The examination and confession of certain witches at Chelmsford

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Glasgow

•mniverslts Xibnuw

jfetcjuson Collection
1921

The Examination and Confession

of certain Witches

at Chelmsford in the County
of Essex.

COMMUNICATED AND PREFACED
BY

HERMANN BEIGEL, M. D.

Member of the Imperial Leopold. — Carolina Acad, of Naturalifs ; Licent.
of the Royal Coll, of Phyficians in London ; Member of the Soc.
of Pbyfcians in Paris ; Member of the Imperial Botan.

Zool. Soc. in Vienna ; and late Phyfcian
of the German Spaa Reineros ,

Silefa.

C

1

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2016

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PREFACE.

HEN Hiftory draws its
everlafting marks to pic-
ture the life of nations, its
afpedt becomes gloomier
in noting down the inftances where
people meet to deftroy in bloody
wars what the bleftings of peace
have created, inftances in which the
genii of life lower their torch, in a
fhort fpace, a thoufand and more than
a thoufand times. But when Hiftory
paints even fuch mournful pictures,
there is the fomewhat reconciling
thought that moftly holy principles,
powerfully influencing the progrefsof
mankind, were the fubjedt of contro-
verfy. But when fadts have to be
written down, proving that many

thoufands of lives are facrificed to the
fheer ignorance of a century, to the
felfifh malice of a certain party, hif-
tory fleeps its pen in its own heart’s
blood, and mourns over the gloomy
time in which fuch deeds could hap-
pen, and over the men that lived in it.

Such a fad period extends nearly
over three centuries, from the fifteenth
to the end of the eighteenth. We
fpeak of the time during which the
witchcraft trials exifted, from their
formal eftablifhment by an immoral
pope, Innocent VIII, up to their dis-
appearance froii^ the tribunals. Thefe
centuries prefent the darkeft fide of
the hiftory of the world ; and it is a
gratifying talk to purfue the track
which was healthily followed by this
prieftcraft, in order to regain the
ruling power which the Reformation
had wrefted from their hands. The
fecret tribunals (Vehmgerichte) and
witchcraft trials were invented in

order to make thofe who did not enjoy
the favour of the church afcend the
funeral pile, or to let them feel the
dreadful pains of torture, which a
fecretly-nurtured revenge would not
otherwife dare to do. Men who dif-
tinguifhed themfelves by a particular
erudition, and amongft them again
thofe who occupied themfelves in
natural fciences, which are up to this
day hated by catholicifm, were put on
trial and fentenced as forcerers. How
impartially the perfecutors adted in
this refpedl is manifefted from the
fadt that after his death they made a
forcerer of Pope Sylvefter II. diftin-
guifhed by his learning. The famous
mathematician, Roger Bacon, was
obliged to appear twice in Rome for
an examination of his inffruments.
Arnoldus de Villa Nova was in his
eightieth year condemned to fuffer
death by fire, and the Bifhop of Re-
gen fburg, Albertus Magnus, was fuf-

pelted of witchcraft, becaufe in win-
ter he gave a banquet to the Roman
emperor in his garden, which bore a
fpring-like appearance. An incau-
tioufly uttered word, a boafh, led to
the torture ; the misfortune to have a
mole, to have had a dog or cat dilliked
by a malicious neighbour, paved the
way to tortures, ordeal of water,
death by fire, in which thoufands
breathed their laid, and all this was
done ad majorem Dei gloriam. The
world was feized by a difeafe called
forth and propagated by felfifh prieffs.
The path is not yet known which
thefe fearful trials in Europe and on
the other lide of the ocean took, and
the threads entwined round Chrif-
tianity are yet undifcovered. It is,
therefore, our duty to colled: mate-
rials for the future hiftorian ; and the
trials carried on in behalf of witch-
craft, forcery, etc. are of the greateft
importance.

Entering into careful refearches
concerning the ftudy of the hiftory
of thefe errors of men, my attention
has been called to the “ Examina-
tions,” through the kindnefs of Mr.
Payne, who has been fo good as to put
into my hands an Index made by
him of early printed books on Witch-
craft. I offer thefe “ Examina-
tions ” to the Society for the purpofe
of multiplying them, this copy being
the only one in exigence. It re-
mains in the Library of Lambeth
Palace ; and I herewith offer my belt
thanks to the Rev. William Stubbs,
Librarian of the faid palace, for the
readinefs with which he placed this
copy in my hands, and kindly affifted
me during the time I was occupied
in the Library.

