Johane Harrison is apprehended on suspicion of witchcraft. Her house is searched for incriminating evidence; such evidence is found in the form of chest full of magical instruments and human remains.(22)

Mary Hall, begins to grow ill in the autumn of 1663. Her illness begins 'first in one foot with a trembling shaking and Convulsive motion, afterwards it possessed both; she would sit stamping very much; she had sometimes like Epileptick, sometimes like Convulsive fits, and strange ejaculations." (32)

The appearance of thunder and lightening in the sky causes the residents of Hertford to become fearful and confused as to the meaning of it.(12-15)

Anonymous 28, a young girl, allegedly becomes possessed by evil spirits after her father, Anonymous 429, has a falling out with "a certain woman who had an evil name" (Anonymous 430). The possession caused her to be "taken with strange Fits, and something would rise up in her throat like two great bunches about the bigness of an Egg; and a strange voice was frequently heard within her, speaking Blasphemous words, not fit here to be repeated." The voice is said to be rough and gutteral, coming from her abdomen.(2-4)

The spirits allegedly possessing Anonymous 28, enticed to converse with the observers, explain how she came to be possessed by them. They explain that there are two of them (Anonymous 189 and Anonymous 190), and that they were sent by two women (Anonymous 130 and Anonymous 131). They were originally intended to possess the girl's father, Anonymous 429, but they found him at prayer and were thus forbidden from entering. The two women sent them instead to Anonymous 28.(4)

The author (Anonymous 432) allegedly hears reports of Anonymous 28's possession and comes to see it for himself. There are forty or fifty others present when he arrives. He observes her for two or three hours, during which time he becomes satisfied that the girl is indeed possessed.(4-5)

Anonymous 429, the father of Anonymous 28, sends for five ministers to fast and pray for his daughter, in the hope that she can be dispossessed. The spirits possessing her (Anonymous 189 and Anonymous 190) allegedly tell him "He expected five men to come, but there should only four come." This comes to pass; one of the five ministers suffers an unexpected accident and is prevented from coming.(5)

Stretton's neighbour (Anonymous 487) and his wife (Anonymous 322) are believed to have caused the demonic being to torment Jane Stretton, when it is discovered that the cunning man (Anonymous 487) and Jane Stetton's father, Thomas Stretton, had been in an argument. The cunning man and his wife are brought before her while she is having a fit, where fire burns her mouth. Anonymous 322 admits that "she could not have stayed any longer from her."(8-9)

The four ministers sent for by Anonymous 429 call on several other ministers and Christian members of the neighbourhood community to assist; all together they allegedly "kept several days in Fasting and Prayer" on behalf of Anonymous 28. During this time, two great bunches are observed to rise in Anonymous 28's throat, and the rough voice is heard to speak blasphemies. One of the ministers "did earnestly beg of God, that he would plague and torment Satan for such his Blasphemies; upon which the Spirit made a most dreadful crying and bemoaning his condition, and said, I will do so no more: To which the Minister replid, Satan, that shall not serve thy turn." The spirits cried and roared hideously, and thereafter it was observed that only one bunch rose in Anonymous 28's throat. The onlookers conclude that one of the two spirits (Anonymous 190) has been banished.(5-6)

The remaining spirit possessing Anonymous 28, Anonymous 190, allegedly takes advantage of the ministers' pause for refreshment and begins to toss the girl up and down. It also takes the use of her legs and causes her chair to "fall down backwards almost to the ground, and then lift it up again."(5-6)

John Palmer allegedly confesses that Marsh of Dunstable is the leader of the "College of Witches" coven. Marsh is considered a good witch by man, for he "hath so long gratified the Country people with his Conjurations." It is believed that he performs good deeds only as the blackest of Devils, meaning that they are all false in nature. Palmer further confesses that he himself had been a witch for some sixty years, "long enough to know and give in the totall summe of all the Conjuring conclave, and the society of Witches in England." (2)

John Palmer confesses as to how the devil took advantage of him, when he "of a fretfull and revengfull nature," was not able to avenge himself of his adversaries, causing him to join the Devil. Upon this act, he was granted two familiars, one a dog called George, and the other a woman called Jezabell.(3)

John Palmer confesses that the Devil showed him his 'mark' by drawing it on the ground. The devil the drew Palmer's blood, and had him use it to make the same mark on the ground.(3-4)

John Palmer confesses that he seduced his kinswoman, Elizabeth Knott, into aiding him in his villainy. He and Elizabeth Knott made a clay image of Goodwife Pearls and laid it on the fire. While the image was "consuming and mouldring away the woman lay in miserable torments." Pearls died immediately after the image was finally and completely consumed by the fire.(4)

