Gillingwater's History of Lowestoft: a reprint: with a chapter of more recent eventsGillingwater, Edmund
History
Gillingwater's History of Lowestoft: a reprint: with a chapter of more recent events
Gillingwater, Edmund
Lothingland (England); Lowestoft (England)
girl fell into a violent rage, and gave the Court what they deemed the
most evident demonstration of the criminality of the prisoners.
Nevertheless, Mr. Sergeant Keeling seemed so much dissatisfied with this
proof, that he thought it not sufficient to convict the prisoners; and
therefore Sir Matthew Hale privately desired the Lord Cornwallis, and Mr.
Sergeant Keeling to try the experiment in another place, and by a
different person; but notwithstanding they perceived the same effect, yet
these gentlemen, on their return into Court, declared, that from what
they had discovered, it was, in their opinion, that the whole of the
charge was groundless, and without any foundation. This was a favourable
circumstance in behalf of the prisoners, as it tended to acquit them, and
it actually stopped the proceedings of the Court a considerable time. At
last, however, it was resolved to take the opinion of Dr. Brown, a
physician from Norwich, and who was desired by the Court to give his
sentiments concerning the prisoners, whether he really thought they were
witches or not. The doctor’s evidence amounted to this: “That he was
clearly of opinion that the two girls were really bewitched; for that in
Denmark there had been lately a great discovery of witches, and from some
books that had been published in that kingdom, it appears that the
witches there had used the same methods of afflicting persons as had been
practised by the prisoners.” This evidence of Dr. Brown turned the scale
against these unfortunate women, and appears to have been decisive.
The eyes of all the sensible and inquisitive part of the nation were
fixed on this very extraordinary trial, and waited with impatience the
decision of the Court. They were full of expectations that the point
would be so fully discussed as finally to determine it, and leave no room
for posterity to engage in any farther controversy concerning these
notions. But this was reserved for a more enlightened age; for it
appears that nothing but perplexity and confusion ensued thereupon. The
judge himself was so far from being satisfied with the evidence, that, on
the contrary, he was extremely doubtful concerning it; and was under such
distressing fears and apprehensions during the trial, and proceeded with
such extreme caution therein, that he forebore summing up the evidence,
but left it to the jury, with prayers to God to direct their hearts in so
weighty a matter. Accordingly the jury, after withdrawing about
half-an-hour, returned with their verdict, which pronounced the prisoners
guilty. After this the judge gave the law its course, pronounced
sentence of death upon them, and they were executed very soon after.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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