The Witches of Salmesbury.

Iennet Bierley. } { Elizabeth Astley. Elen Bierley. } { Alice Gray. Iane Southworth. } { Isabell Sidegraues. Iohn Ramesden. } { Lawrence Haye.

The next day, being Monday, the 17. of August, were the Assises holden in the Castle of Lancaster, as followeth.

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Placita Coronae.

[Sidenote:  Lanc. fss.]

Deliberatio Gaolae Domini Regis Castri fui Lancasstr. ac Prisonarior[=u] in eadem existent.  Tenta apud Lancastr. in com.  Lancastr.  Die Lunae, Decimo septimo die Augusti, Anno Regni Domini nostri Iacobi dei gratia Anglicae, Franciae, et Hiberniae, Regis fidei defensoris; Decimo:  et Scotiae Quadragesimo sexto; Coram Iacobo Altham Milit. vno Baronum Scaccarij Domini Regis, et Edwardo Bromley Milit. altero Baronum eiusdem Scaccarij Domini Regis:  ac Iustic. dicti Domini Regis apud Lancastr.

Vpon the Tewesday in the after noone, the Iudges according to the course and order, deuided them selues, where vpon my Lord Bromley, one of his Maiesties Iudges of Assise comming into the Hall to proceede with the Pleaes of the Crowne, & the Arraignement and Tryall of Prisoners, commaunded a generall Proclamation, that all Iustices of Peace that had taken any Recognisaunces, or Examinations of Prisoners, should make Returne of them:  And all such as were bound to prosecute Indictmentes, and giue Euidence against Witches, should proceede, and giue attendance:  For hee now intended to proceede to the Arraignement and Tryall of Witches.

After which, the Court being set, M. Sherieffe was commaunded to present his Prisoners before his Lordship, and prepare a sufficient Iurie of Gentlemen for life and death.  But heere we want old Demdike, who dyed in the Castle before she came to her tryall.[C4_b_]

Heere you may not expect the exact order of the Assises, with the Proclamations, and other solemnities belonging to so great a Court of Iustice; but the proceedinges against the Witches, who are now vpon their deliuerance here in order as they came to the Barre, with the particular poyntes of Euidence against them:  which is the labour and worke we now intend (by Gods grace) to performe as we may, to your generall contentment.

Wherevpon, the first of all these, Anne Whittle, alias Chattox,[D_b_] was brought to the Barre:  against whom wee are now ready to proceed.

[Illustration:  decoration]

The Arraignement and Tryall of Anne Whittle, alias Chattox, of the Forrest of Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, Widdow; about the age of Fourescore yeares, or thereaboutes.

Anne Whittle, alias Chattox.