgementis of +God, through the said issuing of bluid from the bodies</i>!' +&c.</p> + +<p>A similar and very remarkable instance is related in the +following Triall: In the Dittay of <span class="smcap">Christian Wilson</span>, alias +<i>the Lanthorne</i>,<a name="FNanchor_83_87" id="FNanchor_83_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_87" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> accused of Murder, Witchcraft, &c., +(which is founded upon the examinations of James Wilson, +Abraham<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> Macmillan, William Crichton, and Fyfe and George +Erskine, &c. led before Sir William Murray of Newtoun, and +other Commissioners, at Dalkeith, Jun. 14, 1661,) it is +stated, that 'Ther being enimitie betuixt the said +Christiane and Alexander Wilsone, her brother, and shoe +having often tymes threatned him, at length, about 7 or 8 +monthes since, altho' the said Alexander was sene that day +of his death, at three houres afternoone, in good health, +walking about his bussnesse and office; yitt, at fyve howres +in that same night, he was fownd dead, lying in his owne +howse, naked as he was borne, with his face torne and rent, +without any appearance of a spot of blood either wpon his +bodie or neigh to it. And altho' many of the neiboures in +the toune (Dalkeith) come into his howse to see the dead +corpe, yitt shoe newar offered to come, howbeit her dwelling +was nixt adjacent thairto; nor had shoe so much as any +seiming greiff for his death. Bot the Minister and +Bailliffes of the towne, taking great suspitione of her, in +respect of her cairiage comand it that shoe showld be +browght in; bot when shoe come, shoe come trembling all the +way to the howse—bot <i>shoe refuised to come nigh</i> <span class="smcap">the corps</span> +<i>or to</i> <span class="smcap">tuitch</span> <i>it</i> saying, that shoe "nevir tuitched a dead +corpe in her lyfe!" Bot being arnestly desyred by the +Minister, Bailliffes, and hir brother's friends who was +killed, that shoe wold "bot <i>tuitch the corpes softlie</i>," +shoe granted to doe it—but before shoe did it, the Sone +being shyning in at the howse, shoe exprest her selfe thus, +humbly desyring, that "as the Lord made the Sone to shyne +and give light into that howse, that also <i>he wald give +light to discovering of that Murder</i>!" And with these words, +shoe <span class="smcap">tuitcheing</span> <i>the wound of the dead man, verie saftlie</i>, +it being whyte and cleane, without any spot of blod or the +lyke!—yitt <span class="smcap">imediatly</span>, <i>whill her fingers was wpon it</i>, <span class="smcap">the +blood rushed owt of it</span>, to the great admiratioune<a name="FNanchor_84_88" id="FNanchor_84_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_88" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> of all +the behoulders, who tooke it for <i>discoverie of the Murder</i>, +according to her owne prayers.—For ther was ane great lumpe +of flesh taken out of his cheik, so smowthlie, as no rasor +in the world cowld have made so ticht ane incisioune, wpon +flesh, or cheis—and ther wes no blood at all in the +wownd—nor did it at all blead, altho' that many persones +befor had tuitched it, whill<a name="FNanchor_85_89" id="FNanchor_85_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_89" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> shoe did tuitche it! And +the howse being searched all over, for the shirt of the dead +man, yitt it cowld<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> not be found; and altho' the howse was +full of people all that night, ever vatching the corpes;<a name="FNanchor_86_90" id="FNanchor_86_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_90" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> +neither did any of them tuitch him that night—which is +probable<a name="FNanchor_87_91" id="FNanchor_87_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_91" class="fnanchor">[87]</a>—yitt, in the morneing, his shirt was fownd +tyed fast abowt his neck, as a brechame,<a name="FNanchor_88_92" id="FNanchor_88_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_92" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> non knowing how +this come to pass! And this Cristian did immediatlie +transport all her owne goods owt of her own howse into her +dowghter's, purposing to flie away—bot was therwpon +apprehendit and imprisoned.'—<i>Pitcairn's Criminal Trials</i>, +vol. iii. p. 194.</p></div> + +<p><a name="Za">Z <i>a</i></a>. "<i>Master Leonard Lister.</i>"] This Leonard Lister was the brother +of Master Thomas Lister, for whose murder Jennet Preston was indicted; +and married Ann, daughter of —— Loftus, of Coverham Abbey, county of +York.</p> + +<p><a name="Z2a">Z 2 <i>a</i></a>. "<i>His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue the particular +circumstances.</i>"] The judge in this case was Altham, who seems even to +have been more superstitious, bigotted, and narrow-minded than his +brother in commission, Bromley. Fenner, who tried the witches of +Warbois, and Archer, before whom the trial of Julian Cox took place, +are the only judges I can meet with, quite on a level with this +learned baron in grovelling absurdity, upon whom "Jennet Preston would +lay heavy at the time of his death," whether she had so lain upon Mr. +Thomas Lister or not, if bigotry, habit, and custom did not render him +seared and callous to conscience and pity.</p> + +<p><a name="Z3b1">Z 3 <i>b</i> 1</a>. "<i>Take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute these hellish +Furies to their end.</i>"] It is marvellous that Potts does not, like +Delrio, recommend the rack to be applied to witches "in moderation, +and according to the regulations of Pope Pius the Third, and so as not +to cripple the criminal for life." Not that this learned Jesuit is +much averse to simple dislocations occasioned by the rack. These, he +thinks, cannot be avoided in the press of business. He is rather +opposed, though in this he speaks doubtfully and with submission to +authority, to those tortures which fracture the bones or lacerate the +tendons. Verily, the Catholic and the Protestant author might have +shaken hands; they were, beyond dispute, <i>pœne Gemelli</i>.</p> + +<p><a name="Z3b2">Z 3 <i>b</i> 2</a>. "<i>Posterities.</i>"] Master Potts, of the particulars of whose +life nothing is known, made, as far as can be discovered, no further +attempt to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> acquire fame in the character of an author. No subject so +interesting probably again occurred, as that which had diversified his +legal pursuits "in his lodgings in Chancery-lane," from the pleasing +recollections associated with his Summer Circuit of 1612. He was not, +however, the only person of the name of Pott, or Potts, who +distinguished himself in the field of Witchcraft. The author of the +following tract, in my possession, might have garnished it with +various flowers from the <a href="#DISCOVERIE">work</a> now reprinted, if he had been aware of +such a repository: "Pott (Joh. Henr.) De nefando Lamiarum cum Diabolo +coitu." 4to. Lond. 1689. The other celebrated cases of supposed +witchcraft occurring in the county of Lancaster, besides those +connected with the foregoing republication, are, the extraordinary one +of Ferdinand, Earl of Derby, who died at Latham in 1594, for which the +reader is referred to Camden's <i>Annals of Elizabeth</i>, years 1593, +1594; Kennet, 2. 574, 580; or Pennant's <i>Tour from Downing to Alston +Moor</i>, p. 29;—the case of Edmund Hartley, hanged at Lancaster in +1597, for bewitching some members of the family of Mr. Starkie, of +Cleworth, which will be fully considered in the proposed republication +of the Chetham Society, which gives the history of that event;—and +lastly, that of a person of the name of Utley, (Whitaker, p. 528; +Baines, vol. i. p. 604,) who was hanged at Lancaster about 1630, for +having bewitched to death Richard, the son of Ralph Assheton, Esq., +Lord of Middleton, of whose trial, unfortunately, no report is in +existence. Webster also mentions two supposed witches as having been +put to death at Lancaster, within eighteen years before his +<i>Displaying of supposed Witchcraft</i> was published; and which +occurrence, not referred to by any other historian, must therefore +have taken place about the year 1654.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +Manchester:<br /> +Printed by Charles Simms and Co.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="CHETHAM">Chetham Society</a></h2> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image01.png" alt="The Chetham Society" width="300" height="295" /></p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<h3>FOR THE PUBLICATION OF</h3> + +<h2>HISTORICAL AND LITERARY REMAINS</h2> + +<h3>CONNECTED WITH THE PALATINE COUNTIES OF</h3> + +<h2>LANCASTER & CHESTER.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>Patrons.</h3> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +The Right Honourable The EARL OF DERBY.<br /> +The Right Honourable The EARL OF BALCARRES.<br /> +The Right Honourable The EARL OF WILTON.<br /> +The Right Honourable The EARL OF BURLINGTON.<br /> +The Right Honourable the EARL GROSVENOR.<br /> +The Right Honourable LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, M.P.<br /> +The Right Honourable LORD STANLEY.<br /> +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF CHESTER.<br /> +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF ELY.<br /> +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF NORWICH.<br /> +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF CHICHESTER.<br /> +The Right Honourable LORD DELAMERE.<br /> +The Right Honourable LORD DE TABLEY.<br /> +The Right Honourable LORD SKELMERSDALE.<br /> +The Right Honourable SIR ROBERT PEEL, <span class="smcap">Bart</span>., M.P.<br /> +SIR PHILIP DE MALPAS GREY EGERTON, <span class="smcap">Bart</span>., M.P.<br /> +GEORGE CORNWALL LEGH, <span class="smcap">Esq</span>., M.P.<br /> +JOHN WILSON PATTEN, <span class="smcap">Esq</span>., M.P.<br /> +</p> + +<h3>Council.</h3> +<p style="text-align: center"> +<span class="smcap">Edward Holme</span>, M.D., <i>President.</i><br /> +Rev. <span class="smcap">Richard Parkinson</span>, B.D., Canon of Manchester, <i>Vice-President.</i><br /> +The Hon. and Very Rev. <span class="smcap">William Herbert</span>, Dean of Manchester.<br /> +<span class="smcap">George Ormerod</span>, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sam. Hibbert Ware</span>, M.D. F.R.S.E.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Rev. Thomas Corser</span>, M.A.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Rev. George Dugard</span>, M.A.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Rev. C.G. Hulton</span>, M.A.<br /> +Rev. J. <span class="smcap">Piccope</span>, M.A.<br /> +Rev. F.R. <span class="smcap">Raines</span>, M.A., F.S.A.<br /> +<span class="smcap">James Crossley</span>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">James Heywood</span>, F.R.S.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Treasurer.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">William Langton</span>.<br /> +<br /> +<i>Hon. Secretary.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">William Fleming</span>, M.D.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>RULES OF THE CHETHAM SOCIETY.</h3> + +<p>1. That the Society shall be limited to three hundred and fifty +members.</p> + +<p>2. That the Society shall consist of members being subscribers of one +pound annually, such subscription to be paid in advance, on or before +the day of general meeting in each year. The first general meeting to +be held on the 23rd day of March, 1843, and the general meeting in +each year afterwards on the 1st day of March, unless it should fall on +a Sunday, when some other day is to be named by the Council.</p> + +<p>3. That the affairs of the Society be conducted by a Council, +consisting of a permanent President and Vice-President, and twelve +other members, including a Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom, with +the exception of the President and Vice-President, shall be elected at +the general meeting of the Society.</p> + +<p>4. That any member may compound for his future subscriptions, by the +payment of ten pounds.</p> + +<p>5. That the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Society be +audited annually, by three auditors, to be elected at the general +meeting; and that any member who shall be one year in arrear of his +subscription, shall no longer be considered as belonging to the +Society.</p> + +<p>6. That every member not in arrear of his annual subscription, be +entitled to a copy of each of the works published by the Society.</p> + +<p>7. That twenty copies of each work shall be allowed to the Editor of +the same, in addition to the one to which he may be entitled as a +member.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>LIST OF MEMBERS</h3> + +<p style="text-align: center"><b><span class="smcap">For the Year</span> 1844.</b></p> + +<p> +Ackers, James, M.P., Heath House, Ludlow<br /> +Addey, H.M., Liverpool<br /> +Ainsworth, Ralph F., M.D., Manchester<br /> +Ainsworth, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Hartford Hall, Cheshire<br /> +Ainsworth, W.H., Kensal Manor House, Harrow-road, London<br /> +Alexander, Edward N., F.S.A., Halifax<br /> +Allen, Rev. John Taylor, M.A., Stradbrooke Vicarage, Suffolk<br /> +Ambery, Charles, Manchester<br /> +Armstrong, Thomas, Higher Broughton, Manchester<br /> +Ashton, John, Warrington<br /> +Atherton, Miss, Kersal Cell, near Manchester<br /> +Atherton, James, Swinton House, near Manchester<br /> +Atkinson, F.R., Pendleton, near Manchester<br /> +Atkinson, William, Weaste, near Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Balcarres, The Earl of, Haigh Hall, near Wigan<br /> +Baldwin, Rev. John, M.A., Dalton, near Ulverstone<br /> +Bannerman, Alexander, Didsbury, near Manchester<br /> +Bannerman, Henry, Burnage, near Manchester<br /> +Bannerman, John, Swinton, near Manchester<br /> +Bardsley, Samuel Argent, M.D., Green Heys, near Manchester<br /> +Barker, John, Manchester<br /> +Barker, Thomas, Oldham<br /> +Barratt, James, Jun., Manchester<br /> +Barrow, Miss, Green Bank, near Manchester<br /> +Barrow, Rev. Andrew, President of Stonyhurst College, near Blackburn<br /> +Barrow, Peter, Manchester<br /> +Bartlemore, William, Castleton Hall, Rochdale<br /> +Barton, John, Manchester<br /> +Barton, R.W., Springwood, near Manchester<br /> +Barton, Samuel, Didsbury, Manchester<br /> +Barton, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Bayne, Rev. Thos. Vere, M.A., Broughton, Manchester<br /> +Beamont, William, Warrington<br /> +Beard, Rev. John R., D.D., Stony Knolls, near Manchester<br /> +Beardoe, James, Manchester<br /> +Beever, James F., Manchester<br /> +Bellairs, Rev. H.W., M.A., London<br /> +Bentley, Rev. T.R., M.A., Manchester<br /> +Birley, Hugh Hornby, Broom House, near Manchester<br /> +Birley, Hugh, Didsbury, near Manchester<br /> +Birley, Richard, Manchester<br /> +Birley, Thos. H., Manchester<br /> +Bohn, Henry G., London<br /> +Booth, Benjamin W., Manchester<br /> +Booth, John, Barton-upon-Irwell<br /> +Booth, William, Manchester<br /> +Boothman, Thomas, Ardwick, near Manchester<br /> +Botfield, Beriah, M.P., Norton Hall, Northamptonshire<br /> +Bower, George, London<br /> +Brackenbury, Ralph, Manchester<br /> +Bradbury, Charles, Salford<br /> +Bradshaw, John, Weaste House, near Manchester<br /> +Brooke, Edward, Manchester<br /> +Brooks, Samuel, Manchester<br /> +Broome, William, Manchester<br /> +Brown, Robert, Preston<br /> +Buckley, Edmund, M.P., Ardwick, near Manchester<br /> +Buckley, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Old Trafford, near Manchester<br /> +Buckley, Nathaniel, F.L.S., Rochdale<br /> +Burlington, The Earl of, Holkar Hall<br /> +<br /> +Calvert, Robert, Salford<br /> +Cardwell, Rev. Edward, D.D., Principal of St. Alban's Hall and Camden Professor, Oxford<br /> +Cardwell, Edward, M.P., M.A., Regent's Park, London<br /> +Chadwick, Elias, M.A., Swinton Hall, near Manchester<br /> +Chesshyre, Mrs., Pendleton, near Manchester<br /> +Chester, The Bishop of<br /> +Chichester, The Bishop of<br /> +Chippindall, John, Chetham Hill, near Manchester<br /> +Clare, Peter, F.R.A.S., Manchester<br /> +Clarke, George, Crumpsall, near Manchester<br /> +Clayton, Japheth, Pendleton, near Manchester<br /> +Clifton, Rev. R.C., M.A., Canon of Manchester<br /> +Consterdine, James, Manchester<br /> +Cook, Thomas, Gorse Field, Pendleton, near Manchester<br /> +Cooper, William, Manchester<br /> +Corser, George, Whitchurch, Shropshire<br /> +Corser, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Stand, near Manchester<br /> +Cottam, S.E., F.R.A.S., Manchester<br /> +Coulthart, John Ross, Ashton-under-Lyne<br /> +Crook, Thomas A., Rochdale<br /> +Cross, William Assheton, Redscar, near Preston<br /> +Crossley, George, Manchester<br /> +Crossley, James, Manchester<br /> +Crossley, John, M.A., Scaitcliffe House, Todmorden<br /> +Currer, Miss Richardson, Eshton Hall, near Skipton<br /> +<br /> +Daniel, George, Manchester<br /> +Darbishire, Samuel D., Manchester<br /> +Darwell, James, Manchester<br /> +Darwell, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Davies, John, M.W.S., Manchester<br /> +Dawes, Matthew, F.G.S., Westbrooke, near Bolton<br /> +Dearden, James, The Orchard, Rochdale<br /> +Dearden, Thomas Ferrand, Rochdale<br /> +Delamere, The Lord, Vale Royal, near Northwich<br /> +Derby, The Earl of, Knowsley<br /> +Dilke, C.W., London<br /> +Dinham, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Driver, Richard, Manchester<br /> +Dugard, Rev. George, M.A., Birch, near Manchester<br /> +Dyson, T.J., Tower, London<br /> +<br /> +Earle, Richard, Edenhurst, near Prescott<br /> +Eccles, William, Wigan<br /> +Egerton, The Lord Francis, M.P., Worsley Hall<br /> +Egerton, Sir Philip de Malpas Grey, Bart., M.P., Oulton Park, Tarporley<br /> +Egerton, Wilbraham, Tatton Park<br /> +Ely, The Bishop of<br /> +Eyton, J.W.K., F.S.A. L. & E., Elgin Villa, Leamington<br /> +<br /> +Faulkner, George, Manchester<br /> +Feilden, Joseph, Witton, near Blackburn<br /> +Fenton, James, Jun., Lymm Hall, Cheshire<br /> +Fernley, John, Manchester<br /> +Ffarrington, J. Nowell, Worden, near Chorley<br /> +Ffrance, Thomas Robert Wilson, Rawcliffe Hall, Garstang<br /> +Fleming, Thomas, Pendleton, near Manchester<br /> +Fleming, William, M.D., Ditto<br /> +Fletcher, John, Haulgh, near Bolton<br /> +Fletcher, Samuel, Broomfield, near Manchester<br /> +Fletcher, Samuel, Ardwick, near Manchester<br /> +Flintoff, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Ford, Henry, Manchester<br /> +Fraser, James W., Manchester<br /> +Frere, W.E., Rottingdean, Sussex<br /> +<br /> +Gardner, Thomas, Worcester College, Oxford<br /> +Garner, J.G., Manchester<br /> +Garnett, William James, Quernmore Park, Lancaster<br /> +Germon, Rev. Nicholas, M.A., High Master, Free Grammar School, Manchester<br /> +Gibb, William, Manchester<br /> +Gladstone, Robertson, Liverpool<br /> +Gladstone, Robert, Withington, near Manchester<br /> +Gordon, Hunter, Manchester<br /> +Gould, John, Manchester<br /> +Grant, Daniel, Manchester<br /> +Grave, Joseph, Manchester<br /> +Gray, Benjamin, B.A., Trinity Coll. Cambridge<br /> +Gray, James, Manchester<br /> +Greaves, John, Irlam Hall, near Manchester<br /> +Greenall, G., Walton Hall, near Warrington<br /> +Grey, The Hon. William Booth<br /> +Grosvenor, The Earl<br /> +Grundy, George, Chetham Fold, near Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Hadfield, George, Manchester<br /> +Hailstone, Edward, F.S.A., Horton Hall, Bradford, Yorkshire<br /> +Hardman, Henry, Bury, Lancashire<br /> +Hardy, William, Manchester<br /> +Hargreaves, George J., Hulme, Manchester<br /> +Harland, John, Manchester<br /> +Harrison, William, Brearey, Isle of Man<br /> +Harter, James Collier, Broughton Hall, near Manchester<br /> +Harter, William, Hope Hall, near Manchester<br /> +Hately, Isaiah, Manchester<br /> +Hatton, James, Richmond House, near Manchester<br /> +Hawkins, Edward, F.R.S., F.S.A., F.L.S., British Museum, London<br /> +Heelis, Stephen, Manchester<br /> +Henshaw, William, Manchester<br /> +Herbert, Hon. and Very Rev. Wm., Dean of Manchester<br /> +Heron, Rev. George, M.A., Carrington, Cheshire<br /> +Heywood, Sir Benjamin, Bart., Claremont, near Manchester<br /> +Heywood, James, F.R.S., F.G.S., Acresfield, near Manchester<br /> +Heywood, John Pemberton, near Liverpool<br /> +Heywood, Thomas, F.S.A., Hope End, Ledbury, Herefordshire<br /> +Heywood, Thomas, Pendleton, near Manchester<br /> +Heyworth, Lawrence, Oakwood, near Stockport<br /> +Hibbert, Mrs., Salford<br /> +Hickson, Charles, Manchester<br /> +Hinde, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Winwick, Warrington<br /> +Hoare, G.M., The Lodge, Morden, Surrey<br /> +Hoare, P.R., Kelsey Park, Beckenham, Kent<br /> +Holden, Thomas, Summerfield, Bolton<br /> +Holden, Thomas, Rochdale<br /> +Holme, Edward, M.D., Manchester<br /> +Hughes, William, Old Trafford, near Manchester<br /> +Hulme, Davenport, M.D., Manchester<br /> +Hulme, Hamlet, Medlock Vale, Manchester<br /> +Hulton, Rev. A.H., M.A., Ashton-under-Lyne<br /> +Hulton, Rev. C.G., M.A., Chetham College, Manchester<br /> +Hulton, H.T., Manchester<br /> +Hulton, W.A., Preston<br /> +Hunter, Rev. Joseph, F.S.A., London<br /> +<br /> +Jackson, H.B., Manchester<br /> +Jackson, Joseph, Ardwick, near Manchester<br /> +Jacson, Charles R., Barton Lodge, Preston<br /> +James, Rev. J.G., M.A., Habergham Eaves, near Burnley<br /> +James, Paul Moon, Summerville, near Manchester<br /> +Jemmett, William Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Johnson, W.R., Manchester<br /> +Johnson, Rev. W.W., M.A., Manchester<br /> +Jones, Jos., Jun., Hathershaw, Oldham<br /> +Jones, W., Manchester<br /> +Jordan, Joseph, Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Kay, James, Turton Tower, Bolton<br /> +Kay, Samuel, Manchester<br /> +Kelsall, Strettle, Manchester<br /> +Kendrick, James, M.D., F.L.S., Warrington<br /> +Kennedy, John, Ardwick House, near Manchester<br /> +Ker, George Portland, Salford<br /> +Kershaw, James, Green Heys, near Manchester<br /> +Kidd, Rev. W.J., M.A., Didsbury, near Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Langton, William, Manchester<br /> +Larden, Rev. G.E., M.A., Brotherton Vicarage, Yorkshire<br /> +Leeming, W.B., Salford<br /> +Legh, G. Cornwall, M.P., F.G.S., High Legh, Cheshire<br /> +Legh, Rev. Peter, M.A., Newton in Makerfield<br /> +Leigh, Rev. Edward Trafford, M.A., Cheadle, Cheshire<br /> +Leigh, Henry, Moorfield Cottage, Worsley<br /> +Leresche, J.H., Manchester<br /> +Lloyd, William Horton, F.S.A., L.S., Park-square, London<br /> +Lloyd, Edward Jeremiah, Oldfield House, Altringham<br /> +Lomas, Edward, Manchester<br /> +Lomax, Robert, Harwood, near Bolton<br /> +Love, Benjamin, Manchester<br /> +Lowndes, William, Egremont, Liverpool<br /> +Loyd, Edward, Green Hill, Manchester<br /> +Lycett, W.E., Manchester<br /> +Lyon, Edmund, M.D., Manchester<br /> +Lyon, Thomas, Appleton Hall, Warrington<br /> +<br /> +McClure, William, Peel Cottage, Eccles<br /> +McFarlane, John, Manchester<br /> +McKenzie, John Whitefoord, Edinburgh<br /> +McVicar, John, Manchester<br /> +Mann, Robert, Manchester<br /> +Marc, E.R. Le, School Lodge, Cheshire<br /> +Markland, J.H., F.R.S., F.S.A., Bath<br /> +Markland, Thomas, Mab Field, near Manchester<br /> +Marsden, G.E., Manchester<br /> +Marsden, William, Manchester<br /> +Marsh, John Fitchett, Warrington<br /> +Marshall, Miss, Ardwick, near Manchester<br /> +Marshall, William, Penwortham Hall, Preston<br /> +Marshall, Frederick Earnshaw, Ditto<br /> +Marshall, John, Ditto<br /> +Mason, Thomas, Copt Hewick, near Ripon<br /> +Master, Rev. Robert M., M.A., Burnley<br /> +Maude, Daniel, M.A., Salford<br /> +Millar, Thomas, Green Heys, near Manchester<br /> +Molyneux, Edward, Chetham Hill, Manchester<br /> +Monk, John, Manchester<br /> +Moore, John, F.L.S., Cornbrook, near Manchester<br /> +Mosley, Sir Oswald, Bart., Rolleston Hall, Staffordshire<br /> +Murray, James, Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Nield, William, Mayfield, Manchester<br /> +Nelson, George, Manchester<br /> +Neville, James, Beardwood, near Blackburn<br /> +Newall, Mrs. Robert, Littleborough, near Rochdale<br /> +Newall, W.N., Wellington Lodge, Littleborough<br /> +Newbery, Henry, Manchester<br /> +Nicholson, William, Thelwall Hall, Warrington<br /> +Norris, Edward, Manchester<br /> +Norwich, The Bishop of<br /> +<br /> +Ormerod, George, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S., Sedbury Park, Gloucestershire<br /> +Ormerod, George Wareing, M.A., F.G.S., Manchester<br /> +Ormerod, Henry Mere, Manchester<br /> +Owen, John, Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Parkinson, Rev. Richard, B.D., Canon of Manchester<br /> +Patten, J. Wilson, M.P., Bank Hall, Warrington<br /> +Pedley, Rev. J.T., M.A., Peakirk-cum-Glinton, Market Deeping<br /> +Peel, Sir Robert, Bart., M.P., Drayton Manor<br /> +Peel, George, Brookfield, Cheadle<br /> +Peel, Joseph, Singleton Brook, near Manchester<br /> +Peet, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Pegge, John, Newton Heath, near Manchester<br /> +Percival, Stanley, Liverpool<br /> +Philips, Mark, M.P., The Park, Manchester<br /> +Philippi, Frederick Theod., Belfield Hall, near Rochdale<br /> +Phillips, Shakspeare, Barlow Hall, near Manchester<br /> +Phillipps, Sir Thomas, Bart., Middle Hill, Worcestershire<br /> +Piccope, Rev. John, M.A., Farndon, Cheshire<br /> +Pickford, Thomas, Mayfield, Manchester<br /> +Pickford, Thomas E., Manchester<br /> +Pierpoint, Benjamin, Warrington<br /> +Pilkington, George, Manchester<br /> +Pilling, Charles R., Caius College, Cambridge<br /> +Plant, George, Manchester<br /> +Pooley, Edward, Manchester<br /> +Pooley, John, Hulme, near Manchester<br /> +Porrett, Robert, Tower, London<br /> +Prescott, J.C., Summerville, near Manchester<br /> +Price, John Thomas, Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Radford, Thomas, M.D., Higher Broughton, near Manchester<br /> +Raffles, Rev. Thomas, D.D., LL.D., Liverpool<br /> +Raikes, Rev. Henry, M.A., Hon. Can., and Chancellor of Chester<br /> +Raines, Rev. F.R., M.A., F.S.A., Milnrow Parsonage, Rochdale<br /> +Reiss, Leopold, High Field, near Manchester<br /> +Rickards, Charles H., Manchester<br /> +Ridgway, Mrs., Ridgemont, near Bolton<br /> +Ridgway, John Withenshaw, Manchester<br /> +Robson, John, Warrington<br /> +Roberts, W.J., Liverpool<br /> +Roby, John, M.R.S.L., Rochdale<br /> +Royds, Albert Hudson, Rochdale<br /> +<br /> +Samuels, John, Manchester<br /> +Sattersfield, Joshua, Manchester<br /> +Scholes, Thomas Seddon, High Bank, near Manchester<br /> +Schuster, Leo, Weaste, near Manchester<br /> +Sharp, John, Lancaster<br /> +Sharp, Robert C., Bramall Hall, Cheshire<br /> +Sharp, Thomas B., Manchester<br /> +Sharp, William, Lancaster<br /> +Sharp, William, London<br /> +Simms, Charles S., Manchester<br /> +Simms, George, Manchester<br /> +Skaife, John, Blackburn<br /> +Skelmersdale, The Lord, Lathom House<br /> +Smith, Rev. Jeremiah, D.D., Leamington<br /> +Smith, Junius, Strangeways Hall, Manchester<br /> +Smith, J.R., Old Compton-street, London<br /> +Sowler, R.S., Manchester<br /> +Sowler, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +Spear, John, Manchester<br /> +Standish, W.J., Duxbury Hall, Chorley<br /> +Stanley, The Lord, Knowsley<br /> +Sudlow, John, Jun., Manchester<br /> +Swain, Charles, M.R.S.L., Cheetwood Priory, near Manchester<br /> +Swanwick, Josh. W., Hollins Vale, Bury, Lancashire<br /> +<br /> +Tabley, The Lord De, Tabley, Cheshire<br /> +Tattershall, Rev. Thomas, D.D., Liverpool<br /> +Tatton, Thos., Withenshaw, Cheshire<br /> +Tayler, Rev. John James, B.A., Manchester<br /> +Taylor, Thomas Frederick, Wigan<br /> +Teale, Josh., Salford<br /> +Thomson, James, Manchester<br /> +Thorley, George, Manchester<br /> +Thorpe, Robert, Manchester<br /> +Tobin, Rev. John, M.A., Liscard, Cheshire<br /> +Townend, John, Polygon, Manchester<br /> +Townend, Thomas, Polygon, Manchester<br /> +Turnbull, W.B., D.D., Edinburgh<br /> +Turner, Samuel, F.R.S, F.S.A., F.G.S., Liverpool<br /> +Turner, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Vitrè, Edward Denis De, M.D., Lancaster<br /> +<br /> +Walker, John, Weaste, near Manchester<br /> +Walker, Samuel, Prospect Hill, Pendleton<br /> +Wanklyn, J.B., Salford<br /> +Wanklyn, James H., Crumpsall House, near Manchester<br /> +Warburton, R.E.E., Arley Hall, near Northwich<br /> +Ware, Samuel Hibbert, M.D., F.R.S.E., Edinburgh<br /> +Wareing, Ralph, Manchester<br /> +Westhead, Joshua P., Manchester<br /> +Whitehead, James, Manchester<br /> +Whitelegg, Rev. William, M.A., Hulme, near Manchester<br /> +Whitmore, Edward, Jun., Manchester<br /> +Whitmore, Henry, Manchester<br /> +Wilson, William James, Manchester<br /> +Wilton, The Earl of, Heaton House<br /> +Winter, Gilbert, Stocks, near Manchester<br /> +Worthington, Edward, Manchester<br /> +Wray, Rev. Cecil Daniel, M.A., Canon of Manchester<br /> +Wright, Rev. Henry, M.A., Mottram, St. Andrew's, near Macclesfield<br /> +Wroe, Thomas, Manchester<br /> +<br /> +Yates, Joseph B., West Dingle, Liverpool<br /> +Yates, Richard, Manchester<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE CHETHAM SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1843.</h3> + +<p style="text-align: center">Brereton's Travels.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">The Lancashire Civil War Tracts.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">Chester's Triumph in Honor of her Prince.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>WORKS IN THE PRESS.</h3> + +<p>Pott's Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster, from the +edition of 1613.</p> + +<p>The Life of the Rev. Adam Martindale, Vicar of Rostherne, in Cheshire, +from the MS. in the British Museum. (4239 Ascough's Catalogue.)</p> + +<p>Dee's Compendious Rehearsal, and other Autobiographical Tracts, not +included in the recent Publication of the Camden Society edited by Mr. +Halliwell, with his Collected correspondence.</p> + +<p>Iter Lancastrense, by Dr. Richard James; an English Poem, written in +1636, containing a Metrical Account of some of the Principal Families +and Mansions in Lancashire; from the unpublished MS. in the Bodleian +Library, Oxford.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>WORKS SUGGESTED FOR PUBLICATION.</h3> + +<p>Selections from the Unpublished Correspondence of the Rev. John +Whittaker, Author of the History of Manchester, and other Works.</p> + +<p>More's (George) Discourse concerning the Possession and Dispossession +of Seven Persons in one Family in Lancashire, from a Manuscript +formerly belonging to Thoresby, and which gives a much fuller Account +of that Transaction than the Printed Tract of 1600; with a +Bibliographical and Critical Review of the Tracts in the Darrel +Controversy.</p> + +<p>A Selection of the most Curious Papers and Tracts relating to the +Pretender's Stay in Manchester in 1745, in Print and Manuscript.</p> + +<p>Proceedings of the Presbyterian Classis of Manchester and the +Neighbourhood, from 1646 to 1660, from an Unpublished Manuscript.</p> + +<p>Catalogue of the Alchemical Library of John Webster, of Clitheroe, +from a Manuscript in the Rev. T. Corser's possession; with a fuller +Life of him, and List of his Works, than has yet appeared.</p> + +<p>Correspondence between Samuel Hartlib (the Friend of Milton), and Dr. +Worthington, of Jesus College, Cambridge (a native of Manchester), +from 1655 to 1661, on various Literary Subjects.</p> + +<p>"Antiquities concerning Cheshire," by Randall Minshull, written A.D. +1591, from a MS. in the Gough Collection.</p> + +<p>Register of the Lancaster Priory, from a MS. (No. 3764) in the +Harleian Collection.</p> + +<p>Selections from the Visitations of Lancashire in 1533, 1567, and 1613, +in the Herald's College, British Museum, Bodleian, and Caius College +Libraries.</p> + +<p>Selections from Dodsworth's MSS. in the Bodleian Library, Randal +Holmes's Collections for Lancashire and Cheshire (MSS. Harleian), and +Warburton's Collections for Cheshire (MSS. Lansdown).</p> + +<p>Annales Cestrienses, or Chronicle of St. Werburgh, from the MS. in the +British Museum.</p> + +<p>A Reprint of Henry Bradshaw's Life and History of St. Werburgh, from +the very rare 4to of 1521, printed by Pynson.</p> + +<p>The Letters and Correspondence of Sir William Brereton, from the +original MSS., in 5 vols. folio, in the British Museum.</p> + +<p>A Poem, by Laurence Bostock, on the subject of the Saxon and Norman +Earls of Chester.</p> + +<p>Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Cestriensis, on the subject of the +Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Diocese of Chester, from the +original MS.</p> + +<p>History of the Earldom of Chester, collected by Archbishop Parker, +entitled De Successione Comitum Cestriæ a Hugone Lupo ad Johannem +Scoticum, from the original MS. in Ben'et College Library, Cambridge.</p> + +<p>Volume of Funeral Certificates of Lancashire and Cheshire.</p> + +<p>Volume of Early Lancashire and Cheshire Wills.</p> + +<p>A Selection of Papers relating to the Rebellion of 1715, including +Clarke's Journal of the March of the Rebels from Carlisle to Preston.</p> + +<p>A Memoir of the Chetham Family, from original documents.</p> + +<p>The Diary of the Rev. Henry Newcome, M.A., from the original MS. in +the possession of his descendant, the Rev. Thomas Newcome, M.A., +Rector of Shenley, Herts.</p> + +<p>Lucianus Monacus de laude Cestrie, a Latin MS. of the 13th century, +descriptive of the walls, gates, &c., of the City of Chester, formerly +belonging to Thomas Allen, DD., and now in the Bodleian Library, +Oxford.</p> + +<p>Richard Robinson's Golden Mirrour, Bk. lett. 4to. Lond., 1580. +Containing Poems on the Etymology of the names of several Cheshire +Families; from the exceedingly rare copy formerly in the collection of +Richard Heber, Esq., (see Cat. pt. iv. 2413,) and now in the British +Museum.</p> + +<p>A volume of the early Ballad Poetry of Lancashire.</p> + +<p>The Coucher Book of Whalley Abbey.</p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> </p> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image02.png" alt="coat of arms" width="163" height="200" /></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><a name="FOOTNOTES">FOOTNOTES</a></h2> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Take, as an instance, the children of Mr. Throgmorton, of +Warbois, for bewitching whom, Mother Samuels, her husband, and +daughter, suffered in 1593. No veteran professors "in the art of +ingeniously tormenting" could have administered the question with more +consummate skill than these little incarnate fiends, till the poor old +woman was actually induced, from their confident asseverations and +plausible counterfeiting, to believe at last that she had been a witch +all her life without knowing it. She made a confession, following the +story which they had prompted, on their assurances that it was the +only means to restore them, and then was hanged upon that confession, +to which she adhered on the scaffold. Few tracts present a more vivid +picture of manners than that in which the account of this case of +witchcraft is contained. It is perhaps the rarest of the English +tracts relating to witchcraft, and is entitled "The most strange and +admirable Discoverie of the three Witches of Warboys, arraigned, +convicted, and executed at the last Assizes at Huntingdon, for the +bewitching of the five daughters of Robert Throckmorton, Esquire, and +divers other persons with sundrie Devilish and grievous torments. And +also for the bewitching to Death of the Lady Crumwell, the like hath +not been heard of in this age. London, Printed by the Widdowe Orwin +for Thomas Man and John Winnington, and are to be sold in Paternoster +Rowe at the Signe of the Talbot." 1593, 4to. My copy was Brand's, and +formed Lot 8224 in his Sale Catalogue.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Lord Bacon thinks (see his <i>Sylva Sylvarum</i>) that +soporiferous medicines "are likeliest" for this purpose, such as +henbane, hemlock, mandrake, moonshade, tobacco, opium, saffron, poplar +leaves, &c.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> See his <i>History of the World</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> See his <i>Table Talk</i>, section "<i>Witches</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Sir Thomas Browne's evidence at the trial of Amy Duny and +Rose Cullender at Bury St. Edmunds in 1664, is too well known to need +an extract from the frequently reprinted report of the case. To adopt +the words of an able writer, (<i>Retros. Review</i>, vol. v. p. 118,) "this +trial is the only place in which we ever meet with the name of Sir +Thomas Browne without pleasurable associations."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Those who wish to have presented to them a faithful +likeness of Sir Matthew Hale must not consult Burnet or Baxter, for +that great judge, like Sir Epicure Mammon, sought "for his meet +flatterers the gravest of divines," but will not fail to find it in +the pages of Roger North, who has depicted his character with a +strength and accuracy of outline which no Vandyck or Lely of biography +ever surpassed. Would that we could exchange some of those "faultless +monsters" with which that fascinating department of literature too +much abounds, for a few more such instantly recognised specimens of +true but erring and unequal humanity, which are as rare as they are +precious. In the unabridged life of Lord Guildford by Roger North, +which, with his own most interesting and yet unpublished +autobiography, are in my possession in his autograph, are found some +additional touches which confirm the general accuracy of the portrait +he has sketched of Hale in the work which has been printed. (Vide +North's <i>Life of Lord Guildford</i>, by Roscoe, vol. i. p. 119.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> See his <i>Dialogue on the Common Laws of England</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Dr. Cudworth was the friend whom More refers to without +naming, <i>Collections of Relations</i>, p. 336, edit. 1726, 8vo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> There is no name in this catalogue that excites more +poignant regret than that of Dr. Henry More. So exalted was his +character, so serene and admirable his temper, so full of harmony his +whole intellectual constitution, that, irradiated at once by all the +lights of religion and philosophy, and with clearer glimpses of the +land of vision and the glories behind the veil than perhaps uninspired +mortality ever partook of before, he seems to have reached as near to +the full standard of perfection as it is possible for frail and feeble +humanity to attain. Dr. Outram said that he looked upon Dr. More as +the holiest person upon the face of the earth; and the sceptical +Hobbes, who never dealt in compliment, observed, "That if his own +philosophy were not true, he knew of none that he should sooner like +than More's of Cambridge." His biographer, Ward, concludes his life in +the following glowing terms:—"Thus lived and died the eminent Dr. +More: thus set this bright and illustrious star, vanishing by degrees +out of our sight after, to the surprise and admiration of many, (like +that which was observed in Cassiopeia's chair,) it had illuminated, as +it were, both worlds so long at once." At the lapse of many years I +have not forgotten the impassioned fondness with which the late and +most lamented Robert Southey dwelt upon the memory of the Cambridge +Plato, or the delight with which he greeted some works of his +favourite author which I was fortunate enough to point out to him, +with which he had not been previously acquainted. The sad reverse of +the picture will be seen by those who consult the folio of More's +philosophical works and Glanville's <i>Sadducismus Triumphatus</i>, the +greatest part of which is derived from More's <i>Collections</i>. His +hallucinations on the subject of witchcraft, from which none of the +English writers of the Platonic school were exempt, are the more +extraordinary, as a sister error, judicial astrology, met in More with +its most able oppugner. His tract, which has excited much less +attention than its merit deserves, (I have not been able to trace a +single quotation from it in any author during the last century,) is +entitled "Tetractys Anti-astrologica, or a Confutation of Astrology." +Lond. 1681, 4to. I may mention while on the subject of More, that the +second and most valuable part of the memoir of him by Ward, his +devoted admirer and pupil, which was never printed, is in my +possession, in manuscript.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> See Boyle's letter on the subject of the latter, in the +5th vol. of the folio edition of his works.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> I have always considered the conclusion of Bodin's book, +<i>De Republica</i>, the accumulative grandeur of which is even heightened +in Knolles's admirable English translation, as the finest peroration +to be found in any work on government. Those who are fortunate enough +to possess a copy of his interdicted <i>Examination of Religions</i>, the +title of which is, "Colloquium heptaplomeres de abditis sublimium +rerum arcanis, libris 6 digestum," which was never printed, and of +which very few MSS. copies are in existence, are well aware how little +he felt himself shackled in the spirit of examination which he carried +into the most sacred subjects by any respect for popular notions or +received systems or great authorities. My MS. copy of this +extraordinary work, which came from Heber's Collection, is contained +in two rather thick folio volumes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Few authors are better deserving of an extended +biography, a desideratum which, in an age characterised by its want of +literary research, is not likely to be soon supplied, than Thomas +Erastus, whose theological, philosophical, and medical celebrity +entitle him to rank with the greatest men of his century. At present +we have to collect all that is known of his life from various +scattered and contradictory sources. John Webster, in his <i>Displaying +of Supposed Witchcraft</i>, contrary to the usual candour and fairness of +his judgments, speaks slightingly of Erastus. There was, however, a +sufficient reason for this. Erastus had shown up the empiricism of +Webster's idol Paracelsus, and was in great disfavour with the writers +of the Anti-Galenic school.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> I cannot concur with Mr. Hallam in the extremely low +estimate he forms of the literary merit of Bodin's <i>Demomanie</i>, which +he does not seem to have examined with the care and impartiality which +he seldom is deficient in. Like all Bodin's works, it has a spirit +peculiarly his own, and is, in my opinion, one of the most +entertaining books to be found in the circle of Demonology.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Reginald Scot.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Sir R. Filmer.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> John Wagstaffe.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> John Webster.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> In the epistle to his kinsman Sir Thomas Scot, prefixed +to his <i>Discoverie</i>, he observes:— +</p><p> +"I see among other malefactors manie poore old women conuented before +you for working of miracles, other wise called witchcraft, and +therefore I thought you also a meet person to whom I might commend my +booke."—And he then proceeds, in the following spirited and gallant +strain, to run his course against the Dagon of popular superstition:— +</p><p> +"I therefore (at this time) doo onelie desire you to consider of my +report, concerning the euidence that is commonlie brought before you +against them. See first whether the euidence be not friuolous, & +whether the proofs brought against them be not incredible, consisting +of ghesses, presumptions, & impossibilities contrarie to reason, +scripture, and nature. See also what persons complaine vpon them, +whether they be not of the basest, the vnwisest, & most faithles kind +of people. Also may it please you to waie what accusations and crimes +they laie to their charge, namelie: She was at my house of late, she +would haue had a pot of milke, she departed in a chafe bicause she had +it not, she railed, she curssed, she mumbled and whispered, and +finallie she said she would be euen with me: and soone after my child, +my cow, my sow, or my pullet died, or was strangelie taken. Naie (if +it please your Worship) I haue further proofe: I was with a wise +woman, and she told me I had an ill neighbour, & that she would come +to my house yer it were long, and so did she; and that she had a marke +aboue hir waste, & so had she: and God forgiue me, my stomach hath +gone against hir a great while. Hir mother before hir was counted a +witch, she hath beene beaten and scratched by the face till bloud was +drawne vpon hir, bicause she hath beene suspected, & afterwards some +of those persons were said to amend. These are the certeinties that I +heare in their euidences. +</p><p> +"<i>Note also how easilie they may be brought to confesse that which +they neuer did, nor lieth in the power of man to doo</i>: and then see +whether I haue cause to write as I doo. Further, if you shall see that +infidelitie, poperie, and manie other manifest heresies be backed and +shouldered, and their professors animated and hartened, by yeelding to +creatures such infinit power as is wrested out of Gods hand, and +attributed to witches: finallie, if you shall perceiue that I haue +faithfullie and trulie deliuered and set downe the condition and state +of the witch, and also of the witchmonger, and haue confuted by reason +and lawe, and by the word of God it selfe, all mine aduersaries +obiections and arguments: then let me haue your countenance against +them that maliciouslie oppose themselues against me. +</p><p> +"<i>My greatest aduersaries are yoong ignorance and old custome.</i> For +what follie soeuer tract of time hath fostered, it is so +superstitiouslie pursued of some, as though no error could be +acquainted with custome. But if the lawe of nations would ioine with +such custome, to the maintenance of ignorance, and to the suppressing +of knowledge; the ciuilest countrie in the world would soone become +barbarous, &c. For as knowledge and time discouereth errors, so dooth +superstition and ignorance in time breed them." +</p><p> +The passage which I next quote, is a further specimen of the +impressive and even eloquent earnestness with which he pleads his +cause:— +</p><p> +"In the meane time, I would wish them to know that if neither the +estimation of Gods omnipotencie, nor the tenor of his word, nor the +doubtfulnes or rather the impossibilitie of the case, nor the small +proofes brought against them, nor the rigor executed vpon them, nor +the pitie that should be in a christian heart, nor yet their +simplicitie, impotencie, or age may suffice to suppresse the rage or +rigor wherewith they are oppressed; yet the consideration of their sex +or kind ought to mooue some mitigation of their punishment. For if +nature (as Plinie reporteth) haue taught a lion not to deale so +roughlie with a woman as with a man, bicause she is in bodie the +weaker vessell, and in hart more inclined to pitie (which Ieremie in +his lamentations seemeth to confirme) what should a man doo in this +case, for whome a woman was created as an helpe and comfort vnto him? +In so much as, euen in the lawe of nature, it is a greater offense to +slea a woman than a man: not bicause a man is not the more excellent +creature, but bicause a woman is the weaker vessell. And therefore +among all modest and honest persons it is thought a shame to offer +violence or iniurie to a woman: in which respect Virgil saith, <i>Nullum +memorabile nomen fœminea in pœna est</i>. +</p><p> +"God that knoweth my heart is witnes, and you that read my booke shall +see, that my drift and purpose in this enterprise tendeth onelie to +these respects. First, that the glorie and power of God be not so +abridged and abased, as to be thrust into the hand or lip of a lewd +old woman: whereby the worke of the Creator should be attributed to +the power of a creature. Secondlie, that the religion of the gospell +may be seene to stand without such peeuish trumperie. Thirdlie, that +lawfull fauour and christian compassion be rather vsed towards these +poore soules, than rigor and extremitie. Bicause they, which are +commonlie accused of witchcraft, are the least sufficient of all other +persons to speake for themselues; as hauing the most base and simple +education of all others; the extremitie of their age giuing them leaue +to dote, their pouertie to beg, their wrongs to chide and threaten (as +being void of anie other waie of reuenge) their humor melancholicall +to be full of imaginations, from whence cheefelie proceedeth the +vanitie of their confessions; as that they can transforme themselues +and others into apes, owles, asses, dogs, cats, &c: that they can flie +in the aire, kill children with charmes, hinder the comming of butter, +&c. +</p><p> +"And for so much as the mightie helpe themselues together, and the +poore widowes crie, though it reach to heauen, is scarse heard here +vpon earth: I thought good (according to my poore abilitie) to make +intercession, that some part of common rigor, and some points of +hastie iudgement may be aduised vpon. For the world is now at that +stay (as Brentius in a most godlie sermon in these words affirmeth) +that euen as when the heathen persecuted the christians, if anie were +accused to beleeue in Christ, the common people cried <i>Ad leonem</i>: so +now, if anie woman, be she neuer so honest, be accused of witchcraft, +they crie <i>Ad ignem</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> In the intervening period between the publication of +Soot's work and the advertisement of Filmer, several books came out on +the subject of witchcraft. Amongst them it is right to notice "A +Dialogue concerning Witches and Witchcraft, by George Giffard, +Minister of God's Word in Maldon," 1593, 4to. This tract, which has +been reprinted by the Percy Society, is not free from the leading +fallacies which infected the reasonings of almost all the writers on +witchcraft. It is, nevertheless, exceedingly entertaining, and well +deserves a perusal, if only as transmitting to us, in their full +freshness, the racy colloquialisms of the age of Elizabeth. It is to +be hoped that the other works of Giffard, all of which are deserving +of attention, independently of their theological interest, as +specimens of pure and sterling English, may appear in a collected +form. The next tract requiring notice is "The Trial of Witchcraft, by +John Cotta," 1616, 4to, of which a second and enlarged edition was +published in 1624. Cotta, who was a physician of great eminence and +experience, residing at Northampton, has supplied in this very able, +learned, and vigorous treatise, a groundwork which, if pursued to its +just results, for he writes very cautiously and guardedly, and rather +hints at his conclusions than follows them out, would have sufficed to +have overthrown many of the positions of the supporters of the system +of witchcraft. His work has a strong scholastic tinge, and is not +without occasional obscurity; and on these accounts probably produced +no very extensive impression at the time. He wrote two other +tracts—1. "Discovery of the Dangers of ignorant practisers of Physick +in England," 1612, 4to; 2. "Cotta contra Antonium, or An Ant-Anthony," +Oxford, 1623, 4to; the latter of which, a keen satire against the +chymists' aurum potabile, is exceedingly rare. Both are intrinsically +valuable and interesting, and written with great vigour of style, and +are full of curious illustrations derived from his extensive medical +practice. I cannot conclude this note without adverting to Gaule's +amusing little work, ("Select Cases of Conscience touching Witches and +Witchcraft, by John Gaule, Preacher of the Word at Great Haughton, in +the county of Huntingdon," 1646, 24mo.) which gives us all the +casuistry applicable to witchcraft. We can almost forgive Gaule's +fundamental errors on the general question, for the courage and spirit +with which he battled with the villainous witchfinder, Hopkins, who +wanted sorely to make an example of him, to the terror of all +gainsayers of the sovereign power of this examiner-general of witches. +Gaule proved himself to be an overmatch for the itinerating +inquisitor, and so effectually attacked, battled with, and exposed +him, as to render him quite harmless in future. The minister of Great +Haughton was made of different metal to the "old reading parson +Lewis," or Lowes, to whose fate Baxter refers with such nonchalance. +As the only clergyman of the Church of England, that I am aware of, +who was executed for witchcraft, Lewis's case is sufficiently +interesting to merit some notice. Stearne's (vide his <i>Confirmation of +Witchcraft</i>, p. 23,) account of it, which I have not seen quoted +before, is as follows:— +</p><p> +"Thus was Parson Lowis taken, who had been a Minister, (as I have +heard) in one Parish above forty yeares, in Suffolke, before he was +condemned, but had been indited for a common imbarriter, and for +Witchcraft, above thirty yeares before, and the grand Jury (as I have +heard) found the bill for a common imbarriter, who now, after he was +found with the markes, in his confession, he confessed, that in pride +of heart, to be equall, or rather above God, the Devill tooke +advantage of him, and hee covenanted with the Devill, and sealed it +with his bloud, and had three Familiars or spirits, which sucked on +the markes found upon his body, and did much harme, both by Sea and +Land, especially by Sea, for he confessed, that he being at Lungarfort +in Suffolke, where he preached, as he walked upon the wall, or workes +there, he saw a great saile of Ships passe by, and that as they were +sailing by, one of his three Impes, namely his yellow one, forthwith +appeared to him, and asked him what hee should doe, and he bade it goe +and sinke such a Ship, and shewed his Impe a new Ship, amongst the +middle of the rest (as I remember) one that belonged to Ipswich, so he +confessed the Impe went forthwith away, and he stood still, and viewed +the Ships on the Sea as they were a sayling, and perceived that Ship +immediately, to be in more trouble and danger then the rest; for he +said, the water was more boystrous neere that then the rest, tumbling +up and down with waves, as if water had been boyled in a pot, and +soone after (he said) in a short time it sanke directly downe into the +Sea, as he stood and viewed it, when all the rest sayled away in +safety, there he confessed, he made fourteen widdowes in one quarter +of an houre. Then Mr. Hopkin, as he told me (for he tooke his +Confession) asked him, if it did not grieve him to see so many men +cast away, in a short time, and that he should be the cause of so many +poore widdowes on a suddaine, but he swore by his maker, no, he was +joyfull to see what power his Impes had, and so likewise confessed +many other mischiefes, and had a charme to keep him out of Goale, and +hanging, as he paraphrased it himselfe, but therein the Devill +deceived him; for he was hanged, that Michaelmas time 1645. at Burie +Saint Edmunds, but he made a very farre larger confession, which I +have heard hath been printed: but if it were so, it was neither of Mr. +Hopkins doing nor mine owne; for we never printed anything untill +now." +</p><p> +Hutchinson gives the explanation of this confession. What can be more +atrocious than the whole story, which is yet but the common story of +witch confessions? +</p><p> +"<i>Adv.</i> Then did not he confess this before the Commissioners, at the +Time of his Tryal? +</p><p> +"<i>Clerg.</i> No, but maintained his Innocence stoutly, and challenged +them to make Proof of such Things as they laid to his Charge. I had +this from a Person of Credit, who was then in Court, and heard his +Tryal. I may add, that tho' his Case is remembered better than others +that suffered, yet I never heard any one speak of him, but with great +Compassion, because of his Age and Character, and their Belief of his +Innocence: And when he came to his Execution, because he would have +Christian Burial, he read the Office himself, and that way committed +his own Body to the Ground, in sure and certain Hope of the +Resurrection to eternal Life. +</p><p> +"In the Notes upon those Verses that I quoted out of Hudibras, it is +said, that he had been a painful Preacher for many Years, I may add +for Fifty, for so long he had been Vicar of Brandeston in the County +of Suffolk, as appears by the Time of his Institution. That I might +know the present Sense of the Chief Inhabitants of that Place, I wrote +to Mr. Wilson, the Incumbent of that Town, and by his Means received +the following Letter from Mr. Rivett, a worthy Gentleman who lived +lately in the same Place, and whose Father lived there before him. +</p><p> +"'SIR, +</p><p> +"'<span class="smcap">In</span> Answer to your Request concerning Mr. Lowes, my Father was always +of the opinion, that Mr. Lowes suffered wrongfully, and hath often +said, that he did believe, he was no more a Wizzard than he was. I +have heard it from them that watched with him, that <i>they kept him +awake several Nights together, and run him backwards and forwards +about the Room, until he was out of Breath: Then they rested him a +little, and then ran him again: And thus they did for several Days and +Nights together, till he was weary of his Life, and was scarce +sensible of what he said or did</i>. They swam him at Framlingham, but +that was no true Rule to try him by; for they put in honest People at +the same Time, and they swam as well as he."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> I allude to his little tract on Usury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Between the period of the publication of Filmer's +Advertisement and the appearance of Wagstaffe's work, a tract was +published too important in this controversy to be passed over without +notice. It is entitled <i>A Candle in the Dark, or a Treatise concerning +the Nature of Witches and Witchcraft; being Advice to Judges, +Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and Grand Jurymen, what to do before +they passe sentence on such as are arraigned for their lives as +Witches. By Thomas Ady, M.A. London, printed for R.J., to be sold by +Thomas Newberry, at the Three Lions in Cornhill, by the Exchange, +1656</i>, 4to. Ady, of whom, unfortunately, nothing is known, presses the +arguments against the witchmongers and witchfinders with unanswerable +force. In fact, this tract comprises the quintessence of all that had +been urged against the popular system, and his "Candle" was truly a +burning and a shining light. His Dedication is too curious to be +omitted:— +</p><p> +"To the Prince of the Kings of the Earth. It is the manner of men, O +heavenly King, to dedicate their books to some great men, thereby to +have their works protected and countenanced among them; but thou only +art able, by thy holy Spirit of Truth, to defend thy Truth, and to +make it take impression in the heart and understanding of men. Unto +thee alone do I dedicate this work, entreating thy Most High Majesty +to grant, that whoever shall open this book, thy holy Spirit may so +possess their understanding, as that the Spirit of errour may depart +from them, and that they may read and try thy Truth by the touchstone +of thy Truth, the holy Scriptures; and finding that Truth, may embrace +it and forsake their darksome inventions of Antichrist, that have +deluded and defiled the nations now and in former ages. Enlighten the +world, thou that art the Light of the World, and let darkness be no +more in the world, now or in any future age; but make all people to +walk as children of the Light for ever; and destroy Antichrist, that +hath deceived the nations, and save us the residue by thyself alone; +and let not Satan any more delude us, for the Truth is thine for +ever." He then puts his "Dilemma that cannot be answered by +Witchmongers." It is too long to quote, but it is a dilemma that would +pose the stoutest Coryphæus of the party to whom he addressed +himself.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> I have not seen his earlier work, "Historical +Reflections on the Bishop of Rome, &c." Oxford, 1660, 4to. If it be +written with any portion of the power evinced in his "Question of +Witchcraft Debated," the ridicule with which Wood says it was received +by the wits of the university, and the oblivion into which it +subsequently fell, were both equally undeserved.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> "Poems, by the Rev. R. Parkinson, Canon of Manchester," +1845, 12mo. (Hunter's Song.) A most pleasing volume of a very +accomplished author. Long may he survive to add honours to the ancient +stock of which he has given so interesting an account, by well-earned +trophies gathered from the fair fields of literature and theology, and +by a most exemplary discharge of the appropriate duties of his own +sacred profession.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> "<i>The Saints' Guide, or Christ the Rule and Ruler of +Saints. Manifested by way of Positions, Consectaries, and Queries. +Wherein is contained the Efficacy of Acquired Knowledge; the Rule of +Christians; the Mission and Maintenance of Ministers; and the Power of +Magistrates in Spiritual Things. By John Webster, late Chaplain in the +Army.</i>" London, 1653, 4to. +</p><p> +"<i>The Judgement Set, and the Bookes Opened. Religion Tried whether it +be of God or of men. The Lord cometh to visit his own, For the time is +come that Judgement must begin at the House of God.</i> +</p> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="sheep"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td align="center"><i>The Sheep from the Goats,</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>To separate</i></td> + <td>{</td> + <td align="center"><i>and</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td align="center"><i>The Precious from the Vile.</i></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> +</div> + +<p> </p> + +<p> +<i>And to discover the Blasphemy of those that say,</i> +</p> + +<p> </p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" summary="apostles"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Apostles,</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Found Lyars,</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Teachers,</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Deceivers,</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>They are</i></td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Alive,</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td><i>but are</i></td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Dead,</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Rich,</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Poore, blind, naked,</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>Jewes,</i></td> + <td>}</td> + <td> </td> + <td>{</td> + <td><i>The Synagogue of Satan.</i></td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> +</div> + +<p> </p> + +<p> +<i>In severall Sermons at Alhallows Lumbard-street, By John Webster, A +servant of Christ and his Church. Micah 3. 5. &c. Thus saith the Lord, +concerning the Prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their +teeth, and cry peace: and he that putteth not into their mouths, they +prepare war against him: Therefore night shall be upon them, that they +shall not have a vision, &c. The Sun shall goe down over the prophets, +and the Day shall be dark. Their seers shall be ashamed, and the +Deviners confounded: yea, they shall All cover their lips, for there +is no answer of God.</i>" London, 1654. 4to.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> <i>Athen. Oxon.</i>, Vol. ii., p. 175. Edit. 1721.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Old Anthony chronicles this battle of the kerchiefs with +a sly humour very different from his usual solemn matter-of-fact +style.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> What would Dr. Whitaker have thought of the following +explosion, in which Webster sounds the tocsin with a vehemence and +vigour which no Macbriar or Kettledrumle of the period could have +surpassed. The extract is from his <i>Judgment Set and Books Opened</i>:— +</p><p> +"All those that claim an Ordination by Man, or from Man, that speak +from the Spirit of the World, from Wit, Learning and Humane Reason, +who Preach for Hire, and make Merchandize of the Souls of Men; I +witness they are all Baal's Priests and Idol-Shepherds, who destroy +the Sheep, and are Theives and Robbers, who came not in by the Door of +the Sheep-fold, but climbed up another way, and <i>are the Magicians, +Sorcerers, Inchanters, Soothsayers, Necromancers, and Consulters with +Familiar Spirits, which the Lord will cut off out of the Land</i>, so +that his People shall have no more Soothsayers; and as Jannes and +Jambres resisted Moses, so do these resist the Truth; Men of corrupt +Minds, reprobate concerning the Faith; but they shall proceed no +farther, for their Folly shall be manifest to all Men, as theirs also +was. Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran +greedily after the Errors of Balaam, for Reward, and Perished in the +Gainsaying of Core. These are Spots in your Feasts of Charity, when +they Feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: Clouds they are +without Water, carried of Winds; Trees, whose Fruit withered, without +Fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the Roots: Raging Waves of the Sea, +foaming out their own Shame, wandring Stars, to whom is reserved the +blackness of Darkness for ever."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> "<i>Metallographia: or, An History of Metals. Wherein is +declared the signs of Ores and Minerals both before and after digging, +the causes and manner of their generations, their kinds, sorts and +differences; with the description of sundry new Metals or Semi-Metals, +and many other things pertaining to Mineral knowledge. As also, the +handling and shewing of their Vegetability, and the discussion of the +most difficult Questions belonging to Mystical Chymistry, as of the +Philosophers Gold, their Mercury, the Liquor Alkahest, Aurum potabile, +and such like. Gathered forth of the most approved Authors that have +written in Greek, Latine, or High Dutch; With some Observations and +Discoveries of the Author himself. By John Webster, Practitioner in +Physick and Chirurgery. Qui principia naturalia in seipso ignoraverit, +hic jam multum remotus est ab arte nostra, quoniam non habet radicem +veram supra quam intentionem suam fundet. Geber. Sum. perfect. l. c. +i. p. 21.</i> +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<i><span class="i0">Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Auricomos quam quis discerpserit arbore fœtus.<br /></span></i> +<span class="i8"><i>Virg.</i> Æneid. l. 6.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p> +<i>London, Printed by A.C. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-Head in +Duck-lane, 1671, 4to.</i>"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Dr. Whitaker's assertion, that Webster was "neglected +alike by the wise and unwise," seems to be a mere <i>gratis dictum</i>. The +age of folios was rapidly passing away; but few folios of the period +appear to have been more generally read, if we are to judge at least +from its being frequently mentioned and quoted, than Webster's +<i>Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft</i>. The same able writer's "Doubt +whether Sir Matthew Hale ever read Webster's <i>Discovery of Supposed +Witchcraft</i>," might easily have been satisfied by a reference to any +common life of that great judge, which would have shown the historian +of Whalley that Hale died before the book was published. Nor is Dr. +Whitaker correct in stating that all tradition of Webster is now lost +in the neighbourhood where he resided. The following anecdote, which +would have delighted him, I had from an old inhabitant of Burnley, to +whom it had been handed down by his grandfather:—In the days of +Webster's fanaticism, during the usurpation, he is stated, in the +zealous crusade then so common against superstitious relics, to have +headed a party by whom the three venerable crosses, now set up in the +churchyard of Whalley, commonly called the Crosses of Paulinus, and +supposed to be coeval with the first preaching of Christianity in the +North of England, were removed and taken away from their site and +appropriated as a boundary fence for some adjoining fields. After the +Restoration, and when his religious views had become sobered and +settled, he is said, in an eager desire to atone for the desecration +of which he had been guilty, to have purchased the crosses from the +person who was then in possession of them, and to have been at the +cost of re-erecting them on their present site, from which no +sacrilegious hand will, I trust, ever again remove them. It is further +said, that Webster's favourite and regular walk, in the latter part of +his life, till his infirmities rendered him unable to take exercise of +any kind, was to the remains of Whalley Abbey; and that a path along +the banks of the stream which glides by those most picturesque and +pleasing ruins, was long called "Webster's Walk." If this tradition be +founded in fact, and I give it as I received it, John Webster, of +Clitheroe, if not identical, as Mr. Collier has contended, with the +dramatic poet of that name, must have felt something assimilated in +spirit to the fine inspiration of those noble lines of the latter:— +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i5">"I do love these ancient ruins.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We never tread upon them but we set<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our foot upon some reverend history;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, questionless, here in this open court,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which now lies naked to the injuries<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of stormy weather, some men lie interred that<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lov'd the Church so well and gave so largely to't,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They thought it should have canopied their bones<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till doomsday: but all things have their end.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Churches and cities, which have diseases like to men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Must have like death that we have."<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Webster's death took place on the 18th June, 1682. He +left an extensive library, composed principally of chemical, +hermetical, and philosophical works, of which the MSS. catalogue is +now in the possession of my friend, the Rev. T. Corser. I have two +books which appear to have at one time formed part of his collection, +from having his favourite signature, Johannes Hyphantes, in his +autograph, on the title pages. Before I conclude with Webster, I ought +perhaps to observe, that in the valuable edition of the works of +Webster, the dramatic poet, published by the Rev. A. Dyce, that most +accurate and judicious editor has proved indisputably, by an elaborate +argument, that the John Webster, the writer of the <i>Examen +Academiarum</i>, and John Webster, the author of the <i>Displaying of +Supposed Witchcraft</i>, were one and the same person, who was not +identical with the dramatic writer of the same name. Mr. Dyce does +not, however, appear to have been aware, that the identity of the +author of the <i>Examen Academiarum</i> and the writer on witchcraft is +distinctly stated by Dr. Henry More, in his <i>Præfatio Generalissima</i>, +to the Latin edition of his works, whose testimony being that of a +contemporary, who was, like Webster, "a Cambridge scholar," may +perhaps be considered sufficient, without resorting to internal and +circumstantial evidence. The inscription on Webster's monument in the +chapel of St. Mary Magdalen, at Clitheroe, is too characteristic and +curious to be omitted. I give it entire:— +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<i>Qui hanc figuram intelligunt</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Me etiam intellexisse, intelligent.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p style="text-align: center"> +<img src="images/image48.png" alt="pentagram" width="300" height="298" /></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Hic jacet ignotus mundo, mersusque tumultu</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Invidiæ, semper mens tamen æqua fuit,</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Multa tulit veterum ut sciret secreta sophorum</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Ac tandem vires noverit ignis aquæ.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 15%;" /> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2"><i>Johannes Hyphantes sive Webster,<br /></i></span> +<span class="i2"><i>In villa Spinosa supermontana, in</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2"><i>Parochia silvæ cuculatæ, in agro</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2"><i>Eboracensi, natus 1610 Feb. 3,</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2"><i>Ergastulum animæ deposuit 1682, Junii 18,</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2"><i>Annoq. ætatis suæ 72 currente.</i><br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Sicq. peroravit moriens mundo huic valedicens,</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Aurea pax vivis, requies æterna sepultis.</i>"<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> It was my good fortune to visit this wizard-haunted spot +within the last few weeks, in company with the able and zealous +Archdeacon<a name="FNanchor_A_32" id="FNanchor_A_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_32" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> within whose ecclesiastical cure it is comprized, and to +whose singularly accurate knowledge of this district, and courteous +communication of much valuable information regarding it, I hold myself +greatly indebted. Following, with unequal steps, such a guide, +accompanied, likewise, by an excellent Canon of the Church<a name="FNanchor_B_33" id="FNanchor_B_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_33" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> with all +the "armamentaria cœli" at command against the powers of darkness, +and a lay auxiliary<a name="FNanchor_C_34" id="FNanchor_C_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_34" class="fnanchor">[C]</a>, whose friendly converse would make the +roughest journey appear smooth, I need scarcely say, I passed through +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"The forest wyde,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose hideous horror and sad trembling sownd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Full griesly seem'd,"<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p> +unscathed by the old lords of the soil, and needed not Mengus's Fuga, +Fustis et Flagellum Dæmonum, as a triple coat of mail.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_32" id="Footnote_A_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_32"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Venerable the Archdeacon of Manchester, the Rev. John +Rushton, who is also the Incumbent of New Church, in Pendle.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_33" id="Footnote_B_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_33"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The Rev. Canon Parkinson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_34" id="Footnote_C_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_34"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> J.B. Wanklyn, Esq.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_35" id="Footnote_32_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_35"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> The Archdeacon of Manchester suggests that this is +merely a corruption of Chadwick or Chadwicks, and not, as explained in +the Note, <a href="#Page_19">p. 19</a>, from her chattering as she went along.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_36" id="Footnote_33_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_36"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> These bickerings were no doubt exasperated by the +robbery committed upon old Demdike and Alizon Device, which is +detailed in the examinations, some of the <i>opima spolia</i> abstracted on +which occasion she detected on the person of old Chattox's daughter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_37" id="Footnote_34_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_37"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Of an aghendole of meal. Since writing the Note, + <a href="#Page_23">p. 23</a>, +I am indebted to Miss Clegg, of Hallfoot, near Clitheroe, for +information as to the exact quantity contained in an aghendole, which +is eight pounds. This measure, she informs me, is still in use in +Little Harwood, in the district of Pendle. The Archdeacon of +Manchester considers that an aghendole, or more properly, as generally +pronounced, a nackendole, is a kneading-dole, the quantity of meal, +&c. usually taken for kneading at one time. There can be no doubt that +this is the correct derivation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_38" id="Footnote_35_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_38"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Baines confounds Malking-Tower with Hoar-stones, a place +rendered famous by the second case of pretended witchcraft in 1633, +but at some distance from the first-named spot, the residence of +Mother Demdike, which lies in the township of Barrowford. The witch's +mansion— +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"Where that same wicked wight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her dwelling had—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dark, doleful, dreary, like a greedy grave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That still for carrion carcases doth crave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On top whereof ay dwelt the ghastly owle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shrieking his baleful note, which ever drave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far from that haunt all other cheerful fowl,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all about it wandering ghosts did wail and howle"—<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +is now, alas! no more. It stood in a field a little elevated, on a +brow above the building at present called Malking-Tower. The site of +the house or cottage is still distinctly traceable, and fragments of +the plaster are yet to be found imbedded in the boundary wall of the +field. The old road to Gisburne ran almost close to it. It commanded a +most extensive prospect in front, in the direction of Alkincoates, +Colne, and the Yorkshire moors; while in another direction the vast +range of Pendle, nearly intercepted, gloomed in sullen majesty. At the +period when Mother Demdike was in being, Malking-Tower would be at +some distance from any other habitation; its occupier, as the vulgar +would opine— +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"So choosing solitarie to abide<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deedes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hellish arts from people she might hide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And hurt far off unknown whomever she envide."