Part II: a choice collection of modern relations, part 3 of 12

RELAT. III. Which containeth the Witchcrafts of Elizabeth Style of Bayford, Widow.

THis Elizabeth Style of Stoke Trister, in the County of Somerset, was accused by divers Persons of Credit upon Oath before Mr. Hunt, and particularly and largely confessed her guilt her self, which was found by the Jury at her Trial at Taunton; But she prevented Execution by dying in Gaol, a little before the expiring of the term her Confederate Daemon had set for her enjoyment of Diabolical pleasures in this life. I have shortned the examinations, and cast them into such an order, as I think fittest for the rendring the matter clear and intelligible.

1. Exam. Rich. Hill of Stoke Trister, in the County of Somerset Yeoman, being examined upon Oath, Jan. 23. 1664. before Rob. Hunt, Esq one of His Majesties Justices for that County, concerning the bewitching of his Daughter by Eliz. Style, declareth, That his Daughter Eliz. Hill, about the Age of 13 Years, hath been for about two Months last past taken with very strange fits which have held her an hour, two, three and more; and that in those fits the Child hath told her Father, the Examinant and others, that one Eliz. Style of the same Parish appeared to her, and is the Person that Torments her. She also in her fits usually tells what Clothes Eliz. Style hath on at the time, which the informant and others have seen and found true.

He saith further, that about a Fortnight before Christmas last, he told Style that his Daughter spoke much of her in her fits, and did believe that she was bewitched by her. Whereupon Francis White, and Walter, and Robert Thick being present, willed her to complain to the Justice against him for accusing of her. But she having used several put-offs, said she would do worse than fetch a Warrant. After which the Girl grew worse than before, and at the end of a fit she tells the Examinant when she shall have another, which happens accordingly, and affirms, that Style tells her when the next fit shall come. He informs further, that Monday Night after Christmas day about Nine of the Clock, and four or five times since about the same hour of the Night, his Daughter hath been more Tormented than formerly, and that though held in a Chair by four or five People, sometimes six, by the Arms, Legs, and Shoulders, she would rise out of her Chair, and raise her body about three or four foot high. And that after, in her fits, she would have holes made in her Hand-wrists, Face, Neck, and other parts of her Body, which the Informant and others that saw them conceived to be with Thorns. For they saw Thorns in her Flesh, and some they hooked out. That upon the Childs pointing with her Finger from place to place, the Thorns and Holes immediately appeared to the Informant and others looking on. And as soon as the Child can speak after the fit, she saith that Widow Style did prick her with Thorns in those several places, which was horrible Torment, and she seemed to the Informant and others standing by, to be in extream pain and torture. The Child hath been so tormented and pricked with Thorns four several Nights, at which times the Informant and many other People have seen the flesh rise up in little bunches in which Holes did appear. The Pricking held about a quarter of an hour at a time during each of the four fits, and the Informant hath seen the Child take out some of those Thorns.

The same Rich. Hill Examined Jan. 26. 1664. informs, that when he rode from the Justices house with a Warrant to bring Styles before him, his Horse on a suddain sate down on his breech and he could not after ride him, but as soon as he atte[…]ed to get up, his Horse would sit down […] paw with his feet before. He saith further, that since Styles was Examined before the Justice and made her Consession to him, she hath acknowledged to the Informant that she had hurt his Daughter, and that one Anne Bishop, and Alice Duke, did joyn in bewitching of her.

Taken upon Oath before me,

Rob. Hunt.

2. Exam. William Parsons Rector of Stoke Trister, in the County of Somerset, Examined the 26. of Jan. 1664. before Rob. Hunt, Esq concerning the bewitching of Rich. Hill's Daughter saith, That on Monday Night after Christmas day then last past, he came into the room when Eliz. Hill was in her fit, many of his Parishioners being present and looking on. He there saw the Child held in a Chair by main force by the People, plunging far beyond the strength of nature; foaming and catching at her own Arms and Clothes with her Teeth. This fit he conceives held about half an hour. After some time, she pointed with her finger to the left side of her Head, next to her left Arm, and then to her left Hand, &c. and where she pointed he perceived a red spot to arise with a small black in the midst of it like a small Thorn. She pointed also to her Toes one after another, and exprest great sense of Torment. This latter fit he guesses continued about a quarter of an hour, during most or all of which time her stomach seemed to swell, and her head where she seemed to be prickt did so very much. She sate foaming much of the time, and the next day after her fit, she shewed the Examinant the places where the Thorns were stuck in, and he saw the Thorns in those places.

