THE ARRAIGNMENT _and Triall of_ MARGARET PEARSON _of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, for Witchcraft; the nineteenth of August, 1612. at the Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster_, Before _Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._ _Margaret Pearson._ Thus farre haue I proceeded in hope your patience will endure the end of this discourse, which craues time, and were better not begunne at all, then not perfected. This _Margaret Pearson_ was the wife of _Edward Pearson_ of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster; little inferiour in her wicked and malicious course of life to any that hath gone before her: A very dangerous Witch of long continuance, generally suspected and feared in all parts of the Countrie, and of all good people neare her, and not without great cause: For whosoeuer gaue her any iust occasion of offence, shee tormented with great miserie, or cut off their children, goods, or friends. This wicked and vngodly Witch reuenged her furie vpon goods, so that euery one neare her sustained great losse. I place her in the end of these notorious Witches, by reason her iudgement is of an other Nature, according to her offence; yet had not the fauour and mercie of the Iurie beene more than her desert, you had found her next to old _Dembdike_; for this is the third time shee is come to receiue her Triall; one time for murder by Witch-craft; an other time for bewitching a Neighbour; now for goods. How long shee hath been a Witch, the Deuill and shee knows best. The Accusations, Depositions, and particular Examinations vpon Record against her are infinite, and were able to fill a large Volume; But since shee is now only to receiue her Triall for this last offence. I shall proceede against her in order, and set forth what matter we haue vpon Record, to charge her withall. This _Margaret Pearson_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice; was there according to the course and order of the Law Indicted and Arraigned, for that shee had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and _Sorceries_, and one Mare of the goods and Chattels of one _Dodgeson_ of Padiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, wickedly, maliciously, and voluntarily did kill. _Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et Contra pacem dicti Domini Regis. &c._ Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie; And for the triall of her offence put her selfe vpon God and her Countrie. So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of her offence and death, stand charged with her as with others. _The Euidence against_ Margaret Pearson, _Prisoner at the Barre._ * * * * * _The Examination and Euidence of_ ANNE WHITTLE, _alias_ CHATTOX. Against MARGARET PEARSON, _Prisoner at the Barre._