The faid pamphlet, of which Her-
bert fpeaks in the “Typographical
Antiquities,” vol. iii. p. 1316, and
Collins, in vol. i. p. 1610, as con-

tained in the only exifting copy of
Lambeth Library, is marked in “ An
“ Index of fuch English Booksprinted
“ before the year M.D.C. as are now
“ in the Archiepifcopal Library at
“ Lambeth, by the Rev. S. R. Mait-
“ land,” by No. 1339, 1340, and

42-

It is found in a volume which con-
tains fix different pamphlets of the
fixteenth century. The fize is duode-
cimo, bound in brown leather; on each
cover the two letters R. B. are printed
in gold, being the initials of Richard
Bancroft, Archbifhop of Canterbury,
who died in 1610, and who was the
founder of Lambeth Library. Our
pamphlet contains twenty-two folios,
without pagination. The characters
are old Englifh, and, belides three
ornamental drawings at the end of
each divifion, the following wood-
cuts are printed :

1. (On the title-page) The Lord wafhing
the feet of his difciples.

2. Mother Waterhoufe, when a child, and
her grandmother, who is inftrudting her in
witchcraft.

3. The cat of Mother Waterhoufe, called
by her u Sathan. ”

4. The toade into which the cat was
changed by Mother Waterhoufe.

5. The likenefs of Jone — daughter of
Mother Waterhoufe.

6. The cat “ Sathan in the lykenefs of the
great dogge.”

7. Another likenefs of “Sathan” as a dog
with the face of an ape, as defcribed by Agnes
Brown.

8. The fame woodcut.

9. The likenefs of Mother Waterhoufe.

London, Woburn Place,
November, 1864.

DR. BEIGEL.

THE EX AMIN A-

tion and confeffion of cer-
taine Wytches at Chensforde in
the Countie of Effex before
the Ouenes maiefties
Judges, the XXVI
daye of July
Anno 1556

At the Affife holden there
as then, and one of them
put to death for the fame
offence, as their examina-
tion declareth more
at large.

THE EPISTLE TO THE
READER.

OD whych of hys fingular
goodneiTe (as the fage
philofopher Hermes hath
plainly defcribed) to each
of his creatures has added a reafon-
able foule, which is the chiefe and
moft excellent treafure that any
man can be indued withvall : Let
vs then confider God’s inexplycable
benefits, alwaies of his owne free
wyll (and not of our defertes) geuen
and beftowed upon vs, and fith
that the foule of man is of great
eftimation in his fatherly prefence,
let vs endeuour ourfelues to walke,
that by continuall exercife of ver-

1 4 The Examination

tuous and holefome documents, I
mean not onely by hearing of the
fincere veritie : neither yet by much
talkyng of the fame to heare, and
not to bear awaye is altogether friuo-
lous : To babble and prate much of
Chrift and hys gofpell (as though
we would he counted gholfly gof-
pellers) and to wante the chefei/t
thing, I meane the frutes of well-
governed converfacion, and to be
cleane voyde of integritie, and
cleanefle of lyfe, in my judgement
and as the facred Scripture verifieth,
is nothynge but folly : (example) A
tree that is altogether barren and at
the required time deftytute of fruyte
hauing a trim (hewe of leaves, defer-
ueth to be hewed downe and made
meet for the her : fo we wantinge
fruites required, but hauing plenty
of leaues be of lyke effect, and for
all the outwarde Ihewe that we
haue, we fhall in like cafe be cut

of certain Witches. 15

downe and throwen into the fyer
prepared for the devill and his aun-
gelles, from which (gentell reader)
God defende vs all and geue vs luche
grace that we maye henceforthe walke
in our vocation, that God in al our
workes may be unfeynedly glorified,
and by thadmonition of this littel
boke learne in fuch forte to keepe
our foules by fixed and allured faith
in Chrift, from the lfinking puddle
of filthy pollution, then fhall we
efcape that horrible place prepared
for the vngodly and wycked liuers
and as profitable feruants be counted
apt members to dwell wyth our Sa-
uiour Chrifi: aboue the cloudes in
his heuenly kingdome, to the which
God for hys mercies lake bring us
all. Amen.

The Examination

1 6

THE PREFACE.