<br /></span> +</div></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_39" id="Footnote_36_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_39"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> In a scarce little book, "The Triumph of Sovereign +Grace, or a Brand plucked out of the Fire, by David Crosly, Minister, +Manchester," 1743, 12mo., which I owe to the kindness of the very able +historian of Cheshire, George Ormerod, Esq., Dr. Whitaker, to whom the +volume formerly belonged, has been at the pains of chronicling the +superstitions connected with a family, ranking amongst the more +opulent yeomen of Cliviger, of the name of Briercliffe, on the +execution of one of whom for murder the tract was published. The +Briercliffe's, from the curious anecdotes which the Doctor gives with +great unction, appear to have been one of those gloomy and fated +races, dogged by some unassuageable Nemesis, in which crime and horror +are transmitted from generation to generation with as much certainty +as the family features and name.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_40" id="Footnote_37_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_40"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> We yet want a full, elaborate, and satisfactory history +of witchcraft. Hutchinson's is the only account we have which enters +at all at length into the detail of the various cases; but his +materials were generally collected from common sources, and he +confines himself principally to English cases. The European history of +witchcraft embraces so wide a field, and requires for its just +completion a research so various, that there is little probability, I +fear, of this <i>desideratum</i> being speedily supplied.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_41" id="Footnote_38_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_41"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> The explorer of Pendle will find the mansion of Alice +Nutter, Rough Lee, still standing. It is impossible to look at it, +recollecting the circumstances of her case, without being strongly +interested. It is a very substantial, and rather a fine specimen of +the houses of the inferior gentry in the time of James the first, and +is now divided into cottages. On one of the side walls is an +inscription, almost entirely obliterated, which contained the date of +the building and the initials of the name of its first owner. At a +little distance from Rough Lee, pursuing the course of the stream, he +will find the foundations of an ancient mill, and the millstones still +unremoved, though the building itself has been pulled down long ago. +This was, doubtless, the mill of Richard Baldwin, the miller, who, as +stated in Old Demdike's confession, ejected her and Alizon Device her +daughter, from his land so contumeliously; immediately after which her +"Spirit or divell called Tibb appeared, and sayd Revenge thee of him." +Greenhead, the residence of Robert Nutter, one of the reputed victims +of the prisoners tried on this occasion, is at some distance from +Rough Lee, and is yet in good preservation, and occupied as a +farmhouse.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_42" id="Footnote_39_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_42"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> The instances are very few in England in which the +statute of James the first was brought to bear against any but the +lowest classes of the people. Indeed, there are not many attempts +reported to attack the rich and powerful with weapons derived from its +provisions. One of such attempts, which did not, like that against +Alice Nutter, prove successful, is narrated in a curious and scarce +pamphlet, which I have now before me, with this title—"Wonderful News +from the North, or a true Relation of the sad and grievous Torments +inflicted upon the Bodies of three children of Mr. George Muschamp, +late of the County of Northumberland, by Witchcraft, and how +miraculously it pleased God to strengthen them and to deliver them; as +also the prosecution of the say'd Witches, as by Oaths and their own +Confessions will appear, and by the Indictment found by the Jury +against one of them at the Sessions of the Peace held at Alnwick, the +24th day of April, 1650. London, printed by T.H., and are to be sold +by Richard Harper at his Shop in Smithfield. 1650," 4to. This was +evidently a diabolical plot, in which these children were made the +puppets, and which was got up to accomplish the destruction of a +person of condition, Mrs. Dorothy Swinnow, the wife of Colonel +Swinnow, of Chatton, in Northumberland, and from which she had great +difficulty in escaping.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_43" id="Footnote_40_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_43"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> The copy in Baines is from the Harl. MSS., cod. 6854, +fo. 26 <i>b</i>, and though inserted in his history as more correct than +that in Whitaker's Whalley, is so disfigured by errors, particularly +in the names of persons and places, as to be utterly unintelligible. +From what source Whitaker derived his transcript does not appear; for +the confession of Margaret Johnson he cites Dodsworth MSS. in Bodleian +Lib., vol. 61, p. 47.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_44" id="Footnote_41_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_44"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> "The informer was one Edmund Robinson (yet living at the +writing hereof, and commonly known by the name of Ned of Roughs) whose +Father was by trade a Waller, and but a poor Man, and they finding +that they were believed and had incouragement by the adjoyning +Magistrates, and the persons being committed to prison or bound over +to the next Assizes, the boy, his Father and some others besides did +make a practice to go from Church to Church that the Boy might reveal +and discover Witches, pretending that there was a great number at the +pretended meeting whose faces he could know, and by that means they +got a good living, that in a short space the Father bought a Cow or +two, when he had none before. And it came to pass that this said Boy +was brought into the Church of Kildwick a large parish Church, where I +(being then Curate there) was preaching in the afternoon, and was set +upon a stall (he being but about ten or eleven years old) to look +about him, which moved some little disturbance in the Congregation for +a while. And after prayers I inquiring what the matter was, the people +told me that it was the Boy that discovered Witches, upon which I went +to the house where he was to stay all night, where I found him, and +two very unlikely persons that did conduct him, and manage the +business; I desired to have some discourse with the Boy in private, +but that they utterly refused; then in the presence of a great many +people, I took the Boy near me, and said: Good Boy tell me truly, and +in earnest, did thou see and hear such strange things of the meeting +of Witches, as is reported by many that thou dost relate, or did not +some person teach thee to say such things of thy self? But the two men +not giving the Boy leave to answer, did pluck him from me, and said he +had been examined by two able Justices of the Peace, and they did +never ask him such a question, to whom I replied, the persons accused +had therefore the more wrong."—Webster's <i>Displaying of Witchcraft</i>, +p. 276.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_45" id="Footnote_42_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_45"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> This was Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorp, Esq., who +married the daughter and heiress of R. Fleetwood, Esq., of Barton, and +died June 1669, aged 82.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_46" id="Footnote_43_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_46"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> John Starkie, Esq., of the family of Starkie of +Huntroyd, the same probably who was sheriff of Lancashire 9 Charles I, +and one of the seven demoniacs at Cleworth in the year 1595, on whose +evidence Hartley was hanged for witchcraft. Having commenced so early, +he must by this time have qualified himself, if he only improved the +advantages of his Cleworth education, to take the chair and proceed as +professor, in all matters appertaining to witchcraft.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_47" id="Footnote_44_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_47"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Wheatley-lane is still a place of note in Pendle.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_48" id="Footnote_45_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_48"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Wild plums.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_49" id="Footnote_46_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_49"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> It would seem as if a case of witchcraft in Pendle, +without a Nutter in some way connected with it, could not occur.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_50" id="Footnote_47_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_50"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> What Mr. Robinson is intended does not appear. It was a +common name in Pendle. It is, however, a curious fact, that a family +of this name, <i>with the alias of Swyer</i>, (see Potts, confession of +Elizabeth Device,) is even now, or very recently was, to be met with +in Pendle, of whom the John Robinson, <i>alias</i> Swyer, one of the +supposed victims of Witchcraft, was probably an ancestor. There are +few instances of an <i>alias</i> being similarly transmitted in families +for upwards of two centuries.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_51" id="Footnote_48_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_51"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Mother Dickenson, as Sir Walter Scott remarks, brings to +mind the magician Queen in the Arabian Tales.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_52" id="Footnote_49_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_52"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> This house is still standing, and though it has +undergone some modernizations, has every appearance of having been +built about this period.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_53" id="Footnote_50_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_53"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> The old barn, so famous as the scene of these exploits, +is no longer extant. A more modern and very substantial one has now +been erected on its site.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_54" id="Footnote_51_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_54"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Syleing, from the verb sile or syle, to strain, to pass +through a strainer. See Jamieson, under "sile."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_55" id="Footnote_52_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_55"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Frightened.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_56" id="Footnote_53_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_56"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Boggard Hole lies in a hollow, near to Hoarstones, and +is still known by that name.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_57" id="Footnote_54_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_57"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> "It is the sport to see the engineer hoist with his own +petar." Her old occupation as witness having got into other hands, +Janet or Jennet Davies, or Device, for the person spoken of appears to +be the same with the grand-daughter of Old Demdike, on whose evidence +three members of her family were executed, has now to take her place +amongst the witnessed against.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_58" id="Footnote_55_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_58"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> Seale, from sele, <i>s.</i> a yoke for binding cattle in the +stall. Sal (A.S.) denotes "a collar or bond." Somner. Sile (Isl.) +seems to bear the very same sense with our sele, being exp. a ligament +of leather by which cattle and other things are bound. Vide Jamieson, +under "sele."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_59" id="Footnote_56_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_59"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Heywood and Broome, in their play, "The late Lancashire +Witches," 1634, 4to, follow the terms of this deposition very closely. +It is very probable that they had seen and conversed with the boy, to +whom, when taken up to London, there was a great resort of company. +The Lancashire dialect, as given in this play, and by no means +unfaithfully, was perhaps derived from conversations with some of the +actors in this drama of real life, a drama quite as extraordinary as +any that Heywood's imagination ever bodied forth from the world of +fiction. +</p><p style="text-align: center"> +"<i>Enter Boy with a switch.</i> +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> Now I have gathered Bullies, and fild my bellie pretty well, +i'le goe see some sport. There are gentlemen coursing in the medow +hard by; and 'tis a game that I love better than going to Schoole ten +to one. +</p><p style="text-align: center"> +<i>Enter an invisible spirit. J. Adson<a name="FNanchor_D_60" id="FNanchor_D_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_60" class="fnanchor">[D]</a> with a brace of greyhounds.</i> +</p><p> +What have we here a brace of Greyhounds broke loose from their +masters: it must needs be so, for they have both their Collers and +slippes about their neckes. Now I looke better upon them, me thinks I +should know them, and so I do: these are Mr. Robinsons dogges, that +dwels some two miles off, i'le take them up, and lead them home to +their master; it may be something in my way, for he is as liberall a +gentleman, as any is in our countrie, Come Hector, come. Now if I c'ud +but start a Hare by the way, kill her, and carry her home to my +supper, I should thinke I had made a better afternoones worke of it +than gathering of bullies. Come poore curres along with me. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Exit.</i>" +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> + + +<p style="text-align: center"> +"<i>Enter Boy with the Greyhounds.</i> +</p><p> +A Hare, a Hare, halloe, halloe, the Divell take these curres, will +they not stir, halloe, halloe, there, there, there, what are they +growne so lither and so lazie? Are Mr. Robinsons dogges turn'd tykes +with a wanion? the Hare is yet in sight, halloe, halloe, mary hang you +for a couple of mungrils (if you were worth hanging,) and have you +serv'd me thus? nay then ile serve you with the like sauce, you shall +to the next bush, there will I tie you, and use you like a couple of +curs as you are, and though not lash you, yet lash you whilest my +switch will hold, nay since you have left your speed, ile see if I can +put spirit into you, and put you in remembrance what halloe, halloe +meanes. +</p><p style="text-align: center"> +<i>As he beats them, there appeared before him Gooddy</i> Dickison, <i>and +the Boy upon the dogs, going in.</i> +</p><p> +Now blesse me heaven, one of the Greyhounds turn'd into a woman, the +other into a boy! The lad I never saw before, but her I know well; it +is my gammer <i>Dickison</i>. +</p><p> +<i>G. Dick.</i> Sirah, you have serv'd me well to swindge me thus. You yong +rogue, you have vs'd me like a dog. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> When you had put your self into a dogs skin, I pray how c'ud I +help it; but gammer are not you a Witch? if you bee, I beg upon my +knees you will not hurt me. +</p> +<p> +<i>Dickis.</i> Stand up my boie, for thou shalt have no harme,<br /> +Be silent, speake of nothing thou hast seene.<br /> +And here's a shilling for thee.<br /> +</p> +<p> +<i>Boy.</i> Ile have none of your money, gammer, because you are a Witch; +and now she is out of her foure leg'd shape, ile see if with my two +legs I can out-run her. +</p><p> +<i>Dickis.</i> Nay sirra, though you be yong, and I old, you are not so +nimble, nor I so lame, but I can overtake you. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> But Gammer what do you meane to do with me<br /> +Now you have me?<br /> +</p> +<p> +<i>Dickis.</i> To hugge thee, stroke thee, and embrace thee thus,<br /> +And teach thee twentie thousand prety things,<br /> +So thou tell no tales; and boy this night<br /> +Thou must along with me to a brave feast.<br /> +</p><p><i>Boy.</i> Not I gammer indeed la, I dare not stay out late,<br /> +My father is a fell man, and if I bee out long, will both<br /> +chide and beat me.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Dickis.</i> Not sirra, then perforce thou shalt along,<br /> +This bridle helps me still at need,<br /> +And shall provide us of a steed.<br /> +Now sirra, take your shape and be<br /> +Prepar'd to hurrie him and me.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Exit.</i> +</p><p> +Now looke and tell mee wher's the lad become. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> The boy is vanisht, and I can see nothing in his stead<br /> +But a white horse readie sadled and bridled.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Dickis.</i> And thats the horse we must bestride,<br /> +On which both thou and I must ride,<br /> +Thou boy before and I behinde,<br /> +The earth we tread not, but the winde,<br /> +For we must progresse through the aire,<br /> +And I will bring thee to such fare<br /> +As thou ne're saw'st, up and away,<br /> +For now no longer we can stay.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: right"> +<i>She catches him up, and turning round.</i> +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> Help, help. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Exit.</i>" +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> + + +<p> +"<i>Rob.</i> What place is this? it looks like an old barne: ile peep in at +some cranny or other, and try if I can see what they are doing. Such a +bevy of beldames did I never behold; and cramming like so many +Cormorants: Marry choke you with a mischiefe. +</p><p> +<i>Gooddy Dickison.</i> Whoope, whurre, heres a sturre,<br /> +Never a cat, never a curre,<br /> +But that we must have this demurre.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mal.</i> A second course.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mrs. Gen.</i> Pull, and pull hard<br /> +For all that hath lately him prepar'd<br /> +For the great wedding feast.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mall.</i> As chiefe<br /> +Of Doughtyes Surloine of rost Beefe.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>All.</i> Ha, ha, ha.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Meg.</i> 'Tis come, 'tis come.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mawd.</i> Where hath it all this while beene?<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Meg.</i> Some<br /> +Delay hath kept it, now 'tis here,<br /> +For bottles next of wine and beere,<br /> +The Merchants cellers they shall pay for't.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mrs. Gener.</i> Well,<br /> +What sod or rost meat more, pray tell.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Good. Dick.</i> Pul for the Poultry, Foule, and Fish,<br /> +For emptie shall not be a dish.<br /> +</p> +<p> +<i>Robin.</i> A pox take them, must only they feed upon hot meat, and I +upon nothing but cold sallads. +</p><p> +<i>Mrs. Gener.</i> This meat is tedious, now some Farie,<br /> +Fetch what belongs unto the Dairie,<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mal.</i> Thats Butter, Milk, Whey, Curds and Cheese,<br /> +Wee nothing by the bargaine leese.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>All.</i> Ha, ha, ha.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Goody Dickison.</i> Boy, theres meat for you.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> Thanke you.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Gooddy Dickis.</i> And drinke too.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Meg.</i> What Beast was by thee hither rid?<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mawd.</i> A Badger nab.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Meg.</i> And I bestrid<br /> +A Porcupine that never prickt.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Mal.</i> The dull sides of a Beare I kickt.<br /> +I know how you rid, Lady Nan.<br /> +</p> +<p> +<i>Mrs. Gen.</i> Ha, ha, ha, upon the knave my man. +</p><p> +<i>Rob.</i> A murrein take you, I am sure my hoofes payd for't. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> Meat lie there, for thou hast no taste, and drinke there, for +thou hast no relish, for in neither of them is there either salt or +savour. +</p><p> +<i>All.</i> Pull for the posset, pull. +</p><p> +<i>Robin.</i> The brides posset on my life, nay if they come to their +spoone meat once, I hope theil breake up their feast presently. +</p><p> +<i>Mrs. Gen.</i> So those that are our waiters nere,<br /> +Take hence this Wedding cheere.<br /> +We will be lively all,<br /> +And make this barn our hall.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Gooddy Dick.</i> You our Familiers, come.<br /> +In speech let all be dumbe,<br /> +And to close up our Feast,<br /> +To welcome every gest<br /> +A merry round let's daunce.<br /> +</p><p> +<i>Meg.</i> Some Musicke then ith aire<br /> +Whilest thus by paire and paire,<br /> +We nimbly foot it; strike.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Musick.</i> +</p><p> +<i>Mal.</i> We are obeyd. +</p><p> +<i>Sprite.</i> And we hels ministers shall lend our aid. +</p><p style="text-align: center"> +<i>Dance and Song together. In the time of which the Boy speakes.</i> +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> Now whilest they are in their jollitie, and do not mind me, ile +steale away, and shift for my selfe, though I lose my life for't. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Exit.</i>" +</p> + +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> +<p style="text-align: center">* * * * * * *</p> + + +<p> +"<i>Dought.</i> He came to thee like a Boy thou sayest, about thine own +bignesse? +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> Yes Sir, and he asked me where I dwelt, and what my name was. +</p><p> +<i>Dough.</i> Ah Rogue! +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> But it was in a quarrelsome way; Whereupon I was as stout, and +ask'd him who made him an examiner? +</p><p> +<i>Dough.</i> Ah good Boy. +</p><p> +<i>Mil.</i> In that he was my Sonne. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> He told me he would know or beat it out of me,<br /> +And I told him he should not, and bid him doe his worst;<br /> +And to't we went.<br /> +</p> +<p> +<i>Dough.</i> In that he was my sonne againe, ha boy; I see him at it now. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> We fought a quarter of an houre, till his sharpe nailes made my +eares bleed. +</p><p> +<i>Dough.</i> O the grand Divell pare 'em. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> I wondred to finde him so strong in my hands, seeming but of +mine owne age and bignesse, till I looking downe, perceived he had +clubb'd cloven feet like Oxe feet; but his face was as young as mine. +</p><p> +<i>Dought.</i> A pox, but by his feet, he may be the Club-footed +Horse-coursers father, for all his young lookes. +</p><p> +<i>Boy.</i> But I was afraid of his feet, and ran from him towards a light +that I saw, and when I came to it, it was one of the Witches in white +upon a Bridge, that scar'd me backe againe, and then met me the Boy +againe, and he strucke me and layd mee for dead. +</p><p> +<i>Mil.</i> Till I wondring at his stay, went out and found him in the +Trance; since which time, he has beene haunted and frighted with +Goblins, 40 times; and never durst tell any thing (as I sayd) because +the Hags had so threatned him till in his sicknes he revealed it to +his mother. +</p><p> +<i>Dough.</i> And she told no body but folkes on't. Well Gossip Gretty, as +thou art a Miller, and a close thiefe, now let us keepe it as close as +we may till we take 'hem, and see them handsomly hanged o'the way: Ha +my little Cuffe-divell, thou art a made man. Come, away with me. +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +<i>Exeunt.</i>" +</p><p style="text-align: right"> +Heywood and Broome's <i>Late Lancashire Witches</i>, Acts 2 and 3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_D_60" id="Footnote_D_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_60"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> <i>Sic in orig.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_61" id="Footnote_57_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_61"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> These names are thus given in Baines's Transcript:— +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p> +"Dickensons<br /> +Henrie Priestleyes wife and his ladd<br /> +Alice Hargrave, widdowe<br /> +Jane Davies (als. Jennet Device)<br /> +William Davies<br /> +The wife of Henrie Offep and her sonnes<br /> +John and Myles<br /> +The wife of Duckers<br /> +James Hargrave of Maresden<br /> +Loyards wife<br /> +James wife<br /> +Sanders wife, And as hee beleeveth<br /> +Lawnes wife<br /> +Sander Pynes wife of Baraford<br /> +One Foolegate and his wife<br /> +And Leonards of the West Close."<br /> +</p></div> + +<p> +And thus in Webster:— +</p><p> +"Dickensons Wife, Henry Priestleys Wife, and his Lad, Alice Hargreene +Widow, Jane Davies, William Davies, and the Wife of Henry Fackes, and +her Sons John and Miles, the Wife of —— Denneries, James Hargreene +of Marsdead, Loynd's Wife, one James his Wife, Saunders his Wife, and +Saunders himself <i>sicut credit</i>, one Laurence his Wife, one Saunder +Pyn's Wife of Barraford, one Holgate and his Wife of Leonards of the +West close."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_62" id="Footnote_58_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_62"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> The learned "practitioner in physick," Mr. William +Drage, in his "Treatise of Diseases from Witchcraft," published Lond. +1668, 4to. p. 22, recommends "birch" in such cases, "as a specifical +medicine, antipathetical to demons." One can only lament that this +valuable remedy was not vigorously applied in the present instance, as +well as in most others in which these juvenile sufferers appear. I +doubt whether, in the whole Materia Medica, a more powerful +<i>Lamia-fuge</i> could have been discovered, or one which would have been +more universally successful, if applied perseveringly, whenever the +suspicious symptoms recurred. The following is, however, Drage's great +panacea in these cases, a mode of treatment which must have been +vastly popular, judging from its extensive adoption in all parts of +the country: "<i>Punish the witch, threaten to hang her if she helps not +the sick, scratch her and fetch blood. When she is cast into prison +the sick are some time delivered, some time he or she (they are most +females, most old women, and most poor,) must transfer the disease to +other persons, sometimes to a dog, or horse, or cow, &c. Threaten her +and beat her to remove it.</i>"—Drage, p. 23.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_63" id="Footnote_59_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_63"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> The omission here is thus supplied in Baines's +Transcript; but the actual names are scarcely to be recognised, from +the clerical errors of the copy:— +</p> +<div class="blockquot"><p> +"One Pickerne and his wife both of Wyndwall,<br /> +Rawson of Clore and his wife<br /> +Duffice wife of Clore by the water side<br /> +Cartmell the wife of Clore<br /> +And Jane of the hedgend in Maresden."<br /> +</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_64" id="Footnote_60_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_64"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> Webster gives the sequel of this curious case of +imposture:—"Four of them, to wit Margaret Johnson, Francis Dicconson, +Mary Spenser, and Hargraves Wife, were sent for up to London, and were +viewed and examined by his Majesties Physicians and Chirurgeons, and +after by his Majesty and the Council, and no cause of guilt appearing +but great presumptions of the boys being suborned to accuse them +falsely. Therefore it was resolved to separate the boy from his +Father, they having both followed the women up to London, they were +both taken and put into several prisons asunder. Whereupon shortly +after the Boy confessed that he was taught and suborned to devise, and +feign those things against them, and had persevered in that wickedness +by the counsel of his Father, and some others, whom envy, revenge and +hope of gain had prompted on to that devillish design and villany; and +he also confessed, that upon that day when he said that they met at +the aforesaid house or barn, he was that very day a mile off, getting +Plums in his Neighbours Orchard. And that this is a most certain +truth, there are many persons yet living, of sufficient reputation and +integrity, that can avouch and testifie the same; and besides, what I +write is the most of it true, upon my own knowledge, and the whole I +have had from his own mouth."—<i>Displaying of Witchcraft</i>, p. 277.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_65" id="Footnote_61_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_65"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> The confession in the "Amber Witch" is a true picture, +drawn from the life. What is there, indeed, unlike truth in that +wonderful fiction?</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_66" id="Footnote_62_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_66"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Male.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_67" id="Footnote_63_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_67"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> In the nook, or corner, of his plaid.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_68" id="Footnote_64_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_68"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Pounded, or powdered it, like meal.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_69" id="Footnote_65_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_69"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> To make the plaster fine, and free from earthy +particles.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_70" id="Footnote_66_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_70"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> Probably a sort of stir-about, or hasty-pudding, made of +rye-flour.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_71" id="Footnote_67_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_71"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> In another deposition it is thus expressed, 'lyk a <i>pow +or feadge</i>.' A <i>feadge</i> was a sort of <i>scone</i>, or roll, of a pretty +large size. Perhaps this term signifies, as large as the quantity of +dough or paste necessary for making this kind of bread.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_72" id="Footnote_68_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_72"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> A flayed sucking pig, after being scalded and scraped.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_73" id="Footnote_69_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_73"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> Shrivelled with the heat.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_74" id="Footnote_70_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_74"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Red like a coal.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_75" id="Footnote_71_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_75"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> Each alternate day.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_76" id="Footnote_72_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_76"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> Knew.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_77" id="Footnote_73_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_77"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> It is written <i>meall</i> in the other Confession; and the +metre (such as it is) requires this liberty. <i>Mowld</i> signifies 'earth' +or 'dust.'</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_78" id="Footnote_74_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_78"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Stubble.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_79" id="Footnote_75_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_79"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Parched; shrivelled.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_80" id="Footnote_76_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_80"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Until.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_81" id="Footnote_77_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_81"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Harm; injury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_82" id="Footnote_78_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_82"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> There is a grave relation, in Delrio, of a witch being +shot flying, by a Spanish centinel, at the bridge of Nieulet, near +Calais, after that place was taken by the Spaniards. The soldier saw a +black cloud advancing rapidly, from which voices issued: when it came +near, he fired into it; immediately a witch dropped. This is +<i>undoubted proof</i> of the meetings!—<i>Disq. Mag.</i>, p. 708.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_83" id="Footnote_79_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_83"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> See Dr. Hibbert's "History of Orkney," &c., to which +this remarkable Trial is appended.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_84" id="Footnote_80_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_84"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> The name left blank.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_85" id="Footnote_81_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_85"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> Rede; advice.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_86" id="Footnote_82_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_86"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> Malicious.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_87" id="Footnote_83_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_87"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> The name given at her baptism by the Devil. From +"Collection of Original Documents," belonging to the Society of +Antiquaries of Scotland, MS. As a specimen of the other charges, take +the following: "Williame Richardsone, in Dalkeith, haiving felled ane +hen of the said Cristianes with ane stone, and wpone her sight thereof +did imediatly threatne him, and with ane frowneing countenance told +him, that he 'should newer cast ane vther stone!' And imediatly the +said Williame fell into ane franicie and madnes, and tooke his bed, +and newer rose agane, but died within a few dayes: And in the tyme of +his sicknes, he always cryed owt, that the said Cristiane was present +befor him, in the likeness of ane grey catt! And some tyme eftir his +death, James Richardsone, nephew to the said Williame, being a boy +playing in the said Cristiane her yaird, and be calling her Lantherne, +shoe threatned, that, if he held not his peace, shoe sowld cause him +to die the death his nephew (uncle) died of!' Whairby it would appeare +that shoe tooke wpon hir his nepheas (uncle's) death."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_88" id="Footnote_84_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_88"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Wonder; amazement.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_89" id="Footnote_85_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_89"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Until. That is, many previous trials had been made of +other persons suspected, or of those who were near neighbours, perhaps +living at enmity with the deceased, who had voluntarily offered +themselves to this solemn ordeal, or had been called upon thus +publicly to attest their innocence of his blood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_90" id="Footnote_86_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_90"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Holding the lyke-wake.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_91" id="Footnote_87_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_91"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Can be proved, by testimony or probation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_92" id="Footnote_88_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_92"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> The large collar which goes about a draught-horse's +neck.</p></div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOVERY OF WITCHES***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 18253-h.txt or 18253-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/2/5/18253">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/2/5/18253</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Discovery of Witches + The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster + + +Author: Thomas Potts + +Editor: James Crossley + +Release Date: April 25, 2006 [eBook #18253] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOVERY OF WITCHES*** + + +E-text prepared by Clare Boothby, Linda Cantoni, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/) + + + +Transcriber's note: + + The following symbols are used in this e-text: + + ^ before a letter indicates that the letter is superscripted + in the original + + = before a vowel in brackets indicates that the vowel has a + macron over it in the original, indicating a final n or m + + + + + +Remains Historical & Literary Connected with the Palatine Counties +of Lancaster and Chester + +Published by the Chetham Society. + +Vol. VI. + +Printed for the Chetham Society. +M.DCCC.XLV. + + + +[Illustration: THE CHETHAM SOCIETY] + + + +Council. + +EDWARD HOLME, ESQ., M.D., PRESIDENT. +REV. RICHARD PARKINSON, B.D., CANON OF MANCHESTER, VICE-PRESIDENT. +THE HON. & VERY REV. WILLIAM HERBERT, DEAN OF MANCHESTER. +GEORGE ORMEROD, ESQ., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S., SEDBURY PARK. +SAMUEL HIBBERT WARE, ESQ., M.D., F.R.S.E., EDINBURGH. +REV. THOMAS CORSER, M.A. +REV. GEORGE DUGARD, M.A. +REV. C.G. HULTON, M.A. +REV. J. PICCOPE, M.A. +REV. F.R. RAINES, M.A., F.S.A., MILNROW PARSONAGE, NEAR ROCHDALE. +JAMES CROSSLEY, ESQ. +JAMES HEYWOOD, ESQ., F.R.S. +WILLIAM LANGTON, ESQ., TREASURER. +WILLIAM FLEMING, ESQ., M.D., HON. SECRETARY. + +[Illustration] + + + + +POTTS'S DISCOVERY OF WITCHES + +In the County of Lancaster, + +Reprinted from the Original Edition of 1613. + +With an Introduction and Notes, by JAMES CROSSLEY, ESQ. + + + + + + + +Printed for the Chetham Society. +M.DCC.XLV. +Manchester: +Printed by Charles Simms and Co. + + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Were not every chapter of the history of the human mind too precious +an inheritance to be willingly relinquished,--for appalling as its +contents may be, the value of the materials it may furnish may be +inestimable,--we might otherwise be tempted to wish that the miserable +record in which the excesses occasioned by the witch mania are +narrated, could be struck out of its pages, and for ever cancelled. +Most assuredly, he, who is content to take the fine exaggeration of +the author of _Hydriotaphia_ as a serious and literal truth, and who +believes with him that "man is a glorious animal," must not go to the +chapter which contains that record for his evidences and proofs. If he +should be in search of materials for humiliation and abasement, he +will find in the history of witchcraft in this country, from the +beginning to the end of the seventeenth century, large and abundant +materials, whether it affects the species or the individual. In truth, +human nature is never seen in worse colours than in that dark and +dismal review. Childhood, without any of its engaging properties, +appears prematurely artful, wicked and cruel[1]; woman, the victim of +a wretched and debasing bigotry, has yet so little of the feminine +adjuncts, that the fountains of our sympathies are almost closed; and +man, tyrannizing over the sex he was bound to protect, in its helpless +destitution and enfeebled decline, seems lost in prejudice and +superstition and only strong in oppression. If we turn from the common +herd to the luminaries of the age, to those whose works are the +landmarks of literature and science, the reference is equally +disappointing;-- + + "The sun itself is dark + And silent as the moon + Hid in her vacant interlunar cave." + +[Footnote 1: Take, as an instance, the children of Mr. Throgmorton, of +Warbois, for bewitching whom, Mother Samuels, her husband, and +daughter, suffered in 1593. No veteran professors "in the art of +ingeniously tormenting" could have administered the question with more +consummate skill than these little incarnate fiends, till the poor old +woman was actually induced, from their confident asseverations and +plausible counterfeiting, to believe at last that she had been a witch +all her life without knowing it. She made a confession, following the +story which they had prompted, on their assurances that it was the +only means to restore them, and then was hanged upon that confession, +to which she adhered on the scaffold. Few tracts present a more vivid +picture of manners than that in which the account of this case of +witchcraft is contained. It is perhaps the rarest of the English +tracts relating to witchcraft, and is entitled "The most strange and +admirable Discoverie of the three Witches of Warboys, arraigned, +convicted, and executed at the last Assizes at Huntingdon, for the +bewitching of the five daughters of Robert Throckmorton, Esquire, and +divers other persons with sundrie Devilish and grievous torments. And +also for the bewitching to Death of the Lady Crumwell, the like hath +not been heard of in this age. London, Printed by the Widdowe Orwin +for Thomas Man and John Winnington, and are to be sold in Paternoster +Rowe at the Signe of the Talbot." 1593, 4to. My copy was Brand's, and +formed Lot 8224 in his Sale Catalogue.] + +We find the illustrious author of the Novum Organon sacrificing to +courtly suppleness his philosophic truth, and gravely prescribing the +ingredients for a witches' ointment;[2]--Raleigh, adopting miserable +fallacies at second hand, without subjecting them to the crucible of +his acute and vigorous understanding;[3]--Selden, maintaining that +crimes of the imagination may be punished with death;[4]--The detector +of Vulgar Errors, and the most humane of physicians,[5] giving the +casting weight to the vacillating bigotry of Sir Matthew +Hale;[6]--Hobbes, ever sceptical, penetrating and sagacious, yet here +paralyzed, and shrinking from the subject as if afraid to touch +it;[7]--The adventurous explorer, who sounded the depths and channels +of the "Intellectual System" along all the "wide watered" shores of +antiquity, running after witches to hear them recite the Common Prayer +and the Creed, as a rational test of guilt or innocence;[8]--The +gentle spirit of Dr. Henry More, girding on the armour of persecution, +and rousing itself from a Platonic reverie on the Divine Life, to +assume the hood and cloak of a familiar of the Inquisition;[9]--and +the patient and enquiring Boyle, putting aside for a while his +searches for the grand Magisterium, and listening, as if spell-bound, +with gratified attention to stories of witches at Oxford, and devils +at Mascon.[10] Nor is it from a retrospect of our own intellectual +progress only that we find how capricious, how intermitting, and how +little privileged to great names or high intellects, or even to those +minds which seemed to possess the very qualifications which would +operate as conductors, are those illuminating gleams of common sense +which shoot athwart the gloom, and aid a nation on its tardy progress +to wisdom, humanity, and justice. If on the Continent there were, in +the sixteenth century, two men from whom an exposure of the +absurdities of the system of witchcraft might have been naturally and +rationally expected, and who seem to stand out prominently from the +crowd as predestined to that honourable and salutary office, those two +men were John Bodin[11] and Thomas Erastus.[12] The former a +lawyer--much exercised in the affairs of men--whose learning was not +merely umbratic--whose knowledge of history was most philosophic and +exact--of piercing penetration and sagacity--tolerant--liberal +minded--disposed to take no proposition upon trust, but to canvass and +examine every thing for himself, and who had large views of human +nature and society--in fact, the Montesquieu of the seventeenth +century. The other, a physician and professor, sage, judicious, +incredulous, + + "The scourge of impostors, the terror of quacks," + +who had routed irrecoverably empiricism in almost every +shape--Paracelsians--Astrologers--Alchemists--Rosicrucians--and who +weighed and scrutinized and analyzed every conclusion, from +excommunication and the power of the keys to the revolutions of comets +and their supposed effects on empires, and all with perfect +fearlessness and intuitive insight into the weak points of an +argument. Yet, alas! for human infirmity. Bodin threw all the weight +of his reasoning and learning and vivacity into the scale of the witch +supporters, and made the "hell-broth boil and bubble" anew, and +increased the witch _furor_ to downright fanaticism, by the +publication of his _Demo-manie_,[13] a work in which + + "Learning, blinded first and then beguiled, + Looks dark as ignorance, as frenzy wild;" + +but which it is impossible to read without being carried along by the +force of mind and power of combination which the author manifests, and +without feeling how much ingenious sophistry can perform to mitigate +and soften the most startling absurdity. His contemporary, Erastus, +after all his victories on the field of imposition, was foiled by the +subject of witchcraft at last. This was his pet delusion--almost the +only one he cared not to discard--like the dying miser's last +reserve:-- + + ---- "My manor, sir? he cried; + Not that, I cannot part with that,--and died." + +[Footnote 2: Lord Bacon thinks (see his _Sylva Sylvarum_) that +soporiferous medicines "are likeliest" for this purpose, such as +henbane, hemlock, mandrake, moonshade, tobacco, opium, saffron, poplar +leaves, &c.] + +[Footnote 3: See his _History of the World_.] + +[Footnote 4: See his _Table Talk_, section "_Witches_."] + +[Footnote 5: Sir Thomas Browne's evidence at the trial of Amy Duny and +Rose Cullender at Bury St. Edmunds in 1664, is too well known to need +an extract from the frequently reprinted report of the case. To adopt +the words of an able writer, (_Retros. Review_, vol. v. p. 118,) "this +trial is the only place in which we ever meet with the name of Sir +Thomas Browne without pleasurable associations."] + +[Footnote 6: Those who wish to have presented to them a faithful +likeness of Sir Matthew Hale must not consult Burnet or Baxter, for +that great judge, like Sir Epicure Mammon, sought "for his meet +flatterers the gravest of divines," but will not fail to find it in +the pages of Roger North, who has depicted his character with a +strength and accuracy of outline which no Vandyck or Lely of biography +ever surpassed. Would that we could exchange some of those "faultless +monsters" with which that fascinating department of literature too +much abounds, for a few more such instantly recognised specimens of +true but erring and unequal humanity, which are as rare as they are +precious. In the unabridged life of Lord Guildford by Roger North, +which, with his own most interesting and yet unpublished +autobiography, are in my possession in his autograph, are found some +additional touches which confirm the general accuracy of the portrait +he has sketched of Hale in the work which has been printed. (Vide +North's _Life of Lord Guildford_, by Roscoe, vol. i. p. 119.)] + +[Footnote 7: See his _Dialogue on the Common Laws of England_.] + +[Footnote 8: Dr. Cudworth was the friend whom More refers to without +naming, _Collections of Relations_, p. 336, edit. 1726, 8vo.] + +[Footnote 9: There is no name in this catalogue that excites more +poignant regret than that of Dr. Henry More. So exalted was his +character, so serene and admirable his temper, so full of harmony his +whole intellectual constitution, that, irradiated at once by all the +lights of religion and philosophy, and with clearer glimpses of the +land of vision and the glories behind the veil than perhaps uninspired +mortality ever partook of before, he seems to have reached as near to +the full standard of perfection as it is possible for frail and feeble +humanity to attain. Dr. Outram said that he looked upon Dr. More as +the holiest person upon the face of the earth; and the sceptical +Hobbes, who never dealt in compliment, observed, "That if his own +philosophy were not true, he knew of none that he should sooner like +than More's of Cambridge." His biographer, Ward, concludes his life in +the following glowing terms:--"Thus lived and died the eminent Dr. +More: thus set this bright and illustrious star, vanishing by degrees +out of our sight after, to the surprise and admiration of many, (like +that which was observed in Cassiopeia's chair,) it had illuminated, as +it were, both worlds so long at once." At the lapse of many years I +have not forgotten the impassioned fondness with which the late and +most lamented Robert Southey dwelt upon the memory of the Cambridge +Plato, or the delight with which he greeted some works of his +favourite author which I was fortunate enough to point out to him, +with which he had not been previously acquainted. The sad reverse of +the picture will he seen by those who consult the folio of More's +philosophical works and Glanville's _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, the +greatest part of which is derived from More's _Collections_. His +hallucinations on the subject of witchcraft, from which none of the +English writers of the Platonic school were exempt, are the more +extraordinary, as a sister error, judicial astrology, met in More with +its most able oppugner. His tract, which has excited much less +attention than its merit deserves, (I have not been able to trace a +single quotation from it in any author during the last century,) is +entitled "Tetractys Anti-astrologica, or a Confutation of Astrology." +Lond. 1681, 4to. I may mention while on the subject of More, that the +second and most valuable part of the memoir of him by Ward, his +devoted admirer and pupil, which was never printed, is in my +possession, in manuscript.] + +[Footnote 10: See Boyle's letter on the subject of the latter, in the +5th vol. of the folio edition of his works.] + +[Footnote 11: I have always considered the conclusion of Bodin's book, +_De Republica_, the accumulative grandeur of which is even heightened +in Knolles's admirable English translation, as the finest peroration +to be found in any work on government. Those who are fortunate enough +to possess a copy of his interdicted _Examination of Religions_, the +title of which is, "Colloquium heptaplomeres de abditis sublimium +rerum arcanis, libris 6 digestum," which was never printed, and of +which very few MSS. copies are in existence, are well aware how little +he felt himself shackled in the spirit of examination which he carried +into the most sacred subjects by any respect for popular notions or +received systems or great authorities. My MS. copy of this +extraordinary work, which came from Heber's Collection, is contained +in two rather thick folio volumes.] + +[Footnote 12: Few authors are better deserving of an extended +biography, a desideratum which, in an age characterised by its want of +literary research, is not likely to be soon supplied, than Thomas +Erastus, whose theological, philosophical, and medical celebrity +entitle him to rank with the greatest men of his century. At present +we have to collect all that is known of his life from various +scattered and contradictory sources. John Webster, in his _Displaying +of Supposed Witchcraft_, contrary to the usual candour and fairness of +his judgments, speaks slightingly of Erastus. There was, however, a +sufficient reason for this. Erastus had shown up the empiricism of +Webster's idol Paracelsus, and was in great disfavour with the writers +of the Anti-Galenic school.] + +[Footnote 13: I cannot concur with Mr. Hallam in the extremely low +estimate he forms of the literary merit of Bodin's _Demomanie_, which +he does not seem to have examined with the care and impartiality which +he seldom is deficient in. Like all Bodin's works, it has a spirit +peculiarly his own, and is, in my opinion, one of the most +entertaining books to be found in the circle of Demonology.] + +In his treatise _De Lamiis_, published in 1577, 8vo., he defends +nearly all the absurdities of the system with a blind zealotry which +in such a man is very remarkable. His book has accordingly taken its +place on the same shelf with Sprenger, Remigius, Delrio, and De +Lancre, and deserves insertion only in a list which has yet to be made +out, and which if accurately compiled would be a literary curiosity, +of the singularly illogical books of singularly able reasoners. +What was left unaccomplished by the centurions of literature came +ultimately from the strangest of all possible quarters; from the +study of an humble pupil of the transmuter of metals and prince +of mountebanks and quacks--the expounder of Reuchlin _de verbo +mirifico_, and lecturer in the unknown tongues--the follower of +Trismegistus--cursed with bell, book and candle, by every decorous +Church in Christendom--the redoubted Cornelius Agrippa; who, if he +left not to his pupil Wierus the secret of the philosopher's stone or +grand elixir, seems to have communicated a treasure perhaps equally +rare and not less precious, the faculty of seeing a truth which should +open the eyes of bigotry and dispel the mists of superstition, which +should stop the persecution of the helpless and stay the call for +blood. If, in working out this virgin ore from the mine, he has +produced it mixed up with the _scoria_ of his master's _Occult +Philosophy_; if he gives us catalogues of devils and spirits, with +whose acquaintance we could have dispensed; if he pleads the great +truth faintly, inconsistently, imperfectly, and is evidently unaware +of the strength of the weapons he wields; these deductions do not the +less entitle Wierus to take his place in the first rank of Humanity's +honoured professors, the true philanthropists and noble benefactors of +mankind. + +In our own country, it may be curious and edifying to observe to whom +we mainly owe those enlightened views on this subject, which might +have been expected to proceed in their natural channel, but for which +we look in vain, from the "triumphant heirs of universal praise," the +recognized guides of public opinion, whose fame sheds such a lustre on +our annals,--the Bacons, the Raleighs, the Seldens, the Cudworths, and +the Boyles. + +The strangely assorted and rather grotesque band to whom we are +principally indebted for a vindication of outraged common sense and +insulted humanity in this instance, and whose vigorous exposition of +the absurdities of the prevailing system, in combination with other +lights and sources of intelligence, led at last to its being +universally abandoned, consists of four individuals--on any of whom a +literary Pharisee would look down with supercilious scorn:--a country +gentleman, devoted to husbandry, and deep in platforms of hop +gardens,[14]--a baronet, whose name for upwards of a century has been +used as a synonyme for incurable political bigotry,[15]--a little, +crooked, and now forgotten man, who died, as his biographer tells us, +"distracted, occasioned by a deep conceit of his own parts, and by a +continual bibbing of strong and high tasted liquors,"[16]--and last, +but not least assuredly, of one who was by turns a fanatical preacher +and an obscure practitioner of physic, and who passed his old age at +Clitheroe in Lancashire in attempting to transmute metals and discover +the philosopher's stone.[17] So strange a band of Apostles of reason +may occasion a smile; it deserves, at all events, a little more +particular consideration before we address ourselves to the short +narration which may be deemed necessary as an introduction to the +republication which follows. + +Of the first of the number, Reginald or Reynold Scot, it is to be +regretted that more particulars are not known. Nearly the whole are +contained in the following information afforded by Anthony a Wood, +_Athenae._, vol. i. p. 297; from which it appears that he took to +"solid reading" at a crisis of life when it is generally thrown aside. +"Reynolde Scot, a younger son of Sir John Scot, of Scot's Hall, near +to Smeeth, in Kent, by his wife, daughter of Reynolde Pimp, of Pimp's +Court, Knight, was born in that county, and at about 17 years of age +was sent to Oxon, particularly as it seems to Hart Hall, where several +of his countrymen and name studied in the latter end of K. Henry +VIII. and the reign of Edward VI., &c. Afterwards he retired to his +native country, without the honour of a Degree, and settled at Smeeth, +where he found great encouragement in his studies from his kinsman, +Sir Thomas Scot. _About which time, taking to him a wife, he gave +himself up solely to solid reading_, to the perusing of obscure +authors that had, by the generality of scholars, been neglected, and +at times of leisure to husbandry and gardening. He died in September +or October in 1599, and was buried among his ancestors, in the church +at Smeeth before mentioned." Retired as his life and obscure as his +death might be, he is one whose name will be remembered as long as +vigorous sense, flowing from the "wells of English undefiled," hearty +and radiant humour, and sterling patriotism, are considered as +deserving of commemoration. His _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, first +published in 1584, is indeed a treat to him who wishes to study the +idioms, manners, opinions, and superstitions of the reign of +Elizabeth. Its entire title deserves to be given:-- + +"_The discouerie of witchcraft, wherein the lewde dealing of witches +and witchmongers is notablie detected, the knauerie of coniurors, the +impietie of inchantors, the follie of soothsaiers, the impudent +falshood of cousenors, the infidelitie of atheists, the pestilent +practises of Pythonists, the curiositie of figurecasters, the vanitie +of dreamers, the beggerlie art of Alcumystrie, the abhomination of +idolatrie, the horrible art of poisoning, the vertue and power of +naturall magike, and all the conueiances of Legierdemaine and iuggling +are deciphered: and many other things opened, which haue long lien +hidden, howbeit verie necessarie to be knowne. Heerevnto is added a +treatise vpon the nature and substance of spirits and diuels, &c: all +latelie written by Reginald Scot Esquire._ 1 John, 4, 1. _Beleeue not +euerie spirit but trie the spirits, whether they are of God; for many +false prophets are gone out into the world, &c._ 1584." + +[Footnote 14: Reginald Scot.] + +[Footnote 15: Sir R. Filmer.] + +[Footnote 16: John Wagstaffe.] + +[Footnote 17: John Webster.] + +This title is sufficient to show that he gives no quarter to the +delusion he undertakes to expose, and though he does not deny that +there may be witches in the abstract, (to have done so would have left +him a preacher without an audience,) yet he guards so cautiously +against any practical application of that principle, and battles so +vigorously against the error which assimilated the witches of modern +times to the witches of Scripture, and, denying the validity of the +confessions of those convicted, throws such discredit and ridicule +upon the whole system, that the popular belief cannot but have +received a severe shock from the publication of his work.[18] By an +extraordinary elevation of good sense, he managed, not only to see +through the absurdities of witchcraft, but likewise of other errors +which long maintained their hold upon the learned as well as the +vulgar. Indeed, if not generally more enlightened, he was, in some +respects, more emancipated from delusion than even his great +successor, the learned and sagacious Webster, who, a century after, +clung still to alchemy which Reginald Scot had ridiculed and exposed. +Yet with all its strong points and broad humour, it is undeniable that +_The Discoverie of Witchcraft_ only scotched the snake instead of +killing it; and that its effect was any thing but final and complete. +Inveterate error is seldom prostrated by a blow from one hand, and +truth seems to be a tree which cannot be forced by planting it before +its time. There was something, too, in the book itself which militated +against its entire acceptance by the public. It is intended to form a +little Encyclopaedia of the different arts of imposition practised in +Scot's time; and in order to illustrate the various tricks and modes +of cozenage, he gives us so many charms and diagrams and conjurations, +to say nothing of an inventory of seventy-nine devils and spirits, and +their several seignories and degrees, that the _Occult Philosophy_ of +Cornelius Agrippa himself looks scarcely less appalling, at first +sight, than the _Discoverie_. This gave some colour to the declamation +of the author's opponents, who held him up as Wierus had been +represented before him, as if he were as deeply dipped in diabolical +practises as any of those whom he defended. Atheist and Sadducee, if +not very wizard himself, were the terms in which his name was +generally mentioned, and as such, the royal author of the _Demonology_ +anathematizes him with great unction and very edifying horror. Against +the papists, the satire of Scot had been almost as much directed as +against what he calls the "witch-mongers," so that that very powerful +party were to a man opposed to him. Vigorous, therefore, as was his +onslaught, its effect soon passed by; and when on the accession of +James, the statute which so long disgraced our penal code was enacted, +as the adulatory tribute of all parties, against which no honest voice +was raised, to the known opinions of the monarch, Scot became too +unfashionable to be seen on the tables of the great or in the +libraries of the learned. If he were noticed, it was only to be +traduced as a sciolist, (imperitus dialecticae et aliarum bonarum +artium, says Dr. Reynolds,) and to be exposed for imagined lapses in +scholarship in an age when for a writer not to be a scholar, was like +a traveller journeying without a passport. Meric Casaubon, who +carried all the prejudices of the time of James the first into the +reign of Charles the second, but who, though overshadowed by the fame +of his father, was no unworthy scion of that incomparable stock, at +the same time that he denounces Scot as illiterate, will only +acknowledge to having met with him "at friends houses" and +"booksellers shops," as if his work were one which would bring +contamination to a scholar's library. Scot was certainly not a scholar +in the sense in which the term is applied to the Scaligers, Casaubons, +and Vossius's, though he would have been considered a prodigy of +reading in these days of superficial acquisition. But he had original +gifts far transcending scholarship. He had a manly, straightforward, +vigorous understanding, which, united with an honest integrity of +purpose, kept him right when greater men went wrong. How invaluable a +phalanx would the battalion of folios which the reign of James the +first produced now afford us, if the admirable mother-wit and +single-minded sincerity of Reginald Scot could only have vivified and +informed them.[19] + +[Footnote 18: In the epistle to his kinsman Sir Thomas Scot, prefixed +to his _Discoverie_, he observes:-- + +"I see among other malefactors manie poore old women conuented before +you for working of miracles, other wise called witchcraft, and +therefore I thought you also a meet person to whom I might commend my +booke."--And he then proceeds, in the following spirited and gallant +strain, to run his course against the Dagon of popular superstition:-- + +"I therefore (at this time) doo onelie desire you to consider of my +report, concerning the euidence that is commonlie brought before you +against them. See first whether the euidence be not friuolous, & +whether the proofs brought against them be not incredible, consisting +of ghesses, presumptions, & impossibilities contrarie to reason, +scripture, and nature. See also what persons complaine vpon them, +whether they be not of the basest, the vnwisest, & most faithles kind +of people. Also may it please you to waie what accusations and crimes +they laie to their charge, namelie: She was at my house of late, she +would haue had a pot of milke, she departed in a chafe bicause she had +it not, she railed, she curssed, she mumbled and whispered, and +finallie she said she would be euen with me: and soone after my child, +my cow, my sow, or my pullet died, or was strangelie taken. Naie (if +it please your Worship) I haue further proofe: I was with a wise +woman, and she told me I had an ill neighbour, & that she would come +to my house yer it were long, and so did she; and that she had a marke +aboue hir waste, & so had she: and God forgiue me, my stomach hath +gone against hir a great while. Hir mother before hir was counted a +witch, she hath beene beaten and scratched by the face till bloud was +drawne vpon hir, bicause she hath beene suspected, & afterwards some +of those persons were said to amend. These are the certeinties that I +heare in their euidences. + +"_Note also how easilie they may be brought to confesse that which +they neuer did, nor lieth in the power of man to doo_: and then see +whether I haue cause to write as I doo. Further, if you shall see that +infidelitie, poperie, and manie other manifest heresies be backed and +shouldered, and their professors animated and hartened, by yeelding to +creatures such infinit power as is wrested out of Gods hand, and +attributed to witches: finallie, if you shall perceiue that I haue +faithfullie and trulie deliuered and set downe the condition and state +of the witch, and also of the witchmonger, and haue confuted by reason +and lawe, and by the word of God it selfe, all mine aduersaries +obiections and arguments: then let me haue your countenance against +them that maliciouslie oppose themselues against me. + +"_My greatest aduersaries are yoong ignorance and old custome._ For +what follie soeuer tract of time hath fostered, it is so +superstitiouslie pursued of some, as though no error could be +acquainted with custome. But if the lawe of nations would ioine with +such custome, to the maintenance of ignorance, and to the suppressing +of knowledge; the ciuilest countrie in the world would soone become +barbarous, &c. For as knowledge and time discouereth errors, so dooth +superstition and ignorance in time breed them." + +The passage which I next quote, is a further specimen of the +impressive and even eloquent earnestness with which he pleads his +cause:-- + +"In the meane time, I would wish them to know that if neither the +estimation of Gods omnipotencie, nor the tenor of his word, nor the +doubtfulnes or rather the impossibilitie of the case, nor the small +proofes brought against them, nor the rigor executed vpon them, nor +the pitie that should be in a christian heart, nor yet their +simplicitie, impotencie, or age may suffice to suppresse the rage or +rigor wherewith they are oppressed; yet the consideration of their sex +or kind ought to mooue some mitigation of their punishment. For if +nature (as Plinie reporteth) haue taught a lion not to deale so +roughlie with a woman as with a man, bicause she is in bodie the +weaker vessell, and in hart more inclined to pitie (which Ieremie in +his lamentations seemeth to confirme) what should a man doo in this +case, for whome a woman was created as an helpe and comfort vnto him? +In so much as, euen in the lawe of nature, it is a greater offense to +slea a woman than a man: not bicause a man is not the more excellent +creature, but bicause a woman is the weaker vessell. And therefore +among all modest and honest persons it is thought a shame to offer +violence or iniurie to a woman: in which respect Virgil saith, _Nullum +memorabile nomen foeminea in poena est_. + +"God that knoweth my heart is witnes, and you that read my booke shall +see, that my drift and purpose in this enterprise tendeth onelie to +these respects. First, that the glorie and power of God be not so +abridged and abased, as to be thrust into the hand or lip of a lewd +old woman: whereby the worke of the Creator should be attributed to +the power of a creature. Secondlie, that the religion of the gospell +may be seene to stand without such peeuish trumperie. Thirdlie, that +lawfull fauour and christian compassion be rather vsed towards these +poore soules, than rigor and extremitie. Bicause they, which are +commonlie accused of witchcraft, are the least sufficient of all other +persons to speake for themselues; as hauing the most base and simple +education of all others; the extremitie of their age giuing them leaue +to dote, their pouertie to beg, their wrongs to chide and threaten (as +being void of anie other waie of reuenge) their humor melancholicall +to be full of imaginations, from whence cheefelie proceedeth the +vanitie of their confessions; as that they can transforme themselues +and others into apes, owles, asses, dogs, cats, &c: that they can flie +in the aire, kill children with charmes, hinder the comming of butter, +&c. + +"And for so much as the mightie helpe themselues together, and the +poore widowes crie, though it reach to heauen, is scarse heard here +vpon earth: I thought good (according to my poore abilitie) to make +intercession, that some part of common rigor, and some points of +hastie iudgement may be aduised vpon. For the world is now at that +stay (as Brentius in a most godlie sermon in these words affirmeth) +that euen as when the heathen persecuted the christians, if anie were +accused to beleeue in Christ, the common people cried _Ad leonem_: so +now, if anie woman, be she neuer so honest, be accused of witchcraft, +they crie _Ad ignem_."] + +[Footnote 19: In the intervening period between the publication of +Soot's work and the advertisement of Filmer, several books came out on +the subject of witchcraft. Amongst them it is right to notice "A +Dialogue concerning Witches and Witchcraft, by George Giffard, +Minister of God's Word in Maldon," 1593, 4to. This tract, which has +been reprinted by the Percy Society, is not free from the leading +fallacies which infected the reasonings of almost all the writers on +witchcraft. It is, nevertheless, exceedingly entertaining, and well +deserves a perusal, if only as transmitting to us, in their full +freshness, the racy colloquialisms of the age of Elizabeth. It is to +be hoped that the other works of Giffard, all of which are deserving +of attention, independently of their theological interest, as +specimens of pure and sterling English, may appear in a collected +form. The next tract requiring notice is "The Trial of Witchcraft, by +John Cotta," 1616, 4to, of which a second and enlarged edition was +published in 1624. Cotta, who was a physician of great eminence and +experience, residing at Northampton, has supplied in this very able, +learned, and vigorous treatise, a groundwork which, if pursued to its +just results, for he writes very cautiously and guardedly, and rather +hints at his conclusions than follows them out, would have sufficed to +have overthrown many of the positions of the supporters of the system +of witchcraft. His work has a strong scholastic tinge, and is not +without occasional obscurity; and on these accounts probably produced +no very extensive impression at the time. He wrote two other +tracts--1. "Discovery of the Dangers of ignorant practisers of Physick +in England," 1612, 4to; 2. "Cotta contra Antonium, or An Ant-Anthony," +Oxford, 1623, 4to; the latter of which, a keen satire against the +chymists' aurum potabile, is exceedingly rare. Both are intrinsically +valuable and interesting, and written with great vigour of style, and +are full of curious illustrations derived from his extensive medical +practice. I cannot conclude this note without adverting to Gaule's +amusing little work, ("Select Cases of Conscience touching Witches and +Witchcraft, by John Gaule, Preacher of the Word at Great Haughton, in +the county of Huntingdon," 1646, 24mo.) which gives us all the +casuistry applicable to witchcraft. We can almost forgive Gaule's +fundamental errors on the general question, for the courage and spirit +with which he battled with the villainous witchfinder, Hopkins, who +wanted sorely to make an example of him, to the terror of all +gainsayers of the sovereign power of this examiner-general of witches. +Gaule proved himself to be an overmatch for the itinerating +inquisitor, and so effectually attacked, battled with, and exposed +him, as to render him quite harmless in future. The minister of Great +Haughton was made of different metal to the "old reading parson +Lewis," or Lowes, to whose fate Baxter refers with such nonchalance. +As the only clergyman of the Church of England, that I am aware of, +who was executed for witchcraft, Lewis's case is sufficiently +interesting to merit some notice. Stearne's (vide his _Confirmation of +Witchcraft_, p. 23,) account of it, which I have not seen quoted +before, is as follows:-- + +"Thus was Parson Lowis taken, who had been a Minister, (as I have +heard) in one Parish above forty yeares, in Suffolke, before he was +condemned, but had been indited for a common imbarriter, and for +Witchcraft, above thirty yeares before, and the grand Jury (as I have +heard) found the bill for a common imbarriter, who now, after he was +found with the markes, in his confession, he confessed, that in pride +of heart, to be equall, or rather above God, the Devill tooke +advantage of him, and hee covenanted with the Devill, and sealed it +with his bloud, and had three Familiars or spirits, which sucked on +the markes found upon his body, and did much harme, both by Sea and +Land, especially by Sea, for he confessed, that he being at Lungarfort +in Suffolke, where he preached, as he walked upon the wall, or workes +there, he saw a great saile of Ships passe by, and that as they were +sailing by, one of his three Impes, namely his yellow one, forthwith +appeared to him, and asked him what hee should doe, and he bade it goe +and sinke such a Ship, and shewed his Impe a new Ship, amongst the +middle of the rest (as I remember) one that belonged to Ipswich, so he +confessed the Impe went forthwith away, and he stood still, and viewed +the Ships on the Sea as they were a sayling, and perceived that Ship +immediately, to be in more trouble and danger then the rest; for he +said, the water was more boystrous neere that then the rest, tumbling +up and down with waves, as if water had been boyled in a pot, and +soone after (he said) in a short time it sanke directly downe into the +Sea, as he stood and viewed it, when all the rest sayled away in +safety, there he confessed, he made fourteen widdowes in one quarter +of an houre. Then Mr. Hopkin, as he told me (for he tooke his +Confession) asked him, if it did not grieve him to see so many men +cast away, in a short time, and that he should be the cause of so many +poore widdowes on a suddaine, but he swore by his maker, no, he was +joyfull to see what power his Impes had, and so likewise confessed +many other mischiefes, and had a charme to keep him out of Goale, and +hanging, as he paraphrased it himselfe, but therein the Devill +deceived him; for he was hanged, that Michaelmas time 1645. at Burie +Saint Edmunds, but he made a very farre larger confession, which I +have heard hath been printed: but if it were so, it was neither of Mr. +Hopkins doing nor mine owne; for we never printed anything untill +now." + +Hutchinson gives the explanation of this confession. What can be more +atrocious than the whole story, which is yet but the common story of +witch confessions? + +"_Adv._ Then did not he confess this before the Commissioners, at the +Time of his Tryal? + +"_Clerg._ No, but maintained his Innocence stoutly, and challenged +them to make Proof of such Things as they laid to his Charge. I had +this from a Person of Credit, who was then in Court, and heard his +Tryal. I may add, that tho' his Case is remembered better than others +that suffered, yet I never heard any one speak of him, but with great +Compassion, because of his Age and Character, and their Belief of his +Innocence: And when he came to his Execution, because he would have +Christian Burial, he read the Office himself, and that way committed +his own Body to the Ground, in sure and certain Hope of the +Resurrection to eternal Life. + +"In the Notes upon those Verses that I quoted out of Hudibras, it is +said, that he had been a painful Preacher for many Years, I may add +for Fifty, for so long he had been Vicar of Brandeston in the County +of Suffolk, as appears by the Time of his Institution. That I might +know the present Sense of the Chief Inhabitants of that Place, I wrote +to Mr. Wilson, the Incumbent of that Town, and by his Means received +the following Letter from Mr. Rivett, a worthy Gentleman who lived +lately in the same Place, and whose Father lived there before him. + +"'SIR, + +"'In Answer to your Request concerning Mr. Lowes, my Father was always +of the opinion, that Mr. Lowes suffered wrongfully, and hath often +said, that he did believe, he was no more a Wizzard than he was. I +have heard it from them that watched with him, that _they kept him +awake several Nights together, and run him backwards and forwards +about the Room, until he was out of Breath: Then they rested him a +little, and then ran him again: And thus they did for several Days and +Nights together, till he was weary of his Life, and was scarce +sensible of what he said or did_. They swam him at Framlingham, but +that was no true Rule to try him by; for they put in honest People at +the same Time, and they swam as well as he."] + +After the lapse of another half century, and at the very period when +the persecution against witches waxed hotter, and the public +prejudice had become only more inveterate, from the ingredient of +fanaticism having been largely thrown in as a stimulant, another ally +to the cause of compassion and common sense started up, in the person +of one whose name has rounded many a period and given point to many +an invective. To find the proscribed author of the _Patriarcha_ +purging with "euphrasy and rue" the eyes of the dispensers of justice, +and shouldering the crowd to obtain for reason a fair and impartial +hearing, is indeed like meeting with Saul among the prophets. If there +be one name which has been doomed to run the gauntlet, and against +which every pert and insolent political declaimer has had his fling, +it is that of this unfortunate writer; yet in his short but masterly +and unanswerable "Advertisement to the Jurymen of England, touching +Witches, together with a difference between an English and Hebrew +Witch," first published in 1653, 4to., he has addressed himself so +cogently and decisively to the main fallacy of the arguments in favour +of witchcraft which rested their force on Scripture misunderstood, and +has so pertinently and popularly urged the points to be considered, +that his tract must have had the greatest weight on the class to whom +his reasoning was principally addressed, and on whose fiat the fates +of his unhappy clients may be said to have hung. For this good +service, reason and common sense owe Sir Robert Filmer a debt which +does not yet appear to have been paid. The verdict of proscription +against him was pronounced by the most incompetent and superficial aera +of our literature, and no friendly appellant has yet moved the court +of posterity for its reversal. Yet without entering upon the theory of +the patriarchal scheme, which after all, perhaps, was not so +irrational as may be supposed, or discussing on an occasion like the +present the conflicting theories of government, it may be allowable to +express a doubt whether even the famous author of the "Essay on the +Human Understanding," to whose culminating star the decadence of the +rival intelligence is attributable, can be shewn to have been as much +in advance of his generation in the time of king William, as from the +tract on witchcraft, and another written on a different subject, but +with equally enlightened views,[20] Sir Robert Filmer manifestly +appears to have outrun his at the period of the usurpation.