Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson

About Candlemas preceding the May 1572 depositions, Elizabeth Anderson reportedly called Anne Burden a crooked-handed witch in Stockton, according to Thomas Fewler.

On 17 May 1572 witnesses were produced for Agnes alias Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson in a Durham defamation cause; the surviving sequence contains Thomas Fewler and two witnesses provisionally read William Rawe and John Bambridge.

A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the governing date and main procedural order remain unresolved.

A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry at folio 373v lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the precise procedural wording and governing date remain unresolved.

A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry at folio 379r lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the precise procedural wording and governing date remain unresolved.

A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry at folio 387v lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the precise procedural wording and governing date remain unresolved.

Scope

Deposition heading, three witnesses, four act-book entries and Raine’s printed selection. Full research commentary, source comparisons and evidence gaps from the authoritative edition accompany the source passages.

Editorial conventions

Square brackets distinguish expanded abbreviations, tentative readings, unread spans, image damage, insertions and cancellations. Lineation is editorial and not certified physical manuscript lineation. Expansions are conservative; unclear formulas remain unread. English renderings modernise English and translate Latin; they are never presented as manuscript quotations. An unread span can cover multiple words or lines. Crossing lines may indicate alteration without a confidently established cancellation extent.

Notes on the edition

Comparison of sources: Case heading and date — editorial note

The party direction, husband's name, defamation cause and May date are supported. The interlinear alias wording is not certified; Raine separately prints Agnes alias Anne. This heading governs the three following depositions. The preceding case above the heading is excluded.

Witnesses produced on behalf of Agnes Burden [interlined Anne and an alias abbreviation tentatively read], wife of William Burden, on her [libel?] against Elizabeth Anderson in a cause of defamation [contracted expression unresolved], 17 May 1572.

Durham Consistory Court depositions Agnes alias Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson, Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, current ff.280v–281v, witnesses produced 17 May 1572. Images digitised from microfilm; working expanded diplomatic transcription with explicit gaps., Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, 280v lower · context

Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Comparison of sources: Thomas Fewler deposition — editorial note

Original reading from both folios; damaged and washed-out spans are not supplied from Raine. Stirk is retained as the witness's animal term; it is not evidence of animal bewitchment. His cattle movement supplies the setting for overhearing. No age or duration beyond the legible Lta is supplied. The abbreviated fifth and sixth responses and altered fourth answer remain provisional. The mark identifies the same witness; it does not sign for the next witness.

Thomas Fewler of Stockton in the county of Durham, cotman alias chapman, aged about fifty years, a witness produced, admitted and sworn in this cause [remaining contracted procedural words unread]. He says that he knows the parties well, for [duration unread] years [continuation unread]. [Further contracted introductory wording unread.] On the [first rubric cancelled; second inserted] article, he says that about Candlemas last past, while he was their near neighbour, he was bringing two of his stirks from the water into his own house. The parties were quarrelling and one was reviling the other. He then heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a “crowket handyd wytch” [crooked-handed witch]. [Continuation concerning Anne Burden unread.] On the following recto the account continues with Elizabeth Anderson [faint words unread]. The surviving words include “was sworne” and a following expression that remains uncertain; no complete reply can be reconstructed. The witness cannot depose [contracted qualification unread]. He gives no other [time expression unresolved]. [Further circumstantial wording remains faint.] He says the words were spoken audibly there, so that many might have heard them, being spoken so near the cross and in the town street. On the next article [number faint], the answer includes “any suche wordes” and a reference to the time already deposed [the remaining words cannot be translated reliably]. On the fourth article, a revised answer concerns whether Anne Burden’s good name was impaired by Elizabeth’s words. Portions are cancelled or faint. The surviving final phrase refers to words that “can empare hir good name.” [The complete answer remains unresolved.] On the fifth article [short Latin response unresolved]. On the sixth he believes what is believed, and not otherwise [contracted continuation unread]; the surviving Latin also concerns relationship by blood or marriage and victory in court, but its whole construction is unresolved. The mark of Thomas Fewler.

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

Comparison of sources: Second witness provisionally William Rawe — editorial note

The heading and mark favour Rawe, with Rowe retained as an alternative; Bowes is withdrawn as the preferred reading. The expansion of the abbreviated forename as William is supported, but the full identity remains flagged for review. The occupation and age are not secure assertions. Norton is a stated parish for Elizabeth, not a proved location of a separate event. The crossed-out fourth answer and replacement must remain separate. Exact speech attribution in the second answer is not repaired from John’s evidence.

William [Rawe?], of the same place in the stated county, [currier?], aged [unread] years, a witness produced and sworn in this cause [further procedural wording partly unread]. He says he has known the parties since he was [the connection with being born or brought up in Stockton remains faint]. Further introductory wording concerns the parties and whether he is related, allied or corrupted [exact construction unresolved]. The surviving closing words refer to saying nothing but the truth [qualifications unread]. [The first-article heading and answer are overwritten or faint. The surviving text is insufficient for a complete translation.] On the article numbered second after correction, he describes the parties exchanging words in the town street of Stockton, directly opposite his window, while he was working at his occupation in his own dwelling house. He cannot give the precise other time, hour or day [the preceding time expression is unread]. He heard Elizabeth Anderson [remaining speech and corrections partly unread]. The surviving wording includes a reference to Anne Burden and “was sworned”; its subject, speech attribution and surrounding rejoinder remain uncertain. He refers to words spoken before and at the same time [faint continuation]. He cannot depose further to this article. The top of the next verso continues the answer [damaged words unread]. A subsequent answer says he never heard any such words as are articulated [article number and adjoining words uncertain]. A fourth-article answer has been struck through. It concerns Elizabeth’s words and Anne Burden, but the faint and cancelled wording does not support a full translation. The replacement fourth answer says that he heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a whore [the remainder concerns her honesty or reputation, but the connecting words and qualification are faint]. On the fifth article, he says that this article is true, because Elizabeth is of the parish of Norton and of the jurisdiction of this court. The mark of William [Rawe?].

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Comparison of sources: John Bambridge deposition — editorial note

Bambridge and Bambrige are provisional source spellings of this witness; Bainbridge is a normalised earlier proposal, not a demonstrated additional individual. The age, occupation and acquaintance duration are not promoted to firm database fields. The reply to the whore insult is retained as an altered, incomplete passage, not a fluent quotation or proof of sexual conduct, perjury, a marital relationship, or witchcraft. The next recto begins a separate cause about a will and is excluded.

John [Bambridge?] of the aforesaid Stockton in the same county, [occupation unresolved; possibly fisher], aged [numeral uncertain], a witness produced, admitted and sworn as above [remaining contracted words unread]. He says he has known the parties for [possibly twenty-two] years. The surviving closing Latin concerns relationship by blood or marriage; the complete qualification is unresolved. On the first article, he says that Anne Burden, over [possibly twenty-two] years, is accounted a very honest woman and is so taken and accounted in the town and parish where he lives [short connecting expression unresolved]. On the second article, while coming from the water to his house, he heard the parties quarrelling. Anne Burden called Elizabeth Anderson a whore. Elizabeth answered [the following reply is crossed by lines whose cancellation extent remains uncertain]. The legible portions read “my hordom is known” and include a reference to a husband, “is sworned” and a possible interlined “perjured.” [Connecting words unresolved.] He cannot depose further [precise connection unresolved]. On the third article, he has not heard Elizabeth Anderson say or acknowledge any such words [interlinear wording concerning Anne Burden remains tentative]. On the fourth article, the answer concerns good name and Elizabeth’s words; blackening and uncertain words prevent a reliable complete translation. On the fifth article [short contracted response unread]. The mark of John [Bambrige?].