Y tremblinge hande for feare doth
my dolour doth excede : (quake)
My ioyes decrefe to tender teares
my fportes are turnd in dede
The gredy gulfs of gryfly griefe
fo gripe my reftles harte :

That my pore pen can fcantly fhewe
the paffions of my ffnarte.

Drawe nere you patrones with your babes
come viewe this haples happe :

In flulhing fluddes of kominge teares
your tender bewtyes lappe :

Ye matrones milde drawe nere in hafte
this yrkfome a£te beholde :

Then Nature fhall her rufull playnts
by you her Nimphes unfolde.

Eche wight in whom the fkilfull fkyll
of natures arte is fhown :

Surrender may themfelues to me
this cruell a£te to mone.

The heapes of griefe fo hugie are
that fobbes muft nedes abounde.

Yea fhrilly fhrickes to pafl'e the fkies,
your voyces fhall redounde.

of certain Witches . 17

The dolour nowe fo doutfull is,
that fkante my warbling penne :

Can forth exprefie the fence thereof
unto the fonnes of men.

Agayne the blubringe teares whych glide,
from my poor pincked eyes :

Befmerde my face that fcarce I can
my inwarde griefes lupprife.

One while I blulh for fhame to fhowe
thefe pageantes worthy blame :

Some other time my thoughtes me let
thefe bluddy fadtes to name.

Thus as I ftay in doubt alas,
my dompes are paffinge great,

My clogged joyntes benomd with feare
have got Dame forrowes feat
Her maffy mace with direful ftroke
hath ftroke my members all :

But thefe Periphrafes I leaue,
and will difcourfe my thrall,

Which to conceave each reader wyll
well way I do not doubt :

Of late in Chenceforde towne deare friends
before the noble route
Of Judges juft plaft in that feate
by our mofte famous Queene :
Judgement to give as juftice leades,
as daily well is feene.

The feflions there by order kepte
offenders to corredt.

Thre feminine dames attached were

3

18 The Examination

whom Sathan had infedt
With Belial’s fpirite whole forcery did,
the ftmple fo moleft :

That when they woulde with prefent death,
they were full fore oppreft.

Here after {hall fuccede the adtes

that they them felues have wrought :

As they them felves confefted haue,
to judgement being brought.

Which thing when thou hafte viewed well,
good Reader do thou praye:

To God the Lorde that he from vs
woulde witches take away.

And thus I ende hoping thou wilte
my travell well accept :

And judge the truth when thou hafte hearde
of this the full effedf.

FINIS PROLOG.

of certain Witches.

l9

An exhortacion to all faithfull men
wy llinge them to Jet God’s /ear e before
their eyes , and Sat ban’s praBifes
utterly to dejpife annexed to the fame ,
profitable for euery Chrifian man to
reade and to imbrace .

EHOLD thefe adts and fcan them
well

behold their pervers way :

Thefe left the lord, thefe did his
truth

which fhold have ben their ftay.

In them fuch power Sathan had,
that Chrift they did refufe
His precious blud fhed them to faue
to much they did abufe.

Sin, death and hell did fpreade their flagge,
in them they bare the fway :

His worde was yrkefome to their hartes,
they walked farre aftray.

What tender harte woulde God renounce,
who woulde his gofpell leaue ;

What godly one woulde hate his lorde

20

The Examination

and vnto Sathan cleaue.

What wight woulde Gods good benefites
To lightly nowe efteme,

Which fent his Chrift into the worlde
from hell vs to redeme.

Who by his might did vanquifhe finne
and layed Sathan wafte :

By whole dere death eternall lyfe,
his flocke fhall furely tafte,

His loue to vs his creatures did,
in ample wife excede :

When by the paynes of paynefull death
to faue us he decrede.

What durat harte or felly breft
coulde finde Chrifte to repaye :

With luch contempte as did thefe ymphes
which here beholde ye may.

What matrones harte woulde hyde the fkyll,
of Nature that meke dame :

And toyle by fuch vngodly artes
to extinquifhe cleane the fame.

I meane if God fhoulde fende encreafe,
and multiply her fede :

Woulde fhe frequent it to deftroy,
by wicked meanes in dede.

I think no tender harte coulde finde,
an infantes bloude to fpill :

Nor yet no fpoufed wife I thinke,
her hufbande dere woulde kyll
Sith that bv witchcraft witches vie

j

all euilles to fequeft :

of certain IV itches.

Let fuch as feare the liuynge God,
their pra<5tifes deteft.

