_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his Maiesties
Iustices of Assise at Lancaster._
_James Deuice._
This wicked and miserable Wretch, whether by practise, or meanes,
to bring himselfe to some vntimely death, and thereby to auoide his
Tryall by his Countrey, and iust iudgement of the Law; or ashamed to
bee openly charged with so many deuillish practises, and so much
innocent bloud as hee had spilt; or by reason of his Imprisonment so
long time before his Tryall (which was with more fauour,
commiseration, and reliefe then hee deserued) I know not: But being
brought forth to the Barre, to receiue his Triall before this worthie
Iudge, and so Honourable and Worshipfull an Assembly of Iustices for
this seruice, was so insensible, weake, and vnable in all thinges, as
he could neither speake, heare, or stand, but was holden vp[H2_a_1]
when hee was brought to the place of his Arraignement, to receiue his
triall.
This _Iames Deuice_ of the Forrest of Pendle, being brought to the
Barre, was there according to the forme, order, and course, Indicted
and Arraigned; for that hee Felloniously had practised, vsed, and
exercised diuers wicked and deuillish Arts, called _Witch-crafts_,
_Inchauntments_, _Charmes_, and _Sorceries_, in, and vpon one _Anne
Towneley_, wife of _Henrie Towneley_ of the Carre,[H2_a_2] in the
Countie of Lancaster Gentleman, and her by force of the same,
felloniously had killed. _Contra pacem, &c._
The said _Iames Deuice_ was the second time Indicted and Arraigned in
the same manner and forme, for the death of _Iohn Duckworth_, by
witch-craft. _Contra pacem, &c._
To these two seuerall Indictments vpon his Arraignment, he pleaded not
guiltie, and for the triall of his life put himselfe vpon God and his
Countrie.
So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of life and death stand charged
to finde, whether he be guiltie of these, or either of them.
Whereupon Master _Nowel_ humbly prayed Master _Towneley_ might be
called,[H2_a_3] who attended to prosecute and giue euidence against
him for the King's Majestie, and that the particular Examinations
taken before him and others, might be openly published & read in
Court,[H2_a_4] in the hearing of the Prisoner.
But because it were infinite to bring him to his particular Triall for
euery offence, which hee hath committed in his time, and euery
practice wherein he hath had his hand: I shall proceede in order with
the Euidence remayning vpon Record against him, amongst the Records of
the Crowne; both how, and in what sort hee came to be a witch: and
shew you what apparant proofe there is to charge him with the death of
these two seuerall persons, for the which hee now standeth vpon his
triall for al the rest of his deuillish practises, incantantions,
murders, charmes, sorceries, meetings to consult with Witches, to
execute mischiefe (take them as they are against him vpon Record:)
Enough, I doubt not. For these with the course of his life will serue
his turne to deliuer you from the danger of him that neuer tooke
felicitie in any things, but in reuenge, bloud, & mischiefe with
crying out vnto God for vengeance; which hath now at the length
brought him to the place where hee standes to receiue his Triall with
more honor, fauour, and respect, then such a Monster in Nature doth
deserue; And I doubt not, but in due time by the Iustice of the Law,
to an vntimely and shamefull death.
* * * * *
_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE,
_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE, _of the Forrest of
Pendle, in the Countie of Lancaster, Labourer. Taken the
seuen and twentieth day of Aprill, Annoq; Reg. Regis_
IACOBI, _Angliæ, &c._ x^o. _& Scotiæ Quadragesimo quinto._