THE MOST CRUEL AND BLOODY MVRther committed by an innkeepers Wife, called Annis del, and her Son George del, Four years since.  
On the body of a Child, called Anthony james in Bishops Hatfield in the County of Hartford, and now most miraculously revealed by the Sister of the said Anthony, who at the time of the murder had her tongue cut out, and four years remained dumb and speechless, and now perfectly speaketh, revealing the Murder, having no tongue to be seen.  
With the several Witchcrafts, and most damnable practices of one johane Harrison and her Daughter upon several persons, men and women at Royston, who were all executed at Hartford the 4 of August last passed. 1606.  
LONDON Printed for William Firebrand and john Wright, and are to be sold at Christ's Church door. 1606.   

THE MOST CRUEL and bloody Murder of Anthony james in Hatfield in Hartford-shire.  
Herodotu writeth of Sesostris a King of the Egyptians, that be 〈◊〉 carried in a Chariot drawn with four Kings, whom he before had conquered, when one of the four, casting his eyes behind him, looked often upon the wheels of the Chariot; which Sesostris earnestly noting, at last demanded of him what he meant by looking back so often, who replied, I see that those things which were highest in the wheels become lowest, and the lowest as soon become highest, cogito de mutatione fortunae, I think upon the inconstancy of things. Sesostris hereupon as in a glass beholding himself, waxed more mild, and delivered the imprisoned Kings from that slavery.  
This History then so lively expressing the mortality of man's life, that to the highest belongs a grave, assoon as to the lowest, and that man himself is a witness to himself, how uncertain are his days, (since sin hath spread itself like a leprosy over all flesh, and iniquity hath gotten the upper hand) that a Spider is able to choke us, a hair to stifle us, and a tile falling on our heads to extinguish us, and in that moment when we least suspect so sudden Calamities.  
Our life then is so momentary, that in that minute we breathe, if not defended by our maker, in that minute we are breathless: should any flesh, endowed with that heavenly reason which God hath only given to men and angels, so forget his uncertainty, as for a little gold which is but the dregs of the earth, for vanity, (the pleasures of the world) or for the world itself which is an Hypocrite, because it hath exterior appearance of goodness, and within is full of corruption and vanity, which is but like to reeds, that when they shoot out first in the spring of the year, do with their fresh green colour delight the eye for a while, but if we break them and look within them, we find nothing but emptiness and hollowness▪ forget his maker and the dignity of his creation, who made him like to himself, to his own Image and likeness, to the intent, that as all other creatures of their own proper natures do love their like, so should man set his affection on God alone, where contrarily, he being the hand of heaven, made for virtuous dispositions, conducts himself to vicious actions, whereby it follows certainly, that men in their lives are like children, who more delight of a horse made of reeds, and babes form of clouts, than in the things themselves, so man gives more honour to the shadow, than to the truth, and indeed (as in this whole course) but like birds, who greedily fly to peck up the corn till they be caught in the gin: or like fishes, who earnestly swim to catch the bait, though they be choked with the hook: so do many, how indirectly soever, hunt after riches, till they deface their bodies be the law, and condemn their souls by their sin, as shall appear by this following discourse.  
SOme Four years since near Devonshey Hundred in Essex lived a Yeoman one Anthony james, who in repute of the world was counted rich, and by the report of his Neighbours held credible and honest.  
This man in the desire of his youth matched himself to an honest Countrey-maide, whose virtuous disposition equalled his own thoughts, and whose diligent care was carefully to save what her husband brought home, as his labour did strive to procure it abroad; so that the providence of the one, and the care of the other, mixed such a mutual content between them, that they lived like Abraham and Sara, he loving to her, she obedient to him.  
In process of time this couple growing wealthy by their labour, proved to be as happy by their issue, for it it pleased God to enrich them with two children, a Boy, and a Girl, that the wishes of the Father might be as well satisfied, as the desire of the Mother, and both contented in so comfortable a blessing.  
The Mother being (as women use to say) stored first with a Daughter, and called it by her own name Elizabeth james, so that when time brought the Father as happy rejoicing of a Son, he christened it by his own name Anthony james. In the education and bringing up of these two Children, there was a pretty loving contention between the Goodman and the Wife, which of the two should prove most happy to the Parents delight, whose love indeed was alike to them both. So that time passing away in that comfortable strife between this loving couple, the Daughter had attained to the age of Eight years, and the Son to Seven, in which passage the mother having no other issue, was then with child with the third, and the better half of her time had carried so happy a burden.  