Sith whoredcme in the fame I faye,
her force doth plainly ftiowe :

Let euery wight the fame abhorre,
and fcape infernall wo.

Sith this arte doth fuch yll conteyne,
as fwearinges manifolde :

Let faithfull hartes forfake the fame,
and fixe on Chrift their holde.

Sith by that pra£tife vile dere frendes,
man {laughter put in ure :

Let vs contemne thofe godles a£tes
and leade a life molt pure.

Sith Chrift the rocke of laflinge life,
muft cleane renounfed be \

And Sathan as the gouernour
muft haue the dignitie.

What curfed ftate {hall they abyde,
which Chrift their guide refufe :

And ftudy ftill the deuilles minde
by pra£tife ftill to vfe.

Did Chrift in vayne beftowe his bloude,
to faue our foules from hell :

Did Chrift in vaine prepare the heauens,
for his ele£t to dwell.

Not fo I judge, why fhoulde we then
his lawe and worde contemne :

The fcripture doth rebellious folke,
euerlaftingly condemne.

1 meane fuch as his worde deteft

22 The Examination

his lawe condemneth playne :

To tafte with him whom they do ferue
in hell eternall payne.

Such as do in finne delighte,
frequenting mifchiefe ftyll :

Be Sathans owne for Jefus Chrifte,
for his deny them wyll.

Sith Chrift in heauen will them forfake,
which him in earth denye :

Let vs henceforth learne fo to walke,
his name to magnifye.

Let vs that fwearers be in dede,
our fwearinge cleane refrayne :

So {hall we fcape the gredy gulphes
of hell and burninge payne.

Let whoremongers which whoredome ufe,
caft cleane away the fame :

And pardon craue, for Chrift is preft,
for to forgeue the blame.

Let fuch men as delight in finne,
forfake their finfull waies :

And ftudy nowe that all your adtes
may tende the Lorde to prayfe.

Let filthy fwynifhe dronkardes nowe,
abhorred in Gods fight :

Leaue off" their quaffing in excefle,
in modefty delight.

Then fhall Gods armes be opened wide,
vs wretches to embrace,

And with his fainctes in his kingedome,
he will vs furely place.

of certain Witches. 23

To whych kingedome for Chriftes fake,
vouchfafe thy flocke to bringe :

That we as thy eledfes deare God,
to thee may prayfes finge.

Finis et "John Phillips.

24

The Examination of

The examination of them with their con-
fejjion before Dodlor Cole and mafter
Fofcue at the fame Sife verbatum ,
as nere as coulde be gathered , and
firfte of Elizabeth Frauncis who faiae
as here foloweth.

YRST flie learned this arte
of witchcraft at the age
of xii yeres of hyr grand-
mother whofe nam mo-
ther Eue of Hatfyelde Peuerell, dif-
feafed. Item when fhee taughte it
her, fhe counfeiled her to renounce
GOD and his worde and to geue of
her bloudde to Sathan (as fhe termed
it) whyche fhe delyuered her in the
lykeneffe of a whyte fpotted Catte,
and taughte her to feede the fayde
Catte with breade and mylke, and

of certain Witches . 25

ilie dyd lo, alfo fhe taughte her to
cal it by the name of Sathan and to
kepe it in a bafket.

When this mother Eue had geuen
her the Cat Sathan, then this Eliza-
beth defired firfte of the fayde Cat
(callinge it Sathan) that fhe might
be ryche and to haue goodes, and he
promifed her die fhoulde — afkinge
her what (he would haue, and fhe
fayde Ihepe (for this Cat l'pake to her
as Ihe confelfed in a ftraunge holowe
voice, but fuche as Ihe vnderftode by
vfe) and this Cat forthwith brought
fhepe into her pafture to the num-
ber of xviii, blacke and whyte,
whych continued with her for a
tyme, but in the ende dyd all weare
awaye fhe knewe not howe.

Item, when Ihe had gotten thefe
fhepe, fhe delired to haue one Andrew
Byles to her hufband, which was a
man of fome welth, and the cat dvd
promyfe fhe fhold, but that he fayde

4

26

The Examination

fhe muft fyrfte confent that this
Andrew fhuld abufe her, and fhe
fo did. .

And after when this Andrew had
thus abufed her he would not mary
her, wherfore Hie willed Sathan to
wafte his goodes, which he forthwith
did, and yet not beyng contentid
with this, fhe wild him to touch
his body whych he forthewith dyd
whereof he died.

