| Description | COWPER (Cooper) Margaret of Kirdford – Making ‘Children of wax’ with which to bewitch people.
Wife of William Cooper of Kirdford, surgeon.
1574 bewitched Henry Stoner of Kirdford to death.
1572 bewitched William Fowler to death.
1574 bewitched Eliz Widow of Thomas Fowler to death.
Guilty on all accounts. To hang.
EpI/23/2 f23v 1573, EpI/11/1 f52r or v 1574 Assizes 1575
UNNAMED
1 Sep 1656 – Cap. Smythsa to Navy Commissioner
“There is an old woman living at Pevensey who prophesied that they would not get out for 3 months. She is accounted as very evil tongued, and by report, has done a great deal of harm both to the people and their cattle”.
C.L’E. Ewer – Witchcraft & Demoniasia p.456
Cal State Papers Dom 1656-7 p.424
SOWTON George of Sompting
EpI/17/8 f330v 1595/6 EpI/17/20 ff218v, 226v, 233v, 241v, 247v, 222v, 226v, 228v, 250v
WALDER Elizabeth of Sompting
Suspected of witchcraft. Supposed to purge self. Could not appear because had been taken before a JP and committed to Assizes. “to have bewitched one to death”.
EpI/17/12 f189r, 184r 1608
HAROLD Thomas of Pulborough
Accused by Eliz Hitchcock of being a witch and bewitching cattle and children.
Ep/11/10 f279v, 283v 1607
WOOD Joan
Sessions of peace at Seaford
Grand jury presentment for being a witch
SAC vii p.98 1577
DITCHE – wife of John
Chi Subdean
Chi St P the L
EpI/23/5 ff60r & 60v 1579
OSBORNE Joan - w of John of Hailsham
Bewitching 2 cows to death.
Guilty, 1 year jail.
Assizes 1572
AYLWYN Joan of West Dean
Wife of Robert A.
1573 bewitched Faith, wife of Ed Crowcher of West Dean to death.
1575 bewitched John Waddle of West Dean so gravely ill.
Not guilty on both counts.
EpI/23/1 f89r 1571 Assizes 1575
STUDMAN (STEDMAN) Alice – wife of John Stedman
1579 bewitched to death 3 cows and a bullock belonging to William Spurrior.
Not Guilty
EpI/23/5 f27v 1579 Assizes 1579
UNNAMED
c1660.
A woman of Burwash, suspected to be a witch and of bewitching the house of Joseph Cruttenden of Brightling examined before Capt. Collins and Mr Busbridge, JP’s, committed to Maidstone, but discharged.
C.L’E. Ewer – Witchcraft & Demoniasia p.430
Home Circuit Intinery
SAC 18 pp111-3
BRUFF Martha – w of Stephen Bruff
Ordered by Mayor of Rye to be put to ordeal by water, as a suspected witch.
HMC Report xiii pt iv 216 1645
HOWSELL Ann – widow
Ordered by Mayor of Rye to be put to ordeal by water as suspected witch.
HMC Report xiii pt iv 216 1645
NASH Alice – wife of Thomas N. of Battle, labourer.
Bewitched Eliz Slater age 2 and a half to death
Bewitched Ann Slater age 5 and a half to death
Not guilty.
1680 Assizes
STEDMAN Alice – w of John Stedman, woodbroker.
Bewitched 4 cows of William Spurrior
Guilty
1579 Assizes
PANNELL Margaret of Salehurst, w of Thomas.
Bewitched 2 people so they were afflicted in various parts of the bodies.
Bewitched to death a sow and 8 pigs
Not guilty.
Assizes 1616
CURTIS Juliana of Crawley, spinster
Dec 1576 bewitched Denise Snell who languished critically ill until My 1577.
Not Guilty
Assizes 1577
CALVERLEY Joan of Framfield, spinster
Bewitched Joan, daughter of John and Lee so that she died.
Not guilty.
Assizes 1565
MOUSER (MOWSER) Agnes of Fletching, spinster
Bewitched Ann, daughter of Henry Clemans Esq., so gravely ill.
