A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 Part 31

Preface signed by Ryc. Baddeley. This is an account of a famous imposture. It is really a pamphlet against the Catholic exorcists. On pp. 45-54 is given a reprint of the Catholic account of the affair; on pp. 55-75 the exposure of the imposture is related. We can confirm this account by Arthur Wilson, _Life and Reign of James I_, 107-111, and by John Webster, _Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft_, 274.

_A Discourse of Witchcraft As it was acted in the Family of Mr. Edward Fairfax of Fuystone in the County of York, in the year 1621._ Edited by R. Monckton Milnes (the later Lord Houghton) for vol. V of _Miscellanies of the Philobiblon Soc._ (London, 1858-1859, 299 pages). The editor says the original MS. is still in existence. Edward Fairfax was a natural brother of Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton. He translated into English verse Ta.s.so's _Jerusalem Delivered_, and accomplished other poetic feats. His account of his children's bewitchment and of their trances is very detailed. The book was again published at Harrogate in 1882, under the t.i.tle of _Daemonologia: a Discourse on Witchcraft_, with an introduction and notes by William Grainge.

-- 4.--Matthew Hopkins (see ch. VIII).

_A Most certain, strange and true Discovery of a Witch, Being overtaken by some of the Parliament Forces, as she was standing on a small Planck-board and sayling on it over the River of Newbury, Together with the strange and true manner of her death._ 1643. The tale told here is a curious one. The soldiers saw a woman crossing the river on a plank, decided that she was a witch, and resolved to shoot her. "She caught their bullets in her hands and chew'd them." When the "veines that crosse the temples of the head" were scratched so as to bleed, she lost her power and was killed by a pistol shot just below the ear. It is not improbable that this distorted tale was based on an actual happening in the war. See _Mercurius Civicus_, September 21-28, 1643.

_A Confirmation and Discovery of Witch-craft ... together with the Confessions of many of those executed since May 1645.... By John Stearne ..._ London, 1648.

_The Examination, Confession, Triall, and Execution of Joane Williford, Joan Cariden and Jane Hott: who were executed at Feversham, in Kent ...

all attested under the hand of Robert Greenstreet, Maior of Feversham._ London, 1645. This pamphlet has no outside evidence to confirm its statements, but it has every appearance of being a true record of examinations.

_A true and exact Relation of the severall Informations, Examinations, and Confessions of the late Witches arraigned and executed in the County of Ess.e.x. Who were arraigned and condemned at the late Sessions, holden at Chelmesford before the Right Honorable Robert, Earle of Warwicke, and severall of his Majesties Justices of Peace, the 29 of July 1645...._ London, 1645. Reprinted London, 1837; also embodied in Howell, _State Trials_. This is a very careful statement of the court examinations, drawn up by "H. F." In names and details it has points of coincidence with the _True Relation_ about the Bury affair; see next paragraph below. It is supported, too, by Arthur Wilson's account of the affair; see Francis Peck, _Desiderata Curiosa_ (ed. of London, 1779), II, 476.

_A True Relation of the Araignment of eighteene Witches at St.

Edmundsbury, 27th August 1645.... As also a List of the names of those that were executed._ London, 1645. There is abundance of corroborative evidence for the details given in this pamphlet. It fits in with the account of the Ess.e.x witches; its details are amplified by Stearne, _Confirmation of Witchcraft_, Clarke, _Lives of sundry Eminent Persons_, John Walker, _Suffering of the Clergy ... in the Grand Rebellion_ (London, 1714), and others. The narrative was written in the interim between the first and second trials at Bury.

_Strange and fearfull newes from Plaisto in the parish of Westham neere Bow foure miles from London_, London, 1645. Unimportant.

_The Lawes against Witches and Conjuration, and Some brief Notes and Observations for the Discovery of Witches. Being very Usefull for these Times wherein the Devil reignes and prevailes.... Also The Confession of Mother Lakeland, who was arraigned and condemned for a Witch at Ipswich in Suffolke.... By authority._ London, 1645. The writer of this pamphlet acknowledges his indebtedness to Potts, _Discoverie of Witches in the countie of Lancaster_ (1613), and to Bernard, _Guide to Grand Jurymen_ (1627). These books had been used by Stearne and doubtless by Hopkins.