Item, that euery time that he did
any thynge for her, fhe fayde that he
required a drop of bloude, which
fhe gaue him by prycking herfelfe,
fometime in one place and then in
an other, and where fhe pricked her
felfe there remayned a red fpot which
was ftyl to he fene.

Item, when this Andrew was dead,
fhe douting her felfe with childe,
willed Sathan to deffroye it, and he
bad her take a certayne herbe and
drinke it, whych fhe did, and de-
ftroyed. the childe forthwyth.

of certain IV it ches. 27

Item, when Ihe defy red an other
hufbande he promyfed her an other,
naminge this Frauncis whom fhee
nowe hath, but faid he is not fo rich
as the other, willynge her to confent
vnto that Frauncis in fornycation
which fhe did, and therof conceaued
a daughter that was borne within a
quarter of a yere after they were
maried.

After they were maryed they liued
not fo quietly as fhe del'yred, be-
inge ftirred (as fhe faid) to much
vnquietnes and moued to fwearing
and curfinge, wherfore fhe willed
Sathan her Cat to kyll the childe,
beinge aboute the age of half a yere
olde, and he did fo, and when fhe
yet founde not the quietnes that fhe
defyred, fhe wylled it to lay a lame-
nes in the leg of thys Frauncis her
hufbande, and it did in this maner.
It came in a morninge to this Fraun-
cis fhoe, lying in it lyke a tode, and

2 8 The Examination

when he perceived it puttinge on his
dioe, and had touched it with his
fote, he being fodenly amafed afked
of her what it was, and die bad
him kil it and he was forthwith
taken with a lamenes wherof he can
not healed.

After all this when fhee had kept
this Cat by the fpace of xv or xvi
yeare, and as fome faye (though
vntruly) beinge wery of it, lhe
came to one mother Waterhoufe her
neyghbour (a pore woman) when
die was going to the oven and de-
fired her to geue her a cake, and
die wold geue her a thing that die
fhould be the better for fo long as
die liued, and this mother Water-
houfe gaue her a cake, where vpon
die brought her this cat in her apron
and taught her as die was inftrudted
before by her grandmother Eue,
telling her that lhe mud: cal him
Sathan and geue him of her bloude

of certain Witches. 29

and bread and milke as before, and
at this examination woulde confelfe
no more.

Mother W at erhoufe of Hatfylde peuer ell
of the age of lxiiii yeares being ex-
amined the fame day confeJJ'ed as
followeth, and the xxix daye fuf
fered .

YRST flie receyued this cat
of this Frances wife in the
order as is before fayde, who
wild her to cal him Sathan, and
told her that yf fhe made muche of
him he would do for her what fhe
wolde haue him to do.

Then when fhe had receyued him
die (to trye him what he coulde
do) wyld him to kyll a hog of her
owne, which he dyd, and fhe gaue
him for his labour a chicken, which
he fyrfte required of her and a drop

30 The Examination

of her blod. And thys fhe gaue
him at all times when he dyd any-
thynge for her, by pricking her hand
or face and puttinge the bloud to
hys mouth whyche he fucked, and
forthwith wold lye downe in hys
pot againe, wherin flie kepte him,
the fpots of all the which priks
are yet to be fene in her fkin.

Alfo (he faythe that another tyme
being offended with one Father
Kerfye fhe toke her catte Sathan in
her lap and put hym in the wood
before her dore, and willed him to
kyll three of this father Kerfyes
hogges, whiche he dyd, and retourn-
ing agayne told her fo, and fhe re-
warded hym as before, wyth a chicken
and a droppe of her bloud, which
chicken he eate vp cleane as he didde
al the reft, and fhe cold fynde re-
maining neyther bones nor fethers.

Alfo flie confeffed that fallyng out
with one widdow Gooday fhe wylled

of certain IV it ches. 31

Sathan to drowne her cow and he
dyd fo, and fhe rewardid hym as
before.

Alfo fhe falling out wyth another
of her neyboures, fhe killed her three
geefe in the fame maner.

Item, fhee confeffed that becaufe
fhe could haue no reft (which fhe
required) fhe caufed Sathan to de-
ftroye the brewing at that tyme.

Alfo beyng denyed butter of an
other, fhe caufed her to lofe the
curdes ii or iii dayes after.

Item fallinge out with an other
of her neybours and his wife, fhee
wylled Sathan to kyll hym with a
bludye flixe, whereof he dyed, and
fhe rewarded him as before.