[21] + +[Footnote 20: I allude to his little tract on Usury.] + +[Footnote 21: Between the period of the publication of Filmer's +Advertisement and the appearance of Wagstaffe's work, a tract was +published too important in this controversy to be passed over without +notice. It is entitled _A Candle in the Dark, or a Treatise concerning +the Nature of Witches and Witchcraft; being Advice to Judges, +Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and Grand Jurymen, what to do before +they passe sentence on such as are arraigned for their lives as +Witches. By Thomas Ady, M.A. London, printed for R.J., to be sold by +Thomas Newberry, at the Three Lions in Cornhill, by the Exchange, +1656_, 4to. Ady, of whom, unfortunately, nothing is known, presses the +arguments against the witchmongers and witchfinders with unanswerable +force. In fact, this tract comprises the quintessence of all that had +been urged against the popular system, and his "Candle" was truly a +burning and a shining light. His Dedication is too curious to be +omitted:-- + +"To the Prince of the Kings of the Earth. It is the manner of men, O +heavenly King, to dedicate their books to some great men, thereby to +have their works protected and countenanced among them; but thou only +art able, by thy holy Spirit of Truth, to defend thy Truth, and to +make it take impression in the heart and understanding of men. Unto +thee alone do I dedicate this work, entreating thy Most High Majesty +to grant, that whoever shall open this book, thy holy Spirit may so +possess their understanding, as that the Spirit of errour may depart +from them, and that they may read and try thy Truth by the touchstone +of thy Truth, the holy Scriptures; and finding that Truth, may embrace +it and forsake their darksome inventions of Antichrist, that have +deluded and defiled the nations now and in former ages. Enlighten the +world, thou that art the Light of the World, and let darkness be no +more in the world, now or in any future age; but make all people to +walk as children of the Light for ever; and destroy Antichrist, that +hath deceived the nations, and save us the residue by thyself alone; +and let not Satan any more delude us, for the Truth is thine for +ever." He then puts his "Dilemma that cannot be answered by +Witchmongers." It is too long to quote, but it is a dilemma that would +pose the stoutest Coryphaeus of the party to whom he addressed +himself.] + +The next champion in this unpopular cause, John Wagstaffe, who +published "The Question of Witchcraft Debated," 1669, 12mo,[22] was, +as A. a Wood informs us, "the son of John Wagstaffe, citizen of +London, descended from those of his name of Hasland Hall, in +Derbyshire, was born in Cheapside, within the city of London, became a +commoner of Oriel College in the latter end of 1649, took the degrees +in Arts, and applied himself to the study of politics and other +learning. At length, being raised from an academical life to the +inheritance of Hasland, by the death of an uncle, who died without +male issue, he spent his life afterwards in single estate." His death +took place in 1677. The Oxford historian, who had little reverence for +new lights, and never loses an opportunity of girding at those whose +weights and measures were not according to the current and only +authentic standard, has left no very flattering account of his person. +"He was a little crooked man, and of a despicable presence. He was +laughed at by the boys of this University, because, as they said, he +himself looked like a little wizard." Small as might be his stature, +and questionable the shape in which he appeared, he might still have +taken up the boast of the author of the _Religio Medici_: "Men that +look upon my outside do err in my altitude, for I am above Atlas's +shoulders." None but a large-souled and kindly-affectioned man, whose +intellect was as comprehensive as his feelings were benevolent, could +have produced the excellent little treatise which claims him as its +author. The following is the lofty and memorable peroration in which +he sums up the strength of his cause:-- + +"I cannot think without trembling and horror on the vast numbers of +people that in several ages and several countries have been sacrificed +unto this idol, Opinion. Thousands, ten thousands, are upon record to +have been slain, and many of them not with simple deaths, but horrid, +exquisite tortures. And yet, how many are there more who have +undergone the same fate, of whom we have no memorial extant. Since, +therefore, the opinion of witchcraft is a mere stranger unto +Scripture, and wholly alien from true religion; since it is ridiculous +by asserting fables and impossibilities; since it appears, when duly +considered, to be all bloody and full of dangerous consequence unto +the lives and safety of men; I hope that with this my Discourse, +opposing an absurd and pernicious error, I can not at all disoblige +any sober, unbiassed person; especially if he be of such ingenuity as +to have freed himself from a slavish subjection unto those prejudicial +opinions which custom and education do with too much tyranny +impose.--If the doctrine of witchcraft should be carried up to a +height, and the inquisition after it should be intrusted in the hands +of ambitious, covetous and malicious men, it would prove of far more +fatal consequence unto the lives and safety of mankind, than that +ancient, heathenish custom of sacrificing men unto idol gods; insomuch +that we stand in need of another Hercules Liberator, who, as the +former freed the world from human sacrifice, should, in like manner, +travel from country to country, and by his all-commanding authority, +free it from _this euil and base custom of torturing people to confess +themselves witches, and burning them after extorted confessions_. +Surely the blood of men ought not to be so cheap, nor so easily to be +shed by those who, under the name of God, do gratifie exorbitant +passions and selfish ends; for without question, under this side +heaven, there is nothing so sacred as the life of man; for the +preservation whereof all policies and forms of government, all laws +and magistrates are most especially ordained. Wherefore I presume that +this Discourse of mine, attempting to prove the vanity and +impossibility of witchcraft, is so far from any deserved censure and +blame, that it rather deserves commendation and praise, if I can in +the least measure contribute to the saving of the lives of men." + +[Footnote 22: I have not seen his earlier work, "Historical +Reflections on the Bishop of Rome, &c." Oxford, 1660, 4to. If it be +written with any portion of the power evinced in his "Question of +Witchcraft Debated," the ridicule with which Wood says it was received +by the wits of the university, and the oblivion into which it +subsequently fell, were both equally undeserved.] + +Wagstaffe was answered by Meric Casaubon in his treatise "Of Credulity +and Incredulity in Things Divine and Spiritual," 1670, 12mo; and if +his reply be altogether inconclusive, it cannot be denied to be, as +indeed every thing of Meric Casaubon's writing was, learned, +discursive and entertaining. He observes of Wagstaffe:-- + +"He doth make some show of a scholar and a man of some learning, but +whether he doth acquit himself as a gentleman (which I hear he is) in +it, I shall leave to others to judge." This is surely the first time +that a belief in witchcraft was ever made a test of gentlemanly +propriety. + +Two years before the trial, which is the subject of the following +republication, took place, the hamlet of Thornton, in the parish of +Coxwold, in the adjoining county of York, gave birth to one who was +destined so utterly to demolish the unstable and already shaken and +tottering structure which Bodin, Delrio, and their followers had set +up, as not to leave one stone of that unhallowed edifice remaining +upon another. Of the various course of life of John Webster, the +author of "The Displaying of supposed Witchcraft," his travels, +troubles, and persecutions; of the experience he had had in restless +youth and in unsettled manhood of religion under various forms, +amongst religionists of almost every denomination; and of those +profound and wide-ranging researches in every art and science in which +his vigorous intellect delighted, and by which it was in declining age +enlightened, sobered and composed; it is much to be regretted that we +have not his own narrative, written in the calm evening of his days, +when he walked the slopes of Pendle, from where, + + "Through shadow dimly seen + Rose Clid'row's castle grey;"[23] + +when, to use his own expressions, he lived a "solitary and sedentary +life, _mihi et musis_, having more converse with the dead than the +living, that is, more with books than with men." The facts for his +biography are scanty and meagre, and are rather collected by inference +from his works, than from any other source. He was born at Thornton on +the 3rd of February, 1610. From a passing notice of A. a Wood, and an +incidental allusion in his own works, he may be presumed to have +passed some time at Cambridge, though with what views, or at what +period of his life, is uncertain. He was ordained Presbyter by Dr. +Morton, when Bishop of Durham, who was, it will be recollected, the +sagacious prelate by whom the frauds of the boy of Bilson were +detected. In the year 1634, Webster was curate of Kildwick in Craven, +and while in that cure the scene occurred which he has so vividly +sketched in the passage after quoted, and which supplied the hint, and +laid the foundation, for the work which has perpetuated his fame. How +long he continued in this cure we know not: but, if one authority may +be relied on, he was Master of the Free Grammar School at Clitheroe in +1643. To this foundation he may be considered as a great benefactor, +for, from information supplied from a manuscript source, I find that +he recovered for its use, with considerable trouble and no small +personal charge, an income of about L60. per annum, which had been +given to the school, but was illegally diverted and withheld. From +this period there is a blank in his biography for about ten years. +Most probably his life was rambling and desultory. He speaks of +himself as having been about that time a chaplain in the army. His +first two works, published in 1653 and 1654, "The Saints' Guide," and +"The Judgment Set and the Books Opened,"[24] show that in the +interval he had deserted the Established Church, and, probably, after +some of those restless fluctuations of belief to which men of his +ardent temperament are subject, settled at last in a wilder sort of +Independency, which he eulogizes as "unmanacling the simple and pure +light of the Gospel from the chains and fetters of cold and dead +formality, and of restrictive and compulsory power." His language in +these two works is more assimilated to that of the Seekers or Quakers, +which it resembles in the cloudy mysteriousness of its phraseology, +than that of the more rational and sober writers of the Independent +school. Amongst the dregs of fanaticism of which they consist, the +reader will look in vain for any germ or promise of future excellence +or distinction as an author. It would seem that he preached the +sermons contained in "The Judgment Set and Books Opened" at the church +of All-Hallows, Lombard-street, at which he must have been for some +time the officiating minister, and where the amusing incident, in +which Webster was concerned, narrated by Wood, which had many a +parallel in those times, no doubt occurred. "On the 12th of Oct., +1653," says the author of the _Athenae._,[25] "he (_i.e._ William +Erbury) with John Webster, sometimes a Cambridge scholar, endeavoured +to knock down learning and the ministry both together, in a +disputation that they then had against two ministers in a church in +Lombard-street, in London. Erbury then declared that the wisest +ministers and purest churches were at that time befool'd, confounded, +and defil'd, by reason of learning. Another while he said, that the +ministry were monsters, beasts, asses, greedy dogs, false prophets; +and that they are the Beast with seven heads and ten horns. The same +person also spoke out and said that Babylon is the Church in her +ministers, and that the Great Whore is the Church in her worship, &c.; +so that with him there was an end of ministers and churches and +ordinations altogether. While these things were babbled to and fro, +the multitude being of various opinions, began to mutter, and many to +cry out, and immediately it came to a meeting or tumult, (call it +which you please,) _wherein the women bore away the Bell, but lost +some of them their kerchiefs_: and the dispute being hot, there was +more danger of pulling down the church than the ministry."[26] + +[Footnote 23: "Poems, by the Rev. R. Parkinson, Canon of Manchester," +1845, 12mo. (Hunter's Song.) A most pleasing volume of a very +accomplished author. Long may he survive to add honours to the ancient +stock of which he has given so interesting an account, by well-earned +trophies gathered from the fair fields of literature and theology, and +by a most exemplary discharge of the appropriate duties of his own +sacred profession.] + +[Footnote 24: "_The Saints' Guide, or Christ the Rule and Ruler of +Saints. Manifested by way of Positions, Consectaries, and Queries. +Wherein is contained the Efficacy of Acquired Knowledge; the Rule of +Christians; the Mission and Maintenance of Ministers; and the Power of +Magistrates in Spiritual Things. By John Webster, late Chaplain in the +Army._" London, 1653, 4to. + +"_The Judgement Set, and the Bookes Opened. Religion Tried whether it +be of God or of men. The Lord cometh to visit his own, For the time is +come that Judgement must begin at the House of God._ + + { _The Sheep from the Goats_, +_To separate_ { _and_ + { _The Precious from the Vile._ + +_And to discover the Blasphemy of those that say_, + + { _Apostles_, } { _Found Lyars_, + { _Teachers_, } { _Deceivers_, +_They are_ { _Alive_, } _but are_ { _Dead_, + { _Rich_, } { _Poore, blind, naked_, + { _Jewes_, } { _The Synagogue of Satan._ + +_In severall Sermons at Alhallows Lumbard-street, By John Webster, A +servant of Christ and his Church. Micah 3. 5. &c. Thus saith the Lord, +concerning the Prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their +teeth, and cry peace: and he that putteth not into their mouths, they +prepare war against him: Therefore night shall be upon them, that they +shall not have a vision, &c. The Sun shall goe down over the prophets, +and the Day shall be dark. Their seers shall be ashamed, and the +Deviners confounded: yea, they shall All cover their lips, for there +is no answer of God._" London, 1654. 4to.] + +[Footnote 25: _Athen. Oxon._, Vol. ii., p. 175. Edit. 1721.] + +[Footnote 26: Old Anthony chronicles this battle of the kerchiefs with +a sly humour very different from his usual solemn matter-of-fact +style.] + +Of Erbury who, being originally in holy orders and a beneficed +clergyman, deserted the Established Church and ran into all the +excesses of Antinomianism, Webster was a great admirer, and has in a +preface, hitherto unnoticed, prefixed to a scarce tract of Erbury's, +entitled "The great Earthquake, or Fall of all the Churches," +published in 1654, 4to, left a sketch of his opinions and character, +in which his defence is undertaken with great zeal and no small +ingenuity. One of his apologist's conclusions most of Erbury's readers +will find no difficulty in assenting to, "the world is not ripe for +such discoveries as our author held forth." The verses which are +appended to this sketch, characterizing Erbury-- + + "As him + Who did the saintship sever + From the opinion; this fails, that shall never, + Chymist of Truth and Gospel;"-- + +are, also, evidently Webster's, and their quality is not such as to +make us unreasonably impatient for any further manifestations of his +poetical skill. In the year 1654 he published another tract of +singular interest and curiosity, in which he attacks the Universities +and the received system of education there, always with vigour and +various learning, and frequently with success. It is entitled +"Academiarum Examen, or the Examination of Academies; wherein is +discussed and examined the matter, method, and customes of academick +and scholastic learning, and the insufficiency thereof discovered and +laid open; as also some expedients proposed for the reforming of +schools, and the perfecting and promoting of all kind of science; +offered to the judgment of all those that love the proficiencie of +arts and sciences and the advancement of learning. By Jo. Webster. In +moribus et institutis academiarum, collegiorum et similium conventium +quo ad doctorum hominum sedes et operas mutuas destinata sunt, omnia +progressui scientiarum in ulterius adversa inveniri. Franc. Bacon de +Verulamio lib. de cogitat. et vis. pag. mihi. 14. London: Printed for +Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the sign of the Black +Spread-Eagle, at the west end of Paul's. 1654." 4to. In this tract, +which, like some other attacks upon the seats of learning, displays +more power in objection than in substitution, in pulling down than in +building up again, he shews the same fondness for the philosophers of +the Hermetic school, for Paracelsus, Dee, Fludd and Van Helmont, and +the same adhesion to planetary sigils, astrology, and the doctrine of +sympathies and primaeval signatures, which is perceptible in the +deliberate performance of his old age. Of himself he observes: "I owe +little to the advantages of those things called the goods of fortune, +but most (next under the goodness of God) to industry: however, I am a +free born Englishman, a citizen of the world and a seeker of +knowledge, and am willing to teach what I know, and learn what I know +not." No one can read the _Academiarum Examen_ without feeling that it +is the production of a vigorous and powerful mind, which had "tasted," +and that not scantily, of the "sweet fruit of far fetched and dear +bought science." Yet it still remains a literary problem rather +difficult of solution, how a performance so clear, well digested, and +rational, could proceed, and that contemporaneously, from the same +author as the cloudy and fanatical "Judgment Set and Books Opened." On +behalf of the Universities, answerers started up in the persons of +Ward and Wilkins, both afterwards bishops, and the part taken by the +first of them in the controversy was considered of sufficient +importance to form matter of commemoration in his monumental +inscription. Two opponents so famous, might almost seem to threaten +extinction to one, of whom it could only be said, that he had been an +obscure country schoolmaster, and whose acquirements, whatever they +were, were mainly the result of his own unassisted study. In the joint +answer, the title of which is "Vindiciae Academiarum, containing some +briefe animadversions upon Mr. Webster's book entitled the +'Examination of Academies,' together with an appendix concerning what +Mr. Hobbes and Mr. Dell have published in this argument, Oxford, +1654," 4to., there is no want of bitterness nor of controversial +skill, but though, particularly in the limited arena of the prescribed +course of academical study, the knowledge displayed in it is more +exact, there is neither visible in it the same power of mind, nor the +same breadth of views, nor even the same variety of learning, as is +conspicuous in the original tract. This, with the two fanatical pieces +which Webster published contemporaneously with it, were entirely +unknown to his biographer, Dr. Whitaker, who has ceded him a place +amongst the distinguished natives and residents of the parish of +Whalley, in the full confidence "that there is no puritanical taint in +his writings, and that his taste had evidently been formed upon better +models.[27]" Had these early theological and literary delinquencies +of the physician of Clitheroe been communicated to his historian, it +may be questioned whether the portals of his provincial temple of fame +would have opened to receive so heinous a transgressor. But Dr. +Whitaker's deduction would have been perhaps perfectly warrantable, +had Webster left no remains but his _History of Metals_, and +_Displaying of Witchcraft_--so little do an author's latest works +afford a clue to the character of his earliest. From 1654 to 1671, +when he published his _History of Metals_, little is known of +Webster's course of life. He appears to have retired into the country +and devoted himself to medical practice and study, and to have taken +up his residence in or near Clitheroe. He complains, that in the year +1658 all his books and papers were taken from him, an abstraction +which, so far as his manuscripts are concerned, posterity is not +called upon to lament, if they all resembled his _Judgment Set and +Books Opened_. But his capacious and acute understanding was gradually +unfolding new resources, supplying the defects, and overcoming the +disadvantages of his imperfect education and desultory and irregular +studies, while his matured and enlightened judgment had abandoned and +discarded the fanatical pravities and erroneous tenets, which his +ardent enthusiasm had too hastily imbibed. When he again became a +candidate for the honours of authorship, it was evident that he knew +well how to apply those quarries of learning into which, during his +long recess, he had been digging so indefatigably, to furnish +materials for solid and durable structures, rising in honourable and +gratifying contrast to the fabrics which had preceded them. In 1671 +came forth his "Metallographia, or History of Metals,"[28] in which +all that recondite learning and extensive observation could bring +together, on a subject which experiment had scarcely yet placed upon a +rational basis, is collected. He styles himself on the Title page, +"Practitioner in Physic and Chirurgery." In 1677, he published his +great work. Its Title is "The Displaying of supposed Witchcraft. +Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of Deceivers and +Impostors. And Divers persons under a passive Delusion of Melancholy +and Fancy. But that there is a Corporeal League made betwixt the Devil +and the Witch, Or that he sucks on the Witches Body, has Carnal +Copulation, or that Witches are turned into Cats, Dogs, raise +Tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also +is handled, the Existence of Angels and Spirits, the truth of +Apparitions, the Nature of Astral and Sydereal Spirits, the force of +Charms and Philters; with other abstruse matters. By John Webster, +Practitioner in Physic. Falsae etenim opiniones Hominum praeoccupantes, +non solum surdos, sed et caecos faciunt, ita ut videre nequeant, quae +aliis perspicua apparent. Galen, lib. 8. de Comp. Med. London, Printed +by J.M. and are to be sold by the Booksellers in London. 1677," (fol.) +In this memorable book he exhausts the subject, as far as it is +possible to do so, by powerful ridicule, cogent arguments, and the +most various and well applied learning, leaving to Hutchinson, and +others who have since followed in his track, little further necessary +than to reproduce his facts and reasonings in a more popular, it can +scarcely be said, in a more effective, form.[29] Those who love +literary parallels may compare Webster, as he appears in this his +last and most characteristic performance, with two famous medical +contemporaries, Sir Thomas Browne, and Thomas Bartholinus the Dane, +whom he strongly resembled in the character of his mind, in the +complexion and variety of his studies, in grave simplicity, in +exactness of observation, in general philosophical incredulity with +some startling reserves, in elaborate and massive ratiocination, and +in the enthusiasm, subdued but not extinguished, which gives zest to +his speculations and poignancy and colouring to his style. He who +seeks to measure great men in their strength and in their weakness, +and what operation of literary analysis is more instructive or +delightful, will find ample employment for collation and comparison +in this extraordinary book, in which, keen as is the penetration +displayed on almost every subject of imposition and delusion, he +appears still to cling, with the obstinacy of a veteran, to some of +the darling Dalilahs of his youth, "to the admirable and +soul-ravishing knowledge of the three great Hypostatical principles of +nature, salt, sulphur, and mercury," and, _proh pudor!_ to alchemy and +astrology--and those seraphic doctors and professors, Crollius, +Libavius, and Van Helmont. He closed his literary performances with +this noble fabric of logic and learning, not the less striking, and +scarcely less useful, because it is chequered by some of the mosaic +work of human imperfection,--a performance which may be said to have +grown up under the umbrage of Pendle, and which he might have +bequeathed to its future Demdikes and Chattox's as an amulet of +irresistible power.[30] + +[Footnote 27: What would Dr. Whitaker have thought of the following +explosion, in which Webster sounds the tocsin with a vehemence and +vigour which no Macbriar or Kettledrumle of the period could have +surpassed. The extract is from his _Judgment Set and Books Opened_:-- + +"All those that claim an Ordination by Man, or from Man, that speak +from the Spirit of the World, from Wit, Learning and Humane Reason, +who Preach for Hire, and make Merchandize of the Souls of Men; I +witness they are all Baal's Priests and Idol-Shepherds, who destroy +the Sheep, and are Theives and Robbers, who came not in by the Door of +the Sheep-fold, but climbed up another way, and _are the Magicians, +Sorcerers, Inchanters, Soothsayers, Necromancers, and Consulters with +Familiar Spirits, which the Lord will cut off out of the Land_, so +that his People shall have no more Soothsayers; and as Jannes and +Jambres resisted Moses, so do these resist the Truth; Men of corrupt +Minds, reprobate concerning the Faith; but they shall proceed no +farther, for their Folly shall be manifest to all Men, as theirs also +was. Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran +greedily after the Errors of Balaam, for Reward, and Perished in the +Gainsaying of Core. These are Spots in your Feasts of Charity, when +they Feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: Clouds they are +without Water, carried of Winds; Trees, whose Fruit withered, without +Fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the Roots: Raging Waves of the Sea, +foaming out their own Shame, wandring Stars, to whom is reserved the +blackness of Darkness for ever."] + +[Footnote 28: "_Metallographia: or, An History of Metals. Wherein is +declared the signs of Ores and Minerals both before and after digging, +the causes and manner of their generations, their kinds, sorts and +differences; with the description of sundry new Metals or Semi-Metals, +and many other things pertaining to Mineral knowledge. As also, the +handling and shewing of their Vegetability, and the discussion of the +most difficult Questions belonging to Mystical Chymistry, as of the +Philosophers Gold, their Mercury, the Liquor Alkahest, Aurum potabile, +and such like. Gathered forth of the most approved Authors that have +written in Greek, Latine, or High Dutch; With some Observations and +Discoveries of the Author himself. By John Webster, Practitioner in +Physick and Chirurgery. Qui principia naturalia in seipso ignoraverit, +hic jam multum remotus est ab arte nostra, quoniam non habet radicem +veram supra quam intentionem suam fundet. Geber. Sum. perfect. l. c. +i. p. 21._ + + _Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire, + Auricomos quam quis discerpserit arbore foetus._ + _Virg._ AEneid. l. 6. + +_London, Printed by A.C. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-Head in +Duck-lane, 1671, 4to._"] + +[Footnote 29: Dr. Whitaker's assertion, that Webster was "neglected +alike by the wise and unwise," seems to be a mere _gratis dictum_. The +age of folios was rapidly passing away; but few folios of the period +appear to have been more generally read, if we are to judge at least +from its being frequently mentioned and quoted, than Webster's +_Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft_. The same able writer's "Doubt +whether Sir Matthew Hale ever read Webster's _Discovery of Supposed +Witchcraft_," might easily have been satisfied by a reference to any +common life of that great judge, which would have shown the historian +of Whalley that Hale died before the book was published. Nor is Dr. +Whitaker correct in stating that all tradition of Webster is now lost +in the neighbourhood where he resided. The following anecdote, which +would have delighted him, I had from an old inhabitant of Burnley, to +whom it had been handed down by his grandfather:--In the days of +Webster's fanaticism, during the usurpation, he is stated, in the +zealous crusade then so common against superstitious relics, to have +headed a party by whom the three venerable crosses, now set up in the +churchyard of Whalley, commonly called the Crosses of Paulinus, and +supposed to be coeval with the first preaching of Christianity in the +North of England, were removed and taken away from their site and +appropriated as a boundary fence for some adjoining fields. After the +Restoration, and when his religious views had become sobered and +settled, he is said, in an eager desire to atone for the desecration +of which he had been guilty, to have purchased the crosses from the +person who was then in possession of them, and to have been at the +cost of re-erecting them on their present site, from which no +sacrilegious hand will, I trust, ever again remove them. It is further +said, that Webster's favourite and regular walk, in the latter part of +his life, till his infirmities rendered him unable to take exercise of +any kind, was to the remains of Whalley Abbey; and that a path along +the banks of the stream which glides by those most picturesque and +pleasing ruins, was long called "Webster's Walk." If this tradition be +founded in fact, and I give it as I received it, John Webster, of +Clitheroe, if not identical, as Mr. Collier has contended, with the +dramatic poet of that name, must have felt something assimilated in +spirit to the fine inspiration of those noble lines of the latter:-- + + "I do love these ancient ruins. + We never tread upon them but we set + Our foot upon some reverend history; + And, questionless, here in this open court, + Which now lies naked to the injuries + Of stormy weather, some men lie interred that + Lov'd the Church so well and gave so largely to't, + They thought it should have canopied their bones + Till doomsday: but all things have their end. + Churches and cities, which have diseases like to men, + Must have like death that we have."] + +[Footnote 30: Webster's death took place on the 18th June, 1682. He +left an extensive library, composed principally of chemical, +hermetical, and philosophical works, of which the MSS. catalogue is +now in the possession of my friend, the Rev. T. Corser. I have two +books which appear to have at one time formed part of his collection, +from having his favourite signature, Johannes Hyphantes, in his +autograph, on the title pages. Before I conclude with Webster, I ought +perhaps to observe, that in the valuable edition of the works of +Webster, the dramatic poet, published by the Rev. A. Dyce, that most +accurate and judicious editor has proved indisputably, by an elaborate +argument, that the John Webster, the writer of the _Examen +Academiarum_, and John Webster, the author of the _Displaying of +Supposed Witchcraft_, were one and the same person, who was not +identical with the dramatic writer of the same name. Mr. Dyce does +not, however, appear to have been aware, that the identity of the +author of the _Examen Academiarum_ and the writer on witchcraft is +distinctly stated by Dr. Henry More, in his _Praefatio Generalissima_, +to the Latin edition of his works, whose testimony being that of a +contemporary, who was, like Webster, "a Cambridge scholar," may +perhaps be considered sufficient, without resorting to internal and +circumstantial evidence. The inscription on Webster's monument in the +chapel of St. Mary Magdalen, at Clitheroe, is too characteristic and +curious to be omitted. I give it entire:-- + + "_Qui hanc figuram intelligunt + Me etiam intellexisse, intelligent._ + + [Illustration] + + _Hic jacet ignotus mundo, mersusque tumultu + Invidiae, semper mens tamen aequa fuit, + Multa tulit veterum ut sciret secreta sophorum + Ac tandem vires noverit ignis aquae._ + + * * * * * + + _Johannes Hyphantes sive Webster, + In villa Spinosa supermontana, in + Parochia silvae cuculatae, in agro + Eboracensi, natus 1610 Feb. 3, + Ergastulum animae deposuit 1682, Junii 18, + Annoq. aetatis suae 72 currente._ + + _Sicq. peroravit moriens mundo huic valedicens, + Aurea pax vivis, requies aeterna sepultis._"] + +But it is necessary to proceed from the authors on witchcraft to that +extraordinary case which forms the subject of the present +republication, and which first gave to Pendle its title to be +considered as the Hartz Forest of England. + +The Forest of Pendle is a portion of the greater one of +Blackburnshire, and is so called from the celebrated mountain of that +name, over the declivity of which it extends and stretches in a long +but interrupted descent of five miles, to the water of Pendle, a +barren and dreary tract. Dr. Whitaker observes of this and the +neighbouring forests, and the remark even yet holds good, "that they +still bear the marks of original barrenness, and recent cultivation; +that they are still distinguished from the ancient freehold tracts +around them, by want of old houses, old woods, high fences; (for these +were forbidden by the forest laws;) by peculiarities of dialect and +manners in their inhabitants; and lastly, by a general air of poverty +which all the opulence of manufactures cannot remove." He considers +that "at an uncertain period during the occupancy of the Lacies, the +first principle of population" (in these forests) commenced; it was +found that these wilds, bleak and barren as they were, might be +occupied to some advantage in breeding young and depasturing lean +"cattle, which were afterwards fattened in the lower domains. +_Vaccaries_, or great upland pastures, were laid out for this purpose; +_booths_ or mansions erected upon them for the residence of herdsmen; +and at the same time that herds of deer were permitted to range at +large as heretofore, _lawnds_, by which are meant parks within a +forest, were inclosed, in order to chase them with greater facility, +or, by confinement, to produce fatter venison. Of these lawnds Pendle +had new and old lawnd, with the contiguous park of Ightenhill." + +In the early part of the seventeenth century, the inhabitants of this +district must have been, with few exceptions, a wretchedly poor and +uncultivated race, having little communication with the occupants of +the more fertile regions around them, and in whose minds superstition, +even yet unextinguished, must have had absolute and uncontrollable +domination. Under the disenchanting influence of steam, manufactures, +and projected rail-roads, still much of the old character of its +population remains. _Hodie manent vestigia ruris._ The "parting +genius" of superstition still clings to the hoary hill tops and rugged +slopes and mossy water sides, along which the old forest stretched its +length, and the voices of ancestral tradition are still heard to speak +from the depth of its quiet hollows, and along the course of its +gurgling streams. He who visits Pendle[31] will yet find that charms +are generally resorted to amongst the lower classes; that there are +hares which, in their persuasion, never can be caught, and which +survive only to baffle and confound the huntsman; that each small +hamlet has its peculiar and gifted personage, whom it is dangerous to +offend; that the wise man and wise woman (the white witches of our +ancestors) still continue their investigations of truth, undisturbed +by the rural police or the progress of the schoolmaster; that each +locality has its haunted house; that apparitions still walk their +ghostly rounds--and little would his reputation for piety avail that +clergyman in the eyes of his parishioners who should refuse to lay +those "extravagant and erring spirits," when requested, by those due +liturgic ceremonies which the orthodoxy of tradition requires. + +[Footnote 31: It was my good fortune to visit this wizard-haunted spot +within the last few weeks, in company with the able and zealous +Archdeacon[A] within whose ecclesiastical cure it is comprized, and to +whose singularly accurate knowledge of this district, and courteous +communication of much valuable information regarding it, I hold myself +greatly indebted. Following, with unequal steps, such a guide, +accompanied, likewise, by an excellent Canon of the Church[B] with all +the "armamentaria coeli" at command against the powers of darkness, +and a lay auxiliary[C], whose friendly converse would make the +roughest journey appear smooth, I need scarcely say, I passed through + + "The forest wyde, + Whose hideous horror and sad trembling sownd + Full griesly seem'd," + +unscathed by the old lords of the soil, and needed not Mengus's Fuga, +Fustis et Flagellum Daemonum, as a triple coat of mail.] + +[Footnote A: The Venerable the Archdeacon of Manchester, the Rev. John +Rushton, who is also the Incumbent of New Church, in Pendle.] + +[Footnote B: The Rev. Canon Parkinson.] + +[Footnote C: J.B. Wanklyn, Esq.] + +In the early part of the reign of James the first, and at the period +when his execrable statute against witchcraft might have been +sharpening its appetite by a temporary fast for the full meal of blood +by which it was eventually glutted,--for as yet it could count no +recorded victims,--two wretched old women with their families resided +in the Forest of Pendle. Their names were Elizabeth Southernes and Ann +Whittle, better known, perhaps, in the chronicles of witchcraft, by +the appellations of Old Demdike and Old Chattox.[32] Both had +attained, or had reached the verge of the advanced age of eighty, were +evidently in a state of extreme poverty, subsisting with their +families by occasional employment, by mendicancy, but principally, +perhaps, by the assumption of that unlawful power, which commerce with +spirits of evil was supposed to procure, and of which their sex, life, +appearance, and peculiarities, might seem to the prejudiced +neighbourhood in the Forest to render them not unsuitable +depositaries. In both, perhaps, some vindictive wish, which appeared +to have been gratified nearly as soon as uttered, or some one of those +curious coincidences which no individual's life is without, led to an +impression which time, habit, and general recognition would gradually +deepen into full conviction, that each really possessed the powers +which witchcraft was believed to confer. Whether it be with witches as +it is said to be with a much maligned branch of a certain profession, +that it needs two of its members in a district to make its exercise +profitable, it is not for me to say; but it is seldom found that +competition is accompanied by any very amicable feeling in the +competitors, or by a disposition to underrate the value of the +merchandize which each has to offer for sale. Accordingly, great was +the rivalry, constant the feuds, and unintermitting the respective +criminations of the Erictho and Canidia of Pendle,[33] who had opened +shops for the vending of similar contraband commodities, and were +called upon to decry each other's stock, as well as to magnify their +own. Each "gave her little senate laws," and had her own party (or +tail, according to modern phraseology) in the Forest. Some looked up +to and patronized one, and some the other. If old Demdike could boast +that she had Tibb as a familiar, old Chattox was not without her +Fancy. If the former had skill in waxen images, the latter could dig +up the scalps of the dead, and make their teeth serviceable to her +unhallowed purposes. In the anxiety which each felt to outvie the +other, and to secure the greater share of the general custom of a not +very extended or very lucrative market, each would wish to be +represented as more death-dealing, destructive, and powerful than her +neighbour; and she who could number up the most goodly assortment of +damage done to man and beast, whether real or not was quite +immaterial, as long as the draught was spiced and flavoured to suit +the general taste, stood the best chance of obtaining a monopoly. It +is a curious fact, that the son-in-law of one of these two +individuals, and whose wife was herself executed as a witch, paid to +the other a yearly rent,[34] on an express covenant that she should +exempt him from her charms and witchcrafts. Where the possession of a +commission from the powers of darkness was thus eagerly and +ostentatiously paraded, every death, the cause of which was not +perfectly obvious, whether it ended in a sudden termination or a slow +and gradual decline, would be placed to the general account of one of +the two (to use Master Potts's description,) "agents for the devil in +those parts," as the party responsible for these unclaimed dividends +of mortality. Did a cow go mad, or was a horse unaccountably afflicted +with the staggers, the same solution was always at hand to clear +negligence and save the trouble of inquiry; and so far from modestly +disclaiming these atrocities, the only struggle on the parts of +Mothers Demdike and Chattox would be which should first appropriate +them. And in all this it must not be forgotten that their own +credulity was at least as great as the credulity of their neighbours, +and that each had the power in question was so much an admitted point, +that she had long ceased, in all probability, to entertain any doubts +on the subject. With this general conviction on one hand, and a +sincere persuasion on the other, it would be surprising if, in the +course of a few years, the scandalous chronicle of Pendle had not +accumulated a _corpus delicti_ against them, which only required that +"_one of his Majesties Justices in these parts, a very religious +honest gentleman, painful in the service of his country_," should work +the materials into shape, and make "the gruel thick and slab." + +[Footnote 32: The Archdeacon of Manchester suggests that this is +merely a corruption of Chadwick or Chadwicks, and not, as explained in +the Note, p. 19, from her chattering as she went along.] + +[Footnote 33: These bickerings were no doubt exasperated by the +robbery committed upon old Demdike and Alizon Device, which is +detailed in the examinations, some of the _opima spolia_ abstracted on +which occasion she detected on the person of old Chattox's daughter.] + +[Footnote 34: Of an aghendole of meal. Since writing the Note, p. 23, +I am indebted to Miss Clegg, of Hallfoot, near Clitheroe, for +information as to the exact quantity contained in an aghendole, which +is eight pounds. This measure, she informs me, is still in use in +Little Harwood, in the district of Pendle. The Archdeacon of +Manchester considers that an aghendole, or more properly, as generally +pronounced, a nackendole, is a kneading-dole, the quantity of meal, +&c. usually taken for kneading at one time. There can be no doubt that +this is the correct derivation.] + +Such a man was soon found in the representative of the old family of +the Nowels of Read, who, desirous of signalizing himself as an active +and stirring justice, took up the case of these self-accusing +culprits, for both made confessions when examined before him, with a +vigour worthy of a better cause. On the 2nd April, 1612, he committed +old Demdike, old Chattox, Alizon Device, and Anne Redfern to +Lancaster, to take their trial at the next assizes for various murders +and witchcrafts. "Here," says the faithful chronicler, Master Potts, +"they had not stayed a weeke, when their children and friendes being +abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at Malking Tower[35] +in the Forrest of Pendle, vpon Good-fryday, within a weeke after they +were committed, of all the most dangerous, wicked, and damnable +witches in the county farre and neere. Vpon Good-fryday they met, +according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized this great festiuall day +according to their former order, with great cheare, merry company, and +much conference. In the end, in this great assemblie it was decreed +that M. Covell, [he was the gaoler of Lancaster Castle,] by reason of +his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises, the Castle at +Lancaster to be blown up," &c., &c. This witches' convention, so +historically famous, we unquestionably owe to the "painful justice" +whose scent after witches and plots entitled him to a promotion which +he did not obtain. An overt act so alarming and so indisputable, at +once threw the country, far and near, into the greatest +ferment--_furiis surrexit Etruria justis_--while it supplied an +admirable _locus in quo_ for tracing those whose retiring habits had +prevented their propensities to witchcraft from being generally known +to their intimate friends and connexions. The witness by whose +evidence this legend was principally supported, was Jennet Device, a +child about nine years old, and grand-daughter of old Demdike. A more +dangerous tool in the hands of an unscrupulous evidence-compeller, +being at once intelligent, cunning and pliant, than the child proved +herself, it would not have been easy to have discovered. A foundation +being now laid capable of embracing any body of confederates, the +indefatigable justice proceeded in his inquiries, and in the end, +Elizabeth Device the daughter of old Demdike, James Device her son, +Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock, with some +others, were committed for trial at Lancaster. The very curious report +of that trial is contained in the work now republished, which was +compiled under the superintendence of the judges who presided, by +Master Thomas Potts, clerk in court, and present at the trial. His +report, notwithstanding its prolixity and its many repetitions, it has +been thought advisable to publish entire, and the reprint which +follows is as near a fac-simile as possible of the original tract. + +[Footnote 35: Baines confounds Malking-Tower with Hoar-stones, a place +rendered famous by the second case of pretended witchcraft in 1633, +but at some distance from the first-named spot, the residence of +Mother Demdike, which lies in the township of Barrowford. The witch's +mansion-- + + "Where that same wicked wight + Her dwelling had-- + Dark, doleful, dreary, like a greedy grave + That still for carrion carcases doth crave, + On top whereof ay dwelt the ghastly owle, + Shrieking his baleful note, which ever drave + Far from that haunt all other cheerful fowl, + And all about it wandering ghosts did wail and howle"-- + +is now, alas! no more. It stood in a field a little elevated, on a +brow above the building at present called Malking-Tower. The site of +the house or cottage is still distinctly traceable, and fragments of +the plaster are yet to be found imbedded in the boundary wall of the +field. The old road to Gisburne ran almost close to it. It commanded a +most extensive prospect in front, in the direction of Alkincoates, +Colne, and the Yorkshire moors; while in another direction the vast +range of Pendle, nearly intercepted, gloomed in sullen majesty. At the +period when Mother Demdike was in being, Malking-Tower would be at +some distance from any other habitation; its occupier, as the vulgar +would opine-- + + "So choosing solitarie to abide + Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deedes + And hellish arts from people she might hide, + And hurt far off unknown whomever she envide."] + +It is rather strange that Dr. Whitaker, to whom local superstitions +were always matters of the strongest interest, and welcome as manna to +the sojourners in the wilderness,[36] should have been ignorant, not +merely of Master Potts's discovery, but even of the fact of this trial +of the witches in 1612. It is equally singular that Sir Walter Scott +should have forgotten, when writing his letters on Demonology and +Witchcraft, that he had republished this tract, somewhat inaccurately, +but with rather a long introduction and notes, in the third volume of +his edition of the Somers Tracts, which appeared in 1810. He mentions +Potts's _Discoverie_, in the amusing but very inaccurate and imperfect +historical sketch referred to,[37] as a curious and rare book, which +he had then for the first time obtained a sight of. What could have +been his meaning in referring his readers, for an account of Mother +Demdike and a description of Malking Tower, to "Mr. Roby's Antiquities +of Lancaster," that apocryphal historian having given no such account +or description, and having published no such work, it is rather +difficult to conjecture. + +[Footnote 36: In a scarce little book, "The Triumph of Sovereign +Grace, or a Brand plucked out of the Fire, by David Crosly, Minister, +Manchester," 1743, 12mo., which I owe to the kindness of the very able +historian of Cheshire, George Ormerod, Esq., Dr. Whitaker, to whom the +volume formerly belonged, has been at the pains of chronicling the +superstitions connected with a family, ranking amongst the more +opulent yeomen of Cliviger, of the name of Briercliffe, on the +execution of one of whom for murder the tract was published. The +Briercliffe's, from the curious anecdotes which the Doctor gives with +great unction, appear to have been one of those gloomy and fated +races, dogged by some unassuageable Nemesis, in which crime and horror +are transmitted from generation to generation with as much certainty +as the family features and name.] + +[Footnote 37: We yet want a full, elaborate, and satisfactory history +of witchcraft. Hutchinson's is the only account we have which enters +at all at length into the detail of the various cases; but his +materials were generally collected from common sources, and he +confines himself principally to English cases. The European history of +witchcraft embraces so wide a field, and requires for its just +completion a research so various, that there is little probability, I +fear, of this _desideratum_ being speedily supplied.] + +With all his habitual tautology and grave absurdity, Master Potts is, +nevertheless, a faithful and accurate chronicler, and we owe his +memory somewhat for furnishing us with so elaborate a report of what +took place on this trial, and giving us, "in their own country terms," +the examinations of the witnesses, which contain much which throws +light on the manners and language of the times, and nearly all that is +necessary to enable us to form a judgment on the proceedings. It will +be observed that he follows with great exactness the course pursued in +court, in opening the case and recapitulating the evidence separately +against each prisoner, so as most graphically to place before us the +whole scene as it occurred. The part in which he is felt to be most +deficient, is in the want of some further account of the prisoners +convicted, from the trial up to the time of their execution. To Master +Potts, a man of legal forms and ceremonies, the entire interest in the +case seems to have come in and gone out with the judge's trumpets. + +As most of the points in the trial which appeared to require +observation, have been adverted to in the notes which follow the +reprint, it is not considered necessary to enter into any analysis or +review of the evidence adduced at the trial, which presents such a +miserable mockery of justice. Mother Demdike, it will be seen, died in +prison before the trial came on. Of the Pendle witches four, namely +Old Chattox, Elizabeth Device, James Device, and Alizon Device, had +all made confessions, and had little chance, therefore, of escaping +condemnation. They were all found guilty; and with them were +convicted, Anne Redfern, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John +Bulcock, and Jane Bulcock, who were all of Pendle or its +neighbourhood, and who maintained their innocence and refused to make +any confession. They were executed, along with the first-mentioned +four and Isabel Robey, who was of Windle, in the parish of Prescot, +and had been found guilty of similar practises, the day after the +trial, viz. on the 18th of August, 1612, "at the common place of +execution near to Lancaster." + +The main interest in reviewing this miserable band of victims will be +felt to centre in Alice Nutter.[38] Wealthy, well conducted, well +connected, and placed probably on an equality with most of the +neighbouring families and the magistrate before whom she was brought, +and by whom she was committed, she deserves to be distinguished from +the companions with whom she suffered, and to attract an attention +which has never yet been directed towards her.[39] That Jennet Device, +on whose evidence she was convicted, was instructed to accuse her by +her own nearest relatives, to whom "superfluous lagged the veteran on +the stage," and that the magistrate, Roger Nowell, entered actively as +a confederate into the conspiracy from a grudge entertained against +her on account of a long disputed boundary, are allegations which +tradition has preserved, but the truth or falsehood of which, at this +distance of time, it is scarcely possible satisfactorily to examine. +With such a witness, however, as Jennet Device, and such an admirable +engine as the meeting at Malking-Tower, the guests at which she could +multiply _ad libitum_, doling out the _plaat_, as Titus Oates would +call it, by such instalments, and in such fragmentary portions, as +would conduce to an easy digestion of the whole, the wonder seems not +to be, that one unfortunate victim of a higher class should have +perished in the meshes of artful and complicated villainy, but that +its ramifications were not more extensive, and still more fatal and +destructive. From one so capable of taking a hint as the little +precocious prodigy of wickedness, in whose examination, Potts tells +us, "_Mr. Nowell took such great paines_," a very summary deliverance +might be expected from troublesome neighbours, or still more +troublesome relatives; and if, by a leading question, she could only +be induced to marshal them in their allotted places at the witches' +imaginary banquet, there was little doubt of their taking their +station at a place of meeting where the sad realities of life were +only to be encountered, "the common place of execution near to +Lancaster." + +[Footnote 38: The explorer of Pendle will find the mansion of Alice +Nutter, Rough Lee, still standing. It is impossible to look at it, +recollecting the circumstances of her case, without being strongly +interested. It is a very substantial, and rather a fine specimen of +the houses of the inferior gentry in the time of James the first, and +is now divided into cottages. On one of the side walls is an +inscription, almost entirely obliterated, which contained the date of +the building and the initials of the name of its first owner. At a +little distance from Rough Lee, pursuing the course of the stream, he +will find the foundations of an ancient mill, and the millstones still +unremoved, though the building itself has been pulled down long ago. +This was, doubtless, the mill of Richard Baldwin, the miller, who, as +stated in Old Demdike's confession, ejected her and Alizon Device her +daughter, from his land so contumeliously; immediately after which her +"Spirit or divell called Tibb appeared, and sayd Revenge thee of him." +Greenhead, the residence of Robert Nutter, one of the reputed victims +of the prisoners tried on this occasion, is at some distance from +Rough Lee, and is yet in good preservation, and occupied as a +farmhouse.] + +[Footnote 39: The instances are very few in England in which the +statute of James the first was brought to bear against any but the +lowest classes of the people. Indeed, there are not many attempts +reported to attack the rich and powerful with weapons derived from its +provisions. One of such attempts, which did not, like that against +Alice Nutter, prove successful, is narrated in a curious and scarce +pamphlet, which I have now before me, with this title--"Wonderful News +from the North, or a true Relation of the sad and grievous Torments +inflicted upon the Bodies of three children of Mr. George Muschamp, +late of the County of Northumberland, by Witchcraft, and how +miraculously it pleased God to strengthen them and to deliver them; as +also the prosecution of the say'd Witches, as by Oaths and their own +Confessions will appear, and by the Indictment found by the Jury +against one of them at the Sessions of the Peace held at Alnwick, the +24th day of April, 1650. London, printed by T.H., and are to be sold +by Richard Harper at his Shop in Smithfield. 1650," 4to. This was +evidently a diabolical plot, in which these children were made the +puppets, and which was got up to accomplish the destruction of a +person of condition, Mrs. Dorothy Swinnow, the wife of Colonel +Swinnow, of Chatton, in Northumberland, and from which she had great +difficulty in escaping.] + +The trial of the Samlesbury witches, Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, +and Jane Southworth, forms a curious episode in Potts's _Discoverie_. +A Priest or Jesuit, of the name of Thomson, _alias_ Southworth, had +tutored the principal evidence, Grace Sowerbuts, a girl of the age of +fourteen, but who had not the same instinctive genius for perjury as +Jennet Device, to accuse the three persons above mentioned of having +bewitched her; "so that," as the indictment runs, "by means thereof +her body wasted and consumed." "The chief object," says Sir Walter +Scott, "in this imposture, was doubtless the advantage and promotion +of the Catholic cause, as the patient would have been in due time +exorcised and the fiend dispossessed, by the same priest who had +taught her to counterfeit the fits. Revenge against the women, who had +become proselytes to the Church of England, was probably an additional +motive." But the imposture broke down, from the inability of the +principal witness to support the scheme of deception. Unsuccessful, +however, as it proved, the time was well chosen, the groundwork +excellently laid, the evidence industriously got up, and it must ever +deserve a prominent place in the history--a history, how delightful +when it shall be written in the spirit of philosophy and with due +application of research--of human fraud and imposture. + +We can only speculate, of course, on such an occasion, but perhaps no +trial is recorded as having taken place, with the results of which +every body, the parties convicted only excepted, was, in all +probability, better pleased or satisfied, than at this witch trial at +Lancaster in 1612. The mob would be delighted with a pageant, always +acceptable, in the execution of ten witches; and still more, that one +of them was of a rank superior to their own;--the judge had no doubt, +in his opinion, avoided each horn of the dilemma--the abomination +mentioned in Scripture--punishing the innocent or letting the guilty +go free--by tracking guilt with well breathed sagacity, and +unravelling imposture with unerring skill;--a Jesuit had been +unkennelled, a spectacle as gratifying to a serious Protestant in +those days, as running down a fox to a thorough sportsman;--a plot had +been discovered which might have made Lancaster Castle "to topple on +its warders" and "slope its head to its foundations," and Master +Cowell, who had held so many inquests, to vanish without leaving +anything in his own person whereon an inquest could be holden;--a +pestilent nest of incorrigible witches had been dug out and rooted up, +and Pendle Hill placed under sanatory regulations;--and last, and not +least, as affording matter of pride and exultation to every loyal +subject, a commentary had at last been collected for two texts, which +had long called for some such support without finding it, King James's +_Demonology_, and his statute against witchcraft. When the +_Discoverie_ of Master Potts, with its rich treasury of illustrative +evidence, came to hand, would not the monarch be the happiest man in +his dominions! + +Twenty years after the publication of the tract now reprinted, Pendle +Forest again became the scene of pretended witchcrafts; and from +various circumstances, the trial which took place then (in 1633) has +acquired even greater notoriety than the one which preceded it, though +no Master Potts could be found to transmit a report of the proceedings +in the second case, a deficiency which is greatly to be lamented. The +particulars are substantially comprised in the following examination, +which is given from the copy in Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 213, which, +on comparison, is unquestionably more accurate than the other two +versions, in Webster, p. 347, and Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. i. p. +604:[40]-- + +[Footnote 40: The copy in Baines is from the Harl. MSS., cod. 6854, +fo. 26 _b_, and though inserted in his history as more correct than +that in Whitaker's Whalley, is so disfigured by errors, particularly +in the names of persons and places, as to be utterly unintelligible. +From what source Whitaker derived his transcript does not appear; for +the confession of Margaret Johnson he cites Dodsworth MSS. in Bodleian +Lib., vol. 61, p. 47.] + + +"THE EXAMINATION OF EDMUND ROBINSON, + +"Son of _Edm. Robinson_, of _Pendle_ forest, mason,[41] taken at +_Padiham_ before _Richard Shuttleworth_[42] and _John Starkie_,[43] +Esqs. two of his majesty's justices of the peace, within the county of +_Lancaster_, 10th of February, A.D. 1633. + +[Footnote 41: "The informer was one Edmund Robinson (yet living at the +writing hereof, and commonly known by the name of Ned of Roughs) whose +Father was by trade a Waller, and but a poor Man, and they finding +that they were believed and had incouragement by the adjoyning +Magistrates, and the persons being committed to prison or bound over +to the next Assizes, the boy, his Father and some others besides did +make a practice to go from Church to Church that the Boy might reveal +and discover Witches, pretending that there was a great number at the +pretended meeting whose faces he could know, and by that means they +got a good living, that in a short space the Father bought a Cow or +two, when he had none before. And it came to pass that this said Boy +was brought into the Church of Kildwick a large parish Church, where I +(being then Curate there) was preaching in the afternoon, and was set +upon a stall (he being but about ten or eleven years old) to look +about him, which moved some little disturbance in the Congregation for +a while. And after prayers I inquiring what the matter was, the people +told me that it was the Boy that discovered Witches, upon which I went +to the house where he was to stay all night, where I found him, and +two very unlikely persons that did conduct him, and manage the +business; I desired to have some discourse with the Boy in private, +but that they utterly refused; then in the presence of a great many +people, I took the Boy near me, and said: Good Boy tell me truly, and +in earnest, did thou see and hear such strange things of the meeting +of Witches, as is reported by many that thou dost relate, or did not +some person teach thee to say such things of thy self? But the two men +not giving the Boy leave to answer, did pluck him from me, and said he +had been examined by two able Justices of the Peace, and they did +never ask him such a question, to whom I replied, the persons accused +had therefore the more wrong."--Webster's _Displaying of Witchcraft_, +p. 276.] + +[Footnote 42: This was Richard Shuttleworth of Gawthorp, Esq., who +married the daughter and heiress of R. Fleetwood, Esq., of Barton, and +died June 1669, aged 82.] + +[Footnote 43: John Starkie, Esq., of the family of Starkie of +Huntroyd, the same probably who was sheriff of Lancashire 9 Charles I, +and one of the seven demoniacs at Cleworth in the year 1595, on whose +evidence Hartley was hanged for witchcraft. Having commenced so early, +he must by this time have qualified himself, if he only improved the +advantages of his Cleworth education, to take the chair and proceed as +professor, in all matters appertaining to witchcraft.] + +"Who informeth upon oath, (beeinge examined concerninge the greate +meetings of the witches) and saith, that upon All-saints day last +past, hee, this informer, beeinge with one _Henry Parker_, a neare +doore neighbor to him in _Wheatley-lane_,[44] desyred the said +_Parker_ to give him leave to get some bulloes,[45] which hee did. In +which tyme of gettinge bulloes, hee sawe two greyhounds, viz. a blacke +and a browne one, came runninge over the next field towards him, he +verily thinkinge the one of them to bee Mr. _Nutters_,[46] and the +other to bee Mr. _Robinsons_,[47] the said Mr. _Nutter_ and Mr. +_Robinson_ havinge then such like. And the said greyhounds came to him +and fawned on him, they havinge about theire necks either of them a +coller, and to either of which collers was tyed a stringe, which +collers as this informer affirmeth did shine like gould, and hee +thinkinge that some either of Mr. _Nutter's_ or Mr. _Robinson's_ +family should have followed them: but seeinge noe body to followe +them, he tooke the said greyhounds thinkinge to hunt with them, and +presently a hare did rise very neare before him, at the sight whereof +he cryed, loo, loo, but the dogges would not run. Whereupon beeinge +very angry, he tooke them, and with the strings that were at theire +collers tyed either of them to a little bush on the next hedge, and +with a rod that hee had in his hand, hee bett them. And in stede of +the blacke greyhound, one _Dickonson_ wife stoode up (a neighb^r.) +whom this informer knoweth, and in steade of the browne greyhound a +little boy whom this informer knoweth not. At which sight this +informer beeinge affraid indevoured to run away: but beeinge stayed by +the woman, viz. by _Dickonson's_ wife, shee put her hand into her +pocket, and pulled out a peace of silver much like to a faire +shillinge, and offered to give him to hould his tongue, and not to +tell, whiche hee refused, sayinge, nay thou art a witch; Whereupon +shee put her hand into her pocket againe, and pulled out a stringe +like unto a bridle[48] that gingled, which shee put upon the litle +boyes heade that stood up in the browne greyhounds steade; whereupon +the said boy stood up a white horse. Then immediately the said +_Dickonson_ wife tooke this informer before her upon the said horse, +and carried him to a new house called _Hoarestones_,[49] beinge about +a quarter of a mile off, whither, when they were comme, there were +divers persons about the doore, and hee sawe divers others cominge +rideinge upon horses of severall colours towards the said house, which +tyed theire horses to a hedge neare to the sed house; and which +persons went into the sed house, to the number of threescore or +thereabouts, as this informer thinketh, where they had a fyer and +meate roastinge, and some other meate stirringe in the house, whereof +a yonge woman whom hee this informer knoweth not, gave him flesh and +breade upon a trencher, and drinke in a glasse, which, after the first +taste, hee refused, and would have noe more, and said it was nought. +And presently after, seeinge diverse of the company goinge to a barn +neare adioyneinge,[50] hee followed after, and there he sawe sixe of +them kneelinge, and pullinge at sixe severall roapes which were +fastened or tyed to ye toppe of the house; at or with which pullinge +came then in this informers sight flesh smoakeinge, butter in lumps, +and milke as it were syleinge[51] from the said roapes, all which fell +into basons whiche were placed under the saide roapes. And after that +these sixe had done, there came other sixe which did likewise, and +duringe all the tyme of theire so pullinge, they made such foule faces +that feared[52] this informer, soe as hee was glad to steale out and +run home, whom, when they wanted, some of theire company came runninge +after him neare to a place in a high way, called Boggard-hole,[53] +where this informer met two horsemen, at the sight whereof the sed +persons left followinge him, and the foremost of which persons yt +followed him, hee knoweth to bee one _Loynd_ wife, which said wife, +together with one _Dickonson_ wife, and one _Jenet Davies_[54] he hath +seene at severall tymes in a croft or close adioninge to his fathers +house, whiche put him in a greate feare. And further, this informer +saith, upon Thursday after New Yeares day last past, he sawe the sed +_Loynd_ wife sittinge upon a crosse peece of wood, beeinge within the +chimney of his father's dwellinge house, and hee callinge to her, +said, come downe thou _Loynd_ wife, and immediately the sed _Loynd_ +wife went up out of his sight. And further, this informer saith, yt +after hee was comme from ye company aforesed to his father's house, +beeinge towards eveninge, his father bad him goe fetch home two kyne +to seale,[55] and in the way, in a field called the Ollers, hee +chanced to hap upon a boy, who began to quarrell with him, and they +fought soe together till this informer had his eares made very bloody +by fightinge, and lookinge downe, hee sawe the boy had a cloven foote, +at which sight hee was affraid, and ran away from him to seeke the +kyne. And in the way hee sawe a light like a lanthorne, towards which +he made hast, supposinge it to bee carried by some of Mr. _Robinson's_ +people: But when hee came to the place, hee onley found a woman +standinge on a bridge, whom, when hee sawe her, he knewe to bee +_Loynd_ wife, and knowinge her, he turned backe againe, and immediatly +hee met with ye aforesed boy, from whom he offered to run, which boy +gave him a blow on the back which caus'd him to cry. And hee farther +saith, yt when hee was in the barne, he sawe three women take three +pictures from off the beame, in the which pictures many thornes, or +such like things sticked, and yt _Loynd_ wife tooke one of the said +pictures downe, but thother two women yt tooke thother two pictures +downe hee knoweth not.[56] And beeinge further asked, what persons +were at ye meeteinge aforesed, hee nominated these persons hereafter +mentioned, viz. _Dickonson_ wife, _Henry Priestley_ wife and her sone, +_Alice Hargreaves_ widdowe, _Jennet Davies_, _Wm. Davies_, uxor. +_Hen. Jacks_ and her sone _John_, _James Hargreaves_ of _Marsden_, +_Miles_ wife of _Dicks_, _James_ wife, _Saunders_ sicut credit, +_Lawrence_ wife of _Saunders_, _Loynd_ wife, _Buys_ wife of +_Barrowford_, one _Holgate_ and his wife sicut credit, _Little Robin_ +wife of _Leonard's_, of the _West Cloase_.