The wonderful discouerie of the vvitchcrafts of Margaret and Phillip Flower, daughters of Ioan Flower neere Beuer Castle: executed at Lincolne, March 11. 1618 Who were specially arraigned and condemned before Sir Henry Hobart, and Sir Edward Bromley, iudges of assise, for confessing themselues actors in the destruction of Henry L. Rosse, with their damnable practises against others the children of the Right Honourable Francis Earle of Rutland. Together with the seuerall examinations and confessions of Anne Baker, Ioan Willimot, and Ellen Greene, witches in Leicestershire.

The Examinations of Anne Baker, Ioane Willimot, and Ellen Greene; as followeth, &c.

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Anne Baker. Ioane Willimot. Ellen Greene.

THE EXAMINATION of Anne Baker of Bottesford in the County of Leicester Spinster, taken March, 1. 1618. by the Right Honourable, Francis Earle of Rutland, Sir George Manners Knight, two of his Maiesties Iu∣stices of the peace for the Coun∣ty of Lincolne, and Samuel Fle∣ming Doctor of Diuinitie, one of his Maiesties Iustices of the peace for the County of Leicester a∣foresaid.

SHE saith that there are foure colours of Planets, Blacke, Yellow, Greene, and Blew, and that Blacke is al∣waies death, and that shee sawe the Blew Plannet strike Thomas Fairebarne, the eldest sonne vnto William Fairebarne of

Bottesford aforesaid by the Pinfold there, within the which time the said William Faire-barne did beat her and breake her head, where∣vppon the said Thomas Faire-barne, did mend. And being asked who did send that Planet? an∣swered it was not I.

Further shee saith, that shee saw a hand appeare vnto her, and that shee heard a voyce in the ayre said vnto her: Anne Baker, saue thy selfe, for to morrow thou and thy maister must be slaine: and the next day her maister and shee were in a Cart together; and suddainely shee saw a flash of fire, and said her prayers, and the fire went a∣way, and shortly after a Crow came and picked vpon her cloathes, and shee said her prayers againe, and bad the Crow go to whom he was sent, and the Crow went vnto her Maister, and did beat him to death, and shee with her prayers recouered him to life; but hee was sicke a fortnight after, and saith, that if shee had not had more knowledge then her maister, both he and shee and all the Cat∣tell had beene slaine.

Being examined concerning a Childe of Anne Stannidge, which shee was suspected to haue be∣witched

to death; saith, the said Anne Stan∣nidge did deliuer her childe into her hands, and that shee did lay it vpon her skirt, but did no harme vnto it; And being charged by the Mother of the childe, that vpon the burning of the haire and the paring of the nailes of the said childe, the said Anne Baker came in and set her downe, and for one houres space could speake nothing; confesseth shee came into the house of the said Anne Stan∣nidge in great paine, but did not know of the bur∣ning of the haire and nailes of the said Childe; but said she was so sicke that she did not know whi∣ther she went.

Being charged that shee bewitched Elizabeth Hough, the wife of William Hough to death, for that shee angred her in giuing her almes of her second bread; confesseth that she was angry with her and said she might haue giuen her of her better bread, for she had gone too often on her errands, but more she saith not.

This Examinat confesseth that shee came to Ioane Gylles house, her child being sicke, and that shee intreated this Examinat to look on the Child, and to tell her whether it was forspoken or no, and

this Examinate said it was forspoken; but when the said child died she cannot tell.

And being asked concerning Nortley carrying of his Child home vnto his owne house, where the said Anne Baker was, shee asked him, who gaue the said Child that loafe, he told her Antho∣ny Gill, to whom this Examinate said, he might haue had a Child of his owne if hee would haue sought in time for it; which words she confessed shee did speake.

Being blamed by Henry Milles in this sort: A fire set on you, I haue had two or three ill nights; to whom shee made answere, you should haue let me alone then, which shee confesseth.

The said Anne Baker, March 2. 1618. con∣fessed before Samuel Fleming Doctor of Di∣uinitie, that about 3. yeares agoe, shee went into Northamptonshire, and that at her comming back againe, one Peakes wife and Dennis his wife of Beluoyre told her that my young Lord Henry was dead, and that there was a gloue of the said Lord buried in the ground; and as that gloue did rot and wast, so did the liuer of the said Lord rot and wast.