Likewyle fhee confeffed, that be-
caufe flie lyued fomwhat vnquietly
with her hufbande fhe caufed Sathan
to kyll him, and he doid fo about ix
yeres paft, fyth which tyme fhe hath
lyued a widdow.

32 The Examination

All'o Ihe laid that when die wolde
wyl him to do any thinge for her,
Ihe wolde fay her Pater nofter in
laten.

Item, this mother Waterhoufe
confed'ed that diee fyrft turned this
Cat into a tode by this meanes, die
kept the cat a great while in woll in
a pot, and at length being moued by
pouertie to occupie the woll, die
praied in the name of the father
and of the fonne, and of the holy
ghoft that it wold turne into a tode,
and forthwith it was turned into a
tode, and fo kept it in the pot without
woll.

Alfo die faid, that going to Brack-
ftede a lyttle before her apprehen-
tyon, this Sathan wylled her to hye
her home, for die diulde haue great
trouble and that diee dioulde be
eyther hanged or burned diortly,
more at this tyme die woulde not
confelfe.

of certain Witches. 33

Jone Waterhoufe daughter to this
mother Waterhoufe , beinge of the
age of xviii yeres , and examined
confeJJ'eth as foloweth.

^ffYRST, that her mother this
% Kffi lafte wynter woulde haue
learned her this arte, but fhe
lerned it not, nether yet the name
of the thinge. She faith fhe neuer
faw it but once in her mother’s
hand, and that was in the likenes
of a tode, and at that time comming
in at a fodeyn when her mother
called it oute to worke fome thynge
withall, fhe herde her to call it Sa-
than, for Ihee was not at any time
truely taught it, nor did neuer exer-
cife it before this tyme as foloweth :
Item file confefl'ed that when her
mother was gone to Breackftede, in
5

34 The Examination

her abfence lacking breade, fhe went to
a gyrle a neybours chylde, and defired
her to geue her a pece of brede
and cheefe, whiche when denied and
gaue her not, or at the lead: not lo
muche as wolde fatisfye her, diee
goinge home dydde as (he had feene
her mother doe, callynge Sathan,
whiche came to her (as die iayd) fhe
thoughte out of her mothers diewe
from vnder the bedde, in the lykenes
of a great dogge, demaundynge what
fhe wolde haue, wherewithall die
beyng a fearde, fayd fhe wold have
him to make fuch a gyrle a ferd
naminge this gyrle, then afked hee her
what fhe wolde geue hym, and die
laide a red kocke, then fayde hee no,
but thou fhalt geue me thy body and
fowle, whereby die beinge foore
feared, and defyrous to be rydde of
hym, fayd die wold : And herewith
he went to this gyrle in the lykenes of
an euyll fauoured dogge with homes

of certain IV itches. 35

on his head, and made her very muche
afearde, and dothe yet haunt her,
nowe can not thefe witches (as they
faye) cal hym in agayn, becaufe they
dyd not let hym out. And more
(fayth fhee) the never dydde, but this
her doinge was the reuealyng of all
the reft.

FINIS.

I/nprynted at London by Willy am Powell for
Wyllyam Pickeringe dwelling at Sainte Mag-
nus Corner , and are there for to be foulde.
Anno 1566, the 13 Auguji.

THE SECOND EXAMINATION
and Confeffion of mother Agnes
Waterhoufe,and Jone her daughter,
vpon her arainement, with the
queftions and anfweres of Agnes
Browne the childe, on whom
the fpirite haunteth at this
prefent, deliberately
declared

before Juflice Southcote and Mailer
Gerard the quenes atturney,
the xxvii day of July
Anno 1 566, no leffe
wonderful then
moft true.

The Confefion of Agnes W at erhowfe
the xxvii daye of July in Anno
1566 at Chelmsforde before Jufice
Southcote and M. Gerard the queues
atturney.

