Discovery of Witches Part 7

But heere they had not stayed a weeke, when their Children and Friendes being abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at _Malking Tower_ in the Forrest of _Pendle_,[C3_a_] vpon Good-fryday, within a weeke after they were committed, of all the most dangerous, wicked, and d.a.m.nable Witches in the County farre and neere. Vpon Good-fryday they met, according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized this great Feastiuall day according to their former order, with great cheare, merry company, and much conference.

In the end, in this great a.s.semblie, it was decreed M. _Couell_ by reason of his Office, shall be slaine before the next a.s.sises: The Castle of _Lancaster_ to be blowen vp, and ayde and a.s.sistance to be sent to kill M. _Lister_, with his old Enemie and wicked Neighbour _Iennet Preston_; with some other such like practices: as vpon their Arraignement and Tryall, are particularly set foorth, and giuen in euidence against them.

This was not so secret, but some notice of it came to M. _Nowell_, and by his great paines taken in the Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, al their practises are now made knowen. Their purpose to kill M.

_Couell_, and blow vp the Castle, is preuented. All their Murders, Witchcraftes, Inchauntments, Charmes, & Sorceries, are discouered; and euen in the middest of their consultations, they are all confounded, and arrested by G.o.ds Iustice: brought before M. _Nowell_, and M.

_Bannester_, vpon their voluntary confessions, Examinations, and other Euidence accused, and so by them committed to the Castle: So as now both old and young, haue taken vp their lodgings with M. _Couell_, vntill the next a.s.sises, expecting their Tryall and deliuerance, according to the Lawes prouided for such like.

In the meane time, M. _Nowell_ hauing knowledge by this discouery of their meeting at _Malkeing Tower_, and their resolution to execute mischiefe, takes great paines to apprehend such as were at libertie, and prepared Euidence against all such as were in question for Witches.

Afterwardes sendes some of these Examinations, to the a.s.sises at Yorke, to be giuen in Evidence against _Iennet Preston_, who for the murder of M. _Lister_, is condemned and executed.

The Circuite of the North partes being now almost ended.

The 16. of August.

Vpon Sunday in the after noone, my honorable Lords the Iudges of a.s.sise, came from _Kendall_ to _Lancaster_.

Wherevpon M. _Couell_, presented vnto their Lordships a Calender, conteyning the Names of the Prisoners committed to his charge, which were to receiue their Tryall at the a.s.sises: Out of which, we are onely to deale with the proceedings against Witches, which were as followeth.

_Viz._

The Names of the Witches committed to the Castle of _Lancaster_.

_Elizabeth Sowtherns._ } Who dyed before alias } shee _Old Demdike._ } came to her tryall.

_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox._ _Elizabeth Deuice_, Daughter of old _Demdike._ _Iames Deuice_, Sonne of _Elizabeth Deuice._ _Anne Readfearne_, Daughter of _Anne Chattox._ _Alice Nutter._ _Katherine Hewytte._ _Iohn Bulc.o.c.ke._ _Iane Bulc.o.c.ke._ _Alizon Deuice_, Daughter of _Elizabeth Deuice._ _Isabell Robey._ _Magaret Pearson._

The Witches of Salmesbury.

_Iennet Bierley._ } { _Elizabeth Astley._ _Elen Bierley._ } { _Alice Gray._ _Iane Southworth._ } { _Isabell Sidegraues._ _Iohn Ramesden._ } { _Lawrence Haye._

The next day, being Monday, the 17. of August, were the a.s.sises holden in the Castle of _Lancaster_, as followeth.

Placita Coronae.

[Sidenote: _Lanc. fss._]

_Deliberatio Gaolae Domini Regis Castri fui Lanca.s.str. ac Prisonarior[=u] in eadem existent. Tenta apud Lancastr. in com.

Lancastr. Die Lunae, Decimo septimo die Augusti, Anno Regni Domini nostri Iacobi dei gratia Anglicae, Franciae, et Hiberniae, Regis fidei defensoris; Decimo: et Scotiae Quadragesimo s.e.xto; Coram Iacobo Altham Milit. vno Baronum Scaccarij Domini Regis, et Edwardo Bromley Milit.

altero Baronum eiusdem Scaccarij Domini Regis: ac Iustic. dicti Domini Regis apud Lancastr._

Vpon the Tewesday in the after noone, the Iudges according to the course and order, deuided them selues, where vpon my Lord _Bromley_, one of his Maiesties Iudges of a.s.sise comming into the Hall to proceede with the Pleaes of the Crowne, & the Arraignement and Tryall of Prisoners, commaunded a generall Proclamation, that all Iustices of Peace that had taken any Recognisaunces, or Examinations of Prisoners, should make Returne of them: And all such as were bound to prosecute Indictmentes, and giue Euidence against Witches, should proceede, and giue attendance: For hee now intended to proceede to the Arraignement and Tryall of Witches.

