Lancashire Folk-lore: Illustrative of the Superstitious Beliefs and Practices, Local Customs and Usages of the People of the County PalatineHarland, John
History
Lancashire Folk-lore: Illustrative of the Superstitious Beliefs and Practices, Local Customs and Usages of the People of the County Palatine
Harland, John
Folklore -- England -- Lancashire; Lancashire (England) -- Social life and customs
"THE CONFESSION OF MARGARET JOHNSON.--That betwixt seven and eight
years since, she being in her own house in Marsden in a great
passion of anger and discontent, and withal pressed with some want,
there appeared unto her a spirit or devil in the proportion or
similitude of a man, apparelled in a suit of black, tied about with
silk points; who offered that if she would give him her soul he
would supply all her wants, and bring to her whatsoever she did
need; and at her appointment would in revenge either kill or hurt
whom or what she desired, were it man or beast. And saith, that
after a solicitation or two, she contracted and covenanted with the
said devil for her soul. And that the said devil or spirit bade her
call him by the name of Mamilian; and when she would have him do
anything for her, call in 'Mamilian,' and he would be ready to do
her will. And saith, that in all her talk and confidence she calleth
her said devil, 'Mamil, my God.' She further saith that the said
Mamilian, her devil (by her consent) did abuse and defile * * * And
saith that she was not at the great meeting at Hoare-stones, at the
Forest of Pendle, upon All Saints' Day, where * * * But saith she
was at a second meeting the Sunday next after All Saints' Day, at
the place aforesaid, where there was at the time between thirty and
forty witches, who did all ride to the said meeting, and the end of
the meeting was to consult for the killing and hurting of men and
beasts. And that besides their private familiars or spirits, there
was one great or grand devil or spirit, more eminent than the rest.
And if any desire to have a great and more wonderful devil, whereby
they may have more power to hurt, they may have one such. And saith
that such witches as have sharp bones given them by the devil to
prick them, have no paps or dugs whereon the devil may suck; but the
devil receiveth blood from the place pricked with the bone; and they
are more grand witches than any that have marks. She also saith,
that if a witch had but one mark, she hath but one spirit; if two,
then two spirits; if three, yet but two spirits. And saith that
their spirits usually have keeping of their bodies. And being
desired to name such as she knew to be witches, she named, &c. And
if they would torment a man, they bid their spirit go and torment
him in any particular place. And that Good Friday is one constant
day for a yearly general meeting of witches, and that on Good Friday
last they had a meeting near Pendle water-side. She also saith that
men witches usually have women spirits, and women witches men
spirits. And their devil or spirit gives them notice of their
meeting, and tells them the place where it must be. And saith, if
they desire to be in any place upon a sudden their devil or spirit
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