When we consider this general attitude towards crime in connection with what we have already indicated about the rapid decline in numbers of witch convictions, it seems a safe guess that the Cromwellian government, while not greatly interested in witchcraft, was, so far as interested, inclined towards leniency. [1] Whitelocke, _Memorials_, III, 63, 97, 99, 113. [2] See an extract from the Guild Hall Books in John Fuller, _History of Berwick_ (Edinburgh, 1799), 155-156. [3] Thomas Widdrington's letter to Whitelocke (Whitelocke, _Memorials_, III, 99). Widdrington said the man professed himself "an artist that way." The writer was evidently somewhat skeptical. [4] _Ibid._ [5] Ralph Gardiner, _England's Grievance Discovered in Relation to the Coal Trade_ (London, 1655), 108. [6] _Ibid._ [7] See John Brand, _History and Antiquities of ... Newcastle_ (London, 1789), II, 478, or the _Chronicon Mirabile_ (London, 1841), 92, for an extract from the parish registers, giving the names. A witch of rural Northumberland was executed with them. [8] The witches of 1649 were not confined to the north. Two are said to have been executed at St. Albans, a man and a woman; one woman was tried in Worcestershire, one at Gloucester, and two in Middlesex. John Palmer and Elizabeth Knott, who suffered at St. Albans, had gained some notoriety. Palmer had contracted with the Devil and had persuaded his kinswoman to assist him in procuring the death of a woman by the use of clay pictures. Both were probably practitioners in magic. Palmer, even when in prison, claimed the power of transforming men into beasts. The woman seems to have been put to the swimming test. Both were condemned. Palmer, at his execution, gave information about a "whole colledge of witches," most of them, no doubt, practisers like himself, but his random accusations were probably passed over. See _The Divels Delusions or A faithfull relation of John Palmer and Elizabeth Knott ..._ (1649). [9] Ralph Gardiner, _op. cit._, 109. [10] See _ibid._ At his execution, Gardiner says, he confessed that he had been the death of 220 witches in Scotland and England. Either the man was guilty of unseemly and boastful lying, which is very likely, or Scotland was indeed badly "infested." See above, note 1. [11] This narrative is contained in _Wonderfull News from the North, Or a True Relation of the Sad and Grievous Torments Inflicted upon ... three Children of Mr. George Muschamp ..._ (London, 1650). [12] The story of the case was sent down to London and there published, where it soon became a classic among the witch-believing clergy. [13] See the two pamphlets by Edmond Bower described below in appendix A, § 5, and Henry More, _Antidote against Atheisme_, bk. III, ch. VII. [14] Wylde was not well esteemed as a judge. On the institution of the protectorate he was not reappointed by Cromwell.