Further shee said, March 3. 1618. before S^r. George Manners Knight, and Samuel Fle∣ming Doctor of Diuinity, that shee hath a Spirit which hath the shape of a white Dogge, which shee calleth her good Spirit.

Samuel Fleming test.

The Examination of Ioan Willimot, taken the 28. of February, in the 16. yeare of the raigne of our So∣ueraigne Lord, IAMES, ouer Eng∣land King &c. and ouer Scotland the 52. before Alexander Am∣cotts Esquire, one of his Maie∣sties Iustices of the peace of the said parts and County.

THis Examinat saith, that Ioane Flower told her that my Lord of Rutland had dealt badly with her and that they had put away her Daughter, and that although she could not haue her will of my Lord him∣selfe, yet she had spied my Lords Sonne and had stricken him to the heart. And she sai••h, that my Lords Sonne was striken with a white Spirit, and that shee can cure some that send vnto her, and that some reward her for her paines, and of some she taketh nothing.

She further saith, that vpon Fryday night last, her Spirit came to her and told her that there was a bad woman at Deeping who had giuen her soule to the Diuell: and that her said Spirit did then appeare vnto her in a more vgly forme then it had formerly done, and that it vrged her much to giue it some∣thing, although it were but a peece of her Girdle, and told her that it had taken great paines for her, but she saith that she would giue it nothing, and told it that she had sent it to no place but onely to see how my Lord Rosse did, and that her Spirit told her that he should doe well.

The Examination of the said Ioan Willimott, taken the second day of March in the yeare abouesaid, before the said Alexander Amcots.

THis Examinate saith, That shee hath a Spirit which shee calleth Pretty, which was giuen vnto her by William Berry of Lang∣holme in Rutlandshire, whom she serued three yeares; and that her Master when hee gaue it vnto her, willed her to open her mouth, and hee would blow into her a Fairy which should doe her good; and that shee opened her mouth, and he did blow into her mouth; and that presently after his blowing, there came out of her mouth a Spirit, which stood vpon the ground in the the shape and forme of a Woman, which Spirit did aske of her her Soule, which shee then promised vnto it, being willed thereunto by her Master. Shee further confesseth, that shee neuer hurt any body, but did helpe diuers that sent for her,

which were stricken or fore-spoken: and that her Spirit came weekely to her, and would tell her of diuers persons that were stricken and forespoken. And shee saith, that the vse which shee had of the Spirit, was to know how those did which shee had vndertaken to amend; and that shee did helpe them by cer∣taine prayers which she vsed, and not by her owne Spirit; neyther did she imploy her Spi∣rit in any thing, but onely to bring word how those did which she had vndertaken to cure.

And shee further saith, that her Spirit came vnto her this last night (as she thought) in the forme of a woman, mumbling, but she could not vnderstand what it said. And being as∣ked whether shee were not in a dreame or slumber when shee thought shee saw it, shee said no, and that she was as waking as at this present.

• Alexander Amcots.
• Thomas Robinson test.

The Examination of Ioane Willi∣mot of Goadby in the County of Leicester Widdow, taken the 17. of March, 1618▪ by Sir Henry Ha∣stings Knight, and Samuel Fleming Doctor of Diuinitie, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace of the said County of Leicester.

SHe saith that she tould one Cookes wife of Stathorne in the said County Labou∣rer, that Iohn Patchett might haue had his Child aliue, if he would haue sought forth for it in time, and if it were not death stricken in her wayes, and that Patchets wife had an euill thing within her, which should make an end of her, and that she knew by her Girdle.

She saith further, that Gamaliel Greete of Waltham in the said County Shepheard, had a Spirit like a white Mouse put into him

in his swearing; and that if hee did looke vp∣on any thing with an intent to hurt, it should be hurt, and that hee had a marke on his left arme, which was cut away; and that her own spirit did tell her all this before it went from her.

Further she saith, that Ioane Flower, Marga∣ret Flower and shee, did meet about a weeke before Ioane Flowers apprehension, in Black∣borrow-hill, and went from thence home to the said Ioan Flowers house, and there she saw two spirits, one like a Rat, and the other like an Owle; and one of them did sucke vnder her right eare, as shee thought: and the said Ioan told her, that her spirits did say that shee should neyther be hanged nor burnt.

Further she saith, that the said Ioan Flower did take vp some earth and spet vpon it, and did worke it with her finger, and put it vp in∣to her purse, and said though shee could not hurt the Lord himselfe, yet shee had sped his Sonne, which is dead.