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

Comparison of sources: Related act book entry on folio 373 verso — editorial note

Party names and order support association with this cause. The bounded entry is represented with explicit unread spans; procedural expansion remains provisional. This entry is not dated from its folio position or a return expression. Its native tiles, crop and surrounding preview are preserved.

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] The female defendant [unread] to respond [?] [unread] lawful or proper person [unread] [name or office unread] [unread] Elizabeth [?] [unread] [unread] for or to [unread] [unread] [two?] [unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [lower lines unresolved].

Durham Consistory Court act book Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson, Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v, Burden against Anderson listings. Volume catalogued June 1570–1572; governing dates and parts of the main acts unresolved., Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.373v · context

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

Comparison of sources: Related act book entry on folio 379 recto — editorial note

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] The female defendant [unread] in lawful or proper person [name or office unread] [unread] [proctor?] [unread] [unread] [to be published?] [unread] [unread] [for or to?] [unread] [unread] [May?].

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

Comparison of sources: Related act book entry on folio 387 verso — editorial note

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] [unread] [Gilbert?] [remaining name or office unread] [unread] Anne Burden [unread] [unread] Elizabeth [?] Anderson [unread] [unread] [to be published?] [depositions?] [unread] [unread] [unread].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

Comparison of sources: Related act book listing of Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson — editorial note

Newly located related listing in the 1570–1572 main-series act book. Exact party names and order support association with the deposition cause; no independent person identifiers establish identity beyond that contextual match. This is a partial reading of a complete bounded entry. The main text requires specialist collation. No date is inferred from the folio number, sampled pages or possible October expression. The catalogue’s 1572 volume endpoint is not a proved date for this act.

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] For or to [procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [unread] in person [unread] [unread] [October?] [unread ending].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Comparison of sources: Catalogue comparison

Source: Durham public volume manifest retrieved 24 October 2026
Reading: DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2 Consistory Court Deposition book 1565–1573; digitised from PG Microfilm 215; original text ends f.349r.
Comparison: Supports repository citation and microfilm origin. The black-and-white reproduction limits recovery of faint and blackened writing.

Source: Durham full court-record catalogue retrieved 24 October 2026
Reading: Raine source letter C maps to DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2. Catalogue calls the film 5TC 215 and says filmed while disbound.
Comparison: PG Microfilm 215 in the manifest and 5TC 215 in the catalogue are recorded as repository labels; no independent equivalence beyond the same volume reference is invented.

Source: Raine 1845 p.247 no.CCXCIX inspected in the saved page image
Reading: Heading Agnes alias Anne wife of William against Elizabeth; 17 May 1572; Thomas Fewler about fifty; selected witch-insult account and mark.
Comparison: Substantively agrees with the central Fewler account. It selects portions of his evidence and omits the other two witnesses and most procedural/article responses. Printed words are not copied into unread manuscript spans.

CCXCIX. On the part of Agnes, alias Anne Burden, wife of William Burden, against Elizabeth Anderson, in a cause of Defamation. 17 May, 1572. [C. f. 380.] Thomas Fewler, of Stokton, coteman, alias chapman, aged about 50 years. He saith that, about Candlemas last past, this deponent, being ther nigh neibour, was bringing in two stirks of his from the wayter into his owne house, at what tyme the parties was chidynge, and one of them revilinge the other. And this deponent then hard Elizabeth Anderson caull the said Anne Burden “crowket handyd wytch.” He saith the words was spoken audiently there; ther might many have herd them, beinge spoken so neigh the crose and in the towne gait as they were. Signum + Thomæ Fewler.

James Raine, Raine Depositions and Other Ecclesiastical Proceedings 1845 selected Burden extract, London: J. B. Nichols and Son, 1845, James Raine ed., Surtees Society 21 (London J. B. Nichols and Son 1845), p.247 no.CCXCIX, source C f.380., James Raine, ed., Depositions and Other Ecclesiastical Proceedings from the Courts of Durham, Surtees Society 21 (London: J. B. Nichols and Son, 1845), p.247, no.CCXCIX. · context

Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Comparison of sources: Supported findings

Issue: Witness two identity
Decision: Prefer William [Rawe?], with Rowe as an alternative; withdraw Bowes as preferred. Exact surname remains provisional.
Basis: f.281r Latin heading and f.281v mark, compared directly
Certainty: Supported preference, not independent identity certification

Issue: Witness three identity
Decision: Use John [Bambridge?] in the edition; retain [Bambrige?] at the mark and Bainbridge as historical normalisation only.
Basis: f.281v heading and mark
Certainty: One witness with spelling variation; not multiple people

Issue: Party names
Decision: Agnes in Latin heading and Anne in English evidence identify the complainant in this sequence. Preserve the interlinear alias uncertainty; Raine explicitly prints Agnes alias Anne.
Basis: Case heading, repeated English testimony, Raine p.247
Certainty: Document variants; not proof of two different women

Issue: Foliation
Decision: Current ff.280v–281v correspond locally to the older 380–381 sequence; old 382/current 282 is visible on the next recto. Do not call Raine’s C f.380 a demonstrated miscitation or extrapolate a volume-wide offset.
Basis: Image folio numerals and entry start, repository canvas labels
Certainty: Local concordance

Issue: Date
Decision: 17 May 1572 is witness production. Candlemas last is Fewler’s relative incident date; no exact day assigned and no Gregorian conversion made.
Basis: Manuscript heading and Fewler account
Certainty: Production date read; incident year inferred from May heading

Issue: Conflicting or altered responses
Decision: Retain Fewler’s altered reputation answer, Rawe’s cancelled fourth answer and replacement, and the lines crossing John’s reply. Do not harmonise them into one fluent exchange.
Basis: All three depositions
Certainty: Exact missing words and cancellation extents remain unresolved

Issue: Outcome
Decision: Unknown in the collected depositions. The succeeding will cause is not an outcome for Burden.
Basis: Bounded entry ends at John’s mark on f.281v
Certainty: No inferred acquittal or conviction

Issue: Related act book entries
Decision: Include four separately sourced listings at ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v with partial original readings and separate English accounts; withhold precise procedural orders and governing dates.
Basis: Native-resolution candidate entry tiles and party columns across the act book
Certainty: Party pairing supported; procedural text and dates unresolved

CCXCIX. On the part of Agnes, alias Anne Burden, wife of William Burden, against Elizabeth Anderson, in a cause of Defamation. 17 May, 1572. [C. f. 380.] Thomas Fewler, of Stokton, coteman, alias chapman, aged about 50 years. He saith that, about Candlemas last past, this deponent, being ther nigh neibour, was bringing in two stirks of his from the wayter into his owne house, at what tyme the parties was chidynge, and one of them revilinge the other. And this deponent then hard Elizabeth Anderson caull the said Anne Burden “crowket handyd wytch.” He saith the words was spoken audiently there; ther might many have herd them, beinge spoken so neigh the crose and in the towne gait as they were. Signum + Thomæ Fewler.

Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Context: About this case and its sources

Reference: Durham University Library, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, ff.280v–281v; DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, ff.373v,379r,387v,405v
Record dates: 17 May 1572; related acts undated in this reading
Source languages: Latin and English
Court: Durham Consistory Court
Case: Defamation concerning witch and whore insults
Parties: Agnes alias Anne Burden, complainant; Elizabeth Anderson, defendant
Witnesses: Thomas Fewler; William Rawe or Rowe [surname provisional]; John Bambridge [surname provisional]
Other named people: William Burden, husband of Agnes Burden
Outcome: Not established by the represented entries
Texts in this edition: Deposition heading, three witnesses, four act-book entries and Raine’s printed selection.
Text status: Manuscript reading with unresolved passages and act dates.
Edition: 25 October 2026 · version 1.0
How to cite: Witches in Early Modern England, Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson, reading edition, 25 October 2026, section title and source folio or page.