Guilty. To be punished according to statute.
Reprieved
Assizes 1591
BALDEN (BALDWYN) Agnes of Fletching, spinster
1564 killed Robert Matthews of Newick by witchcraft.
1566 killed two pigs belonging to Thomas Fytchett of Fletching
Guilty on second count
Assizes 1567
CASSELOWE Alice of Mayfield, spinster
1577 killed an ox by witchcraft
1576 killed 3 pigs by witchcraft
Guilty, 1 year jail, 4 times in a pillory. Died in jail.
WHITE Eliz of Balcombe, spinster
Bewitched 4 people so gravely ill.
Not Guilty
Assizes 1593
BARROWE Margery of Chailey, spinster
1577 bewitched Isabel w of John Marten who fell into a trance in which she remains.
Warrant issued for arrest.
Assizes 1577
WELFARE Ursula of Alfriston, spinster
Bewitched to death a sow, 8 chickens, 2 cocks and 2 oxen
Not guilty
Assizes 1580
SMYTH Margery of Battle, spinster
Caused two toads to suckle a red cow belonging to John Foot so that it died within 3 days.
Guilty, 1 year jail, pilloried twice
Assizes 1565
STOCKDEN Robert of Dallington, chandler
Bewitched Margaret Carpenter so that she languished.
Not Guilty.
Assizes 1605
STIKDEN (STOCKTON) Robert of Dallington, labourer (Chandler)
Bewitched William and Jeanes to death.
Not guilty
Assizes 1602
Bewitched Margaret Carpenter, who languished from 20 May – 10 June
Not Guilty
Assizes 1605
PATTENDEN John of Lamberhurst, “a diviner”
Indicted for horse stealing
At large
Assizes 1589
ROYDON Edward of Hailsham, glover
Bewitched a cow and a horse
Bewitched 2 people ill, one to death
Not guilty, bailed to next Assizes
Assizes 1589
ABBOTT Joan, wife of John
Will of Joan Abbott of Arundel vol 14/303b. 1593.
Spinster q well off
EpI/23/6 f8v 1584
GROVER William of Chiltington
EpI/23/4 f25v 1574
LEATHER Richard of Hastings
EpI/9/7 ff161v 243r
PHILLIPS John of Woolavington
EpI/23/5 f23v 1579
WILKINS John of Chichester
Epiu/4/3 ff23r & v 24r 1573-4
STEVENS John & wife of Bexhill
EpII/9/7 ff107v 108v
SCUTT Mother of Bury
‘Is reputed to be a witch’ an abortionist
UNNAMED
8 Jun 1538
“Presentment to the parochyans of Rye” presented to visitation at Winchelsea.
“The Curate, as a witch, gave the Hamper’s child drinks 3 times of the chalice for the Chyne Cough”
Letters & Papers vol 13(1) p430
C.L’E Ewer – Witchcraft & Demoniasia p446
SHALLETT Eliz of Harting
EpI/23/4 f10v 1573
STRONG Alice of Ford
EpI/17/8 f331 v 1595/6
WESTON Maud/Matilda of Chi St Barts
EpI/23/5 f62v 1579
EpIu/4/4 ff19r, 20r, 20v 1578
WILSON Eve
Eve Wilson of Cocking 1571 10/454b widow
EpI/23/1 f85v Mid Lavant 1571
WOLVIN Joan [Ford?]
