A certain Relation of the Hog-faced Gentlewoman called Mistress Tannakin Skinker, who was borne at Wirkham a Neuter town between the Emperor and the Hollander, situate on the river Rhyne.  
Who was bewitched in her mother's womb in the year 1618. and hath lived ever since unknown in this kind to any, but her Parents and a few other neighbours. And can never recover her true shape, tell she be married, &c.  
Also relating the cause, as it is since conceived, how her mother came so bewitched.  
Ouch  
God save you sweet Mistress  
London Printed by I. O. and are to be sold by F. Grove, at his shop on snow-hill near St. Sepulchers Church. 1640.   

A certain Relation of the hogsface Gentlewoman, called Tannakin Skinker, who was borne at Wirkham, a neuter town between the Emperor and the Hollander.  
PRodigies have been in many or the most times, and prodigious births almost in all ages. For the first, the best Authors affirm, that when the Tarquins were banished Rome, a Serpent was heard to bark, and a dog to speak; and that in the second Punic war, an ox pronounced these words, Cave tibi Roma. Three Suns were seen at once▪ when Spurius Posthumus and Quintus Nimutius were consuls; and three moons when Curius Dometius, and Lucius Annaeus bore the like Authority: milk and blood, wool, and pieces of Flesh have dropped from the Clouds upon the earth in several showers; burning Shields have been seen in the air; shattering fire from the setting of the Sun, to the break of day; with a noise of the clashing of armour, and the sound of Trumpets, and other Military instruments. &c. And in the Mutinensian Fields, two great mountains removed the one towards the other, and fought a terrible combat; fire and smoke being seeing to issue from either, in whose meeting all the neighbour and adjacent Villages, were not only shaken, but utterly demolished; and all the Animals both men, and beasts, within many furlongs of that prodigious conflict, were exeminated and slain. Infinite almost are the Histories of the like precedents, which for brevity's sake I omit; let therefore these few suffice for many.  
I come now to prodigious Births, of which this woman now in agitation is the sole Argument; and that it may appear the more probable, to any that shall call the truth thereof in question; I shall entreat such but to look back into the Histories of the times past. Herodatus, and divers Authors have left recorded; that when Xerxes first prepared his Invincible Army to invade Greece, a Mare instead of a Colt, brought forth an Hare, which was a presage of his flight, and base defeat. In the year of Grace one thousand four hundred fifty six, Calixtus the third, then being Pope, a Cow brought forth a calf with two heads, and bodies incorporate in one; and in the Isle of Cous in Greece, an Ewe, of the flock of one Nicippus an herdsman, eaned a Lion; which was as a prediction that he should attain to the sovereignty thereof, which accordingly happened; neither need we much to question these, when our own Native soil, and these our modern times, have produced the like brutish monsters; publicly to be seen in all parts of the City and suburbs, &c.  
But I come now to human Births, beginning with those foreign, and ending with the domestic; about the beginning of the Marsick war, one Alcippe, a woman of especial note, at the time of her childing, was delivered of an Elephant; and another (whose name is not left unto us of) a Serpent. In Thessaly, one was brought to bed of an infant which had the shape of an hypocentaur, and expired the same day that it received breath. And in the year that Hannibal besieged and utterly subverted Sagunthus: a woman of the same City brought forth a Son, which was no sooner borne, but voluntarily and of its own accord, crept back into the mother's womb.  
Albertus Magnus writes of a woman in Germany, who brought into the world from her own body fifty sons, five at a birth, but not any of them lived to be three quarters of a year old. And Avicen telleth us of another who was delivered of two and twenty abortive Children at several times, of all which not one of them breathe one vital air.  
I fall now immediately upon the party before propounded. In a place in Holland, called Wirkham, being a neuter town; as lying betwixt Holland and those parts belonging to the Empire, on the River Rhine, lived on Joachim Skinker, whose wife name was Parnel, a man of good revenue, but of a great estate in money and cattle: these two having very lovingly lived together, without any issue, to succeed them in their goods and inheritance: it being, no small grief unto them, that either strangers, or some of their own ungrateful Kindred should after death enjoy those means, for which they had so laboriously travailed: when they were in their greatest despair, it happened thus, she found herself conceived with child, which was a greater joy and comfort to her and her husband: But whether they were unthankful for such an unexpected blessing, or what other thing was the cause, I am not able to determine: but so it happened, that in the year 1618., she was safely delivered of a Daughter, all the limbs and lineaments of her body, well featured and proportioned, only her face, which is the ornament and beauty of all the rest, had the Nose of a Hog, or Swine: which was not only a stain and blemish, but a deformed ugliness, making all the rest loathsome, contemptible and odious to all that looked upon her in her infancy.  