After which, the Court being set, M. Sherieffe was commaunded to present his Prisoners before his Lordship, and prepare a sufficient Iurie of Gentlemen for life and death. But heere we want old _Demdike_, who dyed in the Castle before she came to her tryall.[C4_b_]

Heere you may not expect the exact order of the a.s.sises, with the Proclamations, and other solemnities belonging to so great a Court of Iustice; but the proceedinges against the Witches, who are now vpon their deliuerance here in order as they came to the Barre, with the particular poyntes of Euidence against them: which is the labour and worke we now intend (by G.o.ds grace) to performe as we may, to your generall contentment.

Wherevpon, the first of all these, _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_,[D_b_] was brought to the Barre: against whom wee are now ready to proceed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: decoration]

The Arraignement and Tryall of Anne Whittle, _alias_ Chattox, of the Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lancaster_, Widdow; about the age of Fourescore yeares, or thereaboutes.

_Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox._

If in this d.a.m.nable course of life, and offences, more horrible and odious, then any man is able to expresse: any man lyuing could lament the estate of any such like vpon earth: The example of this poore creature, would haue moued pittie, in respect of her great contrition and repentance, after she was committed to the Castle at _Lancaster_, vntill the comming of his Maiesties Iudges of a.s.sise. But such was the nature of her offences, & the mult.i.tude of her crying sinnes, as it tooke away all sense of humanity. And the repet.i.tion of her h.e.l.lish practises, and Reuenge; being the chiefest thinges wherein she alwayes tooke great delight, togeather with a particular declaration of the Murders shee had committed, layde open to the world, and giuen in Euidence against her at the time of her Arraignement and Tryall; as certainely it did beget contempt in the Audience, and such as she neuer offended.

This _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, was a very old withered spent and decreped creature, her sight almost gone: A dangerous Witch, of very long continuance; alwayes opposite to old _Demdike_: For whom the one fauoured, the other hated deadly: [Sidenote: _Her owne examination_] and how they enuie and accuse one an other, in their Examinations, may appeare.

In her Witchcraft, alwayes more ready to doe mischiefe to mens goods, then themselues. Her lippes euer chattering and walking:[D2_a_1] but no man knew what. She liued in the Forrest of _Pendle_, amongst this wicked company of dangerous Witches. Yet in her Examination and Confession, she dealt alwayes very plainely and truely: for vpon a speciall occasion being oftentimes examined in open Court, shee was neuer found to vary, but alwayes to agree in one, and the selfe same thing.

I place her in order, next to that wicked fire-brand of mischiefe, old _Demdike_, because from these two, sprung all the rest in order:[D2_a_2] and were the Children and Friendes, of these two notorious Witches.

Many thinges in the discouery of them, shall be very worthy your obseruation. As the times and occasions to execute their mischiefe.

And this in generall: the Spirit could neuer hurt, till they gaue consent.

And, but that it is my charge, to set foorth a particular Declaration of the Euidence against them, vpon their Arraignement and Tryall; with their Diuelish practises, consultations, meetings, and murders committed by them, in such sort, as they were giuen in Euidence against them; for the which, I shall haue matter vpon Record. I could make a large Comentarie of them: But it is my humble duety, to obserue the Charge and Commaundement of these my Honorable good Lordes the Iudges of a.s.sise, and not to exceed the limits of my Commission.

Wherefore I shall now bring this auncient Witch, to the due course of her Tryall, in order. _viz._

Indictment.

This _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, of the Forrest of _Pendle_ in the Countie of _Lancaster_ Widdow, being Indicted, for that shee feloniously had practised, vsed, and exercised diuers wicked and diuelish Artes called Witchcraftes, Inchauntmentes, Charmes, and Sorceries, in and vpon one _Robert Nutter_ of _Greenehead_, in the Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lanc_: and by force of the same Witchcraft, feloniously the sayd _Robert Nutter_ had killed, _Contra Pacem, &c._ Being at the Barre, was arraigned.

