Discovery of Witches Part 10

ELIZABETH DEVICE, _his Mother, prisoner at the Barre, vpon her Arraignement and Triall_, viz.

The said _Iames Deuice_ saith, That on Good-Friday last, about twelue of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this Examinates said mothers house, at Malking-Tower, a number of persons, whereof three were men, with this Examinate, and the rest women; and that they met there for three causes following (as this Examinates said mother told this Examinate) The first was, for the naming of the Spirit, which _Alizon Deuice_, now prisoner at Lancaster, had: But did not name him, because shee was not there.[G4_a_] The second was, for the deliuerie of his said Grandmother, olde _Dembdike_; this Examinates said sister _Allizon_; the said _Anne Chattox_, and her daughter _Redferne_; killing the Gaoler at Lancaster; and before the next a.s.sises 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 Bulc.o.c.k_, of the Mosse end, and _Iohn_ her sonne; the mother of _Myles Nutter_; _Elizabeth_, the wife of _Christopher Hargreiues_, of Thurniholme; _Christopher Howgate_, and _Elizabeth_, his wife; _Alice Graye_ of Coulne, and one _Mould-heeles_ wife, of the same: and this Examinate, and his Mother. And this Examinate further sayth, That all the Witches went out of the said House in their owne shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of the dores, gotten on Horsebacke, like vnto Foales, some of one colour, some of another; and _Prestons_ wife was the last: and when shee got on Horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this Examinates sight. And before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete at the said _Prestons_ wiues [Sidenote: _Executed at Yorke the last a.s.sises._] house that day twelue-moneths; at which time the said _Prestons_ wife promised to make them a great Feast. And if they had occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be giuen, that they all should meete vpon _Romleyes_ Moore.[G4_b_]

And there they parted, with resolution to execute their deuillish and bloudie practises, for the deliuerance of their friends, vntill they came to meete here, where their power and strength was gone. And now finding her Meanes was gone, shee cried out for Mercie. Whereupon shee being taken away, the next in order was her sonne _Iames Deuice_, whom shee and her Mother, old _Dembdike_, brought to act his part in this wofull Tragedie.

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THE ARRAIGNMENT _and Triall of_ IAMES DEVICE, _Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle, within the Countie of Lancaster aforesaid, Laborer, for Witchcraft; Vpon Tuesday the eighteenth of August, at the a.s.sises and generall Gaole-Deliuerie holden at Lancaster_

Before

_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties Iustices of a.s.sise at Lancaster._

_James Deuice._

This wicked and miserable Wretch, whether by practise, or meanes, to bring himselfe to some vntimely death, and thereby to auoide his Tryall by his Countrey, and iust iudgement of the Law; or ashamed to bee openly charged with so many deuillish practises, and so much innocent bloud as hee had spilt; or by reason of his Imprisonment so long time before his Tryall (which was with more fauour, commiseration, and reliefe then hee deserued) I know not: But being brought forth to the Barre, to receiue his Triall before this worthie Iudge, and so Honourable and Worshipfull an a.s.sembly of Iustices for this seruice, was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp[H2_a_1]

when hee was brought to the place of his Arraignement, to receiue his triall.

This _Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle, being brought to the Barre, was there according to the forme, order, and course, Indicted and Arraigned; for that hee Felloniously had practised, vsed, and exercised diuers wicked and deuillish Arts, called _Witch-crafts_, _Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Anne Towneley_, wife of _Henrie Towneley_ of the Carre,[H2_a_2] in the Countie of Lancaster Gentleman, and her by force of the same, felloniously had killed. _Contra pacem, &c._

The said _Iames Deuice_ was the second time Indicted and Arraigned in the same manner and forme, for the death of _Iohn Duckworth_, by witch-craft. _Contra pacem, &c._

To these two seuerall Indictments vpon his Arraignment, he pleaded not guiltie, and for the triall of his life put himselfe vpon G.o.d and his Countrie.

So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged to finde, whether he be guiltie of these, or either of them.

Whereupon Master _Nowel_ humbly prayed Master _Towneley_ might be called,[H2_a_3] who attended to prosecute and giue euidence against him for the King's Majestie, and that the particular Examinations taken before him and others, might be openly published & read in Court,[H2_a_4] in the hearing of the Prisoner.

