A Strange Report of Six most notorious Witches, who by their devilish practices murdered above the number of four hundred small Children: besides the great hurts they committed upon divers other people:  
Who for the same, and many other like offences, were executed in the princely City of Manchen in high Germany the. 29. of july. 1600.  
Printed at Nuremberge by Lucas Mayr Ingraver, dwelling in Kramergesle: and now translated out of Dutch, according to the same Copy there imprinted.  
AT LONDON, Printed by W. W. for T. Pavier, dwelling at the sign of the Cat and Parrots near the Exchange.  
1601.   

The strange Report of Six most notorious Witches.  
THere is not any Christian (I am sure) but in heart will relent, and with great admiration, lift up his eyes toward heaven, and stand amazed at the wicked practices of six of the most notorious wicked Witches that ever they heard of: who (giving both bodies and souls to eternal damnation) committed so many inhuman Murders, so many strange Robberies, Pillages, and riots; spoiling both Corn and Cattle: causing strange hail and tempest, and such like annoyances to the inhabitants of Germany, that I think it a matter worthy to be kept in memory, whereby the shameful end of such malafactors, may serve as a notable example to our eyes, a grief to the godly, and a terror to the wicked and reprobate people. The names of these vile offenders, and of their wicked dealings, hereafter followeth.  

First, Paul Gamperle, alias Poppenhamor.  
Second, Anne Gamperle, wife to the said Paul. 

their two Sons.  
Third, Simon Gamperle,  
Fourth, jacob Gamperle,    
Fifth, Vllrich Seheltibaum, Armorour.  
Sixth, George Smallts, Tailor.   
These six persons, being many years (before this) held in great suspicion for practising Witchcraft, yet not any sufficient proof thereof, were now taken altogether, near to the Town of Dettwenge, in a Cave or Uault deep in the ground, where many times before they had likewise met, and as they thought, there to remain still secure from the knowledge of their neighbours, fell to their accustomed practices: and by their Witchcrafts raised so great a storm or tempest, that all the Towns and villages were greatly endamaged thereby: But God not suffering these vile offenders to remain any longer undiscovered, brought all their actions to light: and by the howling of a Dog strooken mad with the faithfulness of that tempest, certain of their neighbours were brought to the said Cave or Uault, where they wear all six attached, and the next day, being the. xxiiii. of july, were brought before the Governor of Manchen, who finding them guilty by their examinations, commanded them to prison.  
But now mark what happened: the governors Clerk or Secretary, when he took paper in his hand to make a Warrant, suddenly both his feet were taken from him: by reason whereof he had such a fall, that the huckle bone of his thigh was strooken out of joint, whereof within three days after he died.  
Hereupon the Governor commanded them to be searched by his Officers, where they found hidden under every one of their clothes next to their skins, a bag of Swine's dung: which being taken away, stounke so filthily, that no man could endure the smell. And in Paul Gamperles bosom, (being their principal, or ringleader) they found a devilish Book of Conjuration, and the picture of a man made in Tin, holding in his hand a scroll or writing, containing these three words, Mogul, Cumath, Hellbeza: By the same, were so plainly manifested their wicked practices, that they immediately confessed (without any further trouble) all their murders and execrable feats that ever they had committed in their life times, as it doth well appear hereafter.  

The Confession of Paul Gamperle.  
Paul Gamperle, alias Poppenhamor, of the age of eight and fifty years, confessed that he had used the practice of Witchcraft from his childhood, and that he had been trained up in the same by his old Grandmother, a woman dead many years ago.  
In like manner he confessed, that he had murdered in his time by Witchcraft and sorcery, about the number of a hundred small children.  
In like manner he confessed, that he had made lame and crooked ten of the richest Citizens of Manchen, because they would not forgive him certain debts he owed them.  
In like manner he confessed, that by Witchcraft he had made away two of his Uncles, to come by their goods.  
In like manner he confessed ten Church-robberies, fifteen Murders by the high ways side, robberies by night in Merchants▪ sellers by himself done four and twenty several times: and that no lock nor door could withstand him, but by Witchcraft he could make fly open.  
Finally, he confessed that in his life time, he had by night fired eight of his neighbour's houses, whereby were burned in their beds both men, women, and children, to the number of sixteen: besides divers other mischiefs by him committed, to the great annoyances of the whole Country.   