CCXCIX. On the part of Agnes, alias Anne Burden, wife of William Burden, against Elizabeth Anderson, in a cause of Defamation. 17 May, 1572. [C. f. 380.] Thomas Fewler, of Stokton, coteman, alias chapman, aged about 50 years. He saith that, about Candlemas last past, this deponent, being ther nigh neibour, was bringing in two stirks of his from the wayter into his owne house, at what tyme the parties was chidynge, and one of them revilinge the other. And this deponent then hard Elizabeth Anderson caull the said Anne Burden “crowket handyd wytch.” He saith the words was spoken audiently there; ther might many have herd them, beinge spoken so neigh the crose and in the towne gait as they were. Signum + Thomæ Fewler.

Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Context: Case account and supported findings

The surviving deposition sequence concerns Agnes, called Anne in the English evidence, wife of William Burden, proceeding against Elizabeth Anderson for defamation. Witnesses were produced on 17 May 1572. This is an ecclesiastical defamation record, not proof of a witchcraft prosecution or conviction.

Thomas Fewler reports hearing Anderson call Burden a crowket handyd wytch about Candlemas last. He describes bringing two stirks from the water to his house and locates the audible speech near the cross in Stockton’s town street. These details describe the circumstances of hearing; they establish no supernatural harm to livestock.

The two additional witnesses make the original materially fuller than Raine’s printed selection. The second, provisionally William Rawe, describes working at home and hearing a street exchange opposite his window; his replacement fourth answer reports Anderson calling Burden a whore. John Bambridge describes Burden calling Anderson a whore and an altered reply involving sworn wording. Those exchanges concern contested reputation; neither sexual misconduct nor perjury is established as fact.

The strongest name reading now favours William Rawe in both header and mark. The earlier Bowes proposal is not retained as a separate person. John’s source surname is provisionally Bambridge or Bambrige; Bainbridge is an earlier normalisation. Both witness identities are flagged in the export and require review before database matching.

The file includes introductory Latin, English article answers, altered responses and witness marks through the bottom of f.281v. The preceding testimony on f.280v and the new will cause on f.282r are outside the case. No verdict, sentence, costs award or performed penance has been identified within this bounded deposition sequence.

Four related act-book listings have now been located at DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v, naming Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson in the same direction. Their main text is contracted and sometimes altered. These entries add a procedural sequence beyond Raine’s selected deposition, but their governing dates and exact orders remain unresolved. They do not establish a final judgment.

The surviving deposition sequence concerns Agnes, called Anne in the English evidence, wife of William Burden, proceeding against Elizabeth Anderson for defamation. Witnesses were produced on 17 May 1572. This is an ecclesiastical defamation record, not proof of a witchcraft prosecution or conviction. Thomas Fewler reports hearing Anderson call Burden a crowket handyd wytch about Candlemas last. He describes bringing two stirks from the water to his house and locates the audible speech near the cross in Stockton’s town street. These details describe the circumstances of hearing; they establish no supernatural harm to livestock. The two additional witnesses make the original materially fuller than Raine’s printed selection. The second, provisionally William Rawe, describes working at home and hearing a street exchange opposite his window; his replacement fourth answer reports Anderson calling Burden a whore. John Bambridge describes Burden calling Anderson a whore and an altered reply involving sworn wording. Those exchanges concern contested reputation; neither sexual misconduct nor perjury is established as fact. The strongest name reading now favours William Rawe in both header and mark. The earlier Bowes proposal is not retained as a separate person. John’s source surname is provisionally Bambridge or Bambrige; Bainbridge is an earlier normalisation. Both witness identities are flagged in the export and require review before database matching. The file includes introductory Latin, English article answers, altered responses and witness marks through the bottom of f.281v. The preceding testimony on f.280v and the new will cause on f.282r are outside the case. No verdict, sentence, costs award or performed penance has been identified within this bounded deposition sequence. Four related act-book listings have now been located at DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v, naming Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson in the same direction. Their main text is contracted and sometimes altered. These entries add a procedural sequence beyond Raine’s selected deposition, but their governing dates and exact orders remain unresolved. They do not establish a final judgment.

Context: Witness two identity

Basis: f.281r Latin heading and f.281v mark, compared directly. Supported preference, not independent identity certification.

Basis: f.281r Latin heading and f.281v mark, compared directly. Supported preference, not independent identity certification.

Context: Witness three identity

Basis: f.281v heading and mark. One witness with spelling variation; not multiple people.

Basis: f.281v heading and mark. One witness with spelling variation; not multiple people.

Context: Party names

Basis: Case heading, repeated English testimony, Raine p.247. Document variants; not proof of two different women.

Basis: Case heading, repeated English testimony, Raine p.247. Document variants; not proof of two different women.

Context: Foliation

Basis: Image folio numerals and entry start, repository canvas labels. Local concordance.

Basis: Image folio numerals and entry start, repository canvas labels. Local concordance.

Context: Date

Basis: Manuscript heading and Fewler account. Production date read; incident year inferred from May heading.

Basis: Manuscript heading and Fewler account. Production date read; incident year inferred from May heading.

Context: Conflicting or altered responses

Basis: All three depositions. Exact missing words and cancellation extents remain unresolved.

Basis: All three depositions. Exact missing words and cancellation extents remain unresolved.

Evidence gap: Outcome

Basis: Bounded entry ends at John’s mark on f.281v. No inferred acquittal or conviction.

Basis: Bounded entry ends at John’s mark on f.281v. No inferred acquittal or conviction.

Context: Related act book entries

Basis: Native-resolution candidate entry tiles and party columns across the act book. Party pairing supported; procedural text and dates unresolved.

Basis: Native-resolution candidate entry tiles and party columns across the act book. Party pairing supported; procedural text and dates unresolved.

Comparison of sources: Sources image quality and entry boundaries

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, current ff.280v lower to 281v lower, older local numbering 380 to 381. Witnesses produced 17 May 1572. Stable viewer: https://iiif.durham.ac.uk/index.html?manifest=t2mq237hs15w&canvas=t2t1544bw31g

The repository manifest describes a Consistory Court deposition book for 1565 to 1573, digitised from PG Microfilm 215. The saved catalogue uses the film label 5TC 215 and records filming while disbound. The volume reference is the same; those film labels are preserved as supplied.

280v_281r: 4968 by 3902 source pixels. Forty saved native JPEG tiles cover the two openings. The whole-opening JPEGs are derivative assemblies; the tiles and request register are preserved.

281v_282r: 5004 by 3820 source pixels. Forty saved native JPEG tiles cover the two openings. The whole-opening JPEGs are derivative assemblies; the tiles and request register are preserved.

The black-and-white microfilm has washed-out and blackened areas. Native tiles improve access to surviving letters, but enlargement cannot recover missing tonal information. Colour photography of the original or independent collation may be needed. The main Latin heading and witness rubrics surround English testimony; the act-book entry is Latin. All prior and succeeding causes are excluded from this edition.

