Discovery of Witches: The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of LancasterPotts, Thomas, active 1612-1618
History
Discovery of Witches: The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster
Potts, Thomas, active 1612-1618
Preston, Jennet, -1612; Witchcraft -- England -- Lancashire
If there were nothing to charge these Prisoners withall, whom now
you may behold vpon their Arraignement and Triall but their poasting
in haste to the great Assembly at Malking-Tower, there to aduise and
consult amongst the Witches, what were to bee done to set at liberty
the Witches in the Castle at Lancaster: Ioyne with _Iennet Preston_
for the murder of Master _Lister_; and such like wicked & diuellish
practises: It were sufficient to accuse them for Witches, & to bring
their liues to a lawfull Triall. But amongst all the Witches in this
company, there is not a more fearefull and diuellish Act committed,
and voluntarily confessed by any of them, comparable to this, vnder
the degree of Murder: which impudently now (at the Barre hauing
formerly confessed;)[Q3_a_1] they forsweare, swearing they were neuer
at the great assembly at Malking Tower; although the very Witches that
were present in that action with them, iustifie, maintaine, and sweare
the same to be true against them: Crying out in very violent &
outragious manner, euen to the gallowes,[Q3_a_2] where they died
impenitent for any thing we know, because they died silent in the
particulars. These of all others were the most desperate wretches
(void of all feare or grace) in all this Packe; Their offences not
much inferiour to Murther: for which you shall heare what matter of
Record wee haue against them; and whether they be worthie to continue,
we leaue it to the good consideration of the Iury.
The said _Iohn Bulcock_, and _Iane Bulcock_ his mother, Prisoners in
the Castle at Lancaster, being brought to the Barre before the great
Seat of Iustice: were there according to the former order and course
Indicted and Arraigned, for that they felloniously had practised,
exercised and vfed their diuellish & wicked Arts, called
_Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and _Sorceries_, in and vpon
the body of _Iennet Deane_: so as the body of the said _Iennet Deane_,
by force of the said Witchcrafts, wasted and consumed; and after she,
the said _Iennet_, became madde. _Contra formam Statuti_, &c. _Et
Contra pacem_, &c.
Vpon their Arraignement, to this Indictment they pleaded not guiltie;
and for the triall of their liues put themselues vpon God and their
Countrey.
So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death stand charged
with them as with others.
_The Euidence against_ Iohn Bulcock, _and_ Jane
Bulcock _his mother, Prisoners at the Barre._
* * * * *
_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE
_taken the seuen and twentieth day of Aprill aforesaid._
Before
ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER,
_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in
the Countie of Lancaster._
Against
IOHN BVLCOCK _and_ IANE BVLCOCK _his mother._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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