[57] + +[Footnote 44: Wheatley-lane is still a place of note in Pendle.] + +[Footnote 45: Wild plums.] + +[Footnote 46: It would seem as if a case of witchcraft in Pendle, +without a Nutter in some way connected with it, could not occur.] + +[Footnote 47: What Mr. Robinson is intended does not appear. It was a +common name in Pendle. It is, however, a curious fact, that a family +of this name, _with the alias of Swyer_, (see Potts, confession of +Elizabeth Device,) is even now, or very recently was, to be met with +in Pendle, of whom the John Robinson, _alias_ Swyer, one of the +supposed victims of Witchcraft, was probably an ancestor. There are +few instances of an _alias_ being similarly transmitted in families +for upwards of two centuries.] + +[Footnote 48: Mother Dickenson, as Sir Walter Scott remarks, brings to +mind the magician Queen in the Arabian Tales.] + +[Footnote 49: This house is still standing, and though it has +undergone some modernizations, has every appearance of having been +built about this period.] + +[Footnote 50: The old barn, so famous as the scene of these exploits, +is no longer extant. A more modern and very substantial one has now +been erected on its site.] + +[Footnote 51: Syleing, from the verb sile or syle, to strain, to pass +through a strainer. See Jamieson, under "sile."] + +[Footnote 52: Frightened.] + +[Footnote 53: Boggard Hole lies in a hollow, near to Hoarstones, and +is still known by that name.] + +[Footnote 54: "It is the sport to see the engineer hoist with his own +petar." Her old occupation as witness having got into other hands, +Janet or Jennet Davies, or Device, for the person spoken of appears to +be the same with the grand-daughter of Old Demdike, on whose evidence +three members of her family were executed, has now to take her place +amongst the witnessed against.] + +[Footnote 55: Seale, from sele, _s._ a yoke for binding cattle in the +stall. Sal (A.S.) denotes "a collar or bond." Somner. Sile (Isl.) +seems to bear the very same sense with our sele, being exp. a ligament +of leather by which cattle and other things are bound. Vide Jamieson, +under "sele."] + +[Footnote 56: Heywood and Broome, in their play, "The late Lancashire +Witches," 1634, 4to, follow the terms of this deposition very closely. +It is very probable that they had seen and conversed with the boy, to +whom, when taken up to London, there was a great resort of company. +The Lancashire dialect, as given in this play, and by no means +unfaithfully, was perhaps derived from conversations with some of the +actors in this drama of real life, a drama quite as extraordinary as +any that Heywood's imagination ever bodied forth from the world of +fiction. + +"_Enter Boy with a switch._ + +_Boy._ Now I have gathered Bullies, and fild my bellie pretty well, +i'le goe see some sport. There are gentlemen coursing in the medow +hard by; and 'tis a game that I love better than going to Schoole ten +to one. + +_Enter an invisible spirit. J. Adson[D] with a brace of greyhounds._ + +What have we here a brace of Greyhounds broke loose from their +masters: it must needs be so, for they have both their Collers and +slippes about their neckes. Now I looke better upon them, me thinks I +should know them, and so I do: these are Mr. Robinsons dogges, that +dwels some two miles off, i'le take them up, and lead them home to +their master; it may be something in my way, for he is as liberall a +gentleman, as any is in our countrie, Come Hector, come. Now if I c'ud +but start a Hare by the way, kill her, and carry her home to my +supper, I should thinke I had made a better afternoones worke of it +than gathering of bullies. Come poore curres along with me. + +_Exit._" + + * * * * * + +"_Enter Boy with the Greyhounds._ + +A Hare, a Hare, halloe, halloe, the Divell take these curres, will +they not stir, halloe, halloe, there, there, there, what are they +growne so lither and so lazie? Are Mr. Robinsons dogges turn'd tykes +with a wanion? the Hare is yet in sight, halloe, halloe, mary hang you +for a couple of mungrils (if you were worth hanging,) and have you +serv'd me thus? nay then ile serve you with the like sauce, you shall +to the next bush, there will I tie you, and use you like a couple of +curs as you are, and though not lash you, yet lash you whilest my +switch will hold, nay since you have left your speed, ile see if I can +put spirit into you, and put you in remembrance what halloe, halloe +meanes. + +_As he beats them, there appeared before him Gooddy_ Dickison, _and +the Boy upon the dogs, going in._ + +Now blesse me heaven, one of the Greyhounds turn'd into a woman, the +other into a boy! The lad I never saw before, but her I know well; it +is my gammer _Dickison_. + +_G. Dick._ Sirah, you have serv'd me well to swindge me thus. You yong +rogue, you have vs'd me like a dog. + +_Boy._ When you had put your self into a dogs skin, I pray how c'ud I +help it; but gammer are not you a Witch? if you bee, I beg upon my +knees you will not hurt me. + +_Dickis._ Stand up my boie, for thou shalt have no harme, +Be silent, speake of nothing thou hast seene. +And here's a shilling for thee. + +_Boy._ Ile have none of your money, gammer, because you are a Witch; +and now she is out of her foure leg'd shape, ile see if with my two +legs I can out-run her. + +_Dickis._ Nay sirra, though you be yong, and I old, you are not so +nimble, nor I so lame, but I can overtake you. + +_Boy._ But Gammer what do you meane to do with me +Now you have me? + +_Dickis._ To hugge thee, stroke thee, and embrace thee thus, +And teach thee twentie thousand prety things, +So thou tell no tales; and boy this night +Thou must along with me to a brave feast. + +_Boy._ Not I gammer indeed la, I dare not stay out late, +My father is a fell man, and if I bee out long, will both +chide and beat me. + +_Dickis._ Not sirra, then perforce thou shalt along, +This bridle helps me still at need, +And shall provide us of a steed. +Now sirra, take your shape and be +Prepar'd to hurrie him and me. + +_Exit._ + +Now looke and tell mee wher's the lad become. + +_Boy._ The boy is vanisht, and I can see nothing in his stead +But a white horse readie sadled and bridled. + +_Dickis._ And thats the horse we must bestride, +On which both thou and I must ride, +Thou boy before and I behinde, +The earth we tread not, but the winde, +For we must progresse through the aire, +And I will bring thee to such fare +As thou ne're saw'st, up and away, +For now no longer we can stay. + +_She catches him up, and turning round._ + +_Boy._ Help, help. + +_Exit._" + + * * * * * + +"_Rob._ What place is this? it looks like an old barne: ile peep in at +some cranny or other, and try if I can see what they are doing. Such a +bevy of beldames did I never behold; and cramming like so many +Cormorants: Marry choke you with a mischiefe. + +_Gooddy Dickison._ Whoope, whurre, heres a sturre, +Never a cat, never a curre, +But that we must have this demurre. + +_Mal._ A second course. + +_Mrs. Gen._ Pull, and pull hard +For all that hath lately him prepar'd +For the great wedding feast. + +_Mall._ As chiefe +Of Doughtyes Surloine of rost Beefe. + +_All._ Ha, ha, ha. + +_Meg._ 'Tis come, 'tis come. + +_Mawd._ Where hath it all this while beene? + +_Meg._ Some +Delay hath kept it, now 'tis here, +For bottles next of wine and beere, +The Merchants cellers they shall pay for't. + +_Mrs. Gener._ Well, +What sod or rost meat more, pray tell. + +_Good. Dick._ Pul for the Poultry, Foule, and Fish, +For emptie shall not be a dish. + +_Robin._ A pox take them, must only they feed upon hot meat, and I +upon nothing but cold sallads. + +_Mrs. Gener._ This meat is tedious, now some Farie, +Fetch what belongs unto the Dairie, + +_Mal._ Thats Butter, Milk, Whey, Curds and Cheese, +Wee nothing by the bargaine leese. + +_All._ Ha, ha, ha. + +_Goody Dickison._ Boy, theres meat for you. + +_Boy._ Thanke you. + +_Gooddy Dickis._ And drinke too. + +_Meg._ What Beast was by thee hither rid? + +_Mawd._ A Badger nab. + +_Meg._ And I bestrid +A Porcupine that never prickt. + +_Mal._ The dull sides of a Beare I kickt. +I know how you rid, Lady Nan. + +_Mrs. Gen._ Ha, ha, ha, upon the knave my man. + +_Rob._ A murrein take you, I am sure my hoofes payd for't. + +_Boy._ Meat lie there, for thou hast no taste, and drinke there, for +thou hast no relish, for in neither of them is there either salt or +savour. + +_All._ Pull for the posset, pull. + +_Robin._ The brides posset on my life, nay if they come to their +spoone meat once, I hope theil breake up their feast presently. + +_Mrs. Gen._ So those that are our waiters nere, +Take hence this Wedding cheere. +We will be lively all, +And make this barn our hall. + +_Gooddy Dick._ You our Familiers, come. +In speech let all be dumbe, +And to close up our Feast, +To welcome every gest +A merry round let's daunce. + +_Meg._ Some Musicke then ith aire +Whilest thus by paire and paire, +We nimbly foot it; strike. + +_Musick._ + +_Mal._ We are obeyd. + +_Sprite._ And we hels ministers shall lend our aid. + +_Dance and Song together. In the time of which the Boy speakes._ + +_Boy._ Now whilest they are in their jollitie, and do not mind me, ile +steale away, and shift for my selfe, though I lose my life for't. + +_Exit._" + + * * * * * + +"_Dought._ He came to thee like a Boy thou sayest, about thine own +bignesse? + +_Boy._ Yes Sir, and he asked me where I dwelt, and what my name was. + +_Dough._ Ah Rogue! + +_Boy._ But it was in a quarrelsome way; Whereupon I was as stout, and +ask'd him who made him an examiner? + +_Dough._ Ah good Boy. + +_Mil._ In that he was my Sonne. + +_Boy._ He told me he would know or beat it out of me, +And I told him he should not, and bid him doe his worst; +And to't we went. + +_Dough._ In that he was my sonne againe, ha boy; I see him at it now. + +_Boy._ We fought a quarter of an houre, till his sharpe nailes made my +eares bleed. + +_Dough._ O the grand Divell pare 'em. + +_Boy._ I wondred to finde him so strong in my hands, seeming but of +mine owne age and bignesse, till I looking downe, perceived he had +clubb'd cloven feet like Oxe feet; but his face was as young as mine. + +_Dought._ A pox, but by his feet, he may be the Club-footed +Horse-coursers father, for all his young lookes. + +_Boy._ But I was afraid of his feet, and ran from him towards a light +that I saw, and when I came to it, it was one of the Witches in white +upon a Bridge, that scar'd me backe againe, and then met me the Boy +againe, and he strucke me and layd mee for dead. + +_Mil._ Till I wondring at his stay, went out and found him in the +Trance; since which time, he has beene haunted and frighted with +Goblins, 40 times; and never durst tell any thing (as I sayd) because +the Hags had so threatned him till in his sicknes he revealed it to +his mother. + +_Dough._ And she told no body but folkes on't. Well Gossip Gretty, as +thou art a Miller, and a close thiefe, now let us keepe it as close as +we may till we take 'hem, and see them handsomly hanged o'the way: Ha +my little Cuffe-divell, thou art a made man. Come, away with me. + +_Exeunt._" + +Heywood and Broome's _Late Lancashire Witches_, Acts 2 and 3.] + +[Footnote D: _Sic in orig._] + +[Footnote 57: These names are thus given in Baines's Transcript:-- + +"Dickensons +Henrie Priestleyes wife and his ladd +Alice Hargrave, widdowe +Jane Davies (als. Jennet Device) +William Davies +The wife of Henrie Offep and her sonnes +John and Myles +The wife of Duckers +James Hargrave of Maresden +Loyards wife +James wife +Sanders wife, And as hee beleeveth +Lawnes wife +Sander Pynes wife of Baraford +One Foolegate and his wife +And Leonards of the West Close." + +And thus in Webster:-- + +"Dickensons Wife, Henry Priestleys Wife, and his Lad, Alice Hargreene +Widow, Jane Davies, William Davies, and the Wife of Henry Fackes, and +her Sons John and Miles, the Wife of ---- Denneries, James Hargreene +of Marsdead, Loynd's Wife, one James his Wife, Saunders his Wife, and +Saunders himself _sicut credit_, one Laurence his Wife, one Saunder +Pyn's Wife of Barraford, one Holgate and his Wife of Leonards of the +West close."] + +"_Edmund Robinson_ of _Pendle_, father of ye sd _Edmunde Robinson_, +the aforesaid informer, upon oath saith, that upon _All Saints' Day_, +he sent his sone, the aforesed informer, to fetch home two kyne to +seale, and saith yt hee thought his sone stayed longer than he should +have done, went to seeke him, and in seekinge him, heard him cry very +pittifully, and found him soe afraid and distracted, yt hee neither +knew his father, nor did know where he was, and so continued very +neare a quarter of an hower before he came to himselfe,[58] and he +tould this informer, his father, all the particular passages yt are +before declared in the said _Edmund Robinson_, his sone's +information." + +[Footnote 58: The learned "practitioner in physick," Mr. William +Drage, in his "Treatise of Diseases from Witchcraft," published Lond. +1668, 4to. p. 22, recommends "birch" in such cases, "as a specifical +medicine, antipathetical to demons." One can only lament that this +valuable remedy was not vigorously applied in the present instance, as +well as in most others in which these juvenile sufferers appear. I +doubt whether, in the whole Materia Medica, a more powerful +_Lamia-fuge_ could have been discovered, or one which would have been +more universally successful, if applied perseveringly, whenever the +suspicious symptoms recurred. The following is, however, Drage's great +panacea in these cases, a mode of treatment which must have been +vastly popular, judging from its extensive adoption in all parts of +the country: "_Punish the witch, threaten to hang her if she helps not +the sick, scratch her and fetch blood. When she is cast into prison +the sick are some time delivered, some time he or she (they are most +females, most old women, and most poor,) must transfer the disease to +other persons, sometimes to a dog, or horse, or cow, &c. Threaten her +and beat her to remove it._"--Drage, p. 23.] + +The name of Margaret Johnson does not appear in Edmund Robinson's +examination. Whether accused or not, the opportunity was too alluring +to be lost by a personage full of matter, being like old Mause +Headrigg, "as a bottle that lacketh vent," and too desirous of +notoriety, to let slip such an occasion. She made, on the 2nd of March +following, before the same justices who had taken Robinson's +examination, the following confession, which must have been considered +a most instructive one by those who were in search of some short _vade +mecum_ of the statistics of witchcraft in Pendle:-- + + +"THE CONFESSION OF MARGARET JOHNSON. + +"That betwixt seaven and eight yeares since, shee beeinge in her owne +house in _Marsden_, in a greate passion of anger and discontent, and +withall pressed with some want, there appeared unto her a spirit or +devill in ye proportion or similitude of a man, apparrelled in a suite +of blacke, tyed about with silk points, who offered yt if shee would +give him her soule hee would supply all her wants, and bringe to her +whatsoever shee did neede. And at her appointment would in revenge +either kill or hurt whom or what shee desyred, weare it man or beast. +And saith, yt after a solicitation or two shee contracted and +covenanted with ye said devill for her soule. And yt ye said devill or +spirit badde her call him by the name of _Mamilian_. And when shee +would have him to doe any thinge for her, call in _Mamilian_, and hee +would bee ready to doe her will. And saith, yt in all her talke or +conference shee calleth her said devill, _Mamil_ my God. Shee further +saith, yt ye said _Mamilian_, her devill, (by her consent) did abuse +and defile her body by comittinge wicked uncleannesse together. And +saith, yt shee was not at the greate meetings at _Hoarestones_, at the +forest of _Pendle_, upon All-Saints Day, where ----. But saith yt shee +was at a second meetinge ye Sunday next after All-Saints Day, at the +place aforesaid; where there was at yt tyme between 30 and 40 witches, +who did all ride to the said meetinge, and the end of theire said +meeting was to consult for the killinge and hurtinge of men and +beasts. And yt besides theire particular familiars or spirits, there +was one greate or grand devill or spirit more eminent than the rest. +And if any desyre to have a greate and more wonderfull devill, whereby +they may have more power to hurt, they may have one such. And sayth, +yt such witches as have sharp bones given them by the devill to pricke +them, have no pappes or dugges whereon theire devill may sucke, but +theire devill receiveth bloud from the place, pricked with the bone. +And they are more grand witches than any yt have marks. Shee allsoe +saith, yt if a witch have but one marke, shee hath but one spirit, if +two then two spirits, if three yet but two spirits. And saith, yt +theire spirits usually have knowledge of theire bodies. And being +desyred to name such as shee knewe to be witches, shee named, &c.[59] +And if they would torment a man, they bid theire spirit goe and tormt. +him in any particular place. And yt Good-Friday is one constant day +for a yearely generall meetinge of witches. And yt on Good-Friday +last, they had a meetinge neare _Pendle_ water syde. Shee alsoe saith, +that men witches usually have women spirits, and women witches men +spirits. And theire devill or spirit gives them notice of theire +meetinge, and tells them the place where it must bee. And saith, if +they desyre to be in any place upon a sodaine, theire devill or spirit +will upon a rodde, dogge, or any thinge els, presently convey them +thither: yea, into any roome of a man's house. But shee saith it is +not the substance of theire bodies, but theire spirit assumeth such +form and shape as goe into such roomes. Shee alsoe saith, yt ye devill +(after he begins to sucke) will make a pappe or dugge in a short tyme, +and the matter which hee sucks is blood. And saith yt theire devills +can cause foule weather and storms, and soe did at theire meetings. +Shee alsoe saith yt when her devill did come to sucke her pappe, hee +usually came to her in ye liknes of a cat, sometymes of one colour and +sometymes of an other. And yt since this trouble befell her, her +spirit hath left her, and shee never sawe him since." + +[Footnote 59: The omission here is thus supplied in Baines's +Transcript; but the actual names are scarcely to be recognised, from +the clerical errors of the copy:-- + +"One Pickerne and his wife both of Wyndwall, +Rawson of Clore and his wife +Duffice wife of Clore by the water side +Cartmell the wife of Clore +And Jane of the hedgend in Maresden."] + +On the evidence contained in these examinations several persons were +committed for trial at Lancaster, and seventeen, on being tried at the +ensuing assizes, were found guilty by the jury. The judge before whom +the trial took place was, however, more sagacious and enlightened than +his predecessors, Bromley and Altham. He respited the execution of the +prisoners; and on the case being reported to the king in council, the +Bishop of Chester, Dr. Bridgman, was required to investigate the +circumstances. The inquiry was instituted at Chester, and four of the +convicted witches, namely, Margaret Johnson, Frances Dickonson, Mary +Spencer, and the wife of one of the Hargreaves's, were sent to London, +and examined, first by the king's physicians and surgeons, and +afterwards by Charles the first in person. + +"A stranger scene" to quote Dr. Whitaker's concluding paragraph "can +scarcely be conceived; and it is not easy to imagine whether the +untaught manners, rude dialect, and uncouth appearance of these poor +foresters, would more astonish the king; or his dignity of person and +manners, together with the splendid scene with which they were +surrounded, would overwhelm them. The end, however, of the business +was, that strong presumptions appeared of the boy having been suborned +to accuse them falsely, and they were accordingly dismissed. The boy +afterwards confessed that he was suborned."[60] + +[Footnote 60: Webster gives the sequel of this curious case of +imposture:--"Four of them, to wit Margaret Johnson, Francis Dicconson, +Mary Spenser, and Hargraves Wife, were sent for up to London, and were +viewed and examined by his Majesties Physicians and Chirurgeons, and +after by his Majesty and the Council, and no cause of guilt appearing +but great presumptions of the boys being suborned to accuse them +falsely. Therefore it was resolved to separate the boy from his +Father, they having both followed the women up to London, they were +both taken and put into several prisons asunder. Whereupon shortly +after the Boy confessed that he was taught and suborned to devise, and +feign those things against them, and had persevered in that wickedness +by the counsel of his Father, and some others, whom envy, revenge and +hope of gain had prompted on to that devillish design and villany; and +he also confessed, that upon that day when he said that they met at +the aforesaid house or barn, he was that very day a mile off, getting +Plums in his Neighbours Orchard. And that this is a most certain +truth, there are many persons yet living, of sufficient reputation and +integrity, that can avouch and testifie the same; and besides, what I +write is the most of it true, upon my own knowledge, and the whole I +have had from his own mouth."--_Displaying of Witchcraft_, p. 277.] + +In Dr. Whitaker's astonishment that Margaret Johnson should make the +confession she appears to have done, in a clear case of imposture, few +of his readers will be disposed to participate, who are at all +conversant with the trials of reputed witches in this country. +Confessions were so common on those occasions, that there is, I +believe, not a single instance of any great number of persons being +convicted of witchcraft at one time, some of whom did not make a +confession of guilt. Nor is there anything extraordinary in that +circumstance, when it is remembered that many of them sincerely +believed in the existence of the powers attributed to them; and +others, aged and of weak understanding, were, in a measure, coerced by +the strong persuasion of their guilt, which all around them +manifested, into an acquiescence in the truth of the accusation. In +many cases the confessions were made in the hope, and no doubt with +the promise, seldom performed, that a respite from punishment would be +eventually granted. In other instances, there is as little doubt, that +they were the final results of irritation, agony, and despair.[61] The +confessions are generally composed of "such stuff as dreams are made +of," and what they report to have occurred, might either proceed, when +there was no intention to fabricate, from intertwining the fantastic +threads which sometimes stream upon the waking senses from the land of +shadows, or be caused by those ocular hallucinations of which medical +science has supplied full and satisfactory solution. There is no +argument which so long maintained its ground in support of witchcraft +as that which was founded on the confessions referred to. It was the +last plank clung to by many a witch-believing lawyer and divine. And +yet there is none which will less bear critical scrutiny and +examination, or the fallacy of which can more easily be shown, if any +particular reported confession is taken as a test and subjected to a +searching analysis and inquiry. + +[Footnote 61: The confession in the "Amber Witch" is a true picture, +drawn from the life. What is there, indeed, unlike truth in that +wonderful fiction?] + +It is said that we owe to the grave and saturnine Monarch, who +extended his pardon to the seventeen convicted in 1633, that happy +generalisation of the term, which appropriates honourably to the sex +in Lancashire the designation denoting the fancied crime of a few +miserable victims of superstition. That gentle sex will never +repudiate a title bestowed by one, little given to the playful sports +of fancy, whose sorrows and unhappy fate have never wanted their +commiseration, and who distinguished himself on this memorable +occasion, at a period when + + "'twas the time's plague + That madmen led the blind," + +--in days when philosophy stumbled and murder arrayed itself in the +robes of justice--by an enlightened exercise of the kingly prerogative +of mercy. Proceeding from such a fountain of honour, and purified by +such an appropriation, the title of witch has long lost its original +opprobrium in the County Palatine, and survives only to call forth the +gayest and most delightful associations. In process of time even the +term _witchfinder_ may lose the stains which have adhered to it from +the atrocities of Hopkins, and may be adopted by general usage, as a +sort of companion phrase, to signify the fortunate individual, who, by +an union with a Lancashire witch, has just asserted his indefeasible +title to be considered as the happiest of men. + +J.C. + + + + +THE +WONDERFVLL +DISCOVERIE OF +WITCHES, &c. + + + + +THE +WONDERFVLL +DISCOVERIE OF +WITCHES IN THE COVNTIE +OF LANCASTER. + +With the Arraignement and Triall of +Nineteene notorious WITCHES, at the Assizes and +generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at the Castle of +LANCASTER, _vpon Munday, the seuenteenth_ +_of August last_, +1612. + +Before Sir IAMES ALTHAM, and +Sir EDWARD BROMLEY, Knights; BARONS of his +Maiesties Court of EXCHEQVER: And Iustices +_of Assize_, Oyer _and_ Terminor, _and generall_ +Gaole deliuerie in the circuit of the +_North Parts._ + +Together with the Arraignement and Triall of IENNET +PRESTON, _at the Assizes holden at the Castle of Yorke_, +_the seuen and twentieth day of Iulie last past_, +with her Execution for the murther +of Master LISTER +_by Witchcraft._ + +Published and set forth by commandement of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assize in the North Parts. + +_By_ THOMAS POTTS _Esquier._ + + * * * * * + +LONDON, +Printed by _W. Stansby_ for _John Barnes_, dwelling neare +Holborne Conduit. 1613. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, +_THOMAS_, LORD +KNYVET, BARON OF ESCRICK[A1] +in the Countie of Yorke, my very honorable +_good Lord and Master._ + +AND +TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE +_AND VERTVOVS LADIE, THE_ +_Ladie_ ELIZABETH KNYVET _his Wife, my_ +honorable good Ladie and +MISTRIS. + + * * * * * + +RIGHT HONORABLE, + +_Let it stand (I beseech you) with your fauours whom profession of +the same true Religion towards God, and so great loue hath vnited +together in one, Jointly to accept the Protection and Patronage of +these my labours, which not their owne worth hath encouraged, but your +Worthinesse hath enforced me to consecrate vnto your Honours._ + +_To you (Right Honourable my very good Lord) of Right doe they belong: +for to whom shall I rather present their first fruits of my learning +then to your Lordship: who nourished then both mee and them, when +there was scarce any being to mee or them? And whose iust and vpright +carriage of causes, whose zeale to Justice and Honourable curtesie to +all men, have purchased you a Reuerend and worthie Respect of all men +in all partes of this Kingdome, where you are knowne. And to your good +Ladiship they doe of great right belong likewise; Whose Religion, +Iustice, and Honourable admittance of my Vnworthie Seruice to your +Ladiship do challenge at my handes the vttermost of what euer I may +bee able to performe._ + +_Here is nothing of my own act worthie to bee commended to your +Honours, it is the worke, of those Reuerend Magistrates, His Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes in the North partes, and no more then a Particular +Declaration of the proceedings of Iustice in those partes. Here shall +you behold the Iustice of this Land, truely administred_, PROEMIUM & +POENAM, _Mercie and Iudgement, freely and indifferently bestowed and +inflicted; And aboue all thinges to bee remembred, the excellent care +of these Iudges in the Triall of offendors._ + +_It hath pleased them out of their respect to mee to impose this worke +vpon mee, and according to my vnderstanding, I haue taken paines to +finish, and now confirmed by their Iudgement to publish the same, for +the benefit of my Countrie. That the example of these conuicted vpon +their owne Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence at the Barre, may +worke good in others, Rather by with-holding them from, then +imboldening them to, the Atchieuing such desperate actes as these or +the like._ + +_These are some part of the fruits of my time spent in the Seruice of +my Countrie, Since by your Graue and Reuerend Counsell (my Good Lord) +I reduced my wauering and wandring thoughts to a more quiet harbour of +repose._ + +_If it please your Honours to giue them your Honourable respect, the +world may iudge them the more worthie of acceptance, to whose various +censures they are now exposed._ + +_God of Heauen whose eies are on them that feare him, to bee their +Protector and guide, behold your Honours with the eye of fauor, be +euermore your strong hold, and your great reward, and blesse you with +blessings in this life, Externall and Internall, Temporall and +Spirituall, and with Eternall happines in the World to come: to which +I commend your Honours; And rest both now and euer, From my Lodging +in Chancerie Lane, the sixteenth of Nouember 1612._ + +Your Honours + +humbly deuoted + +Seruant, + +_Thomas Potts._ + + * * * * * + +Vpon the Arraignement and triall of these Witches at the last +Assizes and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster, wee found +such apparent matters against them, that we thought it necessarie to +publish them to the World, and thereupon imposed the labour of this +Worke vpon this Gentleman, by reason of his place, being a Clerke at +that time in Court, imploied in the Arraignement and triall of them. + +_Ja. Altham._ + +_Edw. Bromley._[A2] + + * * * * * + +_After he had taken great paines to finish it, I tooke vpon mee to +reuise and correct it, that nothing might passe but matter of Fact, +apparant against them by record. It is very little he hath inserted, +and that necessarie, to shew what their offences were, what people, +and of what condition they were: The whole proceedings and Euidence +against them, I finde vpon examination carefully set forth, and truely +reported, and iudge the worke fit and worthie to be published._ + +Edward Bromley.[A3] + + * * * * * + + Gentle Reader, although the care of this Gentleman the + Author, was great to examine and publish this his worke + perfect according to the Honorable testimonie of the Iudges, + yet some faults are committed by me in the Printing, and yet + not many, being a worke done in such great haste, at the end + of a Tearme, which I pray you, with your fauour to excuse. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +A particular Declaration of +the most barberous and damnable Practises, Murthers, +wicked and diuelish Conspiracies, practized +_and executed by the most dangerous and malitious_ +Witch _Elizabeth Sowthernes_ alias _Demdike_, +of the Forrest of _Pendle_ in the Countie of +_Lancaster_ Widdow, who died in the +Castle at _Lancaster_ before she +came to receiue her tryall. + +Though publique iustice hath passed at these Assises vpon the +Capitall offendours, and after the Arraignement & tryall of them, +Iudgement being giuen, due and timely Execution succeeded; which doth +import and giue the greatest satisfaction that can be, to all men; yet +because vpon the caryage, and euent of this businesse, the Eyes of all +the partes of _Lancashire_, and other Counties in the North partes +thereunto adioyning were bent: And so infinite a multitude came to the +Arraignement & tryall of these Witches at _Lancaster_, the number of +them being knowen to exceed all others at any time heretofore, at one +time to be indicted, arraigned, and receiue their tryall,[B_a_] +especially for so many Murders, Conspiracies, Charmes, Meetinges, +hellish and damnable practises, so apparant vpon their owne +examinations & confessions. These my honourable & worthy Lords, the +Iudges of Assise, vpon great consideration, thought it necessarie & +profitable, to publish to the whole world, their most barbarous and +damnable practises, with the direct proceedinges of the Court against +them, aswell for that there doe passe diuers vncertaine reportes and +relations of such Euidences, as was publiquely giuen against them at +their Arraignement. As for that diuers came to prosecute against many +of them that were not found guiltie, and so rest very discontented, +and not satisfied. As also for that it is necessary for men to know +and vnderstande the meanes whereby they worke their mischiefe, the +hidden misteries of their diuelish and wicked Inchauntmentes, Charmes, +and Sorceries, the better to preuent and auoyde the danger that may +ensue. And lastly, who were the principall authors and actors in this +late woefull and lamentable _Tragedie_, wherein so much Blood was +spilt. + +Therefore I pray you giue me leaue, (with your patience and fauour,) +before I proceed to the Indictment, Arraignement, and Tryall of such +as were prisoners in the Castle, to lay open the life and death of +this damnable and malicious Witch, of so long continuance (old +_Demdike_) of whom our whole businesse hath such dependence, that +without the particular Declaration and Record of her Euidence, with +the circumstaunces, wee shall neuer bring any thing to good +perfection: for from this Sincke of villanie and mischiefe, haue all +the rest proceeded; as you shall haue them in order. + +She was a very old woman, about the age of Fourescore[B_b_] yeares, +and had been a Witch for fiftie yeares. Shee dwelt in the Forrest of +_Pendle_, a vaste place, fitte for her profession: What shee committed +in her time, no man knowes. + +Thus liued shee securely for many yeares, brought vp her owne +Children, instructed her Graund-children, and tooke great care and +paines to bring them to be Witches. Shee was a generall agent for the +Deuill in all these partes: no man escaped her, or her Furies, that +euer gaue them any occasion of offence, or denyed them any thing they +stood need of: And certaine it is, no man neere them, was secure or +free from danger. + +But God, who had in his diuine prouidence prouided to cut them off, +and roote them out of the Commonwealth, so disposed aboue, that the +Iustices of those partes, vnderstanding by a generall charme and +muttering, the great and vniuersall resort to _Maulking Tower_, the +common opinion, with the report of these suspected people, the +complaint of the Kinges subiectes for the losse of their Children, +Friendes, Goodes, and Cattle, (as there could not be so great Fire +without some Smoake,) sent for some of the Countrey, and tooke great +paynes to enquire after their proceedinges, and courses of life. + +In the end, _Roger Nowell_ Esquire,[B2_a_] one of his Maiesties +Iustices in these partes, a very religious honest Gentleman, painefull +in the seruice of his Countrey: whose fame for this great seruice to +his Countrey, shall liue after him, tooke vpon him to enter into the +particular examination of these suspected persons: And to the honour +of God, and the great comfort of all his Countrey, made such a +discouery of them in order, as the like hath not been heard of: which +for your better satisfaction, I haue heere placed in order against +her, as they are vpon Record, amongst the Recordes of the _Crowne_ at +_Lancaster_, certified by M. _Nowell_, and others. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +The voluntarie Confession +and Examination of _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ alias +_Demdike_, taken at the Fence in the Forrest +of _Pendle_ in the Countie +of _Lancaster._ + +The second day of Aprill, _Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi Anggliae, +&c. Decimo, et Scotiae, Quadragesimo quinto;_ +Before _Roger Nowell_ of _Reade_ Esquire, one of his +Maiesties Iustices of the peace within +the sayd Countie, _Viz._ + +The said _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ confesseth, and sayth; That about +twentie yeares past, as she was comming homeward from begging, there +met her this Examinate neere vnto a Stonepit in _Gouldshey_,[B2_b_1] +in the sayd Forrest of _Pendle_, a Spirit or Deuill in the shape of a +Boy, the one halfe of his Coate blacke, and the other browne, who bade +this Examinate stay, saying to her, that if she would giue him her +Soule, she should haue any thing that she would request. Wherevpon +this Examinat demaunded his name? and the Spirit answered, his name +was _Tibb_:[B2_b_2] and so this Examinate in hope of such gaine as was +promised by the sayd Deuill or _Tibb_, was contented to giue her Soule +to the said Spirit: And for the space of fiue or sixe yeares next +after, the sayd Spirit or Deuill appeared at sundry times vnto her +this Examinate about _Day-light_ Gate,[B2_b_3] alwayes bidding her +stay, and asking her this Examinate what she would haue or doe? To +whom this Examinate replyed, Nay nothing: for she this Examinate said, +she wanted nothing yet. And so about the end of the said sixe yeares, +vpon a Sabboth day in the morning, this Examinate hauing a litle Child +vpon her knee, and she being in a slumber, the sayd Spirit appeared +vnto her in the likenes of a browne Dogg, forcing himselfe to her +knee, to get blood vnder her left Arme: and she being without any +apparrell sauing her Smocke, the said Deuill did get blood vnder her +left arme.[B3_a_1] And this Examinate awaking, sayd, _Iesus saue my +Child_; but had no power, nor could not say, _Iesus saue her selfe_: +wherevpon the Browne Dogge vanished out of this Examinats sight: after +which, this Examinate was almost starke madd for the space of eight +weekes. + +And vpon her examination, she further confesseth, and saith. That a +little before Christmas last, this Examinates Daughter hauing been to +helpe _Richard Baldwyns_ Folkes at the Mill: This Examinates Daughter +did bid her this Examinate goe to the sayd _Baldwyns_ house, and aske +him some thing for her helping of his Folkes at the Mill, (as +aforesaid:) and in this Examinates going to the said _Baldwyns_ house, +and neere to the sayd house, she mette with the said _Richard +Baldwyn_; Which _Baldwyn_ sayd to this Examinate, and the said _Alizon +Deuice_[B3_a_3] (who at that time ledde this Examinate, being blinde) +get out of my ground Whores and Witches, I will burne the one of you, +and hang the other.[B3_a_2] To whom this Examinate answered: I care +not for thee, hang thy selfe: Presently wherevpon, at this Examinates +going ouer the next hedge, the said Spirit or Diuell called _Tibb_, +appeared vnto this Examinat, and sayd, _Reuenge thee of him_. To whom, +this Examinate sayd againe to the said Spirit. _Revenge thee eyther of +him, or his._ And so the said Spirit vanished out of her sight, and +she neuer saw him since. + +And further this Examinate confesseth, and sayth, that the speediest +way to take a mans life away by Witchcraft, is to make a Picture of +Clay,[B3_b_] like vnto the shape of the person whom they meane to +kill, & dry it thorowly: and when they would haue them to be ill in +any one place more then an other; then take a Thorne or Pinne, and +pricke it in that part of the Picture you would so haue to be ill: and +when you would haue any part of the Body to consume away, then take +that part of the Picture, and burne it. And when they would haue the +whole body to consume away, then take the remnant of the sayd Picture, +and burne it: and so therevpon by that meanes, the body shall die. + + * * * * * + +The Confession and Examination +of Anne Whittle _alias_ Chattox, being +Prisoner at _Lancaster_; taken the 19 day of May, +_Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi Angliae, Decimo: +ac Scotie Quadragesimo quinto_; Before +_William Sandes_ Maior of the Borrough +towne of _Lancaster._ + +_Iames Anderton_ of _Clayton_, one of his Maiesties Iustices +of Peace within the same County, and _Thomas +Cowell_ one of his Maiesties Coroners in +the sayd Countie of Lancaster, +_Viz._ + +First, the sayd _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, sayth, that about +foureteene yeares past she entered, through the wicked perswasions and +counsell of _Elizabeth Southerns_, alias _Demdike_, and was seduced to +condescend & agree to become subiect vnto that diuelish abhominable +profession of Witchcraft: Soone after which, the Deuill appeared vnto +her in the liknes of a Man, about midnight, at the house of the sayd +_Demdike_: and therevpon the sayd _Demdike_ and shee, went foorth of +the said house vnto him; wherevpon the said wicked Spirit mooued this +Examinate, that she would become his Subiect, and giue her Soule vnto +him: the which at first, she refused to assent vnto; but after, by the +great perswasions made by the sayd _Demdike_, shee yeelded to be at +his commaundement and appoyntment: wherevpon the sayd wicked Spirit +then sayd vnto her, that hee must haue one part of her body for him to +sucke vpon; the which shee denyed then to graunt vnto him; and withall +asked him, what part of her body hee would haue for that vse; who +said, hee would haue a place of her right side neere to her ribbes, +for him to sucke vpon: whereunto shee assented. + +And she further sayth, that at the same time, there was a thing in the +likenes of a spotted Bitch, that came with the sayd Spirit vnto the +sayd _Demdike_, which then did speake vnto her in this Examinates +hearing, and sayd, that she should haue Gould, Siluer, and worldly +Wealth, at her will.[B4_b_1] And at the same time she saith, there was +victuals, _viz._ Flesh, Butter, Cheese, Bread, and Drinke, and bidde +them eate enough. And after their eating, the Deuill called _Fancie_, +and the other Spirit calling himselfe _Tibbe_, carried the remnant +away: And she sayeth, that although they did eate, they were neuer the +fuller, nor better for the same; and that at their said Banquet, the +said Spirits gaue them light to see what they did, although they +neyther had fire nor Candle light; and that they were both shee +Spirites, and Diuels. + +And being further examined how many sundry Person haue been bewitched +to death, and by whom they were so bewitched: She sayth, that one +_Robert Nuter_, late of the _Greene-head_ in _Pendle_, was bewitched +by this Examinate, the said _Demdike_, and Widdow _Lomshawe_, (late of +_Burneley_) now deceased. + +And she further sayth, that the said _Demdike_ shewed her, that she +had bewitched to death, _Richard Ashton_, Sonne of _Richard Ashton_ of +_Downeham_ Esquire.[B4_b_2] + + * * * * * + +The Examination of Alizon +Deuice, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the County +of _Lancaster_ Spinster, taken at _Reade_ in the said +Countie of _Lancaster_, the xiij. day of +March, _Anno Regni Jacobi Angliae, &c._ +_Nono: et Scotiae xlv._ + +Before _Roger Nowell_ of _Reade_ aforesayd Esquire, one of +his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within the sayd +Countie, against _Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias +_Demdike_ her Graund-mother. +_Viz._ + +The sayd _Alizon Deuice_ sayth, that about two yeares agon, her +Graund-mother (called _Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias old _Demdike_) did +sundry times in going or walking togeather as they went begging, +perswade and aduise this Examinate to let a Deuill or Familiar appeare +vnto her; and that shee this Examinate, would let him sucke at some +part of her, and shee might haue, and doe what shee would. + +And she further sayth, that one _Iohn Nutter_ of the _Bulhole_ in +_Pendle_ aforesaid, had a Cow which was sicke, & requested this +examinats Grand-mother to amend the said Cow; and her said +Graund-mother said she would, and so her said Graund-mother about ten +of the clocke in the night, desired this examinate to lead her foorth; +which this Examinate did, being then blind: and her Graund-mother did +remaine about halfe an houre foorth: and this Examinates sister did +fetch her in againe; but what she did when she was so foorth, this +Examinate cannot tell. But the next morning this Examinate heard that +the sayd Cow was dead. And this Examinate verily thinketh, that her +sayd Graund-mother did bewitch the sayd Cow to death. + +And further, this Examinate sayth, that about two yeares agon, this +Examinate hauing gotten a Piggin full[C_b_] of blew Milke by begging, +brought it into the house of her Graund-mother, where (this Examinate +going foorth presently, and staying about halfe an houre) there was +Butter to the quantity of a quarterne of a pound in the said milke, +and the quantitie of the said milke still remayning; and her +Graund-mother had no Butter in the house when this Examinate went +foorth: duering which time, this Examinates Graund-mother still lay in +her bed. + +And further this Examinate sayth, that _Richard Baldwin_ of _Weethead_ +within the Forrest of _Pendle_, about 2. yeeres agoe, fell out with +this Examinates Graund-mother, & so would not let her come vpon his +Land: and about foure or fiue dayes then next after, her said +Graund-mother did request this Examinate to lead her foorth about ten +of the clocke in the night: which this Examinate accordingly did, and +she stayed foorth then about an houre, and this Examinates sister +fetched her in againe. And this Examinate heard the next morning, that +a woman Child of the sayd _Richard Baldwins_ was fallen sicke; and as +this Examinate did then heare, the sayd Child did languish afterwards +by the space of a yeare, or thereaboutes, and dyed: And this Examinate +verily thinketh, that her said Graund-mother did bewitch the sayd +Child to death. + +And further, this Examinate sayth, that she heard her sayd +Graund-mother say presently after her falling out with the sayd +_Baldwin_, shee would pray for the sayd _Baldwin_ both still and +loude: and this Examinate heard her cursse the sayd _Baldwin_ sundry +times. + + * * * * * + +The Examination of _Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of +_Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lancaster_ Labourer, taken the +27. day of April, _Annoq; Regni Regis Iacobi, Angliae, &c._ +_Decimo: ac Scotie Quadragesimo quinto_: Before +_Roger Nowell and Nicholas Banister, Esq._[C2_a_] +two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within +the sayd Countie. + +The sayd Examinate _Iames Deuice_ sayth, that about a month agoe, +as this Examinate was comming towards his Mothers house, and at +day-gate of the same night, [Sidenote: _Euening_] this Examinate mette +a browne Dogge comming from his Graund-mothers house, about tenne +Roodes distant from the same house: and about two or three nights +after, that this Examinate heard a voyce of a great number of Children +screiking and crying pittifully, about day-light gate; and likewise, +about ten Roodes distant of this Examinates sayd Graund-mothers house. +And about fiue nights then next following, presently after daylight, +within 20. Roodes of the sayd _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ house, he heard a +foule yelling like vnto a great number of Cattes: but what they were, +this Examinate cannot tell. And he further sayth, that about three +nights after that, about midnight of the same, there came a thing, and +lay vpon him very heauily about an houre, and went then from him out +of his Chamber window, coloured blacke, and about the bignesse of a +Hare or Catte. And he further sayth, that about _S. Peter's_ day last, +one _Henry Bullocke_ came to the sayd _Elizabeth Sowtherns_ house, and +sayd, that her Graund-child _Alizon Deuice_, had bewitched a Child of +his, and desired her that she would goe with him to his house; which +accordingly she did: And therevpon she the said _Alizon_ fell downe on +her knees, & asked the said _Bullocke_ forgiuenes, and confessed to +him, that she had bewitched the said child, as this Examinate heard +his said sister confesse vnto him this Examinate. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +The Examination of Elizabeth +Deuice, Daughter of old Demdike, taken +at _Read_ before _Roger Nowell_ Esquire, one of +his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the +Countie of _Lancaster_ the xxx. day +of March, _Annoq; Regni Jacobi_ +_Decimo, ac Scotie xlv._ + +The sayd _Elizabeth Deuice_ the Examinate, sayth, that the sayd +_Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias _Demdike_, hath had a place on her left +side by the space of fourty yeares, in such sort, as was to be seene +at this Examinates Examination taking, at this present time. + +Heere this worthy Iustice M. _Nowell_, out of these particular +Examinations, or rather Accusations, finding matter to proceed; and +hauing now before him old _Demdike_, old _Chattox_, _Alizon Deuice_, +and _Redferne_ both old and young, _Reos confitentes, et Accusantes +Inuicem_. About the second of Aprill last past, committed and sent +them away to the Castle at _Lancaster_, there to remaine vntill the +comming of the Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Assise, then to receiue +their tryall. + +But heere they had not stayed a weeke, when their Children and +Friendes being abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at +_Malking Tower_ in the Forrest of _Pendle_,[C3_a_] vpon Good-fryday, +within a weeke after they were committed, of all the most dangerous, +wicked, and damnable Witches in the County farre and neere. Vpon +Good-fryday they met, according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized +this great Feastiuall day according to their former order, with great +cheare, merry company, and much conference. + +In the end, in this great Assemblie, it was decreed M. _Couell_ by +reason of his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises: The +Castle of _Lancaster_ to be blowen vp, and ayde and assistance to be +sent to kill M. _Lister_, with his old Enemie and wicked Neighbour +_Iennet Preston_; with some other such like practices: as vpon their +Arraignement and Tryall, are particularly set foorth, and giuen in +euidence against them. + +This was not so secret, but some notice of it came to M. _Nowell_, and +by his great paines taken in the Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, al +their practises are now made knowen. Their purpose to kill M. +_Couell_, and blow vp the Castle, is preuented. All their Murders, +Witchcraftes, Inchauntments, Charmes, & Sorceries, are discouered; and +euen in the middest of their consultations, they are all confounded, +and arrested by Gods Iustice: brought before M. _Nowell_, and M. +_Bannester_, vpon their voluntary confessions, Examinations, and other +Euidence accused, and so by them committed to the Castle: So as now +both old and young, haue taken vp their lodgings with M. _Couell_, +vntill the next Assises, expecting their Tryall and deliuerance, +according to the Lawes prouided for such like. + +In the meane time, M. _Nowell_ hauing knowledge by this discouery of +their meeting at _Malkeing Tower_, and their resolution to execute +mischiefe, takes great paines to apprehend such as were at libertie, +and prepared Euidence against all such as were in question for +Witches. + +Afterwardes sendes some of these Examinations, to the Assises at +Yorke, to be giuen in Evidence against _Iennet Preston_, who for the +murder of M. _Lister_, is condemned and executed. + +The Circuite of the North partes being now almost ended. + + +The 16. of August. + +Vpon Sunday in the after noone, my honorable Lords the Iudges of +Assise, came from _Kendall_ to _Lancaster_. + +Wherevpon M. _Couell_, presented vnto their Lordships a Calender, +conteyning the Names of the Prisoners committed to his charge, which +were to receiue their Tryall at the Assises: Out of which, we are +onely to deale with the proceedings against Witches, which were as +followeth. + +_Viz._ + +The Names of the +Witches committed to the +Castle of _Lancaster_. + + +_Elizabeth Sowtherns._ } Who dyed before + alias } shee +_Old Demdike._ } came to her tryall. + +_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox._ +_Elizabeth Deuice_, Daughter of old _Demdike._ +_Iames Deuice_, Sonne of _Elizabeth Deuice._ +_Anne Readfearne_, Daughter of _Anne Chattox._ +_Alice Nutter._ +_Katherine Hewytte._ +_Iohn Bulcocke._ +_Iane Bulcocke._ +_Alizon Deuice_, Daughter of _Elizabeth Deuice._ +_Isabell Robey._ +_Magaret Pearson._ + + +The Witches of Salmesbury. + +_Iennet Bierley._ } { _Elizabeth Astley._ +_Elen Bierley._ } { _Alice Gray._ +_Iane Southworth._ } { _Isabell Sidegraues._ +_Iohn Ramesden._ } { _Lawrence Haye._ + +The next day, being Monday, the 17. of August, were the Assises holden +in the Castle of _Lancaster_, as followeth. + + * * * * * + +Placita Coronae. + +[Sidenote: _Lanc. fss._] + +_Deliberatio Gaolae Domini Regis Castri fui Lancasstr. ac +Prisonarior[=u] in eadem existent. Tenta apud Lancastr. in com. +Lancastr. Die Lunae, Decimo septimo die Augusti, Anno Regni Domini +nostri Iacobi dei gratia Anglicae, Franciae, et Hiberniae, Regis fidei +defensoris; Decimo: et Scotiae Quadragesimo sexto; Coram Iacobo Altham +Milit. vno Baronum Scaccarij Domini Regis, et Edwardo Bromley Milit. +altero Baronum eiusdem Scaccarij Domini Regis: ac Iustic. dicti Domini +Regis apud Lancastr._ + +Vpon the Tewesday in the after noone, the Iudges according to the +course and order, deuided them selues, where vpon my Lord _Bromley_, +one of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise comming into the Hall to +proceede with the Pleaes of the Crowne, & the Arraignement and Tryall +of Prisoners, commaunded a generall Proclamation, that all Iustices of +Peace that had taken any Recognisaunces, or Examinations of Prisoners, +should make Returne of them: And all such as were bound to prosecute +Indictmentes, and giue Euidence against Witches, should proceede, and +giue attendance: For hee now intended to proceede to the Arraignement +and Tryall of Witches. + +After which, the Court being set, M. Sherieffe was commaunded to +present his Prisoners before his Lordship, and prepare a sufficient +Iurie of Gentlemen for life and death. But heere we want old +_Demdike_, who dyed in the Castle before she came to her +tryall.[C4_b_] + +Heere you may not expect the exact order of the Assises, with the +Proclamations, and other solemnities belonging to so great a Court of +Iustice; but the proceedinges against the Witches, who are now vpon +their deliuerance here in order as they came to the Barre, with the +particular poyntes of Euidence against them: which is the labour and +worke we now intend (by Gods grace) to performe as we may, to your +generall contentment. + +Wherevpon, the first of all these, _Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox_,[D_b_] was brought to the Barre: against whom wee are now +ready to proceed. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +The Arraignement and +Tryall of Anne Whittle, _alias_ Chattox, +of the Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie +of _Lancaster_, Widdow; +about the age of Fourescore +yeares, or thereaboutes. + +_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox._ + +If in this damnable course of life, and offences, more horrible and +odious, then any man is able to expresse: any man lyuing could lament +the estate of any such like vpon earth: The example of this poore +creature, would haue moued pittie, in respect of her great contrition +and repentance, after she was committed to the Castle at _Lancaster_, +vntill the comming of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise. But such was the +nature of her offences, & the multitude of her crying sinnes, as it +tooke away all sense of humanity. And the repetition of her hellish +practises, and Reuenge; being the chiefest thinges wherein she alwayes +tooke great delight, togeather with a particular declaration of the +Murders shee had committed, layde open to the world, and giuen in +Euidence against her at the time of her Arraignement and Tryall; as +certainely it did beget contempt in the Audience, and such as she +neuer offended. + +This _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was a very old withered spent +and decreped creature, her sight almost gone: A dangerous Witch, of +very long continuance; alwayes opposite to old _Demdike_: For whom the +one fauoured, the other hated deadly: [Sidenote: _Her owne +examination_] and how they enuie and accuse one an other, in their +Examinations, may appeare. + +In her Witchcraft, alwayes more ready to doe mischiefe to mens goods, +then themselues. Her lippes euer chattering and walking:[D2_a_1] but +no man knew what. She liued in the Forrest of _Pendle_, amongst this +wicked company of dangerous Witches. Yet in her Examination and +Confession, she dealt alwayes very plainely and truely: for vpon a +speciall occasion being oftentimes examined in open Court, shee was +neuer found to vary, but alwayes to agree in one, and the selfe same +thing. + +I place her in order, next to that wicked fire-brand of mischiefe, old +_Demdike_, because from these two, sprung all the rest in +order:[D2_a_2] and were the Children and Friendes, of these two +notorious Witches. + +Many thinges in the discouery of them, shall be very worthy your +obseruation. As the times and occasions to execute their mischiefe. +And this in generall: the Spirit could neuer hurt, till they gaue +consent. + +And, but that it is my charge, to set foorth a particular Declaration +of the Euidence against them, vpon their Arraignement and Tryall; with +their Diuelish practises, consultations, meetings, and murders +committed by them, in such sort, as they were giuen in Euidence +against them; for the which, I shall haue matter vpon Record. I could +make a large Comentarie of them: But it is my humble duety, to obserue +the Charge and Commaundement of these my Honorable good Lordes the +Iudges of Assise, and not to exceed the limits of my Commission. +Wherefore I shall now bring this auncient Witch, to the due course of +her Tryall, in order. _viz._ + + +Indictment. + +This _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, of the Forrest of _Pendle_ in +the Countie of _Lancaster_ Widdow, being Indicted, for that shee +feloniously had practised, vsed, and exercised diuers wicked and +diuelish Artes called Witchcraftes, Inchauntmentes, Charmes, and +Sorceries, in and vpon one _Robert Nutter_ of _Greenehead_, in the +Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lanc_: and by force of the +same Witchcraft, feloniously the sayd _Robert Nutter_ had killed, +_Contra Pacem, &c._ Being at the Barre, was arraigned. + +To this Indictment, vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded, Not guiltie: +and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and her +Country. + +Wherevpon my Lord _Bromley_ commaunded M. Sheriffe of the County of +_Lancaster_ in open Court, to returne a Iurie of worthy sufficient +Gentlemen of vnderstanding, to passe betweene our soueraigne Lord the +Kinges Maiestie, and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues +and deathes; as hereafter follow in order: who were afterwardes +sworne, according to the forme and order of the Court, the Prisoners +being admitted to their lawfull challenges. + +Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre readie to receiue her +Tryall: M. _Nowell_, being the best instructed of any man, of all the +particular poyntes of Euidence against her, and her fellowes, hauing +taken great paynes in the proceedinges against her and her fellowes; +Humbly prayed, her owne voluntary Confession and Examination taken +before him, when she was apprehended and committed to the Castle of +_Lancaster_ for Witchcraft; might openly be published against her: +which hereafter followeth. _Viz._ + + * * * * * + +The voluntary Confession and Examination of +_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, taken at the _Fence_ in the +Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lancaster_; +Before _Roger Nowell Esq_, one of the +Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Peace +in the Countie of Lancaster. +Viz. + +The sayd _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, vpon her Examination, +voluntarily confesseth, and sayth, That about foureteene or fifteene +yeares agoe, a thing like a Christian man for foure yeares togeather, +did sundry times come to this Examinate, and requested this Examinate +to giue him her Soule: And in the end, this Examinate was contented to +giue him her sayd Soule, shee being then in her owne house, in the +Forrest of _Pendle_; wherevpon the Deuill then in the shape of a Man, +sayd to this Examinate: Thou shalt want nothing; and be reuenged of +whom thou list. And the Deuill then further commaunded this +Examinate, to call him by the name of _Fancie_;[D3_a_] and when she +wanted any thing, or would be reuenged of any, call on _Fancie_, and +he would be ready. And the sayd Spirit or Deuill, did appeare vnto her +not long after, in mans likenesse, and would haue had this Examinate +to haue consented, that he might hurt the wife of _Richard Baldwin_ of +_Pendle_;[D3_b_1] But this Examinate would not then consent vnto him: +For which cause, the sayd Deuill would then haue bitten her by the +arme; and so vanished away, for that time. + +And this Examinate further sayth, that _Robert Nutter_[D3_b_2] did +desire her Daughter one _Redfearns_ wife, to haue his pleasure of her, +being then in _Redfearns_ house: but the sayd _Redfearns_ wife denyed +the sayd _Robert_; wherevpon the sayd _Robert_ seeming to be greatly +displeased therewith, in a great anger tooke his Horse, and went away, +saying in a great rage, that if euer the Ground came to him, shee +should neuer dwell vpon his Land. Wherevpon this Examinate called +_Fancie_ to her; who came to her in the likenesse of a Man in a +parcell of Ground called, _The Laund_; asking this Examinate, what +shee would haue him to doe? And this Examinate bade him goe reuenge +her of the sayd _Robert Nutter_. After which time, the sayd _Robert +Nutter_ liued about a quarter of a yeare, and then dyed. + +And this Examinate further sayth, that _Elizabeth Nutter_, wife to old +_Robert Nutter_, did request this Examinate, and _Loomeshaws_ wife of +_Burley_, and one _Iane Boothman_, of the same, who are now both dead, +(which time of request, was before that _Robert Nutter_ desired the +company of _Redfearns_ wife) to get young _Robert Nutter_ his death, +if they could; all being togeather then at that time, to that end, +that if _Robert_ were dead, then the Women their Coosens might haue +the Land: By whose perswasion, they all consented vnto it. After which +time, this Examinates Sonne in law _Thomas Redfearne_, did perswade +this Examinate, not to kill or hurt the sayd _Robert Nutter_; for +which perswasion, the sayd _Loomeshaws_ Wife, had like to haue killed +the sayd _Redfearne_, but that one M. _Baldwyn_ (the late +Schoole-maister at _Coulne_) did by his learning, stay the sayd +_Loomeshaws_ wife, and therefore had a Capon from _Redfearne_.[D4_a_] + +And this Examinate further sayth, that she thinketh the sayd +_Loomeshaws_ wife, and _Iane Boothman_, did what they could to kill +the sayd _Robert Nutter_, as well as this Examinate did. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +SOTHERNES, alias OLD DEMBDIKE: _taken at +the Fence in the Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of Lancaster, +the day and yeare aforesaid._ + +Before, + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire, one of the Kings Maiesties +Iustices of Peace in the said Countie, against_ ANNE +WHITTLE, alias CHATTOX. + +The said _Elizabeth Southernes_ saith vpon her Examination, that +about halfe a yeare before _Robert Nutter_ died, as this Examinate +thinketh, this Examinate went to the house of _Thomas Redfearne_, +which was about Mid-sommer, as this Examinate remembreth it. And there +within three yards of the East end of the said house, shee saw the +said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, and _Anne Redferne_ wife of the +said _Thomas Redferne_, and Daughter of the said _Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox_: the one on the one side of the Ditch, and the other on the +other: and two Pictures of Clay or Marle lying by them: and the third +Picture the said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was making: and the +said _Anne Redferne_ her said Daughter, wrought her Clay or Marle to +make the third picture withall. And this Examinate passing by them, +the said Spirit, called _Tibb_, in the shape of a black Cat, appeared +vnto her this Examinate, and said, turne back againe, and doe as they +doe: To whom this Examinate said, what are they doing? whereunto the +said Spirit said; they are making three Pictures: whereupon she asked +whose pictures they were? whereunto the said Spirit said; they are +the pictures of _Christopher Nutter_, _Robert Nutter_, and _Marie_, +wife of the said _Robert Nutter_: But this Examinate denying to goe +back to helpe them to make the Pictures aforesaid; the said Spirit +seeming to be angrie, therefore shoue or pushed this Examinate into +the ditch, and so shed the Milke which this Examinate had in a Can or +Kit: and so thereupon the Spirit at that time vanished out of this +Examinates sight: But presently after that, the said Spirit appeared +to this Examinate againe in the shape of a Hare, and so went with her +about a quarter of a mile, but said nothing to this Examinate, nor +shee to it. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and euidence of_ IAMES +ROBINSON,[E_b_1] _taken the day and yeare aforesaid._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire aforesaid, against_ ANNE +WHITTLE, alias CHATTOX, _Prisoner at the Barre +as followeth._ viz. + +The said Examinate saith, that about sixe yeares agoe, _Anne +Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was hired by this Examinates wife to card +wooll;[E_b_2] and so vpon a Friday and Saturday, shee came and carded +wooll with this Examinates wife, and so the Munday then next after +shee came likewise to card: and this Examinates wife hauing newly +tunned drinke into Stands, which stood by the said _Anne Whittle_, +alias _Chattox_: and the said _Ann Whittle_ taking a Dish or Cup, and +drawing drinke seuerall times: and so neuer after that time, for some +eight or nine weekes, they could haue any drinke, but spoiled, and as +this Examinate thinketh was by the meanes of the said _Chattox_. And +further he saith, that the said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, and +_Anne Redferne_ her said Daughter, are commonly reputed and reported +to bee Witches. And hee also saith, that about some eighteene yeares +agoe, he dwelled with one _Robert Nutter_ the elder, of Pendle +aforesaid. And that yong _Robert Nutter_, who dwelled with his +Grand-father, in the Sommer time, he fell sicke, and in his said +sicknesse hee did seuerall times complaine, that hee had harme by +them: and this Examinate asking him what hee meant by that word +_Them_, He said, that he verily thought that the said _Anne Whittle_, +alias _Chattox_, and the said _Redfernes_ wife, had bewitched him: and +the said _Robert Nutter_ shortly after, being to goe with his then +Master, called Sir _Richard Shattleworth_,[E2_a_] into Wales, this +Examinate heard him say before his then going, vnto the said _Thomas +Redferne_, that if euer he came againe he would get his Father to put +the said _Redferne_ out of his house, or he himselfe would pull it +downe; to whom the said _Redferne_ replyed, saying; when you come back +againe you will be in a better minde: but he neuer came back againe, +but died before Candlemas in Cheshire, as he was comming homeward. + +Since the voluntarie confession and examination of a Witch, doth +exceede all other euidence, I spare to trouble you with a multitude of +Examinations, or Depositions of any other witnesses, by reason this +bloudie fact, for the Murder of _Robert Nutter_, vpon so small an +occasion, as to threaten to take away his owne land from such as were +not worthie to inhabite or dwell vpon it, is now made by that which +you haue alreadie heard, so apparant, as no indifferent man will +question it, or rest vnsatisfied: I shall now proceede to set forth +vnto you the rest of her actions, remaining vpon Record. And how +dangerous it was for any man to liue neere these people, to giue them +any occasion of offence, I leaue it to your good consideration. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and voluntarie Confession +of_ ANNE WHITTLE, alias CHATTOX, _taken +at the Fence in the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie +of Lancaster, the second day of Aprill_, Anno Regni +Regis IACOBI ANGLIAE, Franciae, & Hiberniae, decimo +& Scotiae xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Peace within the Countie of Lancaster._ + +She the said Examinate saith, That shee was sent for by the wife of +_Iohn Moore_, to helpe drinke that was forspoken or bewitched: at +which time shee vsed this Prayer for the amending of it, _viz._ + + _A Charme._[E2_b_] + + _Three Biters hast thou bitten, + The Hart, ill Eye, ill Tonge: + Three bitter shall be thy Boote, + Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost + a Gods name, + Fiue Pater-nosters, fiue Auies, + and a Creede, + In worship of fiue wounds + of our Lord._ + +After which time that this Examinate had vsed these prayers, and +amended her drinke, the said _Moores_ wife did chide this Examinate, +and was grieued at her. + +And thereupon this Examinate called for her Deuill _Fancie_, and bad +him goe bite a browne Cow of the said _Moores_ by the head, and make +the Cow goe madde: and the Deuill then, in the likenesse of a browne +Dogge, went to the said Cow, and bit her: which Cow went madde +accordingly, and died within six weekes next after, or thereabouts. + +Also this Examinate saith, That she perceiuing _Anthonie Nutter_ of +Pendle to fauour _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_,[E3_a_1] she, +this Examinate, called _Fancie_ to her, (who appeared like a man) and +bad him goe kill a Cow of the said _Anthonies_; which the said Deuill +did, and that Cow died also. + +And further this Examinate saith, That the Deuill, or _Fancie_, hath +taken most of her sight away from her. And further this Examinate +saith, That in Summer last, saue one, the said Deuill, or _Fancie_, +came vpon this Examinate in the night time: and at diuerse and sundry +times in the likenesse of a Beare, gaping as though he would haue +wearied this Examinate.[E3_a_2] And the last time of all shee, this +Examinate, saw him, was vpon Thursday last yeare but one, next before +Midsummer day, in the euening, like a Beare, and this Examinate would +not then speake vnto him, for the which the said Deuill pulled this +Examinate downe. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE,[E3_b_] +_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken the seuen and +twentieth day of Aprill_, Annoq; Reg. Regis IACOBI +Angliae, &c. Decimo ac Scotiae xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL and NICHOLAS BANISTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within +the said Countie._ viz. + +And further saith, That twelue yeares agoe, the said _Anne Chattox_ +at a Buriall at the new Church in Pendle, did take three scalpes of +people, which had been buried, and then cast out of a graue, as she +the said _Chattox_ told this Examinate; and tooke eight teeth out of +the said Scalpes, whereof she kept foure to her selfe, and gaue other +foure to the said _Demdike_, this Examinates Grand-mother: which foure +teeth now shewed to this Examinate, are the foure teeth that the said +_Chattox_ gaue to his said Grand-mother, as aforesaid; which said +teeth haue euer since beene kept, vntill now found by the said _Henry +Hargreiues_ & this Examinate, at the West-end of this Examinates +Grand-mothers house, and there buried in the earth, and a Picture of +Clay there likewise found by them, about halfe a yard ouer in the +earth, where the said teeth lay, which said picture so found was +almost withered away, and was the Picture of _Anne_, _Anthony Nutters_ +daughter; as this Examinates Grand-mother told him. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ALLIZON DEVICE +_daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken at +Reade, in the Countie of Lancaster, the thirtieth day of +March_, Annoq; Reg. Regis IACOBI nunc Angliae, +&c. Decimo, & Scotiae Quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _of Reade aforesaid, Esquire, one +of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace, within the said +Countie._ + +This Examinate saith, that about eleuen yeares agoe, this Examinate +and her mother had their firehouse broken,[E4_a_] and all, or the most +part of their linnen clothes, & halfe a peck of cut oat-meale, and a +quantitie of meale gone, all which was worth twentie shillings, or +aboue: and vpon a Sunday then next after, this Examinate did take a +band and a coife, parcell of the goods aforesaid, vpon the daughter of +_Anne Whittle, alias Chattox_, and claimed them to be parcell of the +goods stolne, as aforesaid. + +And this Examinate further saith, That her father, called _Iohn +Deuice_, being afraid, that the said _Anne Chattox_ should doe him or +his goods any hurt by Witchcraft; did couenant with the said _Anne_, +that if she would hurt neither of them, she should yearely haue one +Aghen-dole of meale;[E4_b_1] which meale was yearely paid, vntill the +yeare which her father died in, which was about eleuen yeares since: +Her father vpon his then-death-bed, taking it that the said _Anne +Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, did bewitch him to death, because the said +meale was not paid the last yeare. + +And she also saith, That about two yeares agone, this Examinate being +in the house of _Anthony Nutter_ of Pendle aforesaid, and being then +in company with _Anne Nutter_, daughter of the said _Anthony_: the +said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, came into the said _Anthony +Nutters_ house, and seeing this Examinate, and the said _Anne Nutter_ +laughing, and saying, that they laughed at her the said _Chattox_: +well said then (sayes _Anne Chattox_) I will be meet with the one of +you. And vpon the next day after, she the said _Anne Nutter_ fell +sicke, and within three weekes after died. And further, this Examinate +saith, That about two yeares agoe, she, this Examinate, hath heard, +That the said _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was suspected for +bewitching the drinke of _Iohn Moore_ of Higham Gentleman:[E4_b_2] and +not long after, shee this Examinate heard the said _Chattox_ say, that +she would meet with the said _Iohn Moore_, or his.[E4_b_3] Whereupon a +child of the said _Iohn Moores_, called _Iohn_, fell sick, and +languished about halfe a yeare, and then died: during which +languishing, this Examinate saw the said _Chattox_ sitting in her owne +garden, and a picture of Clay like vnto a child in her Apron; which +this Examinate espying, the said _Anne Chattox_ would haue hidde with +her Apron: and this Examinate declaring the same to her mother, her +mother thought it was the picture of the said _Iohn Moores_ childe. + +And she this Examinate further saith, That about sixe or seuen yeares +agoe, the said _Chattox_ did fall out with one _Hugh Moore_ of Pendle, +as aforesaid, about certaine cattell of the said _Moores_, which the +said _Moore_ did charge the said _Chattox_ to haue bewitched: for +which the said _Chattox_ did curse and worry the said _Moore_, and +said she would be Reuenged of the said _Moore_: whereupon the said +_Moore_ presently fell sicke, and languished about halfe a yeare, and +then died. Which _Moore_ vpon his death-bed said, that the said +_Chattox_ had bewitched him to death. And she further saith, That +about sixe yeares agoe, a daughter of the said _Anne Chattox_, called +_Elizabeth_, hauing been at the house of _Iohn Nutter_ of the +Bull-hole, to begge or get a dish full of milke, which she had, and +brought to her mother, who was about a fields breadth of the said +_Nutters_ house, which her said mother _Anne Chattox_ tooke and put +into a Kan, and did charne[F_a_1] the same with two stickes acrosse in +the same field: whereupon the said _Iohn Nutters_ sonne came vnto her, +the said _Chattox_, and misliking her doings, put the said Kan and +milke ouer with his foot; and the morning next after, a Cow of the +said _Iohn Nutters_ fell sicke, and so languished three or foure +dayes, and then died. + +In the end being openly charged with all this in open Court; with +weeping teares she humbly acknowledged them to be true,[F_a_2] and +cried out vnto God for Mercy and forgiuenesse of her sinnes, and +humbly prayed my Lord to be mercifull vnto _Anne Redfearne_ her +daughter, of whose life and condition you shall heare more vpon her +Arraignement and Triall: whereupon shee being taken away, _Elizabeth +Deuice_ comes now to receiue her Triall being the next in order, of +whom you shall heare at large. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE +(_Daughter of_ ELIZABETH SOTHERNES, +alias OLD DEMBDIKE) _late wife of_ IO. DEVICE, +_of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, widow, +for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August, +at the Assises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at +Lancaster_ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Elizabeth Deuice._ + +O Barbarous and inhumane Monster, beyond example; so farre from +sensible vnderstanding of thy owne miserie, as to bring thy owne +naturall children into mischiefe and bondage; and thy selfe to be a +witnesse vpon the Gallowes, to see thy owne children, by thy deuillish +instructions hatcht vp in Villanie and Witchcraft, to suffer with +thee, euen in the beginning of their time, a shamefull and vntimely +Death. Too much (so it be true) cannot be said or written of her. Such +was her life and condition: that euen at the Barre, when shee came to +receiue her Triall (where the least sparke of Grace or modestie would +haue procured fauour, or moued pitie) she was not able to containe her +selfe within the limits of any order or gouernment: but exclaiming, in +very outragious manner crying out against her owne children, and such +as came to prosecute Indictments & Euidence for the Kings Maiestie +against her, for the death of their Children, Friends, and Kinsfolkes, +whome cruelly and bloudily, by her Enchauntments, Charmes, and +Sorceries she had murthered and cut off; sparing no man with fearefull +execrable curses and banning:[F2_b_] Such in generall was the common +opinion of the Countrey where she dwelt, in the Forrest of Pendle (a +place fit for people of such condition) that no man neere her, neither +his wife, children, goods, or cattell should be secure or free from +danger. + +This _Elizabeth Deuice_ was the daughter of _Elizabeth Sothernes_, old +_Dembdike_, a malicious, wicked, and dangerous Witch for fiftie +yeares, as appeareth by Record: and how much longer, the Deuill and +shee knew best with whome shee made her couenant. + +It is very certaine, that amongst all these Witches there was not a +more dangerous and deuillish Witch to execute mischiefe, hauing old +_Dembdike_, her mother, to assist her; _Iames Deuice_ and _Alizon +Deuice_, her owne naturall children, all prouided with Spirits, vpon +any occasion of offence readie to assist her. + +Vpon her Examination, although Master _Nowel_ was very circumspect, +and exceeding carefull in dealing with her, yet she would confesse +nothing, vntill it pleased God to raise vp a yong maid, _Iennet +Deuice_, her owne daughter, about the age of nine yeares (a witnesse +vnexpected) to discouer all their Practises, Meetings, Consultations, +Murthers, Charmes, and Villanies: such, and in such sort, as I may +iustly say of them, as a reuerend and learned Iudge of this Kingdome +speaketh of the greatest Treason that euer was in this Kingdome, _Quis +haec posteris sic narrare poterit, vt facta non ficta esse videantur?_ +That when these things shall be related to Posteritie, they will be +reputed matters fained, not done. + +And then knowing, that both _Iennet Deuice_, her daughter, _Iames +Deuice_, her sonne, and _Alizon Deuice_, with others, had accused her +and layed open all things, in their Examinations taken before Master +_Nowel_, and although she were their owne naturall mother, yet they +did not spare to accuse her of euery particular fact, which in her +time she had committed, to their knowledge; she made a very liberall +and voluntarie Confession, as hereafter shall be giuen in euidence +against her, vpon her Arraignment and Triall. + +This _Elizabeth Deuice_ being at libertie, after Old _Dembdike_ her +mother, _Alizon Deuice_, her daughter, and old _Chattocks_ were +committed to the Castle of Lancaster for Witchcraft; laboured not a +little to procure a solemne meeting at Malkyn-Tower of the Graund +Witches of the Counties of Lancaster and Yorke, being yet vnsuspected +and vntaken, to consult of some speedie course for the deliuerance of +their friends, the Witches at Lancaster, and for the putting in +execution of some other deuillish practises of Murther and Mischiefe: +as vpon the Arraignement and Triall of _Iames Deuice_, her sonne, +shall hereafter in euery particular point appeare at large against +her. + + +The first Indictment. + +This _Elizabeth Deuice_, late the wife of _Iohn Deuice_, of the +Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of Lancaster Widdow, being indicted, +for that shee felloniously had practized, vsed, and exercised diuers +wicked and deuillish Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchantments_, +_Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Iohn Robinson_, alias +_Swyer_: and by force of the same felloniously, the said _Iohn +Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, had killed. _Contra pacem, &c._ being at the +Barre was arraigned. + + +2. Indictment. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_ was the second time indicted in the same +manner and forme, for the death of _Iames Robinson_, by Witch-craft. +_Contra pacem, &c._ + + +3. Indictment. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_, was the third time with others, _viz._ +_Alice Nutter_, and _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Old-Dembdike_, her +Grand-mother, Indicted in the same manner and forme, for the death of +_Henrie Mytton_. _Contra pacem, &c._ + +To these three seuerall Indictments vpon her Arraignement, shee +pleaded not guiltie; and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe +vpon God and her Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, stand charged +to finde, whether shee bee guiltie of them, or any of them. + +Whereupon there was openly read, and giuen in euidence against her, +for the Kings Majestie, her owne voluntarie Confession and +Examination, when shee was apprehended, taken, and committed to the +Castle of Lancaster by M. _Nowel_, and M. _Bannester_, two of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same Countie. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and voluntarie Confession +of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken at the house of_ +IAMES WILSEY _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie +of Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill: +Anno Reg._ IACOBI, _Angl. &c. decimo, & Scotiae_ xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace +within the same Countie._ viz. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_, Mother of the said +_Iames_, being examined, confesseth and saith. + +That at the third time her Spirit,[F4_a_] the Spirit _Ball_, +appeared to her in the shape of a browne Dogge, at, or in her Mothers +house in Pendle Forrest aforesaid: about foure yeares agoe the said +Spirit bidde this Examinate make a picture of Clay after the said +_Iohn Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, which this Examinate did make +accordingly at the West end of her said Mothers house, and dryed the +same picture with the fire and crumbled all the same picture away +within a weeke or thereabouts, and about a weeke after the Picture +was crumbled or mulled away; the said _Robinson_ dyed. + +The reason wherefore shee this Examinate did so bewitch the said +_Robinson_ to death, was: for that the said _Robinson_ had chidden and +becalled this Examinate, for hauing a Bastard-child with one _Seller_. + +And this Examinate further saith and confesseth, that shee did bewitch +the said _Iames Robinson_ to death, as in the said _Iennet Deuice_ her +examination is confessed. + +And further shee saith, and confesseth, that shee with the wife of +_Richard Nutter_, and this Examinates said Mother, ioyned altogether, +and did bewitch the said _Henrie Mytton_ to death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE, _Daughter of the said_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _late Wife of_ IOHN DEVICE, _of the +Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +ELIZABETH DEVICE _her Mother, Prisoner at the +Barre vpon her Arraignement and Triall._ viz. + +The said _Iennet Deuice_, being a yong Maide, about the age of nine +yeares,[F4_b_] and commanded to stand vp to giue euidence against her +Mother, Prisoner at the Barre: Her Mother, according to her accustomed +manner, outragiously cursing, cryed out against the child in such +fearefull manner, as all the Court did not a little wonder at her, and +so amazed the child, as with weeping teares shee cryed out vnto my +Lord the Iudge, and told him, shee was not able to speake in the +presence of her Mother. + +This odious Witch was branded with a preposterous marke in Nature, +euen from her birth, which was her left eye, standing lower then the +other; the one looking downe, the other looking vp, so strangely +deformed, as the best that were present in that Honorable assembly, +and great Audience, did affirme, they had not often seene the like. + +No intreatie, promise of fauour, or other respect, could put her to +silence, thinking by this her outragious cursing and threatning of the +child, to inforce her to denie that which she had formerly confessed +against her Mother, before M. _Nowel_: Forswearing and denying her +owne voluntarie confession, which you haue heard, giuen in euidence +against her at large, and so for want of further euidence to escape +that, which the Iustice of the Law had prouided as a condigne +punishment for the innocent bloud shee had spilt, and her wicked and +deuillish course of life. + +In the end, when no meanes would serue, his Lordship commanded the +Prisoner to be taken away, and the Maide to bee set vpon the Table in +the presence of the whole Court, who deliuered her euidence in that +Honorable assembly, to the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, +as followeth. _viz._ + +_Iennet Deuice_, Daughter of _Elizabeth Deuice_, late Wife of _Iohn +Deuice_, of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid Widdow, confesseth and +saith, that her said Mother is a Witch, and that this shee knoweth to +be true; for, that shee had seene her Spirit sundrie times come vnto +her said Mother in her owne house, called _Malking-Tower_, in the +likenesse of a browne Dogge, which shee called _Ball_; and at one time +amongst others, the said _Ball_ did aske this Examinates Mother what +she would haue him to doe: and this Examinates Mother answered, that +she would haue the said _Ball_ to helpe her to kill _Iohn Robinson_ of +_Barley_, alias _Swyer_: by helpe of which said _Ball_, the said +_Swyer_ was killed by witch-craft accordingly; and that this +Examinates Mother hath continued a Witch for these three or foure +yeares last past. And further, this Examinate confesseth, that about a +yeare after, this Examinates Mother called for the said _Ball_, who +appeared as aforesaid, asking this Examinates Mother what shee would +haue done, who said, that shee would haue him to kill _Iames +Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, of Barlow aforesaid, Brother to the said +_Iohn_: whereunto _Ball_ answered, hee would doe it; and about three +weekes after, the said _Iames_ dyed. + +And this Examinate also saith, that one other time shee was present, +when her said Mother did call for the _Ball_, [Sidenote: Her Spirit.] +who appeared in manner as aforesaid, and asked this Examinates Mother +what shee would haue him to doe, whereunto this Examinates Mother then +said shee would haue him to kill one _Mitton_ of the Rough-Lee, +whereupon the said _Ball_ said, he would doe it, and so vanished away, +and about three weekes after, the said _Mitton_ likewise dyed. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_sonne of the said_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken the +seuen and twentieth day of Aprill_, Annoq; Reg. Regis +IACOBI Angliae, &c. Decimo ac Scociae, xlv. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace, within +the said Countie._ viz. + +The said _Iames Deuice_ being examined, saith, That he heard his +Grand-mother say, about a yeare agoe, That his mother called +_Elizabeth Deuice_, and others, had killed one _Henry Mitton_ of the +Rough-Lee aforesaid, by Witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so +killed, was for that this Examinates said Grand-mother _Old Demdike_, +had asked the said _Mitton_ a penny; and he denying her thereof, +thereupon she procured his death, as aforesaid. + +And he, this Examinate also saith, That about three yeares agoe, this +Examinate being in his Grand-mothers house, with his said mother; +there came a thing in shape of a browne dogge, which his mother called +_Ball_, who spake to this Examinates mother, in the sight and hearing +of this Examinate, and bad her make a Picture of Clay like vnto _Iohn +Robinson_, alias _Swyer_, and drie it hard, and then crumble it by +little and little; and as the said Picture should crumble or mull +away, so should the said _Io. Robinson_ alias _Swyer_ his body decay +and weare away. And within two or three dayes after, the Picture shall +so all be wasted, and mulled away; so then the said _Iohn Robinson_ +should die presently. Vpon the agreement betwixt the said dogge and +this Examinates mother; the said dogge suddenly vanished out of this +Examinates sight. And the next day, this Examinate saw his said mother +take Clay at the West end of her said house, and make a Picture of it +after the said _Robinson_, and brought into her house, and dried it +some two dayes: and about two dayes after the drying thereof, this +Examinates said mother fell on crumbling the said Picture of Clay, +euery day some, for some three weekes together; and within two dayes +after all was crumbled or mulled away, the said _Iohn Robinson_ died. + +Being demanded by the Court, what answere shee could giue to the +particular points of the Euidence against her, for the death of these +seuerall persons; Impudently shee denied them, crying out against her +children, and the rest of the Witnesses against her. + +But because I haue charged her to be the principall Agent, to procure +a solemne meeting at _Malking-Tower_ of the Grand-witches, to consult +of some speedy course for the deliuerance of her mother, _Old +Demdike_, her daughter, and other Witches at Lancaster: the speedie +Execution of Master _Couell_, who little suspected or deserued any +such practise or villany against him: The blowing up of the Castle, +with diuers other wicked and diuellish practises and murthers; I shall +make it apparant vnto you, by the particular Examinations and Euidence +of her owne children, such as were present at the time of their +Consultation, together with her owne Examination and Confession, +amongst the Records of the Crowne at Lancaster, as hereafter +followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The voluntary Confession and Examination +of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken at the house of_ +IAMES WILSEY, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the +Countie of Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill_, +Annoq: Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae, &c. Decimo, +& Scotiae Quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL and NICHOLAS BANISTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within +the same Countie._ viz. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_ being further Examined, confesseth that +vpon Good-Friday last, there dined at this Examinates house, called +_Malking-Tower_, those which she hath said are Witches, and doth +verily think them to be Witches: and their names are those whom _Iames +Deuice_ hath formerly spoken of to be there. And she further saith, +that there was also at her said mothers house, at the day and time +aforesaid, two women of Burneley Parish, whose names the wife of +_Richard Nutter_ doth know. And there was likewise there one _Anne +Crouckshey_[G3_a_] of Marsden: And shee also confesseth, in all things +touching the Christening of the Spirit, and the killing of Master +_Lister_ of Westbie, as the said _Iames Deuice_ hath before confessed; +but denieth of any talke was amongst them the said Witches, to her now +remembrance, at the said meeting together, touching the killing of the +Gaoler, or the blowing vp of Lancaster Castle. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE, _Daughter of the said_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _late Wife of_ IOHN DEVICE, _of the +Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +ELIZABETH DEVICE, _her Mother, Prisoner at the +Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall_, viz. + +The said _Iennet Deuice_ saith, That vpon Good Friday last there +was about twentie persons[G3_b_1] (whereof onely two were men, to this +Examinates remembrance) at her said Grandmothers house, called +Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: all which persons +this Examinates said mother told her, were Witches, and that they came +to giue a name to _Alizon Deuice_ Spirit, or Familiar, sister to this +Examinate, and now prisoner at Lancaster. And also this Examinate +saith, That the persons aforesaid had to their dinners Beefe, Bacon, +and roasted Mutton; which Mutton (as this Examinates said brother +said) was of a Wether of _Christopher Swyers_ of Barley: which Wether +was brought in the night before into this Examinates mothers house by +the said _Iames Deuice_, this Examinates said brother: and in this +Examinates sight killed and eaten, as aforesaid. And shee further +saith, That shee knoweth the names of sixe of the said Witches, _viz._ +the wife of _Hugh Hargraues_ vnder Pendle, _Christopher Howgate_ of +Pendle, vnckle to this Examinate, and _Elizabeth_ his wife, and _Dicke +Miles_ his wife of the Rough-Lee; _Christopher Iackes_ of +Thorny-holme, and his wife:[G3_b_2] and the names of the residue shee +this Examinate doth not know, sauing that this Examinates mother and +brother were both there. And lastly, she this Examinate confesseth and +saith, That her mother hath taught her two prayers: the one to cure +the bewitched, and the other to get drinke; both which particularly +appeare. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IAMES +DEVICE, _sonne of the said_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, +_late wife of_ IOHN DEVICE, _of the Forrest of +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +ELIZABETH DEVICE, _his Mother, prisoner at the +Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall_, viz. + +The said _Iames Deuice_ saith, That on Good-Friday last, about +twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates +said mothers house, at Malking-Tower, a number of persons, whereof +three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they +met there for three causes following (as this Examinates said mother +told this Examinate) The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, +which _Alizon Deuice_, now prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not +name him, because shee was not there.[G4_a_] The second was, for the +deliuerie of his said Grandmother, olde _Dembdike_; this Examinates +said sister _Allizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her daughter +_Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the next +Assises to blow vp the Castle there: and to that end the aforesaid +prisoners might by that time make an escape, and get away. All which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +And he also sayth, That the names of the said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grandmothers house, and now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as hee did know, were +these, _viz._ The wife of _Hugh Hargreiues_ of Burley; the wife of +_Christopher Bulcock_, of the Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne; the +mother of _Myles Nutter_; _Elizabeth_, the wife of _Christopher +Hargreiues_, of Thurniholme; _Christopher Howgate_, and _Elizabeth_, +his wife; _Alice Graye_ of Coulne, and one _Mould-heeles_ wife, of the +same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further +sayth, That all the Witches went out of the said House in their owne +shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of the +dores, gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, +some of another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when shee got +on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates +sight. And before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete +at the said _Prestons_ wiues [Sidenote: _Executed at Yorke the last +Assises._] house that day twelue-moneths; at which time the said +_Prestons_ wife promised to make them a great Feast. And if they had +occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen, +that they all should meete vpon _Romleyes_ Moore.[G4_b_] + +And there they parted, with resolution to execute their deuillish and +bloudie practises, for the deliuerance of their friends, vntill they +came to meete here, where their power and strength was gone. And now +finding her Meanes was gone, shee cried out for Mercie. Whereupon shee +being taken away, the next in order was her sonne _Iames Deuice_, whom +shee and her Mother, old _Dembdike_, brought to act his part in this +wofull Tragedie. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of +Pendle, within the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, Laborer, +for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August, +at the Assises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at +Lancaster_ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_James Deuice._ + +This wicked and miserable Wretch, whether by practise, or meanes, +to bring himselfe to some vntimely death, and thereby to auoide his +Tryall by his Countrey, and iust iudgement of the Law; or ashamed to +bee openly charged with so many deuillish practises, and so much +innocent bloud as hee had spilt; or by reason of his Imprisonment so +long time before his Tryall (which was with more fauour, +commiseration, and reliefe then hee deserued) I know not: But being +brought forth to the Barre, to receiue his Triall before this worthie +Iudge, and so Honourable and Worshipfull an Assembly of Iustices for +this seruice, was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as +he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp[H2_a_1] +when hee was brought to the place of his Arraignement, to receiue his +triall. + +This _Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle, being brought to the +Barre, was there according to the forme, order, and course, Indicted +and Arraigned; for that hee Felloniously had practised, vsed, and +exercised diuers wicked and deuillish Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, +_Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Anne +Towneley_, wife of _Henrie Towneley_ of the Carre,[H2_a_2] in the +Countie of Lancaster Gentleman, and her by force of the same, +felloniously had killed. _Contra pacem, &c._ + +The said _Iames Deuice_ was the second time Indicted and Arraigned in +the same manner and forme, for the death of _Iohn Duckworth_, by +witch-craft. _Contra pacem, &c._ + +To these two seuerall Indictments vpon his Arraignment, he pleaded not +guiltie, and for the triall of his life put himselfe vpon God and his +Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged +to finde, whether he be guiltie of these, or either of them. + +Whereupon Master _Nowel_ humbly prayed Master _Towneley_ might be +called,[H2_a_3] who attended to prosecute and giue euidence against +him for the King's Majestie, and that the particular Examinations +taken before him and others, might be openly published & read in +Court,[H2_a_4] in the hearing of the Prisoner. + +But because it were infinite to bring him to his particular Triall for +euery offence, which hee hath committed in his time, and euery +practice wherein he hath had his hand: I shall proceede in order with +the Euidence remayning vpon Record against him, amongst the Records of +the Crowne; both how, and in what sort hee came to be a witch: and +shew you what apparant proofe there is to charge him with the death of +these two seuerall persons, for the which hee now standeth vpon his +triall for al the rest of his deuillish practises, incantantions, +murders, charmes, sorceries, meetings to consult with Witches, to +execute mischiefe (take them as they are against him vpon Record:) +Enough, I doubt not. For these with the course of his life will serue +his turne to deliuer you from the danger of him that neuer tooke +felicitie in any things, but in reuenge, bloud, & mischiefe with +crying out vnto God for vengeance; which hath now at the length +brought him to the place where hee standes to receiue his Triall with +more honor, fauour, and respect, then such a Monster in Nature doth +deserue; And I doubt not, but in due time by the Iustice of the Law, +to an vntimely and shamefull death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, Labourer. Taken the +seuen and twentieth day of Aprill, Annoq; Reg. Regis_ +IACOBI, _Angliae, &c._ x^o. _& Scotiae Quadragesimo quinto._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace +within the said Countie._ + +He saith, that vpon Sheare Thursday[H3_a_] was two yeares, his +Grand-Mother _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, did bid him this +Examinate goe to the Church to receiue the Communion (the next day +after being Good Friday) and then not to eate the Bread the Minister +gaue him, but to bring it and deliuer it to such a thing as should +meet him in his way homewards: Notwithstanding her perswasions, this +Examinate did eate the Bread: and so in his comming homeward some +fortie roodes off the said Church, there met him a thing in the shape +of a Hare, who spoke vnto this Examinate, and asked him whether hee +had brought the Bread that his Grand-mother had bidden him, or no? +whereupon this Examinate answered, hee had not: and thereupon the said +thing threatned to pull this Examinate in peeces, and so this +Examinate thereupon marked himselfe to God, and so the said thing +vanished out of this Examinates sight. And within some foure daies +after that, there appeared in this Examinates sight, hard by the new +Church in Pendle, a thing like vnto a browne _Dogge_, who asked this +Examinate to giue him his Soule, and he should be reuenged of any whom +hee would: whereunto this Examinate answered, that his Soule was not +his to giue, but was his _Sauiour Iesus Christs_, but as much as was +in him this Examinate to giue, he was contented he should haue it. + +And within two or three daies after, this Examinate went to the +Carre-Hall, and vpon some speeches betwixt Mistris _Towneley_ and this +Examinate; Shee charging this Examinate and his said mother, to haue +stolne some Turues of hers, badde him packe the doores: and withall as +he went forth of the doore, the said Mistris _Towneley_ gaue him a +knock betweene the shoulders: and about a day or two after that, there +appeared vnto this Examinate in his way, a thing like vnto a black +dog, who put this Examinate in minde of the said Mistris _Towneleyes_ +falling out with him this Examinate; who bad this Examinate make a +Picture of Clay, like vnto the said Mistris _Towneley_: and that this +Examinate with the helpe of his Spirit (who then euer after bidde this +Examinate to call it _Dandy_) would kill or destroy the said Mistris +_Towneley_: and so the said dogge vanished out of this Examinates +sight. And the next morning after, this Examinate tooke Clay, and made +a Picture of the said Mistris _Towneley_, and dried it the same night +by the fire: and within a day after, hee, this Examinate began to +crumble the said Picture, euery day some, for the space of a weeke: +and within two daies after all was crumbled away; the said Mistris +_Towneley_ died. + +And hee further saith, That in Lent last one _Iohn Duckworth_ of the +Lawnde, promised this Examinate an old shirt: and within a fortnight +after, this Examinate went to the said _Duckworthes_ house, and +demanded the said old shirt: but the said _Duckworth_ denied him +thereof. And going out of the said house, the said Spirit _Dandy_ +appeared vnto this Examinate, and said, Thou didst touch the said +_Duckworth_; whereunto this Examinate answered, he did not touch him: +yes (said the Spirit againe) thou didst touch him, and therfore I haue +power of him: whereupon this Examinate ioyned with the said Spirit, +and then wished the said Spirit to kill the said _Duckworth_: and +within one weeke, then next after, _Duckworth_ died. + +This voluntary Confession and Examination of his owne, containing in +it selfe matter sufficient in Law to charge him, and to proue his +offences, contained in the two seuerall Indictments, was sufficient to +satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death, that he is +guiltie of them, and either of them: yet my Lord _Bromley_ commanded, +for their better satisfaction, that the Witnesses present in Court +against any of the Prisoners, should be examined openly, _viua voce_, +that the Prisoner might both heare and answere to euery particular +point of their Euidence; notwithstanding any of their Examinations +taken before any of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said +Countie. + +Herein do but obserue the wonderfull work of God; to raise vp a young +Infant, the very sister of the Prisoner, _Iennet Deuice_, to discouer, +iustifie and proue these things against him, at the time of his +Arraignement and Triall, as hereafter followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE _daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, +_late wife of_ IOHN DEVICE _of the Forrest of Pendle, +in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IAMES DEVICE, _Prisoner at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement +and Triall._ viz. + +Being examined in open Court, she saith, That her brother _Iames +Device_, the Prisoner at the Barre, hath beene a Witch for the space +of three yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared +vnto him, in this Examinates mothers house, a Black-Dogge, which +[Sidenote: _Dandy._] her said brother called _Dandy_. And further, +this Examinate confesseth, & saith: That her said brother about a +twelue month since, in the presence of this Examinate, and in the +house aforesaid, called for the said _Dandy_, who thereupon appeared: +asking this Examinates brother what he would haue him to doe. This +Examinates brother then said, he would haue him to helpe him to kill +old Mistris _Towneley_ of the Carre: whereunto the said _Dandy_ +answered, and said, That her said brother should haue his best helpe +for the doing of the same; and that her said brother, and the said +_Dandy_, did both in this Examinates hearing, say, they would make +away the said Mistris _Towneley_. And about a weeke after, this +Examinate comming to the Carre-Hall, saw the said Mistris _Towneley_ +in the Kitchin there, nothing well: whereupon it came into this +Examinates minde, that her said brother, by the help of _Dandy_, had +brought the said Mistris _Towneley_ into the state she then was in. + +Which Examinat, although she were but very yong, yet it was wonderfull +to the Court, in so great a Presence and Audience, with what modestie, +gouernement, and vnderstanding, shee deliuered this Euidence against +the Prisoner at the Barre, being her owne naturall brother, which he +himselfe could not deny, but there acknowledged in euery particular to +be iust and true. + +But behold a little further, for here this bloudy Monster did not stay +his hands: for besides his wicked and diuellish Spels, practises, +meetings to consult of murder and mischiefe, which (by Gods grace) +hereafter shall follow in order against him; there is yet more bloud +to be laid vnto his charge. For although he were but yong, and in the +beginning of his Time, yet was he carefull to obserue his Instructions +from _Old Demdike_ his Grand-mother, and _Elizabeth Deuice_ his +mother, in so much that no time should passe since his first entrance +into that damnable Arte and exercise of Witchcrafts, Inchantments, +Charmes and Sorceries, without mischiefe or murder. Neither should any +man vpon the least occasion of offence giuen vnto him, escape his +hands, without some danger. For these particulars were no sooner giuen +in Euidence against him, when he was againe Indicted and Arraigned for +the murder of these two. _viz._ + +_Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the Countie of +Lancaster, Labourer, the third time Indicted and Arraigned for the +death of _Iohn Hargraues_ of Gould-shey-booth, in the Countie of +Lancaster, by Witchcraft, as aforesaid. _Contra &c._ + +To this Inditement vpon his Arraignement he pleaded thereunto not +guiltie: and for his Triall put himselfe vpon God and his Countrey, +&c. + +_Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the County of +Lancaster, Labourer, the fourth time Indicted and Arraigned for the +death of _Blaze Hargreues_ of Higham, in the Countie of Lancaster, by +Witchcraft, as aforesaid. _Contra Pacem_, &c. + +To this Indictment vpon his Arraignement, he pleaded thereunto not +guiltie; and for the Triall of his life, put himselfe vpon God and the +Countrey. &c. + +Hereupon _Iennet Deuice_ produced, sworne and examined, as a witnesse +on his Maiesties behalfe, against the said _Iames Deuice_, was +examined in open Court, as followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE _aforesaid._ + +Against + +IAMES DEVICE, _her brother, Prisoner at the Barre, +vpon his Arraignement and Triall._ viz. + +Being sworne and examined in open Court, she saith, That her +brother _Iames Deuice_ hath beene a Witch for the space of three +yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared vnto him, in +this Examinates mothers house, a Blacke-Dogge, which her said brother +called _Dandy_, which _Dandy_ did aske her said brother what he would +haue him to doe, whereunto he answered, hee would haue him to kill +_Iohn Hargreiues_, of Gold-shey-booth: whereunto _Dandy_ answered that +he would doe it: since which time the said _Iohn_ is dead. + +And at another time this Examinate confesseth and saith, That her said +brother did call the said _Dandy_: who thereupon appeared in the said +house, asking this Examinates brother what hee would haue him to doe: +whereupon this Examinates said brother said, he would haue him to kill +_Blaze Hargreiues_ of Higham: whereupon _Dandy_ answered, hee should +haue his best helpe, and so vanished away: and shee saith, that since +that time the said _Hargreiues_ is dead; but how long after, this +Examinate doth not now remember. + +All which things, when he heard his sister vpon her Oath affirme, +knowing them in his conscience to bee iust and true, slenderly denyed +them, and thereupon insisted. + +To this Examination were diuerse witnesses examined in open Court +_viua voce_, concerning the death of the parties, in such manner and +forme, and at such time as the said _Iennet Deuice_ in her Euidence +hath formerly declared to the Court. + + Which is all, and I doubt not but matter sufficient in Law + to charge him with, for the death of these parties. + +For the proofe of his Practises, Charmes, Meetings at Malking-Tower, +to consult with Witches to execute mischiefe, Master _Nowel_ humbly +prayed, his owne Examination, taken and certified, might openly be +read; and the rest in order, as they remaine vpon Record amongst the +Records of the Crowne at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth, _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest +of Pendle: Taken the seuen and twentieth day of +Aprill aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within +the said Countie_, viz. + +And being examined, he further saith, That vpon Sheare-Thursday +last, in the euening, he this Examinate stole a Wether from _Iohn +Robinson_ of Barley, and brought it to his Grand-mothers house, old +_Dembdike_, and there killed it: and that vpon the day following, +being Good-Friday, about twelue of the clocke in the day time, there +dined in this Examinates mothers house a number of persons, whereof +three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they +met there for three Causes following, as this Examinates said Mother +told this Examinate. + +1 The first was, for the naming of the Spirit which _Alizon Deuice_, +now prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was +not there. + +2 The second Cause was, for the deliuerie of his said Grand-mother; +this Examinates said sister _Alizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her +daughter _Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the +next Assises to blow vp the Castle there, to the end the aforesaid +persons might by that meanes make an escape & get away; all which this +Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +3 And the third Cause was, for that there was a woman dwelling in +Gisborne Parish, who came into this Examinates said Grandmothers +house, who there came and craued assistance of the rest of them that +were then there, for the killing of Master _Lister_ of Westby, because +(as shee then said) he had borne malice vnto her, and had thought to +haue put her away at the last Assises at Yorke, but could not: and +this Examinate heard the said woman say, That her power was not strong +ynough to doe it her selfe, being now lesse then before time it had +beene. + +And also, that the said _Iennet Preston_ had a Spirit with her like +vnto a white Foale, with a blacke spot in the forhead. + +And he also saith, That the names of the said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, & now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as he did know, were +these, _viz._ the wife of _Hugh Hargreiues_ of Barley; the wife of +_Christopher Bulcock_ of the Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne; the +mother of _Myles Nutter_; _Elizabeth_, the wife of _Christopher +Hargreiues_, of Thurniholme; _Christopher Howgate_, and _Elizabeth_, +his wife; _Alice Graye_ of Coulne, and one _Mould-heeles_ wife, of the +same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further +saith, That all the said Witches went out of the said House in their +owne shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of +the dores, were gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one +colour, some of another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when +shee got on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this +Examinates sight. And before their said parting away, they all +appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wiues house that day +twelue-moneths; at which time the said _Prestons_ wife promised to +make them a great Feast. And if they had occasion to meete in the +meane time, then should warning be giuen, that they all should meete +vpon _Romleyes_ Moore. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET +DEVICE. + +Against + +IAMES DEVICE _her said Brother, Prisoner at the +Barre, vpon his Arraignement and Triall: Taken before_ +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER +_Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace +within the said Countie._ viz. + +Shee saith, that vpon Good-Friday last there was about twentie +persons, whereof only two were men, to this Examinates remembrance, at +her said Grand-mothers house, called _Malking-Tower_ aforesaid, about +twelue of the clock: all which persons this Examinates said Mother +told her were Witches, and that they came to giue a name to _Alizon +Deuice_ Spirit or Familiar, Sister to this Examinate, and now +Prisoner, in the Castle of Lancaster: And also this Examinate saith, +that the persons aforesaid had to their Dinners, Beefe, Bacon, and +rosted Mutton, which Mutton, as this Examinates said brother said, was +of a Weather of _Robinsons_ of Barley: which Weather was brought in +the night before into this Examinates mothers house, by the said +_Iames Deuice_ this Examinates said brother, and in this Examinates +sight killed, and eaten, as aforesaid: And shee further saith, that +shee knoweth the names of sixe of the said Witches, _viz._ the wife of +the said _Hugh Hargreiues_, vnder Pendle: _Christopher Howget_, of +Pendle, Vncle to this Examinate: and _Dick Miles_ wife, of the +Rough-Lee: _Christopher Iacks_, of Thorny-holme, and his Wife: and the +names of the residue shee this Examinate doth not know, sauing that +this Examinates Mother and Brother were both there. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _Mother of the said_ IAMES DEVICE, _of +the Forrest of Pendle, taken the seuen and twentieth day of +Aprill aforesaid._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER +_Esquires; as aforesaid._ viz. + +Being examined, the said _Elizabeth_ saith and confesseth, that +vpon Good-Friday last there dined at this Examinates house, those +which she hath said to be Witches, and doth verily thinke them to bee +Witches, and their names are those, whom _Iames Deuice_ hath formerly +spoken of to be there. + +And shee also confesseth in all things touching the Christning of her +Spirit, and the killing of Master _Lister_ of Westby, as the said +_Iames Deuice_ confesseth. But denieth that any talke was amongst +th[=e] the said Witches, to her now remembrance, at the said meeting +together, touching the killing of the Gaoler at Lancaster; blowing vp +of the Castle, thereby to deliuer old _Dembdike_ her Mother; _Alizon +Deuice_ her Daughter, and other Prisoners, committed to the said +Castle for Witchcraft. + + After all these things opened, and deliuered in euidence + against him; Master _Couil_, who hath the custodie of the + Gaole at Lancaster, hauing taken great paines with him + during the time of his imprisonment, to procure him to + discouer his practizes, and such other Witches as he knew to + bee dangerous: Humbly prayed the fauour of the Court that + his voluntarie confession to M. _Anderton_, M. _Sands_ the + Major of Lancaster, M. _Couel_, and others, might openly bee + published and declared in Court. + + * * * * * + +_The voluntarie confession and declaration +of_ IAMES DEVICE, _Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster._ + +Before + +WILLIAM SANDS, _Maior of Lancaster_, IAMES +ANDERTON, _Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices of +Peace within the Countie of Lancaster: And_ THOMAS +COVEL, _Gentleman, one of his Maiesties Coroners in the +same Countie._ viz. + +_Iames Deuice_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, saith, That +his said Spirit _Dandie_, being very earnest with him to giue him his +soule, He answered, he would giue him that part thereof that was his +owne to giue: and thereupon the said Spirit said, hee was aboue CHRIST +IESVS, and therefore hee must absolutely giue him his Soule: and that +done, hee would giue him power to reuenge himselfe against any whom he +disliked. + +And he further saith, that the said Spirit did appeare vnto him after +sundrie times, in the likenesse of a Dogge, and at euery time most +earnestly perswaded him to giue him his Soule absolutely: who answered +as before, that he would giue him his owne part and no further. And +hee saith, that at the last time that the said Spirit was with him, +which was the Tuesday next before his apprehension; when as hee could +not preuaile with him to haue his Soule absolutely granted vnto him, +as aforesaid; the said Spirit departed from him, then giuing a most +fearefull crie and yell, and withall caused a great flash of fire to +shew about him: which said Spirit did neuer after trouble this +Examinate. + + _William Sands_, + _James Anderton._ + _Tho. Couel, Coroner._ + +The said _Iennet Deuice_, his Sister, in the very end of her +Examination against the said _Iames Deuice_, confesseth and saith, +that her Mother taught her two Prayers: the one to get drinke, which +was this. _viz._ + + _Crucifixus hoc signum vitam + Eternam._ Amen. + +And shee further saith, That her Brother _Iames Deuice_, the Prisoner +at the Barre, hath confessed to her this Examinate, that he by this +Prayer hath gotten drinke: and that within an houre after the saying +the said Prayer, drinke hath come into the house after a very strange +manner. And the other Prayer, the said _Iames Deuice_ affirmed, would +cure one bewitched, which shee recited as followeth. _viz._ + + _A Charme._[K_b_1] + + _Vpon Good-Friday, I will fast while I may + Vntill I heare them knell + Our Lords owne Bell, + Lord in his messe + With his twelue Apostles good, + What hath he in his hand + Ligh in leath wand:[K_b_2] + What hath he in his other hand? + Heauens doore key, + Open, open Heauen doore keyes, + Steck, steck hell doore. + Let Crizum child + Goe to it Mother mild,[K_b_3] + What is yonder that casts a light so farrandly,[K_b_4] + Mine owne deare Sonne that's naild to the Tree. + He is naild sore by the heart and hand, + And holy harne Panne, + Well is that man + That Fryday spell can, + His Childe to learne; + A Crosse of Blew, and another of Red, + As good Lord was to the Roode._ + Gabriel _laid him downe to sleepe + Vpon the ground of holy weepe:[K2_a_1] + Good Lord came walking by, + Sleep'st thou, wak'st thou_ Gabriel, + _No Lord I am sted with sticke and stake, + That I can neither sleepe nor wake: + Rise vp_ Gabriel _and goe with me, + The stick nor the stake shall neuer deere thee.[K2_a_2] + Sweete Iesus our Lord, Amen._ + _Iames Deuice._ + +What can be said more of this painfull Steward, that was so carefull +to prouide Mutton against this Feast and solemne meeting at +_Malking-Tower_, of this hellish and diuellish band of Witches, (the +like whereof hath not been heard of) then hath beene openly published +and declared against him at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement and +Triall: wherein it pleased God to raise vp Witnesses beyond +expectation to conuince him; besides his owne particular Examinations, +which being shewed and read vnto him; he acknowledged to be iust and +true. And what I promised to set forth against him, in the beginning +of his Arraignment and Triall, I doubt not but therein I haue +satisfied your expectation at large, wherein I haue beene very sparing +to charge him with any thing, but with sufficient matter of Record and +Euidence, able to satisfie the consciences of the Gentlemen of the +Iury of Life and Death; to whose good consideration I leaue him, with +the perpetuall Badge and Brand of as dangerous and malicious a Witch, +as euer liued in these parts of Lancashire, of his time: and spotted +with as much Innocent bloud, as euer any Witch of his yeares. + +After all these proceedings, by direction of his Lordship, were their +seuerall Examinations, subscribed by euery one of them in particular, +shewed vnto them at the time of their Triall, & acknowledged by th[=e] +to be true, deliuered to the gentlemen of the Iury of Life & Death, +for the better satisfaction of their consciences: after due +consideration of which said seuerall examinations, confessions, and +voluntary declarations, as well of themselues as of their children, +friends and confederates, The Gentlemen deliuered vp their Verdict +against the Prisoners, as followeth. _viz._ + + +_The Verdict of Life and Death._ + +Who found _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, _Elizabeth Deuice_, and +_Iames Deuice_, guiltie of the seuerall murthers by Witchcraft, +contained in the Indictments against them, and euery of them. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE WITCHES OF +SALMESBVRY.[K3_a_] + +_The Arraignement and Triall of_ IENNET +BIERLEY ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE +SOVTHWORTH _of Salmesbury, in the County of +Lancaster; for Witchcraft vpon the bodie of_ GRACE +SOWERBVTS, _vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of +August: At the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuery, +holden at Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assize at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth._ +viz. + + _Iennet Bierley._ + _Ellen Bierley._ + _Iane Southworth._ + +Thus haue we for a time left the Graund Witches of the Forrest of +Pendle, to the good consideration of a verie sufficient Iury of worthy +Gentlemen of their Co[=u]trey. We are now come to the famous Witches +of Salmesbury, as the Countrey called them, who by such a subtill +practise and conspiracie of a Seminarie Priest,[K3_b_1] or, as the +best in this Honorable Assembly thinke, a Iesuite, whereof this +Countie of Lancaster hath good store,[K3_b_2] who by reason of the +generall entertainement they find, and great maintenance they haue, +resort hither, being farre from the Eye of Iustice, and therefore, +_Procul a fulmine_; are now brought to the Barre, to receiue their +Triall, and such a young witnesse prepared and instructed to giue +Euidence against them, that it must be the Act of GOD that must be the +means to discouer their Practises and Murthers, and by an infant: but +how and in what sort Almightie GOD deliuered them from the stroake of +Death, when the Axe was layd to the Tree, and made frustrate the +practise of this bloudie Butcher, it shall appeare vnto you vpon their +Arraignement and Triall, whereunto they are now come. + +Master _Thomas Couel_, who hath the charge of the prisoners in the +Castle at Lancaster, was commaunded to bring forth the said + + _Jennet Bierley_, + _Ellen Bierley_, + _Jane Southworth_, + +to the Barre to receiue their Triall. + + +Indictment. + +The said _Iennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and _Iane Southworth_ +of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, being indicted, for that +they and euery of them felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed +diuerse deuillish and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, +_Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in and vpon one _Grace +Sowerbuts_: so that by meanes thereof her bodie wasted and consumed, +_Contra formam Statuti &c. Et Contra Pacem dicti Domini Regis Coronam +& dignitatem &c._ + +To this Indictment vpon their Arraignement, they pleaded +_Not-Guiltie_; and for the Triall of their liues put themselues vpon +GOD and their Countrey. + +Whereupon Master Sheriffe of the Countie of Lancaster, by direction of +the Court, made returne of a very sufficient Iurie to passe betweene +the Kings Maiestie and them, vpon their liues and deaths, with such +others as follow in order. + +The Prisoners being now at the Barre vpon their Triall, _Grace +Sowerbutts_, the daughter of _Thomas Sowerbutts_, about the age of +foureteene yeares, was produced to giue Euidence for the Kings +Maiestie against them: who standing vp, she was commaunded to point +out the Prisoners, which shee did, and said as followeth, _viz_ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +GRACE SOWERBVTTS, _daughter of_ THOMAS +SOWERBVTTS, _of Salmesbury, in the Countie of +Lancaster Husband-man, vpon her Oath_, + +Against + +IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ +IANE SOVTHWORTH, _prisoners at the Barre, vpon +their Arraignement and Triall_, viz. + +The said _Grace Sowerbutts_ vpon her oath saith, That for the space +of some yeares now last past shee hath beene haunted and vexed with +some women, who haue vsed to come to her: which women, shee sayth, +were _Iennet Bierley_, this Informers Grand-mother; _Ellen Bierley_, +wife to _Henry Bierley_; _Iane Southworth_, late the wife of _Iohn +Southworth_, and one _Old Doewife_, all of Salmesburie aforesaid. And +shee saith, That now lately those foure women did violently draw her +by the haire of the head, and layd her on the toppe of a Hay-mowe, in +the said _Henry Bierleyes_ Barne. And shee saith further, That not +long after the said _Iennet Bierley_ did meete this Examinate neere +vnto the place where shee dwellleth, and first appeared in her owne +likenesse, and after that in the likenesse of a blacke Dogge, and as +this Examinate did goe ouer a Style, shee picked her off:[K4_b_] +howbeit shee saith shee had no hurt then, but rose againe, and went to +her Aunts in Osbaldeston, and returned backe againe to her Fathers +house the same night, being fetched home by her father. And she saith, +That in her way home-wards shee did then tell her Father, how shee +had beene dealt withall both then and at sundry times before that; and +before that time she neuer told any bodie thereof: and being examined +why she did not, she sayth, she could not speake thereof, though she +desired so to doe. And she further sayth, That vpon Saterday, being +the fourth of this instant Aprill, shee this Examinate going towards +Salmesbury bote, to meete her mother, comming from Preston, shee saw +the said _Iennet Bierley_, who met this Examinate at a place called +the Two Brigges, first in her owne shape, and afterwardes in the +likenesse of a blacke Dogge, with two legges, which Dogge went close +by the left side of this Examinate, till they came to a Pitte of +Water, and then the said Dogge spake, and persuaded this Examinate to +drowne her selfe there, saying, it was a faire and an easie death: +Whereupon this Examinate thought there came one to her in a white +sheete, and carried her away from the said Pitte, vpon the comming +whereof the said blacke Dogge departed away; and shortly after the +said white thing departed also: And after this Examinate had gone +further on her way, about the length of two or three Fields, the said +blacke Dogge did meete her againe, and going on her left side, as +aforesaid, did carrie her into a Barne of one _Hugh Walshmans_,[L_a_] +neere there by, and layed her vpon the Barne-floore, and couered this +Examinate with Straw on her bodie, and Haye on her head, and the Dogge +it selfe lay on the toppe of the said Straw, but how long the said +Dogge lay there, this Examinate cannot tell, nor how long her selfe +lay there: for shee sayth, That vpon her lying downe there, as +aforesaid, her Speech and Senses were taken from her: and the first +time shee knew where shee was, shee was layed vpon a bedde in the said +_Walshmans_ house, which (as shee hath since beene told) was vpon the +Monday at night following: and shee was also told, That shee was found +and taken from the place where shee first lay, by some of her friends, +and carried into the said _Walshmans_ house, within a few houres after +shee was layed in the Barne, as aforesaid. And shee further sayth, +That vpon the day following, being Tuesday, neere night of the same +day, shee this Examinate was fetched by her Father and Mother from the +said _Walshmans_ house to her Fathers house. And shee saith, That at +the place before specified, called the Two Brigges, the said _Iennet +Bierley_ and _Ellen Bierley_ did appeare vnto her in their owne +shapes: whereupon this Examinate fell downe, and after that was not +able to speake, or goe, till the Friday following: during which time, +as she lay in her Fathers house, the said _Iennet Bierley_ and _Ellen +Bierley_ did once appeare vnto her in their owne shapes, but they did +nothing vnto her then, neither did shee euer see them since. And shee +further sayth, That a good while before all this, this Examinate did +goe with the said _Iennet Bierley_, her Grand-mother, and the said +_Ellen Bierley_ her Aunt, at the bidding of her said Grand-mother, to +the house of one _Thomas Walshman_, in Salmesbury aforesaid. And +comming thither in the night, when all the house-hold was a-bed, the +doores being shut, the said _Iennet Bierley_ did open them, but this +Examinate knoweth not how: and beeing come into the said house, this +Examinate and the said _Ellen Bierley_ stayed there, and the said +_Iennet Bierley_ went into the Chamber where the said _Walshman_ and +his wife lay, & from thence brought a little child,[L2_a_1] which this +Examinate thinketh was in bed with it Father and Mother: and after the +said _Iennet Bierley_ had set her downe by the fire, with the said +child, shee did thrust a naile into the nauell of the said child: and +afterwards did take a pen and put it in at the said place, and did +suck there a good space, and afterwards laid the child in bed againe: +and then the said _Iennet_ and the said _Ellen_ returned to their owne +houses, and this Examinate with them. And shee thinketh that neither +the said _Thomas Walshman_, nor his wife knew that the said child was +taken out of the bed from them. And shee saith also, that the said +child did not crie when it was hurt, as aforesaid: But shee saith, +that shee thinketh that the said child did thenceforth languish, and +not long after dyed. And after the death of the said child; the next +night after the buriall thereof, the said _Iennet Bierley_ & _Ellen +Bierley_, taking this Examinate with them, went to Salmesburie Church, +and there did take vp the said child, and the said _Iennet_ did carrie +it out of the Church-yard in her armes, and then did put it in her lap +and carryed it home to her owne house, and hauing it there did boile +some therof in a Pot, and some did broile on the coales, of both which +the said _Iennet_ & _Ellen_ did eate, and would haue had this +Examinate and one _Grace Bierley_, Daughter of the said _Ellen_, to +haue eaten with them, but they refused so to doe: And afterwards the +said _Iennet_ & _Ellen_ did seethe the bones of the said child in a +pot, & with the Fat that came out of the said bones, they said they +would annoint themselues,[L2_a_2] that thereby they might sometimes +change themselues into other shapes. And after all this being done, +they said they would lay the bones againe in the graue the next night +following, but whether they did so or not, this Examinate knoweth not: +Neither doth shee know how they got it out of the graue at the first +taking of it vp. And being further sworne and examined, she deposeth & +saith, that about halfe a yeare agoe, the said _Iennet Bierley_, +_Ellen Bierley_, _Iane Southworth_, and this Examinate (who went by +the appointment of the said _Iennet_ her Grand mother) did meete at a +place called Red banck, vpon the North side of the water of Ribble, +euery Thursday and Sonday at night by the space of a fortnight, and at +the water side there came vnto them, as they went thether, foure black +things, going vpright, and yet not like men in the face: which foure +did carrie the said three women and this Examinate ouer the Water, and +when they came to the said Red Banck they found some thing there which +they did eate. But this Examinate saith, shee neuer saw such meate; +and therefore shee durst not eate thereof, although her said Grand +mother did bidde her eate. And after they had eaten, the said three +Women and this Examinate danced, euery one of them with one of the +blacke things aforesaid, and after their dancing the said black things +did pull downe the said three Women, and did abuse their bodies, as +this Examinate thinketh, for shee saith, that the black thing that was +with her, did abuse her bodie. + +The said Examinate further saith vpon her Oth, That about ten dayes +after her Examination taken at Blackborne, shee this Examinate being +then come to her Fathers house againe, after shee had beene certaine +dayes at her Vnckles house in Houghton: _Iane Southworth_ widow, did +meet this Examinate at her Fathers house dore and did carrie her into +the loft,[L3_a_] and there did lay her vppon the floore, where shee +was shortly found by her Father and brought downe, and laid in a bed, +as afterwards shee was told: for shee saith, that from the first +meeting of the said _Iane Southworth_, shee this Examinate had her +speech and senses taken from her. But the next day shee saith, shee +came somewhat to her selfe, and then the said Widow _Southworth_ came +againe to this Examinate to her bed-side, and tooke her out of bed, +and said to this Examinate, that shee did her no harme the other time, +in respect of that shee now would after doe to her, and thereupon put +her vpon a hey-stack, standing some three or foure yards high from the +earth, where shee was found after great search made, by a neighbours +Wife neare dwelling, and then laid in her bedde againe, where she +remained speechlesse and senselesse as before, by the space of two or +three daies: And being recouered, within a weeke after shee saith, +that the said _Iane Southworth_ did come againe to this Examinate at +her fathers house and did take her away, and laid her in a ditch neare +to the house vpon her face, and left her there, where shee was found +shortly after, and laid vpon a bedde, but had not her senses againe of +a day & a night, or thereabouts. And shee further saith, That vpon +Tuesday last before the taking of this her Examination, the said _Iane +Southworth_ came to this Examinates Fathers house, and finding this +Examinate without the doore, tooke her and carried her into the Barne, +and thrust her head amongst a companie of boords that were there +standing, where shee was shortly after found and laid in a bedde, and +remained in her old fit till the Thursday at night following. + +And being further examined touching her being at Red-bancke, shee +saith, That the three women, by her before named, were carried backe +againe ouer Ribble, by the same blacke things that carried them +thither; and saith that at their said meeting in the Red-bancke, there +did come also diuers other women, and did meete them there, some old, +some yong, which this Examinate thinketh did dwell vpon the North-side +of Ribble, because she saw them not come ouer the Water: but this +Examinate knew none of them, neither did she see them eat or dance, or +doe anything else that the rest did, sauing that they were there and +looked on. + +These particular points of Euidence being thus vrged against the +Prisoners: the father of this _Grace Sowerbutts_ prayed that _Thomas +Walshman_, whose childe they are charged to murther, might be examined +as a witnes vpon his oath, for the Kings Maiestie, against the +Prisoners at the Barre: who vpon this strange deuised accusation, +deliuered by this impudent wench, were in opinion of many of that +great Audience guilty of this bloudie murther, and more worthy to die +then any of these Witches. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +THOMAS WALSHMAN, _of Salmesbury, in the +Countie of Lancaster, Yeoman._ + +Against + +IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ +IANE SOVTHWORTH, _Prisoners at the Barre, vpon +their Arraignement and Triall, as followeth._ viz. + +The said Examinate, _Thomas Walshman_, vpon his oath saith, That hee +had a childe died about Lent was twelue-month, who had beene sicke by +the space of a fortnight or three weekes, and was afterwards buried in +Salmesburie Church: which childe when it died was about a yeare old; +But how it came to the death of it, this Examinate knoweth not. And he +further saith, that about the fifteenth of Aprill last, or +thereabouts, the said _Grace Sowerbutts_ was found in this Examinates +fathers Barne, laid vnder a little hay and straw, and from thence was +carried into this Examinates house, and there laid till the Monday at +night following: during which time shee did not speak, but lay as if +she had beene dead. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IOHN SINGLETON: +_Taken at Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, +the seuenth day of August_: Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI +Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, Fidei Defensor. &c. +Decimo & Scotiae, xlvj. + +Before + +ROBERT HOVLDEN,[L4_b_1] _Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Peace in the County of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ +IANE SOVTHWORTH, _which hereafter followeth._ + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That hee hath often heard +his old Master, Sir _Iohn Southworth_[L4_b_2] Knight, now deceased, +say, touching the late wife of _Iohn Southworth_, now in the Gaole, +for suspition of Witchcraft: That the said wife was as he thought an +euill woman, and a Witch: and he said that he was sorry for her +husband, that was his kinsman, for he thought she would kill him. And +this Examinate further saith, That the said Sir _Iohn Southworth_ in +his comming or going betweene his owne house at Salmesbury, and the +Towne of Preston, did for the most part forbeare to passe by the +house, where the said wife dwelled, though it was his nearest and best +way; and rode another way, only for feare of the said wife, as this +Examinate verily thinketh. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ WILLIAM +ALKER _of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster, +Yeoman: Taken the fifteenth day of Aprill_, Anno Reg. +Regis IACOBI, Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, Decimo +& Scotiae, quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROBERT HOVLDEN, _one of his Maiesties Iustices +of Peace in the County of Lancaster: Against_ IENNET +BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE BIERLEY, +_which hereafter followeth._ viz. + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That hee hath seene the +said Sir _Iohn Southworth_ shunne to meet the said wife of _Iohn +Southworth_, now Prisoner in the Gaole, when he came neere where she +was. And hath heard the said Sir _Iohn Southworth_ say, that he liked +her not, and that he doubted she would bewitch him. + +Here was likewise _Thomas Sowerbutts_, father of _Grace Sowerbutts_, +examined vpon his oath, and many other witnesses to little purpose: +who being examined by the Court, could depose little against them: But +the finding of the wench vpon the hay in her counterfeit fits: +wherfore I leaue to trouble you with the particular declaration of +their Euidence against the Prisoners, In respect there was not any one +witnes able to charge them with one direct matter of Witchcraft; nor +proue any thing for the murther of the childe. + +Herein, before we come to the particular declaration of that wicked +and damnable practise of this Iesuite or Seminary, I shall commend +vnto your examination and iudgement some points of her Euidence, +wherein you shal see what impossibilities are in this accusati[=o] +brought to this perfection, by the great care and paines of this +officious Doctor, Master _Thompson_ or _Southworth_, who commonly +worketh vpon the Feminine disposition, being more Passiue then Actiue. + + * * * * * + +_The particular points of the Euidence_[M1_b_] _of_ GRACE SOWERBUTTS, +_viz._ + +Euidence. + + _That for the space of some yeares she hath been haunted + and vexed with some women, who haue vsed to come to her._ + +The Iesuite forgot to instruct his Scholler how long it is since she +was tormented: it seemes it is long since he read the old Badge of a +Lyer, _Oportet mendacem esse memorem_. He knowes not how long it is +since they came to church, after which time they began to practise +Witchcraft. It is a likely thing the Torment and Panges of Witchcraft +can be forgotten; and therefore no time can be set downe. + + _Shee saith that now lately these foure women did violently + draw her by the haire of the head, and lay her on the top of + a Hay-mow._ + +Heere they vse great violence to her, whome in another place they make +choise to be of their counsell, to go with them to the house of +_Walshman_ to murther the childe. This courtesie deserues no discouery +of so foule a Fact. + + _Not long after, the said_ Iennet Bierley _did meet this + Examinate neere vnto the place where she dwelled, and first + appeared in her owne likenesse, and after that in the + likenesse of a blacke Dogge._ + +_Vno & eodem tempore_, shee transformed her selfe into a Dogge. I +would know by what meanes any Priest can maintaine this point of +Euidence. + + _And as shee went ouer a Style, shee picked her ouer, but + had no hurt._ + +This is as likely to be true as the rest, to throw a child downe from +the toppe of a House, and neuer hurt her great toe. + + _She rose againe; had no hurt, went to her Aunt, and + returned backe againe to her Fathers house, being fetched + home._ + +I pray you obserue these contrarieties, in order as they are placed, +to accuse the Prisoners. + + _Saterday the fourth of this instant Aprill._ + +Which was about the very day the Witches of the Forrest of Pendle were +sent to Lancaster. Now was the time for the Seminarie to instruct, +accuse, and call into question these poore women: for the wrinkles of +an old wiues face is good euidence to the Iurie against a Witch.[M2_a_] +And how often will the common people say (_Her eyes are sunke in her +head_, GOD _blesse vs from her._) But old _Chattox_ had +_Fancie_,[M2_b_] besides her withered face, to accuse her. + + _This Examinate did goe with the said_ Iennet Bierley _her + Grand-mother, and_ Ellen Bierley _her Aunt, to the house of_ + Walshman, _in the night-time, to murther a Child in strange + manner._ + +This of all the rest is impossible, to make her of their counsell, to +doe murther, whome so cruelly and barbarously they pursue from day to +day, and torment her. The Witches of the Forrest of Pendle were neuer +so cruell nor barbarous. + + _And shee also saith, the Child cried not when it was hurt._ + +All this time the Child was asleepe, or the Child was of an +extraordinarie patience, _o inauditum facinus_! + + _After they had eaten, the said three women and this + Examinate daunced euery one of them with one of the Blacke + things: and after, the Blacke things abused the said women._ + +Here is good Euidence to take away their liues. This is more proper +for the Legend of Lyes, then the Euidence of a witnesse vpon Oath, +before a reuerend and learned Iudge, able to conceiue this Villanie, +and finde out the practise. Here is the Religious act of a Priest, but +behold the euent of it. + + _She describes the foure Blacke things to goe vpright, but + not like Men in the face._ + +The Seminarie mistakes the face for the feete: For _Chattox_ and all +her fellow Witches agree, the Deuill is clouen-footed: but _Fancie_ +had a very good face, and was a very proper Man. + + _About tenne dayes after her Examination taken at + Black-borne, then she was tormented._ + +Still he pursues his Proiect: for hearing his Scholler had done well, +he laboured she might doe more in this nature. But notwithstanding, +many things are layd to be in the times when they were Papists: yet +the Priest neuer tooke paines to discouer them, nor instruct his +Scholler, vntill they came to Church. Then all this was the Act of +GOD, to raise a child to open all things, and then to difcouer his +plotted Tragedie. Yet in this great discouerie, the Seminarie forgot +to deuise a Spirit for them. + +And for _Thomas Walshman_, vpon his Oath he sayth, That his Childe had +beene sicke by the space of a fortnight, or three weekes, before it +died. And _Grace Sowerbutts_ saith, they tooke it out of the bedde, +strucke a nayle into the Nauell, sucked bloud, layd it downe againe; +and after, tooke it out of the Graue, with all the rest, as you haue +heard. How these two agree, you may, vpon view of their Euidence, the +better conceiue, and be able to judge. + +How well this proiect, to take away the liues of three innocent poore +creatures by practise and villanie; to induce a young Scholler to +commit periurie, to accuse her owne Grand-mother, Aunt, &c. agrees +either with the Title of a Iesuite, or the dutie of a Religious +Priest, who should rather professe Sinceritie and Innocencie, then +practise Trecherie: But this was lawfull; for they are Heretikes +accursed, to leaue the companie of Priests; to frequent Churches, +heare the word of GOD preached, and professe Religion sincerely. + +But by the course of Times and Accidents, wise men obserue, that very +seldome hath any mischieuous attempt beene vnder-taken without the +direction or assistance of a Iesuit, or Seminarie Priest. + +Who did not condemne these Women vpon this euidence, and hold them +guiltie of this so foule and horrible murder? But Almightie God, who +in his prouidence had prouided meanes for their deliuerance, although +the Priest by the help of the Deuill, had prouided false witnesses to +accuse them; yet GOD had prepared and placed in the Seate of Iustice, +an vpright Iudge to sit in Iudgement vpon their liues, who after he +had heard all the euidence at large against the Prisoners for the +Kings Majestie, demanded of them what answere they could make. They +humbly vpon their knees with weeping teares, desired him for Gods +cause to examine _Grace Sowerbuts_, who set her on, or by whose meanes +this accusation came against them. + +Immediately the countenance of this _Grace Sowerbuts_ changed: The +witnesses being behinde, began to quarrell and accuse one an other. In +the end his Lordship examined the Girle, who could not for her life +make any direct answere, but strangely amazed, told him, shee was put +to a Master to learne, but he told her nothing of this. + +But here as his Lordships care and paines was great to discouer the +practises of these odious Witches of the Forrest of Pendle, and other +places, now vpon their triall before him: So was he desirous to +discouer this damnable practise, to accuse these poore Women, and +bring their liues in danger, and thereby to deliuer the innocent. + +And as he openly deliuered it vpon the Bench, in the hearing of this +great Audience: That if a Priest or Iesuit had a hand in one end of +it, there would appeare to bee knauerie, and practise in the other end +of it. And that it might the better appeare to the whole World, +examined _Thomas Sowerbuts_, what Master taught his daughter: in +generall termes, he denyed all. + +The Wench had nothing to say, but her Master told her nothing of this. +In the end, some that were present told his Lordship the truth, and +the Prisoners informed him how shee went to learne with one _Thompson_ +a Seminarie Priest, who had instructed and taught her this accusation +against them, because they were once obstinate Papists, and now came +to Church. Here is the discouerie of this Priest, and of his whole +practise. Still this fire encreased more and more, and one witnesse +accusing an other, all things were laid open at large. + +In the end his Lordship tooke away the Girle from her Father, and +committed her to M. _Leigh_, a very religious Preacher,[M4_a_] and M. +_Chisnal_, two Iustices of the Peace, to be carefully examined. Who +tooke great paines to examine her of euery particular point: In the +end they came into the Court, and there deliuered this Examination as +followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ GRACE SOWERBVTS, +_of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster, Spinster: +Taken vpon Wednesday the 19. of August 1612. +Annoq; Reg. Regis_, IACOBI _Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, +Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo & Scotiae_, xlvi. + +Before + +WILLIAM LEIGH, _and_ EDWARD CHISNAL, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same +Countie: At the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden +at Lancaster._ + +By + +_Direction of Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one +of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._ + +Being demanded whether the accusation shee laid vppon her +Grand-mother, _Iennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and _Iane +Southworth_, of Witchcraft, _viz._ of the killing of the child of +_Thomas Walshman_, with a naile in the Nauell, the boyling, eating, +and oyling, thereby to transforme themselues into diuers shapes, was +true; Shee doth vtterly denie the same; or that euer shee saw any such +practises done by them. + +Shee further saith, that one Master _Thompson_, which she taketh to be +Master _Christopher Southworth_, to whom shee was sent to learne her +prayers, did perswade, counsell, and aduise her, to deale as formerly +hath beene said against her said Grand-mother, Aunt, and _Southworths_ +wife. + +And further shee confesseth and saith, that shee neuer did know, or +saw any Deuils, nor any other Visions, as formerly by her hath beene +alleaged and informed. + +Also shee confesseth and saith, That shee was not throwne or cast vpon +the Henne-ruffe, and Hay-mow in the Barne, but that shee went vp vpon +the Mow her selfe by the wall side. + +Being further demanded whether shee euer was at the Church, shee +saith, shee was not, but promised her after to goe to the Church, and +that very willingly. + + _Signum_ [Symbol: Maltese cross] Grace Sowerbuts. + + _William Leigh._ + + _Edward Chisnal._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IENNET BIERLEY, +ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE SOVTHWORTH, +_of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster, +Taken vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August_ 1612. +_Annoq; Reg. Regis_, IACOBI _Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, +Fidei Defensoris, &c. decimo & Scotiae_, xlvi. + +Before + +WILLIAM LEIGH, _and_ EDWARD CHISNAL, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the same +Countie: At the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden +at Lancaster._ + +By + +_Direction of Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one +of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._ + +_Iennet Bierley_ being demanded what shee knoweth, or hath heard, +how _Grace Sowerbuts_ was brought to _Christopher Southworth_, Priest; +shee answereth, that shee was brought to M. _Singletons_ house by her +owne Mother, where the said Priest was, and that shee further heard +her said Mother say, after her Daughter had been in her fit, that shee +should be brought vnto her Master, meaning the said Priest. + +And shee further saith, that shee thinketh it was by and through the +Counsell of the said M. _Thomson_, alias _Southworth_, Priest, That +_Grace Sowerbuts_ her Grand-child accused her of Witchcraft, and of +such practises as shee is accused of: and thinketh further, the cause +why the said _Thompson_, alias _Southworth_ Priest, should practise +with the Wench to doe it was, for that shee went to the Church. + +_Iane Southworth_ saith shee saw Master _Thompson_, alias +_Southworth_, the Priest, a month or sixe weekes before she was +committed to the Gaole; and had conference with him in a place called +Barne-hey-lane, where and when shee challenged him for slandering her +to bee a Witch: whereunto he answered, that what he had heard thereof, +he heard from her mother and her Aunt: yet she, this Examinate, +thinketh in her heart it was by his procurement, and is moued so to +thinke, for that shee would not be disswaded from the Church. + +_Ellen Bierley_ saith, Shee saw Master _Thompson_, alias _Southworth_, +sixe or eight weeks before she was committed, and thinketh the said +Priest was the practiser with _Grace Sowerbutts_, to accuse her of +Witchcraft, and knoweth no cause why he should so doe, but because she +goeth to the Church. + + _Signum_, [Symbol: Maltese cross] Iennet Bierley. + + _Signum_, L Iane Southworth. + + _Signum_, [Symbol: Greek Phi] Ellen Bierley. + + _William Leigh._ + + _Edward Chisnall._ + +These Examinations being taken, they were brought into the Court, and +there openly in the presence of this great Audience published, and +declared to the Iurie of Life and Death; and thereupon the Gentlemen +of their Iury required to consider of them. For although they stood +vpon their Triall, for matter of Fact of Witchcraft, Murther, and much +more of the like nature: yet in respect all their Accusations did +appeare to bee practise: they were now to consider of them, and to +acquit them. Thus were these poore Innocent creatures, by the great +care and paines of this honorable Iudge, deliuered from the danger of +this conspiracie; this bloudie practise of the Priest laid open: of +whose fact I may lawfully say; _Etiam si ego tacuero clamabunt +lapides_. + +These are but ordinary with Priests and Iesuites: no respect of Bloud, +kindred, or friendship, can moue them to forbeare their Conspiracies: +for when he had laboured treacherously to seduce and conuert them, and +yet could doe no good; then deuised he this meanes. + +_God of his great mercie deliuer vs all from them and their damnable +conspiracies: and when any of his Maiesties subiects, so free and +innocent as these, shall come in question, grant them as honorable a +Triall, as Reuerend and worthy a Iudge to sit in Iudgement vpon them; +and in the end as speedie a deliuerance. And for that which I haue +heard of them; seene with my eyes, and taken paines to Reade of them: +My humble prayer shall be to God Almightie._ Vt Conuertantur ne +pereant. Aut confundantur ne noceant. + +To conclude, because the discourse of these three women of Salmesbury +hath beene long and troublesome to you; it is heere placed amongst +the Witches, by special order and commandement, to set forth to the +World the practise and conspiracie of this bloudy Butcher. And because +I haue presented to your view a Kalender in the Frontispice of this +Booke, of twentie notorious Witches: I shall shew you their +deliuerance in order, as they came to their Arraignement and Triall +euery day, and as the Gentlemen of euery Iury for life and death stood +charged with them. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ANNE REDFERNE,[N3_b_] +_Daughter of_ ANNE WHITTLE, _alias_ CHATTOX, +_of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, for +Witchcraft; vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August, +at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at +Lancaster_, + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Anne Redferne._ + +Svch is the horror of Murther, and the crying sinne of Bloud, that +it will neuer bee satisfied but with Bloud. So fell it out with this +miserable creature, _Anne Redferne_, the daughter of _Anne Whittle_, +alias _Chattox_: who, as shee was her Mother, and brought her into the +World, so was she the meanes to bring her into this danger, and in the +end to her Execution, for much Bloud spilt, and many other mischiefes +done. + +For vpon Tuesday night (although you heare little of her at the +Arraignement and Triall of old _Chattox_, her Mother) yet was shee +arraigned for the murther of _Robert Nutter_, and others: and by the +fauour and mercifull consideration of the Iurie, the Euidence being +not very pregnant against her, she was acquited, and found Not +guiltie. + +Such was her condition and course of life, as had she liued, she would +haue beene very dangerous: for in making pictures of Clay, she was +more cunning then any: But the innocent bloud yet vnsatisfied, and +crying out vnto GOD for satisfaction and reuenge; the crie of his +people (to deliuer them from the danger of such horrible and bloudie +executioners, and from her wicked and damnable practises) hath now +againe brought her to a second Triall, where you shall heare what wee +haue vpon Record against her. + +This _Anne Redferne_, prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre, before the great Seat of Iustice, was there, +according to the former order and course, indicted and arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her deuillish +and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and +_Sorceries_, in and vpon one _Christopher Nutter_, and him the said +_Christopher Nutter_, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously +did kill and murther, _Contra formam Statuti &c. Et Contra Pacem &c._ + +Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, she pleaded _Not-Guiltie_; +and for the triall of her life put her selfe vpon GOD and the +Countrey. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged +with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Anne Redferne, _Prisoner at the + Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +SOTHERNES, alias OLD DEMBDIKE, _taken at the +Fence, in the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, +the second day of Aprill_, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI, +Angliae, &c. decimo, & Scotiae xlv. + +Against + +ANNE REDFERNE (_the daughter of_ ANNE WHITTLE, +alias CHATTOX) _Prisoner at the Barre:_ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _of Reade, Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Peace within the said Countie._ + +This Examinate saith, That about halfe a yeare before _Robert +Nutter_ died, as this Examinate thinketh, this Examinate went to the +house of _Thomas Redferne_, which was about Midsummer, as shee this +Examinate now remembreth it: and there, within three yards of the East +end of the said house, shee saw the said _Anne Whittle_ and _Anne +Redferne_, wife of the said _Thomas Redferne_, and daughter of the +said _Anne Whittle_, the one on the one side of a Ditch, and the other +on the other side, and two pictures of Clay or Marle lying by them, +and the third picture the said _Anne Whittle_ was making. And the said +_Anne Redferne_, her said daughter, wrought her Clay or Marle to make +the third picture withall. And this Examinate passing by them, a +Spirit, called _Tibbe_, in the shape of a blacke Cat, appeared vnto +her this Examinate and said, Turne backe againe, and doe as they doe. +To whom this Examinate said, What are they doing? Whereunto the said +Spirit said, They are making three pictures: whereupon shee asked, +whose pictures they were? whereunto the said Spirit said, They are the +pictures of _Christopher Nutter_, _Robert Nutter_, and _Mary_, wife of +the said _Robert Nutter_. But this Examinate denying to goe backe to +helpe them to make the pictures aforesaid, the said Spirit seeming to +be angrie therefore, shot or pushed this Examinate into the Ditch; and +so shedde the milke which this Examinate had in a Kanne, or Kitt; and +so thereupon the Spirit at that time vanished out of this Examinates +sight. But presently after that, the said Spirit appeared vnto this +Examinate again in the shape of a Hare, and so went with her about a +quarter of a myle, but said nothing vnto her this Examinate, nor shee +to it. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ MARGARET +CROOKE + +Against + +_the said_ ANNE REDFERNE: _Taken the day and +yeare aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _aforesaid, Esquire, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of the Peace in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +This Examinate, sworne & examined vpon her oath, sayth, That about +eighteene or nineteene yeares agoe, this Examinates brother, called +_Robert Nutter_, about Whitsontide the same yeare, meeting with the +said _Anne Redferne_, vpon some speeches betweene them they fell out, +as this Examinats said brother told this Examinat: and within some +weeke, or fort-night, then next after, this Examinats said brother +fell sicke, and so languished vntill about Candlemas then next after, +and then died. In which time of his sicknesse, he did a hundred times +at the least say, That the said _Anne Redferne_ and her associates had +bewitched him to death. And this Examinate further saith, That this +Examinates Father, called _Christopher Nutter_, about Maudlintide next +after following fell sicke, and so languished, vntill Michaelmas then +next after, and then died: during which time of his sicknesse, hee did +sundry times say, That hee was bewitched; but named no bodie that +should doe the same. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IOHN NVTTER, +_of Higham Booth, in the Forrest of Pendle, in the +Countie of Lancaster, yeoman_, + +Against + +_the said_ ANNE REDFERNE: _Taken the day and yeare +aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices +of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +This Examinate, sworne and examined vpon his oath, sayth, That in +or about Christmas, some eighteene or nineteene yeares agoe, this +Examinat comming from Burnley with _Christopher Nutter_ and _Robert +Nutter_, this Examinates Father and Brother, this Examinate heard his +said Brother then say vnto his said Father these words, or to this +effect. _Father, I am sure I am bewitched by the_ Chattox, Anne +Chattox, _and_ Anne Redferne _her daughter, I pray you cause them to +bee layed in Lancaster Castle:_ Whereunto this Examinates Father +answered, Thou art a foolish Ladde, it is not so, it is thy +miscarriage. Then this Examinates Brother weeping, said; nay, I am +sure that I am bewitched by them, and if euer I come againe (for hee +was readie to goe to Sir _Richard Shuttleworths_, then his Master) I +will procure them to bee laid where they shall be glad to bite Lice in +two with their teeth. + +Hereupon _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, her Mother, was brought +forth to bee examined, who confessed the making of the pictures of +Clay, and in the end cried out very heartily to God to forgiue her +sinnes, and vpon her knees intreated for this _Redferne_, her +daughter. + +Here was likewise many witnesses examined vpon oth _Viua voce_, who +charged her with many strange practises, and declared the death of the +parties, all in such sort, and about the time in the Examinations +formerly mentioned. + +All men that knew her affirmed, shee was more dangerous then her +Mother, for shee made all or most of the Pictures of Clay, that were +made or found at any time. + +Wherefore I leaue her to make good vse of the little time she hath to +repent in: but no meanes could moue her to repentance, for as shee +liued, so shee dyed. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_taken the day and yeare afore-said._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace +within the said Countie of Lancaster._ viz. + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That about two yeares agoe, +hee this Examinate saw three Pictures of Clay, of halfe a yard long, +at the end of _Redfernes_ house, which _Redferne_ had one of the +Pictures in his hand, _Marie_ his daughter had another in her hand, +and the said _Redfernes_ wife, [Sidenote: _Anne Redferne the Witch._] +now prisoner at Lancaster, had an other Picture in her hand, which +Picture she the said _Redfernes_ wife, was then crumbling, but whose +Pictures they were, this Examinate cannot tell. And at his returning +backe againe, some ten Roods off them there appeared vnto him this +Examinate a thing like a Hare, which spit fire at him this Examinate. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ALICE NUTTER, +_of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, for +Witch-craft; upon Wednesday the nineteenth of August, +at the Assizes and generall Gaole deliuerie, holden at +Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his +Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._ + +_Alice Nutter._[O3_a_] + +The two degrees of persons which chiefly practise Witch-craft, are +such, as are in great miserie and pouertie, for such the Deuill +allures to follow him, by promising great riches, and worldly +commoditie; Others, though rich, yet burne in a desperate desire of +Reuenge; Hee allures them by promises, to get their turne satisfied to +their hearts contentment, as in the whole proceedings against old +_Chattox_: the examinations of old _Dembdike_; and her children, there +was not one of them, but have declared the like, when the Deuill first +assaulted them. + +But to attempt this woman in that sort, the Diuel had small meanes: +For it is certaine she was a rich woman; had a great estate, and +children of good hope: in the common opinion of the world, of good +temper, free from enuy or malice; yet whether by the meanes of the +rest of the Witches, or some vnfortunate occasion, shee was drawne to +fall to this wicked course of life, I know not: but hither shee is now +come to receiue her Triall, both for Murder, and many other vilde and +damnable practises. + +Great was the care and paines of his Lordship, to make triall of the +Innocencie of this woman, as shall appeare vnto you vpon the +Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, in open Court, at the time of her +Arraignement and Triall; by an extraordinary meanes of Triall, to +marke her out from the rest. + +It is very certaine she was of the Grand-counsell at Malking-Tower +vpon Good-Friday, and was there present, which was a very great +argument to condemne her. + +This _Alice Nutter_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being +brought to the Barre before the Great Seat of Iustice; was there +according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish +and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and +_Sorceries_, in and vpon _Henry Mitton_: and him the said _Henry +Mitton_, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously did kill and +murther. _Contra formam Statuti_, &c. _Et Contra Pacem_, &c. + +Vpon her Arraignement, to this Indictment shee pleaded not guiltie; +and for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and the +Countrey. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iury of life and death stand charged +with her, as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Alice Nutter _Prisoner + at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE +_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken the seuen +and twentieth day of Aprill_: Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI +Angliae, Franciae, & Hiberniae, Fidei Defensor. &c. +Decimo & Scotiae, xlvj. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, _two of his Maiesties Iustices of +Peace in the Countie of Lancaster. Against Alice Nutter._ + +The said Examinate saith vpon his oath, That hee heard his +Grand-mother say, about a yeare ago, that his mother, called +_Elizabeth Deuice_, and his Grand-mother, and the wife of _Richard +Nutter_, [Sidenote: _Alice Nutter_ the Prisoner.] of the Rough-Lee +aforesaid, had killed one _Henry Mitton_, of the Rough-Lee aforesaid, +by Witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so killed, was for that +this Examinats said Grand-mother had asked the said _Mitton_ a penny: +and hee denying her thereof; thereupon shee procured his death as +aforesaid. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _mother of the said_ IAMES DEVICE. + +Against + +ALICE NVTTER, _wife of_ RICHARD NVTTER, +_Prisoner at the Barre, vpon her Arraignement and +Triall._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, the day and yeare aforesaid._ + +This Examinate vpon her oath confesseth, and saith, That she, with +the wife of _Richard Nutter_, called _Alice Nutter_, Prisoner at the +Barre; and this Examinates said mother, _Elizabeth Sotherne_, alias +_Old Demdike_; ioyned altogether, and bewitched the said _Henry +Mitton_ to death. + +This Examinate further saith, That vpon Good-friday last, there dined +at this examinats house two women of Burneley Parish, whose names the +said _Richard Nutters_ wife, _Alice Nutter_, now Prisoner at the +Barre, doth know. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE +_aforesaid._ + +Against + +_The said_ ALICE NVTTER, _the daye and yeare aforesaid._ + +The said Examinate vpon his oath saith, That vpon Good-Friday about +twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinats +said mothers house, a number of persons, whereof three were men, with +this Examinate, and the rest women: and that they mette there for +these three causes following, as this Examinats said mother told this +Examinate. + +The first was for the naming of the Spirit, which _Alizon Deuice_, now +Prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was not +there. + +The second cause was, for the deliuerie of his said Grand-mother; this +Examinates said sister, _Alizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her +daughter _Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster, and before the +next Assizes to blow vp the Castle there; to the end that the foresaid +Prisoners might by that meanes make an escape, and get away: all which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +And he also saith, The names of such Witches as were on Good-Friday at +this Examinats said Grand-mothers house, and now this Examinates owne +mothers, for so many of them as he doth know, were amongst others, +_Alice Nutter_, mother of _Myles Nutter_, now Prisoner at the Barre. +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses; and they all, +by that time they were forth of the doores, were gotten on +horse-backe, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, and some of +another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when shee got on +horse-back, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates sight: +and before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete at the +said _Prestons_ wifes house that day twelue month, at which time the +said _Prestons_ wife promised to make them a great feast: and if they +had occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen +to meet up[=o] Romleys Moore. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IENNET DEVICE, _daughter of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE. + +Against + +ALICE NVTTER, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +The said Examinate saith, That on Good-Friday last, there was about +20. persons, whereof only two were men (to this Examinates +remembrance) at her said Grand-mothers house at Malking-Tower, about +twelue of the clock; all which persons, this Examinats said mother +tould her, were Witches. And she further saith, she knoweth the names +of six of them, _viz._ the wife of _Hugh Hargreiues_ vnder Pendle, +_Christopher Howgate_ of Pendle, Vncle to this Examinat and +_Elizabeth_ his wife; and _Dick Myles_ wife of the Rough-Lee, +_Christopher Iacks_ of Thorniholme, and his wife; and the names of the +residue, she this Examinate doth not know. + +After these Examinations were openly read, his Lordship being very +suspitious of the accusation of this yong wench _Iennet Deuice_, +commanded one to take her away into the vpper Hall, intending in the +meane time to make Triall of her Euidence, and the Accusation +especially against this woman, who is charged to haue beene at +Malking-Tower, at this great meeting. Master _Couel_ was commanded to +set all his prisoners by themselues, and betwixt euery Witch another +Prisoner, and some other strange women amongst them, so as no man +could iudge the one from the other: and these being set in order +before the Court from the prisoners, then was the Wench _Iennet +Deuice_ commaunded to be brought into the Court: and being set before +my Lord, he tooke great paines to examine her of euery particular +Point, What women were at Malking-Tower vpon Good-Friday? How she knew +them? What were the names of any of them? And how she knew them to be +such as she named? + +In the end being examined by my Lord,[P2_a_1] Whether she knew them +that were there by their faces, if she saw them? she told my Lord she +should: whereupon in the presence of this great Audience, in open +Court, she went and tooke _Alice Nutter_, this prisoner, by the hand, +and accused her to be one: and told her in what place shee sat at the +Feast at Malking-Tower, at the great assembly of the Witches, and who +sat next her: what conference they had, and all the rest of their +proceedings at large, without any manner of contrarietie. + +Being demaunded further by his Lordship, Whether she knew _Iohan a +Style_?[P2_a_2] she alledged, she knew no such wom[=a] to be there, +neither did she euer heare her name. + +This could be no forged or false Accusation, but the very Act of GOD +to discouer her. + +Thus was no meanes left to doe her all indifferent fauour, but it was +vsed to saue her life; and to this shee could giue no answere. + +But nothing would serue: for old _Dembdike_, old _Chattox_, and +others, had charged her with innocent bloud, which cries out for +Reuenge, and will be satisfied. And therefore Almightie GOD, in his +Iustice, hath cut her off. + +And here I leaue her, vntill shee come to her Execution, where you +shall heare shee died very impenitent; insomuch as her owne children +were neuer able to moue her to confesse any particular offence, or +declare any thing, euen in _Articulo Mortis_: which was a very +fearefull thing to all that were present, who knew shee was guiltie. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ KATHERINE HEWIT, +_Wife of_ IOHN HEWIT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES,[P3_a_] +_of Coulne, in the Countie of Lancaster Clothier, for +Witchcraft; vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of August, +at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at +Lancaster_, + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Katherine Hewit._ + +Who but Witches can be proofes, and so witnesses of the doings of +Witches? since all their Meetings, Conspiracies, Practises, and +Murthers, are the workes of Darkenesse: But to discouer this wicked +_Furie_, GOD hath not only raised meanes beyond expectation, by the +voluntarie Confession and Accusation of all that are gone before, to +accuse this Witch (being Witches, and thereby witnesses of her doings) +but after they were committed, by meanes of a Child, to discouer her +to be one, and a Principall in that wicked assembly at Malking-Tower, +to deuise such a damnable course for the deliuerance of their friends +at Lancaster, as to kill the Gaoler, and blow vp the Castle, wherein +the Deuill did but labour to assemble them together, and so being +knowne to send them all one way: And herein I shall commend vnto your +good consideration the wonderfull meanes to condemne these parties, +that liued in the world, free from suspition of any such offences, as +are proued against them: And thereby the more dangerous, that in the +successe we may lawfully say, the very Finger of God did point th[=e] +out. And she that neuer saw them, but in that meeting, did accuse +them, and by their faces discouer them. + +This _Katherine Hewyt_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre before the great Seate of Iustice, was there +according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for +that she felloniously had practized, exercised, and vsed her Deuillish +and wicked Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_, and +_Sorceries_, in, and vpon _Anne Foulds_; and the same _Anne Foulds_, +by force of the same witch-craft, felloniously did kill and murder. +_Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et contra Pacem dicti Domini Regis, &c._ + +Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; +And for the triall of her life put her selfe vpon God and her +Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, stand charged +with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Katherine Hewyt, + _Prisoner at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _taken the seuen and +twentieth day of Aprill_, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI, Angliae, +Franciae, & Hiberniae, decimo, et Scotiae quadragesimo +quarto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_Esquires; two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace, +in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +KATHERINE HEWYT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES +_of Colne._ viz. + +This Examinate saith, that vpon Good-Friday last, about twelue of +the Clock in the day time, there dined at this Examinates Mothers +house a number of persons: And hee also saith, that they were Witches; +and that the names of the said Witches, that were there, for so many +of them as he did know, were amongst others _Katherine Hewyt_, wife of +_Iohn Hewyt_, alias _Mould-heeles_, of Colne, in the Countie of +Lancaster Clothier; And that the said Witch, called _Katherine Hewyt_, +alias _Mould-heeles_, and one _Alice Gray_, did confesse amongst the +said Witches at their meeting at _Malkin-Tower_ aforesaid, that they +had killed _Foulds_ wifes child, called _Anne Foulds_, of +Colne:[P4_a_1] And also said, that they had then in hanck a +child[P4_a_2] of _Michael Hartleys_ of Colne. + +And this Examinate further saith, that all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their own shapes and likenesses, and by that time +they were gotten forth of the doores, they were gotten on Horse-back +like vnto foales, some of one colour, some of an other, and the said +_Prestons_ wife was the last: And when she got on Horse-back, they all +presently vanished out of this Examinates sight. And before their said +parting away they all appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wifes +house that day twelue Moneths: at which time the said _Prestons_ wife +promised to make them a great feast, and if they had occasion to meete +in the meane time, then should warning be giuen that they all should +meet vpon Romlesmoore. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _Mother of the said_ IAMES +DEVICE. + +Against + +KATHERINE HEWYT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES, +_Prisoner at the Barre vpon her Arraignement and Triall, +taken the day and yeare aforesaid._ viz. + +This Examinate vpon her oath confesseth, that vpon Good-Friday last +there dyned at this Examinates house, which she hath said are Witches, +and verily thinketh to bee Witches, such as the said _Iames Deuice_ +hath formerly spoken of: amongst which was _Katherine Hewyt_, alias +_Mould-heeles_, now Prisoner at the Barre: and shee also saith, that +at their meeting on Good-Friday at _Malkin-Tower_ aforesaid, the said +_Katherine Hewyt_, alias _Mould-heeles_, and _Anne Gray_, did +confesse, they had killed a child of _Foulds_ of Colne, called _Anne +Foulds_, and had gotten hold of another. + +And shee further saith, the said _Katherine Hewyt_ with all the rest, +there gaue her consent with the said _Prestons_ wife for the murder of +Master _Lister_. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IENNET DEVICE, + +Against + +KATHERINE HEWYT, _alias_ MOVLD-HEELES, +_Prisoner at the Barre._ + +The said Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last, there was +about twentie persons, whereof two were men to this Examinates +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called _Malkin-Tower_ +aforesaid, about twelue of the clock: All which persons this +Examinates said mother told her were Witches, and that shee knoweth +the names of sixe of the said Witches. + +Then was the said _Iennet Deuice_ commanded by his Lordship, to finde +and point out the said _Katherine Hewyt_, alias _Mould-heeles_, +amongst all the rest of the said Women, whereupon shee went and tooke +the said _Katherine Hewyt_ by the hand: Accused her to bee one, and +told her in what place shee sate at the feast at _Malkin-Tower_, at +the great Assembly of the Witches, and who sate next her; what +conference they had, and all the rest of their proceedings at large, +without any manner of contrarietie: Being demanded further by his +Lordship, whether _Ioane a Downe_ were at that Feast, and meeting, or +no? shee alleaged shee knew no such woman to be there, neither did +shee euer heare her name. + +If this were not an Honorable meanes to trie the accusation against +them, let all the World vpon due examination giue iudgement of it. And +here I leaue her the last of this companie, to the Verdict of the +Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death, as hereafter shall appeare. + +Heere the Iurie of Life and Death, hauing spent the most part of the +day, in due consideration of their offences, Returned into the Court +to deliuer vp their Verdict against them, as followeth. + +_The Verdict of Life and +Death._ + +Who vpon their Oathes found _Iennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and +_Iane Southworth_, not guiltie of the offence of Witch-craft, +conteyned in the Indictment against them. + +_Anne Redferne_, guiltie of the fellonie & murder, conteyned in the +Indictment against her. + +_Alice Nutter_, guiltie of the fellonie and murder conteyned in the +Indictment against her. + +And + +_Katherine Hewyt_, guiltie of the fellonie & murder conteyned in the +Indictment against her. + +Whereupon Master _Couell_ was commanded by the Court to take away the +Prisoners Conuicted, and to bring forth _Iohn Bulcocke_, _Iane +Bulcocke_ his mother,[Q2_a_] and _Alizon Deuice_, Prisoners in the +Castle at Lancaster, to receiue their Trialls. + +Who were brought to their Arraignement and Triall as hereafter +followeth. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ IOHN BVLCOCK, +_and_ IANE BVLCOCK _his mother, wife of_ CHRISTOPHER +BVLCOCK, _of the Mosse-end, in the Countie +of Lancaster, for Witch-craft: vpon Wednesday in the +after-noone, the nineteenth of August, 1612. At the Assizes +and generall Gaole deliuery, holden at Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY, _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes at Lancaster._ + +_John Bulcock_, +and +_Jane Bulcock_ his mother. + +If there were nothing to charge these Prisoners withall, whom now +you may behold vpon their Arraignement and Triall but their poasting +in haste to the great Assembly at Malking-Tower, there to aduise and +consult amongst the Witches, what were to bee done to set at liberty +the Witches in the Castle at Lancaster: Ioyne with _Iennet Preston_ +for the murder of Master _Lister_; and such like wicked & diuellish +practises: It were sufficient to accuse them for Witches, & to bring +their liues to a lawfull Triall. But amongst all the Witches in this +company, there is not a more fearefull and diuellish Act committed, +and voluntarily confessed by any of them, comparable to this, vnder +the degree of Murder: which impudently now (at the Barre hauing +formerly confessed;)[Q3_a_1] they forsweare, swearing they were neuer +at the great assembly at Malking Tower; although the very Witches that +were present in that action with them, iustifie, maintaine, and sweare +the same to be true against them: Crying out in very violent & +outragious manner, euen to the gallowes,[Q3_a_2] where they died +impenitent for any thing we know, because they died silent in the +particulars. These of all others were the most desperate wretches +(void of all feare or grace) in all this Packe; Their offences not +much inferiour to Murther: for which you shall heare what matter of +Record wee haue against them; and whether they be worthie to continue, +we leaue it to the good consideration of the Iury. + +The said _Iohn Bulcock_, and _Iane Bulcock_ his mother, Prisoners in +the Castle at Lancaster, being brought to the Barre before the great +Seat of Iustice: were there according to the former order and course +Indicted and Arraigned, for that they felloniously had practised, +exercised and vfed their diuellish & wicked Arts, called +_Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and _Sorceries_, in and vpon +the body of _Iennet Deane_: so as the body of the said _Iennet Deane_, +by force of the said Witchcrafts, wasted and consumed; and after she, +the said _Iennet_, became madde. _Contra formam Statuti_, &c. _Et +Contra pacem_, &c. + +Vpon their Arraignement, to this Indictment they pleaded not guiltie; +and for the triall of their liues put themselues vpon God and their +Countrey. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged +with them as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Iohn Bulcock, _and_ Jane + Bulcock _his mother, Prisoners at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE +_taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill aforesaid._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in +the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IOHN BVLCOCK _and_ IANE BVLCOCK _his mother._ + +This Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday, about twelue of the +clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates said Mothers +house a number of persons, whereof three were men with this Examinate, +and the rest women, and that they met there for these three causes +following, as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate. The +first was, for the naming of the Spirit which _Allison Deuice_, now +prisoner at Lancaster had, but did not name him, because shee was not +there. The second cause was, for the deliuerie of his said +Grand-mother; this Examinates said sister _Allison_; the said _Anne +Chattox_, and her daughter _Redferne_, killing the Gaoler at +Lancaster, and before the next Assises to blow vp the Castle there, to +that end the aforesaid prisoners might by that meanes make an escape, +and get away: All which this Examinate then heard them conferre of. + +And he also sayth, That the names of such said Witches as were on +Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, and now this +Examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as hee did know, were +these, _viz._ _Iane Bulcock_, wife of _Christopher Bulcock_, of the +Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne amongst others, &c. + +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their own shapes and likenesses: and they all, by +that they were forth of the dores, were gotten on horse-backe, like +vnto Foales, some of one colour, and some of another, and _Prestons_ +wife was the last: and when shee got on horse-backe, they all +presently vanished out of this Examinates sight. + +And further he saith, That the said _Iohn Bulcock_ and _Iane_ his said +Mother, did confesse vpon Good-Friday last at the said Malking-Tower, +in the hearing of this Examinate, That they had bewitched, at the +new-field Edge in Yorkeshire, a woman called _Iennet_, wife of _Iohn +Deyne_, besides, her reason; and the said Womans name so bewitched, he +did not heare them speake of. And this Examinate further saith, That +at the said Feast at Malking-Tower this Examinate heard them all giue +their consents to put the said Master _Thomas Lister_ of Westby[Q4_a_] +to death. And after Master _Lister_ should be made away by +Witch-craft, then all the said Witches gaue their consents to ioyne +all together, to hanck Master _Leonard Lister_, when he should come +to dwell at the Cow-gill, and so put him to death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _Taken the day and yeare aforesaid_, + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in +the Countie of Lancaster._ + +Against + +IOHN BVLCOCK, _and_ IANE BVLCOCK, _his +mother._ + +This Examinate saith vpon her oath, That she doth verily thinke, +that the said _Bulcockes_ wife doth know of some Witches to bee about +Padyham and Burnley.[Q4_b_] + +And shee further saith, That at the said meeting at Malking-Tower, as +aforesaid, _Katherine Hewyt_ and _Iohn Bulcock_, with all the rest +then there, gaue their consents, with the said _Prestons_ wife, for +the killing of the said Master _Lister_. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IENNET DEVICE + +Against + +IOHN BVLCOCKE _and_ IANE _his mother, prisoners +at the Barre._ + +The said Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last there was +about twentie persons, whereof two were men, to this Examinates +remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called Malking-Tower +aforesaid: all which persons, this Examinates said mother told her +were Witches, and that she knoweth the names of sixe of the said +Witches. + +Then was the said _Iennet Deuice_ commaunded by his Lordship to finde +and point out the said _Iohn Bulcock_ and _Iane Bulcock_ amongst all +the rest; whereupon shee went and tooke _Iane Bulcock_ by the hand, +accused her to be one, and told her in what place shee sat at the +Feast at Malking-Tower, at the great Assembly of the Witches; and who +sat next her: and accused the said _Iohn Bulcock_ to turne the Spitt +there;[R_a_] what conference they had, and all the rest of their +proceedings at large, without any manner of contrarietie. + +Shee further told his Lordship, there was a woman that came out of +Craven to that Great Feast at Malking-Tower, but shee could not finde +her out amongst all those women. + + * * * * * + +Pp The names of the Witches at the +_Great Assembly and Feast at_ +Malking-Tower, _viz._ vpon Good-Friday +last, 1612.[R1_b_] + +_Elizabeth Deuice._ + +_Alice Nutter._ + +_Katherine Hewit_, alias + _Mould-heeles._ + +_John Bulcock._ + +_Jane Bulcock._ + +_Alice Graie._ + +_Jennet Hargraues._ + +_Elizabeth Hargraues._ + +_Christopher Howgate._ + Sonne to old _Dembdike_. + +_Christopher Hargraues._ + +_Grace Hay_, of Padiham. + +_Anne Crunckshey_, of Marchden. + +_Elizabeth Howgate._ + +_Jennet Preston_, Executed at Yorke +for the Murder of Master _Lister_, + +With many more, which being bound ouer to appeare at the last Assizes, +are since that time fled to saue themselues. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ALIZON DEVICE, +_Daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _within the Forrest +of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, for +Witch-craft._ + +_Alizon Deuice._ + +Behold, aboue all the rest, this lamentable spectacle of a poore +distressed Pedler, how miserably hee was tormented, and what +punishment hee endured for a small offence, by the wicked and damnable +practise of this odious Witch, first instructed therein by old +_Dembdike_ her Grand-mother, of whose life and death with her good +conditions, I haue written at large before in the beginning of this +worke, out of her owne Examinations and other Records, now remayning +with the Clarke of the Crowne at Lancaster: And by her Mother brought +vp in this detestable course of life; wherein I pray you obserue but +the manner and course of it in order, euen to the last period at her +Execution, for this horrible fact, able to terrifie and astonish any +man liuing. + +This _Alizon Deuice_, Prisoner in the Castle of Lancaster, being +brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice, was there +according to the former order and course indicted and arraigned, for +that shee felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her +Deuillish and wicked Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchantments_, +_Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Iohn Law_, a +Petti-chapman, and him had lamed; so that his bodie wasted and +consumed, &c. _Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et contra pacem dicti Domini +Regis, Coronam & Dignitatem, &c._ + +Vpon the Arraignement, The poore Pedler, by name _Iohn Law_, being in +the Castle about the Moot-hall, attending to be called, not well able +to goe or stand, being led thether by his poore sonne _Abraham Law_: +My Lord _Gerrard_[R3_a_] moued the Court to call the poore Pedler, who +was there readie, and had attended all the Assizes, to giue euidence +for the Kings Majestie against the said _Alizon Deuice_, Prisoner at +the Barre, euen now vpon her Triall. The Prisoner being at the Barre, +& now beholding the Pedler, deformed by her Witch-craft, and +transformed beyond the course of Nature, appeared to giue euidence +against her; hauing not yet pleaded to her Indictment, saw it was in +vaine to denie it, or stand vpon her justification: Shee humbly vpon +her knees at the Barre with weeping teares, prayed the Court to heare +her. + +Whereupon my Lord _Bromley_ commanded shee should bee brought out from +the Prisoners neare vnto the Court, and there on her knees, shee +humbly asked forgiuenesse for her offence: And being required to make +an open declaration or confession of her offence: Shee confessed as +followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Confession of_ ALIZON DEVICE, +_Prisoner at the Barre: published and declared at time +of her Arraignement and Triall in open Court._ + +She saith, That about two yeares agone, her Grand-mother, called +_Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, did (sundry times in going or +walking together, as they went begging) perswade and aduise this +Examinate to let a Diuell or a Familiar appeare to her, and that shee, +this Examinate would let him suck at some part of her; and she might +haue and doe what shee would. And so not long after these perswasions, +this Examinate being walking towards the Rough-Lee, in a Close of one +_Iohn Robinsons_, there appeared vnto her a thing like vnto a Blacke +Dogge: speaking vnto her, this Examinate, and desiring her to giue him +her Soule, and he would giue her power to doe any thing shee would: +whereupon this Examinate being therewithall inticed, and setting her +downe; the said Blacke-Dogge did with his mouth (as this Examinate +then thought) sucke at her breast, a little below her Paps, which +place did remain blew halfe a yeare next after: which said +Blacke-Dogge did not appeare to this Examinate, vntill the eighteenth +day of March last: at which time this Examinate met with a Pedler on +the high-way, called Colne-field, neere vnto Colne: and this Examinate +demanded of the said Pedler to buy some pinnes of him; but the said +Pedler sturdily answered this Examinate that he would not loose his +Packe; and so this Examinate parting with him: presently there +appeared to this Examinate the Blacke-Dogge, which appeared vnto her +as before: which Black Dogge spake vnto this Examinate in English, +saying; What wouldst thou haue me to do vnto yonder man? to whom this +Examinate said, What canst thou do at him? and the Dogge answered +againe, I can lame him: whereupon this Examinat answered, and said to +the said Black Dogge, Lame him: and before the Pedler was gone fortie +Roddes further, he fell downe Lame: and this Examinate then went after +the said Pedler; and in a house about the distance aforesaid, he was +lying Lame: and so this Examinate went begging in Trawden Forrest that +day, and came home at night: and about fiue daies next after, the said +Black-Dogge did appeare to this Examinate, as she was going a begging, +in a Cloase neere the New-Church in Pendle, and spake againe to her, +saying; Stay and speake with me; but this Examinate would not: +Sithence which time this Examinat neuer saw him. + + _Which agreeth_ verbatim _with her owne Examination taken + at_ Reade, _in the Countie of Lancaster, the thirtieth day + of March, before Master_ Nowel, _when she was apprehended + and taken._ + +My Lord _Bromley_, and all the whole Court not a little wondering, +as they had good cause, at this liberall and voluntarie confession of +the Witch; which is not ordinary with people of their condition and +qualitie: and beholding also the poore distressed Pedler, standing by, +commanded him vpon his oath to declare the manner how, and in what +sort he was handled; how he came to be lame, and so to be deformed; +who deposed vpon his oath, as followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The Euidence of_ IOHN LAW, +_Pettie Chapman, vpon his Oath:_ + +Against + +ALIZON DEVICE, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +He deposeth and saith, That about the eighteenth of March last +past, hee being a Pedler, went with his Packe of wares at his backe +thorow Colne-field: where vnluckily he met with _Alizon Deuice_, now +Prisoner at the Barre, who was very earnest with him for pinnes, but +he would giue her none: whereupon she seemed to be very angry; and +when hee was past her, hee fell downe lame in great extremitie; and +afterwards by meanes got into an Ale-house in Colne, neere vnto the +place where hee was first bewitched: and as hee lay there in great +paine, not able to stirre either hand or foote; he saw a great +Black-Dogge stand by him, with very fearefull firie eyes, great teeth, +and a terrible countenance, looking him in the face; whereat he was +very sore afraid: and immediately after came in the said _Alizon +Deuice_, who staid not long there, but looked on him, and went away. + +After which time hee was tormented both day and night with the said +_Alizon Deuice_; and so continued lame, not able to trauell or take +paines euer since that time: which with weeping teares in great +passion turned to the Prisoner; in the hearing of all the Court hee +said to her, _This thou knowest to be too true_: and thereupon she +humblie acknowledged the same, and cried out to God to forgiue her; +and vpon her knees with weeping teares, humbly prayed him to forgiue +her that wicked offence; which he very freely and voluntarily did. + +Hereupon Master _Nowel_ standing vp, humbly prayed the fauour of the +Court, in respect this Fact of Witchcraft was more eminent and +apparant than the rest, that for the better satisfaction of the +Audience, the Examination of _Abraham Law_ might be read in Court. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ABRAHAM +LAW, _of Hallifax, in the Countie of Yorke, Cloth-dier, +taken vpon oath the thirtieth day of March, 1612._ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, _Esquire, aforesaid._ + +Being sworne and examined, saith, That vpon Saturday last saue one, +being the one and twentieth day of this instant March, he, this +Examinate was sent for, by a letter that came from his father, that he +should come to his father, _Iohn Law_, who then lay in Colne +speechlesse, and had the left-side lamed all saue his eye: and when +this Examinate came to his father, his said father had something +recouered his speech, and did complaine that hee was pricked with +Kniues, Elsons and Sickles,[S_a_] and that the same hurt was done vnto +him at Colne-field, presently after that _Alizon Deuice_ had offered +to buy some pinnes of him, and she had no money to pay for them +withall; but as this Examinates father told this Examinate, he gaue +her some pinnes. And this Examinate further saith, That he heard his +said father say, that the hurt he had in his lamenesse was done vnto +him by the said _Alizon Deuice_, by Witchcraft. And this Examinate +further saith, that hee heard his said Father further say, that the +said _Alizon Deuice_ did lie vpon him and trouble him. And this +Examinate seeing his said Father so tormented with the said _Alizon_ +and with one other olde woman, whome this Examinates Father did not +know as it seemed: This Examinate made search after the said _Alizon_, +and hauing found her, brought her to his said Father yesterday being +the nine and twenteth of this instant March: whose said Father in the +hearing of this Examinate and diuers others did charge the said +_Alizon_ to haue bewitched him, which the said _Alizon_ +confessing[S_b_] did aske this Examinates said Father forgiuenesse +vpon her knees for the same; whereupon this Examinates Father +accordingly did forgiue her. Which Examination in open Court vpon his +oath hee iustified to be true. + +Whereupon it was there affirmed to the Court that this _Iohn Law_ the +Pedler, before his vnfortunate meeting with this Witch, was a verie +able sufficient stout man of Bodie, and a goodly man of Stature. But +by this Deuillish art of _Witch-craft_ his head is drawne awrie, his +Eyes and face deformed, His speech not well to bee vnderstood; his +Thighes and Legges starcke lame: his Armes lame especially the left +side, his handes lame and turned out of their course, his Bodie able +to indure no trauell: and thus remaineth at this present time. + +The Prisoner being examined by the Court whether shee could helpe the +poore Pedler to his former strength and health, she answered she could +not, and so did many of the rest of the Witches: But shee, with +others, affirmed, That if old _Dembdike_ had liued, shee could and +would haue helped him out of that great miserie, which so long he hath +endured for so small an offence, as you haue heard. + +These things being thus openly published against her, and she knowing +her selfe to be guiltie of euery particular, humbly acknowledged the +Indictment against her to be true, and that she was guiltie of the +offence therein contained, and that she had iustly deserued death for +that and many other such like: whereupon she was carried away, vntill +she should come to the Barre to receiue her judgement of death. + +Oh, who was present at this lamentable spectacle, that was not moued +with pitie to behold it! + +Hereupon my Lord _Gerard_, Sir _Richard Houghton_, and others, who +much pitied the poore Pedler, At the entreatie of my Lord _Bromley_ +the Iudge, promised some present course should be taken for his +reliefe and maintenance; being now discharged and sent away. + +But here I may not let her passe; for that I find some thing more vpon +Record to charge her withall: for although she were but a young Witch, +of a yeares standing, and thereunto induced by _Dembdike_ her +Grand-mother, as you haue formerly heard, yet she was spotted with +innocent bloud among the rest: for in one part of the Examination of +_Iames Deuice_, her brother, he deposeth as followeth, _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, +_brother to the said_ ALIZON DEVICE: _Taken +vpon Oath_ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _Esquire, aforesaid, the thirtieth day +of March, 1612._ + +_Iames Deuice_, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of +Lancaster, Labourer, sworne and examined, sayth, That about _Saint +Peters_ day last one _Henry Bulcock_ came to the house of _Elizabeth +Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, Grand-mother to this Examinate, and +said, That the said _Alizon Deuice_ had bewitched a Child of his, and +desired her, that shee would goe with him to his house: which +accordingly shee did: and thereupon shee the said _Alizon_ fell downe +on her knees, and asked the said _Bulcock_ forgiuenesse; and confessed +to him, that she had bewitched the said Child, as this Examinate heard +his said sister confesse vnto him this Examinate. + +And although shee were neuer indicted for this offence, yet being +matter vpon Record, I thought it conuenient to joyne it vnto her +former Fact. + +Here the Iurie of Life and Death hauing spent the most part of the +day in due consideration of their offences, returned into the Court to +deliuer up their Verdict against them, as followeth. + + * * * * * + +_The Verdict of Life +and Death._ + +Who vpon their Oathes found _Iohn Bulcock_ and _Iane Bulcock_ his +mother, not guiltie of the Felonie by Witch-craft, contained in the +Indictment against them. + +_Alizon Deuice_ conuicted vpon her owne Confession. + +Whereupon Master _Couel_ was commaunded by the Court to take away the +Prisoners conuicted, and to bring forth _Margaret Pearson_,[S3_b_] and +_Isabell Robey_, Prisoners in the Castle at Lancaster, to receiue +their Triall. + +Who were brought to their Arraignement and Trialls, as hereafter +followeth, _viz._ + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ MARGARET PEARSON +_of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, for +Witchcraft; the nineteenth of August, 1612. at the +Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster_, + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ + +_Margaret Pearson._ + +Thus farre haue I proceeded in hope your patience will endure the +end of this discourse, which craues time, and were better not begunne +at all, then not perfected. + +This _Margaret Pearson_ was the wife of _Edward Pearson_ of Paddiham, +in the Countie of Lancaster; little inferiour in her wicked and +malicious course of life to any that hath gone before her: A very +dangerous Witch of long continuance, generally suspected and feared in +all parts of the Countrie, and of all good people neare her, and not +without great cause: For whosoeuer gaue her any iust occasion of +offence, shee tormented with great miserie, or cut off their +children, goods, or friends. + +This wicked and vngodly Witch reuenged her furie vpon goods, so that +euery one neare her sustained great losse. I place her in the end of +these notorious Witches, by reason her iudgement is of an other +Nature, according to her offence; yet had not the fauour and mercie of +the Iurie beene more than her desert, you had found her next to old +_Dembdike_; for this is the third time shee is come to receiue her +Triall; one time for murder by Witch-craft; an other time for +bewitching a Neighbour; now for goods. + + How long shee hath been a Witch, the Deuill and shee knows + best. + +The Accusations, Depositions, and particular Examinations vpon Record +against her are infinite, and were able to fill a large Volume; But +since shee is now only to receiue her Triall for this last offence. I +shall proceede against her in order, and set forth what matter we haue +vpon Record, to charge her withall. + +This _Margaret Pearson_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being +brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice; was there +according to the course and order of the Law Indicted and Arraigned, +for that shee had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish and +wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and +_Sorceries_, and one Mare of the goods and Chattels of one _Dodgeson_ +of Padiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, wickedly, maliciously, and +voluntarily did kill. _Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et Contra pacem +dicti Domini Regis. &c._ + +Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; +And for the triall of her offence put her selfe vpon God and her +Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of her offence and death, stand +charged with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Margaret Pearson, + _Prisoner at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +ANNE WHITTLE, _alias_ CHATTOX. + +Against + +MARGARET PEARSON, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +The said _Anne Chattox_ being examined saith, That the wife of one +_Pearson_ of Paddiham, is a very euill Woman, and confessed to this +Examinate, that shee is a Witch, and hath a Spirit which came to her +the first time in likenesse of a Man, and clouen footed, and that shee +the said _Pearsons_ wife hath done very much harme to one _Dodgesons_ +goods, who came in at a loope-hole into the said _Dodgesons_ Stable, +and shee and her Spirit together did sit vpon his Horse or Mare, +vntill the said Horse or Mare died. And likewise, that shee the said +_Pearsons_ wife did confesse vnto her this Examinate, that shee +bewitched vnto death one _Childers_ wife, and her Daughter, and that +shee the said _Pearsons_ wife is as ill as shee. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IENNET BOOTH, +_of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, the ninth day +of August 1612._ + +Before + +NICHOLAS BANNESTER, _Esquire; one of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster._ + +_Iennet_, the wife of _Iames Booth_, of Paddiham, vpon her oath +saith, That the Friday next after, the said _Pearsons_ wife, was +committed to the Gaole at Lancaster, this Examinate was carding in the +said _Pearsons_ house, hauing a little child with her, and willed the +said _Margerie_ to giue her a little Milke, to make her said child a +little meat, who fetcht this Examinate some, and put it in a pan; this +examinat meaning to set it on the fire, found the said fire very ill, +and taking vp a stick that lay by her, and brake it in three or foure +peeces, and laid vpon the coales to kindle the same, then set the pan +and milke on the fire: and when the milke was boild to this Examinates +content, she tooke the pan wherein the milke was, off the said fire, +and with all, vnder the bottome of the same, there came a Toade, or a +thing very like a Toade, and to this Examinates thinking came out of +the fire, together with the said Pan, and vnder the bottome of the +same, and that the said _Margerie_ did carrie the said Toade out of +the said house in a paire of tonges;[T_a_] But what shee the said +_Margerie_ did therewith, this Examinate knoweth not. + +After this were diuers witnesses examined against her in open Court, +_viua voce_, to proue the death of the Mare, and diuers other vild +and odious practises by her committed, who vpon their Examinations +made it so apparant to the Iurie as there was no question; But because +the fact is of no great importance, in respect her life is not in +question by this Indictment, and the Depositions and examinations are +many, I leaue to trouble you with any more of them, for being found +guiltie of this offence, the penaltie of the Law is as much as her +good Neighbours doe require, which is to be deliuered from the +companie of such a dangerous, wicked, and malicious Witch. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ ISABEL ROBEY +_in the Countie of Lancaster, for Witch-craft: vpon Wednesday +the nineteenth of August, 1612. At the Assizes and generall +Goale-deliuery, holden at Lancaster._ + +Before + +_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY, _Knight, one of his Maiesties +Iustices of Assizes at Lancaster._ + +_Isabel Robey._[T2_a_1] + +Thus at one time may you behold Witches of all sorts from many +places in this Countie of Lancaster which now may lawfully bee said to +abound asmuch in Witches of diuers kindes as Seminaries, Iesuites, and +Papists.[T2_a_2] Here then is the last that came to act her part in +this lamentable and wofull Tragedie, wherein his Maiestie hath lost so +many Subjects, Mothers their Children, Fathers their Friends, and +Kinsfolkes[T2_a_3] the like whereof hath not beene set forth in any +age. What hath the Kings Maiestie written and published in his +_Daemonologie_, by way of premonition and preuention, which hath not +here by the first or last beene executed, put in practise or +discouered? What Witches haue euer vpon their Arraignement and Trial +made such open liberall and voluntarie declarations of their liues, +and such confessions of their offences: The manner of their attempts +and their bloudie practises, their meetings, consultations and what +not? Therefore I shall now conclude with this _Isabel Robey_ who is +now come to her triall. + +This _Isabel Robey_ Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster being brought +to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice was there according to +the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for that shee +Felloniously had practised, exercised and vsed her Deuilish and wicked +Artes called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes and Sorceries_. + +Vpon her Arraignment to this Indictment she pleaded not guiltie, and +for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and her Countrie. + +So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged +with her as with others. + + _The Euidence against_ Isabel Robey + _Prisoner at the Barre._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ PETER CHADDOCK +_of Windle, in the Countie of Lancaster: Taken at +Windle aforesaid, the 12. day of Iuly 1612._ Anno Reg. +Regis IACOBI, Angliae, &c. decimo, & Scotiae xlv. + +Before + +_Sir_ THOMAS GERRARD _Knight, and Barronet. One +of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace within the said +Countie._ + +The said Examinate vpon his Oath saith, That before his Marriage +hee heard say that the said _Isabel Robey_ was not pleased that hee +should marrie his now wife: whereupon this Examinate called the said +_Isabel_ Witch, and said that hee did not care for her. Then within +two dayes next after this Examinate was sore pained in his bones: And +this Examinate hauing occasion to meete Master _Iohn Hawarden_ at +Peaseley Crosse, wished one _Thomas Lyon_ to goe thither with him, +which they both did so; but as they came home-wards, they both were in +euill case. But within a short time after, this Examinate and the said +_Thomas Lyon_ were both very well amended. + +And this Examinate further saith, that about foure yeares last past, +his now wife was angrie with the said _Isabel_, shee then being in his +house, and his said Wife thereupon went out of the house, and +presently after that the said _Isabel_ went likewise out of the house +not well pleased, as this Examinate then did thinke, and presently +after vpon the same day, this Examinate with his said wife working in +the Hay, a paine and a starknesse fell into the necke of this Examinat +which grieued him very sore; wherup[=o] this Examinat sent to one +_Iames_ a Glouer, which then dwelt in Windle, and desired him to pray +for him, and within foure or fiue dayes next after this Examinate did +mend very well. Neuerthelesse this Examinate during the same time was +very sore pained, and so thirstie withall, and hot within his body, +that hee would haue giuen any thing hee had, to haue slaked his +thirst, hauing drinke enough in the house, and yet could not drinke +vntill the time that the said _Iames_ the Glouer came to him, and this +Examinate then said before the said Glouer, I would to God that I +could drinke, where upon the said Glouer said to this Examinate, take +that drinke, and in the name of the _Father_, the _Sonne_, and the +_Holy Ghost_, drinke it, saying; The Deuill and Witches are not able +to preuaile against GOD and his Word, whereupon this Examinate then +tooke the glasse of drinke, and did drinke it all, and afterwards +mended very well, and so did continue in good health, vntill our Ladie +day in Lent was twelue moneth or thereabouts, since which time this +Examinate saith, that hee hath beene sore pained with great warch in +his bones,[T3_b_] and all his limmes, and so yet continueth, and this +Examinate further saith, that his said warch and paine came to him +rather by meanes of the said _Isabel Robey_, then otherwise, as he +verily thinketh. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IANE WILKINSON, +_Wife of_ FRANCIS WILKINSON, _of Windle aforesaid: +Taken before the said Sir_ THOMAS GERRARD, +_Knight and Barronet, the day and place aforesaid. +Against the said_ ISABEL ROBEY. + +The said Examinate vpon her oath saith, that vpon a time the said +_Isabel Robey_ asked her milke, and shee denied to giue her any: And +afterwards shee met the said _Isabel_, whereupon this Examinate waxed +afraid of her, and was then presently sick, and so pained that shee +could not stand, and the next day after this Examinate going to +Warrington, was suddenly pinched on her Thigh as shee thought, with +foure fingers & a Thumbe twice together, and thereupon was sicke, in +so much as shee could not get home but on horse-backe, yet soone after +shee did mend. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ MARGARET +LYON _wife of_ THOMAS LYON _the yonger, of +Windle aforesaid: Taken before the said Sir_ THOMAS +GERRARD, _Knight and Barronet, the day and place aforesaid. +Against the said_ ISABEL ROBEY. + +The said _Margaret Lyon_ vpon her Oath saith, that vpon a time +_Isabel Robey_ came into her house and said that _Peter Chaddock_ +should neuer mend vntill he had asked her forgiuenesse; and that shee +knew hee would neuer doe: whereupon this Examinate said, how doe you +know that, for he is a true Christian, and hee would aske all the +world forgiuenesse? then the said _Isabel_ said, that is all one, for +hee will neuer aske me forgiuenesse, therefore hee shall neuer mend; +And this Examinate further saith, that shee being in the house of the +said _Peter Chaddock_, the wife of the said _Peter_, who is +God-Daughter of the said _Isabel_, and hath in times past vsed her +companie much, did affirme, that the said _Peter_ was now satisfied, +that the said _Isabel Robey_ was no Witch, by sending to one +_Halseworths_, which they call a wiseman,[T4_b_1] and the wife of the +said _Peter_ then said, to abide vpon it,[T4_b_2] I thinke that my +Husband will neuer mend vntill hee haue asked her forgiuenesse, choose +him whether hee will bee angrie or pleased, for this is my opinion: to +which he answered, when he did need to aske her forgiuenesse, he +would, but hee thought hee did not need, for any thing hee knew: and +yet this Examinate further saith, That the said _Peter Chaddock_ had +very often told her, that he was very afraid that the said _Isabel_ +had done him much hurt; and that he being fearefull to meete her, he +hath turned backe at such time as he did meet her alone, which the +said _Isabel_ hath since then affirmed to be true, saying, that hee +the said _Peter_ did turne againe when he met her in the Lane. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ MARGARET +PARRE _wife of_ HVGH PARRE _of Windle aforesaid, +Taken before the said Sir_ THOMAS GERARD +_Knight and Baronet, the day and place aforesaid. Against +the said_ ISABEL ROBEY. + +The said Examinate vpon her oath saith, that vpon a time, the said +_Isabel Robey_ came to her house, and this Examinate asked her how +_Peter Chaddock_ did, And the said _Isabel_ answered shee knew not, +for shee went not to see, and then this Examinate asked her how _Iane +Wilkinson_ did, for that she had beene lately sicke and suspected to +haue beene bewitched: then the said _Isabel_ said twice together, I +haue bewitched her too: and then this Examinate said that shee trusted +shee could blesse her selfe from all Witches and defied them; and then +the said _Isabel_ said twice together, would you defie me? & +afterwards the said _Isabel_ went away not well pleased. + +Here the Gentlemen of the last Iurie of Life and Death hauing taken +great paines, the time being farre spent, and the number of the +Prisoners great, returned into the Court to deliuer vp their Verdict +against them as followeth. _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Verdict of Life and +Death._ + +Who vpon their Oathes found the said _Isabel Robey_ guiltie of the +Fellonie by Witch-craft, contained in the Indictment against her. And +_Margaret Pearson_ guiltie of the offence by Witch-craft, contained in +the Indictment against her. + +Whereupon Master _Couell_ was commaunded by the Court in the +afternoone to bring forth all the Prisoners that stood Conuicted, to +receiue their Iudgment of Life and Death. + +For his Lordship now intended to proceed to a finall dispatch of the +Pleas of the Crowne. And heere endeth the Arraignement and Triall of +the Witches at Lancaster. + +Thus at the length haue we brought to perfection this intended +Discouery of Witches, with the Arraignement and Triall of euery one of +them in order, by the helpe of Almightie God, and this Reuerend Iudge; +the Lanterne from whom I haue received light to direct me in this +course to the end. And as in the beginning, I presented vnto their +view a Kalender containing the names of all the witches: So now I +shall present vnto you in the conclusion and end, such as stand +conuicted, and come to the Barre to receiue the iudgement of the Law +for their offences, and the proceedings of the Court against such as +were acquitted, and found not guiltie: with the religious Exhortation +of this Honorable Iudge, as eminent in gifts and graces, as in place +and preeminence, which I may lawfully affirme without base flattery +(the canker of all honest and worthie minds) drew the eyes and +reuerend respect of all that great Audience present, to heare their +Iudgement, and the end of these proceedings. + + * * * * * + +_The Prisoners being brought to the Barre._ + +The Court commanded three solemne Proclamations for silence, vntill +Iudgement for Life and Death were giuen. + +Whereupon I presented to his Lordship the names of the Prisoners in +order, which were now to receiue their Iudgement. + + * * * * * + +Pp The names of the Prisoners at the +_Barre to receiue their Judgement_ +of Life and Death. + +_Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox._ + +_Elizabeth Deuice._ + +_James Deuice._ + +_Anne Redferne._ + +_Alice Nutter._ + +_Katherine Hewet_, + +_John Bulcock._ + +_Jane Bulcock._ + +_Alizon Deuice._ + +_Isabel Robey._ + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE IVDGEMENT +OF THE RIGHT HONORABLE +Sir EDWARD BROMLEY, Knight, one +_of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster +vpon the Witches conuicted_, +as followeth. + +_There is no man aliue more vnwilling to pronounce this wofull and +heauy Iudgement against you, then my selfe: and if it were possible, I +would to God this cup might passe from me. But since it is otherwise +prouided, that after all proceedings of the Law, there must be a +Iudgement; and the Execution of that Iudgement must succeed and follow +in due time: I pray you haue patience to receiue that which the Law +doth lay vpon you. You of all people haue the least cause to +complaine: since in the Triall of your liues there hath beene great +care and paines taken, and much time spent: and very few or none of +you, but stand conuicted vpon your owne voluntarie confessions and +Examinations_, Ex ore proprio. _Few Witnesses examined against you, +but such as were present, and parties in your Assemblies. Nay I may +further affirme, What persons of your nature and condition, euer were +Arraigned and Tried with more solemnitie, had more libertie giuen to +pleade or answere to euerie particular point of Euidence against you? +In conclusion such hath beene the generall care of all, that had to +deale with you, that you haue neither cause to be offended in the +proceedings of the Iustices, that first tooke paines in these +businesses, nor with the Court that hath had great care to giue +nothing in euidence against you, but matter of fact; Sufficient matter +vpon Record, and not to induce or leade the Iurie to finde any one of +you guiltie vpon matter of suspition or presumption, nor with the +witnesses who haue beene tried, as it were in the fire: Nay, you +cannot denie but must confesse what extraordinarie meanes hath beene +vsed to make triall of their euidence, and to discouer the least +intended practice in any one of them, to touch your liues vniustly._ + +_As you stand simply (your offences and bloudie practises not +considered) your fall would rather moue compassion, then exasperate +any man. For whom would not the ruine of so many poore creatures at +one time, touch, as in apparance simple, and of little vnderstanding?_ + +_But the bloud of those innocent children, and others his Maiesties +Subiects, whom cruelly and barbarously you haue murdered, and cut off, +with all the rest of your offences, hath cryed out vnto the Lord +against you, and sollicited for satisfaction and reuenge, and that +hath brought this heauie iudgement vpon you at this time._ + +_It is therefore now time no longer wilfully to striue, both against +the prouidence of God, and the Iustice of the Land: the more you +labour to acquit your selues, the more euident and apparant you make +your offences to the World. And vnpossible it is that they shall +either prosper or continue in this World, or receiue reward in the +next, that are stained with so much innocent bloud._ + +_The worst then I wish to you, standing at the Barre conuicted, to +receiue your Iudgement, is, Remorse, and true Repentance, for the +safegard of your Soules, and after, an humble, penitent, and heartie +acknowledgement of your grieuous sinnes and offences committed both +against_ GOD _and Man._ + +_First, yeeld humble and heartie thankes to Almightie_ GOD _for taking +hold of you in your beginning, and making stay of your intended +bloudie practises (although_ GOD _knowes there is too much done +alreadie) which would in time have cast so great a weight of Iudgement +vpon your Soules._ + +_Then praise_ GOD _that it pleased him not to surprize or strike you +suddenly, euen in the execution of your bloudie Murthers, and in the +middest of your wicked practises, but hath giuen you time, and takes +you away by a iudiciall course and triall of the Law._ + +_Last of all, craue pardon of the World, and especially of all such as +you haue iustly offended, either by tormenting themselues, children, +or friends, murder of their kinsfolks, or losse of any their goods._ + +_And for leauing to future times the president of so many barbarous +and bloudie murders, with such meetings, practises, consultations, and +meanes to execute reuenge, being the greatest part of your comfort in +all your actions, which may instruct others to hold the like course, +or fall in the like sort:_ + +_It only remaines I pronounce the Iudgement of the Court against you +by the Kings authoritie, which is;_ You shall all goe from hence to +the Castle, from whence you came; from thence you shall bee carried to +the place of Execution for this Countie: where your bodies shall bee +hanged vntill you be dead; AND GOD HAVE MERCIE VPON YOVR SOVLES; For +your comfort in this world I shall commend a learned and worthie +Preacher to instruct you, and prepare you, for an other World: All I +can doe for you is to pray for your Repentance in this World, for the +satisfaction of many; And forgiuenesse in the next world, for sauing +of your Soules. And God graunt you may make good vse of the time you +haue in this world, to his glorie and your owne comfort. + + +_Margaret Pearson._ + +The Iudgement of the Court against you, is, You shall stand vpon +the Pillarie in open Market, at _Clitheroe_, _Paddiham_, _Whalley_, +and _Lancaster_, foure Market dayes, with a Paper vpon your head, in +great Letters, declaring your offence, and there you shall confesse +your offence, and after to remaine in Prison for one yeare without +Baile, and after to be bound with good Sureties, to be of the good +behauiour. + + * * * * * + +_To the Prisoners found not guiltie_ +by the IVRIES. + +_Elizabeth Astley._ +_John Ramsden._ +_Alice Gray._ +_Isabel Sidegraues._ +_Lawrence Hay._[X_a_] + +_To you that are found not guiltie, and are by the Law to bee +acquited, presume no further of your Innocencie then you haue just +cause: for although it pleased God out of his Mercie, to spare you at +this time, yet without question there are amongst you, that are as +deepe in this Action, as any of them that are condemned to die for +their offences: The time is now for you to forsake the Deuill: +Remember how, and in what sort hee hath dealt with all of you: make +good vse of this great mercie and fauour: and pray unto God you fall +not againe: For great is your happinesse to haue time in this World, +to prepare your selues against the day when you shall appeare before +the Great Iudge of all._ + +_Notwithstanding, the iudgement of the Court, is_, You shall all enter +Recognizances with good sufficient Suerties, to appeare at the next +Assizes at Lancaster, and in the meane time to be of the good +behauiour. All I can say to you: + +_Jennet Bierley_, + +_Ellen Bierley_, + +_Jane Southworth_, is, That GOD hath deliuered you beyond expectation, +I pray GOD you may vse this mercie and fauour well; and take heed you +fall not hereafter: And so the Court doth order you shall be +deliuered. + +What more can bee written or published of the proceedings of this +honourable Court: but to conclude with the Execution of the +Witches,[X_b_] who were executed the next day following at the common +place of Execution, neare vnto Lancaster. Yet in the end giue mee +leaue to intreate some fauour that haue beene afraid to speake vntill +my worke were finished. If I haue omitted any thing materiall, or +published any thing imperfect, excuse me for that I haue done: It was +a worke imposed vpon me by the Iudges, in respect I was so wel +instructed in euery particular. In hast I haue vndertaken to finish it +in a busie Tearme amongst my other imploiments. + +My charge was to publish the proceedings of Iustice, and matter of +Fact, wherein I wanted libertie to write what I would, and am limited +to set forth nothing against them, but matter vpon Record, euen in +their owne Countrie tearmes, which may seeme strange. And this I hope +will giue good satisfaction to such as vnderstand how to iudge of a +businesse of this nature. Such as haue no other imploiment but to +question other mens Actions, I leaue them to censure what they please, +It is no part of my profession to publish any thing in print, neither +can I paint in extraordinarie tearmes.[X2_a_] But if this discouerie +may serue for your instruction, I shall thinke my selfe very happie in +this Seruice, and so leaue it to your generall censure. + + _Da veniam Ignoto non displicuisse meretur, + Festinat studys qui placuisse tibi._ + +[Illustration: decoration] + + * * * * * + +_THE_ +ARRAIGNEMENT +AND TRIALL OF +IENNET PRESTON, OF +GISBORNE IN CRAVEN, +in the Countie of Yorke. + +At the Assises and Generall Gaole-_Deliuerie_ +_holden at the Castle of Yorke_ +in the Countie of Yorke, the xxvij. day of +Iuly last past, _Anno Regni Regis_ IACOBI +_Angliae, &c. Decimo, & Scotiae +quadragesimo quinto._ + +Before + +_Sir_ IAMES ALTHAM _Knight, one_ +of the Barons of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer; +and Sir EDWARD BROMLEY Knight, another of +_the Barons of his Maiesties Court of Exchequer;_ +his Maiesties Iustices of Assise, Oyer and Terminer, +_and generall Gaole-Deliuerie, in the Circuit +of the North-parts._ + +[Illustration: decoration] + +LONDON. + +Printed by W. STANSBY for IOHN BARNES, and +are to be sold at his Shoppe neere Holborne +Conduit. 1612. + + +[Illustration: decoration] + +THE ARRAIGNMENT +_and Triall of_ IENNET PRESTON +_of Gisborne in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke, at +the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at the +Castle of Yorke, in the Countie of Yorke, the seuen and +twentieth day of Iuly last past._ Anno Regni Regis Iacobi +Angliae &c. Decimo & Scotiae xlvj. + +_Jennet Preston._ + +Many haue vndertaken to write great discourses of Witches and many +more dispute and speake of them. And it were not much if as many wrote +of them as could write at al, to set forth to the world the particular +Rites and Secrets of their vnlawfull Artes, with their infinite and +wonderfull practises which many men little feare till they seaze vpon +them. As by this late wonderfull discouerie of Witches in the Countie +of Lancaster may appeare, wherein I find such apparant matter to +satisfie the World, how dangerous and malitious a Witch this _Iennet +Preston_ was, How vnfit to liue, hauing once so great mercie extended +to her: And againe to reuiue her practises, and returne to her former +course of life; that I thinke it necessarie not to let the memorie of +her life and death die with her; But to place her next to her fellowes +and to set forth the Arraignement Triall and Conviction of her, with +her offences for which she was condemned and executed. + +And although shee died for her offence before the rest, I yet can +afford her no better place then in the end of this Booke in respect +the proceedings was in an other Countie; + +You that were husband to this _Iennet Preston_; her friends and +kinsfolkes, who haue not beene sparing to deuise so scandalous a +slander out of the malice of your hearts, as that shee was maliciously +prosecuted by Master _Lister_ and others; Her life vniustly taken away +by practise; and that (euen at the Gallowes where shee died impenitent +and void of all feare or grace) she died an Innocent woman, because +she would confesse nothing: You I say may not hold it strange, though +at this time, being not only moued in conscience, but directed, for +example sake, with that which I haue to report of her, I suffer you +not to wander any further, but with this short discourse oppose your +idle conceipts able to seduce others: And by Charmes of Imputations +and slander, laid vpon the Iustice of the Land, to cleare her that was +iustly condemned and executed for her offence; That this _Iennet +Preston_ was for many yeares well thought of and esteemed by Master +_Lister_ who afterwards died for it Had free accesse to his house, +kind respect and entertainment; nothing denied her she stood in need +of. Which of you that dwelleth neare them in Crauen but can and will +witnesse it? which might haue incouraged a Woman of any good condition +to haue runne a better course. + +The fauour and goodnesse of this Gentleman Master _Lister_ now liuing, +at his first entrance after the death of his Father extended towards +her, and the reliefe she had at all times, with many other fauours +that succeeded from time to time, are so palpable and euident to all +men as no man can denie them. These were sufficient motiues to haue +perswaded her from the murder of so good a friend. + +But such was her execrable Ingratitude, as euen this grace and +goodnesse was the cause of his miserable and vntimely death. And euen +in the beginning of his greatest fauours extended to her, began shee +to worke this mischiefe, according to the course of all Witches. + +This _Iennet Preston_, whose Arraignment and Triall, with the +particular Euidence against her I am now to set forth vnto you, one +that liued at Gisborne in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke, neare +Master _Lister_ of Westbie, against whom she practised much mischiefe; +for hauing cut off _Thomas Lister_ Esquire, father to this gentleman +now liuing,[Y_a_1] shee reuenged her selfe vpon his sonne: who in +short time receiued great losse in his goods and cattell by her +meanes. + +These things in time did beget suspition, and at the Assizes and +Generall Gaole deliuerie holden at the Castle of Yorke in Lent last +past, before my Lord _Bromley_, shee was Indicted and Arraigned for +the murder of a Child of one _Dodg-sonnes_,[Y_a_2] but by the fauour +and mercifull consideration of the Iurie thereof acquited. + +But this fauour and mercie was no sooner extended towardes her, and +shee set at libertie, But shee began to practise the utter ruine and +ouerthrow of the name and bloud of this Gentleman. + +And the better to execute her mischiefe and wicked intent, within +foure dayes after her deliuerance out of the Castle at Yorke, went to +the great Assembly of Witches at _Malking-Tower_ vpon Good-friday +last: to praye aide and helpe, for the murder of Master _Lister_, in +respect he had prosecuted against her at the same Assizes. + +Which it pleased God in his mercie to discouer, and in the end, +howsoeuer he had blinded her, as he did the King of AEgypt and his +Instruments, for the brighter euidence of his own powerfull glory: Yet +by a Iudiciall course and triall of the Law, cut her off, and so +deliuered his people from the danger of her Deuilish and wicked +practises: which you shall heare against her, at her Arraignement and +Triall, which I shall now set forth to you in order as it was +performed, with the wonderfull signes and tokens of GOD, to satisfie +the Iurie to finde her guiltie of this bloudie murther, committed +foure yeares since. + + * * * * * + +Indictment. + +This _Iennet Preston_ being Prisoner in the Castle at Yorke, and +indicted, for that shee felloniously had practised, vsed, and +exercised diuerse wicked and deuillish Arts, called Witchcrafts, +Inchauntments, Charmes, and Sorceries, in and vpon one _Thomas Lister_ +of Westby in Crauen, in the Countie of Yorke Esquire, and by force of +the same Witchcraft felloniously the said _Thomas Lister_ had killed, +_Contra Pacem &c._ beeing at the Barre, was arraigned. + +To this Indictment vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded not guiltie, +and for the Triall of her life put her selfe vpon GOD and her +Countrey. + +Whereupon my Lord _Altham_ commaunded Master Sheriffe of the Countie +of Yorke, in open Court to returne a Iurie of sufficient Gentlemen of +vnderstanding, to passe betweene our Soueraigne Lord the Kings +Majestie and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues and +deaths; who were afterwards sworne, according to the forme and order +of the Court, the prisoner being admitted to her lawfull challenge. + +Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre to receiue her Tryall, +Master _Heyber_,[Y2_a_] one of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the +same County, hauing taken great paines in the proceedings against her; +and being best instructed of any man of all the particular points of +Euidence against her, humbly prayed, the witnesses hereafter following +might be examined against her, and the seuerall Examinations, taken +before Master _Nowel_, and certified, might openly bee published +against her; which hereafter follow in order, _viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Euidence for the Kings Maiestie_ + +Against + +IENNET PRESTON, _Prisoner at the Barre._ + +Hereupon were diuerse Examinations taken and read openly against +her, to induce and satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and +Death, to finde she was a Witch; and many other circumstances for the +death of M. _Lister_. In the end _Anne Robinson_ and others were both +examined, who vpon their Oathes declared against her, That M. _Lister_ +lying in great extremitie, vpon his death bedde, cried out vnto them +that stood about him; that _Iennet Preston_ was in the house, looke +where shee is, take hold of her: for Gods sake shut the doores, and +take her, shee cannot escape away. Looke about for her, and lay hold +on her, for shee is in the house: and so cryed very often in his great +paines, to them that came to visit him during his sicknesse. + + +_Anne Robinson_, + +and + +_Thomas Lister_, + +Being examined further, they both gaue this in euidence against her, +That when Master _Lister_ lay vpon his death-bedde, hee cryed out in +great extremitie; _Iennet Preston_ lyes heauie vpon me, _Prestons_ +wife lies heauie vpon me; helpe me, helpe me: and so departed, crying +out against her. + +These, with many other witnesses, were further examined, and deposed, +That _Iennet Preston_, the Prisoner at the Barre, being brought to M. +_Lister_ after hee was dead, & layd out to be wound vp in his +winding-sheet, the said _Iennet Preston_ comming to touch the dead +corpes, they bled fresh bloud presently,[Y3_a_] in the presence of all +that were there present: Which hath euer beene held a great argument +to induce a Iurie to hold him guiltie that shall be accused of +Murther, and hath seldome, or neuer, fayled in the Tryall. + +But these were not alone: for this wicked and bloud-thirstie Witch was +no sooner deliuered at the Assises holden at Yorke in Lent last past, +being indicted, arraigned, and by the fauor and mercie of the Iurie +found not guiltie, for the murther of a Child by Witch-craft: but vpon +the Friday following, beeing Good-Friday, shee rode in hast to the +great meeting at Malking-Tower, and there prayed aide for the murther +of M. _Thomas Lister:_ as at large shall appeare, by the seuerall +Examinations hereafter following; sent to these Assises from Master +_Nowel_ and other his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of +Lancaster, to be giuen in euidence against her, vpon her Triall, +_viz._ + + * * * * * + +_The Examination and Euidence of_ +IAMES DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie +of Lancaster, Labourer, taken at the house of_ IAMES +WILSEY, _of the Forrest of Pendle in the Countie of +Lancaster, the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill_, Anno +Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae, &c. Decimo ac Scotiae +quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace +within the Countie of Lancaster_, viz. + +This Examinate saith, That vpon Good-Friday last about twelue of +the clocke in the day-time, there dined in this Examinates said +mothers house a number of persons, whereof three were men, with this +Examinate, and the rest women: and that they met there for these three +causes following (as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate): +First was for the naming of the Spirit, which _Alizon Deuice_, now +Prisoner at Lancaster, had, but did not name him, because shee was not +there. The second cause was for the deliuery of his said Grand-mother, +this Examinates said sister _Alizon_, the said _Anne Chattox_, and her +daughter _Redferne_: Killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the +next Assizes to blow vp the Castle there; to that end the aforesaid +Prisoners might by that meanes make an escape and get away. All which +this Examinate then heard them conferre of. And the third cause was, +for that there was a woman dwelling in Gilburne Parish, who came into +this Examinates said Grand-mothers house, who there came, and craued +assistance of the rest of them that were then there, for the killing +of Master _Lister_ of Westby: because, as she then said, he had borne +malice vnto her, and had thought to haue put her away at the last +Assizes at Yorke; but could not. And then this Examinat heard the said +woman say, that her power was not strong enough to doe it her selfe, +being now lesse then before time it had beene. + +And he also further saith, that the said _Prestons_ wife had a Spirit +with her like unto a white Foale, with a blacke-spot in the forehead. +And further, this Examinat saith, That since the said meeting, as +aforesaid, this Examinate hath beene brought to the wife of one +_Preston_ in Gisburne Parish aforesaid, by _Henry Hargreiues_ of +Goldshey, to see whether shee was the woman that came amongst the said +Witches, on the said last Good-Friday, to craue their aide and +assistance for the killing of the said Master _Lister_: and hauing had +full view of her; hee this Examinate confesseth, That shee was the +selfe-same woman which came amongst the said Witches on the said last +Good-Friday, for their aide for the killing of the said Master +_Lister_; and that brought the Spirit with her, in the shape of a +White Foale, as aforesaid. + +And this Examinate further saith, That all the said Witches went out +of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses, and they all, +by that they were forth of the doores, were gotten on horse-backe like +vnto Foales, some of one colour, some of another, and _Prestons_ wife +was the last; and when she got on horse-backe, they all presently +vanished out of this Examinats sight: and before their said parting +away, they all appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wifes house +that day twelue-month; at which time the said _Prestons_ wife +promised to make them a great feast; and if they had occasion to meet +in the meane time, then should warning bee giuen that they all should +meete vpon Romles-Moore. And this Examinate further saith, That at the +said feast at Malking-Tower, this Examinat heard them all giue their +consents to put the said Master _Thomas Lister_ of Westby to death: +and after Master _Lister_ should be made away by Witchcraft, then al +the said Witches gaue their consents to ioyne altogether to hancke +Master _Leonard Lister_,[Z_a_] when he should come to dwell at the +Sowgill, and so put him to death. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ HENRIE HARGREIVES +_of Goldshey-booth, in the Forrest of +Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster Yeoman, taken the +fifth day of May_, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae, +&c. Decimo, ac Scociae quadragesimo quinto. + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL, NICHOLAS BANNESTER, +_and_ ROBERT HOLDEN, _Esquires; three of his +Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said Countie._ + +This Examinat vpon his oath saith, That _Anne Whittle_, alias +_Chattox_, confessed vnto him, that she knoweth one _Prestons_ wife +neere Gisburne, and that the said _Prestons_ wife should haue beene at +the said feast, vpon the said Good-Friday, and that shee was an ill +woman, and had done Master _Lister_ of Westby great hurt. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ ELIZABETH +DEVICE, _mother of_ IAMES DEVICE, _taken before_ +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, the day and yeare aforesaid_, viz. + +The said _Elizabeth Deuice_ vpon her Examination confesseth, That +vpon Good-Friday last, there dined at this Examinats house, which she +hath said are Witches, and doth verily thinke them to be Witches; and +their names are those whom _Iames Deuice_ hath formerly spoken of to +be there. + +She also confesseth in all things touching the killing of Master +_Lister_ of Westby, as the said _Iames Deuice_ hath before confessed. + +And the said _Elizabeth Deuice_ also further saith, That at the said +meeting at Malking-Tower, as aforesaid, the said _Katherine Hewyt_ and +_Iohn Bulcock_, with all the rest then there, gaue their consents, +with the said _Prestons_ wife, for the killing of the said Master +_Lister_. And for the killing of the said Master _Leonard Lister_, she +this Examinate saith in all things, as the said _Iames Deuice_ hath +before confessed in his Examination. + + * * * * * + +_The Examination of_ IENNET DEVICE, +_daughter of_ ELIZABETH _late wife of_ IOHN +DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, +about the age of nine yeares or thereabouts, taken +the day and yeare aboue-said:_ + +Before + +ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER, +_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in +the Countie of Lancaster._ + +The said Examinate vpon her Examination saith, that vpon Good-friday +last there was about twenty persons, whereof only two were men, to +this Examinats remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called +Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: all which +persons, this Examinates said mother told her were Witches, and that +she knoweth the names of diuers of the said Witches. + + * * * * * + +After all these Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence, deliuered +in open Court against her, His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue +the particular circumstances;[Z2_a_] first, Master _Lister_ in his +great extremitie, to complaine hee saw her, and requested them that +were by him to lay hold on her. + +After he cried out shee lay heauie vpon him, euen at the time of his +death. + +But the Conclusion is of more consequence then all the rest, that +_Iennet Preston_ being brought to the dead corps, they bled freshly. +And after her deliuerance in Lent, it is proued shee rode vpon a white +Foale, and was present in the great assembly at _Malkin Tower_ with +the Witches, to intreat and pray for aide of them, to kill Master +_Lister_, now liuing, for that he had prosequuted against her. + +And against these people you may not expect such direct euidence, +since all their workes are the workes of darkenesse, no witnesses are +present to accuse them, therefore I pray God direct your consciences. + +After the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death had spent the most +part of the day, in consideration of the euidence against her, they +returned into the Court and deliuered vp their Verdict of Life and +Death. + + * * * * * + +_The Verdict of Life and Death._ + +Who found _Iennet Preston_ guiltie of the fellonie and murder by +Witch-craft of _Thomas Lister_, Esquire; conteyned in the Indictment +against her, &c. + +Afterwards, according to the course and order of the Lawes, his +Lordship pronounced Iudgement against her to bee hanged for her +offence. And so the Court arose. + + * * * * * + +Here was the wonderfull discouerie of this _Iennet Preston_, who +for so many yeares had liued at Gisborne in Crauen, neare Master +_Lister_: one thing more I shall adde to all these particular +Examinations, and euidence of witnesses, which I saw, and was present +in the Court at Lancaster, when it was done at the Assizes holden in +August following. + +My Lord _Bromley_ being very suspicious of the accusation of _Iennet +Deuice_, the little Wench, commanded her to looke vpon the Prisoners +that were present, and declare which of them were present at _Malkin +Tower_, at the great assembly of Witches vpon Good-Friday last: shee +looked vpon and tooke many by the handes, and accused them to be +there, and when shee had accused all that were there present, shee +told his Lordship there was a Woman that came out of Crauen that was +amongst the Witches at that Feast, but shee saw her not amongst the +Prisoners at the Barre. + +What a singular note was this of a Child, amongst many to misse her, +that before that time was hanged for her offence, which shee would +neuer confesse or declare at her death? here was present old _Preston_ +her husband, who then cried out and went away: being fully satisfied +his wife had Iustice, and was worthie of death. + +To conclude then this present discourse, I heartilie desire you, my +louing Friends and Countrie-men, for whose particular instructions +this is added to the former of the wonderfull discouerie of Witches in +the Countie of Lancaster: And for whose particular satisfaction this +is published; Awake in time, and suffer not your selues to be thus +assaulted. + +Consider how barbarously this Gentleman hath been dealt withall; and +especially you that hereafter shall passe vpon any Iuries of Life and +Death, let not your conniuence, or rather foolish pittie, spare such +as these, to exequute farther mischiefe. + +Remember that shee was no sooner set at libertie, but shee plotted the +ruine and ouerthrow of this Gentleman, and his whole Familie. + +Expect not, as this reuerend and learned Iudge saith, such apparent +proofe against them, as against others, since all their workes, are +the workes of darkenesse: and vnlesse it please Almightie God to raise +witnesses to accuse them, who is able to condemne them? + +Forget not the bloud that cries out vnto God for reuenge, bring it not +vpon your owne heads. + +Neither doe I vrge this any farther, then with this, that I would +alwaies intreat you to remember, that it is as great a crime (as +_Salomon_ sayth, _Prov._ 17.) to condemne the innocent, as to let the +guiltie escape free. + +Looke not vpon things strangely alledged, but iudiciously consider +what is justly proued against them. + +And that as well all you that were witnesses, present at the +Arraignement and Triall of her, as all other strangers, to whome this +Discourse shall come, may take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute +these hellish Furies to their end:[Z3_b_1] labor to root them out of +the Commonwealth, for the common good of your Countrey. The greatest +mercie extended to them, is soone forgotten. + +GOD graunt vs the long and prosperous cotinuance of these Honorable +and Reuerend Iudges, vnder whose Gouernment we liue in these North +parts: for we may say, that GOD Almightie hath singled them out, and +set him on his Seat, for the defence of Iustice. + +And for this great deliuerance, let vs all pray to GOD Almightie, that +the memorie of these worthie Iudges may bee blessed to all +Posterities.[Z3_b_2] + + +_FINIS._ + + + + +NOTES. + + +[The references are to the alphabetical letters or signatures at the +bottom of each page: _a_ is intended for the first and _b_ the second +page, marked with such letter or signature.] + +[Transcriber's Note: In the original text, a single note reference +sometimes applies to more than one note. For clarity's sake, in this +e-text a number has been added to the end of such references to +distinguish among the notes.] + + +DEDICATION. "_The Right Honorable Thomas Lord Knyvet._"] Sir Thomas +Knivet, or Knyvet, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to James the First, +was afterwards created Baron of Escricke, in the county of York. He it +was who was intrusted to search the vaults under the Parliament House, +and who discovered the thirty-six barrels of gunpowder, and +apprehended Guido Fawkes, who declared to him, that if he had happened +to be within the house when he took him, as he was immediately before, +he would not have failed to blow him up, house and all. (Howell's +_State Trials_, vol. ii., p. 202.) His courage and conduct on this +occasion seem to have recommended him to the especial favour of James. +Dying without issue, the title of Lord Howard of Escrick was conferred +on Sir Edward Howard, son of Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who had +married the eldest daughter and co-heir of Sir H. Knivet; and, having +been enjoyed successively by his two sons, ended in his grandson +Charles, in the beginning of the last century. It must be admitted +that the writer has chosen his patron very felicitously. Who so fit to +have the book dedicated to him as one who had acted so conspicuous a +part on the memorable occasion at Westminster? The blowing up of +Lancaster Castle and good Mr. Covel, by the conclave of witches at +Malkin's Tower, was no discreditable imitation of the grand +metropolitan drama on provincial boards. + +A 2. FIRST IMPRIMATUR. "_Ja. Altham, Edw. Bromley._"] These two judges +were Barons of the Court of Exchequer, but neither of them seems to +have left a name extraordinarily distinguished for legal learning. +Altham was one of the assistants named in the commission for the trial +of the Countess of Somerset for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury in +1616. Bromley appears, from incidental notices contained in the diary +of Nicholas Assheton, (see Whitaker's _Whalley_, third edition, page +300,) and other sources, to have frequently taken the northern +circuit. He was not of the family of Lord Chancellor Bromley, but of +another stock. + +A 3. SECOND IMPRIMATUR: "_Edward Bromley. I took upon mee to reuise +and correct it._"] This revision by the judge who presided at the +trial gives a singular and unique value and authority to the work. We +have no other report of any witch trial which has an equal stamp of +authenticity. How many of the rhetorical flourishes interspersed in +the book are the property of Thomas Potts, Esquier, and how many are +the interpolation of the "excellent care" of the worthy Baron, it is +scarcely worth while to investigate. Certainly never were judge and +clerk more admirably paired. The _Shallow_ on the bench was well +reflected in the _Master Slender_ below. + +B _a_. "_The number of them being knowen to exceed all others at any +time heretofore at one time to be indicted, arraigned, and receiue +their tryall._"] Probably this was the case, at least in England; but +a greater number had been convicted before, even in this country, at +one time, than were found guilty on this occasion, as it appears from +Scot, (_Discovery of Witchcraft_, page 543, edition 1584,) that +seventeen or eighteen witches were condemned at once, at St. Osith, in +Essex, in 1576, of whom an account was written by Brian Darcy, with +the names and colours of their spirits. + +B _b_. "_She was a very old woman, about the age of fourescore._"] Dr. +Henry More would have styled old Demdike "An eximious example of +Moses, his Mecassephah, the word which he uses in that law,--Thou +shalt not suffer a witch to live." Margaret Agar and Julian Cox, (see +Glanvill's _Collection of Relations_, p. 135, edition 1682,) on whom +he dwells with such delighted interest, were very inferior subjects to +what, in his hands, Elizabeth Sothernes would have made. They had +neither of them the finishing attribute of blindness, so fearful in a +witch, to complete the sketch; nor such a fine foreground for the +painting as the forest of Pendle presented; nor the advantage, for +grouping, of a family of descendants in which witchcraft might be +transmitted to the third generation. + +B 2 _a_. "_Roger Nowell, Esquire._"] This busy and mischievous +personage who resided at Read Hall, in the immediate neighbourhood of +Pendle, was sheriff of Lancashire in 1610. He married Katherine, +daughter of John Murton, of Murton, and was buried at Whalley, January +31st, 1623. He was of the same family as Alexander Nowell, the Dean of +St. Paul's, and Lawrence Nowell, the restorer of Saxon literature in +England; and tarnished a name which they had rendered memorable, by +becoming, apparently, an eager and willing instrument in that wicked +persecution which resulted in the present trial. His ill-directed +activity seems to have fanned the dormant embers into a blaze, and to +have given aim and consistency to the whole scheme of oppression. From +this man was descended, in the female line, one whose merits might +atone for a whole generation of Roger Nowells, the truly noble-minded +and evangelical Reginald Heber. + +B 2 _b_ 1. "_Gouldshey_,"] so commonly pronounced, but more properly +Goldshaw, or Goldshaw Booth. + +B 2 _b_ 2. "_The spirit answered, his name was Tibb._"] Bernard, who +is learned in the nomenclature of familiar spirits, gives, in his +_Guide to Grand Jurymen_, 1630, 12mo, the following list of the names +of the more celebrated familiars of English witches. "Such as I have +read of are these: Mephistophiles, Lucifer, Little Lord, Fimodes, +David, Jude, Little Robin, Smacke, Litefoote, Nonsuch, Lunch, +Makeshift, Swash, Pluck, Blue, Catch, White, Callico, Hardname, Tibb, +Hiff, Ball, Puss, Rutterkin, Dicke, Prettie, Grissil, and Jacke." In +the confession of Isabel Gowdie, a famous Scotch witch, (in +_Pitcairne's Trials_, vol. iii. page 614,) we have the following +catalogue of attendant spirits, rather, it must be confessed, a +formidable band. "The names of our Divellis, that waited upon us, ar +thes: first, Robert the Jakis; Sanderis, the Read Roaver; Thomas the +Fearie; Swain, the Roaring Lion; Thieffe of Hell; Wait upon Hirself; +Mak Hectour; Robert the Rule; Hendrie Laing; and Rorie. We would ken +them all, on by on, from utheris. Some of theim apeirit in sadd dunn, +som in grasse-grein, som in sea-grein, and some in yallow." Archbishop +Harsnet, in his admirable _Declaration of Popish Impostures, under the +pretence of casting out Devils_, 1605, 4to, a work unsurpassed for +rich humour and caustic wit, clothed in good old idiomatic English, +has a chapter "on the strange names of these devils," in which he +observes, (p. 46,) "It is not amiss that you be acquainted with these +extravagant names of devils, least meeting them otherwise by chance +you mistake them for the names of tapsters, or juglers." Certainly, +some of the names he marshalls in array smell strongly of the tavern. +These are some of them: Pippin, Philpot, Modu, Soforce, Hilco, +Smolkin, Hillio, Hiaclito, Lustie Huffe-cap, Killico, Hob, Frateretto, +Fliberdigibbet, Hoberdidance, Tocobatto, and Lustie Jollie Jenkin. + +B 2 _b_ 3. "_About Day-light Gate._"] Day-light Gate, i.e. Evening, +the down gate of daylight. See _Promptuarium Parvulorum_, (edited by +Way for the Camden Society,) page 188, "Gate down, or downe gate of +the Sunne or any other planet."--Occasus. Palgrave gives, "At the +sonne gate downe; sur le soleil couchant." + +B 3 _a_ 1. "_The said Deuill did get blood vnder her left arme._"] It +would seem (see Elizabeth Device's Examination afterwards) as if some +preliminary search were made, in the case of this poor old woman, for +the marks which were supposed to come by the sucking or drawing of the +Spirit or Familiar. Most probably her confession was the result of +this and other means of annoyance and torture employed in the usual +unscrupulous manner, upon a blind woman of eighty. Of those marks +supposed to be produced by the sucking of the Spirit or Familiar, the +most curious and scientific (if the word may be applied to such a +subject) account will be found in a very scarce tract, which seems to +have been unknown to the writers on witchcraft. Its title is "A +Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft, containing these several +particulars; That there are Witches called bad Witches, and Witches +untruly called good or white Witches, and what manner of people they +be, and how they may be knowne, with many particulars thereunto +tending. Together with the Confessions of many of those executed since +May, 1645, in the several Counties hereafter mentioned. As also some +objections Answered. By John Stearne, now of Lawshall, neere Burie +Saint Edmunds in Suffolke, sometimes of Manningtree in Essex. Prov. +xvii. 15, He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the +just, even they both are an abomination to the Lord. Deut. xiii. 14, +Thou shall therefore enquire, and make search, and aske diligently +whether it be truth and the thing certaine. London, Printed by William +Wilson, dwelling in Little Saint Bartholomews, neere Smithfield, 1648, +pages 61, besides preface." Stearne, in whom Remigius and De Lancre +would have recognized a congenial soul, had a sort of joint commission +with Hopkins, as Witch-finder, and tells us (see address to Reader) +that he had been in part an agent in finding out or discovering about +200 witches in Essex, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Huntingtonshire, +Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and the Isle of Ely. He deals +with the subject undoubtedly like a man whose extensive experience and +practice had enabled him to reduce the matter to a complete system. +(See his account of their marks, pp. 43 to 50.) He might, like John +Kincaid in Tranent, (see Pitcairne's _Criminal Trials_, vol. iii. p. +599,) have assumed the right of Common Pricker, i.e. Searcher for the +devil's marks, and had his own tests, which were infallible. He +complains, good man, "that in many places I never received penny as +yet, nor any am like, notwithstanding I have hands for satisfaction, +except I should sue; [he should have sued by all means, we might then +have had his bill of particulars, which would have been curious;] but +many rather fall upon me for what hath been received, but I hope such +suits will be disannulled, and that where I have been out of moneys +for Towns in charges and otherwise such course will be taken that I +may be satisfied and paid with reason." He was doubtless well +deserving of a recompense, and his neighbours were much to blame if he +did not receive a full and ample one. Of the latter end of his +coadjutor, Hopkins, whom Sir Walter Scott (see Somers's Tracts, vol. +iii. p. 97, edit. 1810,) and several other writers represent as +ultimately executed himself for witchcraft, he gives a very different, +and no doubt more correct account; which, singularly enough, has +hitherto remained entirely unnoticed. "He died peaceably at +Manningtree, after a long sicknesse of a consumption, as many of his +generation had done before him, without any trouble of conscience for +what he had done, as was falsely reported of him. He was the son of a +godly minister, and therefore, without doubt, within the Covenant." +Were not the interests of truth too sacred to be compromised, it might +seem almost a pity to demolish that merited and delightful retribution +which Butler's lines have immortalized. + +B 3 _a_ 2. "_I will burne the one of you and hang the other._"] The +following extracts from that fine old play, "The Witch of Edmonton," +bear a strong resemblance to the scene described in the text. Mother +Sawyer, in whom the milk of human kindness is turned to gall by +destitution, imbittered by relentless outrage and insult, and who, +driven out of the pale of human fellowship, is thrown upon strange and +fearful allies, would almost appear to be the counterpart of Mother +Demdike. The weird sisters of our transcendant bard are wild and +wonderful creations, but have no close relationship to the plain old +traditional witch of our ancestors, which is nowhere represented by +our dramatic writers with faithfulness and truth except in the Witch +of Edmonton:-- + +_Enter_ ELIZABETH SAWYER, _gathering sticks._ + +_Saw._ And why on me? why should the envious world +Throw all their scandalous malice upon me? +'Cause I am poor, deform'd, and ignorant, +And like a bow buckled and bent together, +By some more strong in mischiefs than myself, +Must I for that be made a common sink, +For all the filth and rubbish of men's tongues +To fall and run into? Some call me Witch, +And being ignorant of myself, they go +About to teach me how to be one; urging, +That my bad tongue (by their bad usage made so) +Forespeaks their cattle, doth bewitch their corn, +Themselves, their servants, and their babes at nurse. +This they enforce upon me; and in part +Make me to credit it; and here comes one +Of my chief adversaries. + +_Enter_ Old BANKS. + +_Banks._ Out, out upon thee, witch! + +_Saw._ Dost call me witch? + +_Banks._ I do, witch, I do; and worse I would, knew I a name more +hateful. What makest thou upon my ground? + +_Saw._ Gather a few rotten sticks to warm me. + +_Banks._ Down with them when I bid thee, quickly; I'll make thy bones +rattle in thy skin else. + +_Saw._ You won't, churl, cut-throat, miser!--there they be; [_Throws +them down._] would they stuck across thy throat, thy bowels, thy maw, +thy midriff. + +_Banks._ Say'st thou me so, hag? Out of my ground! [_Beats her._ + +_Saw._ Dost strike me, slave, curmudgeon! Now thy bones aches, thy +joints cramps, and convulsions stretch and crack thy sinews! + +_Banks._ Cursing, thou hag! take that, and that. [_Beats her, and +exit._ + +_Saw._ Strike, do!--and wither'd may that hand and arm +Whose blows have lamed me, drop from the rotten trunk! +Abuse me! beat me! call me hag and witch! +What is the name? where, and by what art learn'd, +What spells, what charms or invocations? +May the thing call'd Familiar be purchased? + + * * * * * + +_Saw._ Still vex'd! still tortured! that curmudgeon Banks +Is ground of all my scandal; I am shunn'd +And hated like a sickness; made a scorn +To all degrees and sexes. I have heard old beldams +Talk of familiars in the shape of mice, +Rats, ferrets, weasels, and I wot not what, +That have appear'd, and suck'd, some say, their blood; +But by what means they came acquainted with them, +I am now ignorant. Would some power, good or bad, +Instruct me which way I might be revenged +Upon this churl, I'd go out of myself, +And give this fury leave to dwell within +This ruin'd cottage, ready to fall with age! +Abjure all goodness, be at hate with prayer, +And study curses, imprecations, +Blasphemous speeches, oaths, detested oaths, +Or anything that's ill; so I might work +Revenge upon this miser, this black cur, +That barks and bites, and sucks the very blood +Of me, and of my credit. 'Tis all one, +To be a witch, as to be counted one: +Vengeance, shame, ruin light upon that canker! + +_Enter a_ Black Dog. + +_Dog._ Ho! have I found thee cursing? now thou art +Mine own. + +_Saw._ Thine! what art thou? + +_Dog._ He thou hast so often +Importuned to appear to thee, the devil. + +_Saw._ Bless me! the devil! + +_Dog._ Come, do not fear; I love thee much too well +To hurt or fright thee; if I seem terrible, +It is to such as hate me. I have found +Thy love unfeign'd; have seen and pitied +Thy open wrongs, and come, out of my love, +To give thee just revenge against thy foes. + +_Saw._ May I believe thee? + +_Dog._ To confirm't, command me +Do any mischief unto man or beast. +And I'll effect it, on condition +That, uncompell'd, thou make a deed of gift +Of soul and body to me. + +_Saw._ Out, alas! +My soul and body? + +_Dog._ And that instantly, +And seal it with thy blood: if thou deniest, +I'll tear thy body in a thousand pieces. + +_Saw._ I know not where to seek relief: but shall I, +After such covenants seal'd, see full revenge +On all that wrong me? + +_Dog._ Ha, ha! silly woman! +The devil is no liar to such as he loves-- +Didst ever know or hear the devil a liar +To such as he affects? + +_Saw._ Then I am thine; at least so much of me +As I can call mine own-- + +_Dog._ Equivocations? +Art mine or no? speak, or I'll tear-- + +_Saw._ All thine. + +_Dog._ Seal't with thy blood. + +[_She pricks her arm, which he sucks.--Thunder and lightning._ + +See! now I dare call thee mine! +For proof, command me: instantly I'll run +To any mischief; goodness can I none. + +_Saw._ And I desire as little. There's an old churl, +One Banks-- + +_Dog._ That wrong'd thee: he lamed thee, call'd thee witch. + +_Saw._ The same; first upon him I'd be revenged. + +_Dog._ Thou shalt; do but name how? + +_Saw._ Go, touch his life. + +_Dog._ I cannot. + +_Saw._ Hast thou not vow'd? Go, kill the slave! + +_Dog._ I will not. + +_Saw._ I'll cancel then my gift. + +_Dog._ Ha, ha! + +_Saw._ Dost laugh! +Why wilt not kill him? + +_Dog._ Fool, because I cannot. +Though we have power, know, it is circumscribed, +And tied in limits: though he be curst to thee, +Yet of himself, he is loving to the world, +And charitable to the poor; now men, that, +As he, love goodness, though in smallest measure, +Live without compass of our reach: his cattle +And corn I'll kill and mildew; but his life +(Until I take him, as I late found thee, +Cursing and swearing) I have no power to touch. + +_Saw._ Work on his corn and cattle then. + +_Dog._ I shall. +The WITCH OF EDMONTON shall see his fall. + +_Ford's Plays_, edit. 1839, p. 190. + +B 3 _a_. "_Alizon Device._"] Device is merely the common name Davies +spelled as pronounced in the neighbourhood of Pendle. + +B 3 _b_. "_Is to make a picture of clay._"] + +_Hecate._ What death is't you desire for Almachildes? + +_Duchess._ A sudden and a subtle. + +_Hecate._ Then I've fitted you. +Here be the gifts of both; sudden and subtle: +His picture made in wax and gently molten +By a blue fire kindled with dead men's eyes +Will waste him by degrees. + +_Duchess._ In what time, prithee? + +_Hecate._ Perhaps in a moon's progress. + +_Middleton's Witch_, edit. 1778, p. 100. + +None of the offices in the Witches rubric had higher classical warrant +than this method, a favourite one, it appears, of Mother Demdike, but +in which Anne Redfern had the greatest skill of any of these Pendle +witches, of victimizing by moulding and afterwards pricking or burning +figures of clay representing the individual whose life was aimed at. +Horace, Lib. i. Sat. 8, mentions both waxen and woollen images-- + + Lanea et effigies erat altera cerea, &c. + +And it appears from Tacitus, that the death of Germanicus was supposed +to have been sought by similar practices. By such a Simulachrum, or +image, the person was supposed to be devoted to the infernal deities. +According to the Platonists, the effect produced arose from the +operation of the sympathy and synergy of the Spiritus Mundanus, (which +Plotinus calls [Greek: ton megan goeta] [Transcriber's Note: typo "t" +for "ton" in original Greek], the grand magician,) such as they resolve +the effect of the weaponsalve and other magnetic cures into. The +following is the Note in Brand on this part of witchcraft:-- + + King James, in his "Daemonology," book ii., chap. 5, tells + us, that "the Devil teacheth how to make pictures of wax or + clay, that, by roasting thereof, the persons that they bear + the name of may be continually melted or dried away by + continual sickness." + + See Servius on the 8th Eclogue of Virgil; Theocritus, Idyll, + ii., 22; Hudibras, part II., canto ii., l. 351. + + Ovid says: + + "Devovet absentes, simulachraque cerea figit + Et miserum tenues in jecur urget acus." + _Heroid._ Ep. vi., l. 91. + + See also "Grafton's Chronicle," p. 587, where it is laid to + the charge (among others) of Roger Bolinbrook, a cunning + necromancer, and Margery Jordane, the cunning Witch of Eye, + that they, at the request of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester, + had devised an image of wax, representing the king, (Henry + the Sixth,) which by their sorcery a little and a little + consumed; intending thereby in conclusion to waste and + destroy the king's person. Shakspeare mentions this, Henry + VI., P. II., act i., sc. 4. + + It appears, from Strype's "Annals of the Reformation,", vol. + i., p. 8, under anno 1558, that Bishop Jewel, preaching + before the queen, said, "It may please your grace to + understand that witches and sorcerers within these few last + years are marvellously increased within your grace's realm. + Your grace's subjects pine away, even unto the death; their + colour fadeth, their flesh rotteth, their speech is + benumbed, their senses are bereft. I pray God they never + practise _further than upon the subject_." "This," Strype + adds, "I make no doubt was the occasion of bringing in a + bill, the next parliament, for making enchantments and + witchcraft felony." One of the bishop's strong expressions + is, "_These eyes have seen_ most evident and manifest marks + of their wickedness." + + It appears from the same work, vol. iv., p. 6, sub anno + 1589, that "one Mrs. Dier had practised conjuration against + the queen, to work some mischief to her majesty; for which + she was brought into question: and accordingly her words and + doings were sent to Popham, the queen's attorney, and + Egerton, her solicitor, by Walsingham, the secretary, and + Sir Thomas Heneage, her vice-chamberlain, for their + judgment, whose opinion was that Mrs. Dier was not within + the compass of the statute touching witchcraft, for that she + did no act, and spake certain lewd speeches tending to that + purpose, but neither set figure nor made pictures." _Ibid._, + vol. ii., p. 545, sub anno 1578, Strype says: "Whether it + were the effect of magic, or proceeded from some natural + cause, but the queen was in some part of this year under + excessive anguish _by pains of her teeth_, insomuch that she + took no rest for divers nights, and endured very great + torment night and day." + + Andrews, in his "Continuation of Henry's History of Great + Britain," 4to, p. 93, tells us, speaking of Ferdinand, Earl + of Derby, who in the reign of Queen Elizabeth died by + poison, "The credulity of the age attributed his death to + witchcraft. The disease was odd, and operated as a perpetual + emetic; and a _waxen image, with hair like that of the + unfortunate earl_, found in his chamber, reduced every + suspicion to certainty." + + "The wife of Marshal d'Ancre was apprehended, imprisoned, + and beheaded for a witch, upon a surmise that she had + inchanted the queen to dote upon her husband; and they say + the young king's picture was found in her closet, in virgin + wax, with one leg melted away. When asked by her judges what + spells she had made use of to gain so powerful an ascendancy + over the queen, she replied, 'that ascendancy only which + strong minds ever gain over weak ones.'" Seward's "Anecdotes + of some Distinguished Persons," &c., vol. ii., p. 215. + + Blagrave, in his "Astrological Practice of Physick," p. 89, + observes that "the way which the witches usually take for to + afflict man or beast in this kind is, as I conceive, done by + image or model, made in the likeness of that man or beast + they intend to work mischief upon, and by the subtlety of + the devil made at such hours and times when it shall work + most powerfully upon them, by thorn, pin, or needle, pricked + into that limb or member of the body afflicted." + + This is farther illustrated by a passage in one of Daniel's + Sonnets: + + "The slie inchanter, when to work his will + And secret wrong on some forspoken wight, + Frames waxe, in forme to represent aright + The poore unwitting wretch he meanes to kill, + And prickes the image, framed by magick's skill, + Whereby to vex the partie day and night." + _Son. 10; from Poems and Sonnets annexed to "Astrophil + and Stella_," 4to, 1591. + + Again, in "Diaria, or the Excellent Conceitful Sonnets of + H.C.," (Henry Constable,) 1594: + + "Witches, which some murther do intend, + Doe make a picture, and doe shoote at it; + And in that part where they the picture hit, + The parties self doth languish to his end." + _Decad. II., Son. ii._ + + Coles, in his "Art of Simpling," &c., p. 66, says that + witches "take likewise the roots of mandrake, according to + some, or, as I rather suppose, the _roots of briony_, which + simple folke take for the true mandrake, and make thereof an + ugly image, by which they represent the person on whom they + intend to exercise their witchcraft." He tells us, _ibid._, + p. 26, "Some plants have roots with a number of threads, + like beards, as mandrakes, whereof witches and impostors + make an ugly image, giving it the form of the face at the + top of the root, and leave those strings to make a broad + beard down to the feet."--_Brand's Antiquities_, vol. iii. + p. 9. + +Ben Johnson has not forgotten this superstition in his learned and +fanciful _Masque of Queens_, in which so much of the lore of +witchcraft is embodied. There are few finer things in English poetry +than his 3rd Charm:-- + + The owl is abroad, the bat, and the toad, + And so is the cat-a-mountain, + The ant and the mole sit both in a hole, + And the frog peeps out o' the fountain; + The dogs they do bay, and the timbrels play, + The spindle is now a turning; + The moon it is red, and the stars are fled, + But all the sky is a burning: + The ditch is made, and our nails the spade, + _With pictures full, of wax and of wool; + Their livers I stick, with needles quick;_ + There lacks but the blood, to make up the flood. + Quickly, dame, then bring your part in, + Spur, spur upon little Martin, + Merrily, merrily, make him sail, + A worm in his mouth, and a thorn in his tail, + Fire above, and fire below, + With a whip in your hand, to make him go. + _Ben Johnson's Works, by Gifford_, vol. vii. p. 121. + +Meric Casaubon, who is always an amusing writer, and whose works, +notwithstanding his appetite for the wonderful, do not merit the total +oblivion into which they have fallen, is very angry with Jerome +Cardan, an author not generally given to scepticism, for the +hesitation he displays on the subject of these waxen images:-- + + I know some who question not the power of devils or witches; + yet in this particular are not satisfied how such a thing + can be. For there is no relation or sympathy in nature, + (saith one, who hath written not many years ago,) between a + man and his effigies, that upon the pricking of the one the + other should grow sick. It is upon another occasion that he + speaks it; but his exception reacheth this example equally. + A wonder to me he should so argue, who in many things hath + very well confuted the incredulity of others, though in some + things too credulous himself. If we must believe nothing but + what we can reduce to natural, or, to speak more properly, + (for I myself believe the devil doth very little, but by + nature, though to us unknown,) manifest causes, he doth + overthrow his own grounds, and leaves us but very little of + magical operations to believe. But of all men, Cardan had + least reason to except against this kind of magick as + ridiculous or incredible, who himself is so full of + incredible stories in that kind, upon his own credit alone, + that they had need to be of very easie belief that believe + him, especially when they know (whereof more afterwards) + what manner of man he was. But I dare say, that from Plato's + time, who, among other appurtenances of magic, doth mention + these, [Greek: kerina mimemata] [Transcriber's Note: typo + "mimkmata" for "mimemata" in original Greek] that is, as + Ovid doth call them, _Simulachra cerea_, or as Horace, + _cereas imagines_, (who also in another place more + particularly describes them,) there is not any particular + rite belonging to that art more fully attested by histories + of all ages than this is. Besides, who doth not know that + it is the devil's fashion (we shall meet with it afterwards + again) to amuse his servants and vassals with many rites and + ceremonies, which have certainly no ground in nature, no + relation or sympathy to the thing, as for other reasons, so + to make them believe, they have a great hand in the + production of such and such effects; when, God knows, many + times all that they do, though taught and instructed by him, + is nothing at all to the purpose, and he, in very deed, is + the only agent, by means which he doth give them no account + of. Bodinus, in his preface to his "Daemonology," relateth, + that three waxen images, whereof one of Queen Elizabeth's, + of glorious memory, and two other, _Reginae proximorum_, of + two courtiers, of greatest authority under the queen, were + found in the house of a priest at Islington, a magician, or + so reputed, to take away their lives. This he doth repeat + again in his second book, chap. 8, but more particularly + that it was in the year of the Lord 1578, and that Legatus + Angliae and many Frenchmen did divulge it so; but withal, in + both places he doth add, that the business was then under + trial, and not yet perfectly known. I do not trust my + memory: I know my age and my infirmities. Cambden, I am + sure, I have read; and read again; but neither in him, nor + in Bishop Carleton's "Thankful Remembrancer," do I remember + any such thing. Others may, perchance. Yet, in the year + 1576, I read in both of some pictures, representing some + that would have kill'd that glorious queen with a motto, + _Quorsum haec, alio properantibus!_ which pictures were made + by some of the conspiracy for their incouragement; but + intercepted, and showed, they say, to the queen. Did the + time agree, it is possible these pictures might be the + ground of those mistaken, if mistaken, waxen images, which I + desire to be taught by others who can give a better + account.--_Casaubon's (M.) Treatise, proving Spirits, + Witches, and Supernatural Operations_, 1672. 12mo., p. 92. + +In Scotland this practice was in high favour with witches, both in +ancient and modern times. The lamentable story of poor King Duff, as +related by Hector Boethius, a story which has blanched the cheek and +spoiled the rest of many a youthful reader, is too well known to need +extracting. Even so late as 1676, Sir George Maxwell, of Pollock, (See +Scott's _Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft_, p. 323,) apparently a +man of melancholy and valetudinarian habits, believed himself +bewitched to death by six witches, one man and five women, who were +leagued for the purpose of tormenting a clay image in his likeness. +Five of the accused were executed, and the sixth only escaped on +account of extreme youth. + +Isabel Gowdie, the famous Scotch witch before referred to, in her +confessions gives a very particular account of the mode in which these +images were manufactured. It is curious, and worth quoting:-- + + _Johne Taylor_ and _Janet Breadhead_, his wyff, in + Bellnakeith, _Bessie Wilsone_, in Aulderne, and _Margret + Wilsone_, spows to _Donald Callam_ in Aulderne, and I, maid + an pictur of clay, to distroy _the Laird of Parkis_ + meall[62] children. _Johne Taylor_ browght hom the clay, in + his plaid newk;[63] his wyff brak it verie small, lyk + meall,[64] and sifted it with a siew,[65] and powred in + water among it, in _the Divellis_ nam, and vrought it werie + sore, lyk rye-bowt;[66] and maid of it a pictur of _the + Lairdis_ sones. It haid all the pairtis and merkis of a + child, such as heid, eyes, nose, handis, foot, mowth, and + little lippes. It wanted no mark of a child; and the handis + of it folded down by its sydes. It was lyk a pow,[67] or a + flain gryce.[68] We laid the face of it to the fyre, till it + strakned;[69] and a cleir fyre round abowt it, till it ves + read lyk a cole.[70] After that, we wold rest it now and + then; each other day[71] ther wold be an piece of it weill + rosten. _The Laird of Parkis_ heall maill children by it ar + to suffer, if it be not gotten and brokin, als weill as thes + that ar borne and dead alreadie. It ves still putt in and + taken out of the fyre, in _the Divellis_ name. It wes hung + wp wpon an knag. It is yet in _Johne Taylor's_ hows, and it + hes a cradle of clay abowt it. Onlie _Johne Taylor_ and his + wyff, _Janet Breadhead_, _Bessie_ and _Margret Wilsones_ in + Aulderne, and _Margret Brodie_, thair, and I, were onlie at + the making of it. All the multitud of our number of WITCHES, + of all the COEVENS, kent[72] all of it, at owr nixt meitting + after it was maid. + + The wordis which we spak, quhan we maid the pictur, for + distroyeing of _the Laird of Parkis_ meall-children, wer + thus: + + 'IN THE DIVELLIS nam, we powr in this water + among this mowld (meall,)[73] + For lang duyning and ill heall; + We putt it into the fyre, + That it mey be brunt both stik and stowre. + It salbe brunt, with owr will, + As any stikle[74] wpon a kill.' + + THE DIVELL taught ws the wordis; and quhan ve haid learned + them, we all fell downe wpon owr bare kneyis, and owr hair + abowt owr eyes, and owr handis lifted wp, looking steadfast + wpon THE DIVELL, still saying the wordis thryse ower, till + it wes maid. And then, in THE DIVELLIS nam, we did put it + in, in the midst of the fyre. Efter it had skrukned[75] a + little before the fyre, and quhan it ves read lyk a coale, + we took it owt in THE DIVELLIS nam. Till it be broken, it + will be the deathe of all the meall children that _the Laird + of Park_ will ewer get. Cast it ower an Kirk, it will not + brak quhill[76] it be broken with an aix, or som such lyk + thing, be a man's handis. If it be not broken, it will last + an hundreth yeir. It hes ane cradle about it of clay, to + preserue it from skaith;[77] and it wes rosten each vther + day, at the fyr; som tymes on pairt of it, som tymes an + vther pairt of it; it vold be a litle wat with water, and + then rosten. The bairn vold be brunt and rosten, ewin as it + ves by ws.--_Pitcairne's Criminal Trials_, Vol. iii. pp. 605 + and 612. + +[Footnote 62: Male.] + +[Footnote 63: In the nook, or corner, of his plaid.] + +[Footnote 64: Pounded, or powdered it, like meal.] + +[Footnote 65: To make the plaster fine, and free from earthy +particles.] + +[Footnote 66: Probably a sort of stir-about, or hasty-pudding, made of +rye-flour.] + +[Footnote 67: In another deposition it is thus expressed, 'lyk a _pow +or feadge_.' A _feadge_ was a sort of _scone_, or roll, of a pretty +large size. Perhaps this term signifies, as large as the quantity of +dough or paste necessary for making this kind of bread.] + +[Footnote 68: A flayed sucking pig, after being scalded and scraped.] + +[Footnote 69: Shrivelled with the heat.] + +[Footnote 70: Red like a coal.] + +[Footnote 71: Each alternate day.] + +[Footnote 72: Knew.] + +[Footnote 73: It is written _meall_ in the other Confession; and the +metre (such as it is) requires this liberty. _Mowld_ signifies 'earth' +or 'dust.'] + +[Footnote 74: Stubble.] + +[Footnote 75: Parched; shrivelled.] + +[Footnote 76: Until.] + +[Footnote 77: Harm; injury.] + +B 4 _b_ 1. "_And sayd that she should haue gould, siluer, and worldly +wealth at her will._"] These familiars, to use Warburton's expression, +always promised with the lavishness of a young courtier, and performed +with the indifference of an old one. Nothing seems to puzzle Dr. Dee +more, in the long and confidential intercourse he carried on so many +years with his spirits, than to account for the great scarcity of +specie they seemed to be afflicted with, and the unsatisfactory and +unfurnished state of their exchequer. Bills, to be sure, they gave at +long dates; but these constantly required renewing, and were never +honoured at last. Any application for present relief, in good current +coin of the realm, was invariably followed by what Meric Casaubon very +significantly calls "sermonlike stuff." The learned professor in +witchery, John Stearne, seems to fix six shillings as the maximum of +money payment at one time which in all his experience he had detected +between witches and their familiars. He was examining Joan Ruccalver, +of Powstead, in Suffolk, who had been promised by her spirit that she +should never want meat, drink, clothes, or money. "Then I asked her +whether they brought her any money or no; and she said sometimes four +shillings at a time, and sometimes six shillings at a time; but that +is but seldom, _for I never knew any that had any money before_, +except of Clarke's wife, of Manningtree, who confessed the same, and +showed some, which, she said, her impe brought her, which was proper +money." Confirmation, page 27. Judging from the anxiety which this +worthy displays to be "satisfied and paid with reason" for his +itinerant labours, such a scanty and penurious supply would soon have +disgusted him, if he had been witch, instead of witch-finder. + +B 4 _b_ 2. "_She had bewitched to death Richard Ashton, sonne of +Richard Ashton, of Downeham, Esquire._"] Richard Assheton, (as the +name is more properly spelled,) thus done to death by witchcraft, was +the son of Richard Assheton, of Downham, an old manor house, the scite +of which is now supplied by a modern structure, which Dr. Whitaker +thinks, in point of situation, has no equal in the parish of Whalley. +Richard, the son, married Isabel, daughter and heiress of Mr. Hancock, +of Pendleton Hall, and died without offspring. The family estate +accordingly descended to the younger brother, Nicholas Assheton, whose +diary for part of the year 1617 and part of the year following is +given, page 303 of Whitaker's _History of Whalley_, edition 1818, and +is a most valuable record of the habits, pursuits, and course of life +of a Lancashire country gentleman of that period. It well deserves +detaching in a separate publication, and illustrating with a more +expanded commentary. + +C _b_. "_Piggin full._"] Piggin is properly a sort of bowl, or pail, +with one of the staves much longer than the rest, made for a handle, +to lade water by, and used especially in brewhouses to measure out the +liquor with. + +C 2 _a_. "_Nicholas Banister._"] Dr. Whitaker, in the pedigree of the +Banisters, of Altham, (genealogy was, it is well known, one of the +vulnerable parts of this Achilles of topography,) erroneously states +this Nicholas Banister to have been buried at Altham, December 7, +1611. It appears, however, from a deed, an inspection of which I owe +to the kindness of my friend, Dr. Fleming, that his will was dated the +15th August, 1612. In all probability he did not die for some years +after that date. He married, first, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of +Richard Elston, of Brockall, Esq.; and, second, Catherine, daughter of +Edmund Ashton, of Chaderton, Esq. The manor house of Altham, for more +than five centuries the residence of this ancient family, stands, to +use Dr. Whitaker's words, upon a gentle elevation on the western side +of the river Calder, commanding a low and fertile domain. It has been +surrounded, according to the prudence or jealousy of the feudal times, +with a very deep quadrangular moat, which must have included all the +apparatus of the farm. + +C 3 _a_. "_At Malking Tower, in the forrest of Pendle._"] Malkin Tower +was the habitation of Mother Demdike, the situation of which is +preserved, for the structure no longer exists, by local tradition. +Malkin is the Scotch or north country word for hare, as this animal +was one into which witches were supposed to be fond of transforming +themselves. Malkin Tower is, in fact, the Witches' Tower. The term is +used in the following passage in Morison's _Poems_, p. 7, which bears +upon the above explanation:-- + + "Or tell the pranks o' winter's nights, + How Satan blazes uncouth lights; + Or how he does a core convene + Upon a witch-frequented green, + Wi' spells and cauntrips hellish rantin', + Like mawkins thro' the fields they're janting." + +C 4 _b_. "_We want old Demdike, who dyed in the castle before she came +to her tryall._"] Worn out most probably with her imprisonment, she +having been committed in April, and the cruelties she had undergone, +both before and after her commitment. Master Nowell and Master Potts +both _wanted_ her, we may readily conceive, to fill up the miserable +pageant; but she was gone where the wicked cease from troubling, and +the weary are at rest. With the exception of Alice Nutter, in whom +interest is excited from very different grounds, Mother Demdike +attracts attention in a higher degree than any other of these Pendle +witches. She was, beyond dispute, the Erictho of Pendle. Mother +Chattox was but second in rank. There is something fearfully intense +in the expression of the former,--blind, on the last verge of the +extreme limit of human existence, and mother of a line of +witches,--"that she would pray for the said Baldwin, both still and +loud." She is introduced in Shadwell's play, the _Lancashire Witches_, +1682, as a _persona dramatis_, along with Mother Dickinson and Mother +Hargrave, two of the witches convicted in 1633, but without any regard +to the characteristic circumstances under which she appears in the +present narrative. The following invocation, which is put into her +mouth, is rather a favourable specimen of that play, certainly not one +of the worst of Shadwell's, in which there are many vigorous strokes, +with an alloy of coarseness not unusual in his works, and some +powerful conceptions of character: + + Come, sisters, come, why do you stay? + Our business will not brook delay; + The owl is flown from the hollow oak, + From lakes and bogs the toads do croak; + The foxes bark, the screech-owl screams, + Wolves howl, bats fly, and the faint beams + Of glow-worms light grows bright a-pace; + The stars are fled, the moon hides her face. + The spindle now is turning round, + Mandrakes are groaning under ground: + I'th' hole i'th' ditch (our nails have made) + Now all our images are laid, + Of wax and wooll, which we must prick, + With needles urging to the quick. + Into the hole I'le poure a flood + Of black lambs bloud, to make all good. + The lamb with nails and teeth wee'l tear. + Come, where's the sacrifice? appear. + + * * * * * + + Oyntment for flying here I have, + Of childrens fat, stoln from the grave: + The juice of smallage, and night-shade, + Of poplar leaves, and aconite, made + With these. + The aromatic reed I boyl, + With water-parsnip and cinquefoil; + With store of soot, and add to that + The reeking blood of many a bat. + _Lancashire Witches_, pp. 10, 41. + +One of the peculiarities of Shadwell's play is the introduction of the +Lancashire dialect, which he makes his clown Clod speak. The subjoined +extract may perhaps amuse my readers. Collier would have enjoyed it: + + _Clod._ An yeow been a mon Ay'st talk wy ye a bit, yeow mun + tack a care o your sells, the plecs haunted with Buggarts, + and Witches, one of 'em took my Condle and Lanthorn out of + my hont, and flew along wy it; and another Set me o top o'th + tree, where I feel dawn now, Ay ha well neegh brocken my + theegh. + + _Doubt._ The fellows mad, I neither understand his words, + nor his Sence, prethee how far is it to Whalley? + + _Clod._ Why yeow are quite besaid th' road mon, yeow + Shoulden a gon dawn th' bonk by _Thomas_ o _Georges_, and + then ee'n at yate, and turn'd dawn th' Lone, and left the + Steepo o'th reeght hont. + + _Bell._ Prithee don't tell us what we should have done, but + how far is it to Whalley? + + _Clod._ Why marry four mail and a bit. + + _Doubt._ Wee'l give thee an Angel and show us the way + thither. + + _Clod._ Marry thats Whaint. I canno see my hont, haw con Ay + show yeow to Whalley to neeght. + + _Bell._ Canst thou show us to any house where we may have + Shelter and Lodging to night? we are Gentlemen and + strangers, and will pay you well for't. + + _Clod._ Ay byr Lady con I, th' best ludging and diet too in + aw Lancashire. Yonder at th' hough where yeow seen th' + leeghts there. + + _Doubt._ Whose house is that? + + _Clod._ Why what a pox, where han yeow lived? why yeow are + Strongers indeed! why, 'tis Sir _Yedard Harfourts_, he Keeps + oppen hawse to all Gentry, yeou'st be welcome to him by day + and by neeght he's Lord of aw here abauts. + + _Bell._ My Mistresses Father, Luck if it be thy will, have + at my _Isabella_, Canst thou guide us thither? + + _Clod._ Ay, Ay, there's a pawer of Company there naw, Sir + _Jeffery Shaklehead_, and the Knight his Son, and Doughter. + + _Doubt._ Lucky above my wishes, O my dear _Theodosia_, how + my heart leaps at her! prethee guide us thither, wee'l pay + thee well. + + _Clod._ Come on, I am e'n breed aut o my sences, I was ne'er + so freeghtened sin I was born, give me your + hont.--_Lancashire Witches_, p. 14. + +D _b_. "_Ann Whittle, alias Chattox._"] Chattox, from her continually +chattering. + +D 2 _a_ 1. "_Her lippes euer chattering and walking._"] Walking, +_i.e._, working. Old Chattox might have sat to Archbishop Harsnet for +her portrait. What can exceed the force and graphic truth, the +searching wit and sarcasm, of the picture he sketches in 1605? + + Out of these is shaped vs the true _Idoea_ of a Witch, an + old weather-beaten Croane, hauing her chinne, & her knees + meeting for age, walking like a bow leaning on a shaft, + hollow eyed, vntoothed, furrowed on her face, hauing her + lips trembling with the palsie, going mumbling in the + streetes, one that hath forgott[=e] her _pater noster_, and + hath yet a shrewd tongue in her head, to call a drab, a + drab. If shee haue learned of an olde wife in a chimnies + end: _Pax, max, fax_, for a spel: or can say Sir _Iohn of + Grantams_ curse, for the Millers Eeles, that were stolne: + All you that haue stolne the Millers Eeles, _Laudate dominum + de coelis_: And all they that haue consented thereto, + _benedicamus domino_: Why then ho, beware, looke about you + my neighbours; if any of you haue a sheepe sicke of the + giddies, or an hogge of the mumps, or an horse of the + staggers, or a knauish boy of the schoole, or an idle girle + of the wheele, or a young drab of the sullens, and hath not + fat enough for her porredge, nor her father, and mother, + butter enough for their bread; and she haue a little helpe + of the _Mother_, _Epilepsie_, or _Cramp_, to teach her role + her eyes, wrie her mouth, gnash her teeth, startle with her + body, holde her armes and hands stiffe, make anticke faces, + grine, mow, and mop like an Ape, tumble like a Hedge-hogge, + and can mutter out two or three words of gibridg, as _obus, + bobus_: and then with-all old mother _Nobs_ hath called her + by chaunce, idle young huswife, or bid the deuill scratch + her, then no doubt but mother _Nobs_ is the Witch: the young + girle is Owle-blasted, and possessed: and it goes hard but + ye shall haue some idle adle, giddie, lymphaticall, + illuminate dotrel, who being out of credite, learning, + sobriety, honesty, and wit, will take this holy aduantage, + to raise the ruines of his desperate decayed name, and for + his better glory wil be-pray the iugling drab, and cast out + _Mopp_ the deuil. + + They that haue their braines baited, and their fancies + distempered with the imaginations, and apprehensions of + Witches, Coniurers, and Fayries, and all that Lymphatical + _Chimaera_: I finde to be marshalled in one of these fiue + rankes, children, fooles, women, cowards, sick, or blacke, + melancholicke, discomposed wits. The Scythians being a + warlike Nation (as _Plutarch_ reports) neuer saw any + visions.--_Harsnet's Declaration_, p. 136. + +D 2 _a_ 2. "_From these two sprung all the rest in order._"] The +descent from these two rival witch stocks, between which a deadly feud +and animosity prevailed, which led to the destruction of both +families, is shewn as follows: + + Elizabeth Sothernes, + alias Old Demdike, + died in prison in 1612, + about 80 years old. + 1 | 2 + ------------------------------ + | | +Christopher = Eliz. Elizabeth, executed = John Device, or +Howgate. Both of at Lancaster, | Davies, supposed +them were reputed 1612. | to have been bewitched +to be at the witches | to death, +meeting on Good | by Widow Chattox, +Friday, 1612, but | because he had not +were not indicted. | paid her his yearly +Perhaps they were | aghen dole of meal. +the "one Holgate | +and his wife" mentioned | +amongst the | +witches in 1633. | + 1 2 | 3 + --------------------------------------------------- + | | | + James Device, or Alizon, executed Jennet, 9 years old + Davies, executed at at Lancaster in 1612. in 1612, and an evidence + Lancaster in 1612. in the present + trial. Condemned + herself, along with + 16 other persons, + for witchcraft, in + 1633, when she appears + to have been + unmarried, but not + executed. + +Anne Whittle, alias +Chattox, executed +at Lancaster, 1612, +about 80 years old. + | +Anne, executed = Thomas Redferne. +in 1612. | + | + Mary. + +D 3 _a_. "_Commaunded this examinate to call him by the name of +Fancie._"] The fittest name for a familiar she could possibly have +chosen. Sir Walter Scott (_Letters on Demonology_, p. 242) +unaccountably speaks of Fancie as a female devil. Master Potts would +have told him, (see M 2 _b_,) "that Fancie had a very good face, and +was a very proper man." + +D 3 _b_ 1. "_The wife of Richard Baldwin, of Pendle._"] Richard +Baldwin was the miller who accosted Old Dembdike so unceremoniously. + +D 3 _b_ 2. "_Robert Nutter._"] The family of the Nutters, of Pendle, +bore a great share in the proceedings referred to in this trial. It +seems to have been a family of note amongst the inferior gentry or +yeomanry of the forest. A Nutter held courts for many years about this +period, as deputy steward at Clitheroe. (See Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. +307.) Three of the name are stated in the evidence to have been killed +by witchcraft, Christopher Nutter, Robert Nutter, and Anne, the +daughter of Anthony Nutter; and one of the unfortunate persons +convicted is Alice Nutter. The branch to which Robert belonged is +shewn in the following table: + +Robert Nutter, the elder, = Elizabeth, who is reputed +of Pendle, called old | to have employed Anne +Robert Nutter. | Chattox, Loomeshaw's + | wife, and Jane Boothman + | to bewitch to death young + | Robert Nutter, that other + | relations might inherit. + | + Christopher, reputed + to have died of witchcraft + about 18 years before. + | + 1 | 2 3 + ------------------------------------------------------ + | | | +Robert, of Greenhead, = Mary John, of Higham Margaret = Crooke +in Pendle, a retainer Booth. | +of Sir Richard | | +Shuttleworth, --------------------------- +reputed to have been gave evidence at the trial. +bewitched to death +18 or 19 years +before the trial +took place. + +D 4 _a_. "_One Mr. Baldwyn (the late Schoole-maister at Coulne) did by +his learning, stay the sayd Loomeshaws wife, and therefore had a Capon +from Redfearne._"] I regret that I can give no account of this learned +Theban, who appears to have stayed the plague, and who taught at the +school at which Archbishop Tillotson was afterwards educated. He well +deserved his capon. Had he continued at Colne up to the time of this +trial, he might perhaps, on the same easy terms, have kept the powers +of darkness in check, and prevented some imputed crimes which cost ten +unfortunates their lives. + +E _b_ 1. "_Iames Robinson._"] Baines, in his _History of Lancashire_, +vol. i. p. 605, speaks of Edmund Robinson, the father of the boy on +whose evidence the witches were convicted in 1633, as if he had been a +witness at the present trial; which is probably a mistake for this +James Robinson, as no Edmund Robinson appears amongst the witnessses +whose depositions are given. + +E _b_ 2. "_Anne Whittle alias Chattox was hired by this examinates +wife to card wooll._"] She seems to have been by occupation a carder +of wool, and to have filled up the intervals, when she had no +employment, by mendicancy. + +E 2 _a_. "_Sir Richard Shuttleworth._"} Of the family of the +Shuttleworths of Gawthorp, "where they resided" Whitaker observes, "in +the condition of inferior gentry till the lucrative profession of the +law raised them, in the reign of Elizabeth, to the rank of knighthood +and an estate proportioned to its demands." Sir Richard was +Sergeant-at-law, and Chief Justice of Chester, 31st Elizabeth, and +died without issue about 1600. + +E 2 _b_. "_A Charme._"] Evidently in so corrupted a state as to bid +defiance to any attempt at elucidation. + +E 3 _a_ 1. "_Perceiuing Anthonie Nutter of Pendle to fauour Elizabeth +Sothernes alias Dembdike._"] The Sothernes and Davies's and the +Whittles and Redfernes were the Montagus and Capulets of Pendle. The +poor cottager whose drink was forsepoken or bewitched, or whose cow +went mad, and who in his attempt to propitiate one of the rival powers +offended the other, would naturally exclaim from the innermost +recesses of his heart, "A plague on both your houses." + +E 3 _a_ 2. "_Gaping as though he would haue wearied this Examinate._"] +Wearied for worried. + +E 3 _b_. "_Examination of Iames Device._"] This is a very curious +examination. The production of the four teeth and figure of clay dug +up at the west-end of Malkin Tower would look like a "damning witness" +to the two horror-struck justices and the assembled concourse at Read, +who did not perhaps consider how easily such evidences may be +furnished, and how readily they who hide may find. The incident +deposed to at the burial at the New Church in Pendle is a wild and +striking one. + +E 4 _a_. "_About eleuen yeares agoe, this Examinate and her mother had +their firehouse broken._"] The inference intended is, that Whittle's +family committed the robbery from Old Demdike's house. This was, in +all probability, the origin of their feuds. The abstraction of the +coif and band, tempting articles to the young daughter of Old Chattox, +not destitute, if we may judge from one occurrence deposed to, of +personal attractions, may be said to have convulsed Lancashire from +the Leven to the Mersey,--to have caused a sensation, the shock of +which, after more than two centuries, has scarcely yet subsided, and +to have actually given a new name to the fair sex. + +E 4 _b_ 1. "_One Aghen-dole of meale._"] This Aghen-dole, a word +still, I believe, in use for a particular measure of any article, was, +I presume, a kind of witches' black mail. My friend, the Rev. Canon +Parkinson, informs me that Aghen-dole, sometimes pronounced +Acken-dole, signifies an half-measure of anything, from +half-hand-dole. Mr. Halliwell has omitted it in his Glossary, now in +progress. + +E 4 _b_ 2. "_Iohn Moore of Higham, Gentleman._"] Sir Jonas Moore, of +whom an account is contained in Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 479, and whom +he characterizes as a sanguine projector, was born in Pendle Forest, +and was probably of this family. + +E 4 _b_ 3. "_She would meet with the said Iohn Moore, or his._"] i.e. +She would be equal with him. + +F _a_ 1. "_Charne._"] i.e. Charm. + +F _a_ 2. "_With weeping teares she humbly acknowledged them to be +true._"] She seems to have confessed in the hope of saving her +daughter, Anne Redfern. But from such a judge as Sir Edward Bromley, +mercy was as little to be expected as common sense from his "faithful +chronicler," Thomas Potts. + +F 2 _b_. "_Sparing no man with fearefull execrable curses and +banning._"] Nothing seems to shock the nerves of these witch +historiographers so much as the utter want of decorum and propriety +exhibited by these unhappy creatures in giving vent to these indignant +outbreaks, which a sense of the wicked injustice of their fate, and +seeing their own offspring brought up in evidence against them, +through the most detestable acts, and by the basest subornation, would +naturally extort from minds even of iron mould. If ever Lear's or +Timon's power of malediction could be justifiably called into +exercise, it would be against such a tribunal and such witnesses as +they had generally to encounter. + +F 4 _a_. "_That at the third time her Spirit._"] Something seems to be +wanting here, as she does not state what occurred at the two previous +interviews. The learned judge may have exercised a sound discretion in +this omission, as the particulars might be of a nature unfit for +publication. The present tract is, undoubtedly, remarkably free from +those disgusting details of which similar reports are generally full +to overflowing. + +F 4 _b_. "_The said Iennet Deuice, being a yong Maide, about the age +of nine yeares._"] This child must have been admirably trained, (some +Master Thomson might have been near at hand to instruct her,) or must +have had great natural capacity for deception. She made an excellent +witness on this occasion. What became of her after the wholesale +extinction of her family, to which she was so mainly instrumental, is +not now known. In all likelihood she dragged on a miserable existence, +a forlorn outcast, pointed at by the hand of scorn, or avoided with +looks of horror in the wilds of Pendle. As if some retributive +punishment awaited her, she is reported to have been the Jennet Davies +who was condemned in 1633, on the evidence of Edmund Robinson the +younger, with Mother Dickenson and others, but not executed. Her +confession, if she made one at the second trial, might not have been +unsimilar to that of Alexander Sussums, of Melford in Suffolk, who, +Hearne tells us, confessed "that he had things which did draw those +marks I found upon him, but said he could not help it, for that all +his kinred were naught. Then I asked him how it was possible they +could suck without his consent. He said he did consent to that. Then I +asked him again why he should do it when as God was so merciful +towards him, as I then told him of, being a man whom I had been +formerly acquainted withal, as having lived in town. He answered +again, he could not help it, for that all his generation was naught; +and so told me _his mother and aunt were hanged, his grandmother burnt +for witchcraft, and ten others of them questioned and hanged_. This +man is yet living, notwithstanding he confessed the sucking of such +things above sixteen years together."--_Confirmation_, p. 36. + +G 3 _a_. "_Anne Crouckshey._"] Anne Cronkshaw. + +G 3 _b_ 1. "_Vpon Good Friday last there was about twentie persons._"] +This meeting, if not a witches' Sabbath, was a close approximation to +one. On the subject of the Sabbath, or periodical meeting of witches, +De Lancre is the leading authority. He who is curious cannot do better +than consult this great hierophant, (his work is entitled Tableau de +l'Inconstance des mauvais Anges et Demons. Paris, 1613, 4to.) whose +knowledge and experience well qualified him to have been constituted +the Itinerant Master of Ceremonies, an officer who, he assures us, +was never wanting on such occasions. In that singular book, _The +History of Monsieur Oufle_, p. 288, (English Translation, 1711, 8vo.) +are collected from various sources all the ceremonies and +circumstances attending the holding the Sabbath. It appears that +non-attendance invariably incurred a penalty, which is computed upon +the average at the eighth part of a crown, or in French currency at +ten sous--that, though the contrary has been maintained by many grave +authors, egress and ingress by the chimney (De Lancre had depositions +without number, he tells us, _vide_ p. 114, on this important head,) +was not a matter of solemn obligation, but was an open question--that +no grass ever grows upon the place where the Sabbath is kept; which is +accounted for by the circumstance of its being trodden by so many of +those whose feet are constitutionally hot, and therefore being burnt +up and consequently very barren--that two devils of note preside on +the occasion, the great negro, who is called Master Leonard, and a +little devil, whom Master Leonard sometimes substitutes in his place +as temporary vice-president; his name is Master John Mullin. (De +Lancre, p. 126.) With regard to a very important point, the bill of +fare, great difference of opinion exists: some maintaining that every +delicacy of the season, to use the newspaper phrase, is provided; +others stoutly asserting that nothing is served up but toads, the +flesh of hanged criminals, dead carcases fresh buried taken out of +Churchyards, flesh of unbaptized infants, or beasts which died of +themselves--that they never eat with salt, and that their bread is of +black millet. (De Lancre, pp. 104, 105.) In this diversity of opinion +I can only suggest, that difference of climate, habit, and fashion, +might possibly have its weight, and render a very different larder +necessary for the witches of Pendle and those of Gascony or Lorrain. +The fare of the former on this occasion appears to have been of a very +substantial and satisfactory kind, "beef, bacon, and roasted mutton:" +the old saying so often quoted by the discontented masters of +households applying emphatically in this case:-- + + "God sends us good meat, but the devil sends cooks." + +We find in the present report no mention made of the + + "Dance and provencal song" + +which formed one great accompaniment of the orgies of the southern +witches. Bodin's authority is express, that each, the oldest not +excused, was expected to perform a coranto, and great attention was +paid to the regularity of the steps. We owe to him the discovery, +which is not recorded in any annals of dancing I have met with, that +the lavolta, a dance not dissimilar, according to his description, to +the polka of the present day, was brought out of Italy into France by +the witches at their festive meetings. Of the language spoken at these +meetings, De Lancre favours us with a specimen, valuable, like the +Punic fragment in the Poenolus, for its being the only one of the +kind. _In nomine patrica araguenco petrica agora, agora, Valentia +jouando goure gaiti goustia._ As it passes my skill, I can only +commend it to the especial notice of Mr. Borrow against his next +journey into Spain. What was spoken at Malkin Tower was, doubtless, a +dialect not yet obsolete, and which Tummus and Meary would have had no +difficulty in comprehending. On the subject of these witches' +Sabbaths, Dr. Ferriar remarks, in his curious and agreeable _Essay on +Popular Illusions_, (see _Memoirs of the Manchester Literary and +Philosophical Society_, vol. iii., p. 68,) a sketch which it is much +to be regretted that he did not subsequently expand and revise, and +publish in a separate form:-- + + The solemn meetings of witches are supposed to be put beyond + all doubt by the numerous confessions of criminals, who have + described their ceremonies, named the times and places of + meeting, and the persons present, and who have agreed in + their relations, though separately delivered.[78] But I + would observe, first, that the circumstances told of those + festivals are ridiculous and incredible in themselves; for + they are represented as gloomy and horrible, yet with a + mixture of childish and extravagant fancies, more likely to + disgust and alienate than to conciliate the minds of the + guests. They have every appearance of uneasy dreams; + sometimes the devil and his subjects _say mass_, sometimes + he _preaches_ to them, more commonly he was seen in the form + of a black goat, surrounded by imps in a thousand frightful + shapes; but none of these forms are _new_, they all resemble + known quadrupeds or reptiles. Secondly, I observe, that + there is direct proof furnished even by demonologists, that + all these supposed journies and entertainments are nothing + more than dreams. Persons accused of witchcraft have been + repeatedly watched, about the time which they had fixed for + the meeting; they have been seen to anoint themselves with + soporific compositions, after which they fell into profound + sleep, and on awaking, several hours afterwards, they have + related their journey through the air, their amusement at + the festival, and have named the persons whom they saw + there. In the instance told by Hoffman, the dreamer was + chained to the floor. Common sense would rest satisfied + here, but the enthusiasm of demonology has invented more + than one theory to get rid of these untoward facts. Dr. + Henry More, as was formerly mentioned, believed that the + astral spirit only was carried away: other demonologists + imagined that the witch was really removed to the place of + meeting, but that a cacodemon was left in her room, as an + [Greek: eidolon], to delude the spectators. Thirdly, some + stories of the festivals are evidently tricks. Such is that + related by Bodinus, with much gravity: a man is found in a + gentleman's cellar, and apprehended as a thief; he declares + his wife had brought him thither to a witch-meeting, and on + his pronouncing the name of God, she and all her companions + had vanished, and left him inclosed. His wife is immediately + seized, on this righteous evidence, and hanged, with several + other persons, named as present at the meeting. + +[Footnote 78: There is a grave relation, in Delrio, of a witch being +shot flying, by a Spanish centinel, at the bridge of Nieulet, near +Calais, after that place was taken by the Spaniards. The soldier saw a +black cloud advancing rapidly, from which voices issued: when it came +near, he fired into it; immediately a witch dropped. This is +_undoubted proof_ of the meetings!--_Disq. Mag._, p. 708.] + +G 3 _b_ 2. "_Christopher Iackes, of Thorny-holme, and his wife._"] +This would appear to be Christopher Hargreaves, called here +Christopher Jackes, for o' or of Jack, according to the Lancashire +mode of forming patronymics. + +G 4 _a_. "_The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, which Alizon +Deuice, now Prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not name him, because +shee was not there._"] Gaule says, speaking of the ceremonies at the +witches' solemn meetings: "If the witch be outwardly Christian, +baptism must be renounced, and the party must be rebaptized in the +Devil's name, and a new name is also imposed by him; and here must be +godfathers too, for the Devil takes them not to be so adult as to +promise and vow for themselves." (_Cases of Conscience touching +Witches_, page 59. 