Related acts: DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v. All 45 final image positions 150–194, ff.365v–409v including the terminal conservation note, screened at 1024-pixel preview scale. Seven candidates inspected from native tiles: four corresponding party listings, one unmatched Anna Burden name lead with different opponents, and two unrelated cases. A preview screen is not a certified full-text search; faint entries can be missed. Earlier image positions 0–149 were not screened in this pass. The governing dates and complete procedural orders remain unresolved. Stable f405v viewer: https://iiif.durham.ac.uk/index.html?manifest=t1msn009x99k&canvas=t1t9g54xr022

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, current ff.280v lower to 281v lower, older local numbering 380 to 381. Witnesses produced 17 May 1572. Stable viewer: https://iiif.durham.ac.uk/index.html?manifest=t2mq237hs15w&canvas=t2t1544bw31g The repository manifest describes a Consistory Court deposition book for 1565 to 1573, digitised from PG Microfilm 215. The saved catalogue uses the film label 5TC 215 and records filming while disbound. The volume reference is the same; those film labels are preserved as supplied. 280v_281r: 4968 by 3902 source pixels. Forty saved native JPEG tiles cover the two openings. The whole-opening JPEGs are derivative assemblies; the tiles and request register are preserved. 281v_282r: 5004 by 3820 source pixels. Forty saved native JPEG tiles cover the two openings. The whole-opening JPEGs are derivative assemblies; the tiles and request register are preserved. The black-and-white microfilm has washed-out and blackened areas. Native tiles improve access to surviving letters, but enlargement cannot recover missing tonal information. Colour photography of the original or independent collation may be needed. The main Latin heading and witness rubrics surround English testimony; the act-book entry is Latin. All prior and succeeding causes are excluded from this edition. Related acts: DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v. All 45 final image positions 150–194, ff.365v–409v including the terminal conservation note, screened at 1024-pixel preview scale. Seven candidates inspected from native tiles: four corresponding party listings, one unmatched Anna Burden name lead with different opponents, and two unrelated cases. A preview screen is not a certified full-text search; faint entries can be missed. Earlier image positions 0–149 were not screened in this pass. The governing dates and complete procedural orders remain unresolved. Stable f405v viewer: https://iiif.durham.ac.uk/index.html?manifest=t1msn009x99k&canvas=t1t9g54xr022

Context: Editorial conventions

Square brackets distinguish expanded abbreviations, tentative readings, unread spans, image damage, insertions and cancellations. Lineation is editorial and not certified physical manuscript lineation. Expansions are conservative; unclear formulas remain unread. English renderings modernise English and translate Latin; they are never presented as manuscript quotations. An unread span can cover multiple words or lines. Crossing lines may indicate alteration without a confidently established cancellation extent.

Context: Case heading and date

280v lower. Evidence crop: heading.png

heading:001 Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

heading:002 burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

heading:003 diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

280v lower. Evidence crop: heading.png heading:001 Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. heading:002 burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. heading:003 diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Context: English translation or modernisation

Reading note: The party direction, husband's name, defamation cause and May date are supported. The interlinear alias wording is not certified; Raine separately prints Agnes alias Anne. This heading governs the three following depositions. The preceding case above the heading is excluded.

Reading note: Original reading from both folios; damaged and washed-out spans are not supplied from Raine. Stirk is retained as the witness's animal term; it is not evidence of animal bewitchment. His cattle movement supplies the setting for overhearing. No age or duration beyond the legible Lta is supplied. The abbreviated fifth and sixth responses and altered fourth answer remain provisional. The mark identifies the same witness; it does not sign for the next witness.

Reading note: The heading and mark favour Rawe, with Rowe retained as an alternative; Bowes is withdrawn as the preferred reading. The expansion of the abbreviated forename as William is supported, but the full identity remains flagged for review. The occupation and age are not secure assertions. Norton is a stated parish for Elizabeth, not a proved location of a separate event. The crossed-out fourth answer and replacement must remain separate. Exact speech attribution in the second answer is not repaired from John’s evidence.

Reading note: Bambridge and Bambrige are provisional source spellings of this witness; Bainbridge is a normalised earlier proposal, not a demonstrated additional individual. The age, occupation and acquaintance duration are not promoted to firm database fields. The reply to the whore insult is retained as an altered, incomplete passage, not a fluent quotation or proof of sexual conduct, perjury, a marital relationship, or witchcraft. The next recto begins a separate cause about a will and is excluded.

Reading note: Party names and order support association with this cause. The bounded entry is represented with explicit unread spans; procedural expansion remains provisional. This entry is not dated from its folio position or a return expression. Its native tiles, crop and surrounding preview are preserved.

Reading note: Newly located related listing in the 1570–1572 main-series act book. Exact party names and order support association with the deposition cause; no independent person identifiers establish identity beyond that contextual match. This is a partial reading of a complete bounded entry. The main text requires specialist collation. No date is inferred from the folio number, sampled pages or possible October expression. The catalogue’s 1572 volume endpoint is not a proved date for this act.

Reading note: The party direction, husband's name, defamation cause and May date are supported. The interlinear alias wording is not certified; Raine separately prints Agnes alias Anne. This heading governs the three following depositions. The preceding case above the heading is excluded. Reading note: Original reading from both folios; damaged and washed-out spans are not supplied from Raine. Stirk is retained as the witness's animal term; it is not evidence of animal bewitchment. His cattle movement supplies the setting for overhearing. No age or duration beyond the legible Lta is supplied. The abbreviated fifth and sixth responses and altered fourth answer remain provisional. The mark identifies the same witness; it does not sign for the next witness. Reading note: The heading and mark favour Rawe, with Rowe retained as an alternative; Bowes is withdrawn as the preferred reading. The expansion of the abbreviated forename as William is supported, but the full identity remains flagged for review. The occupation and age are not secure assertions. Norton is a stated parish for Elizabeth, not a proved location of a separate event. The crossed-out fourth answer and replacement must remain separate. Exact speech attribution in the second answer is not repaired from John’s evidence. Reading note: Bambridge and Bambrige are provisional source spellings of this witness; Bainbridge is a normalised earlier proposal, not a demonstrated additional individual. The age, occupation and acquaintance duration are not promoted to firm database fields. The reply to the whore insult is retained as an altered, incomplete passage, not a fluent quotation or proof of sexual conduct, perjury, a marital relationship, or witchcraft. The next recto begins a separate cause about a will and is excluded. Reading note: Party names and order support association with this cause. The bounded entry is represented with explicit unread spans; procedural expansion remains provisional. This entry is not dated from its folio position or a return expression. Its native tiles, crop and surrounding preview are preserved. Reading note: Party names and order support association with this cause. The bounded entry is represented with explicit unread spans; procedural expansion remains provisional. This entry is not dated from its folio position or a return expression. Its native tiles, crop and surrounding preview are preserved. Reading note: Party names and order support association with this cause. The bounded entry is represented with explicit unread spans; procedural expansion remains provisional. This entry is not dated from its folio position or a return expression. Its native tiles, crop and surrounding preview are preserved. Reading note: Newly located related listing in the 1570–1572 main-series act book. Exact party names and order support association with the deposition cause; no independent person identifiers establish identity beyond that contextual match. This is a partial reading of a complete bounded entry. The main text requires specialist collation. No date is inferred from the folio number, sampled pages or possible October expression. The catalogue’s 1572 volume endpoint is not a proved date for this act.

Context: Thomas Fewler deposition

280v lower continuing 281r upper. Evidence crop: fewler_start.png and fewler_end.png

fewler:003 productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:004 p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:005 [contracted words concerning the articles unread].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:006 Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

fewler:007 this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:008 stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:010 [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said

Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed.

fewler:012 [blackened lower-edge continuation unread].

Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed.

fewler:014 [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation]

Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed.

fewler:015 [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:016 off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:017 he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:018 [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:019 [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:022 Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:023 [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:024 here p[re]deposed [unread].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:025 Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:026 is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

fewler:027 anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

fewler:028 & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name.

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

fewler:029 Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:030 Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:031 [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

fewler:032 affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria.