YRST being demaunded
whether that fhee were
gyltye or not gilty vpon
her araynement of the mur-
theringe of a man, fhe confeffed
that fhe was gilty, and then vppon
the euidence geuen agaynft her
daughter Jone Waterhoufe, fhe fayde
that fhe hadde a white Cat, and
wylled her cat that he fhuld deftroy
many of his neyghbours cattell, and
alfo that he fhoulde kyll a man, and
fo he dyd, and then after fhe muft
go ii or iii mile from her houfe, and

40 "The Examination

then hie toke thoughte howe to
kepe her catte, then fhe and her catte
concluded that he the fayde Catte
wolde become a tode, and then die
fhuld kepe him in a clofe houfe and
geue hym mylke, and fo he wolde
continue tyll fhe came home againe,
and then being gone forth, her
daughter hauing ben at aneyghbour’s
houfe there by, required of one Agnes
Browne, of the age of xii yeres or
more, a peece of breade and cheefe,
and the fayde Agnes faide that diee
had none, and that fhe had not the key
of the milkhoufe dore, and then the
fayde Jone went home and was angry
with the faid Agnes Broun and die
faide that die remembred that her
mother was wonte to go vp and
downe in her houfe and to call Sathan
Sathan die fayde fhe wolde proue the
like, and then die went vp and downe
the houfe and called Sathan, and
then there came a black dogge to

of certain Witches. 41

her and afked her what {he woulde
haue, and then lhe faide {he was
aferd and fayd, I wold haue thee to
make one Agnes browne afrayde, and
then he a{ked her what {he wold giue
him and lhe faide lhe wold geue hym
a red kock, and he faid he wolde haue
none of that, and fhee alked him what
he wolde haue then, and he fayde
he wold haue her body and foule,
and fo upon requefte and feare to-
gether {lie gaue him her body and
l'oule, and then fayde the quenes
atturneye Howe wylt thou do before
God. O my Lord, I truft God wyll
haue mercy vpon mee, and then he
faide thou faifte well , and then he de-
parted from her, and then lhe faide
that {he herde that he made the layde
Agnes Browne a fearde.

The faid Agnes Brown was then
demaunded and called for, and then
fhe came in, and beinge alked what
age fhe was of fhe fayde {he thoughte

6

42

The Examination

Hie was xii yeres old, and then the
quenes atturney afked her what fhee
could fay, and then fhee faide that
at fuche a day, naming the daye cer-
tayne that fhee was chiming of butter
and there came to her a thynge lyke a
blacke dogge with a face like an ape, a
fhorttaile, a cheine and a fyluer whyf-
tle (to her thinking) about his neck,
and a peyre of homes on his heade,
and brought in his mouth the keye of
the milkehoufe doore, and then my
lorde fhe faide, I was afearde, for he
fkypped and leaped to and fro, and
fatte on the toppe of a nettle, and then
I afked hym what he wolde haue, and
he faide he woulde haue butter, and
I faide I had none for him and then
he faide he wolde haue fome or he
went, and then he dyd run to put the
keye into the locke of the mylke-
houfe dore, and I fayde he fholde
haue none, and he fayde he wolde
haue fome, and then he opened the

of certain W itches. 43

dore and went vppon the fhelfe, and
there vpon a new chefe laid downe
the key, and being a whyle within
he came out againe, and locked the
dore and faid that he had made flap
butter for mee, and fo departed, and
then die faide lhee tolde her aunte of
it, and then die fent for the pried,
and when he came he bad her to
praye to God, and cal on the name
of Jefus, and foo the nexte day my
lord he came again to me with the
keye of oure milkehoufe dore in his
mouthe, and then I faide in the name
of Jefus what hade thou there, and
then he layed downe the key and
fayde that I fpake euyll woordes in
fpeakyng of that name, and then hee
departed, and fo my aunte toke up
the key, for he had kept it from vs ii
dayes and a nyghte,and then we went
into the milkhoufe and there we dyd
fe the print of butter vpon the chele,
and then within a few daies after hee

44 The Examination

came againe with a beane pod in his
mouth, and then thequeenes atturney
afked what that was, and fo the other
Juftices declared, and then fhee fayde
my lorde I faide in the name of Jefus
what haft thou there, and fo then he
laid it downe and faide I fpake euil
wordes and departed and cameagayne
by and by with a pece of breade in
his mouth, and I afked hym what he
wold haue, and he fayde butter it was
that he wold haue, and fo he departed,
and my lord I dyd not fee hym noo
more tyll wenfeday lafte, whiche was
the xxiiii day of July, why laid the
quenes atturneye was he with the on
Wenfeday laft, ye fhe faid, what
did he then to thee fayde he, my
lorde laide fhee he came with a knyfe
in his mouthe and afked me if I were
not dead, and I faide No I thanked
God, and then hee fayde if I wolde
not dye that hee wold thruft his knife
to my harte but he wold make me