About that season of the year a Fair happened in Essex, to which the Servants they then kept, some for pleasure, the rest about necessary business were sent, so that the honest Yeoman with his wife and children were only left at home, when mischief like a bramble that takes hold on whatsoever it touches, caught this occasion, and wrought in the minds of Nine, I cannot call them men, but villains, and another not a woman, but a beast to make a prey of these harmless four, and their increased possessions: but ●s 
Finis est primum in intensione,  
Vltimum in executione.   
So these wretches having fastened on this monstrous intent, made haste to the execution thereof, and so soon had attained to this wealthy Yeoman's house, where finding little or no resistance, they first bond the man and the woman, and giving the two children to two of their associates to hold, the rest fell to ransack, where not contenting themselves with that store of riches they found, as Gold, Silver, Plate, Rings, and other wealth, having made up their pack, they consulted with themselves for their further security, to make spoil of the owners. It was not long in question ere this hellish jury had given up as damnable a verdict, for (suspicion always haunting a guilty mind,) they determined with themseules they could not be safe from pursuit, from attachment, nay from shameful death, which they worthily deserved, without the slaughter of the father and the mother, which they presently resolved upon, and then two of them stepping to the man, where he lay bound upon the ground, with their daggers stobbed him in the body: who ere his speech left him, lifting up his eyes, begged only this of them; take my riches, I cared for them to bring up my posterity, but now they are yours, I give them you freely; then pity my wife, be merciful to my children. These his last words seemed to beget some remorse (seldom seen) in the men which were murderers, which the more than monstrous woman perceiving (as in a rage thereat) stepped to his wife, and calling to him with these words; Talkest thou of pity quoth she, if thy eyes have yet left so much sight to be witness how i'll be pitiful? behold how I'll perform thy petition. So drawing out her knife, (O act too terrible to report, but the most damnablest that ever was heard of, executed by a woman) she ripped her up the belly, making herself a tragical midwife, or truly a murtheress, that brought an abortive babe to the world, and murdered the mother.  
The good woman having not leave to cry, and her husband having not the use of speech, they both lift up their hands, rolled their eyes one to another, and with that said, but silent; Farewell ever.  
This tragical spectacle enforced all the rest partakers in the robbery, and actors in the murder to remorse, nay even to a repentance; that done, this horrible action had a beginning: but sin always seeking securely to shroud itself in, they began now to question of their safety, and (as villains are ever one afraid and in distrust of another) they conclude now to share their purchase, and every Knave to shift for himself.  
Some urged let us first kill the children, as we have done their parents, others and the greater part glutted with the present object, and even ashamed of themselves and their sinful actions, not only denied, but confidently resolved they would be no further guilty in the blood of Innocents'. In brief they agreed every party to have an equal portion of this ill purchased booty, which soon shared amongst them, and as it appeared, having more than they could tell what to do withal, they gave the remain to three of their Consorts, of which the woman was one to convey away the children from thence, and bestow them in what place soever, while they would give their Parent's burial.  
This was as soon done as talked of, seven of them carried the dead couple from the house to a wood near adjoining, and there buried them, and the other three are gone to travel with the children.  
These Monsters thus divided, whether of a determinate before of ancient acquaintance, or drawn by what means soever, it yet rests undiscovered to the world. These two men, this woman, and these two children the next day some three hours before night, came to Bishops Hatfield in Hartford shire seventeen miles from London, the children being on a horse in a pair of Panniers, the woman riding between them, as it had been to visit some of their friends, than they took up their Inn at one Dells house: and being brought to their chamber, they called for their Hostess, when after some other parley had between them, they demanded of her, if she would be secret in a business, they would unfold unto her, who presently without further pause, replied, I as God should judge her would she, when strait they began to discover to her their whole proceedings, showed her what riches they had got, and told her they were willing to make her a Partaker therein, only they craved her advise, how they should dispose of the children, all this was spoken in the hearing of the Girl. To which Dells wife, as by the sequel appeared soon gave this her consent and instruction, that the Boy should be murdered, and his sister have her tongue cut out.  
This, thus resolved upon, they fell to drinking, and who so merry as this devilish company, all this while the girl sat on the frame at the table's end, and in the mean time, the boy was strayed down the stairs, where being playing up and down in a lower room, this Dells wife having a labourer at work in her backside to make her bavins, called Nicholas Dracon, it was his chance to come in to call for drink, where taking note of it, by the pretines of the behaviour it used; his Hostess passing by him, he demanded of her whose child it was, who answered it belongs to a guest or two that are now above, the honest labourer having drunk his drink that he came for, went back to end his business in the yard, while the child (they being above in the heat of their cups, and not regarding him) strayed out into the street, where one Nevey whelp lay: the tailor taking notice of him, especially by a green coat with nine skirts about the waist, the fashion then being new for children, he called the boy to him to take a pattern thereof, and having satisfied his desire by noting it well and taking measure of the child, the tailor as the labourer, goes back to his work, and the boy returns to Dells house.  