If the joy of the parents was great in the hope of a child, how much greater may we conjecture their sorrows were, to be the parents of such a monster: but considering with themselves what Heavens would have, they had not power to hinder, and studying (as far as in them lay) to conceal their shame, they so far mediated with the Mid wife and the other women that were present at the delivery, that they should keep it as close and secret as it was possible to do: and they called the name of it Tannakin, which is as much in English as Anne, or Hann●h.  
This prodigy Ravisius Textor also remembreth us of a female Monster called Marin, who from the navel upward, had the effigies of a fair and beautiful woman, but from thence downward had the true shape of a well proportioned Mare, with four feet, a tail, and every limb and member corresponding to an equinal figure, who lived an hundred 23 years. In the bishopric of Colen a woman, some think a Witches Curse, some otherwise, brought forth into the World at one birth one hundred threescore and five children: all which though they were of wondrous small stature, yet they were borne with life, and christened, and a monument remains for them to this day, her prayer or curse being, that she might have as many children at one birth, as there were days in the year. Monsters have been borne within these few years in Virginia, New England, and other Colonies of our own Plantation, of which it is now too long to insist. And the like prodigious is now, that a Gentleman of quality within these month died, who being opened, in his heart was found a worm in the form of a Serpent, which stretched out, was found to be sixteen inches long.  
But if we shall be any way jealous of the trruth of reverent Antiquity, let us but look back upon ourselves, I will give unto you a few instances for many: not to speak of those which have preposterously come into the world with their Feet forward, and born with Teeth in their head, as Richard the Third of that name King of England, and others. Twin Children have been borne amongst us with two heads and bodies from the Gird lested upward, and but two legs and feet to support them both, and when one of them died, the other survived, but not many hours after: A Scotch child, about two years since, was to be seen in Barthlomew fair, a girl about the age of seven years, who was so hairy, hands, arms, face, and body, that you would have thought Orson to have been her Father, and some she bear her mother, yet had she her speech, senses, and all other deportments of a child of her age; who had been well educated and instructed. But to leave all digression and come to the purpose now in hand, I will only remember unto you a very handsome young man, late (if not now) in town, whose picture hath been publicly set out to the common view, and himself to be seen for money; who from one of his sides hath a twin brother growing, which was borne with him, and living still▪ though having sense and feeling, yet destitute of reason and understanding: whence methinks a disputable question might arise, whether as they have distinct lives, so they are possessed of two souls; or have but one imparted betwixt them both: but of this let the Philosophers, or rather the Divines argue and Define, being I must ingeniously confess an Argument much above my element.  
This prodigious birth though it was known to some few, yet was it not made popular & spoken of by all, which the Father and mother, for their own reputations and credits were very careful to maintain; so that it was never seen by any (being an infant bare-faced) but veiled and covered, and so brought up in a private Chamber, both fed and taught by the Parents only; and her deformity scarce known to any of the Servants: and as the daughter grew in stature, so the Father also increased with wealth; so that he was accounted to be one of the richest men in all that Country. Now how she came to be borne with such deformity, there be divers and sundry conjectures; but if we may Judge the cause by the effect, and of the precedent by the subsequent; most probable it is that it came by Witchcraft: And that there be such, we have manifest proof; for in Skedam in Holland, there is scarce a man or woman but they are either Magi, or Sagae; that is, men or women witches: but for the last we need no further witness, then that of the Lancashiere witches some few years since; of which I make no doubt, but this whole City hath taken especial notice of. &c. Now whether Witches have power to effascinate an inant in the womb of the mother, may be a question; of which after some illustrations by known examples (without any tedious Deviation) I hope to gain the Reader ample satisfaction.  
History tells us that the Witch Circe, the daughter of Sol, and the nymph Persae, who dwelled not far from Caietu, a City of Campania, by her sorcerous Spells and Incantations, changed divers of Ulysses his companions into Swine: if she had such power over the whole, no wonder then if a Witch in these days, by the help of her Father the devil, cannot disguise the face which is but a part. It hath been known also in our known Country, when a Gentlewoman of good descent and quality hath brought an infant into the World with a live Snake wrapped about the neck and body: in memory of which, that Noble Family in the emblazon of their arms, give the Snake ever unto this day: which accident is quite against nature, and therefore can be conferred upon nothing but diabolical Sorcery and Witchcraft. I could tell you of the like prodigious things done by Medea, Micale, Erecto Magun, Dipsas, Aeriphala, Locusta, Guthurna, Canidia Neopolitana, Sagana, Vera., Folia, and infinite others: but though I study brevity, give me leave to give thee this short Character.  