Taken upon Oath before me Subscribed,

Rob. Hunt.

William Parsons Rector of Stoke Trister.

3. Exam. Nicholas Lambert of Bayford, in the County of Somerset Yeoman, Examined upon Oath before Rob. Hunt, Esq Jan. 30. 1664. concerning the bewitching of Rich. Hill's Daughter by Elizabeth Style, testifieth, That Monday after Christmas day last, being with others in the house of Rich. Hill, he saw his Daughter Elizabeth taken very ill, and in fits that were so strong that six Men could not hold her down in a Chair in which she was sate, but that she would raise the Chair up in spight of their utmost force. That in her fits being not able to speak, she would rest her body as one in great Torment, and point with her Finger to her Neck, Head, Hand-wrists, Arms and Toes. And he, with the rest looking on the places to which she pointed, saw on the suddain little red spots arise with little black ones in the midst, as if Thorns were stuck in them, but the Child then onely pointed without touching her flesh with her Finger.

Taken upon Oath before me

Rob. Hunt.

4. Exam. Richard Vining of Stoke Trister Butcher, Examined Jan. 26. 1664. before Rob. Hunt, Esq concerning the bewitching of his Wife by Eliz. Style, saith, That about two or three days before S. James's day three years since or thereabou[…] his late Wife Agnes fell out with Eliz. Style, and within two or three days after she was taken with a grievous pricking in her Thigh, which pain continued for a long time, till after some Physick taken from one Hallet, she was at some ease for three or four weeks. About the Christmas after the mentioned S. James's day, Style came to the Examinants house, and gave Agnes his Wife two Apples, one of them a very fair red Apple, which Style desired her to eat, which she did, and in a few hours was taken ill and worse than ever she had been before. Upon this, the Examinant went to one Mr. Compton, who lived in the Parish of Ditch-Eate, (the same Person that shewed my Friend his Wife in a Glass, as I have related in the story of Mr. Mompesson) for Physick for his Wife. Compton told him he could do her no good, for that she was hurt by a near Neighbour, who would come into his house and up into the Chamber where his Wife was, but would go out again without speaking. After Vining came home, being in the Chamber with his Wife, Style came up to them, but went out again without saying a word. Agnes the Wife continued in great pain till Easter Eve following, and then she dyed. Before her Death her Hip rotted and one of her Eyes swelled out, she declared to him then and at several times before, that she believed Eliz. Style had bewitched her, and that she was the cause of her Death.

Taken upon Oath before me,

Rob. Hunt.

Whilst the Justice was Examining Style at Wincaunton, (which is not above a Mile and a half from Stoke Trister) upon the former evidence against her, he observed that Rich. Vining looked very earnestly upon him. Whereupon he askt Vining if he had any thing to say unto him. He answered that Style had bewitched his Wife, and told the manner how, as is in his deposition related. The Woman Style upon this seemed appaled and concerned, and the Justice saying to her, You have been an old sinner, &c. You deserve little mercy: the replied, I have askt God mercy for it. Mr. Hunt askt her, why then she would continue in such ill courses? she said the Devil tempted her: and then began to make some Confession of his actings with her. Upon this the Justice sent her to the Constables house at Bayford, which is in the Parish of Stoke Trister, (the Constable was one Mr. Gapper) and the next Morning went thither himself, accompanied with two Persons of quality Mr Bull, and Mr Court, now Justices of the Peace in this County.