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

280v lower continuing 281r upper. Evidence crop: fewler_start.png and fewler_end.png fewler:003 productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:004 p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:005 [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:006 Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:007 this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:008 stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:010 [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. fewler:012 [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. fewler:014 [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. fewler:015 [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:016 off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:017 he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:018 [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:019 [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:022 Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:023 [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:024 here p[re]deposed [unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:025 Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:026 is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:027 anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:028 & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:029 Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:030 Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:031 [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:032 affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 65, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 20… · context

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

Context: Second witness provisionally William Rawe

281r lower continuing 281v upper. Evidence crop: w2_header.png and w2_speech.png and w2_end.png

rawe:001 W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:002 in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:004 [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:005 ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:006 of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:007 [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:008 [article rubric partly overwritten]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:009 [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:010 Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

rawe:011 last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

rawe:015 occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

rawe:016 anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

rawe:017 said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:018 burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:021 [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread]

Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed.

rawe:022 sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate].

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

rawe:024 Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:025 the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:028 Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:029 and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:030 of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:033 sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

rawe:034 [Rawe?]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

281r lower continuing 281v upper. Evidence crop: w2_header.png and w2_speech.png and w2_end.png rawe:001 W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:002 in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:004 [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:005 ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:006 of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:007 [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:008 [article rubric partly overwritten] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:009 [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:010 Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:011 last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:015 occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:016 anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:017 said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:018 burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:021 [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. rawe:022 sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:024 Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:025 the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:028 Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:029 and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:030 of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:033 sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:034 [Rawe?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 78, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 25… · context

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Context: John Bambridge deposition

281v middle to lower. Evidence crop: w3_header.png and w3_speech.png and w3_end.png

bambridge:001 Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:002 etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:003 [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:004 space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:005 affinis [contracted ending unread].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:006 Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:008 [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth.

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:010 [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:013 [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain]

Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence.

bambridge:014 my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband &

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:015 [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:017 Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:019 [interlined: to the said ann burden?].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:020 Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the

Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed.

bambridge:021 said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes.

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:022 Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread].

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

bambridge:024 [bambrige?]

Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

281v middle to lower. Evidence crop: w3_header.png and w3_speech.png and w3_end.png bambridge:001 Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:002 etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:003 [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:004 space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:005 affinis [contracted ending unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:006 Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:008 [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:010 [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:013 [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. bambridge:014 my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:015 [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:017 Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:019 [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:020 Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. bambridge:021 said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:022 Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:024 [bambrige?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 92, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 30… · context

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

Context: Related act book entry on folio 373 verso

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.373v. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/candidate_158.png

act373v:003 Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:005 rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:006 legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:007 [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:008 [contracted line partly unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:009 ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:010 [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:011 [interlinear or cancelled words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act373v:012 [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.373v. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/candidate_158.png act373v:003 Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:005 rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:006 legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:007 [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:008 [contracted line partly unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:009 ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:010 [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:011 [interlinear or cancelled words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act373v:012 [partly legible lower lines unresolved]. Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 105, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323 · context

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

Context: Related act book entry on folio 379 recto

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.379r. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/candidate_163.png

act379r:003 Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act379r:005 rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act379r:006 [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act379r:007 [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act379r:008 [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act379r:009 [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.379r. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/candidate_163.png act379r:003 Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act379r:005 rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act379r:006 [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act379r:007 [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act379r:008 [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act379r:009 [contracted line partly unread] [maij?]. Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 112, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336 · context

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

Context: Related act book entry on folio 387 verso

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.387v. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/candidate_172.png

act387v:005 [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act387v:006 [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act387v:007 [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act387v:008 [contracted line partly unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act387v:009 [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act387v:010 [contracted line partly unread]

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

act387v:011 [contracted line partly unread].

Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.387v. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/candidate_172.png act387v:005 [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act387v:006 [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act387v:007 [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act387v:008 [contracted line partly unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act387v:009 [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act387v:010 [contracted line partly unread] Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries. act387v:011 [contracted line partly unread]. Retain the partial reading. The contracted main act and governing date require independent collation; no legal outcome is supplied from formula or neighbouring entries.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 119, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351 · context

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

Context: Related act book listing of Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.405v middle entry. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/possible_act_entry.png

act405v:003 Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

act405v:005 ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread]

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

act405v:006 [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread]

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

act405v:007 [partly legible contracted line unread]

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

act405v:008 in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread]

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

act405v:009 [partly legible contracted line unread]

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

act405v:010 octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

Act book DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B f.405v middle entry. Evidence crop: 03_Sources/Act_Book_Search/possible_act_entry.png act405v:003 Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it. act405v:005 ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it. act405v:006 [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it. act405v:007 [partly legible contracted line unread] Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it. act405v:008 in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it. act405v:009 [partly legible contracted line unread] Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it. act405v:010 octob[ris?] [unread ending]. Retain as a partial act-book reading. Independent collation and the governing court-date heading are required before translating a procedural order or dating it.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 126, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366 · context

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Context: Raine 1845 p 247 no CCXCIX inspected in the saved page image

James Raine ed., Depositions and Other Ecclesiastical Proceedings from the Courts of Durham, Surtees Society 21, London, J. B. Nichols and Son, 1845, p.247 no.CCXCIX. The unmodified saved page image and the earlier complete selected extract are included. Public edition: https://archive.org/details/depositionsother00churrich/page/247/mode/1up .

James Raine ed., Depositions and Other Ecclesiastical Proceedings from the Courts of Durham, Surtees Society 21, London, J. B. Nichols and Son, 1845, p.247 no.CCXCIX. The unmodified saved page image and the earlier complete selected extract are included. Public edition: https://archive.org/details/depositionsother00churrich/page/247/mode/1up .

Context: Timeline people and relationships

About Candlemas last — Fewler reports overhearing the witch insult while bringing stirks from the water. Year inferred from production on 17 May 1572; no exact day. Unit fewler.

Date unresolved — Second witness reports a street exchange heard while he worked at home. Precise time unread or unspecified; not assumed to be the same occasion as Fewler. Unit rawe.

Date unresolved — John reports chiding and an exchange of sexual-reputation insults. No exact date; relation to the other reported exchanges unproved. Unit bambridge.

17 May 1572 — Three witnesses produced for Burden against Anderson in defamation. Manuscript heading; consistent with print. Unit heading.

Undated in this reading — Act-book listing Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson located; main order remains partly unread. Volume is catalogued 1570–1572; governing date of the particular entry unverified. Unit act405v.

Undated in this reading — Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.373v; main text partly unread. Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position. Unit act373v.

Undated in this reading — Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.379r; main text partly unread. Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position. Unit act379r.

Undated in this reading — Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.387v; main text partly unread. Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position. Unit act387v.

Agnes alias Anne Burden. Complainant in the 1572 defamation proceeding; wife of William Burden, called Anne in English testimony. Agnes/Anne are document variants; exact interlinear alias expansion remains tentative.

William Burden. Named as the husband of Agnes Burden in the deposition heading; not thereby proved present at the reported exchanges. Do not identify him with the unidentified husband in the altered reply without further evidence.

Elizabeth Anderson. Defendant in Burden’s defamation cause; reported as speaking witch and whore insults. Rawe’s fifth answer places her in Norton parish. Reported speech does not prove witchcraft or sexual misconduct.

Thomas Fewler. Stockton witness, cotman alias chapman, aged about fifty, who reports overhearing the witch insult. Acquaintance duration and some article answers remain unread.

William Rawe. Second witness, provisionally read William Rawe or Rowe, who describes working at his own window during a street exchange. Provisional surname; heading and mark favour Rawe over the withdrawn Bowes proposal. Do not assign unverified age, occupation or database identity.

John Bambridge. Third Stockton witness, provisionally Bambridge or Bambrige, who reports the parties quarrelling and Burden calling Anderson a whore. Bainbridge is an earlier normalised proposal, not a separately established person. Age, occupation and acquaintance duration remain tentative.