Their power is by the permission of the higher powers, and instigated by the malice of the devils, to transshape men into beasts; make barren fields, blast corn, unfructify Trees, parch and wither grass and herbs; bring scabs and diseases upon men, and murrain and rot upon herds and flocks: effascinate the eyes, weaken the hands, benumb the feet &c. Now to prove that this Child was bewitched in the womb, there be these pregnant reasons following.  
It is credibly reported, that this burghers wife having conceived, an old woman suspected for a Witch, came to beg of her an alms, but she being at the busied about some necessary affairs gave her a short and neglectful answer; at which she went away muttering to herself the devils pater noster, and was heard to say; As the Mother is Hoggish, so Swinish shall be the Child she goeth withal: which is a great probability that the infant's deformity came by the malicious Spells, and devilish murmurations of this wicked woman; who after for the like, or worse practices both upon men women and children, whom she had bewitched unto death, being brought within the compass of the Law; and after to suffer at the stake: amongst many other things confessed as much as I have before related; yet either out of her perverse obstinacy would not, or else (the devil forsaking her in extremity, as he doth all his other servants) in her deficiency of power, could not uncharm her: yet by this means that which was before kept so private, was now publicly discovered to the World; insomuch that much confluence of people came to see the prodigy, which wearied the Father, and cast a blush upon the cheeks of the good woman the mother: some desirous to hear her speak, whose language was only the Dutch Hoggish Houghs, and the pigs French Owee, Owee, for other words she was not able to utter; which bred in some pity, in others laughter, according to their several dispositions.  
Others were importunate to see her feed, than milk and the like was brought unto her in a silver Trough; to which she stooped and eat, just as a Swine doth in his swilling Tub; which the more mirth it bred in the Spectators, increased in the Parents the more melancholy: insomuch that he bethought himself to find out some means, (if it were possible) either to mend or end his sorrows. And to that purpose, hearing of a famous Artist, who was both a Mathematician, and an Astrologian (whose name was Vandermast) and lived not far from him; a man who was suspected to have been well versed in black and hidden Arts▪ to him he repaired, and when he had made known his griefs by every circumstance; he desired of him some present remedy, for which he would be no way ingrateful.  
Who after some pause told him, that after some hour's attendance he would return him an answer, the one way or the other; which gave him some small satisfaction, though not full to his expectation: but having waited his leisure, he returned according to the time prefixed, told him that he could wish him to marry her at any rate whatsoever; for whilst she continued in the estate of a Virgin, there was no hope of her recovery; but if then she received any help, or he comfort, though both seemed beyond all hopes; yet he advised him patiently to attend the success, but howsoever not to match her unto clown, Bore, or peasant; but to a gentleman at least. In which answer though he could presume of nothing (being so mistericall and doubtful,) yet there was no reason for him to despair of any thing: so that having bountifully rewarded the Artist, he repaired back to his own house, and acquainted his wife with the passage of the whole business; where they long consulted betwixt themselves, what were best in this difficult case to be done.  
After much reasoning Pro and Con, they concluded to put her into very rich and costly habit (but her face still veiled and covered) and to give out that what gentleman of fashion or quality soever, would take her to his bed after loyal Matrimony, (for she was at this time betwixt sixteen and seventeen years of age, and therefore marriageable) should receive for a Dowry with her, forty thousand pound, paid down in Starling and Currant money. This was a bait sufficient to make every Fish to bite at, for no sooner was this publicly divulged, but there came Suitors of all sorts; insomuch that his Gates were thronged as at an Outcry, or rather as a Lottery, every one in hope to carry away the great Prize of forty thousand pound; for it was not the person, but the prize at which they aimed.  
One thinks with himself, so the body be handsome, though her countenance be never so course and ugly, all are alike in the night; and in the day time, put her head but in a black bag, and what difference betwixt her and another woman. Another comforteth himself thus: That if she cannot speak, she cannot chide; and therefore he shall be sure not to have a scold to his wife. Another apprehends, That if she feed but one wash and the like, she will not be very chargeable to him for her diet; and therefore he shall have a good bargain by the match.  
These and the like inducements were so far prevalent with them, that they came from divers places, and Countries, to solicit her for marriage: some from Italy, some from France, some from Scotland, some from England, and every one of them howsoever debauched in their means, and more studying upon her means then the maid, put all their Fortunes upon the hazard of an handsome suit, to appear like gentlemen; because otherwise they could have no admittance into her company.  