But because it were infinite to bring him to his particular Triall for euery offence, which hee hath committed in his time, and euery practice wherein he hath had his hand: I shall proceede in order with the Euidence remayning vpon Record against him, amongst the Records of the Crowne; both how, and in what sort hee came to be a witch: and shew you what apparant proofe there is to charge him with the death of these two seuerall persons, for the which hee now standeth vpon his triall for al the rest of his deuillish practises, incantantions, murders, charmes, sorceries, meetings to consult with Witches, to execute mischiefe (take them as they are against him vpon Record:) Enough, I doubt not. For these with the course of his life will serue his turne to deliuer you from the danger of him that neuer tooke felicitie in any things, but in reuenge, bloud, & mischiefe with crying out vnto G.o.d for vengeance; which hath now at the length brought him to the place where hee standes to receiue his Triall with more honor, fauour, and respect, then such a Monster in Nature doth deserue; And I doubt not, but in due time by the Iustice of the Law, to an vntimely and shamefull death.

_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, _sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, Labourer. Taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill, Annoq; Reg. Regis_ IACOBI, _Angliae, &c._ x^o. _& Scotiae Quadragesimo quinto._

Before

ROGER NOWEL, _and_ NICHOLAS BANNESTER, _Esquires: two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said Countie._

He saith, that vpon Sheare Thursday[H3_a_] was two yeares, his Grand-Mother _Elizabeth Sothernes_, alias _Dembdike_, did bid him this Examinate goe to the Church to receiue the Communion (the next day after being Good Friday) and then not to eate the Bread the Minister gaue him, but to bring it and deliuer it to such a thing as should meet him in his way homewards: Notwithstanding her perswasions, this Examinate did eate the Bread: and so in his comming homeward some fortie roodes off the said Church, there met him a thing in the shape of a Hare, who spoke vnto this Examinate, and asked him whether hee had brought the Bread that his Grand-mother had bidden him, or no?

whereupon this Examinate answered, hee had not: and thereupon the said thing threatned to pull this Examinate in peeces, and so this Examinate thereupon marked himselfe to G.o.d, and so the said thing vanished out of this Examinates sight. And within some foure daies after that, there appeared in this Examinates sight, hard by the new Church in Pendle, a thing like vnto a browne _Dogge_, who asked this Examinate to giue him his Soule, and he should be reuenged of any whom hee would: whereunto this Examinate answered, that his Soule was not his to giue, but was his _Sauiour Iesus Christs_, but as much as was in him this Examinate to giue, he was contented he should haue it.

And within two or three daies after, this Examinate went to the Carre-Hall, and vpon some speeches betwixt Mistris _Towneley_ and this Examinate; Shee charging this Examinate and his said mother, to haue stolne some Turues of hers, badde him packe the doores: and withall as he went forth of the doore, the said Mistris _Towneley_ gaue him a knock betweene the shoulders: and about a day or two after that, there appeared vnto this Examinate in his way, a thing like vnto a black dog, who put this Examinate in minde of the said Mistris _Towneleyes_ falling out with him this Examinate; who bad this Examinate make a Picture of Clay, like vnto the said Mistris _Towneley_: and that this Examinate with the helpe of his Spirit (who then euer after bidde this Examinate to call it _Dandy_) would kill or destroy the said Mistris _Towneley_: and so the said dogge vanished out of this Examinates sight. And the next morning after, this Examinate tooke Clay, and made a Picture of the said Mistris _Towneley_, and dried it the same night by the fire: and within a day after, hee, this Examinate began to crumble the said Picture, euery day some, for the s.p.a.ce of a weeke: and within two daies after all was crumbled away; the said Mistris _Towneley_ died.

And hee further saith, That in Lent last one _Iohn Duckworth_ of the Lawnde, promised this Examinate an old shirt: and within a fortnight after, this Examinate went to the said _Duckworthes_ house, and demanded the said old shirt: but the said _Duckworth_ denied him thereof. And going out of the said house, the said Spirit _Dandy_ appeared vnto this Examinate, and said, Thou didst touch the said _Duckworth_; whereunto this Examinate answered, he did not touch him: yes (said the Spirit againe) thou didst touch him, and therfore I haue power of him: whereupon this Examinate ioyned with the said Spirit, and then wished the said Spirit to kill the said _Duckworth_: and within one weeke, then next after, _Duckworth_ died.

This voluntary Confession and Examination of his owne, containing in it selfe matter sufficient in Law to charge him, and to proue his offences, contained in the two seuerall Indictments, was sufficient to satisfie the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death, that he is guiltie of them, and either of them: yet my Lord _Bromley_ commanded, for their better satisfaction, that the Witnesses present in Court against any of the Prisoners, should be examined openly, _viua voce_, that the Prisoner might both heare and answere to euery particular point of their Euidence; notwithstanding any of their Examinations taken before any of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the said Countie.