Now before I proceed further in the story, I shall take notice that here are Three credible witnesses, swearing to the same particulars, in that the Child Elizabeth Hill was sometimes in strange fits, in which her strength was encreased beyond the proportion of Nature, and the force of divers Men; that then she pointed to the parts of her Body, where they saw red spots arising, and black specks in the midst of them, that she complained she was prickt with Thorns, and two of them saw Thorns in the places of which she complained. Some of which Thorns, one swears that he and others saw hooked out, and that the Girl her self pulled out others; that in her sits she declared Style appears to her (as Jane Brooks did to Richard Jones, in the former Relation) and tells her when she shall have another fit, which happens accordingly; that she describes the Clothes the Woman hath on, exactly as they find. But notwithstanding, all this shall be Melancholy and Fancy, or Legerdemain, or natural Distemper, or any thing but Witchcraft, or the Fact shall be denied, and the three Witnesses perjured, though this confidence against the Oaths of sober Men, tend to the overthrow of all Testimony and History, and the rendring all Laws useless. I shall therefore proceed to further proof, and such as will abundantly strengthen this. It is the confession of Style her self.

I left Mr. Hunt, and the other two Gentlemen at the Constables house, where Style was, upon business of further Examination, where she enlarged upon the Confession she had before begun to make, and declared the whole matter at that and two other times after in the particulars that follow.

5. Exam. Elizabeth Styles her Confession of her Witchcrafts, Jan. 26. and 30. and Feb. 7. 1664. before Rob. Hunt Esq She then confessed, that the Devil about Ten years since, appeared to her in the shape of a handsome Man, and after of a black Dog. That he promised her Mony, and that she should live gallantly, and have the pleasure of the World for Twelve years, if she would with her Blood sign his Paper, which was to give her Soul to him, and observe his Laws, and that he might suck her Blood. This after four solicitations, the Examinant promised him to do. Upon which he prickt the fourth Finger of her right hand, between the middle and upper joynt (where the sign at the Examination remained) and with a drop or two of her Blood, she signed the Paper with an [O]. Upon this the Devil gave her Sixpence, and vanished with the Paper.

That since he hath appeared to her in the shape of a Man, and did so on Wednesday seven-night past, but more usually he appears in the likeness of a Dog, and Cat, and a Fly like a Millar, in which last he usually sucks in the Poll about four of the Clock in the Morning, and did so Jan. 27. and that it usually is pain to her to be so suckt.

That when she hath a desire to do harm, she calls the Spirit by the name of Robin, to whom when he appeareth, she useth these words, O Sathan give me my purpose. She then tells him what she would have done. And that he should so appear to her, was part of her Contract with him.

That about a Month ago he appearing, she desired him to torment one Elizabeth Hill, and to thrust Thorns into her flesh, which he promised to do, and the next time he appeared, he told her he had done it.

That a little above a Month since this Examinant, Alice Duke, Anne Bishop and Mary Penny, met about nine of the Clock in the Night, in the Common near Trister Gate, where they met a Man in black Clothes with a little Band, to whom they did Courtesie and due observance, and the Examinant verily believes that this was the Devil. At that time Alice Duke brought a Picture in Wax, which was for Elizabeth Hill. The Man in black took it in his Arms, anointed its Fore-head, and said, I Baptize thee with this Oyl, and used some other words. He was Godfather, and the Examinant and Anne Bishop Godmothers. They called it Elizabeth or Bess. Then the Man in Black, this Examinant, Anne Bishop, and Alice Duke stuck Thorns into several places of the Neck, Hand-wrists, Fingers, and other parts of the said Picture. After which they had Wine, Cakes and Roastmeat (all brought by the Man in black) which they did eat and drink. They danced and were merry, were bodily there, and in their Clothes.

She further saith, that the same persons met again, at or near the same place about a Month since, when Anne Bishop brought a Picture in Wax, which was Baptized John, in like manner as the other was, the Man in black was Godfather, and Alice Duke and this Examinant Godmothers. As soon as it was Baptized, Anne Bishop stuck two Thorns into the Arms of the Picture, which was for one Robert Newman's Child of Wincaunton. After they had eaten, drank, danced and made merry, they departed.