John Palmer and Elizabeth Knott allegedly murder Goodwife Pearls, through the burning of a clay figure of Pearls, which they burned. This was an act of revenge, as Goodwife Pearls hung a lock upon his door and he did not pay rent to her.(4)

John Palmer confesses to sending one of his familiars to kill Mr. Cleavers' horse.(4)

Elizabeth Knott allegedly sends a familiar (Anonymous 241) in the form of a cat to bewitch John Lamans' cow as an act of revenge. However, Knott "had no hand in the death of any thing, save the death of Goodwife Pearls," suggesting the cow lived. The familiar came to Elizabeth Knott three weeks before the cow was bewitched, and promised that she should have "her desire in any thing she would desire, except money." The reason Elizabeth Knott chose to bewitch the cow of Laman was because she was denied money that was due to her by Laman's wife. This familiar would suck from her breast as well.(4-5)

John Palmer confesses to Sampson Clark, the Keeper of the Prison, that he once transformed a young man (Anonymous 124) into a toad as an act of revenge; the boy had kicked Palmer in the shin, causing him great pain. The young man was bewitched for many years, "to his great woe and torment."(5)

John Palmer is executed on 16 July, 1649, having been found guilty of witchcraft, the murder of Goodwife Pearls, the transformation of a young man (Anonymous 124) into a toad, sending his familiars to kill Mr. Cleaver's horse, and seducing his kinswoman towards witchcraft and malefic compact with the Devil as well.(1)

Elizabeth Knott is executed on 16 July, 1649, having been found guilty of witchcraft, including the murder of Goodwife Pearls, and bewitching John Lamans' cow.(1)

Mr. Amyce has a woman who be believes to be a witch (Anonymous 225) committed to the goal in Hertford for allegedly bewitching him.()

Dr. Woodhouse diagnoses and begins to treat Mary Hall for her distemper. He prepares "stinking Suffumigations, over which she held her head, and sometimes did strain to vomit." Her illness seems, at least for "some weekes" to be somewhat abated. Woodhouse appears to continue acting as her physician during this time.(32)

Mary-by-chance was swum as a witch in St. Albans in the county of Hertforshire. She allegedly "could not be made sink, though she strove, by putting her head under the Water, and was thrust down with Poles." According to the justices of that town, who related the story to William Drage, she confessed, One of her Imps leaped upon her Breast in the Water, and she could not sink." Evidently, she attempted to weigh herself down with iron to help her sink. (40)

Mary-by-chance, and "another man in Prison" (Anonymous 252) are examined as witches. Being made to "shew their Teats; the Man [showed that he] had like a Breast on his side" and by being made to recite the Lord's Prayer, Mary-by-chance evidently could not say "Our Father, but [could only say] Your Father," a sure sign of demonic leanings. (40-41)

Mary-by-chance allegedly confesses that "she did exactly all those things that were alleged against her." (40-41)

A woman (Anonymous 256) allegedly claims (the story come to William Drage via a Lawyer who heard this assertion) that regardless of what happened to her in court, she was "sure not to die yet: for all the mischief she had done, was in transforming her self into the shape of a Bumble Boe; and biting the Maids thread often in pieces as she spun," proclaiming a certain immortality and the ability to go on doing maleficium.(18-19)

The two spirits which allegedly possess Mary Hall, returning to her body, after almost a year of health, begin to taunt her and her physician. They define themselves as "two little Imps," sent by Goodwife Harods, and Goodwife Youngs that appear "sometimes we are in the shape of Serpents, sometimes of Flyes, sometimes of Rats or Mice; and Gfe Harod sent us to choak this Maid, Mary Hall." They suggest that they would have possessed her father, Goodman Hall," but were unable to, therefor possessed Mary instead. They claim they "came down the Chimny, riding on a stick, and went first to Mary's foot, whereupon her foot trembled first of all her distemper," thus situating the possession as beginning the previous year, during Mary's illness. (32-33)

The two spirits possessing Mary Hall refuse to be exorcised / dispossessed. Although they sometimes answer questions, they also mock God (claiming to be four evil entities, two spirits and two witches, against one of him). They would blaspheme, saying "God was a Bastard, let him come if he dare." They would threaten that those bothering them would be "benighted." And claim they had to do "a few prankes more, ere they went out," which included choking Mary. (32-33, 33-34)

The two spirits which possess Mary Hall tempt her to hurt herself and kill herself in any number gruesome ways, including drowning, burning, and scalding herself.(33)