But to give you better information, then by these suppositians, or rather stupid conceits for her order of Diet; She doth eat all those meats which commonly we do feed on, and doth digest it very naturally; only she doth feed in a Silver Trough, or bowl; which is always carried with her wheresoever she doth remove: and if she doth want any thing that she hath a mind unto, be it apparel, or diet, she doth write her mind; and by that means, (as we are given to understand, by those which have seen her) she hath all things to her desire.  
Amongst some suitors came a Scotch man being a Captiane, who having hazarded the greatest part of a months pay upon one suit of clothes, was desirous to see this Gentlewoman, and was received by the Parents; who thinking him to be some great Lord in his Country, gave him generous entertainment: she was brought unto him with her face covered, and in an habit which might well have fuited the greatest Lady in the Land; who admiring her feature and proportion, was much enamoured of her person, but desirous to see her face discovered, when he beheld it; he would stay no other conference, but ran away without further answer, saying; they must pardon him, for he could endure no pork.  
Next came a souse-man, borne in England having accommodated himself for the same adventure, and presuming that loving souse so well, no hogsface could affright him; he presently at the sight of her could endure her company no longer, and at his farewell, said, so long as I have known Rumford, I never saw such a Hogsnout, but whensoever my stomach shall serve for any such dish, I will never venture upon any raw, but I will be sure it shall be either well boiled or roasted.  
A Taylor came, having borrowed (whether with leave, or without I know not) a costly suit of one of his best customers: and he vowed notwithstanding, all impediments whatsoever interdicting him, he would enjoy her, and marry her, and sleep with her close as Hogs in peas-straw, but though he liked her feature when her face was discovered, he gave back, and vowed he would not go through stitch with any such business. I should but lose myself in writing, and tire the Reader in turning over many Voluminous leaves of paper, to show you here many several men and of sundry conditions, came in a kind of jealousy one of another, to purchase this mass or magazine of money: every one ambitious after the portion, but not one amongst them amorous of the person, whose countenance was so far from seeming lovely to them, that it appeared altogether loathsome, and so I will leave her in this exigent, to acquaint you with a short story, that the carriage of the one, may make the other appear more probable, they being of like affinity. My author is John Gower, and thus it happened.  
A noble and warlike Knight, Cousin to the Emperor Claudius, of a spirit undaunted, and honour unquestioned, named Florentius, as he rid upon an adventure, was taken prisoner by a Captain of a Castle, whose son he had before slain in battle, willing they were to put him to death, but they much feared the indignation and revenge of the Emperor his Uncle: and he being then in their power, they held a consultation amongst themselves what was best to be done, and where divers projects were laid: the mother to this captain, and Grandmother; to Bruncus before by him slain, said, That she had a plot to make him accessary to his own death without any displeasure from the Emperor or any of his noble Allies, nay, that he himself should assent thereunto without the least taxation of any injustice.  
And to that purpose, she sent for him out of prison, and thus said: Though for the death of my Grand child, Bruneus both his Father and myself might take just vengeance of thee, since thy life is forfeited into our hands. Yet upon condition, that thou wilt resolve me of one question, which I shall propound thee: thou shalt have liberty for three months, but if not in that space thou canst not give a full solution of my demand, thou shalt here take thy personal oath as thou art a Knight, to return back again unto this Castle, where thou art now our prisoner and vassal, and yield thyself up to a voluntary death, freely acquitting us of the fact to thine Uncle the Emperor.  
This being concluded, as well by oath as obligation in writing, sealed and subscribed, the question was, What thing above all other, women most desire? Imagine him now free, on horseback, and in his way to Court, where being arrived, and demanding of the wisest and gravest Philosophers, and others to be resolved in this point, and withal telling them of his own danger, if it were not answered. Every one were of several opinions: one said Pleasure, another Pride, some that they desired most to be praised and flattered, so that in this diversity of censures, he was forced to depart thence unsatisfied: now he whose honour was more precious unto him then the preserving of a thousand lives, resolved to yield up his body according to covenant, and riding through a forest, some few leagues distant from the Castle, pondering a thousand things in his perplexed head, he casting his eye aside, spied an old withered and decrepit Hag of the most ugly and loathsome aspect that ever his eyes beheld, who stepping unto him, and taking his horse by the bridle, said: florence I know thee, and that thou art now going to thy certain death, but be advised by me, and (upon condition) I will save both thy life and honour: Blame him not, if being now in his flourishing youth, he gave her a willing care, and cheerfully, demanded of her what gift she would have? or what task impose him? who presently answered: That when he had resolved the beldame of her question (by her means) and had gained his life and liberty, he should return to that place where he than found her, and from thence bear her to his place of residence, and make her his wife.  