Epi/17/8 f 330v 1595/6
BAKER Joan of Kirdford
EpI/23/2 f25v
BARBER Joan w of David of Coldwaltham
Will of David B of Coldwaltham 1571 Org D 74
EpI/23/1 f 46v Coldwaltham 1571
OSBORN Constance of W. Itchenor
EpI/23/1 f9v 1570
ARCOLL Joan
W of Thomas of Tillington
EpI/23/1 f74r 1571
OSBOURNE Joan of Bexhill
EpII/9/7 f 143r
CHURCHER –
Wife of Richard
EpI/23/ f8v 1570
CHAPMAN Helena of Chichester
EpIII/4/4 ff20v 22r
BINSKIN Joan of West Wittering
EpI/17/14 f30r 1612/3
HIBERDEN Agnes
Chi St P the G
EpI/23/5 ff59rrv 1579
KING widow of Iden
EpII/9/2 f 175v 176v
OLIVER Joan of Binsted
EpI/23/7 ff 15r 31 1586-7
HAWARD Margaret of Rustington
EpI/23/1 f60r 1571
GONNELL Agnes of Westbourne
W of Thomas
EpI/23/4 f 36r 1574
PMW article
1573 EpI/23/2 f2v
1579 EpI/23/5 f4v
SMITH – of “Chinting”
To be examined touching conjurations
(Ewer – Witch Hunting & Witchcraft p.283)
Acts & Privy Co. NS x220 1578
LICKFOLD Widow of Horsham
EpI/17/10 f244v 1603
MARSHALL John of Felpham
Will of John M of Felpham 14/162b 1590 fisherman
14/475b 1597 fisherman
EpI/23/5 f39v 1579
ARNOLD Eliz of Lyminster, widow
For a report that she did give forth by herself to one that she did go to an enchanter or sosserer for his counsel to learn where her purse was which she had lost.
Denied, admonished, dismissed
EpI/17/13 f 201v 1622
SCUTT Mary of Bury
Was accused of witchcraft in 1603/4, but it was obvious from this memorandum that she was a local “cunning” woman, who specialised, not very successfully, in abortion
[Cap I/4/7/11]
TREE –
Bailiff of Lewes
To be examined by touching conjurations
(Ewer – Witch Hunting & Witchcraft p283)
Acts & Privy Council NS x220 1578
SOWTON William
The cunning man of Sompting seems to have attracted customers from a very wide area of the south coast in the early 17th century. This page from the records of the church courts shows the presentment of Anthony Nash of Yapton for consulting him. Sowton sent Nash a bottle of water and a paper with crosses and characters on it to be hung round a sick woman’s neck.
[Ep I/17/20]
WITCHCRAFT
Mother Scutt of Bury was accused of witchcraft, but she seems to have been the local “wise woman”, to whom the local people went for advice on all kinds of ailments. In the same year that Mother Scutt was summoned for witchcraft, another inhabitant of Walberton, William Rooper, was summoned for consulting with her, but the records do not specify his reason for consulting with her. She probably had some knowledge of herbal cures and primitive medicine, although she was obviously not very successful as an abortionist.
The Bishop’s court had a wide jurisdiction over offences concerning “morality”, which has never been entirely abolished.
WOODLAND George of Selsey
Is suspected to have a masse book in his house
EpI/23/1
WITCHCRAFT
I/23/1 f 46v 74r 85v
Male sorceres – W Chiltington
EpI/23/4 f 10v f25v
Male Sorceres – Westbourne
F36r
Children of Wex to Wytche people withal
EpI/11/1 f21
PESON John of Horsham, bellringer
EpI/17/3 f17r
SHELLEY Rich of Kirdford, Gent
All family not received for 2 years
F 21v
RUDGEWICK
Did ring upon all Saints day after evening prayer, also Slinfold
EpI/23/4
EpIII/4/3
UNNAMED
Man suspected to have wife living, living with other woman
f 15v 1572
WILKINS John
Is suspected and dedicated in the magic arts
f 23r & v 1574
WILKINS John
Not received communion
f 24r
Bastard
f 43r
EpIII/5/2
UNNAMED
Defamation – Chi
f 5-6
Making wife work
EpIII/4/4 f39r
SMITH Marg of St P Minor
That she is a houre and specially with Thomas Dwyke and that she was surgeon? to the wentche that Dwyke did burne and by that means a keeper of his councell
f 18v 1578
HOLSHOT Marg
Did hold the wentche whilst Dwyke wife did dress her
19r
WESTON Matilde of St Barts
Suspected of witchery
F19v burning & witch
CHAPMAN Helen suspected of witchery
20r
WILSON Eave of Mid Lavant
Is suspected of sorcery to confess – that “she doth abhore all such vice & wickedness”
Dismissed
EpI/23/1 f 85v 1571
KNIGHT Eliz of Westbourne
Pregnant & other W’bourne characters
EpI/17/3 f 3v 1573
Attempted strangling
f 15r
Petworth – There is one Thos. Anstye and his wife keepeth noughtie resorte in his house of suspected persons night and day and as yet is thought he himself hath another wife alive in Horsham and keepeth a suspected strange made in his house
f 20r
Good clean living together
f 24v
EpI/11/1
Breach of promise cases
f 18r
Acc of witchcraft “Children of Wex”
f 21rv
WITCHCRAFT and MEDICINE
These two subjects were often closely allied, at least until the 18th century. In earlier centuries anyone who fell ill would try the home remedies handed down through the family, or go to a local “wise woman” or “cunning person”, who would supply them with herbal remedies and sometimes spells and charms. These “cunning” people might also cast spells for the return of lost property, or to discover the identity of thieves. Trained apothecaries and physicians were available, in the towns at least, but their charges were beyond the pockets of most people.
