The Witch-cult in Western Europe: A Study in AnthropologyMurray, Margaret Alice
Religion
The Witch-cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology
Murray, Margaret Alice
Ethnology; Witchcraft -- Great Britain
that about six weeks since, the Devill appeared to her in her house,
in the likenesse of a white dog, and that she calleth that familiar
Elimanzer; and that this examinant hath often fed him with milk
pottage.—Rebecca West saith, that about a moneth since, the aforesaid
Anne Leech, Elizabeth Gooding, Hellen Clark, Anne West, and this
examinant, met all together at the house of the aforesaid Elizabeth
Clark in Mannyntree, where they spent some time in praying unto their
familiars, and every one in order went to prayers; afterwards some of
them read in a book, the book being Elizabeth Clarks; and this
examinant saith, that forthwith their familiars appeared, and every
one of them made their severall propositions to those familiars, what
every one of them desired to have effected.—The Information of
Matthew Hopkins, Gent. taken upon oath before the said Justices. This
informant saith, That being lately at Colchester, he went to the
castle, where the said Rebecca Weste, with the other five, are secured
until the next gaole delivery: and this informant going to Rebecca
Weste, and asking her how shee came first to be a witch, the said
Rebecca told this informant, that about a yeare since, or thereabouts,
halfe an houre before sun-set, the said Anne Weste (her mother)
carried the said Rebecca Weste towards Mannintree (which is about a
small mile from the place where the said Anne dwelt) and the said
Rebecca told this informant, that as her mother and shee walked
together, the said Anne told the said Rebecca, shee must keepe secret
whatsoever shee saw, whither they were then going; and the said
Rebecca promised so to doe; and the said Rebecca told this informant,
that her mother and shee went to the house of the aforesaid Elizabeth
Clarke, where at their comming in they found the aforesaid Anne Leech,
widow, Elizabeth Gooding, Hellen Clarke, and the house-keeper
Elizabeth Clarke, and that forthwith the Devill appeared to them in
the shape of a dogge; afterwards in the shape of two kitlyns; then in
the shape of two dogges; and that the said familiars did doe homage in
the first place to the said Elizabeth Clarke, and skipped up into her
lap and kissed her; and then went and kissed all that were in the
roome, except the said Rebecca: and the said Rebecca told this
informant, that immediately one of the company asked the said Anne her
mother, if shee had acquainted her daughter (the said Rebecca) with
the businesse. [Rebecca then took an oath of secrecy]; after she had
consented to all these things, the Devill came into her lap, and
kissed her, and promised to doe for her what she could desire.—The
Information of Elizabeth Otley of Wyvenhoe, taken upon oath before the
said justices. This informant saith, that Alice Dixon, who now stands
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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