By this time night coming on, as the fit mark for villains to act their villainies under; these wretches having supped with the children, as if no such pretence, which inwardly they intended, had lurked in their bosoms outwardly, bore themselves fair to the little ones, and when they thought it fit time, went to bed together all in our Chamber, the chamber having three beds in it, the men together, and the women with the children, who in the dead of the night, the time created for quiet rest, the ease of labour, and the honest man's repose; these Homesides rising from their beds, and having a candle ready, awaked the children▪ made them ready, and with flattering words told them, they must go to their father and mother, when they poor hearts (as willing to obey, as they to demand, little dreading they were going to such a shambles, as they had prepared for them) came down with them, & at the stairs foot stood the son to this Hostess called George Dell (who belike the mother had acquainted herein) and calling to the men bade them come on and doubt nothing, for he had seen the coast was clear, whereupon opening the back door, they went into the yard, where this innkeepers wife used to milk her Kine, & in which stood a great stack of wood, where delivering the Girl to the woman, and George Dell to stay with, took the boy & leading him behind the pile, first stopping his mouth with Cow dung that he might make no noise, they slit up his throat from one ear to another. This inhuman murder thus acted, they return to the house, told Dells wife and her son the deed was done: quoth Dells wife, than George thou shalt conduct them to bottomless Pond, where for our more safety, they shall end our cause of mistrust, or fear to be discovered by throwing him in. When George del presently stepping to the Woodstacke, and choosing out a good big stake, he with the help of the rest bound thereon the dead child with a hairen rope, and George del himself taking a long Pike staff on his shoulder, lead them the way towards bottomless Pond, being a mile from Hatfield, while the 2 thieves upon the stake carried the boy, and the strumpet led the Girl in her hand.  
George del thus afore leading the way, the 2 thieves in the midst with the dead boy, after them comes (I may rightly call her so) the whore with the sister in her hand, who (what with drowsiness, & what with fear) séemnng to lag, for the night being uncomfortable to men, it must needs be to children, the monstrous female (for no woman) began to egg her on with fair persuasion, Come apace swéet-heart, thy brother is before, and we are going to thy father and thy mother.  
The poor Girl encouraged with the remembrance of her Parents names, whose lives they had extinguished from her, as if the names of them (who first gave her life) could have created a new motion in her, (as far as her childhood & feeble strength would give her leave) hastened after, and by the way called to her with these words. Gammer, shall my mother make me ready to morrow morning, kiss me when I come from school, and hear me say my lesson? The devilish Devil answered (not having remorse, being remembered of the execrable act she had done) I. when she sees thee next, she shall do all this.  
The men hastening on before with the pitiful burden of a murdered brother, when she the divellisht of all came after with a tender sister, and by the way began to ask her of several circumstances as where she was borne, who were her parents, and what her name was? when the child answering to every question according to her remembrance so pretyly, that if her leader had had left in her any spark of womanhood, who by nature are kind, flexible, and remorseable, and not been made up for one to be damned, she would have pitied her.  
But who are created to be Murderers, are created to be remorseless, and so was she, only beguiled the way with these & other such like questions, as what we walked upon, what she saw withal and what she spoke withal, when the innocent Child (suspectless that her own tongue should be her own betrayer) according to her discretion answered to every one, directly pointing to her foot, her eye, and to her tongue, that with those, and by the help of those she saw, went & spoke. Whereupon this bloody Tigris▪ to make herself more monstrous, bade her put out her tongue that she might feel it, (being at this time come just to a style, where she sat down, and told the Girl that they would rest themselves a while) when the child, (little dreading it should be the last time she should make use of it, doing what she bade her) she presently caught it by the end, and with her thumb wresting open the child's jaws to the widest she could stretch them, she cut it out even by the root: the Girl hereat beginning to make her just lamentation, this She-wolfe holding her knife to her throat, bad her peace, or she would slit that as she had slit her tongue; so that for her pain enforced by fear (only as the blood exceeded in her mouth she still spot out that) the woeful child was quiet, when the strumpet bade her hold up her apron, & she would give her her tongue again, and look (quoth she) you lose it not, for you must bear it to your brother. By this time (with their conductor George del) the men had discharged themselves of their burden by bottomless Pond, throwing the stake & Boy they brought (& bound him withal) into a Corn field, & the child with her tongue in her apron, and in the whore's hand had overtaken them, when presently went to act this last stratagem which before they had agreed upon, & threw the Boy (as he was in his clothes) into the pond, giving him for his requiem farewell, no other funeral rites & christian burial, but these words; sink there in stead of a mother-grave, the dead child thus in the pond, the whore (as if she had felt herself sick) not being an exercised actor in more villainy, having forced the child to be sad (beholding first of her brothers untimely murder, and now of his watery grave) not resting here, made the distressed Infant take her tongue (the instrument of her speech) out of her apron, and throw it after her brother, & as it was thrown from her hand, she uttered these words, Let it go and spare not, it cannot be better bestowed, they are near a kin together.  