That she with Anne Bishop, and Alice Duke met at another time in the Night, in a ground near Marnhul, where also met several other persons. The Devil then also there in the former shape, Baptized a Picture by the name of Anne or Rachel Hatcher. The Picture one Durnford's Wife brought, and stuck Thorns in it. Then they also made merry with Wine and Cakes, and so departed.

She saith, before they are carried to their meetings, they anoint their Foreheads, and Hand-wrists with an Oyl the Spirit brings them (which smells raw) and then they are carried in a very short time, using these words as they pass, Thout, tout a tout, tout, throughout and about. And when they go off from their Meetings, they say, Rentum Tormentum.

That at their first meeting, the Man in black bids them welcome, and they all make low obeysance to him, and he delivers some Wax Candles like little Torches, which they give back again at parting. When they anoint themselves, they use a long form of words, and when they stick in Thorns into the Picture of any they would torment they say, A Pox on thee, I'le spite thee.

That at every meeting before the Spirit vanisheth away, he appoints the next meeting place and time, and at his departure there is a foul smell. At their meeting they have usually Wine or good Beer, Cakes, Meat or the like. They eat and drink really when they meet in their bodies, dance also and have Musick. The Man in black sits at the higher end, and Anne Bishop usually next him. He useth some words before meat, and none after, his voice is audible, but very low.

That they are carried sometimes in their Bodies and their Clothes, sometimes without, and as the Examinant thinks their Bodies are sometimes left behind. When only their Spirits are present, yet they know one another.

When they would bewitch Man, Woman or Child, they do it sometimes by a Picture made in Wax, which the Devil formally Baptizeth. Sometimes they have an Apple, Dish, Spoon or other thing, from their evil Spirit, which they give the party to whom they would do harm. Upon which they have power to hurt the person that eats or receives it. Sometimes they have power to do mischief by a touch or curse, by these they can mischief Cattle, and by cursing without touching; but neither without the Devils leave.

That she hath been at several general meetings in the night at High Common, and a Common near Motcombe, at a place near Marnhull, and at other places where have met John Combes, John Vining, Richard Diokes, Thomas Boster or Bolster, Thomas Dunning, James Bush a lame Man, Rachel King, Richard Lannen, a Woman called Durnford, Alice Duke, Anne Bishop, Mary Penny and Christopher Ellen, all which did obeysance to the Man in black, who was at every one of their meetings. Usually they have at them some Picture Baptized.

The Man in black, sometimes playes on a Pipe or Cittern, and the company dance. At last the the Devil vanisheth, and all are carried to their several homes in a short space. At their parting they say [A Boy! merry meet, merry part.]

That the reason why she caused Elizabeth Hill to be the more tormented was, because her Father had said, she was a Witch. That she has seen Alice Dukes Familiar suck her, in the shape of a Cat, and Anne Bishops suck her in the shape of a Rat.

That she never heard the name of God or Jesus Christ mentioned at any of their meetings.

That Anne Bishop, about five years and a half since, did bring a Picture in Wax to their meeting, which was Baptized by the Man in black, and called Peter. It was for Robert Newman's Child at Wincaunton.

That some two years ago, she gave two Apples to Agnes Vining, late Wife of Richard Vining, and that she had one of the Apples from the Devil, who then appeared to her and told, That Appls would do Vining's Wives business.

Taken in the presence of several grave and Orthodox Divines before me

Robert Hunt.

6. Exam. William Parsons Rector of Stoke Trister, Examined Feb. 7. 1664. before Rob. Hunt Esq concerning Elizabeth Style's confession, saith, That he heard Style before the Justice of Peace, at the time of her Examination confess, as she hath done also to the Examinant several times since, that she was in Covenant with the Devil, that she had signed it with her Blood, that she had been with the Devil at several meetings in the night, that at one time of those meetings, there was brought a Picture in blackish Wax, which the Devil in the shape of a Man in blakish Clothes, did Baptize by the name of Eliz. Hill, that she did stick in one Thorn into the Hand-wrists of the Picture, that Alice Duke stuck Thorns into the same, and that Anne Bishop and Mary Penny were present at that meeting with the Devil.