• H. Hastings.
• Samuel Fleming.

The Examination of Ellen Greene of Stathorne in the County of Lei∣cester, taken the 17. of March 1618. by Sir Henry Hastings K^t: and Samuel Fleming D. of Diuini∣tie, two of his Maiesties Iustices of the Peace of his said County.

SHee saith, that one Ioan Willimot of Goadby came about sixe yeares since to her in the Wowlds, and perswaded this Examinate to forsake God, and betake her to the diuel, and she would giue her two spirits, to which shee gaue her consent, and thereupon the said Ioan Willimot called two spirits, one in the likenesse of a Kitlin, and the other of a Moldiwarp: the first the said Willimot called pusse, the other hiffe, hiffe, and they presently came to her, & she departing left them with this Examinate, and they leapt on her shoulder, and the kitlin suckt vnder her right eare on her neck, & the Moldiwarp on the left side in the like place.

After they had suckt her, shee sent the Kitlin to a Baker of that Towne, whose name shee remembers not, who had called her Witch & stricken her; and bad her said spirit goe and bewitch him to death: the Moldiwarpe shee then bad go to Anne Dawse of the same towne and bewitch her to death, because she had cal∣led this examinate witch, whore, jade, &c. and within one fortnight after they both dyed.

And further this Examinate saith, that she sent both her spirits to Stonesby, to one Willison a husbandman, & Robert Williman a husband∣mans sonne, and bad the Kitlin goe to Willison and bewitch him to death, and the Moldy∣warp to the other, and bewitch him to death, which they did; and within tenne dayes they dyed. These foure were bewitched while this Examinate dwelt at Waltham aforesaid.

About three yeares since, this Examinate remoued thence to Stathorne, where she now dwelt: vpon a difference betweene the said Willimot and the wife of Iohn Patchet of the said Stathorne Yeoman, shee the said Willimot called her this Examinate to goe and touch

the said Iohn Patchets Wife and her Childe, which shee did, touching the said Iohn Pat∣chets wife in her bed, and the childe in the Grace-wifes armes, and then sent her said spirits to bewitch them to death, which they did, and so the woman lay languishing by the space of a moneth and more, for then shee dyed; the childe dyed the next day after she touched it.

And shee further saith, that the said Ioane Willimot had a spirit sucking on her, vnder the left flanke, in the likenesse of a little white Dogge, which this Examinate saith, that she saw the same sucking in Barley-haruest last, being then at the house of the said Ioan Willi∣mot.

And for her selfe, this Examinate further saith, that shee gaue her soule to the Diuell to haue these spirits at her command; for a con∣firmation whereof, she suffered them to suck her alwayes as aforesaid about the change and full of the Moone.

• H. Hastings.
• Samuel Fleming.

The Examination of Phillip Flower, Sister of Margaret Flower, and Daughters of Ioane Flower, before S^r William Pelham, and Mr. Butler, Iustices of the Peace, Febr. 4. 1618. Which was brought in at the Assizes as e∣uidence against her Sister Margaret.

SHe saith, that her mother and her sister ma∣liced the Earle of Rutland, his Countesse, and their Children, because her Sister Margaret, was put out of the Ladies seruice of Laundry, and exempted from other seruices about the house, wherevpon her said sister, by the commandement of her mother, brought from the Castle the right hand gloue of the Lord Henry Rosse, which she deli∣uered to her Mother; who presently rubd it on the backe of her Spirit Rutterkin, and then put it into hot boyling water, afterward shee pricked it often, and buried it in the yard, wishing the Lord Rosse might neuer thriue, and so her Sister Margaret con∣tinued with her mother, where shee often saw the cat Rutterkin leape on her shoulder, and sucke her necke.

Shee further confessed, that shee heard her mo∣ther often curse the Earle and his Lady, and there∣vpon would boyle feathers and blood together, vsing many Diuellish speeches and strange gestures.

The Examination of Margaret Flower, Sister of Phillip Flower▪ &c. about the 22. of Ia∣nuary. 1618.

SHe saith and confesseth, that about foure or fiue yeare since her Mother sent her for the right hand gloue of Henry Lord Rosse, after∣ward that her mother bade her goe againe in∣to the Castle of Beauer, and bring downe the gloue or some other thing of Henry Lord Rosse, and shee askt what to doe? Her Mother replyed to hurt my Lord Rosse: wherevpon she brought downe a gloue, and deliuered the same to her Mother, who stroked Rutterkin her Cat with it, after it was dipt in hot wa∣ter, and so prickt it often, after which Henry Lord Rosse fell sicke within a weeke, and was much tor∣mented with the same.