The murdered brother thus bestowed, & his sister speechless, these villains having contented Dells wife for her counsel, and so bountifully that where it was credibly known, the Lease of her Inn was (at the time of this action) at pawn for 50 l. she presently fetched it home, and bestowed a 100 Marks more in building. The next morning before day they parted; yet in their parting this was resolved upon between them, that the dumb Girl with some little piece of money should be given unto a beggar to travel with, & she so disposed of, they were certain never to be discovered.  
The next day in Hatfield wood (some 2 miles from Hatfield) this determination took effect, & a beggar for a piece of money, took the Wench promising to keep her, as many such Rogues use for one to beg withal. The child received, and the money paid, the 2 thieves and the whore departed: when the beggar (whether not liking the bargain lest after he should pay too dear for it, of slight care or self-will, it is yet unknown) he lost the child in Hatfield wood, where shortly after it was found in a hallow tree, and having received some little cherishing of some well disposed people about the wood-side, from thence it strayed to Barnet, from Barnet to London, where happening in the dumb manner, it used to beg at one Master Allens door a Barber-surgeon for some relief, the Master coming himself to the door, and seeing the child make such pitiful signs to the mouth, he took it by the hand and led it into his shop, and opening her mouth to know the cause of the grief it complained of, found the tongue to be cut out, and the wound unheald, who (pitying the misfortune of the child) of his own charitable disposition, cured it. The mouth thus healed, for 4 years space together, the Girl hath been known in many countries to beg for her food, sometimes about London, sometimes in Essex, but most she hath been remembered (as is certainly by divine providence of heaven, that by her these villainies should come to light) to be resident in Hartford shire, she was never known to speak any syllables tending to speech, only hoarsly she could mutter when any one spoke to her in stead of answer Moka, moka, & so near her tongue was cut out to the root, that the food any charitable persons bestowed on her, she had no tongue to help her to swallow it, but after she had chawd it in her mouth, she was feign to pull out the skin of her throat with her fingers, & gulp it down; in this dumb manner she continued 4 years. We will leave her begging for her living, and return to her murdered brother in bottomless pond.  
This Child having remained three weeks in the pond, on Saint Peter's day in the morning (for at that time of the year happened this Tragedy) some Gentlemen and others (being a hunting for Wildfowl) happened with their dogs to beat about this Pond; when one of these dogs having scented the child (as where it was rose up under the weeds at a bankside) whined and cried, and by no means could be beat or drawn from thence, which eagerness of the Spaniels, wrought a desire in the men to know certainly the cause thereof, and with their long staves turning up the weeds, found there a Boy to be drowned, as they conjectured; when carrying news thereof to the town, the body was by the Crowner taken up, and laid openly for the view of all men to take knowledge of it.  
The whole Country near thereabouts coming at the strangeness of the report, that a child should be murdered and then thrown into a pond, yet none could challenge in him the right of a son; yet the aforesaid Henry Whilpley, Nicholas Deacon, and divers others of Hatfield, made testification both by apparel▪ and other signs (for the Boy had a red head) that this was the child, who three weeks before was seen in Dells house, so many then signified to the justice: Dells wife was sent for, for her husband was a blind man, when being demanded if such a child were not brought to her house, (as before is spoken) & who they were that brought it thither, when she constantly denied, she knew of no such, and for certain she could affirm, that no such child did lodge at her house, and being offered her oath, hereupon she was as ready to swear as resolute to deny, but who knows not lying and swearing are partners, and as inseparable companions as a thief and a receiver, and (as I may say) sworn brethren, that always jump together in a sinful society: her oath being taken (see the just judgement of God, she had not power to confess that truth which would have wrought her out of all suspicion, but utterly denying that which was so manifestly proved against her) the justices thought it requisite (till further proof could be had on this presumption) to bind her over to give answer at the next Assizes.  