This pamphlet expresses Hopkins's ideas, it is written in Hopkins's style--so far as we know it--and it may have been the work of the witchfinder himself. That might explain, too, the "by authority" of the t.i.tle.

_Signes and Wonders from Heaven.... Likewise a new discovery of Witches in Stepney Parish. And how 20. Witches more were executed in Suffolk this last a.s.sise. Also how the Divell came to Soffarn to a Farmers house in the habit of a Gentlewoman on horse backe._ London, [1645]. Mentions the Chelmsford, Suffolk, and Norfolk trials.

_The Witches of Huntingdon, their Examinations and Confessions ..._, London, 1646. This work is dedicated to the justices of the peace for the county of Huntingdon; the dedication is signed by John Davenport.

Three of the witches whose accusations are here presented are mentioned by Stearne (_Confirmation of Witchcraft_, 11, 13, 20-21, 42).

_The Discovery of Witches: in answer to severall Queries, lately Delivered to the Judges of a.s.size for the County of Norfolk. And now published by Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder. For the Benefit of the Whole Kingdome...._ London, 1647. Hopkins's and Stearne's accounts fit into each other and are the two best sources for ch. VIII.

_The [D]Ivell in Kent, or His strange Delusions at Sandwitch_, London, 1647. Has nothing to do with witches; shows the spirit of the times.

_A strange and true Relation of a Young Woman possest with the Devill.

By name Joyce Dovey dwelling at Bewdley neer Worcester ... as it was certified in a Letter from Mr. James Dalton unto Mr. Tho. Groome, Ironmonger over against Sepulchres Church in London.... Also a Letter from Cambridge, wherein is related the late conference between the Devil (in the shape of a Mr. of Arts) and one Ashbourner, a Scholler of S.

Johns Colledge ... who was afterwards carried away by him and never heard of since onely his Gown found in the River_, London, 1647. In the first narrative a woman after hearing a sermon fell into fits. The second narrative was probably based upon a combination of facts and rumor.

_The Full Tryals, Examination and Condemnation of Four Notorious Witches, At the a.s.sizes held in Worcester on Tuseday the 4th of March ... As also Their Confessions and last Dying Speeches at the place of Execution, with other Amazing Particulars ..._, London, printed by "I.

W.," no date. Another edition of this pamphlet (in the Bodleian) bears the date 1700 and was printed for "J. M." in Fleet street. This is a most interesting example of a made-to-order witch pamphlet. The preface makes one suspect its character: "the following narrative coming to my hand." The accused were Rebecca West, Margaret Landis, Susan Cook, and Rose Hallybread. Now, all these women were tried at Chelmsford in 1645, and their examinations and confessions printed in _A true and exact Relation_. The wording has been changed a little, several things have been added, but the facts are similar; see _A true and exact Relation_,10, 11, 13-15, 27. When the author of the Worcester pamphlet came to narrate the execution he wandered away from his text and invented some new particulars. The women were "burnt at the stak." They made a "yelling and howling." Two of them were very "stubborn and refractory." _Cf._ below, -- 10.

_The Devill seen at St. Albans, Being a true Relation How the Devill was seen there in a Cellar, in the likenesse of a Ram; and how a Butcher came and cut his throat, and sold some of it, and dressed the rest for himselfe, inviting many to supper_ ..., 1648. A clever lampoon.

-- 5.--Commonwealth and Protectorate (see ch. IX).

_The Divels Delusions or A faithfull relation of John Palmer and Elizabeth Knott two notorious Witches lately condemned at the Sessions of Oyer and Terminer in St. Albans ..._, 1649. The narrative purports to be taken from a letter sent from St. Alban's. It deals with the practices of two good witches who were finally discovered to be black witches. The tale has no outside confirmation.

_Wonderfull News from the North, Or a True Relation of the Sad and Grievous Torments Inflicted upon the Bodies of three Children of Mr.

