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 together, 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 [Page] this Examinate, to call him by the name of Fan­cie; 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; 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 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 [Page] 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.

And this Examinate further sayth, that she thinketh the sayd Loomeshaws wife, and lane 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 [Page] 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, 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; 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 Anne Whittle taking a Dish or Cup, and drawing drinke seuerall times: [Page] 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, 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 [Page] 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 this 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 NOVVEL, 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.

After which time that this Examinate had vsed these prayers, and amended her drinke, the said Moeres 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 shee perceiuing An­thonie Nutter of Pendle to fauour Elizabeth Sothernes, alias Dembdike, 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. And the last time of all shee, this Examinate, saw him, was vpon [Page] 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, sonne of ELIZABETH DEVICE, taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill, Anno (que) Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae, &c. Decimo ac Scotiae xlv. Before ROGER NOVVEL 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 foureteeth now shewed to this Examinate, are the foureteeth 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 [Page] 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, Anno (que) Reg. Regis IACOBI nunc Angliae, &c. Decimo, & Scotiae Quadragesimo quinto. Before ROGER NOVVEL 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, 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; [Page] did couenant with the said Anne, that if she would hurt neither of them, she should yearely haue one Agh­en-dole of meale; 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: and not long after, shee this Exa­minate heard the said Chattox say, that she would meet with the said Iohn Moore, or his. 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 [Page] 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 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, 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 [Page] 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.

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, 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 [Page] 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, 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 [Page] 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 [Page] shee hath 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 she 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 Swyre: 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 said Ball, 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 of Aprill, Anno (que) Reg. Re­gis IACOBI Angliae, &c. Decimo as Scociae, xlv. Before ROGER NOVVEL 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 ago, 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 Examinates, 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 [Page] 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 in 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 vp 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 the 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, Anno (que) Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae, &c. De­cimo, & Scotiae Quadragesimo quinto. Before ROGER NOVVEL 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 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 Galoer, 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 (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: and the names [Page] 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. The second was, for the deliuerie of his said Grandmother, olde Dembdike; this Examinates said sister Allizon; the said [Page] 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, Executed at Yorke the last Assises. 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.

[Page]And here they parted, with resolution to execute their deuillish and bloudie practices, 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 cryed 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.

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, Anno (que), 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 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

[Page] 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 [Page] 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. 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.

[Page]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 Grand­mother, 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.

[Page] 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.

[Page]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 vina 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 NOVVEL 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, Redfernes; 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 [Page] 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 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 Mould­heeles 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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, [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] 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 [Page] 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.

[Page]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.

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 these hellish and diuellish band of Witches, (the like whereof hath not been heard of) then hath been 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 nor but therein I haue satisfied your expectation at large, wherein I haue beene very sparing to charge him with anything, 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 [Page] 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 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. viz.

The Examination and Euidence of GRACE SOVVERBVTTS, daughter of THOMAS SOVVERBVTTS, of Salmesbury, in the Countie of Lancaster Husband-man, vpon her Oath, Against IENNET BIERLEY, ELLEN BIERLEY, and IANE SOVTHVVORTH, 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 dwel­leth, 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: 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, [Page] 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 afterwards 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, 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 [Page] 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 a­bed, 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 [Page] where the said Walshman and his wife lay, & from thence brought a little child, 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 she 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 and 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, that thereby they might sometimes change themselues into other shapes. And after all this being done, they said they [Page] 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 [...]oure 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 black 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 [Page] and did carrie her into the loft, and there did lay her vp­on 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 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.

[Page]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 [Page] 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 Examination of GRACE SOWER­BVTS, of Salmesburie, in the Countie of Lancaster, Spin­ster: Taken vpon Wednesday the 19. of August 1612. Anno (que) 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.

[Page]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.

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. Anno (que) 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.

[Page] 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.

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 NOVVEL 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? [Page] 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 NOVVEL 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 [Page] 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 Maudlint [...]de 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 NOVVEL Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iusti­ces of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster.

THis Examinate, sworne & 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 [Page] 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, 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 back againe, some ten Roods off them there appeared vnto him this Examinate a thing like a Hare, which spit fire at him this Exami­nate.

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 NOVVEL 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, 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 NOVVEL and NICHOLAS BANE­TER, 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 day 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 [Page] 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 vpō 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.

[Page]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, 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? she alledged, she knew no such womā to be there, neither did she euer heare her name.

[Page]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 anything, euen in Articulo Mortis: which was a very fearefull thing to all that were present, who knew shee was guiltie.

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, & 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: And also said, that they had then in hanck a child 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 [Page] 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 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 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 Alice Gray, did confesse, they had kil­led [Page] a child of Foulds of Colne, called Anne Foulds, and had gotten hold of an other.

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, where of 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, [Page] 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 Examination of IAMES DEVICE taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill aforesaid. Before ROGER NOVVEL 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 [Page] 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 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 [Page] 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 NOVVEL 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.

And shee further saith, That at the said meeting at Malking-Tower, as aforesaid, Katherine Hewit 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; 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 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 she 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 remaine 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 [Page] 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 for­tic 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 LAVV, 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.

[Page]Hereupon Master Nowel standing vp, humbly prayed the fauour of the Court, in respect this Fact of Witch­craft was more eminent and apparant then the rest, that for the better satisfaction of the Audience, the Exami­nation of Abraham Law might be read in Court.

The Examination of ABRAHAM LAVV, of Hallifax, in the Countie of Yorke, Cloth-dier, taken vpon oath the thirtieth day of March, 1612. Before ROGER NOVVEL, 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 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 [Page] 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 & 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 did aske this Examinates said Father for­giuenesse vpon her knees for the same; whereupon this Examinaes 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 Deuilish 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, [Page] 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 some­thing 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 NOVVEL 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 vp their Verdict against them, as followeth.

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; 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, [Page] 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. ⸫

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 [Page] whereupon this Examinate 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, 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 [Page] 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, and the wife of the said Peter then said, to abide vpon it, 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 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.

[Page]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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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 day of May, Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI Angliae, &c. Decimo, ac Scociae quadragesimo quinto. Before ROGER NOVVEL, 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 NOVVELL 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 NOVVEL 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.

[Page]AFter all these Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence, deliuered in open Court against her, His Lordship commanded the Iurie to ob­serue the particular circumstances; 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. ⸫