When from assizes to assizes, during the passage of four years she was compelled to appear, nothing being further found against her, but her own denial; whereupon the first demand, if she had made but this persuasion and satisfying answer, as judge Daniel very worthily urged against her at the trial, that keeping an Inn, she had many guests, and many children lay at her house, of which number (for aught she knew) that might be one, but who brought them, from whence they come, or whether they will, she is not bound to take notice of. This might have been some instance of her innocency, but so to deny a question, the truth of which was not of sufficiency to hear her argues, a suspicion and mistrust of herself, and proves her to be guilty.  
But to the former matter, she having made her appearance at so many several assizes and sessions, and no instance against her, but the former, it was thought at lent assizes last, she should have been dismissed the Court: but in the mean time such is the just judgement of God, to the plague of murderers, and terror of them that delight in bad, the dumb shall speak ere they shall escape undiscovered.  
For the dumb sister of this murdered child, for when she was in question, led (no question) four year up and down, from town to town, from country to country, by the hand of God was at Michaelmas last brought unto Hatfield, before whose coming thither, though Dells wife was by the graver judgements held in some suspicion, yet was her honest carriage such to taruelors, and to all sorts of people she had to deal withal, that generally the whole country acquitted her, and held her of honest condition; for since the time of this murder it is credibly reported, that betwixt that and a hundred mile from thence, man's meat and horse meat was not to be had so reasonable as then, nor to a travailer better usage.  
Well the girl is come to Hatfield, and having been there two days straying from place to place; the third day she happened upon Dells house, where, whether it were by esspeciall note taken before, but rather truly to be judged by the divine instinct of heaven, to every one that came by her, she would make such pitiful action, as would have pitied any reasonable creature to have beheld her, as tearing of her hair, pointing to her throat, stopping of her mouth, pointing to the woodstacke, & in the motion hereof, shed tears as bitter as if her brother's former murder had been in present action.  
This strangeness noted through all the town, bred a wonder in the people, and the rather for that the girl by no means could be drawn from thence; at last the Bailiff of Hatfield, taking advise with some of his brethren, consulted together, how they might try whether the dumb did this, as tending to the revelation of some concealed suit, or provoked thereunto by ignorance, and in searching many ways, at last it came in their minds, that their neighbour Dells wife had of long been in question about a child, taken up in bottomless Pond (some four year since) or thereabout, whereupon they agreed to question the girl upon what particulars, they could best think upon to that purpose, and withal remembering that by command from the justices of the shire, they had reserved the murdered child's cote, and purposed to make trial, if her remembrance could take any knowledge of it, but first resolved to tempt her memory, by showing her divers others.  
The girl brought into a parlour amongst them, they began first to ask her of her name, as, is thy name johane, Alis, Agnis Francis, Bess, and ever as they spoke her right name which was Elizabeth, she would laughand rejoice; on the contrary, at the naming her wrong seem discontent.  
They having thus a knowledge of her name, began to question her further, if she never had had a brother; when presently she (as she accustomed before) fell a creeping, ma●ing all the former signs in the former order; then they asked her what clothes he used to go in, & she to the best declaration she could, made signs thereof; whereupon they showed her many children's Coats of several colours, and ever as she happened upon a green, that she would kiss, and cry, ever throwing all the rest from her, with so lovely and lively action, that they were confident the murdered Boy was her brother; at last they brought to her the right coat, which after she had earnestly taken note of, the poor child grew to that vehement passion, as if in the sight thereof, she had seen another brother murdered, when by no persuasion, offerings, gifts, nor no course that could be taken, to part from the coat, as it for the loss of a brother, she would keep it as a remembrance of him. All which signified to the justices and Knights of the Shire, the town had an especial charge to provide more carefully for her, and not to suffer her any longer to lie in the streets, and her brother's coat was given to her to wear out.  
This wonder, the only tabletalk in the Country, though often brought to the widow Dells ear, she made slight of it, (persuading her sele belike) that with her honest report and store of wealth, the Child having not a tongue to utter any thing in her reproof to wrest out of it, which (no question) she had done, notwithstanding all the arguments and instances against her. But see the wonderful works of God, an example able to make all people, that for desire of riches, honour, promotion, or what titles soever would be a Murderer or consent thereunto, to loathe the thought thereof, even in the creation, and content themselves with their estate (how mean soever,) rather than seek to rise by indirect means, knowing that a guilty conscience Salamander-like lives always in fire, that his days are dreadful, his nights terrible, that he that admits sin in himself, kills himself, that to unhonest pleasure is begot a companion repenting, and enrich himself with this saying, 
Somnia bonorum meliora quam malorum.   