Which when he heard he was now in a double distraction, as preferring many deaths before such a loathsome and unequal match: and so left her without reply. But better considering with himself, that being so old she could not live long; and being married, it was in his power to mew her up from the sight of men: with other the like apprehensions, (and life being sweet) he turned back, and swore by his Kinight-hood, he would do all that she demanded: which being agreed betwixt them, she told him, that when the question was again propounded: What thing above all other, women most desire? he should answer, To have their Wills, and the sovereignty over their Husbands. Let us Imagine that by this he was acquit, though to the great indignation both of the Father and the Grandam, and came back according to his Covenant, where he met with the former hag, of whom my Author in his old English, gives this description.  
She was the loathedst wight  
That ever man cast on his Eye:  
Her Nose baas, her brows high;  
Her Eyes small, and deep set,  
Her cheeks been with tears wet,  
And riuling as an empty skin,  
Hanging down unto the Chin:  
Her Lips shrunken been for age,  
There was no grace in her visage:  
Her Front was narrow, her looks hoar;  
She looketh forth as doth a More, &c.  
In whose sight she was so odious, that now he repenteth him that he had not suffered Death rather than to be so miserably disposed of. But she still urging him upon his Knightly promise, he was forced in her torn and threadbare habit to take her up behind him: but so ashamed of his burden, that he only travailed either through woods, or by owl-light, till at length he came to his own Castle, where necessity (though much against his will) compelled him to discover her unto the Lady his sister, and other of his near allies, who were all much astonished and grieved at his wretched fortune.  
But she still hastening on the match, the day of marriage came, when the Ladies striving to trick her up in the richest habit and best ornaments they could devise, the more they strived to beautify her, the more ugly and deformed she appeared. Briefly, married they were, and bedtime came, heaven knows to his small comfort, and less content: the Bride-chamber was prepared, and the rooms, according to the bride's appointment stuck full of lights. The doors are shut, to bed she goes, and urgeth him to make haste, and do the office of an husband: who was no sooner laid by her side, with as much distance as was possible, she plucked him by the arm, and desired him to reach a Light; and if she could receive no other favour at his hands, yet at least once more to look upon her, and she would then acquit him of his promise.  
This seeming to be an easy condition, he takes a light, and looking steadfastly upon her, he discovered a sweet young Lady of an incomparable beauty and feature, the like to whom to his imagination he never had in his whole life time beheld: at which strange sight being much ecstasied, he grew as greatly enamoured, insomuch, that he began to court her, and offered to kiss her, &c. But she modestly putting him back, said to him as followeth: Sir, I am indeed no other than I now seem unto you; and of these two things I give you free choice, whether I shall appear to you thus as you now see me, young, fair, and lovely in your bed, and all the daytime, and abroad, of my former deformity: or thus beautiful in the day, to the sight of your friends, but in your arms every night of my former Age and ugliness: of these two things I give you free choice of, which till you have resolved me, there can be no other familiarity betwixt in: therefore without pause give me a speedy answer.  
This more than all the rest distracted him: For what was her beauty to him in the night, if she appeared to all his friends so loathsome by day? or what was her rare feature to him, either abroad amongst his friends, or at board, if she were so odious to him in bed? therefore he said unto her: Sweet and delicate Lady, I am confounded in your question; nor know I what to answer; but into you own hands and choice I give the full power and sovereignty to make election of which you best please: At which words she lovingly turned towards him, and said: Now Sir, you have given me that which all women most desire, my Will, and sovereignty; and know I am the King's daughter of Sicily, who by a wicked and sorcerous stepdame was thus enchanted, never to return to my pristine shape, till I was first married, and after had received such power from my Husband▪ And now from henceforth I shall be the same to you night and day, of that youth and livelihood which you now see me; till Time and Age breed new alteration, even to the last period of my life. At which, how incredible his joy was, I leave to the opinion of the understanding Reader, who I hope will easily conceive what affinity this story may have with the former.  
I should have spoken something of her residing in or about London, as of her being in Blackfriars or Covent-garden, but I can say little: only abundance of people do resort to each place to inquire the truth: some have protested they have seen her, by the help of their acquaintance, and give this reason why she will not as yet be constantly in one place, because the multitude is so great that do resort thither, that they dare not be known of her abiding, lest by denying the sight of her, they that owe the house should have it pulled down about their ears. Her portion is very large, it being 40000 pounds; she likewise goeth very gallant in apparel, and very courteous in her kind to all. And whosoever shall in Pamphlet, or Ballad, write or sing otherwise than is discoursed of in this small Tract, they err from truth: for what is here discovered, is according to the best, and most approved intelligence.  
FINIS.