To this Indictment, vpon her Arraignement, shee pleaded, Not guiltie: and for the tryall of her life, put her selfe vpon G.o.d and her Country.

Wherevpon my Lord _Bromley_ commaunded M. Sheriffe of the County of _Lancaster_ in open Court, to returne a Iurie of worthy sufficient Gentlemen of vnderstanding, to pa.s.se betweene our soueraigne Lord the Kinges Maiestie, and her, and others the Prisoners, vpon their liues and deathes; as hereafter follow in order: who were afterwardes sworne, according to the forme and order of the Court, the Prisoners being admitted to their lawfull challenges.

Which being done, and the Prisoner at the Barre readie to receiue her Tryall: M. _Nowell_, being the best instructed of any man, of all the particular poyntes of Euidence against her, and her fellowes, hauing taken great paynes in the proceedinges against her and her fellowes; Humbly prayed, her owne voluntary Confession and Examination taken before him, when she was apprehended and committed to the Castle of _Lancaster_ for Witchcraft; might openly be published against her: which hereafter followeth. _Viz._

The voluntary Confession and Examination of _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, taken at the _Fence_ in the Forrest of _Pendle_, in the Countie of _Lancaster_; Before _Roger Nowell Esq_, one of the Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Peace in the Countie of Lancaster.

Viz.

The sayd _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, vpon her Examination, voluntarily confesseth, and sayth, That about foureteene or fifteene yeares agoe, a thing like a Christian man for foure yeares togeather, did sundry times come to this Examinate, and requested this Examinate to giue him her Soule: And in the end, this Examinate was contented to giue him her sayd Soule, shee being then in her owne house, in the Forrest of _Pendle_; wherevpon the Deuill then in the shape of a Man, sayd to this Examinate: Thou shalt want nothing; and be reuenged of whom thou list. And the Deuill then further commaunded this Examinate, to call him by the name of _Fancie_;[D3_a_] and when she wanted any thing, or would be reuenged of any, call on _Fancie_, and he would be ready. And the sayd Spirit or Deuill, did appeare vnto her not long after, in mans likenesse, and would haue had this Examinate to haue consented, that he might hurt the wife of _Richard Baldwin_ of _Pendle_;[D3_b_1] But this Examinate would not then consent vnto him: For which cause, the sayd Deuill would then haue bitten her by the arme; and so vanished away, for that time.

And this Examinate further sayth, that _Robert Nutter_[D3_b_2] did desire her Daughter one _Redfearns_ wife, to haue his pleasure of her, being then in _Redfearns_ house: but the sayd _Redfearns_ wife denyed the sayd _Robert_; wherevpon the sayd _Robert_ seeming to be greatly displeased therewith, in a great anger tooke his Horse, and went away, saying in a great rage, that if euer the Ground came to him, shee should neuer dwell vpon his Land. Wherevpon this Examinate called _Fancie_ to her; who came to her in the likenesse of a Man in a parcell of Ground called, _The Laund_; asking this Examinate, what shee would haue him to doe? And this Examinate bade him goe reuenge her of the sayd _Robert Nutter_. After which time, the sayd _Robert Nutter_ liued about a quarter of a yeare, and then dyed.

And this Examinate further sayth, that _Elizabeth Nutter_, wife to old _Robert Nutter_, did request this Examinate, and _Loomeshaws_ wife of _Burley_, and one _Iane Boothman_, of the same, who are now both dead, (which time of request, was before that _Robert Nutter_ desired the company of _Redfearns_ wife) to get young _Robert Nutter_ his death, if they could; all being togeather then at that time, to that end, that if _Robert_ were dead, then the Women their Coosens might haue the Land: By whose perswasion, they all consented vnto it. After which time, this Examinates Sonne in law _Thomas Redfearne_, did perswade this Examinate, not to kill or hurt the sayd _Robert Nutter_; for which perswasion, the sayd _Loomeshaws_ Wife, had like to haue killed the sayd _Redfearne_, but that one M. _Baldwyn_ (the late Schoole-maister at _Coulne_) did by his learning, stay the sayd _Loomeshaws_ wife, and therefore had a Capon from _Redfearne_.[D4_a_]

And this Examinate further sayth, that she thinketh the sayd _Loomeshaws_ wife, and _Iane Boothman_, did what they could to kill the sayd _Robert Nutter_, as well as this Examinate did.