About Candlemas last — Fewler reports overhearing the witch insult while bringing stirks from the water. Year inferred from production on 17 May 1572; no exact day. Unit fewler. Date unresolved — Second witness reports a street exchange heard while he worked at home. Precise time unread or unspecified; not assumed to be the same occasion as Fewler. Unit rawe. Date unresolved — John reports chiding and an exchange of sexual-reputation insults. No exact date; relation to the other reported exchanges unproved. Unit bambridge. 17 May 1572 — Three witnesses produced for Burden against Anderson in defamation. Manuscript heading; consistent with print. Unit heading. Undated in this reading — Act-book listing Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson located; main order remains partly unread. Volume is catalogued 1570–1572; governing date of the particular entry unverified. Unit act405v. Undated in this reading — Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.373v; main text partly unread. Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position. Unit act373v. Undated in this reading — Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.379r; main text partly unread. Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position. Unit act379r. Undated in this reading — Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.387v; main text partly unread. Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position. Unit act387v. Agnes alias Anne Burden. Complainant in the 1572 defamation proceeding; wife of William Burden, called Anne in English testimony. Agnes/Anne are document variants; exact interlinear alias expansion remains tentative. William Burden. Named as the husband of Agnes Burden in the deposition heading; not thereby proved present at the reported exchanges. Do not identify him with the unidentified husband in the altered reply without further evidence. Elizabeth Anderson. Defendant in Burden’s defamation cause; reported as speaking witch and whore insults. Rawe’s fifth answer places her in Norton parish. Reported speech does not prove witchcraft or sexual misconduct. Thomas Fewler. Stockton witness, cotman alias chapman, aged about fifty, who reports overhearing the witch insult. Acquaintance duration and some article answers remain unread. William Rawe. Second witness, provisionally read William Rawe or Rowe, who describes working at his own window during a street exchange. Provisional surname; heading and mark favour Rawe over the withdrawn Bowes proposal. Do not assign unverified age, occupation or database identity. John Bambridge. Third Stockton witness, provisionally Bambridge or Bambrige, who reports the parties quarrelling and Burden calling Anderson a whore. Bainbridge is an earlier normalised proposal, not a separately established person. Age, occupation and acquaintance duration remain tentative.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162 · context

Evidence gap: Uncertain readings and final review decisions

97 editorial lines contain tentative letters, unread text or damaged spans. This is a review-line count, not a count of physical lines or separate lacunae. Each flagged line below was considered against the saved image; retained uncertainty is a result of review, not text supplied from a parallel witness.

97 editorial lines contain tentative letters, unread text or damaged spans. This is a review-line count, not a count of physical lines or separate lacunae. Each flagged line below was considered against the saved image; retained uncertainty is a result of review, not text supplied from a parallel witness.

Context: Completion scope and external evidence

The collected deposition sequence has been reviewed across its full bounded scope, all three witnesses represented with separate English renderings, names and source comparisons examined, and four related acts located. No claim is made that every word is deciphered or that the litigation outcome is known.

Independent collation is required for the marked contractions, washed-out spans, altered answers, tentative identities and four act-book entries. The precise external request is included. It also asks for the governing act-book date and any connected judgment or continuation. No correspondence has been sent. The final 45 image positions were screened; faint unrecognised entries and earlier positions prevent a claim of an exhaustive full-volume search.

The collected deposition sequence has been reviewed across its full bounded scope, all three witnesses represented with separate English renderings, names and source comparisons examined, and four related acts located. No claim is made that every word is deciphered or that the litigation outcome is known. Independent collation is required for the marked contractions, washed-out spans, altered answers, tentative identities and four act-book entries. The precise external request is included. It also asks for the governing act-book date and any connected judgment or continuation. No correspondence has been sent. The final 45 image positions were screened; faint unrecognised entries and earlier positions prevent a claim of an exhaustive full-volume search.

Evidence gap: Related act-book search and its limits

Volume: DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B
Catalogue date: June 1570 to 1572; main series catalogue states November 1567 to August 1572 for combined 2A–B
Manifest: https://iiif.durham.ac.uk/manifests/trifle/32150/t1/ms/n0/t1msn009x99k/manifest
Viewer: https://iiif.durham.ac.uk/index.html?manifest=t1msn009x99k&canvas=t1t9g54xr022
Located: Four corresponding party listings at ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v
Inspection: All 45 final image positions 150–194, ff.365v–409v including the terminal conservation note, screened at 1024-pixel preview scale. Seven candidates inspected from native tiles: four corresponding party listings, one unmatched Anna Burden name lead with different opponents, and two unrelated cases. A preview screen is not a certified full-text search; faint entries can be missed. Earlier image positions 0–149 were not screened in this pass.
Governing date: Not established
Outcome: Not established
Next evidence: Independently collate the four main acts at ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v and their governing date headings; search connected appearances and any judgment. The possible October notation at f.405v is not a certified date.
Candidate dispositions: Index: 158
Folio: 373v
Result: Burden against Anderson pairing; added to edition

Index: 163
Folio: 379r
Result: Burden against Anderson pairing; added to edition

Index: 169
Folio: 384v upper
Result: Possible Anna Burden name lead with different opponents; not assigned to this cause or identified as the same person

Index: 172
Folio: 387v
Result: Burden against Anderson pairing; added to edition

Index: 179
Folio: 394v
Result: Agnes Burton against a different opponent; rejected as this cause

Index: 183
Folio: 398v
Result: Different multi-party case; rejected as this cause

Index: 190
Folio: 405v
Result: Burden against Anderson pairing; added to edition

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Comparison of sources: Documentary chronology and date qualifications

Date: About Candlemas last
Year for index: 1572
Certainty: Year inferred from production on 17 May 1572; no exact day
Event: Fewler reports overhearing the witch insult while bringing stirks from the water
Source unit: fewler

Date: Date unresolved
Year for index:
Certainty: Precise time unread or unspecified; not assumed to be the same occasion as Fewler
Event: Second witness reports a street exchange heard while he worked at home
Source unit: rawe

Date: Date unresolved
Year for index:
Certainty: No exact date; relation to the other reported exchanges unproved
Event: John reports chiding and an exchange of sexual-reputation insults
Source unit: bambridge

Date: 17 May 1572
Year for index: 1572, May 17
Certainty: Manuscript heading; consistent with print
Event: Three witnesses produced for Burden against Anderson in defamation
Source unit: heading

Date: Undated in this reading
Year for index:
Certainty: Volume is catalogued 1570–1572; governing date of the particular entry unverified
Event: Act-book listing Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson located; main order remains partly unread
Source unit: act405v

Date: Undated in this reading
Year for index:
Certainty: Governing heading unresolved; no date inferred from folio position
Event: Further Burden against Anderson act-book entry at f.373v; main text partly unread
Source unit: act373v

CCXCIX. On the part of Agnes, alias Anne Burden, wife of William Burden, against Elizabeth Anderson, in a cause of Defamation. 17 May, 1572. [C. f. 380.] Thomas Fewler, of Stokton, coteman, alias chapman, aged about 50 years. He saith that, about Candlemas last past, this deponent, being ther nigh neibour, was bringing in two stirks of his from the wayter into his owne house, at what tyme the parties was chidynge, and one of them revilinge the other. And this deponent then hard Elizabeth Anderson caull the said Anne Burden “crowket handyd wytch.” He saith the words was spoken audiently there; ther might many have herd them, beinge spoken so neigh the crose and in the towne gait as they were. Signum + Thomæ Fewler.

Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].

[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].

[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].