1646, 12mo.) But Gaule does not mention any naming +or baptism of spirits and familiars on such occasions. + +G 4 _b_. "_Romleyes Moore._"] Romilly's or Rumbles Moor, a wild and +mountainous range in Craven, not unaptly selected for a meeting on a +special emergency of a conclave of witches. + +H 2 _a_ 1. "_Was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as +he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp._"] +Pitiable, truly, was the situation of this unhappy wretch. Brought out +from the restraint of a long imprisonment, before and during which he +had, as we may conjecture, been subjected to every inhumanity, in a +state more dead than alive, into a court which must have looked like +one living mass, with every eye lit up with horror, and curses, not +loud but deep, muttered with harmonious concord from the mouths of +every spectator. + +H 2 _a_ 2. "_Anne Towneley, wife of Henrie Townely, of the Carre._"] +Would this be Anne, the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Catterall, +of Catterall and Little Mitton, Esq., who married Henry Townley, the +son of Lawrence Townley? (See Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 396.) The +Townleys of Barnside and Carr were a branch of the Townleys, of +Townley. Barnside, or Barnsete, is an ancient mansion in the township +of Colne, which, Whitaker observes, was abandoned by the family, for +the warmer situation of Carr, about the middle of the last century. + +H 2 _a_ 3. "_Master Nowel humbly prayed Master Towneley might be +called._"] It is to be regretted we have no copy of the _viva voce_ +examination of Mr. Townley, the husband of the lady whose life was +said to have been taken away by witchcraft. The examinations given in +this tract are altogether those of persons in a humble rank of life. +The contrast between their evidence and that of an individual +occupying the position of the descendant of one of the oldest families +in the neighbourhood, with considerable landed possessions, might have +been amusing and instructive. + +H 2 _a_ 4. "_Master Nowell humbly prayed, that the particular +examinations taken before him and others might be openly published and +read in court._"] This kind of evidence, the witnesses being in court, +and capable of being examined, would not be received at the present +day. At that time a greater laxity prevailed. + +H 3 _a_. "_Sheare Thursday._"] The Thursday before Easter, and so +called, for that, in the old Fathers' days, the people would that day, +"shave their hedes, and clypp their berdes, and pool their heedes, and +so make them honest against Easter Day."--_Brand's Popular +Antiquities_, vol. i., p. 83, edition 1841. + +K _b_ 1. "_A Charme._"] Sinclair, in his _Satan's Invisible World +Discovered_, informs us, that "At night, in the time of popery, when +folks went to bed, they believed the repetition of this following +prayer was effectual to preserve them from danger, and the house too. + + "Who sains the house the night, + They that sains it ilka night. + Saint Bryde and her brate, + Saint Colme and his hat, + Saint Michael and his spear, + Keep this house from the weir; + From running thief, + And burning thief; + And from and ill Rea, + That be the gate can gae; + And from an ill weight, + That be the gate can light + Nine reeds about the house; + Keep it all the night, + What is that, what I see + So red, so bright, beyond the sea? + 'Tis he was pierc'd through the hands, + Through the feet, through the throat, + Through the tongue; + Through the liver and the lung. + Well is them that well may + Fast on Good-friday." + +which lines are not unlike some of those in the present "charme," +which, evidently much corrupted by recitation, is a very singular and +interesting string of fragments handed down from times long anterior +to the Reformation, when they had been employed as armour of proof by +the credulous vulgar against the Robin Goodfellows, urchins, elves, +hags, and fairies of earlier superstition. I regret that I cannot +throw more light upon it. The concluding lines are not deficient in +poetical spirit. + +K _b_ 2. "_Ligh in leath wand._"] Leath is no doubt lithe, flexible. +What "ligh in" is intended for, unless it be lykinge, which the +_Promptorium Parvulorum_ (_vide_ part i. p. 304) explains by lusty, or +craske, _Delicativus_, crassus, I am unable to conjecture. It is +clear, that the wand in one hand is to steck, _i.e._ stake, or fasten, +the latch of hell door, while the key in his other hand is to open +heaven's lock. + +K _b_ 3. "_Let Crizum child goe to it Mother mild._"] The chrisom, +according to the usual explanation, was a white cloth placed upon the +head of an infant at baptism, when the chrism, or sacred oil of the +Romish Church, was used in that sacrament. If the child died within a +month of its birth, that cloth was used as a shroud; and children so +dying were called chrisoms in the old bills of mortality. + +K _b_ 4. "_A light so farrandly._"] Farrandly, or farrantly, a word +still in use in Lancashire, and which is equivalent to fair, likely, +or handsome. (See _Lancashire Dialect and Glossary_.) "Harne panne," +_i.e._, cranium.--_Promptorium Parvulorum_, p. 237. + +K 2 _a_ 1. "_Vpon the ground of holy weepe._"] I know not how to +explain this, unless it mean the ground of holy weeping, _i.e._, the +Garden of Gethsemane. + +K 2 _a_ 2. "_Shall neuer deere thee._"] The word to dere, or hurt, +says Mr. Way, _Promptorium Parvulorum_, p. 119, is commonly used by +Chaucer and most other writers until the sixteenth century: + + "Fyr he schal hym nevyr dere." + _Coeur de Lion_, 1638. + +Fabyan observes, under the year 1194, "So fast besyed this good Kyng +Richarde to vex and dere the infydelys of Sury." Palsgrave gives, "To +dere or hurte a noye nuire, I wyll never dere you by my good wyll." +Ang. Sax., [Anglo-Saxon: derian] _nocere_, [Anglo-Saxon: derung] +_laesio_. + +K 3 _a_. "_The Witches of Salmesbvry._"] Or, more properly, +Samlesbury. This wicked attempt on the part of this priest, or Jesuit, +Thompson, _alias_ Southworth, to murder the three persons whose trial +is next reported, by suborning a child of the family to accuse them of +what, in the excited state of the public mind at the time, was almost +certain to consign them to a public execution, has few parallels in +the annals of atrocity. The plot was defeated, and the lives of the +persons accused, Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, and Jane Southworth, +saved, by no sagacity of the judge or wisdom of the jury, but by the +effect of one simple question, wrung from the intended victims on the +verge of anticipated condemnation, and which, natural as it might +appear, was one the felicity of which Garrow or Erskine might have +envied. It demolished, like Ithuriel's spear, the whole fabric of +imposture, and laid it open even to the comprehension of Sir Edward +Bromley and Master Thomas Potts. This was a case which well deserved +Archbishop Harsnet for its historian. His vein of irony, which Swift +or Echard never surpassed, and the scorching invective of which he was +so consummate a master, would have been well employed in handing down +to posterity a scene of villainy to which the frauds of Somers and the +stratagems of Weston were mere child's play. We might then have had, +from the most enlightened man of his age, a commentary on the statute +1st James First, which would have neutralized its mischief, and spared +a hecatomb of victims. His resistless ridicule would, perhaps, have +accomplished at once what was slowly and with difficulty brought about +by the arguments of Scot and Webster, the establishment of the Royal +Society, and a century's growth of intelligence and knowledge. + +K 3 _b_ 1. "_A Seminarie Priest._"] Of this Thompson, _alias_ +Southworth, I find no account in Dodd's _Catholic Church History_. A +John Southworth is noticed, vol. iii. p. 303, who is described as of +an ancient family in Lancashire, and who was executed at Tyburn, June +28th, 1655. His dying speech is to be found in the same volume, p. +360. The interval of time, as well as the difference of surname, +excludes the presumption of his being identical with the person +referred to in the text, the hero of this extraordinary conspiracy, +and who was probably of the family of Sir John Southworth, after +mentioned. + +K 3 _b_ 2. "_A Iesuite, whereof this Countie of Lancaster hath good +store._"] Lancashire was, about this period, the great hot-bed of +Popish recusants. From the very curious list of recusants given +(Baines's _Lancashire_, vol. i. p. 541,) it would seem that Samlesbury +was one of their strongholds:-- + + James Cowper a seminarie prieste receipted releived and + mainteined att the lodge of Sir John Southworthe in + Samlesburie Parke by Mr. Tho: Southworthe, one of the + younger sonnes of the said Sir John. And att the howse of + John Warde dwellinge in Samlesburie Park syde. And the said + Prieste sayeth Masse att the said lodge and att the said + Wards howse. Whether resorte, Mr. Sowthworthe, Mres. An + Sowthworthe, John Walmesley servante to Sir John + Southworthe, Tho. Southworthe dwellinge in the Parke, John + Gerrerde, servante to Sir John Southworthe, John Singleton, + John Wrighte, James Sherples iunior, John Warde of + Samlesburie, John Warde of Medler thelder, Henrie Potter of + Medler, John Gouldon of Winwicke, Thomas Gouldon of the + same, Roberte Anderton of Samlesburie and John Sherples of + Stanleyhurst in Samlesburie.--_Baines's Lancashire_, vol. i. + p. 543. + + Att the lodge in Samlesburie Parke there be masses daylie + and Seminaries dyuerse Resorte thither as James Cowpe, + Harrisson Bell and such like, The like vnlawfull meetings + are made daylie att the howse of John Warde by the Parke + syde of Samlesburie all wiche matters, masses, resorte to + Masses, receipting of Seminaries wilbe Justifyed by Mr. Adam + Sowtheworthe Thomas Sherples and John Osbaldston.--_Ibid._, + p. 544. + +K 4 _b_. "_Picked her off._"] Threw her off. + +L _a_. "_Hugh Walshmans._"] The wife of Hugh Walshman, of Samlesbury, +is mentioned in the list of recusants; Baines, vol. i. p. 544. + +L 2 _a_ 1. "_Brought a little child._"] The evidence against the +Pendle witches exhibits meagreness and poverty of imagination compared +with the accumulated horrors with which the Jesuit, fresh, it may be, +from Bodin and Delrio, made his "fire burn and cauldron bubble." With +respect to this old story of the magical use made of the corpses of +infants, Ben Jonson, in a note on + + "I had a dagger: what did I with that? + Killed an infant to have his fat;" + +tells us with great gravity: + + Their killing of infants is common, both for confection of + their ointment (whereto one ingredient is the fat boiled, as + I have shewed before out of Paracelsus and Porta) as also + out of a lust to do murder. _Sprenger in Mal. Malefic._ + reports that a witch, a midwife in the diocese of Basil, + confessed to have killed above forty infants (ever as they + were new born, with pricking them in the brain with a + needle) which she had offered to the devil. See the story of + the three witches in _Rem. Daemonola lib. cap._ 3, about the + end of the chapter. And M. Phillippo Ludwigus Elich _Quaest._ + 8. And that it is no new rite, read the practice of Canidia, + _Epod. Horat. lib. ode_ 5, and Lucan, _lib._ 6, whose + admirable verses I can never be weary to transcribe:-- + + Nec cessant a caede manus, si sanguine vivo + Est opus, erumpat jugulo qui primus aperto. + Nec refugit caedes, vivum si sacra cruorem + Extaque funereae poscunt trepidantia mensae. + Vulnere si ventris, non qua natura vocabat, + Extrahitur partus calidus ponendus in aris; + Et quoties saevis opus est, et fortibus umbris + Ipsa facit maneis. Hominum mors omnis in usu est. + + _Ben Johnson's Works, by Gifford_, vol. vii. p. 130. + +L 2 _a_ 2. "_They said they would annoint themselues._"] Ben Jonson +informs us: + + When they are to be transported from place to place, they + use to anoint themselves, and sometimes the things they ride + on. Beside Apul. testimony, see these later, _Remig. + Daemonolatriae lib._ 1. _cap._ 14. _Delrio, Disquis. Mag. l._ + 2. _quaest._ 16. _Bodin Daemonoman. lib._ 2 _c._ 14. _Barthol. + de Spina. quaest. de Strigib. Phillippo Ludwigus Elich. + quaest._ 10. _Paracelsus in magn. et occul. Philosophia_, + teacheth the confection. _Unguentum ex carne recens natorum + infantium, in pulmenti, forma coctum, et cum herbis + somniferis, quales sunt Papaver, Solanum, Cicuta_, &c. And + _Giov. Bapti. Porta, lib._ 2. _Mag. Natur. cap._ 16.--_Ben + Jonson's Works by Gifford_, vol. vii. p. 119. + +L 3 _a_. "_Did carrie her into the loft._"] There is something in this +strange tissue of incoherencies, for knavery has little variety, which +forcibly reminds us of the inventions of Elizabeth Canning, who ought +to have lived in the days when witchcraft was part of the popular +creed. What an admirable witch poor old Mary Squires would have made, +and how brilliantly would her persecutor have shone in the days of the +Baxters and Glanvilles, who acquitted herself so creditably in those +of the Fieldings and the Hills. + +L 4 _b_ 1. "_Robert Hovlden, Esquire._"] This individual would be of +the ancient family of Holden, of Holden, the last male heir of which +died without issue, 1792. (See Whitaker's _Whalley_, 418.) + +L 4 _b_ 2. "_Sir John Southworth._"] In this family the manor of +Samlesbury remained for three hundred and fifty years. This was, +probably, the John (for the pedigree contained in Whitaker's +_Whalley_, p. 430, does not give the clearest light on the subject) +who married Jane, daughter of Sir Richard Sherburne, of Stonyhurst, +and who took a great lead amongst the Catholics of Lancashire. What +was the degree of relationship between Sir John and the husband of the +accused, Jane Southworth, there is nothing in the descent to show. +Family bickering might have a share, as well as superstition, in the +opinion he entertained, "that she was an evil woman." Of the old hall +at Samlesbury, the residence of the Southworths, a most interesting +account will be found in Whitaker's _Whalley_, p. 431. He considers +the centre of very high antiquity, probably not later than Edward III; +and observes, "There is about the house a profusion and bulk of oak +that must almost have laid prostrate a forest to erect it." + +M 1 _b_. "_The particular points of the Evidence._"] What a waste of +ingenuity Master Potts displays in this recapitulation, where he is +merely slaying the slain, and where his wisdom was not needed. Had he +applied it to the service of the Pendle witches, he would have found +still grosser contrarieties, and as great absurdity. But in that case, +there was no horror of Popery to sharpen his faculties, or Jesuit in +the background to call his humanity into play. + +M 2 _a_. "_The wrinkles of an old wiues face is good euidence to the +Iurie against a Witch._"] _Si sic omnia!_ For once the worthy clerk in +court has a lucid interval, and speaks the language of common sense. + +M 2 _b_. "_But old Chattox had Fancie._"] A great truth, though Master +Potts might not be aware of the extent of it. + +M 4 _a_. "_M. Leigh, a very religious Preacher._"] Parson of Standish, +a man memorable in his day. He published several pieces, amongst +others the two following: 1. "The Drumme of Devotion," by W. Leigh, of +Standish, 1613.--2. "News of a Prodigious Monster in Aldington, in the +Parish of Standish, in Lancashire," 1613, 4to, which show him to have +been an adept in the science of title-making. He was one of the tutors +of Prince Henry, and was great-grandfather of Dr. Leigh, author of the +_History of Lancashire_. + +N 3 _b_. "_The Arraignment and Triall of Anne Redferne._"] This poor +woman seems to have been regularly hunted to death by her prosecutors, +who pursued her with all the dogged pertinacity of blood-hounds. +Neither the imploring appeal for mercy, in her case, from her wretched +mother, who did not ask for any in her own, nor the want of even the +shadow of a ground for the charge, had the slightest effect upon the +besotted prejudices of the judge and jury. Acquitted on one +indictment, she is now put on her trial on another; the imputed crime +being her having caused the death of a person, who did not even accuse +her of being accessory to it, nearly eighteen years before, by +witchcraft; the only evidence, true or false, being, that she had been +seen, about the same period, making figures of clay or marl. Her real +offence, it may well be conjectured, was her having rejected the +improper advances of the ill-conditioned young man whose death she was +first indicted for procuring, and to which circumstance the rancour of +his relations, the prosecutors, may evidently be traced. It is +gratifying to know that she had firmness of mind to persist in the +declaration of her innocence to the last. + +O 3 _a_. "_Alice Nutter._"] We now come to a person of a different +description from any of those who have preceded as parties accused, +and on whose fate some extraordinary mystery seems to hang. Alice +Nutter was not, like the others, a miserable mendicant, but was a lady +of large possessions, of a respectable family, and with children whose +position appears to have been such as, it might have been expected, +would have afforded her the means of escaping the fate which overtook +her humbler companions. + + "I knew her a good woman and well bred, + Of an unquestion'd carriage, well reputed + Amongst her neighbours, reckoned with the best." + _Heywood's Lancashire Witches._ + +She is described as the wife of Richard Nutter of the Rough Lee, and +mother of Miles Nutter, who were in all likelihood nearly related to +the other Nutters whose descent has been given. The tradition is, that +she was closely connected by relationship or marriage with Eleanor +Nutter, the daughter of Ellis Nutter of Pendle Forest, the grandmother +of Archbishop Tillotson. That she was the victim of a foul and +atrocious conspiracy, in which the movers were some of her own family, +there seems no reason to doubt. The anxiety of her children to induce +her to confess may possibly have originated in no impure or sinister +motive, but it is difficult altogether to dismiss from the mind the +suspicion that her wealth was her great misfortune; and that to secure +it within their grasp her own household were passive, if not active, +agents in her destruction. Any thing more childish or absurd than the +evidence against her--as, for instance, that she joyned in killing +Henry Mitton because he refused a penny to Old Demdike--it would not +be easy, even from the records of witch trials, to produce. As regards +Alice Nutter, Potts is singularly meagre, and it is to be lamented +that the deficiency of information cannot at present be supplied. +Almost the only fact he furnishes us with is, that she died +maintaining her innocence. It would have been most interesting to have +had the means of ascertaining how she conducted herself at her trial +and after her condemnation; and how she met the iniquitous injustice +of her fate, sharpened, as it must have been, by the additional +bitterness of the insults and execrations of the blind and infuriated +populace at her execution. It is far from improbable that some of the +correspondence now deposited in the family archives in the county +hitherto unpublished may ultimately furnish these particulars. + +Alice Nutter was doubtless the original of the story of which Heywood +availed himself in _The Late Lancashire Witches_, 1634, 4to, which is +frequently noticed by the writers of the 17th century--that the wife +of a Lancashire country gentleman had been detected in practising +witchcraft and unlawful arts, and condemned and executed. In that play +there can be little hesitation in ascribing to Heywood the scenes in +which Mr. Generous and his wife are the interlocutors, and to Broome, +Heywood's coadjutor, the subordinate and farcical portions. It is a +very unequal performance, but not destitute of those fine touches, +which Heywood is never without, in the characters of English country +gentlemen and the pathos of domestic tragedy. The following scene, +which I am tempted to extract, though very inferior to the noble ones +in his _Woman Killed by Kindness_, between Mr. and Mrs. Frankford, +which it somewhat resembles in character, is not unworthy of this +great and truly national dramatic writer:-- + +MR. GENEROUS. WIFE. ROBIN, _a groom._ + +_Gen._ My blood is turn'd to ice, and all my vitals +Have ceas'd their working. Dull stupidity +Surpriseth me at once, and hath arrested +That vigorous agitation, which till now +Exprest a life within me. I, methinks, +Am a meer marble statue, and no man. +Unweave my age, O time, to my first thread; +Let me lose fifty years, in ignorance spent; +That, being made an infant once again, +I may begin to know. What, or where am I, +To be thus lost in wonder? + +_Wife._ Sir. + +_Gen._ Amazement still pursues me, how am I chang'd, +Or brought ere I can understand myself +Into this new world! + +_Rob._ You will believe no witches? + +_Gen._ This makes me believe all, aye, anything; +And that myself am nothing. Prithee, Robin, +Lay me to myself open; what art thou, +Or this new transform'd creature? + +_Rob._ I am Robin; +And this your wife, my mistress. + +_Gen._ Tell me, the earth +Shall leave its seat, and mount to kiss the moon; +Or that the moon, enamour'd of the earth, +Shall leave her sphere, to stoop to us thus low. +What, what's this in my hand, that at an instant +Can from a four-legg'd creature make a thing +So like a wife! + +_Rob._ A bridle; a jugling bridle, Sir. + +_Gen._ A bridle! Hence, enchantment. +A viper were more safe within my hand, +Than this charm'd engine.-- +A witch! my wife a witch! +The more I strive to unwind +Myself from this meander, I the more +Therein am intricated. Prithee, woman, +Art thou a witch? + +_Wife._ It cannot be denied, +I am such a curst creature. + +_Gen._ Keep aloof: +And do not come too near me. O my trust; +Have I, since first I understood myself, +Been of my soul so chary, still to study +What best was for its health, to renounce all +The works of that black fiend with my best force; +And hath that serpent twined me so about, +That I must lie so often and so long +With a devil in my bosom? + +_Wife._ Pardon, Sir. [_She looks down._] + +_Gen._ Pardon! can such a thing as that be hoped? +Lift up thine eyes, lost woman, to yon hills; +It must be thence expected: look not down +Unto that horrid dwelling, which thou hast sought +At such dear rate to purchase. Prithee, tell me, +(For now I can believe) art thou a witch? + +_Wife._ I am. + +_Gen._ With that word I am thunderstruck, +And know not what to answer; yet resolve me. +Hast thou made any contract with that fiend, +The enemy of mankind? + +_Wife._ O I have. + +_Gen._ What? and how far? + +_Wife._ I have promis'd him my soul. + +_Gen._ Ten thousand times better thy body had +Been promis'd to the stake; aye, and mine too, +To have suffer'd with thee in a hedge of flames, +Than such a compact ever had been made. Oh-- +Resolve me, how far doth that contract stretch? + +_Wife._ What interest in this Soul myself could claim, +I freely gave him; but his part that made it +I still reserve, not being mine to give. + +_Gen._ O cunning devil: foolish woman, know, +Where he can claim but the least little part, +He will usurp the whole. Thou'rt a lost woman. + +_Wife._ I hope, not so. + +_Gen._ Why, hast thou any hope? + +_Wife._ Yes, sir, I have. + +_Gen._ Make it appear to me. + +_Wife._ I hope I never bargain'd for that fire, +Further than penitent tears have power to quench. + +_Gen._ I would see some of them. + +_Wife._ You behold them now +(If you look on me with charitable eyes) +Tinctur'd in blood, blood issuing from the heart. +Sir, I am sorry; when I look towards heaven, +I beg a gracious pardon; when on you, +Methinks your native goodness should not be +Less pitiful than they; 'gainst both I have err'd; +From both I beg atonement. + +_Gen._ May I presume 't? + +_Wife._ I kneel to both your mercies. + +_Gen._ Knowest thou what +A witch is? + +_Wife._ Alas, none better; +Or after mature recollection can be +More sad to think on 't. + +_Gen._ Tell me, are those tears +As full of true hearted penitence, +As mine of sorrow to behold what state, +What desperate state, thou'rt fain in? + +_Wife._ Sir, they are. + +_Gen._ Rise; and, as I do you, so heaven pardon me; +We all offend, but from such falling off +Defend us! Well, I do remember, wife, +When I first took thee, 'twas _for good and bad_: +O change thy bad to good, that I may keep thee +(As then we past our faiths) 'till Death us sever. +O woman, thou hast need to weep thyself +Into a fountain, such a penitent spring +As may have power to quench invisible flames; +In which my eyes shall aid: too little, all. + _Late Lancashire Witches, Act 4._ + +P 2 _a_ 1. "_Being examined by my Lord._"] She had evidently learned +her lesson well; but this was, with all submission to his Lordship, if +adopted as a test, a mighty poor one. Jennet Device must have known +well the persons of the parties she accused, and who were now upon +their trial, as they were all her near neighbours. + +P 2 _a_ 2. "_Whether she knew Iohan a Style?_"] His Lordship's +introduction of this apocryphal legal personage on such an occasion is +very amusing. Had he studied Littleton and Perkins a little less, and +given some attention to the Lancashire dialect, and some also to the +study of that great book, in which even a judge may find valuable +matter, the book of human nature, he might have been more successfull +in his examination. Jack's o' Dick's o' Harry's would have been more +likely to have been recognised as a veritable person of this world by +Jennet Device, than such a name as Johan a Style; which, though very +familiar at Westminster, would scarcely have its prototype at Pendle. +But Jennet Device, young as she was, in natural shrewdness was far +more than a match for his lordship. + +P 3 _a_. "_Katherine Hewit, alias Movld-heeles._"] Of this person, who +comes next in the list of witches, our information is very scanty. She +was not of Pendle, but of Colne; and as her husband is described as a +"clothier," may be presumed to have been in rather better +circumstances than Elizabeth Southernes or Anne Whittle's families. +She made no confession. + +P 4 _a_ 1. "_Anne Foulds of Colne. Michael Hartleys of Colne._"] Folds +and Hartley are still the names of families at and in the +neighbourhood of Colne. + +P 4 _a_ 2. "_Had then in hanck a child._"] The meaning of this term is +clear, the origin rather dubious. It may come from the Scotch word, +_to hanck_, i.e. to have in holdfast or secure, vide Jamieson's Scotch +Dictionary, tit. hanck, or from handkill, to murder, vide Jamieson, +under that word; or lastly, may be metaphorically used, from hanck, +also signifying a skein of yarn or worsted which is tied or trussed +up. + +Q 2 _a_. "_Iohn Bulcocke, Iane Bulcocke his mother._"] The condition +of these persons is not stated. It may be conjectured that they were +of the lowest class. + +Q 3 _a_ 1. "_At the Barre hauing formerly confessed._"] Why is not +their confession given? + +Q 3 _a_ 2. "_Crying out in very violent and outrageous manner, even to +the gallowes._"] The latter end of these unfortunate people was +perhaps similar to that of Isobel Crawford, executed in Scotland the +year after for witchcraft, who, on being sentenced, openly denied all +her former confessions, and died without any sign of repentance, +offering repeated interruption to the minister in his prayer, and +refusing to pardon the executioner. + +Q 4 _a_. "_Master Thomas Lister of Westby._"] See note on p. Y _a_. + +Q 4 _b_. "_The said Bulcockes wife doth know of some Witches to bee +about Padyham and Burnley._"] Precious evidence this to put the lives +of two poor creatures into jeopardy. + +R _a_. "_Accused the said Iohn Bulcock to turne the Spitt there._"] +What a fact this would have been for De Lancre. With all his accurate +statistics on the subject of the witches' Sabbath, he was not aware +that a turnspit was a necessary officer on such occasions, as well as +a master of ceremonies. This artful and well instructed jade, Jennet +Device, must have borne especial malice against John Bulcock. + +R 1 _b_. "_The names of the Witches at the Great Assembly and Feast at +Malking-Tower, viz. vpon Good-Friday last, 1612._"] In this list of +fourteen individuals, Master Potts has omitted "the painful steward so +careful to provide mutton," James Device, who made up the number to +fifteen. Of these persons seven were not indicted: Jennet Hargraves, +the wife of Hugh Hargraves, of Barley under Pendle; Elizabeth +Hargraves, the wife of Christopher Hargraves; Christopher Howgate, the +son of Old Demdike; Christopher Hargraves, who is described as of +Thurniholme, or Thornholme, and as Christopher o' Jacks, and was +husband of Elizabeth Hargraves; Grace Hay, of Padiham; Anne Crunkshey, +of Marchden, or more properly, Cronkshaw of Marsden; and Elizabeth +Howgate, the wife of Christopher Howgate. The two Howgates were, it +may be, the "one Holgate and his wife," mentioned in Robinson's +deposition in 1633. Alice Graie, or Gray, included in the list, was +indicted, though no copy of the indictment is afforded by Potts, and, +singular as it may seem, acquitted. Richard Miles' wife, of the Rough +Lee, stated to have been present in some of the depositions, (G 3 +_b_,) was, beyond doubt, Alice Nutter, so called as the wife of +Richard and mother of Miles Nutter. + +It may afford matter for speculation, whether any real meeting took +place of any of the persons above enumerated, which gave occasion for +the monstrous versions of the witnesses at this trial. It is far from +unlikely, that on the apprehension and commitment of Old Demdike, Old +Chattox, Alizon Device, and Anne Redfern to Lancaster, a meeting would +take place of their near relations, and others who might attend from +curiosity, or from its being rumoured that they were themselves +implicated by the confessions of those apprehended, and who by such +attendance sealed their dooms. In all similar fabrications there is +generally some slight foundation of fact, some scintilla of homely +truth, from which, like the inverted apex of a pyramid, the +disproportioned fabric expands. It is possible that, from the simple +occurrence of an unusual attendance at Malking Tower on Good Friday, +not unnatural under the circumstances, some of the witnesses, ignorant +and easily persuaded, might be afterwards led to believe in the +existence of those monstrous superadditions with which the convention +was afterwards clothed. However this may be, there must have been at +hand for working up the materials into a plausible form, some drill +sergeant of evidence behind the curtain, who had his own interest to +serve or revenge to gratify. The two particulars in the narrative that +one feels least disposed to question, are, that James Device stole a +wether from John Robinson of Barley, to provide a family dinner on +Good Friday, and that when the meat was roasted John Bulcock performed +the humble, but very necessary, duty of turning the spit. + +R 3 _a_. "_My Lord Gerrard._"] Thomas Gerard, son and heir of Sir +Gilbert Gerard, Master of the Robes 23d Elizabeth, was raised to the +peerage by the title of Lord Gerard of Gerard's Bromley, in +Staffordshire, 1603. He died 1618. + +S _a_. "_Kniues, Elsons, and Sickles._" In the _Promptorium +Parvulorum_, p. 138, to Elsyn (elsyng^k) Sibula, Mr. Way appends this +note: "This word occurs in the Gloss on Gautier de Bibelesworth, +Arund. MS. 220, where a buckled girdle is described:-- + + "Een isy doyt le hardiloun ([thorn character]e tunnge) + Passer par tru de subiloun (a bore of an alsene.) + +"An elsyne,--acus, subula. Cath. Ang. Sibula, an elsyn, an alle or a +bodkyn. ORTUS. In the inventory of the goods of a merchant at +Newcastle, A.D. 1571, occur, 'vj. doss' elsen heftes, 12_d_; 1 clowte +and 1/2 a C elsen blades, viij_s_. viij_d_; xiij. clowtes of talier, +needles, &c.' Wills and Inventories published by the Surtees Society, +l. 361. The term is derived from the French _alene_; elson for +cordwayners, alesne. Palsg. In Yorkshire and some other parts of +England an awl is still called an elsen." + +S _b_. "_Which the said Alizon confessing._"] In the case of this +paralytic pedlar, John Law, his mishap could scarcely be called such, +as it would for the remainder of his life, be an all-sufficient +stock-in-trade for him, and popular wonder and sympathy, without the +judge's interposition, would provide for his relief and maintenance. +The near apparent connection and correspondence of the _damnum +minatum_ and _damnum secutum_, in this instance, imposed upon this +unfortunate woman, as it had done upon many others, and gave to her +confession an earnestness which would appear to the unenlightened +spectator to spring only from reality and truth. + +S 3 _b_. "_Margaret Pearson._"] This Padiham witch fared better than +her neighbours, being sentenced only to the pillory. Nothing affords a +stronger proof of the vindictive pertinacity with which these +prosecutions were carried on than the fact of this old and helpless +creature being put on her trial three several times upon such evidence +as follows. Chattox, like many other persons in her situation, was +disposed to have as many companions in punishment, crime or no crime, +as she could compass, and denounced her accordingly: "The said +Pearson's wife is as ill as shee." + +T _a_. "_The said Margerie did carrie the said Toade out of the said +house in a paire of tonges._"] This toad was disposed of more easily +than that of Julian Cox, as to which see Glanvil's _Collection of +Relations_, p. 192:-- + + Another witness swore, that as he passed by Cox her door, + she was taking a pipe of tobacco upon the threshold of her + door, and invited him to come in and take a pipe, which he + did. And as he was talking Julian said to him, Neighbour, + look what a pretty thing there is. He look't down, and there + was a monstrous great toad betwixt his leggs, staring him in + the face. He endeavoured to kill it by spurning it, but + could not hit it. Whereupon Julian bad him forbear, and it + would do him no hurt. But he threw down his pipe and went + home, (which was about two miles off of Julian Cox her + house,) and told his family what had happened, and that he + believed it was one of Julian Cox her devils. After, he was + taking a pipe of tobacco at home, and the same toad appeared + betwixt his leggs. He took the toad out to kill it, and to + his thinking cut it in several pieces, but returning to his + pipe, the toad still appeared. He endeavoured to burn it, + but could not. At length he took a switch and beat it. The + toad ran several times about the room to avoid him he still + pursuing it with correction. At length the toad cryed and + vanish't, and he was never after troubled with it. + +Dr. More's comment on the circumstance is written with all the +seriousness so important a part of a witch's supellex deserves. He +commences defending the huntsman, who swore that he hunted a hare, and +when he came to take it up, he found it to be Julian Cox: + + Those half-witted people thought he swore false, I suppose + because they imagined that what he told implied that Julian + Cox was turned into an hare. Which she was not, nor did his + report imply any such real metamorphosis of her body, but + that these ludicrous daemons exhibited to the sight of this + huntsman and his doggs the shape of an Hare, one of them + turning himself into such a form, and others hurrying on the + body of Julian near the same place, and at the same + swiftness, but interposing betwixt that hare-like spectre + and her body, modifying the air so that the scene there, to + the beholders sight, was as if nothing but air were there, + and a shew of earth perpetually suited to that where the + hare passed. As I have heard of some painters that have + drawn the sky in an huge large landskip, so lively that the + birds have flown against it, thinking it free air, and so + have fallen down. And if painters and juglers by the tricks + of legerdemain can do such strange feats to the deceiving of + the sight, it is no wonder that these airy invisible spirits + as far surpass them in all such praestigious doings as the + air surpasses the earth for subtilty. + + And the like praestigiae may be in the toad. It might be a + real toad (though actuated and guided by a daemon) which was + cut in pieces, and that also which was whipt about, and at + last snatcht out of sight (as if it had vanished) by these + aerial hocus-pocus's. And if some juglers have tricks to + take hot coals into their mouth without hurt, certainly it + is not surprising that some small attempt did not suffice to + burn that toad. That such a toad, sent by a witch and + crawling up the body of the man of the house as he sate by + the fire's side, was overmastered by him and his wife + together, and burnt in the fire; I have heard credibly + reported by one of the Isle of Ely. _Of these daemoniack + vermin, I have heard other stories also, as of a rat that + followed a man some score of miles trudging through thick + and thin along with him._ So little difficulty is there in + that of the toad.--_Glanvil's Collection of Relations_, p. + 200. + +T 2 _a_ 1. "_Isabel Robey._" This person was of Windle, in the parish +of Prescot, a considerable distance from Pendle. The Gerards were +lords of the manor of Windle. Sir Thomas Gerard, before whom the +examinations were taken, was created baronet, 22nd May, 9th James I.; +and thrice married. From him the present Sir John Gerard, of New Hall, +near Warrington, is descended. Sir Thomas was determined that the +hundred of West Derby should have its witch as well as the other parts +of the county. A more melancholy tissue of absurd and incoherent +accusations than those against this last of the prisoners convicted on +this occasion, it would not be easy to find; who was hanged, for all +that appears, because one person was suddenly "pinched on her thigh, +as she thought, with four fingers and a thumb," and because another +was "sore pained with a great warch in his bones." + +T 2 _a_ 2. "_This Countie of Lancaster, which now may lawfully bee +said to abound asmuch in Witches of diuers kindes as Seminaries, +Iesuites, and Papists._"] Truly, the county palatine was in sad case, +according to Master Potts's account. If the crop of each of these was +over abundant, it was from no fault of the learned judges, who, in +their commissions of _Oyer and Terminer_, subjected it pretty +liberally to the pruning-hook of the executioner. + +T 2 _a_ 3. "_This lamentable and wofull Tragedie, wherein his Maiestie +hath lost so many Subjects, Mothers their Children, Fathers their +Friends and Kinsfolk._" The Lancashire bill of mortality, under the +head witchcraft, so far as it can be collected from this tract, will +run thus:-- + + 1. Robert Nutter, of Greenhead, in Pendle. + 2. Richard Assheton, son of Richard Assheton, of Downham, Esquire. + 3. Child of Richard Baldwin, of Wheethead, within the forest of Pendle. + 4. John Device, or Davies, of Pendle. + 5. Anne Nutter, daughter of Anthony Nutter, of Pendle. + 6. Child of John Moore, of Higham. + 7. Hugh Moore, of Pendle. + 8. John Robinson, _alias_ Swyer. + 9. James Robinson. +10. Henry Mytton, of the Rough Lee. +11. Anne Townley, wife of Henry Townley, of the Carr, gentleman. +12. John Duckworth. +13. John Hargraves, of Goldshaw Booth. +14. Blaze Hargraves, of Higham. +15. Christopher Nutter. +16. Anne Folds, of Colne. + +Sixteen persons reported dead of this common epidemic, besides a +countless number with pains and "starkness in their limbs," and "a +great warch in their bones!" No wonder that Doctors Bromley and Potts +thought active treatment necessary, with a decided preference for +hemp, as the leading specific. + +T 3 _b_. "_With great warch in his bones._"] Warch is a word well +known and still used in this sense, _i.e._, pain, in Lancashire. + +T 4 _b_ 1. "_The said Peter was now satisfied that the said Isabel +Robey was no Witch, by sending to one Halseworths, which they call a +wiseman._"] I honour the memory of this Halsworth, or Houldsworth, as +I suppose it should be spelled, for he was indeed a wise man in days +when wisdom was an extremely scarce commodity. + +T 4 _b_ 2. "_To abide vpon it._"] _i.e._, my abiding opinion is. + +X _a_. "_Elizabeth Astley, John Ramsden, Alice Gray, Isabel +Sidegraues, Lawrence Hay._"] The specific charges against these +persons, with the exception of Alice Gray, do not appear, nor is it +said where their places of residence were. Alice Gray was reputed to +have been at the meeting of witches at Malkin's Tower, and to her the +judge refers, perhaps, in particular, when he says, "Without question, +there are amongst you that are as deepe in this action as any of them +that are condemned to die for their offences." + +X _b_. "_The Execution of the Witches._"] We could have dispensed with +many of the flowers of rhetoric with which the pages of this discovery +are strewed, if Master Potts would have favoured us with a plain, +unvarnished account of what occurred at this execution. It is here, in +the most interesting point of all, that his narrative, in other +respects so full and abundant, stops short, and seems curtailed of its +just proportions. The "learned and worthy preacher," to whom the +prisoners were commended by the judge, was probably Mr. William Leigh, +of Standish, before mentioned. Amongst his papers or correspondence, +if they should happen to have been preserved, some account may +eventually be found of the sad closing scene of these melancholy +victims of superstition. + +X 2 _a_. "_Neither can I paint in extraordinarie tearmes._"] The +worthy clerk is too modest. He is a great painter, the Tintoretto of +witchcraft. + +Y _a_ 1. "_Hauing cut off Thomas Lister, Esquire, father to this +gentleman now liuing._"] Thomas Lister, of Westby, ancestor of the +Listers, Lords Ribblesdale, married Jane, daughter of John Greenacres, +Esquire, of Worston, county of Lancaster, and was buried at Gisburn, +February 8th, 1607. His son, Thomas Lister, referred to as the +"gentleman now living," married Jane, daughter of Thomas Heber, Esq., +of Marton, after mentioned, and was buried at Gisburn, July 10th, +1619. + +Y _a_ 2. "_Was Indicted and Arraigned for the murder of a Child of one +Dodg-sonnes._"] One acquittal was no protection to these unhappy +creatures. It caused only additional exasperation, and, sooner or +later, they were brought within what Donne calls "the hungry statutes' +gaping jaws." Whether superstition or malice prompted this +prosecution, on the part of Mr. Lister, it is difficult to say. Some +grudge he entertained, or cause of offence he had taken up against +this Jennet Preston, might be her death warrant in those days, when it +was penal for a woman to be old, helpless, ugly, and poor. She was not +so fortunate as the females tried at York, nine years afterwards, for +bewitching the children of Edward Fairfax, of Fuyston, in the forest +of Knaresborough, to whom we owe the only English translation of Tasso +worthy of the name. These females, six in number, were indicted at two +successive assizes, and every effort was made by the + + "Prevailing poet! whose undoubting mind + Believed the magic wonders which he sung," + +to procure their conviction. Never was a more unequal contest. On the +one side was a relentless antagonist, armed with wealth, influence, +learning, and accomplishments, and whose family connections gave him +an unlimited power in the county; and on the other, six helpless +persons, whose sex, age, and poverty were almost sufficient for their +condemnation, without any evidence at all. Yet, owing to the +magnanimous firmness of the judge, whose name, deserving of immortal +honour, I regret has not been preserved, these efforts were +frustrated, and the women accused delivered from the gulph which +yawned before them. The disappointment he experienced in this +instance, in being defrauded, as he thought, of a conviction for +which he had strained every nerve and sinew, and in not being allowed +to render the forest of Knaresborough as famous as that of Pendle, +cast a gloom of despondency over the remaining days of this admirable +poet, who has left a narration of the whole transaction, of most +singular interest and curiosity, yet unpublished. The MSS. now in my +possession, and which came from Mr. Bright's collection, consists of +seventy-eight closely-written folio pages. It is entitled "A Discourse +of Witchcraft, as it was enacted in the family of Mr. Edward Fairfax, +of Fuystone, coun. Ebor, 1621." From page 78 to 144 are a series of +ninety-three most extraordinary and spirited sketches, made with the +pen, of the witches, devils, monsters, and apparitions referred to in +the narrative. + +Y 2 _a_. "_Master Heyber._"] This was Thomas Hayber, or Heber, of +Marton, in Craven, Esquire, who was buried at Marton, 7th February, +1633. He was the ancestor of Bishop Reginald Heber and the late +Richard Heber, Esq. + +Y 3 _a_. "_The said Iennet Preston comming to touch the dead corpes, +they bled fresh bloud presently._"] On the popular superstition of +touching the corpse of a murdered person, as an ordeal or test for the +discovery of the innocence or guilt of suspected murderers, the reader +cannot better be referred than to the very learned and elaborate essay +in Pitcairne's _Criminal Trials_, vol. iii. p. 182-189. Amongst the +authors there quoted, Webster is omitted, who, (see _Displaying of +supposed Witchcraft_, p. 304,) discusses the point at considerable +length, and with an earnest and implicit faith singularly at variance +with his enlightened scepticism in other matters. But there were +regions of superstition in which even this Sampson of logic became +imbecile and powerless. The rationale of the bleeding of a murdered +corpse at the touch of the murderer is given by Sir Kenelm Digby with +his usual force and spirit: + + To this cause, peradventure, may be reduced the strange + effect which is frequently seen in England, when, _at the + approach of the Murderer, the slain body suddenly bleedeth + afresh_. For certainly the Souls of them that are + treacherously murdered by surprise, use to leaue their + bodies with extreme unwillingness, and with vehement + indignation against them that force them to so unprovided + and abhorred a passage! That Soul, then, to wreak its evil + talent against the hated Murderer, and to draw a just and + desired revenge upon his head, would do all it can to + manifest the author of the fact! To _speak_ it cannot--for + in itself it wanteth the organs of voice; and those it is + parted from are now grown too heavy, and are too benummed, + for to give motion unto: Yet some change it desireth to + make in the body, which it hath so vehement inclination to; + and therefore is the aptest for it to work upon. It must + then endeavour to cause a motion in the subtilest and most + fluid parts (and consequently the most moveable ones) of it. + This can be nothing but THE BLOOD, which then being + violently moved, _must needs gush out at those places where + it findeth issue_! + +In the two following Scotch cases of witchcraft, this test was +resorted to. The first was that of + + MARIOUN PEEBLES,[79] _alias_ Pardone, spouse to SWENE, in + Hildiswick, who was, on March 22, 1644, sentenced to be + strangled at a stake, and burnt to ashes, at _the Hill of + Berrie_, for WITCHCRAFT and MURDER. Marion and her husband + having 'ane deadlie and venefical malice in her heart' + against Edward Halero in Overure, and being determined 'to + destroy and put him down,' being 'transformed in the lyknes + of ane pellack-quhaill, (the Devill changing her spirit, + quhilk fled in the same quhaill,') and the said Edward and + other four individuals being in a fishing-boat, coming from + the Sea, at the North-banks of Hildiswick, 'on ane fair + morning, did cum under the said boat, and overturnit her + with ease, and drowned and devoired thame in the sey, right + at the shore, when there wis na danger wtherwayis.' The + bodies of Halero and another of these hapless fishermen + having been found, Marion and Swene 'wir sent for, and + brought to see thame, and to lay thair hands on thame, ... + dayis after said death and away-casting, quhaire thair bluid + was evanished and desolved, from every natural cours or + caus, shine, and run; the said umquhill Edward _bled at the + collir-bain or craig-bane_, and the said ...,[80] _in the + hand and fingers, gushing out bluid thairat_, to the great + admiration of the beholders--and revelation of the judgement + of the Almytie! And by which lyk occasionis and miraculous + works of God, made manifest in Murders and the Murderers; + whereby, be many frequent occasiones brought to light, and + the Murderers, be the said proof brought to judgment, + conuict and condemned, not only in this Kingdom, also this + countrie, but lykwayis in maist forrin Christiane Kingdomis; + and be so manie frequent precedentis and practising of and + tuitching Murderis and Murdereris, notourlie known: So, the + forsaid Murder and Witchcraft of the saidis persons, with + the rest of their companions, through your said Husband's + deed, art, part, rad,[81] and counsall, is manifest and + cleir to all, not onlie through and by the foirsaid + precedentis of your malice, wicked and malishes[82] + practises, by Witchcraft, Confessionis, and Declarationis of + the said umquill Janet Fraser, Witch, revealed to her, as + said is, and quha wis desyrit by him to concur and assist + with you to the doing thereof; but lykways _be the + declaration and revelation of the justice and judgementis of + God, through the said issuing of bluid from the bodies_!' + &c. + + A similar and very remarkable instance is related in the + following Triall: In the Dittay of CHRISTIAN WILSON, alias + _the Lanthorne_,[83] accused of Murder, Witchcraft, &c., + (which is founded upon the examinations of James Wilson, + Abraham Macmillan, William Crichton, and Fyfe and George + Erskine, &c. led before Sir William Murray of Newtoun, and + other Commissioners, at Dalkeith, Jun. 14, 1661,) it is + stated, that 'Ther being enimitie betuixt the said + Christiane and Alexander Wilsone, her brother, and shoe + having often tymes threatned him, at length, about 7 or 8 + monthes since, altho' the said Alexander was sene that day + of his death, at three houres afternoone, in good health, + walking about his bussnesse and office; yitt, at fyve howres + in that same night, he was fownd dead, lying in his owne + howse, naked as he was borne, with his face torne and rent, + without any appearance of a spot of blood either wpon his + bodie or neigh to it. And altho' many of the neiboures in + the toune (Dalkeith) come into his howse to see the dead + corpe, yitt shoe newar offered to come, howbeit her dwelling + was nixt adjacent thairto; nor had shoe so much as any + seiming greiff for his death. Bot the Minister and + Bailliffes of the towne, taking great suspitione of her, in + respect of her cairiage comand it that shoe showld be + browght in; bot when shoe come, shoe come trembling all the + way to the howse--bot _shoe refuised to come nigh_ THE CORPS + _or to_ TUITCH _it_ saying, that shoe "nevir tuitched a dead + corpe in her lyfe!" Bot being arnestly desyred by the + Minister, Bailliffes, and hir brother's friends who was + killed, that shoe wold "bot _tuitch the corpes softlie_," + shoe granted to doe it--but before shoe did it, the Sone + being shyning in at the howse, shoe exprest her selfe thus, + humbly desyring, that "as the Lord made the Sone to shyne + and give light into that howse, that also _he wald give + light to discovering of that Murder_!" And with these words, + shoe TUITCHEING _the wound of the dead man, verie saftlie_, + it being whyte and cleane, without any spot of blod or the + lyke!--yitt IMEDIATLY, _whill her fingers was wpon it_, THE + BLOOD RUSHED OWT OF IT, to the great admiratioune[84] of all + the behoulders, who tooke it for _discoverie of the Murder_, + according to her owne prayers.--For ther was ane great lumpe + of flesh taken out of his cheik, so smowthlie, as no rasor + in the world cowld have made so ticht ane incisioune, wpon + flesh, or cheis--and ther wes no blood at all in the + wownd--nor did it at all blead, altho' that many persones + befor had tuitched it, whill[85] shoe did tuitche it! And + the howse being searched all over, for the shirt of the dead + man, yitt it cowld not be found; and altho' the howse was + full of people all that night, ever vatching the corpes;[86] + neither did any of them tuitch him that night--which is + probable[87]--yitt, in the morneing, his shirt was fownd + tyed fast abowt his neck, as a brechame,[88] non knowing how + this come to pass! And this Cristian did immediatlie + transport all her owne goods owt of her own howse into her + dowghter's, purposing to flie away--bot was therwpon + apprehendit and imprisoned.'--_Pitcairn's Criminal Trials_, + vol. iii. p. 194. + +[Footnote 79: See Dr. Hibbert's "History of Orkney," &c., to which +this remarkable Trial is appended.] + +[Footnote 80: The name left blank.] + +[Footnote 81: Rede; advice.] + +[Footnote 82: Malicious.] + +[Footnote 83: The name given at her baptism by the Devil. From +"Collection of Original Documents," belonging to the Society of +Antiquaries of Scotland, MS. As a specimen of the other charges, take +the following: "Williame Richardsone, in Dalkeith, haiving felled ane +hen of the said Cristianes with ane stone, and wpone her sight thereof +did imediatly threatne him, and with ane frowneing countenance told +him, that he 'should newer cast ane vther stone!' And imediatly the +said Williame fell into ane franicie and madnes, and tooke his bed, +and newer rose agane, but died within a few dayes: And in the tyme of +his sicknes, he always cryed owt, that the said Cristiane was present +befor him, in the likeness of ane grey catt! And some tyme eftir his +death, James Richardsone, nephew to the said Williame, being a boy +playing in the said Cristiane her yaird, and be calling her Lantherne, +shoe threatned, that, if he held not his peace, shoe sowld cause him +to die the death his nephew (uncle) died of!' Whairby it would appeare +that shoe tooke wpon hir his nepheas (uncle's) death."] + +[Footnote 84: Wonder; amazement.] + +[Footnote 85: Until. That is, many previous trials had been made of +other persons suspected, or of those who were near neighbours, perhaps +living at enmity with the deceased, who had voluntarily offered +themselves to this solemn ordeal, or had been called upon thus +publicly to attest their innocence of his blood.] + +[Footnote 86: Holding the lyke-wake.] + +[Footnote 87: Can be proved, by testimony or probation.] + +[Footnote 88: The large collar which goes about a draught-horse's +neck.] + +Z _a_. "_Master Leonard Lister._"] This Leonard Lister was the brother +of Master Thomas Lister, for whose murder Jennet Preston was indicted; +and married Ann, daughter of ---- Loftus, of Coverham Abbey, county of +York. + +Z 2 _a_. "_His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue the particular +circumstances._"] The judge in this case was Altham, who seems even to +have been more superstitious, bigotted, and narrow-minded than his +brother in commission, Bromley. Fenner, who tried the witches of +Warbois, and Archer, before whom the trial of Julian Cox took place, +are the only judges I can meet with, quite on a level with this +learned baron in grovelling absurdity, upon whom "Jennet Preston would +lay heavy at the time of his death," whether she had so lain upon Mr. +Thomas Lister or not, if bigotry, habit, and custom did not render him +seared and callous to conscience and pity. + +Z 3 _b_ 1. "_Take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute these hellish +Furies to their end._"] It is marvellous that Potts does not, like +Delrio, recommend the rack to be applied to witches "in moderation, +and according to the regulations of Pope Pius the Third, and so as not +to cripple the criminal for life." Not that this learned Jesuit is +much averse to simple dislocations occasioned by the rack. These, he +thinks, cannot be avoided in the press of business. He is rather +opposed, though in this he speaks doubtfully and with submission to +authority, to those tortures which fracture the bones or lacerate the +tendons. Verily, the Catholic and the Protestant author might have +shaken hands; they were, beyond dispute, _poene Gemelli_. + +Z 3 _b_ 2. "_Posterities._"] Master Potts, of the particulars of whose +life nothing is known, made, as far as can be discovered, no further +attempt to acquire fame in the character of an author. No subject so +interesting probably again occurred, as that which had diversified his +legal pursuits "in his lodgings in Chancery-lane," from the pleasing +recollections associated with his Summer Circuit of 1612. He was not, +however, the only person of the name of Pott, or Potts, who +distinguished himself in the field of Witchcraft. The author of the +following tract, in my possession, might have garnished it with +various flowers from the work now reprinted, if he had been aware of +such a repository: "Pott (Joh. Henr.) De nefando Lamiarum cum Diabolo +coitu." 4to. Lond. 1689. The other celebrated cases of supposed +witchcraft occurring in the county of Lancaster, besides those +connected with the foregoing republication, are, the extraordinary one +of Ferdinand, Earl of Derby, who died at Latham in 1594, for which the +reader is referred to Camden's _Annals of Elizabeth_, years 1593, +1594; Kennet, 2. 574, 580; or Pennant's _Tour from Downing to Alston +Moor_, p. 29;--the case of Edmund Hartley, hanged at Lancaster in +1597, for bewitching some members of the family of Mr. Starkie, of +Cleworth, which will be fully considered in the proposed republication +of the Chetham Society, which gives the history of that event;--and +lastly, that of a person of the name of Utley, (Whitaker, p. 528; +Baines, vol. i. p. 604,) who was hanged at Lancaster about 1630, for +having bewitched to death Richard, the son of Ralph Assheton, Esq., +Lord of Middleton, of whose trial, unfortunately, no report is in +existence. Webster also mentions two supposed witches as having been +put to death at Lancaster, within eighteen years before his +_Displaying of supposed Witchcraft_ was published; and which +occurrence, not referred to by any other historian, must therefore +have taken place about the year 1654. + + +Manchester: +Printed by Charles Simms and Co. + + * * * * * + +Chetham Society + +[Illustration] + +FOR THE PUBLICATION OF + +HISTORICAL AND LITERARY REMAINS + +CONNECTED WITH THE PALATINE COUNTIES OF + +LANCASTER & CHESTER. + + * * * * * + +Patrons. + +The Right Honourable The EARL OF DERBY. +The Right Honourable The EARL OF BALCARRES. +The Right Honourable The EARL OF WILTON. +The Right Honourable The EARL OF BURLINGTON. +The Right Honourable the EARL GROSVENOR. +The Right Honourable LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, M.P. +The Right Honourable LORD STANLEY. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF CHESTER. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF ELY. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF NORWICH. +The Right Reverend The Lord BISHOP OF CHICHESTER. +The Right Honourable LORD DELAMERE. +The Right Honourable LORD DE TABLEY. +The Right Honourable LORD SKELMERSDALE. +The Right Honourable SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART., M.P. +SIR PHILIP DE MALPAS GREY EGERTON, BART., M.P. +GEORGE CORNWALL LEGH, ESQ., M.P. +JOHN WILSON PATTEN, ESQ., M.P. + +Council. + +EDWARD HOLME, M.D., _President._ +Rev. RICHARD PARKINSON, B.D., Canon of Manchester, _Vice-President._ +The Hon. and Very Rev. WILLIAM HERBERT, Dean of Manchester. +GEORGE ORMEROD, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S. +SAM. HIBBERT WARE, M.D. F.R.S.E. +REV. THOMAS CORSER, M.A. +REV. GEORGE DUGARD, M.A. +REV. C.G. HULTON, M.A. +Rev. J. PICCOPE, M.A. +Rev. F.R. RAINES, M.A., F.S.A. +JAMES CROSSLEY. +JAMES HEYWOOD, F.R.S. + +_Treasurer._ +WILLIAM LANGTON. + +_Hon. Secretary._ +WILLIAM FLEMING, M.D. + + * * * * * + +RULES OF THE CHETHAM SOCIETY. + +1. That the Society shall be limited to three hundred and fifty +members. + +2. That the Society shall consist of members being subscribers of one +pound annually, such subscription to be paid in advance, on or before +the day of general meeting in each year. The first general meeting to +be held on the 23rd day of March, 1843, and the general meeting in +each year afterwards on the 1st day of March, unless it should fall on +a Sunday, when some other day is to be named by the Council. + +3. That the affairs of the Society be conducted by a Council, +consisting of a permanent President and Vice-President, and twelve +other members, including a Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom, with +the exception of the President and Vice-President, shall be elected at +the general meeting of the Society. + +4. That any member may compound for his future subscriptions, by the +payment of ten pounds. + +5. That the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Society be +audited annually, by three auditors, to be elected at the general +meeting; and that any member who shall be one year in arrear of his +subscription, shall no longer be considered as belonging to the +Society. + +6. That every member not in arrear of his annual subscription, be +entitled to a copy of each of the works published by the Society. + +7. That twenty copies of each work shall be allowed to the Editor of +the same, in addition to the one to which he may be entitled as a +member. + + * * * * * + +LIST OF MEMBERS + +FOR THE YEAR 1844. + +Ackers, James, M.P., Heath House, Ludlow +Addey, H.M., Liverpool +Ainsworth, Ralph F., M.D., Manchester +Ainsworth, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Hartford Hall, Cheshire +Ainsworth, W.H., Kensal Manor House, Harrow-road, London +Alexander, Edward N., F.S.A., Halifax +Allen, Rev. John Taylor, M.A., Stradbrooke Vicarage, Suffolk +Ambery, Charles, Manchester +Armstrong, Thomas, Higher Broughton, Manchester +Ashton, John, Warrington +Atherton, Miss, Kersal Cell, near Manchester +Atherton, James, Swinton House, near Manchester +Atkinson, F.R., Pendleton, near Manchester +Atkinson, William, Weaste, near Manchester + +Balcarres, The Earl of, Haigh Hall, near Wigan +Baldwin, Rev. John, M.A., Dalton, near Ulverstone +Bannerman, Alexander, Didsbury, near Manchester +Bannerman, Henry, Burnage, near Manchester +Bannerman, John, Swinton, near Manchester +Bardsley, Samuel Argent, M.D., Green Heys, near Manchester +Barker, John, Manchester +Barker, Thomas, Oldham +Barratt, James, Jun., Manchester +Barrow, Miss, Green Bank, near Manchester +Barrow, Rev. Andrew, President of Stonyhurst College, near Blackburn +Barrow, Peter, Manchester +Bartlemore, William, Castleton Hall, Rochdale +Barton, John, Manchester +Barton, R.W., Springwood, near Manchester +Barton, Samuel, Didsbury, Manchester +Barton, Thomas, Manchester +Bayne, Rev. Thos. Vere, M.A., Broughton, Manchester +Beamont, William, Warrington +Beard, Rev. John R., D.D., Stony Knolls, near Manchester +Beardoe, James, Manchester +Beever, James F., Manchester +Bellairs, Rev. H.W., M.A., London +Bentley, Rev. T.R., M.A., Manchester +Birley, Hugh Hornby, Broom House, near Manchester +Birley, Hugh, Didsbury, near Manchester +Birley, Richard, Manchester +Birley, Thos. H., Manchester +Bohn, Henry G., London +Booth, Benjamin W., Manchester +Booth, John, Barton-upon-Irwell +Booth, William, Manchester +Boothman, Thomas, Ardwick, near Manchester +Botfield, Beriah, M.P., Norton Hall, Northamptonshire +Bower, George, London +Brackenbury, Ralph, Manchester +Bradbury, Charles, Salford +Bradshaw, John, Weaste House, near Manchester +Brooke, Edward, Manchester +Brooks, Samuel, Manchester +Broome, William, Manchester +Brown, Robert, Preston +Buckley, Edmund, M.P., Ardwick, near Manchester +Buckley, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Old Trafford, near Manchester +Buckley, Nathaniel, F.L.S., Rochdale +Burlington, The Earl of, Holkar Hall + +Calvert, Robert, Salford +Cardwell, Rev. Edward, D.D., Principal of St. Alban's Hall and Camden + Professor, Oxford +Cardwell, Edward, M.P., M.A., Regent's Park, London +Chadwick, Elias, M.A., Swinton Hall, near Manchester +Chesshyre, Mrs., Pendleton, near Manchester +Chester, The Bishop of +Chichester, The Bishop of +Chippindall, John, Chetham Hill, near Manchester +Clare, Peter, F.R.A.S., Manchester +Clarke, George, Crumpsall, near Manchester +Clayton, Japheth, Pendleton, near Manchester +Clifton, Rev. R.C., M.A., Canon of Manchester +Consterdine, James, Manchester +Cook, Thomas, Gorse Field, Pendleton, near Manchester +Cooper, William, Manchester +Corser, George, Whitchurch, Shropshire +Corser, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Stand, near Manchester +Cottam, S.E., F.R.A.S., Manchester +Coulthart, John Ross, Ashton-under-Lyne +Crook, Thomas A., Rochdale +Cross, William Assheton, Redscar, near Preston +Crossley, George, Manchester +Crossley, James, Manchester +Crossley, John, M.A., Scaitcliffe House, Todmorden +Currer, Miss Richardson, Eshton Hall, near Skipton + +Daniel, George, Manchester +Darbishire, Samuel D., Manchester +Darwell, James, Manchester +Darwell, Thomas, Manchester +Davies, John, M.W.S., Manchester +Dawes, Matthew, F.G.S., Westbrooke, near Bolton +Dearden, James, The Orchard, Rochdale +Dearden, Thomas Ferrand, Rochdale +Delamere, The Lord, Vale Royal, near Northwich +Derby, The Earl of, Knowsley +Dilke, C.W., London +Dinham, Thomas, Manchester +Driver, Richard, Manchester +Dugard, Rev. George, M.A., Birch, near Manchester +Dyson, T.J., Tower, London + +Earle, Richard, Edenhurst, near Prescott +Eccles, William, Wigan +Egerton, The Lord Francis, M.P., Worsley Hall +Egerton, Sir Philip de Malpas Grey, Bart., M.P., Oulton Park, + Tarporley +Egerton, Wilbraham, Tatton Park +Ely, The Bishop of +Eyton, J.W.K., F.S.A. L. & E., Elgin Villa, Leamington + +Faulkner, George, Manchester +Feilden, Joseph, Witton, near Blackburn +Fenton, James, Jun., Lymm Hall, Cheshire +Fernley, John, Manchester +Ffarrington, J. Nowell, Worden, near Chorley +Ffrance, Thomas Robert Wilson, Rawcliffe Hall, Garstang +Fleming, Thomas, Pendleton, near Manchester +Fleming, William, M.D., Ditto +Fletcher, John, Haulgh, near Bolton +Fletcher, Samuel, Broomfield, near Manchester +Fletcher, Samuel, Ardwick, near Manchester +Flintoff, Thomas, Manchester +Ford, Henry, Manchester +Fraser, James W., Manchester +Frere, W.E., Rottingdean, Sussex + +Gardner, Thomas, Worcester College, Oxford +Garner, J.G., Manchester +Garnett, William James, Quernmore Park, Lancaster +Germon, Rev. Nicholas, M.A., High Master, Free Grammar School, + Manchester +Gibb, William, Manchester +Gladstone, Robertson, Liverpool +Gladstone, Robert, Withington, near Manchester +Gordon, Hunter, Manchester +Gould, John, Manchester +Grant, Daniel, Manchester +Grave, Joseph, Manchester +Gray, Benjamin, B.A., Trinity Coll. Cambridge +Gray, James, Manchester +Greaves, John, Irlam Hall, near Manchester +Greenall, G., Walton Hall, near Warrington +Grey, The Hon. William Booth +Grosvenor, The Earl +Grundy, George, Chetham Fold, near Manchester + +Hadfield, George, Manchester +Hailstone, Edward, F.S.A., Horton Hall, Bradford, Yorkshire +Hardman, Henry, Bury, Lancashire +Hardy, William, Manchester +Hargreaves, George J., Hulme, Manchester +Harland, John, Manchester +Harrison, William, Brearey, Isle of Man +Harter, James Collier, Broughton Hall, near Manchester +Harter, William, Hope Hall, near Manchester +Hately, Isaiah, Manchester +Hatton, James, Richmond House, near Manchester +Hawkins, Edward, F.R.S., F.S.A., F.L.S., British Museum, London +Heelis, Stephen, Manchester +Henshaw, William, Manchester +Herbert, Hon. and Very Rev. Wm., Dean of Manchester +Heron, Rev. George, M.A., Carrington, Cheshire +Heywood, Sir Benjamin, Bart., Claremont, near Manchester +Heywood, James, F.R.S., F.G.S., Acresfield, near Manchester +Heywood, John Pemberton, near Liverpool +Heywood, Thomas, F.S.A., Hope End, Ledbury, Herefordshire +Heywood, Thomas, Pendleton, near Manchester +Heyworth, Lawrence, Oakwood, near Stockport +Hibbert, Mrs., Salford +Hickson, Charles, Manchester +Hinde, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Winwick, Warrington +Hoare, G.M., The Lodge, Morden, Surrey +Hoare, P.R., Kelsey Park, Beckenham, Kent +Holden, Thomas, Summerfield, Bolton +Holden, Thomas, Rochdale +Holme, Edward, M.D., Manchester +Hughes, William, Old Trafford, near Manchester +Hulme, Davenport, M.D., Manchester +Hulme, Hamlet, Medlock Vale, Manchester +Hulton, Rev. A.H., M.A., Ashton-under-Lyne +Hulton, Rev. C.G., M.A., Chetham College, Manchester +Hulton, H.T., Manchester +Hulton, W.A., Preston +Hunter, Rev. Joseph, F.S.A., London + +Jackson, H.B., Manchester +Jackson, Joseph, Ardwick, near Manchester +Jacson, Charles R., Barton Lodge, Preston +James, Rev. J.G., M.A., Habergham Eaves, near Burnley +James, Paul Moon, Summerville, near Manchester +Jemmett, William Thomas, Manchester +Johnson, W.R., Manchester +Johnson, Rev. W.W., M.A., Manchester +Jones, Jos., Jun., Hathershaw, Oldham +Jones, W., Manchester +Jordan, Joseph, Manchester +Kay, James, Turton Tower, Bolton +Kay, Samuel, Manchester +Kelsall, Strettle, Manchester +Kendrick, James, M.D., F.L.S., Warrington +Kennedy, John, Ardwick House, near Manchester +Ker, George Portland, Salford +Kershaw, James, Green Heys, near Manchester +Kidd, Rev. W.J., M.A., Didsbury, near Manchester + +Langton, William, Manchester +Larden, Rev. G.E., M.A., Brotherton Vicarage, Yorkshire +Leeming, W.B., Salford +Legh, G. Cornwall, M.P., F.G.S., High Legh, Cheshire +Legh, Rev. Peter, M.A., Newton in Makerfield +Leigh, Rev. Edward Trafford, M.A., Cheadle, Cheshire +Leigh, Henry, Moorfield Cottage, Worsley +Leresche, J.H., Manchester +Lloyd, William Horton, F.S.A., L.S., Park-square, London +Lloyd, Edward Jeremiah, Oldfield House, Altringham +Lomas, Edward, Manchester +Lomax, Robert, Harwood, near Bolton +Love, Benjamin, Manchester +Lowndes, William, Egremont, Liverpool +Loyd, Edward, Green Hill, Manchester +Lycett, W.E., Manchester +Lyon, Edmund, M.D., Manchester +Lyon, Thomas, Appleton Hall, Warrington + +McClure, William, Peel Cottage, Eccles +McFarlane, John, Manchester +McKenzie, John Whitefoord, Edinburgh +McVicar, John, Manchester +Mann, Robert, Manchester +Marc, E.R. Le, School Lodge, Cheshire +Markland, J.H., F.R.S., F.S.A., Bath +Markland, Thomas, Mab Field, near Manchester +Marsden, G.E., Manchester +Marsden, William, Manchester +Marsh, John Fitchett, Warrington +Marshall, Miss, Ardwick, near Manchester +Marshall, William, Penwortham Hall, Preston +Marshall, Frederick Earnshaw, Ditto +Marshall, John, Ditto +Mason, Thomas, Copt Hewick, near Ripon +Master, Rev. Robert M., M.A., Burnley +Maude, Daniel, M.A., Salford +Millar, Thomas, Green Heys, near Manchester +Molyneux, Edward, Chetham Hill, Manchester +Monk, John, Manchester +Moore, John, F.L.S., Cornbrook, near Manchester +Mosley, Sir Oswald, Bart., Rolleston Hall, Staffordshire +Murray, James, Manchester + +Nield, William, Mayfield, Manchester +Nelson, George, Manchester +Neville, James, Beardwood, near Blackburn +Newall, Mrs. Robert, Littleborough, near Rochdale +Newall, W.N., Wellington Lodge, Littleborough +Newbery, Henry, Manchester +Nicholson, William, Thelwall Hall, Warrington +Norris, Edward, Manchester +Norwich, The Bishop of + +Ormerod, George, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S., Sedbury Park, + Gloucestershire +Ormerod, George Wareing, M.A., F.G.S., Manchester +Ormerod, Henry Mere, Manchester +Owen, John, Manchester + +Parkinson, Rev. Richard, B.D., Canon of Manchester +Patten, J. Wilson, M.P., Bank Hall, Warrington +Pedley, Rev. J.T., M.A., Peakirk-cum-Glinton, Market Deeping +Peel, Sir Robert, Bart., M.P., Drayton Manor +Peel, George, Brookfield, Cheadle +Peel, Joseph, Singleton Brook, near Manchester +Peet, Thomas, Manchester +Pegge, John, Newton Heath, near Manchester +Percival, Stanley, Liverpool +Philips, Mark, M.P., The Park, Manchester +Philippi, Frederick Theod., Belfield Hall, near Rochdale +Phillips, Shakspeare, Barlow Hall, near Manchester +Phillipps, Sir Thomas, Bart., Middle Hill, Worcestershire +Piccope, Rev. John, M.A., Farndon, Cheshire +Pickford, Thomas, Mayfield, Manchester +Pickford, Thomas E., Manchester +Pierpoint, Benjamin, Warrington +Pilkington, George, Manchester +Pilling, Charles R., Caius College, Cambridge +Plant, George, Manchester +Pooley, Edward, Manchester +Pooley, John, Hulme, near Manchester +Porrett, Robert, Tower, London +Prescott, J.C., Summerville, near Manchester +Price, John Thomas, Manchester + +Radford, Thomas, M.D., Higher Broughton, near Manchester +Raffles, Rev. Thomas, D.D., LL.D., Liverpool +Raikes, Rev. Henry, M.A., Hon. Can., and Chancellor of Chester +Raines, Rev. F.R., M.A., F.S.A., Milnrow Parsonage, Rochdale +Reiss, Leopold, High Field, near Manchester +Rickards, Charles H., Manchester +Ridgway, Mrs., Ridgemont, near Bolton +Ridgway, John Withenshaw, Manchester +Robson, John, Warrington +Roberts, W.J., Liverpool +Roby, John, M.R.S.L., Rochdale +Royds, Albert Hudson, Rochdale + +Samuels, John, Manchester +Sattersfield, Joshua, Manchester +Scholes, Thomas Seddon, High Bank, near Manchester +Schuster, Leo, Weaste, near Manchester +Sharp, John, Lancaster +Sharp, Robert C., Bramall Hall, Cheshire +Sharp, Thomas B., Manchester +Sharp, William, Lancaster +Sharp, William, London +Simms, Charles S., Manchester +Simms, George, Manchester +Skaife, John, Blackburn +Skelmersdale, The Lord, Lathom House +Smith, Rev. Jeremiah, D.D., Leamington +Smith, Junius, Strangeways Hall, Manchester +Smith, J.R., Old Compton-street, London +Sowler, R.S., Manchester +Sowler, Thomas, Manchester +Spear, John, Manchester +Standish, W.J., Duxbury Hall, Chorley +Stanley, The Lord, Knowsley +Sudlow, John, Jun., Manchester +Swain, Charles, M.R.S.L., Cheetwood Priory, near Manchester +Swanwick, Josh. W., Hollins Vale, Bury, Lancashire + +Tabley, The Lord De, Tabley, Cheshire +Tattershall, Rev. Thomas, D.D., Liverpool +Tatton, Thos., Withenshaw, Cheshire +Tayler, Rev. John James, B.A., Manchester +Taylor, Thomas Frederick, Wigan +Teale, Josh., Salford +Thomson, James, Manchester +Thorley, George, Manchester +Thorpe, Robert, Manchester +Tobin, Rev. John, M.A., Liscard, Cheshire +Townend, John, Polygon, Manchester +Townend, Thomas, Polygon, Manchester +Turnbull, W.B., D.D., Edinburgh +Turner, Samuel, F.R.S, F.S.A., F.G.S., Liverpool +Turner, Thomas, Manchester + +Vitre, Edward Denis De, M.D., Lancaster + +Walker, John, Weaste, near Manchester +Walker, Samuel, Prospect Hill, Pendleton +Wanklyn, J.B., Salford +Wanklyn, James H., Crumpsall House, near Manchester +Warburton, R.E.E., Arley Hall, near Northwich +Ware, Samuel Hibbert, M.D., F.R.S.E., Edinburgh +Wareing, Ralph, Manchester +Westhead, Joshua P., Manchester +Whitehead, James, Manchester +Whitelegg, Rev. William, M.A., Hulme, near Manchester +Whitmore, Edward, Jun., Manchester +Whitmore, Henry, Manchester +Wilson, William James, Manchester +Wilton, The Earl of, Heaton House +Winter, Gilbert, Stocks, near Manchester +Worthington, Edward, Manchester +Wray, Rev. Cecil Daniel, M.A., Canon of Manchester +Wright, Rev. Henry, M.A., Mottram, St. Andrew's, near Macclesfield +Wroe, Thomas, Manchester + +Yates, Joseph B., West Dingle, Liverpool +Yates, Richard, Manchester + + * * * * * + +WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE CHETHAM SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1843. + +Brereton's Travels. + +The Lancashire Civil War Tracts. + +Chester's Triumph in Honor of her Prince. + + * * * * * + +WORKS IN THE PRESS. + +Pott's Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster, from the +edition of 1613. + +The Life of the Rev. Adam Martindale, Vicar of Rostherne, in Cheshire, +from the MS. in the British Museum. (4239 Ascough's Catalogue.) + +Dee's Compendious Rehearsal, and other Autobiographical Tracts, not +included in the recent Publication of the Camden Society edited by Mr. +Halliwell, with his Collected correspondence. + +Iter Lancastrense, by Dr. Richard James; an English Poem, written in +1636, containing a Metrical Account of some of the Principal Families +and Mansions in Lancashire; from the unpublished MS. in the Bodleian +Library, Oxford. + + * * * * * + +WORKS SUGGESTED FOR PUBLICATION. + +Selections from the Unpublished Correspondence of the Rev. John +Whittaker, Author of the History of Manchester, and other Works. + +More's (George) Discourse concerning the Possession and Dispossession +of Seven Persons in one Family in Lancashire, from a Manuscript +formerly belonging to Thoresby, and which gives a much fuller Account +of that Transaction than the Printed Tract of 1600; with a +Bibliographical and Critical Review of the Tracts in the Darrel +Controversy. + +A Selection of the most Curious Papers and Tracts relating to the +Pretender's Stay in Manchester in 1745, in Print and Manuscript. + +Proceedings of the Presbyterian Classis of Manchester and the +Neighbourhood, from 1646 to 1660, from an Unpublished Manuscript. + +Catalogue of the Alchemical Library of John Webster, of Clitheroe, +from a Manuscript in the Rev. T. Corser's possession; with a fuller +Life of him, and List of his Works, than has yet appeared. + +Correspondence between Samuel Hartlib (the Friend of Milton), and Dr. +Worthington, of Jesus College, Cambridge (a native of Manchester), +from 1655 to 1661, on various Literary Subjects. + +"Antiquities concerning Cheshire," by Randall Minshull, written A.D. +1591, from a MS. in the Gough Collection. + +Register of the Lancaster Priory, from a MS. (No. 3764) in the +Harleian Collection. + +Selections from the Visitations of Lancashire in 1533, 1567, and 1613, +in the Herald's College, British Museum, Bodleian, and Caius College +Libraries. + +Selections from Dodsworth's MSS. in the Bodleian Library, Randal +Holmes's Collections for Lancashire and Cheshire (MSS. Harleian), and +Warburton's Collections for Cheshire (MSS. Lansdown). + +Annales Cestrienses, or Chronicle of St. Werburgh, from the MS. in the +British Museum. + +A Reprint of Henry Bradshaw's Life and History of St. Werburgh, from +the very rare 4to of 1521, printed by Pynson. + +The Letters and Correspondence of Sir William Brereton, from the +original MSS., in 5 vols. folio, in the British Museum. + +A Poem, by Laurence Bostock, on the subject of the Saxon and Norman +Earls of Chester. + +Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Cestriensis, on the subject of the +Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Diocese of Chester, from the +original MS. + +History of the Earldom of Chester, collected by Archbishop Parker, +entitled De Successione Comitum Cestriae a Hugone Lupo ad Johannem +Scoticum, from the original MS. in Ben'et College Library, Cambridge. + +Volume of Funeral Certificates of Lancashire and Cheshire. + +Volume of Early Lancashire and Cheshire Wills. + +A Selection of Papers relating to the Rebellion of 1715, including +Clarke's Journal of the March of the Rebels from Carlisle to Preston. + +A Memoir of the Chetham Family, from original documents. + +The Diary of the Rev. Henry Newcome, M.A., from the original MS. in +the possession of his descendant, the Rev. Thomas Newcome, M.A., +Rector of Shenley, Herts. + +Lucianus Monacus de laude Cestrie, a Latin MS. of the 13th century, +descriptive of the walls, gates, &c., of the City of Chester, formerly +belonging to Thomas Allen, DD., and now in the Bodleian Library, +Oxford. + +Richard Robinson's Golden Mirrour, Bk. lett. 4to. Lond., 1580. +Containing Poems on the Etymology of the names of several Cheshire +Families; from the exceedingly rare copy formerly in the collection of +Richard Heber, Esq., (see Cat. pt. iv. 2413,) and now in the British +Museum. + +A volume of the early Ballad Poetry of Lancashire. + +The Coucher Book of Whalley Abbey. + +[Illustration] + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOVERY OF WITCHES*** + + +******* This file should be named 18253.txt or 18253.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/2/5/18253 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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