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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A09875	The vvonderfull discouerie of witches in the countie of Lancaster VVith the arraignement and triall of nineteene notorious witches, at the assizes and general 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 Exchequer: 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.	Potts, Thomas, fl. 1612-1618.; Bromley, Edward, Sir.	1613 (1613)	STC 20138; ESTC S114979	74,814	196

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 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. Annoque Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Fidei Defensoris c. decimo Scotiae xlvi Before WILLIAM LEICH 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 ✚ 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. Annoque 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 Grandchild 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 wherunto 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 ✚ Iennet Bierley Signum £ Iane Southworth Signum Θ 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 consundantur 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 THE ARRAIGNMENT and Triall of ANNE REDFERNE 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 EDVVARD 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

Da ueniam Ignoto non displicuisse meretur Festinat studijs qui placuisse tibi 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 EDVVARD 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 LONDON Printed by W. STANSBY for IOHN BARNES and are to be sold at his Shoppe neere Holborne Conduit 1612. 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 Conuiction of her with her offences for which she was condemned and executed And a though 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 afterwardes 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 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 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 vtter 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 pray 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

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 bed 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 young 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 any thing 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 SOVTHVVORTH 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 Esquire one of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the County of Lancaster Against IENNET BIERLEY ELLEN BIERLEY and IANE SOVTHVVORTH which hereafter followeth THe said Examinate vpon his oath saith That hee hath often heard his old Master Sir Iohn Southworth 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 Withcraft 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 accusatiō brought to this perfection by the great care and paines of this officious Doctor Master Tompson or Southworth who commonly worketh vpon the Feminine disposition being more Passiue then Actiue The particular points of the Euidence of GRACE SOVVERBVTTS 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

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. Peters 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 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 Annoque 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 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 brough before M. Nowell and M. Bauester 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 deliueraunce 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 Euidence 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 alias Old Demdike Who dyed before shee 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 Iaue Bulcocke Alizon Deuice Daughter of Elizabeth Deuice Isabell Robey Margaret Pearson The Witches of Salmesbury Iennet Bierley Elen Bierley Iane Southworth Iohn Ramesden Elizabeth Astley Alice Gray Isabell Sidegraues Lawrence Haye The next day being Monday the 17. of August were the Assises holden in the Castle of Lancaster as followeth PLACITA CORONE 〈◊〉 Lancasterium DEliberatio Gaolae Domini Regis Castri sui Lancastrii ac Prisonariorū in eadem existent Tenta apud Lancasterium in com Lancasterij Die Lunae Decimo septimo die Augusti Anno Regni Domini nostri Iacobi dei gratia Angliae 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 Barono eiusdem Scaccarij Domini Regis ac Iustic Domini Regis apud Lancastr VPon the Tewesday in the after noone the Iudges according to the course and order deuided them selues wherevpon my Lord Bromley one of his Maiestices 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 proceed to the Arraignement and Tryall of VVitches 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 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 was brought to the Barre against whom wee are now ready to proceed 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

his Countrie So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life 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 who attended to prosecute and giue euidence against him for the Kings Majestie and that the particular Examinations taken before him and others might be openly published read in Court 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 incantations 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 Annoque Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae c. xo. 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 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 itselfe 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 Iury 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 same Countie Herein do but obserue the wonderfull work of God to raise vp a yong Infant the very sister of the Prisonr 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 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 Deuice 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 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

forhead And he also saith That the names of the said Witches as were on Good-Friday at this Examinates said Grandmothers 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 Grandmothers 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 Dinnors 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 Thorne-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 〈◊〉 confesseth But denieth that any talke was amongst 〈◊〉 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 this 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 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 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 What is yonder that casts a light so farrandly Mine owne deare Sonne that 's naild to the Tree He is naild sore by the heart and hand And holy barne 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

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 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 lyes 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 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 Majesties 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 NOVVEL 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 Gisburne 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 vnto 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 she 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 horsebacke 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 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