The 18th century saw the development of more scientific methods of treatment and diagnosis of illness. Infirmaries were established, where the poorer classes could receive treatment on the recommendation of one of the subscribers, and a number of charities were set up to provide medical aid.
The Royal West Sussex Hospital in Chichester was established in 1784, and has a magnificent series of records, from which some of these examples are taken.
UNNAMED
Wife of Ric Churcher is suspected of sorcery (somewhere in Chi Archdeaconry)
EpI/23/1 f 8v 1570
OSBORNE Constance of W Itchenor
Presented of suspicion of witchcraft
Compurgators: Marg Nowell, Joan Parwin, Marg Lock, Elz Geale, Alice James, Alice David
f 9v 1570
BARBER Joan of Coldwaltham, wife of David
Is suspected of witchcraft. Denying it, ordered “that she do openly in the parish church of Waltham detest and abhor such vices”
f 46v 1571
HAWARD Margaret of Rustington
Is presented t be a sorcerer
f 60r 1571
ARCOLL Joan of Tillington, w of Thomas
Is suspected to be a witch or sourcerer, the cause of the suspicion is that her own daughter being of the age of 12 years named Alice Arcoll hath confessed that she saw her mother feeding certain evil favoured frogs with white bread and milk by the fireside. When she had so done she put them in wool into a basket
Denied
f 74r 1571
AYLWYN Joan of West Dean
Is suspected of witchcraft
f 89r 1571
NASHE Anthony and wife
There is a common report that either Anthony Nash or his wife did resort to one SOWTON and there was sent from him a bottle of water and a paper with crosses and characters upon it to be hanged about the woman’s neck
Replied
That he thought the said SOWTER to be a physicion but when he understood he was reputed to be such a man as he was presented for he caused the said bottle of water to be thrown away.
dimisit cum pw manicione
f 250v
UNNAMED
Avoidance of taxpaying “with rallying and reviling speeches” breaking the Sabbath Day
f 258v
PENN Thomas of Hunston/Donnington
That the absolution in the book of common prayer is a rag of popery
f 258v
PINCKE Rob of Middleton
“He hath not received the communion at Easter last by reason that he was an impotent person and repaired to the bath before Easter last
f 263r
FARR Grace of Boxgrove
For calling the minister “drunkard and whoremaster”
f 267v
COOKE Maria of Iping, widow
For giving rayling and reviling speeches against Thomas Ireland in the churchyard saying I will shite upon thee and make thee a turd higher
f 273r
SHIPDON Marg of Sutton
For teeching a schoole he is our Curate who is allowed by my Ld Bp is willing a decision to do the same for the more increasing of his living.
For laying violent hands on our minister.