The spirits which possessed Mary Hall stop her from normative and spiritual behavior. When she attempted to ride her horse, they "would lift her up, and make her shake, so that they were fain to hold her on the Horse," when she attempted to read the Bible, "they would say, Mary, do not read; or, Mary you shall not read, for Books are all against us," and then "convulse her Arms, and threw the Books far from her." Moreover, even if others attempted to pray for her, "they would make her to tremble, and her knees to bow; and when so done, laugh and sing, We know how to cheat you, and make you believe any thing."(33)

The spirits which allegedly possess Mary Hall mock Dr. Woodhouse's medical treatment (medical dispossession), violently react against Nicholas Culpeper's suggestion (derived from his book) of Oak Mistletoe (Viscaceae) and other "anti-daemoniack-Medicines boiled," by Woodhouse, but suggest that the Hall family consult Mr. Redman of Amersom, "whom some say is a Conjurer, others say, He is an honest and able Physician, and doth abundance of good) [because] he would cast them out."(34, 36, 36. 39)

Dr. Redman recommends an act of countermagic to treat Mary Hall's possession, an act which when done, appears to provide temporary relief. He suggests that "a Child being very sick, likely to die, Redman bids them, Take the length of the Child with a Stick, and measure so much ground in the Churchyard, and there dig, and bury the Stick of the Childs length."(39)

Doctor Woodhouse uses countermagic to test Goodwife Harwoods' culpability for bewitching Mary Hall. Woodhouse "got Mary Halls nailes that were cut off, and with somewhat he added, hung them up in the Chimny a reesing over-night; and by next morning Gfe Harwood came, which they thought to be caused by the aforesaid things."(34)

William Drage concludes that 'natural remedies,' those used to heal those suffering from natural, as opposed to supernatural illnesses, would not cure Mary Hall. Regardless, he lists a series of cures he might have attempted to use to treat her, including, "powder of Coral (to stop excess [menstrual] bleeding), of Piony (treat signs of hysteria), of Misleto (to treat convulsive nervous disorders), of Herb True-Love (a narcotic), and of Saint Johns-wort (to treat depression)," or to hang "Rosemary, Misleto, Ivy and Coral in the house, and about her neck." He also suggested her could have given Hall a "Decoction of them at any time, specially in the fits, in such manner as she could best take them." This appears to suggest he is medically diagnosing her as being bewitched. (36)

Mary Hall's bewitchment appears to be, at least in part, in remission throughout September-November, 1664. The spirits allegedly "lie still for the most part, unless by questions, or praying, they are disturbed; sometimes they say, they lift her upto a great height, but say, they cannot hurt one Hair of her head."(37)

After nearly three months of reprieve from her possession symptoms, William Drage visits Mary Hall (December 1, 1664). At the beginning of his visit, she looked "well-bleed, seemingly she was very well." Drage took this as an opportunity to interrogate the spirits within her on the hierarchies of demons. Soon after, "both in her reading and feeding, both her fits of speaking, and convulsive fits molested her." Her "throat swelled, her Face grew red, her head shook, and was wreathed about." Drage pulled her tongue from out of her mouth, to attempt to force the demons to speak from inside her, and found "their voice was more obscure; it is sometimes hoarser, sometimes shriller; sometimes small, sometimes great." He continues to man-handle her for the rest of his visit, and her fits return in full force. (37-38)

Dr. Woodhouse gives Mary Hall opium in order to calm the spirits which rage inside of her, he administers, it "many times in a Grain, [but it] makes very little alteration in the body."(38-39)

Dr. Woodhouse gives Mary Hall a "Venificifuge, a Chymical preparation," a medicine which "rid her, in part for a while, of her fits."(38-39)

Dr. Woodhouse allegedly treats those in Berkhamstead in the county of Hertfordshire with a "Venificifuge, a Chymical preparation," he also treats Mary Hall with. He evidently administered it to a bewitched boy in Berkhamstead (Anonymous 262) after the remedies for "convulsion fits" were unsuccessful. Woodhouse, after questioning the Querents on the details of the fits, went to see the boy for himself and found the boy began his fit by "pulling off its headcloaths; then it fell a pulling off its Hair, and then scratching the skin off its face." Woodhouse presumably concluded, at this point, that the boy was possessed and provided the appropriate medical treatment.(38-39)

A man and his wife, as well as "divers of the Neighbours" (Anonymous 426) saw a "Fair-keeping" of fairies (Anonymous 174) at Black-down Hills every summer, although none dare "adventure in amongst them, for that every one that had done so, had received great damage by it."(209)

