The Examination of Elizabeth Deuice, Daughter of old Demdike, taken at _Read_ before _Roger Nowell_ Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices of Peace within the Countie of _Lancaster_ the xxx. day of March, _Annoq; Regni Jacobi_ _Decimo, ac Scotie xlv._
The sayd _Elizabeth Deuice_ the Examinate, sayth, that the sayd _Elizabeth Sowtherns_, alias _Demdike_, hath had a place on her left side by the space of fourty yeares, in such sort, as was to be seene at this Examinates Examination taking, at this present time.
Heere this worthy Iustice M. _Nowell_, out of these particular Examinations, or rather Accusations, finding matter to proceed; and hauing now before him old _Demdike_, old _Chattox_, _Alizon Deuice_, and _Redferne_ both old and young, _Reos confitentes, et Accusantes Inuicem_. About the second of Aprill last past, committed and sent them away to the Castle at _Lancaster_, there to remaine vntill the comming of the Kinges Maiesties Iustices of Assise, then to receiue their tryall.
But heere they had not stayed a weeke, when their Children and Friendes being abroad at libertie, laboured a speciall meeting at _Malking Tower_ in the Forrest of _Pendle_,[C3_a_] vpon Good-fryday, within a weeke after they were committed, of all the most dangerous, wicked, and damnable Witches in the County farre and neere. Vpon Good-fryday they met, according to solemne appoyntment, solemnized this great Feastiuall day according to their former order, with great cheare, merry company, and much conference.
In the end, in this great Assemblie, it was decreed M. _Couell_ by reason of his Office, shall be slaine before the next Assises: The Castle of _Lancaster_ to be blowen vp, and ayde and assistance to be sent to kill M. _Lister_, with his old Enemie and wicked Neighbour _Iennet Preston_; with some other such like practices: as vpon their Arraignement and Tryall, are particularly set foorth, and giuen in euidence against them.
This was not so secret, but some notice of it came to M. _Nowell_, and by his great paines taken in the Examination of _Iennet Deuice_, al their practises are now made knowen. Their purpose to kill M. _Couell_, and blow vp the Castle, is preuented. All their Murders, Witchcraftes, Inchauntments, Charmes, & Sorceries, are discouered; and euen in the middest of their consultations, they are all confounded, and arrested by Gods Iustice: brought before M. _Nowell_, and M. _Bannester_, vpon their voluntary confessions, Examinations, and other Euidence accused, and so by them committed to the Castle: So as now both old and young, haue taken vp their lodgings with M. _Couell_, vntill the next Assises, expecting their Tryall and deliuerance, according to the Lawes prouided for such like.