Taken upon Oath before me Subscribed,

Robert Hunt.

William Parsons Rector of Stoke Trister.

This Confession of Styles was free and unforced, without any torturing or watching, drawn from her by a gentle Examination, meeting with the Convictions of a guilty Conscience. She confesseth that she desired the Devil to torment Eliz. Hill, by thrusting Thorns into her flesh, which he promised, and said he had done it. That a Picture was Baptized for her the said Elizabeth, and that She, the Familiar, and Alice Duke stuck Thorns into several places of the Neck, Hand-wrists, Fingers and other parts thereof, which exactly agrees with the strange effects related, concerning the torments the Child suffered, and this mischief she confesseth she did, because her Father said she was a Witch. She confesseth she gave two Apples to Vinings Wife, one of which she had from the Devil, who said it would do the business, which sutes also with the Testimony of Vining concerning his Wife.

She confesseth further, That the Devil useth to suck her in the Poll, about four a Clock in the Morning, in the Form of a Fly like a Millar, concerning which, let us hear Testimony (the other particulars of her Confession we shall consider as occasion offers.)

7. Exam. Nicholas Lambert Examined again Jan. 26. 1664. before Rob. Hunt Esq concerning what happened after Styles confession, testifyeth, That Eliz. Style having been Examined before the Justice, made her Confession, and committed to the Officer, the Justice required this Examinant, William Thick and William Read of Bayford to watch her, which they did; and this Informant sitting near Style by the fire, and reading in the Practice of Piety, about Three of the Clock in the Morning, there came from her Head a glistering bright Fly, about an Inch in length, which pitched at first in the Chimney, and then vanished. In less than a quarter of an hour after, there appeared two Flies more of a less size, and another colour, which seemed to strike at the Examinants hand, in which he held his Book but missed it, the one going over, the other under at the same time. He looking stedfastly then on Style, perceived her countenance to change, and to become very black and gastly, the fire also at the same time changing its colour; whereupon the Examinant, Thick and Read conceiving that her Familiar was then about her, looked to her Poll, and seeing her Hair shake very strangely took it up, and then a Fly like a great Millar flew out from the place, and pitched on the Table-board, and then vanished away. Upon this the Examinant, and the other two persons looking again in Styles Poll, found it very red and like raw Beef. The Examinant askt her what it was that went out of her Poll, she said it was a Butterfly, and askt them why they had not caught it. Lambert said, they could not. I think so too, answered she. A little while after, the Informant and the others looking again into her Poll, found the place to be of its former colour. The Examinant demanding again what the Fly was, she confessed it was her Familiar, and that she felt it tickle in her Poll, and that was the usual time when her Familiar came to her.

Taken upon Oath before me

Robert Hunt.

8. Exam. Eliz. Torwood of Bayford, Examined Feb. 7. 1664. before Rob. Hunt Esq concerning the mark sound about Eliz. Style after her Confession, Deposeth, That she together with Catharine White, Mary Day, Mary Bolster, and Bridget Prankard, did a little after Christmas last, search Eliz. Style, and that in her Poll they found a little rising which felt hard like a Kernel of Beef, whereupon they suspecting it to be an ill mark, thrust a Pin into it, and having drawn it out, thrust it in again the second time, leaving it sticking in the flesh for some time, that the other Women might also see it. Notwithstanding which, Style did neither at the first or second time make the least shew that she felt any thing. But after, when the Constable told her he would thrust in a Pin to the place, and made a shew as if he did, O Lord, said she, do you prick me, whenas no one then touched her.

The Examinant further saith, that Style hath since confessed to her, that her Familiar did use to suck her in the place mentioned, in the shape of a great Millar or Butterfly.

Catharine White, Mary Day, Mary Bolster and Bridget Prankard do say, that the abovesaid Examination of Eliz. Torwood is truth.

Taken upon Oath before me Rob. Hunt.