One of the ministers bids Anonymous 28 read from the Bible, but the remaining spirit (Anonymous 190) allegedly says "She shall not read" and tosses her about, draws her head to one side and contorts her face. After some time, the ministers succeed in having her read part of Chapter 20 of the Book of Revelations, though not without some difficulty.(6)

Anonymous 28 rides home after the ministers exorcise one of the spirits (Anonymous 189) from her body. The remaining spirit (Anonymous 190) allegedly flings her backward when she tries to mount, and forces her to sit facing the horse's tail.(6-7)

The author, Anonymous 432, observes Anonymous 28 in a fit while she is being prayed over, in which the spirit (Anonymous 190) allegedly makes her bark like a dog, bellow like a bull and roar; the spirit is also said to have suddenly flung her to great height without causing her harm. Anonymous 432 and another man hold down her head and shoulders until the "Spirit in a desperate rage cries out, If I come out, I will kill you all, I will throw down the house and kill you all." It rages until the end of the prayer.(7)

The author (Anonymous 432) allegedly attends a party at which Anonymous 28 is also present. He claims the spirit (Anonymous 190) robbed her of the use of her legs and said "she should not drink." The other attendees attempt to force a cup of beer on her nevertheless. Anonymous 190, realizing they will not be dissuaded, orders Anonymous 28 to drown herself in the well in the host's yard. Anonymous 432 claims Anonymous 28 was a stranger to the home and thus could not have known about the well.(7-8)

Anonymous 190, the remaining spirit allegedly possessing Anonymous 28, is said to talk often to her family and visitors; it is heard frequently to speak filthy blasphemies. It also tells strange stories to make its audience laugh, and at other times is sullen and silent. It is also known to jump Anonymous 28 up and down, and contort her into strange postures.(8)

The remaining spirit, Anonymous 190, allegedly continues to possess Anonymous 28 up to the time Anonymous 432 publishes his account of her possession. (8)

After scratching Johane Harrison, the yeoman (anonymous 121) recovers but is swiftly apprehended by A.Harrison who accuses him of committing battery against her mother. The yeoman is forced to pay restitution to Johane Harrison. Immediately after paying her, he becomes ill again.()

After scratching Johane Harrison, the yeoman (anonymous 121) recovers but is swiftly apprehended by A.Harrison who accuses him of committing battery against her mother. The yeoman is forced to pay restitution to Johane Harrison. Immediately after paying her, he becomes ill again.()

Upon losing his Bible, Thomas Stretton visits one of his neighbors (Anonymous 487), who was "a Cunning man, Wizard, or Fortune-teller" in order to help find it. Thomas Stretton however, accuses the man of being "a Witch or a Devil, seeing as he could neither write nor read." These words cause anger for the cunning-man, who vows to get revenge.(1 - 3)

Jane Stretton from the town of Ware suffers from fits, during which "she complained continually of an exceeding pain in her back more then the other parts of her body," as if she were being slashed at knife-point, "her flesh cut and mangled." When setting up her bed, a naked knife is found there, "no body knowing how or which ways it should come thither."(7)

Anon 489, a rich farmer with three half-acres of oats to mow, allegedly sent for his neighbor, Anon 490 to hire him for the harvest. When Anon 490, a poor mower, tried to bargain for a better price for his labor, Anon 489 took "some exceptions at, bid him much more under the usual Rate than the poor Man asked above it; So that some sharp Words had past." Offended, Anon 490 refused to discuss the matter any further.(Title page)

Anon 490, afraid of losing work and Anon 489's patronage, ran after Anon 489 and begged to be hired on at a rate lower than he had charged for any mowing in the past year. The farmer, Anon 489, allegedly replied "That the Devil himself should Mow his Oats before he should have anything to do with them." With that, the two finally parted ways.(Title page)

The night after the farmer Anon 489 declared the Devil would mow his oats before Anon 489 would be hired to, several passers by allegedly saw the Anon 489's three half-acres of oats burn for some time.(Title page)

The morning after Anon 489's three half-acres of oats were allegedly seen to burn, Anon 489 received news of the event. He traveled to the field to witness it for himself, expecting destruction, and instead "found the Crop was Cut down ready to his hands; and as if the Devil had a mind to shew his dexterity in the art of Husbandry, and scorn'd to mow them after the usual manner, he cut them in round Circles, and plac't every straw with the exactness that would have taken up above an Age, for any Man to perform what he did in that one night."(Title page)

Anon 489 is allegedly to afraid to have his oats removed from the field after finding them "so neatly Mow'd by the Devil, or some Infernal Spirit, that no Mortal Man was able to do the like."(Title page)