George Muschamp, late of the County of Northumberland, by Witchcraft, ... As also the prosecution of the sayd Witches, as by Oaths, and their own Confessions will appear and by the Indictment found by the Jury against one of them, at the Sessions of the Peace held at Alnwick, the 24 day of April 1650_, London, 1650. Preface signed: "Thine, Mary Moore." This pamphlet bears all through the marks of a true narrative.

It is written evidently by a friend of the Mistress Muschamp who had such difficulty in persuading the north country justices, judges, and sheriffs to act. The names and the circ.u.mstances fit in with other known facts.

_The strange Witch at Greenwich haunting a Wench_, 1650. Unimportant.

_A Strange Witch at Greenwich_, 1650.

The last two pamphlets are mentioned by Lowndes. The second pamphlet I have not seen; as, however, Lowndes cites the t.i.tle of the first incorrectly, it is very possible that he has given two t.i.tles for the same pamphlet.

_The Witch of Wapping, or an Exact and Perfect Relation of the Life and Devilish Practises of Joan Peterson, who dwelt in Spruce Island, near Wapping; Who was condemned for practising Witchcraft, and sentenced to be Hanged at Tyburn, on Munday the 11th of April 1652_, London, 1652.

_A Declaration in Answer to several lying Pamphlets concerning the Witch of Wapping, ... shewing the Bloudy Plot and wicked Conspiracy of one Abraham Vandenhemde, Thomas Crompton, Thomas Collet, and others_, London, 1652. This pamphlet is described above, pp. 214-215.

_The Tryall and Examinations of Mrs. Joan Peterson before the Honourable Bench at the Sessions house in the Old Bayley yesterday._ [1652]. This states the case against Mistress Joan in the t.i.tle, but (unless the British Museum copy is imperfect) gives no details.

_Doctor Lamb's Darling, or Strange and terrible News from Salisbury; Being A true, exact, and perfect Relation of the great and wonderful Contract and Engagement made between the Devil, and Mistris Anne Bodenham; with the manner how she could transform herself into the shape of a Mastive Dog, a black Lyon, a white Bear, a Woolf, a Bull, and a Cat.... The Tryal, Examinations, and Confession ... before the Lord Chief Baron Wild.... By James [Edmond?] Bower, Cleric_, London, 1653.

This is the first account of the affair and is a rather crude one.

_Doctor Lamb Revived, or, Witchcraft condemn'd in Anne Bodenham ... who was Arraigned and Executed the Lent a.s.sizes last at Salisbury, before the Right Honourable the Lord Chief Baron Wild, Judge of the a.s.size....

By Edmond Bower, an eye and ear Witness of her Examination and Confession_, London, 1653. Bower's second and more detailed account. It is dedicated to the judge by the writer, who had a large part in the affair and frequently interviewed the witch. He does not present a record of examinations, but gives a detailed narrative of the entire affair. He throws out hints about certain phases of the case and rouses curiosity without satisfying it. His story of Anne Bodenham is, however, clear and interesting. The celebrated Aubrey refers to the case in his _Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme_, 261. His account, which tallies well with that of Bower, he seems to have derived from Anthony Ettrick "of the Middle Temple," who was a "curious observer of the whole triall."

_A Prodigious and Tragicall History of the Arraignment, Tryall, Confession, and Condemnation of six Witches at Maidstone, in Kent, at the a.s.sizes there held in July, Fryday 30, this present year, 1652.

Before the Right Honourable, Peter Warburton.... Collected from the Observations of E. G. Gent, a learned person, present at their Conviction and Condemnation, and digested by H. F. Gent._, London, 1652.

It is a pity that the digesting was not omitted. The account, however, is trustworthy. Mention is made of this trial by Elias Ashmole in his _Diary_ (London, 1717) and by _The Faithful Scout_, July 30-August 7, 1652.

_The most true and wonderfull Narration of two women bewitched in Yorks.h.i.+re: Who camming to the a.s.sizes at York to give in Evidence against the Witch after a most horrible noise to the terror and amazement of all the beholders, did vomit forth before the Judges, Pins, wool.... Also a most true Relation of a young Maid ... who ... did ...

vomit forth wadds of straw, with pins a crosse in them, iron Nails, Needles, ... as it is attested under the hand of that most famour Phisitian Doctor Henry Heers, ... 1658._ In the Bodleian. The writer of this pamphlet had little information to give and seems to have got it at second or third hand.

