_Alizon Deuice_ conuicted vpon her owne Confession.
Whereupon Master _Couel_ was commaunded by the Court to take away the
Prisoners conuicted, and to bring forth _Margaret Pearson_,[S3_b_] and
_Isabell Robey_, Prisoners in the Castle at Lancaster, to receiue
their Triall.
Who were brought to their Arraignement and Trialls, as hereafter
followeth, _viz._
[Illustration: decoration]
THE ARRAIGNMENT
_and Triall of_ MARGARET PEARSON
_of Paddiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, for
Witchcraft; the nineteenth of August, 1612. at the
Assises and Generall Gaole-deliuerie, holden at Lancaster_,
Before
_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties
Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._
_Margaret Pearson._
Thus farre haue I proceeded in hope your patience will endure the
end of this discourse, which craues time, and were better not begunne
at all, then not perfected.
This _Margaret Pearson_ was the wife of _Edward Pearson_ of Paddiham,
in the Countie of Lancaster; little inferiour in her wicked and
malicious course of life to any that hath gone before her: A very
dangerous Witch of long continuance, generally suspected and feared in
all parts of the Countrie, and of all good people neare her, and not
without great cause: For whosoeuer gaue her any iust occasion of
offence, shee tormented with great miserie, or cut off their
children, goods, or friends.
This wicked and vngodly Witch reuenged her furie vpon goods, so that
euery one neare her sustained great losse. I place her in the end of
these notorious Witches, by reason her iudgement is of an other
Nature, according to her offence; yet had not the fauour and mercie of
the Iurie beene more than her desert, you had found her next to old
_Dembdike_; for this is the third time shee is come to receiue her
Triall; one time for murder by Witch-craft; an other time for
bewitching a Neighbour; now for goods.
How long shee hath been a Witch, the Deuill and shee knows
best.
The Accusations, Depositions, and particular Examinations vpon Record
against her are infinite, and were able to fill a large Volume; But
since shee is now only to receiue her Triall for this last offence. I
shall proceede against her in order, and set forth what matter we haue
vpon Record, to charge her withall.
This _Margaret Pearson_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being
brought to the Barre before the great Seat of Iustice; was there
according to the course and orde
|