‘But now to the proof of the witchcraft. The old woman, whom all suspected, was laid up in her bed for three days afterwards, unable to walk about, all the consequence of the kick she had received in the shape of a white rabbit!’ CHAPTER XV. Commencement of Witchcraft in England--Dame Eleanor Cobham--Jane Shore--Lord Huntingford--Cases from the Calendars of State Papers--Earliest Printed Case, that of John Walsh--Elizabeth Stile--Three Witches tried at Chelmsford--Witches of St. Osyth--Witches of Warboys--Witches of Northamptonshire. At what date the higher cult of sorcery or magic became the drivel known as witchcraft is uncertain. I am almost inclined to place it (in England) at 1441; but then the charge was purely political, and I think that the Calendars of State Papers for nearly a century afterwards bear the statement out, that for some time afterwards they were so. The case of Dame Eleanor Cobham is very tersely told in ‘Baker’s Chronicle.’[40] ‘Whilst these Alterations passed in _France_, a more unnatural (_sic_) passed in _England_; the Uncle riseth against the Nephew, the Nephew against the Uncle; the Duke of _Gloucester_ brings Articles against the Cardinal, charging him with affecting Preheminence, to the Derogation of the King’s Prerogative, and Contempt of his Laws; which Articles are delivered to the King, and by him to his Council, who, being most of the Clergy, durst not meddle in them, for fear of offending the Cardinal. On the other Side, the Cardinal, finding nothing whereof directly to accuse the Duke of _Gloucester_ himself, accuseth his other self, the Lady _Eleanor Cobham_, the Duke’s Wife, of Treason for attempting, by Sorcery and Witchcraft, the Death of the King, and Advancement of her Husband to the Crown: For which, tho’ acquitted of the Treason, she is adjudged to open Penance, namely, to go with a Wax Taper in her hand, Hoodless (save through a Kerchief) through _London_, divers Days together, and after, to remain in perpetual imprisonment in the _Isle of Man_. The Crime objected against her was, procuring _Thomas Southwel_, _John Hunne_, Priests, _Roger Bolingbroke_, a supposed Necromancer, and _Margery Jordan_, called the Witch of _Eye_, in _Suffolk_, to devise a Picture of Wax in Proportion of the King, in such sort by Sorcery, that, as the Picture consumed, so the King’s body should consume: For which they were all condemned. The Witch was burnt at _Smithfield_, _Bolingbroke_ was hanged, constantly affirming upon his Death, That neither the Duchess, nor any other from her, did ever require more of him, than only to know, by his Art, how long the King should live. _John Hunne_ had his Pardon, and _Southwel_ died the Night before he should have been executed.’ Shakespeare takes up the common tale about the bewitchment of Richard III. (Act III., scene 4):