And though I live poor, I live rich in this, that I am virtuous, I am not a Bondman to my thoughts, nor slave to my affections, 
Nemo liber qui seruit cupiditatibus.   
This Wench (as before is reported) being by the direction placed where she had relief; one day, some month before Christmas last, going to play with the Goodwifes' daughter where she sojourned in a Park joining to Hatfield (commonly called the King's Park) as they were in sport together, a Cock hard by them▪ fell a crowing, when the other Girl mocking the Cock with these words, Cocka doodle do, Peggy hath lost her shoe, and called to her Bess, canst not thou do so? When presently the Girl in the like manner did so; which, drawing the other child into amazement, she presently left her, and ran home crying out as she went, the dumb Girl Bess can speak, the dumb Girl Bess can speak. The wonder caused all the town to gather in flocks, & ran to meet her, but the bailiff and the Constables (more discreet than the rest) kept the Hurry from her: when she answered them to every question directly, and forthwith began in order to reveal the former Murders, as before is mentioned.  
Speedy news was carried to all the chief men in the Shire, who driven into astonishment with the report, and the miraculous accident, that a Child without a tongue should speak both discreetly and distinctly, to the revealing of so monstrous a Murder, and by the crowing of a Cock (that bird that put Peter in mind of his great sin in denying our Saviour and his Master) was the Herald to proclaim to this child, when she should speak these things, that by her the wonderful works of God might be glorified, and the Murders discovered.  
But the lives of the King's Subjects, and those which till then, had been reputed honest▪ being now like to depend on her justification: the justices were very careful to sift her by several examinations, to see if they could find her alter or trip in any part of her former discourse, as Sir Ralph Conesbye, Sir Henry Butler, Master Auditor, and Master Auditor Curl, to the number of 14 Knights and grave Gentlemen of note justices of peace, took her several examinations, when in the general there could not be one found that differed in a syllable; nay though some of them threatened her with what vengeance God would stir up for her in hell, and plagues here upon earth, if she persisted to be a liar, and a murderer, both which would conclude in her (by the death of Dells wife and her son) if she persevered in this testimony. Others in milder train dealt with her, as by fair persuasions, golden promises, that from the state of a beggar, where till then she had lived, she should now be exalted and maintained by them in the same degree as their own children, making them stand present objects to alter her, neither of which could make her distant in any thing, but in brief satisfied them with this answer. I must not lie, I have that within me bids me tell truth.  
Notwithstanding this, one of Sir Henry Butler's men (to make a further trial of her constancy herein, watching her abroad in the same Park, where first her lost speech was revealed unto her) attired himself in a vizard with horns, and (as we commonly say) like a Devil, and out of a thicket stepped before her, & threatened her, that in that place where she first spoke, he would tear her in pieces for belying George Dell and his Mother; when the Girl though in common it doth appear she should have been frighted from her constancy) only answered thus. Good Gaffer Devil do not hurt me, I speak nothing but truth, and what the thing within me instructeth me to speak With the wonder of this Miracle (time passing away) & people coming from all places to be eye and earwitness thereof, the Assizes were to be held at Hartford, where (according as they were bound) George del & his Mother appeared, and being called to their trial (as in form of law in such cases are provided) they pleaded, not guilty; when the Girl (as boldly in accusing, as wonderful in speaking) gave evidence against them, saying, that since God had lent her a speech by miracle, she would with that inspired breath, follow the law of them, & have their bloods lawfully, who stole away her brother. Dells wife being yet asked by the judge, whether such lodged in her house or no? who yet continued her denial; when the aforesaid Henry Whelpley, Nicholas Deacon, with others, were ready to avow the being there, besides many credible persons of Hatfield, who in the life of her husband, (being a blind man, and living in great discontent together) hath often heard him say: thou mayst rise a while, but a day will come when thy villainies and murders will appear, when thy fall shall be low enough. Upon this evidence (the jury going together) they were found guilty, & a verdict returned: whereupon the judge according to course proceeded in sentence against them, where learnedly he instructed them, that since God had revealed them Murderers (as from the tongues of Babes and sucklings, that a child spoke by miracle to her discovery, & that accordingly they were cast by 12 credible men of their own country) they would yet look into themselves, seeing how near they were unto their graves, & make that more plain which yet lay somewhat obscure, namely, who were partakers with them in that bloody action: but nothing prevailing to mollify their obdurate hearts, briefly thus they replied: since the law hath cast us, we desire to die. Whereupon the 2 of August being Saturday, having received their sentence, they were conveyed to the Goal, where being permitted to be together as long as they had stay in this world; by a prisoner that lay over them, was heard this conference. Mother (quoth George Dell) the law hath cast me, and I am resolved for death, I pray you (if you can) resolve the world, whether I am guilty or no? Who answered him, Son be contented, take thy death patiently, it is now too late, I have spoken what I will. The young ●●n spending the time he had to live, in prison & prayer, and singing of Psalms, that if the outward appearance may be a perfect witness in earnest repentance, till Monday the 4 of August, where being with his mother, by the jailor delivered to the Sheriff, his Mother having by suit obtained, that she might see her Son first suffer death, they were executed at the common place of execution; the young man (though the Mother before this was beloved) the most lamented for.   