_A more Exact Relation of the most lamentable and horrid Contract which Lydia Rogers, living in Pump-Ally in Wapping, made with the Divel....

Together with the great pains and prayers of many eminent Divines, ...

1658._ In the Bodleian. This is a "Relation of a woman who heretofore professing Religion in the purity thereof fel afterwards to be a sectary, and then to be acquainted with Astrologers, and afterwards with the Divel himself." A poor woman "naturally inclin'd to melancholy"

believed she had made a contract with the Devil. "Many Ministers are dayly with her."

_The Snare of the Devill Discovered: Or, A True and perfect Relation of the sad and deplorable Condition of Lydia the Wife of John Rogers House Carpenter, living in Greenbank in Pumpe alley in Wappin.... Also her Examination by Mr. Johnson the Minister of Wappin, and her Confession.

As also in what a sad Condition she continues...._ London, 1658. Another tract against the Baptists. In spite of Lydia Rogers's supposed contract with the Devil, she does not seem to have been brought into court.

_Strange and Terrible Newes from Cambridge, being A true Relation of the Quakers bewitching of Mary Philips ... into the shape of a Bay Mare, riding her from Dinton towards the University. With the manner how she became visible again ... in her own Likeness and Shape, with her sides all rent and torn, as if they had been spur-galled, ... and the Names of the Quakers brought to tryal on Friday last at the a.s.sises held at Cambridge ..._, London, 1659. This is mentioned by John Ashton in the bibliographical appendix to his _The Devil in Britain and America_.

_The Just Devil of Woodstock, or a true narrative of the severall apparitions, the frights and punishments inflicted upon the Rumpish commissioners sent thither to survey the manors and houses belonging to His Majesty._ 1660. Wood, _Athenae Oxonienses_ (ed. of 1817), III, 398, ascribes this to Thomas Widdowes. It was on the affair described in this pamphlet that Walter Scott based his novel _Woodstock_. The story given in the pamphlet may be found in Sinclar's _Satan's Invisible World Discovered_. The writer has not seen the original pamphlet.

-- 6.--Charles II and James II (see ch. XI).

_The Power of Witchcraft, Being a most strange but true Relation of the most miraculous and wonderful deliverance of one Mr. William Harrison of Cambden in the County of Gloucester, Steward to the Lady Nowel ..._, London, 1662.

_A True and Perfect Account of the Examination, Confession, Tryal, Condemnation and Execution of Joan Perry and her two Sons ... for the supposed murder of William Harrison, Gent ..._, London, 1676. These are really not witchcraft pamphlets. Mr. Harrison disappears, three people are charged with his murder and hanged. Mr. Harrison comes back from Turkey in two years and tells a story of his disappearance which leads to the supposition that he was transported thither by witchcraft.

_A Tryal of Witches at the a.s.sizes held at Bury St. Edmonds for the County of Suffolk; on the tenth day of March, 1664_, London, 1682; another edition, 1716. The writer of this tract writes in introducing it: "This Tryal of Witches hath lain a long time in a private Gentleman's Hands in the Country, it being given to him by the Person that took it in the Court for his own satisfaction." This is the much quoted case before Sir Matthew Hale. The pamphlet presents one of the most detailed accounts of the court procedure in a witch case.

_The Lord's Arm Stretched Out in an Answer of Prayer or a True Relation of the wonderful Deliverance of James Barrow, the Son of John Barrow of Olaves Southwark_, London, 1664. This seems to be a Baptist pamphlet.

_The wonder of Suffolke, being a true relation of one that reports he made a league with the Devil for three years, to do mischief, and now breaks open houses, robs people daily, ... and can neither be shot nor taken, but leaps over walls fifteen feet high, runs five or six miles in a quarter of an hour, and sometimes vanishes in the midst of mult.i.tudes that go to take him. Faithfully written in a letter from a solemn person, dated not long since, to a friend in s.h.i.+p-yard, near Temple-bar, and ready to be attested by hundreds ..._, London, 1677. This is mentioned in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1829, pt. ii, 584. I have not seen a copy of the pamphlet.