Comparison of sources: English readings and editorial qualifications

Fewler’s altered reputation answer and the cancelled or faint clauses in the three depositions do not support a definite finding of reputational injury or sexual conduct. The four act-book English readings render only surviving fragments: no complete order, official identity, exact date, publication direction, deadline or judgment is inferred. These qualifications belong to editorial discussion, not the clerk’s words.

Thomas Fewler of Stockton in the county of Durham, cotman alias chapman, aged about fifty years, a witness produced, admitted and sworn in this cause [remaining contracted procedural words unread]. He says that he knows the parties well, for [duration unread] years [continuation unread]. [Further contracted introductory wording unread.] On the [first rubric cancelled; second inserted] article, he says that about Candlemas last past, while he was their near neighbour, he was bringing two of his stirks from the water into his own house. The parties were quarrelling and one was reviling the other. He then heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a “crowket handyd wytch” [crooked-handed witch]. [Continuation concerning Anne Burden unread.] On the following recto the account continues with Elizabeth Anderson [faint words unread]. The surviving words include “was sworne” and a following expression that remains uncertain; no complete reply can be reconstructed. The witness cannot depose [contracted qualification unread]. He gives no other [time expression unresolved]. [Further circumstantial wording remains faint.] He says the words were spoken audibly there, so that many might have heard them, being spoken so near the cross and in the town street. On the next article [number faint], the answer includes “any suche wordes” and a reference to the time already deposed [the remaining words cannot be translated reliably]. On the fourth article, a revised answer concerns whether Anne Burden’s good name was impaired by Elizabeth’s words. Portions are cancelled or faint. The surviving final phrase refers to words that “can empare hir good name.” [The complete answer remains unresolved.] On the fifth article [short Latin response unresolved]. On the sixth he believes what is believed, and not otherwise [contracted continuation unread]; the surviving Latin also concerns relationship by blood or marriage and victory in court, but its whole construction is unresolved. The mark of Thomas Fewler.

William [Rawe?], of the same place in the stated county, [currier?], aged [unread] years, a witness produced and sworn in this cause [further procedural wording partly unread]. He says he has known the parties since he was [the connection with being born or brought up in Stockton remains faint]. Further introductory wording concerns the parties and whether he is related, allied or corrupted [exact construction unresolved]. The surviving closing words refer to saying nothing but the truth [qualifications unread]. [The first-article heading and answer are overwritten or faint. The surviving text is insufficient for a complete translation.] On the article numbered second after correction, he describes the parties exchanging words in the town street of Stockton, directly opposite his window, while he was working at his occupation in his own dwelling house. He cannot give the precise other time, hour or day [the preceding time expression is unread]. He heard Elizabeth Anderson [remaining speech and corrections partly unread]. The surviving wording includes a reference to Anne Burden and “was sworned”; its subject, speech attribution and surrounding rejoinder remain uncertain. He refers to words spoken before and at the same time [faint continuation]. He cannot depose further to this article. The top of the next verso continues the answer [damaged words unread]. A subsequent answer says he never heard any such words as are articulated [article number and adjoining words uncertain]. A fourth-article answer has been struck through. It concerns Elizabeth’s words and Anne Burden, but the faint and cancelled wording does not support a full translation. The replacement fourth answer says that he heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a whore [the remainder concerns her honesty or reputation, but the connecting words and qualification are faint]. On the fifth article, he says that this article is true, because Elizabeth is of the parish of Norton and of the jurisdiction of this court. The mark of William [Rawe?].

John [Bambridge?] of the aforesaid Stockton in the same county, [occupation unresolved; possibly fisher], aged [numeral uncertain], a witness produced, admitted and sworn as above [remaining contracted words unread]. He says he has known the parties for [possibly twenty-two] years. The surviving closing Latin concerns relationship by blood or marriage; the complete qualification is unresolved. On the first article, he says that Anne Burden, over [possibly twenty-two] years, is accounted a very honest woman and is so taken and accounted in the town and parish where he lives [short connecting expression unresolved]. On the second article, while coming from the water to his house, he heard the parties quarrelling. Anne Burden called Elizabeth Anderson a whore. Elizabeth answered [the following reply is crossed by lines whose cancellation extent remains uncertain]. The legible portions read “my hordom is known” and include a reference to a husband, “is sworned” and a possible interlined “perjured.” [Connecting words unresolved.] He cannot depose further [precise connection unresolved]. On the third article, he has not heard Elizabeth Anderson say or acknowledge any such words [interlinear wording concerning Anne Burden remains tentative]. On the fourth article, the answer concerns good name and Elizabeth’s words; blackening and uncertain words prevent a reliable complete translation. On the fifth article [short contracted response unread]. The mark of John [Bambrige?].

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] The female defendant [unread] to respond [?] [unread] lawful or proper person [unread] [name or office unread] [unread] Elizabeth [?] [unread] [unread] for or to [unread] [unread] [two?] [unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [lower lines unresolved].

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] The female defendant [unread] in lawful or proper person [name or office unread] [unread] [proctor?] [unread] [unread] [to be published?] [unread] [unread] [for or to?] [unread] [unread] [May?].

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] [unread] [Gilbert?] [remaining name or office unread] [unread] Anne Burden [unread] [unread] Elizabeth [?] Anderson [unread] [unread] [to be published?] [depositions?] [unread] [unread] [unread].

[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] For or to [procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [unread] in person [unread] [unread] [October?] [unread ending].

Comparison of sources: Full references for abbreviated passage labels

The passage labels are abbreviated to meet the importer’s 200-character limit. Full references follow.

ps-editorial-9d791cde7f: Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 65, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222

ps-editorial-68cfc8b119: Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 78, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269

ps-editorial-7377079bf1: Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 92, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304

280v lower continuing 281r upper. Evidence crop: fewler_start.png and fewler_end.png fewler:003 productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:004 p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:005 [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:006 Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:007 this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:008 stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:010 [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. fewler:012 [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. fewler:014 [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. fewler:015 [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:016 off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:017 he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:018 [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:019 [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:022 Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:023 [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:024 here p[re]deposed [unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:025 Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:026 is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:027 anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:028 & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. fewler:029 Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:030 Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:031 [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. fewler:032 affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

281r lower continuing 281v upper. Evidence crop: w2_header.png and w2_speech.png and w2_end.png rawe:001 W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:002 in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:004 [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:005 ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:006 of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:007 [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:008 [article rubric partly overwritten] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:009 [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:010 Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:011 last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:015 occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:016 anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:017 said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:018 burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:021 [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. rawe:022 sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. rawe:024 Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:025 the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:028 Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:029 and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:030 of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:033 sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. rawe:034 [Rawe?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 78, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 25… · context

281v middle to lower. Evidence crop: w3_header.png and w3_speech.png and w3_end.png bambridge:001 Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:002 etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:003 [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:004 space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:005 affinis [contracted ending unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:006 Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:008 [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:010 [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:013 [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] Alteration or cancellation complicates letter reading and operative text; preserve it separately rather than restore a fluent sentence. bambridge:014 my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:015 [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:017 Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:019 [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:020 Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the Loss of legible information in the microfilm image; original photography may help, but recovery is not guaranteed. bambridge:021 said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:022 Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation. bambridge:024 [bambrige?] Surviving microfilm traces or abbreviation insufficient for a secure expansion; retain marked reading and require independent collation.

Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 92, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 30… · context

Editorial note: Source supported locations

Location projection revision: Stockton, County Durham: Stockton/Stokton in the depositions; no exact cross, street address or watercourse identified.; Norton parish, County Durham: Elizabeth’s parish affiliation in Rawe’s fifth-article answer. No incident or hearing location inferred. Existing source texts and English renderings are unchanged. Geographic association is not proof of physical attendance, a magic location or statutory jurisdiction.