of certain JV itches. 45

to dye, and then I fayde in the name
of Jefus lay down thy knyfe, and he
layde he wolde not departe from his
fweete dames knyfe as yet, and then
I alked of hym who was his dame,
and then he nodded and wagged his
head to your houfe mother Water-
houle, then the queenes attourneye
afked if fhe fayde Agnes Waterhoufe
what fhe faide to it, then fhe demand-
ed what maner knife that it was,
and Agnes Browne laid it was a
daggar knife, there thou lieft faide
Agnes Waterhoufe, why, quod the
quenes atturney, mary my lord (quod
fhe) fhe faith it is a daggar knife and
I haue none fuch in my houfe, but a
greate knyfe, and therein fhe lieth,
yea yea, my lord quoth Jone Water-
houfe fhe lieth in that fhe faith it
hadde a face like an ape, for this that
came to mee was like a dogge, well
fayde the quenes attourney, well, can
you make it come before us nowe,

46 The Examination

if ye can we will dyfpatche you out
of prifon by and by, no faith faide
Agnes Waterhoufe I can not, for in
faith if I had let hym go as my
daughter did I could make hym
come by and by, but now I have no
more power ouer him, then faid the
queenes atturneye, Agnes W aterhoufe
when dyd thye Cat fuck of thy bloud
neuer faide fhe, no faide hee, let me
fe, and then the jayler lifted up her
kercher on her heade, and there was
diuerfe fpottes in her face and one on
her nofe, then fayde the quenes attur-
ney, in good faith Agnes when dydde
he fucke of thy bloud lafte, by my
fayth my lord fayde fhe, not this fort-
nyght, and fo the jurye went together
for that matter.

Imprynted at London by TVillyam Powell for
JVyllyam Pickeringe dwelling at Sainte Magnus
corner and are there for to be foulde.

Anno 1566 the 13 Augujt.

oj certain Witches.

47

The ende and lajt confejjion of mother
Waterhoufe at her death , whiche was
the xxix daye of July. Anno 1 566.

YRSTE (beinge recii prepared
to receiue her death) die
confefled earneftly that diee
had bene a wytche and vfed fuche ex-
ecrable forferye the lpace of xv
yeres, and had don many abhomin-
able dede, the which die repented
earnedely and unfaynedly,and defyred
almighty Gods forgeuenefs in that die
had abufed hys mod holy name by
her deuyllidie pradtyfes, and truded
to be faued by his mod vnfpekeable
mercy. And being demaunded of the
by danders, diee confed'ed that diee
fent her Sathan to one Wardol, a
neibour of hers, beinge a tayler

48 The Examination

(with whom fhe was offended) to
hurte and deftroy him and his goodes.
And this her Sathan went therabout
for to haue done her wyll, hut in the
ende he returned to her agayne, and
was not able to do this myfchiefe,
(lie afked the caufe, and he aunfwered
becaufe the faid Wardol was fo ffrong
in fayth that he hadde no power to
hurte hym, yet fhe fent hym dyuerfe
and fundry time (but all in vayne) to
haue mifcheuid hym. And being
demaunded whether fhe was accuf-
tomed to go to church to the common
prayer or deuine feruice, fhe faideyea,
and being required what fhe dyd there
lfie faide fhe did as other women do,
and prayed right hartely there, and
when flie was demanded what praier
file faide, fhe aunfwered the Lordes
prayer, the Aue Maria, and the belefe,
and then they demaunded whether in
laten or in englyfhe, and fhee fayde
in laten, and they demaunded why

of certain Witches. 49

lhe faide it not in englyfhe but in
laten, feing that it was fet out by
publike auddioritie and according to
Goddes word that all men fhoulde
pray in the englyfhe and mother
toung that they bed: vnderftande, and
fhee fayde that Sathan wolde at no
tyme buffer her to fay it in englyfhe,
but at all tymes in laten : for thefeand
many other offences whicheiheehathe
commytted, done and confeffed, fhee
bewayled, repented, and afked mercy
of God, and all the worlde forgyue-
nes and thus fhe yelded vp her fowle,
trufting to be in joye with Chrifte
her Sauiour, which dearely had bought
her with his mod; precious bloudde.
Amen.

hnprynted at London by IVillyarn Powell for
IVyllyam Pickeringe dwellinge at Sa 'inte Magnus
corner and are there for to be foulde.

Anno 1566. the 23 Augufl.

7

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