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
But heere they had not stayed a weeke, when their Children and
Friendes being abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at
_Malking Tower_ in the Forrest of _Pendle_,[C3_a_] vpon Good-fryday,
within a weeke after they were committed, of all the most dangerous,
wicked, and damnable Witches in the County farre and neere. Vpon
Good-fryday they met, according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized
this great Feastiuall day according to their former order, with great
cheare, merry company, and much conference.
In the end, in this great Assemblie, it was decreed M. _Couell_ by
reason of his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises: The
Castle of _Lancaster_ to be blowen vp, and ayde and assistance to be
sent to kill M. _Lister_, with his old Enemie and wicked Neighbour
_Iennet Preston_; with some other such like practices: as vpon their
Arraignement and Tryall, are particularly set foorth, and giuen in
euidence against them.
This was not so secret, but some notice of it came to M. _Nowell_, and
by his great paines taken in the Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, al
their practises are now made knowen. Their purpose to kill M.
_Couell_, and blow vp the Castle, is preuented. All their Murders,
Witchcraftes, Inchauntments, Charmes, & Sorceries, are discouered; and
euen in the middest of their consultations, they are all confounded,
and arrested by Gods Iustice: brought before M. _Nowell_, and M.
_Bannester_, vpon their voluntary confessions, Examinations, and other
Euidence accused, and so by them committed to the Castle: So as now
both old and young, haue taken vp their lodgings with M. _Couell_,
vntill the next Assises, expecting their Tryall and deliuerance,
according to the Lawes prouided for such like.
In the meane time, M. _Nowell_ hauing knowledge by this discouery of
their meeting at _Malkeing Tower_, and their resolution to execute
mischiefe, takes great paines to apprehend such as were at libertie,
and prepared Euidence against all such as were in question for
Witches.
Afterwardes sendes some of these Examinations, to the Assises at
Yorke, to be giuen in Evidence against _Iennet Preston_, who for the
murder of M. _Lister_, is condemned and executed.
The Circuite of the North partes being now almost ended.
The 16. of August.
Vpon Sunday in the after noone, my honorable Lords the Iudges of
Assise, came from _Kendall_ to _Lancaster_.
Wherevpon M. _Couell_, presented vnto their Lordships a Calender,
conteyning the Names of the Prisoners committed to his charge, which
were to receiue their Tryall at the Assises: Out of which, we are
onely to deale with the proceedings against Witches, which were as
followeth.
_Viz._
The Names of the
Witches committed to the
Castle of _Lancaster_.
_Elizabeth Sowtherns._ } Who dyed before
alias } shee
_Old Demdike._ } came to her tryall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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