ROGER NOWEL _and_ NICHOLAS BANESTER,
_Esquires, two of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace in
the Countie of Lancaster._
The said Examinate vpon her Examination saith, that vpon Good-friday
last there was about twenty persons, whereof only two were men, to
this Examinats remembrance, at her said Grand-mothers house, called
Malking-Tower aforesaid, about twelue of the clocke: all which
persons, this Examinates said mother told her were Witches, and that
she knoweth the names of diuers of the said Witches.
* * * * *
After all these Examinations, Confessions, and Euidence, deliuered
in open Court against her, His Lordship commanded the Iurie to obserue
the particular circumstances;[Z2_a_] first, Master _Lister_ in his
great extremitie, to complaine hee saw her, and requested them that
were by him to lay hold on her.
After he cried out shee lay heauie vpon him, euen at the time of his
death.
But the Conclusion is of more consequence then all the rest, that
_Iennet Preston_ being brought to the dead corps, they bled freshly.
And after her deliuerance in Lent, it is proued shee rode vpon a white
Foale, and was present in the great assembly at _Malkin Tower_ with
the Witches, to intreat and pray for aide of them, to kill Master
_Lister_, now liuing, for that he had prosequuted against her.
And against these people you may not expect such direct euidence,
since all their workes are the workes of darkenesse, no witnesses are
present to accuse them, therefore I pray God direct your consciences.
After the Gentlemen of the Iurie of Life and Death had spent the most
part of the day, in consideration of the euidence against her, they
returned into the Court and deliuered vp their Verdict of Life and
Death.
* * * * *
_The Verdict of Life and Death._
Who found _Iennet Preston_ guiltie of the fellonie and murder by
Witch-craft of _Thomas Lister_, Esquire; conteyned in the Indictment
against her, &c.
Afterwards, according to the course and order of the Lawes, his
Lordship pronounced Iudgement against her to bee hanged for her
offence. And so the Court arose.
* * * * *
Here was the wonderfull discouerie of this _Iennet Preston_, who
for so many yeares had liued at Gisborne in Crauen, neare Master
_Lister_: one thing more I shall adde to all these particular
Examinations, and euidence of witnesses, which I saw, and was present
in the Court at Lancaster, when it was done at the Assizes holden in
August following.
My Lord _Bromley_ being very suspicious of the accusation of _Iennet
Deuice_, the little Wench, commanded her to looke vpon the Prisoners
that were present, and declare which of them were present at _Malkin
Tower_, at the great assembly of Witches vpon Good-Friday last: shee
looked vpon and tooke many by the handes, and accused them to be
there, and when shee had accused all that were there present, shee
told his Lordship there was a Woman that came out of Crauen that was
amongst the Witches at that Feast, but shee saw her not amongst the
Prisoners at the Barre.
What a singular note was this of a Child, amongst many to misse her,
that before that time was hanged for her offence, which shee would
neuer confesse or declare at her death? here was present old _Preston_
her husband, who then cried out and went away: being fully satisfied
his wife had Iustice, and was worthie of death.
To conclude then this present discourse, I heartilie desire you, my
louing Friends and Countrie-men, for whose particular instructions
this is added to the former of the wonderfull discouerie of Witches in
the Countie of Lancaster: And for whose particular satisfaction this
is published; Awake in time, and suffer not your selues to be thus
assaulted.
Consider how barbarously this Gentleman hath been dealt withall; and
especially you that hereafter shall passe vpon any Iuries of Life and
Death, let not your conniuence, or rather foolish pittie, spare such
as these, to exequute farther mischiefe.
Remember that shee was no sooner set at libertie, but shee plotted the
ruine and ouerthrow of this Gentleman, and his whole Familie.
Expect not, as this reuerend and learned Iudge saith, such apparent
proofe against them, as against others, since all their workes, are
the workes of darkenesse: and vnlesse it please Almightie God to raise
witnesses to accuse them, who is able to condemne them?
Forget not the bloud that cries out vnto God for reuenge, bring it not
vpon your owne heads.
Neither doe I vrge this any farther, then with this, that I would
alwaies intreat you to remember, that it is as great a crime (as
_Salomon_ sayth, _Prov._ 17.) to condemne the innocent, as to let the
guiltie escape free.
Looke not vpon things strangely alledged, but iudiciously consider
what is justly proued against them.
And that as well all you that were witnesses, present at the
Arraignement and Triall of her, as all other strangers, to whome this
Discourse shall come, may take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute
these hellish Furies to their end:[Z3_b_1] labor to root them out of
the Commonwealth, for the common good of your Countrey. The greatest
mercie extended to them, is soone forgotten.
GOD graunt vs the long and prosperous cotinuance of these Honorable
and Reuerend Iudges, vnder whose Gouernment we liue in these North
parts: for we may say, that GOD Almightie hath singled them out, and
set him on his Seat, for the defence of Iustice.
And for this great deliuerance, let vs all pray to GOD Almightie, that
the memorie of these worthie Iudges may bee blessed to all
Posterities.[Z3_b_2]
_FINIS._