The several practices of johane Harrison, and her daughter, condemned and executed at Hartford for Witchcraft, the 4 of August last, 1606.  
AT the Assizes held in the beginning of August last in the County of Hartford, in the King's majesties behalf for jail delivery, there were by the verdict of the Country, Four only Offenders found worthy to have deserved death, of which 2 (as have been spoken of, the Mother & the Son) for murder, and one johane Harrison, & her daughter for damnable Witchcraft, wrayed time that offences should come thus prodigious, that the Offspring borne to be a comfort to the Parents, and the parents as much to be delighted in the Children, should be cause of one another's untimely death and fatal overthrow.  
This I. H. dwelling at Royston in the said County of Hartford, of long time having been suspected for witchcraft; now (upon just cause) was apprehended, and her house according to the true course of justice, being searched, there was found in a chest of hers, such sufficient instruments, (which she after confessed were helps to her in her practices) that could there have been no other proof nor evidence against her, they only had been sufficient to judge her unworthy of long life. This Chest being opened, there was first taken out by the Offi●●●● all the bones due to the Anatomy of man & woman, and under them hair of all colours that is customarily worn; in the bottom was found a parchment leapt up in a compass no bigger than a groat, but being open, was in breadth every way 2 spans; in the midst of this parchment was coloured (in the purest colours) a heart proportionable to the heart of a man; and round about fitting even to the very brim of the parchment, were coloured in several colours very curiously divided branches, on which hung dangling things like ashen keys, and at the ends of them in some places figured, and others proportioned a mouth, in brief the whole joints and arteries of a man.  
This I.H. being upon her examination, and finding such apparent witness induct against her of her several felonies & murders, neglected not to confess her utmost secret therein, that she had power (by the help of that parchment, man & woman's bones, and man and woman's hair) to inflict (by the help of her spirits, which she reported to have 2 attending on her, one for men, another for cattle) in any joint, synnow, or place of the body, by only but pricking the point of a needle in that place of the parchment, where in his or her body she would have them tortured, which torture of hers once begun in them, their pain should continue so restless, that a present death had been more happier, than so lingering a calamity; and those whom she intended to kill had the same in effect. If she gave a prick in the middle of the parchment, where she had placed the heart, which relation of her may certainly be believed by the several consequents that she was condemned upon. First a good country Yeoman (a neighbour of hers) & she falling at some words together, he calling her old Hag, or some such like name of reproof: She made him this answer, I will say little to thee, but thou shalt feel more from me hereafter. The honest man had scarce been departed from her half an hour, but he felt himself, as if he had been set into your scotch-boote, or spanish strappado, or your Morbus Gallicus, was nothing to it, sometimes in a pestiferous heat, at others, a i'll cold, but at all times in continual aches, & wracking of his limbs as if the Devil had set him on his Tentors to make broadcloth of him. In this perplexity he continued consuming himself, not being able neither to go nor stand, nor Physic could help him, nor no means be had to ease him. When one of his neighbours coming in neighbourly love to visit him, he began to open his mind to him, that he persuaded himself, by such a one she was bewitched, and he was as faithfully persuaded, that if he could but have 2 or 3 good scratches at her face, whereby he might draw blood of her, he should recover presently, his neighbour advised him by some wile to send for her home, yet (that between them both held unconvenient, for that either suspecting herself, or for not being friends she would not come) that in the night following his neighbour would have this sick man carried in a chair, & lodged in his house, and in the morning his wife, (whom he knew she was good friends withal) should by some wile or another draw her theher, when if he of himself were not strong enough to scratch her, he (as he held charily) would help him. This the next morning was done accordingly, the Witch comes, & is well scratched, upon which within 3 or 4 days (as fast as the man could recover strength) he is up, & goes abroad; which this A.H. perceiving, arrests him▪ & by a trial in law for this battery had 5 s damages, and her costs of suit given her, the man (according as he was condemned) paid her, which no sooner by her received, but the honest man fell into his former passion, languishing a while & died: in the same