Thomas Fewler of Stockton in the county of Durham, cotman alias chapman, aged about fifty years, a witness produced, admitted and sworn in this cause [remaining contracted procedural words unread]. He says that he knows the parties well, for [duration unread] years [continuation unread]. [Further contracted introductory wording unread.] On the [first rubric cancelled; second inserted] article, he says that about Candlemas last past, while he was their near neighbour, he was bringing two of his stirks from the water into his own house. The parties were quarrelling and one was reviling the other. He then heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a “crowket handyd wytch” [crooked-handed witch]. [Continuation concerning Anne Burden unread.] On the following recto the account continues with Elizabeth Anderson [faint words unread]. The surviving words include “was sworne” and a following expression that remains uncertain; no complete reply can be reconstructed. The witness cannot depose [contracted qualification unread]. He gives no other [time expression unresolved]. [Further circumstantial wording remains faint.] He says the words were spoken audibly there, so that many might have heard them, being spoken so near the cross and in the town street. On the next article [number faint], the answer includes “any suche wordes” and a reference to the time already deposed [the remaining words cannot be translated reliably]. On the fourth article, a revised answer concerns whether Anne Burden’s good name was impaired by Elizabeth’s words. Portions are cancelled or faint. The surviving final phrase refers to words that “can empare hir good name.” [The complete answer remains unresolved.] On the fifth article [short Latin response unresolved]. On the sixth he believes what is believed, and not otherwise [contracted continuation unread]; the surviving Latin also concerns relationship by blood or marriage and victory in court, but its whole construction is unresolved. The mark of Thomas Fewler.

William [Rawe?], of the same place in the stated county, [currier?], aged [unread] years, a witness produced and sworn in this cause [further procedural wording partly unread]. He says he has known the parties since he was [the connection with being born or brought up in Stockton remains faint]. Further introductory wording concerns the parties and whether he is related, allied or corrupted [exact construction unresolved]. The surviving closing words refer to saying nothing but the truth [qualifications unread]. [The first-article heading and answer are overwritten or faint. The surviving text is insufficient for a complete translation.] On the article numbered second after correction, he describes the parties exchanging words in the town street of Stockton, directly opposite his window, while he was working at his occupation in his own dwelling house. He cannot give the precise other time, hour or day [the preceding time expression is unread]. He heard Elizabeth Anderson [remaining speech and corrections partly unread]. The surviving wording includes a reference to Anne Burden and “was sworned”; its subject, speech attribution and surrounding rejoinder remain uncertain. He refers to words spoken before and at the same time [faint continuation]. He cannot depose further to this article. The top of the next verso continues the answer [damaged words unread]. A subsequent answer says he never heard any such words as are articulated [article number and adjoining words uncertain]. A fourth-article answer has been struck through. It concerns Elizabeth’s words and Anne Burden, but the faint and cancelled wording does not support a full translation. The replacement fourth answer says that he heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a whore [the remainder concerns her honesty or reputation, but the connecting words and qualification are faint]. On the fifth article, he says that this article is true, because Elizabeth is of the parish of Norton and of the jurisdiction of this court. The mark of William [Rawe?].

John [Bambridge?] of the aforesaid Stockton in the same county, [occupation unresolved; possibly fisher], aged [numeral uncertain], a witness produced, admitted and sworn as above [remaining contracted words unread]. He says he has known the parties for [possibly twenty-two] years. The surviving closing Latin concerns relationship by blood or marriage; the complete qualification is unresolved. On the first article, he says that Anne Burden, over [possibly twenty-two] years, is accounted a very honest woman and is so taken and accounted in the town and parish where he lives [short connecting expression unresolved]. On the second article, while coming from the water to his house, he heard the parties quarrelling. Anne Burden called Elizabeth Anderson a whore. Elizabeth answered [the following reply is crossed by lines whose cancellation extent remains uncertain]. The legible portions read “my hordom is known” and include a reference to a husband, “is sworned” and a possible interlined “perjured.” [Connecting words unresolved.] He cannot depose further [precise connection unresolved]. On the third article, he has not heard Elizabeth Anderson say or acknowledge any such words [interlinear wording concerning Anne Burden remains tentative]. On the fourth article, the answer concerns good name and Elizabeth’s words; blackening and uncertain words prevent a reliable complete translation. On the fifth article [short contracted response unread]. The mark of John [Bambrige?].

Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler

W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]

Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]

Reading register: Full reading edition held on the source record

The full English-first reading-edition body is supplied in the linked edition source’s full_text field. Original texts, English renderings, citations, uncertainty and source-layer distinctions are retained. This source is the project reading edition, not a newly recovered primary manuscript. Database storage does not by itself certify publication.

Burden–Anderson · reading edition, Witching reading edition; prepared 2026-10-25; edition version 1.0; reading identifier edition-burden-anderson. · context

People

Agnes alias Anne Burden: Durham defamation plaintiff whom Fewler reported being called a “crowket handyd wytch”.
Elizabeth Anderson: Reported speaker of witch and whore insults in Stockton; Norton parish affiliation.
John Bambridge: Provisionally Bambridge; reports Burden’s whore insult and a damaged reply, not a complete dialogue.
Thomas Fewler: Stockton neighbour who heard the witch epithet while bringing two stirks home from the water.
William Burden: Husband named in Burden’s case heading; no eyewitness role established.
William Rawe: Provisional Rawe or Rowe; heard a street exchange while working opposite it at his window.

Events

A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the governing date and main procedural order remain unresolved. (a documentary entry)
A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry at folio 373v lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the precise procedural wording and governing date remain unresolved. (a documentary entry)
A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry at folio 379r lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the precise procedural wording and governing date remain unresolved. (a documentary entry)
A Durham Consistory Court act-book entry at folio 387v lists Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson; the precise procedural wording and governing date remain unresolved. (a documentary entry)
1572: About Candlemas before the May 1572 depositions, Fewler said he was bringing “two stirkes” from the water to his Stockton house when he heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a “crowket handyd wytch”. He placed the audible quarrel “so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait” (DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, ff.280v–281r, Fewler art.2). This records his account of an accusation in public space. The insult does not establish a medical condition, supernatural harm to livestock or a precise street address.
1572, May 17: Witnesses were produced for Agnes, called Anne in the English testimony, against Elizabeth Anderson on 17 May 1572 in a Durham defamation cause (DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, ff.280v–281v). Fewler reported the “crowket handyd wytch” epithet; Rawe described hearing an exchange while working opposite the street at his window and separately reported a whore insult; John, provisionally read Bambridge, reported Anne calling Elizabeth a “hore”. Their remembered occasions, speech and revised answers are not identical. The damaged sexual-reputation and sworn wording cannot safely be expanded into an affair or a perjury finding. No final judgment follows from these depositions.

Sources

Durham Consistory Court depositions Agnes alias Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson, Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, current ff.280v–281v, witnesses produced 17 May 1572. Images digitised from microfilm; working expanded diplomatic transcription with explicit gaps., Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2 (court record)
James Raine, Raine Depositions and Other Ecclesiastical Proceedings 1845 selected Burden extract, London: J. B. Nichols and Son, 1845, James Raine ed., Surtees Society 21 (London J. B. Nichols and Son 1845), p.247 no.CCXCIX, source C f.380. (printed selection)
Durham Consistory Court act book Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson, Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, ff.373v, 379r, 387v and 405v, Burden against Anderson listings. Volume catalogued June 1570–1572; governing dates and parts of the main acts unresolved., Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B (court record)
Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Burden_Anderson_Consolidated_Edition.docx (edition)
Burden–Anderson · reading edition, Witching reading edition; prepared 2026-10-25; edition version 1.0; reading identifier edition-burden-anderson. (edition)

Credit

Witches in Early Modern England research edition. Human editorial and review credits await confirmation.