EpI/23/8 f30r f31r f32v f33v 1624
UNNAMED
Drunkard and alehouse haunter
Disorders in alehouse
I/17/20 f198v f208v 1598
WALTER John
For going to one SOWTON of Sompting, a charmer and fetching from him a charme to cure the wife of Anthony Nashe of Yapton 3 Oct 1623
He came and alleged that he was sent by one Anthony Nashe
f218v f226v f233v f241v
UNNAMED
Violence in the churchyard. Lodsworth
219v
NASHE Anthony of Yapton
For sending John Walter of Yapton to Geo. Sowton, a charmer, for a charme to cure his wife. That he did send the said John Walter to a phisitian and not to any charmer
f221v f225v f229v f241v
SOWTON George of Sompting
For sending a charme to cure the wife of Anthony Nashe
Pronounced contumacious
f222v f226r
NASHE wife of Anthony for sending for the charm
F228v
ABBOTT Joan w of John
Vehemently suspected of witchcraft and sorcery and so is granted and reported
Cited, given a day to purge self
EpI/88/30 f58v Presentments 1584 (EpI/23/6)
Widow LICKFOLD of Horsham
Practises surgery and physic but is ignorant
She finds lost things
EpI/88/41 f244v 1603 Detection Book 1601-1603 (EpI/17/10)
WALTER John of Felpham
For going to one SOWTON of Sompting, a charmer and fetching from him a charm to cure the wife of Anthony Nashe of Yapton 3 Oct 1623
SRS 49 C/W Presentments p.82
There is a common report that either Anthony Nashe or his wife did report to one SOWTON and there was sent from him a bottle of water and a paper with crosses and characters upon it to be hanged about the woman’s neck
p.92 1624
SHALLETT Eliz of Harting
Vehemently suspected of witchcraft
EpI/23/4 f10v 1573
GROVER Wm. of Chiltington
Doth use sorcery for we know that drives women do resort to him for help as they think
Denied it, purged by 6 neighbours
f25v 1574
Agnes wife of Thomas GOUNELL of Westbourne
Hath used sorcery and is vehemently suspected for a witch and she used her sorcery by and with Eliz Knight by the confession of the same Eliz
f36v 1574
OLIVER Joan of Binsted
Received not the coven at Easter she also suspected to be a witch
To purge
EpI/23/7 f15r 1586
OLIVER Joan again
f31 1586/7
EpI/23/3 Nothing
WOODS John
Met Agnes Gounell with frogs and toads in a ditch and she is suspected of being a witch
EpI/23/2 f2v 1573
BAKER Joan of Kirdford
To be suspected of witchcraft
COWPER Margaret of Kirdford
To be suspected of witchcraft
f25v
Wife of John LEAFE and wife of Roger EATON
Notorious recusants in Upmarden
EpI/23/8 f1r 1621
BENTLEY Richard of Wisborough Green
Doth practise chinirgery whether licensed or not we do not know
f4r
DAllAM Wm of Midhurst
A popish schoolmaster who is also suspected to baptise and to do other offics of a priest
JOHNSON for teaching children within our parish of Midhurst without license and not sufficient to discharge it. Presented by W. Fetherston
f61v
UNNAMED
Schoolmistress at Sutton
f30
FAGE Dr John Midhurst recusant
A phisitian we know that he use sorcery or that practise physichs unlicensed but Dr Phage before presented
f30v
READ John schoolmaster
f39r
PETT Thomas
A recusant and teacher at school
JOHNSON John for the same
EpI/17/10 f169v July 1602 Midhurst
GRAY Ric
Schoolmaster and suspected of incontinia and whoredom
f171v July 1602 Billingshurst
WINCHE Wm
Schoolmaster ?License, teaching English
f172v Sept 1602 Liminster
JENNINGS
Frenchman keeps school at the house and Annanais Hensty? Without license
f175v Oct 1602 Lurgashall f177r
UNNAMED
Chips on the knees and back (Broadwater)
f196r
Widow LICKFOLD
Taketh upon her to find things lost and deceiveth the people and being altogether ignorant practiseth phisick and surgery in Horsham t the hurt and danger of many
f244v Sept 1603 Horsham
REED Rob of Wisborough Green
Teaches school
EpI/17/11 f16v
GOUNELLE Agnes w of Thomas