manner she served another, who meeting her out of the town in a lane, took the like revenge upon her, & recovered. Both which blown over (only a little murmured against by a neighbour of hers) a young woman being washing clothes in an outer room next the street where in a wainscot cradle her child lay a keep; when this A.H. daughter chanced to come by just in the instant as she was throwing out a little wrinsing water, and by chance some of which unawares sprinkled upon her, which the wench seeming moved at, called to her with these words. Do you throw your water upon me gossip, before it be long I'll be revenged for it. The woman (sorry for the offence) had done, followed her business, & thought no further of it, when on the sudden (while she was stepped but into a next room to hung up some clothes) the cradle wherein her child lay, was thrown over shattered all to pieces, the child upon the face whelmed under it, & killed. Thus we see the Devil hath such power on these his damnable servants, that neither men nor infants are to be pitied by them. Not long after she had all bewitched a wealthy man's daughter in the town, who having a good substantial Yeoman to her brother, in pity of his Sister's grief, road to Cambridge, and there acquainting a friend of his with his sister's affliction: the scholar told him she was bewitched, yet in regard they two had been of an ancient friendship, & that himself had some acquaintance with his sister, in spite of her Iucubi, her spirits, & the devil, & all heed help: which according to promise he performed, and by that time her brother was returned, his sister was recovered, in revenge of (for that her sorcery was crossed, & the maid re●uct to health by her brother's carefulness) she caused such a plague upon all his cattle, that they all immediately perished, & consumed, not one of that great store he had being left, to be a remembrance of the rest: himself shortly after did these, & a number more at her trial were inferred against, only one more amongst the rest, though but a homely tale, for that it made all the Bench to laugh, I'll record of her, & conclude.  

How the Witch served a Fellow in an Alehouse.  
THere was an honest Fellow, and as boon a companion dwelling in Royston, one that loved the pot with the long neck almost aswell as his prayers; for (quoth he) as I know one is medicinable for the soul, I am sure the other's physic for the body. It was this Fuddle caps chance with 3 or 4 as good Malt-wormes as himself, and as sure, where the best lap was to be found, together as 4 Knaves in a pair of cards, to be drinking, where this Witch came in, & stood gloating upon them. Now this Goodfellow (not enduring to look upon a bad face, but his own, especially when he is Cup-shot) called aloud to her, Do you hear Witch, look other ways, I cannot abide a nose of that fashion, or else turn your face the wrong side outward, it may look like raw flesh for flies to blow maggots in. Still as the Witch was ready to reply, he would cross her with one scurvy jest, & between every jest drink to her, yet swear, God damn him, she should starve ere she should have a drop on't, since the pot was sweet he'd keepe it so, for should but her lips once look into the lid on't, her breath's so strong, & would so stick in the cup, that all the water that runs by Ware would not wash it out again. At last the witch got so much time to call to him, Dost thou hear good friend (quoth she?) What sayest thou ill face (quoth he?) Mary I say (quoth she) that thou throwest in thy drink apace, but shall not find it so easy coming out. Nay, as for the coming out (answered the fellow) I throwd it in above, & it shall come out beneath, & then thou shalt have some of it, if thou wilt, because I am in hope it will poison thee. Then with this greeting away goes the Witch in a chafe, & the fellow sits down to follow his drink, but as the end of all drunkards, is either to ming or to sleep. So out goes this fellow, & drawing his Gentleman Usher against a pale side, finds me a top of his nose a red lump as big as a cherry, & in his belly felt such a rumbling, as if the Tower of Babel had fallen about his ears: oh the sight thereof drove his heart to an ague, & his tongue to an alaru●▪ and out he cries, the Witch, the Witch, I am undone, I am undone: O God, women of Royston, help, help, the Witch, the Wicth, I am a man spoiled, help, I am undone. At that word help, the Which, in comes one of his fellows runs in haste, & asked him what they should help, the Witch? Oh (quoth he) to the gallows, for I am undone by her. Well, yet out he runs, where for that night she would not be found, but the next morning meeting her in a lane, his pain rather increased, than lessened, & there fasts his ten commandments upon her, he almost scratched out her eyes; nay, left her not till he brought her to the town, where for this and the rest, she was apprehended, and she and her daughter, with George del and his Mother, worthily suffered death the 4 of August.   
FINIS.