She further saith, that finding a gloue about two or three yeares since of Francis Lord Rosse, on a dung-hill, she deliuered it to her mother, who put it into hot water, and after tooke it out and rubd it on Rutterkin the Cat, and bad him goe vpwards, and af∣ter her mother buried it in the yard, and said a mis∣chiefe light on him, but he will mend againe.

Shee further saith, that her Mother and shee, and her Sister agreed together to bewitch the Earle and his Lady, that they might haue no more children: and being demanded the cause of this their mallice and ill will; shee saith, that about foure yeares since

the Countesse (growing into some mislike with her) gaue her forty shillings, a bolster, & a mattresse, and bad her lye at home, and come no more to dwell at the Castle; which she not onely tooke in ill part, but grudged at it exceedingly, swearing in her heart to be reuenged. After this, her Mother complained to the Earle against one Peake, who had offered her some wrong, wherein she conceiued that the Earle tooke not her part, as shee expected, which dislike with the rest, exasperated her displeasure against him, and so she watched an opportunity to bee re∣uenged: wherevpon she tooke wooll out of the said mattresse, and a paire of gloues, which were giuen her by M^r. Vauasor, and put them into warme water, mingling them with some blood, and stirring it to∣gether, then she tooke the wooll and gloues out of the water, and rubd them on the belly of Rutterkin her Cat, saying the Lord and the Lady should haue more Children, but it would be long first.

Shee further confesseth, that by her mothers com∣mandement, shee brought to her a peece of a hand∣kercher of the Lady Katherine the Earles daughter, and her mother put it into hot water, & then taking it out, rubd it on Rutterkin, bidding him flye, and go; wherevpon Rutterkin whined and cryed Mew: whereupon shee said, that Rutterkin had no power ouer the Lady Katherine to hurt her.

The Examination of Phillip Flower, the 25. of February, 1618. before Francis Earle of Rutland, Francis Lord Willoughby of Ersby, S^r. George Manners, and S^r. William Pelham.

SHee confesseth and saith, that shee hath a Spi∣rit sucking on her in the forme of a white Rat, which keepeth her left breast, and hath so done for three or foure yeares, and concerning the agreement betwixt her Spirit and her selfe, she con∣fesseth and saith, that when it came first vnto her, shee gaue her Soule to it, and it promised to doe her good, and cause Thomas Simpson to loue her, if shee would suffer it to sucke her, which shee agreed vnto; and so the last time it suckt was on Tuesday at night, the 23. of February.

The Examination of Margaret Flower, at the same time, &c.

SHee confesseth, that she hath two familiar Spi∣rits sucking on her, the one white, the other black spotted; the white sucked vnder her left brest, and the blacke spotted within the inward parts of her secrets. When shee first entertained them she promised them her soule, and they couenanted to doe all things which she commanded them▪ &c.

Shee further saith, that about the 30. of Ianuary, last past, being Saturday, foure Diuells appeared vn∣to her in Lincolne layle, at eleauen or twelue a clocke at midnight: The one stood at her beds feete, with a blacke head like an Ape, and spake vnto her; but what, shee cannot well remember, at which shee was very angry because hee would speake no plainer, or let her vnderstand his meaning: the other three were Rutterkin, Little Robin, and Spirit; but shee neuer mistrusted them, nor suspected her selfe, till then.

There is another Examination of the said Margaret Flower, taken the fourth of Fe∣bruary, 1618. tending to this effect.

THat being asked what shee knoweth concer∣ning the bewitching of the Earle of Rutland, his wife, and children, shee saith, that it is

true, that her selfe, her mother, and sister were all displeased with him, especially with the Countesse, for turning her out of seruice, wherevppon some foure yeare since, her mother commanded her to goe vp to the Castle, and bring her the right hand gloue of the Lord Henry Rosse, the Earles eldest sonne; which gloue she found on the rushes in the Nurcery, and deliuered the same to her Mother, who put it into hot water, prickt it often with her knife, then tooke it out of the water, and rubd it vp∣pon Rutterkin, bidding him height and goe, and doe some hurt to Henry Lord Rosse, wherevpon hee fell sicke, and shortly after dyed, which her Mother hea∣ring of, said it was well: but after shee had rubd the gloue on the Spirit Rutterkin, shee threw it into the fire and burnt it, &c.