Herein do but obserue the wonderfull work of G.o.d; to raise vp a young Infant, the very sister of the Prisoner, _Iennet Deuice_, to discouer, iustifie and proue these things against him, at the time of his Arraignement and Triall, as hereafter followeth. _viz._

_The Examination and Euidence of_ IENNET DEVICE _daughter of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _late wife of_ IOHN DEVICE _of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster._

Against

IAMES DEVICE, _Prisoner at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement and Triall._ viz.

Being examined in open Court, she saith, That her brother _Iames Device_, the Prisoner at the Barre, hath beene a Witch for the s.p.a.ce of three yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared vnto him, in this Examinates mothers house, a Black-Dogge, which [Sidenote: _Dandy._] her said brother called _Dandy_. And further, this Examinate confesseth, & saith: That her said brother about a twelue month since, in the presence of this Examinate, and in the house aforesaid, called for the said _Dandy_, who thereupon appeared: asking this Examinates brother what he would haue him to doe. This Examinates brother then said, he would haue him to helpe him to kill old Mistris _Towneley_ of the Carre: whereunto the said _Dandy_ answered, and said, That her said brother should haue his best helpe for the doing of the same; and that her said brother, and the said _Dandy_, did both in this Examinates hearing, say, they would make away the said Mistris _Towneley_. And about a weeke after, this Examinate comming to the Carre-Hall, saw the said Mistris _Towneley_ in the Kitchin there, nothing well: whereupon it came into this Examinates minde, that her said brother, by the help of _Dandy_, had brought the said Mistris _Towneley_ into the state she then was in.

Which Examinat, although she were but very yong, yet it was wonderfull to the Court, in so great a Presence and Audience, with what modestie, gouernement, and vnderstanding, shee deliuered this Euidence against the Prisoner at the Barre, being her owne naturall brother, which he himselfe could not deny, but there acknowledged in euery particular to be iust and true.

But behold a little further, for here this bloudy Monster did not stay his hands: for besides his wicked and diuellish Spels, practises, meetings to consult of murder and mischiefe, which (by G.o.ds grace) hereafter shall follow in order against him; there is yet more bloud to be laid vnto his charge. For although he were but yong, and in the beginning of his Time, yet was he carefull to obserue his Instructions from _Old Demdike_ his Grand-mother, and _Elizabeth Deuice_ his mother, in so much that no time should pa.s.se since his first entrance into that d.a.m.nable 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 G.o.d and his Countrey, &c.

_Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle aforesaid, in the County of Lancaster, Labourer, the fourth time Indicted and Arraigned for the death of _Blaze Hargreues_ of Higham, in the Countie of Lancaster, by Witchcraft, as aforesaid. _Contra Pacem_, &c.

To this Indictment vpon his Arraignement, he pleaded thereunto not guiltie; and for the Triall of his life, put himselfe vpon G.o.d 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 s.p.a.ce of three yeares: about the beginning of which time, there appeared vnto him, in this Examinates mothers house, a Blacke-Dogge, which her said brother called _Dandy_, which _Dandy_ did aske her said brother what he would haue him to doe, whereunto he answered, hee would haue him to kill _Iohn Hargreiues_, of Gold-shey-booth: whereunto _Dandy_ answered that he would doe it: since which time the said _Iohn_ is dead.

And at another time this Examinate confesseth and saith, That her said brother did call the said _Dandy_: who thereupon appeared in the said house, asking this Examinates brother what hee would haue him to doe: whereupon this Examinates said brother said, he would haue him to kill _Blaze Hargreiues_ of Higham: whereupon _Dandy_ answered, hee should haue his best helpe, and so vanished away: and shee saith, that since that time the said _Hargreiues_ is dead; but how long after, this Examinate doth not now remember.

All which things, when he heard his sister vpon her Oath affirme, knowing them in his conscience to bee iust and true, slenderly denyed them, and thereupon insisted.

To this Examination were diuerse witnesses examined in open Court _viua voce_, concerning the death of the parties, in such manner and forme, and at such time as the said _Iennet Deuice_ in her Euidence hath formerly declared to the Court.

Which is all, and I doubt not but matter sufficient in Law to charge him with, for the death of these parties.

For the proofe of his Practises, Charmes, Meetings at Malking-Tower, to consult with Witches to execute mischiefe, Master _Nowel_ humbly prayed, his owne Examination, taken and certified, might openly be read; and the rest in order, as they remaine vpon Record amongst the Records of the Crowne at Lancaster: as hereafter followeth, _viz._

_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE, _Sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of Pendle: Taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill aforesaid_,