Suspected of being a witch by Thomas Deverish, gent, Ric Forder, fortune lier et al
EpI/23/5 Presentments 1579 f24v
UNNAMED
One honest poor widow who is extremely a necessity is rede being called witch the best help she can and is thought to be
f5v N Mundham
PHILLIPS John of Woolavington
Suspected to use sorcery or enchantment
f23v
COMBERS Agnes
Presentment how DITCHE’s wife had spoiled ale, and someone’s cow and had ill wished someone
f60v
DYTCHE John’s wife
Vehemently suspected to be a witch
f60v
WESTON Maud
Suspected of Witchcraft
f62r
BINSKIN Joan
Accused of witchcraft at West Wittering
EpI/17/14 Jan 1612/3
WESTWOOD Jane w of John
For practising phisick and chirurgy says “that she was a midwife and by reason there of hath used to minister phisick to women with child as she hopeth in those cases she may do without offence to the law”
Dismissed
f30v Arundel Jan 1612/3
UNNAMED
Bells in the ministers house at Storrington
f63r May 1613
SWAPPER Susanna and TAYLOR Anne
At the December sessions, 1607, Susanna was indicted for counselling with evil spirits, entertaining and feeding them, with intent to find treasure, on 20 July that year. Ane was charged on the same indictment with aiding and abetting. The latter was further indicted for procuring the death by diabolical means of Thomas Hammon, the late mayor, who became ill on 13 July and died n 27 July 1607. Susanna was thereupon tried and sentenced to death, but reprieved on a plea of pregnancy.
Anne had meanwhile disappeared contrary to her husband’s promise and at the sessions it was ordered that she be taken into custody until the next sessions. She later returned to Rye, was imprisoned and only allowed out on bail in August 1608 on the intervention of the Lord Walden. She was arraigned at the following December sessions but issue was not put to the jury, partly because outside influence was exerted on her behalf and partly because the competence of the court to try the case was questioned. While the Act under which they were indicted empowered justices of the peace to hear and determine such cases, a definitive grant of a commission of the peace was not made to the Cinque Ports until the following year. This case was the subject of considerable correspondence between the ports and their learned councel.
Finally Anne was discharged of her recognizence in December 1609 and Susanna was released from gaol the following December 1610 under the King’s general pardon.
The documents include interrorgatories, examinations and depositions of Susanna Swapper and her husband Roger, Anne Taylor and her husband George, Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas Michenor, labourer, Anne, wife of John Moore, labourer, Margaret and Johanne, wives respectively of Thomas and Anthony Harry, butchers, Thomas Tompkyne of Sandwich, Kent, Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas King, lighterman, Philip Williams, tailor, Richard Thornbury, labourer, John Skrag, Mary, wife of William Carpenter, yeoman, Anne Bennett, widow, Mr. Fowkes, Fynisse, wife of Robert Swane, sailmaker, Elizabeth Byshopp, Martha Higgins, widow and Margery, wife of Robert Convers. There are further lists of persons who were to give evidence
Witchcraft
1607 EpI/11/11/28v
1601 EpI/11/9/84v
1556 EpI/11/1/16v
1574 EpI/11/1/49v
1573 EpI/11/2/27v
1582 EpI/11/5/11
1588 EpI/11/5/135
1597/8 EpI/11/8/55
1598 EpI/11/8/73v
Witchcraft
1579 References in presentments register
EpI/88/34 ff8, 22, 53, 70,123, 158, 159, 161, 162, 165
1584 References in presentments register
EpI/88/30 p.14
1573 References in presentments register
EpI/23/2 2v
Witchcraft
EpI/23/1 ff 46v, 74r, 85v
EpI/23/4 ff 10v, 25v, 36r
Epi/23/5 f39v
1604 Suspected witch at Bury
1613/4 Cunning man, SOWTON of Sompting asked to fund lost purse by R. Pannett of Steyning
EpI/17/15 f89v |