_Sir_ EDWARD BROMLEY _Knight, one of his
Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster._
_Alice Nutter._[O3_a_]
The two degrees of persons which chiefly practise Witch-craft, are
such, as are in great miserie and pouertie, for such the Deuill
allures to follow him, by promising great riches, and worldly
commoditie; Others, though rich, yet burne in a desperate desire of
Reuenge; Hee allures them by promises, to get their turne satisfied to
their hearts contentment, as in the whole proceedings against old
_Chattox_: the examinations of old _Dembdike_; and her children, there
was not one of them, but have declared the like, when the Deuill first
assaulted them.
But to attempt this woman in that sort, the Diuel had small meanes:
For it is certaine she was a rich woman; had a great estate, and
children of good hope: in the common opinion of the world, of good
temper, free from enuy or malice; yet whether by the meanes of the
rest of the Witches, or some vnfortunate occasion, shee was drawne to
fall to this wicked course of life, I know not: but hither shee is now
come to receiue her Triall, both for Murder, and many other vilde and
damnable practises.
Great was the care and paines of his Lordship, to make triall of the
Innocencie of this woman, as shall appeare vnto you vpon the
Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, in open Court, at the time of her
Arraignement and Triall; by an extraordinary meanes of Triall, to
marke her out from the rest.
It is very certaine she was of the Grand-counsell at Malking-Tower
vpon Good-Friday, and was there present, which was a very great
argument to condemne her.
This _Alice Nutter_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster: Being
brought to the Barre before the Great Seat of Iustice; was there
according to the former order and course Indicted and Arraigned, for
that she felloniously had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish
and wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and
_Sorceries_, in and vpon _Henry Mitton_: and him the said _Henry
Mitton_, by force of the same Witchcrafts, felloniously did kill and
murther. _Contra formam Statuti_, &c. _Et Contra Pacem_, &c.
Vpon her Arraignement, to this Indictment shee pleaded not guiltie;
and for the triall of her life, put her selfe vpon God and the
Countrey.
So as now the Gentlemen of the Iury of life and death stand charged
with her, as with others.
_The Euidence against_ Alice Nutter _Prisoner
at the Barre._
* * * * *
_The Examination of_ IAMES DEVICE
_sonne of_ ELIZABETH DEVICE: _Taken the seuen
and twentieth day of Aprill_: Anno Reg. Regis IACOBI
Angliæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Fidei Defensor. &c.
Decimo & Scotiæ, xlvj.