The Confession of Anne Gamperle.  
Arm Gamperle his wife, of the age of threescore years, confessed that in her life time, she had murdered likewise by Witchcraft to the number of a hundred small children.  
In like manner she confessed, that she had deformed and made crooked, and withal murdered by Witchcraft, to the number of nineteen old people.  
In like manner she confessed, that by Witchcraft she had caused an innkeepers wife to run into a hot burning Oven, where she burned herself to death: and likewise caused the same woman's husband to be so miserably vexed, that he thrust his head into a swilling Tub full of Swine's meat, and there smothered himself.  
In like manner she confessed, that she had spoiled Cattle in great abundance, with Corn upon the ground often times: and that she had set fire upon two Hey stacks, which had fired a whole village, had not help of people prevented it. From the like, God of his mercy deliver us all.   

The Confession of Simon Gamperle.  
SImon Gamperle their natural son, of the age of two and twenty years, confessed that he had murdered by Witchcraft, to the number of thirty small Children, beside six old folks which he likewise made crooked and lame, and after killed.  
Moreover he confessed, that he had committed nine Church robberies, four robberies by the high way side, twelve robberies done in merchants Warehouses: Riot, and Pillage, committed by night six times: spoiled with hail and Tempests cattle and Grounds often times.  
Moreover he confessed, that by Witchcraft he had made himself invincible, by which means, he alone set upon six persons at a time, and robbed them, and after killed them every one: with many other practices of theft and murder, which here I omit.   

The Confession of jacob Gamperle.  
Jacob Gamperle their other Son, of the age of one and twenty years, confessed that he had murdered to the number of three score and five small Children: beside five old folks that he had made lame and crooked, and after murdered.  
Moreover, he confessed five Church robberies, ten Robberies in merchants houses, four Robberies committed by the high way: five houses set on fire, Riots and Thefts by night in the streets, committed twelve several times.  
Moreover he confessed, that by Witchcraft he had caused a heard of cattle in a Tempest to be blown into a river, and there drowned: and the said Tempest or storm to be so violent, that travelers could hardly travel by the high way: with many other like wicked practices.   

The Confession of Vllrich Sehelltibaum.  
VLlrich Sehelltibaum of Dettwenge, of the age of three score and eight years, confessed that in his life time, he had murdered by Witchcraft to the number of three score and ten small children, and had made crooked and killed thirty old folks.  
Moreover, he confessed Robberies in Churches, and Merchants Sellars, thefts and murders by night, cattle and Grounds spoiled▪ in such abundance and so often times, that he could not well reckon them.   

The Confession of George Smaltes,  
GEorge Smaltes Tailor of Peon, of the age of fifty years, confessed in his life time he had murdered to the number of thirty six small Children, beside old people made crooked & killed the number of fifteen: Murders by the high way, Robberies in villages, Firing of Houses, Robbing of Churches, I think it needs not to number down: but to conclude, it was his custom above the rest, to ransack by night dead men's graves, and to make pillage of what he there found whether it were linen or otherwise: for badder livers than these six were, I think are not now remaining upon the earth. Therefore let all Christians pray, that God in his mercy may bless us & all others, from the like practices: and to weed from the face of the earth all such like offenders as he did these, and with the like shame and punishment reward them O God I beseech thee.  
These aforesaid confessions being taken before the Governor, and other Burgesses of the City of Manchen, they were arraigned, convicted, and condemned: and upon the nine and twenty of july were executed in this manner and form following.  
First, they were all six brought before the town house of Manchen, where the Woman (being placed betwixt her two Sons) had both her Breasts cut off: with the which Breasts, the Executioner struck her three times about the face: and in like manner her two Sons, who sat on each side of her, were likewise beaten about the face with their mother's Breasts three times apiece. This being done in the presence of many people, the Woman had six stripes given her with a Whip of twisted Wire: and after, had both her Arms broken with a Wheel, and then set in a settle made of purpose: her body was immediately burnt.  
After this, the other five men-Witches, had also six stripes apiece, and both their Arms likewise broken with a Wheel, and four of them tied unto a stake in the same place, and burnt: But Paul Gamperle, the father and master Witch of them all, was spitted alive, and so roasted to death, and after had his body likewise burnt into cinders.  
Thus gentle Reader, hast thou heard the life and death of these six most notorious and wicked Witches. For the truth whereof, let no man make doubt: for it is not only reported of by many men of good sufficiency, but translated out of the Dutch Copy as it was there first imprinted. Therefore let us all in general, fall down upon our knees, and with contrite hearts, desire of his Majesty, by whose sufferance all their wicked practices were committed, that he will abate the pride and malice of Satan, now reigning amongst mankind, and to put in our hearts such strong faith, that the like assaults never assail us, but that we may serve him in perfect love and godliness, who is the mighty Ring of all Kings: to whom be all praise, glory, and dominion, for ever.  
Amen.   
FINIS.