THese Examinations and some others were taken and charily preserued for the contri∣uing of sufficient euidences against them, and when the Iudges of Assise came downe to Lincolne about the first weeke of March, being S^r. Henry Hobert, Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas, and S^r. Ed: Bromley one of the Barons of the Ex∣chequer, they were presented vnto them, who not only wondred at the wickednesse of these persons, but were amazed at their practises and horrible contracts with the Diuel to damne their own soules: And although the Right Honorable Earle had suffi∣cient griefe for the losse of his Children; yet no

doubt it was the greater to consider the manner, and how it pleased God to inflict on him such a fashion of visitation: Besides, as it amazed the hearers to vnderstand the particulars, and the circumstances of this diuellish contract, so was it as wonderfull to see their desperate impenitency, and horrible di∣straction, according to the rest of that sort, exclai∣ming against the Diuell for deluding them, and now breaking promise with them, when they stood in most need of his helpe.

Notwithstanding all these aggrauations, such was the vnparalleld magnanimity, wisedome, and patience of this generous Noble-man, that hee vrged nothing against them more then their owne confessions, and so quietly left them to iudiciall tri∣all, desiring of God mercy for their soules, and of men charity to censure them in their condemna∣tion: but God is not mocked, and so gaue them o∣uer to iudgement, nor man so reformed, but for the Earles sake, they cursed them to that place which they themselues long before had bargained for.

What now remaines (gentle Reader) but for thee to make vse of so wonderfull a Story, and remarka∣ble an accident, out of which, to draw to a conclu∣sion, thou maist collect these particulars. First, that God is the supreame commander of all things, and permitteth wonderfull actions in the World, for the tryall of the godly, the punishment of the wicked, and his owne glory: of which man shall neuer attaine to know the reason or occasion. Se∣condly, that the Diuell is the meere seruant and

agent of God, to prosecute whatsoeuer hee shall command rather then giue leaue vnto; limiting him yet thus farre in his owne nature, that he can go no further then the bounds within which hee is hedged. Thirdly, that this God hath punishments, ad correctionem, that is to say, chasticements of the godly, & ad rui••••m, Videlicet, Iudgements against the wicked, wherein yet man must disclaime any knowledge, and forsake preiudicate opinions. For the very iust shall be tried like gold, and no man ex∣empted from castigation whom God doth loue. Fourthly, that this Diuell, though he bee Gods In∣strument, yet worketh altogether by deceit: for as hee was a lyer from the beginning; so let no man trust him, because he aymeth at the confusion of all Mankinde. Fiftly, that the wicked, (howeuer they may thriue and prosper for a time) yet in the end are sure to be payed home, either with punishment in this life or in the life to come, or both, as a finall reward of monstrous impiety. Sixtly, that Man in his frailty must not presume of prosperity; but prepare a kinde of stooping vnder the hand of God, when it pleaseth him to strike or punish vs. Sea∣uenthly, that there is no murmuring nor repining against God, but quietly to tolerate his inflictings, whensoeuer they chance, of which this worthy Earle is a memorable example to all men and Ages. Eightly, that the punishments of the wicked are so many warnings to all irregular sinners to amend their liues, and auoid the iudgement to come, by penitency and newnesse of life. Ninthly, that

though man could bee content to passe ouer blas∣phemies and offences against the Statutes of Prin∣ces, yet God will ouertake them in their own walks, and pull them backe by the sleeue into a slaughter-house, as here you know the euidences against these people tooke life and power from their owne Con∣fessions. Tenthly, and last of all, that priuate opi∣nion cannot preuaile against publique censures: for here you see the learned and religious Iudges cryed out with our Sauiour, Ex ore tuo. Therefore though it were so, that neither Witch nor Diuell could doe these things, yet Let not a Witch liue, saith God, and Let them dye (saith the Law of England) that haue conuersation with spirits, and presume to blaspheme the name of God with spels and incantation. O then you sonnes of men, take warning by these examples, and eyther diuert your steps from the broad way of destruction, and inrecouerable gulph of damnation, or with Iosuahs counsell to Achan, blesse God for the discouery of wickednesse, and take thy death pa∣tiently, as the preuention of thy future iudgement, and sauing innocents from punishment, who other∣wise may be suspected without a cause.

Vtinam tam facile vera inuenire possem, quam fal∣sa conuincere.

FINIS.