_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 order of the Law Indicted and Arraigned,
for that shee had practised, exercised, and vsed her diuellish and
wicked Arts, called _Witchcrafts_, _Inchantments_, _Charmes_ and
_Sorceries_, and one Mare of the goods and Chattels of one _Dodgeson_
of Padiham, in the Countie of Lancaster, wickedly, maliciously, and
voluntarily did kill. _Contra formam Statuti, &c. Et Contra pacem
dicti Domini Regis. &c._
Vpon her Arraignement to this Indictment, shee pleaded not guiltie;
And for the triall of her offence put her selfe vpon God and her
Countrie.
So as now the Gentlemen of the Iurie of her offence and death, stand
charged with her as with others.
_The Euidence against_ Margaret Pearson,
_Prisoner at the Barre._
* * * * *
_The Examination and Euidence of_
ANNE WHITTLE, _alias_ CHATTOX.