Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason

Agnes Broadley, a widow, pursued defamation proceedings against Anthony Mason at York. Her libel alleged that he called her a whore and a witch, accused her of bewitching his wife to death, and promised to prove or swear to the charge. She sought ecclesiastical correction and costs.

John Pearson and Anne Hast separately reported hearing Anthony Mason accuse Agnes Broadley of witchcraft at his house in Rodley, Calverley parish, around the middle of March last past. Both described accusations concerning his wife’s death; Pearson also reported a promise to prove Agnes a witch. Neither supplied evidence on the fourth article about injury to reputation.

On 17 July 1701 Anthony Mason denied speaking the defamatory words, ever admitting that he had spoken them, or injuring Agnes Broadley’s reputation through his words. He accepted her good-reputation article and his parish affiliation and subjection to the court’s jurisdiction.

Scope

Libel and prayer, two witness depositions, personal answers and reverse dockets. Full research commentary, source comparisons and evidence gaps from the authoritative edition accompany the source passages.

Editorial conventions

Square brackets mark expansions, missing text or editorial descriptions; question marks mark tentative readings. Original text and English readings remain separate.

Notes on the edition

Comparison of sources: Libel opening and marginal name — editorial note

Opening procedural contractions remain unresolved. No biography or certain role is inferred for Rob: Medley.

In the name of God, Amen. Before the venerable Henry Watkinson, Doctor of Laws, Principal Official of the York Consistory Court, [appointment or deputy wording unresolved], or his surrogate or another judge in this matter, the party of Agnes Broadley, widow, proceeds against Anthony Mason of Calverley parish, York diocese. [Some intervening procedural wording is unresolved.] Her party sets out the following allegations in writing, jointly, separately and article by article, using the available legal forms to obtain their consequences in law and fact. [Margin] Rob: Medley.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

In Dei Nomine Amen Coram vobis ven[erabili] viro Henrico Watkinson Legum Doctore Almae Curiae Cons[istorialis] Ebor[acensis] offi[cia]li princi- [unclear appointment/deputy wording] sive Surrogato aut alio Judice in hac parte quocumq[ue] pars discret[a]e mulieris Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] et adversus Anthonium Mason p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley Ebor[acensis] dioc[esis] [unclear procedural words] coram vobis in Judicio [unclear] interveniend[?] ad omnem tam Juris quam facti effectum exinde quovis modo sequi valen[tem] o[mni]bus melioribus via modo et Juris forma quibus melius aut efficacius de Jure potuit aut potest debuitve aut debet dicit allegat et in hiis scriptis in Jure proponit Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et art[iculat]im prout sequitur [Margin] Rob: Medley

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Article one on the reputation of Agnes Broadley — editorial note

The readings antea? and involuta? are tentative on the present inspection; involuta? replaces the former irretita. The broad reputation claim is secure. Mason accepts this article in his answers.

First, Agnes’s party alleges that she was and is a very honest woman of good reputation and upright life and conduct, not previously [antea?] defamed or implicated [precise adverb uncertain] in any crime, at least a notorious one, subject to the matters stated below. She has publicly and commonly been regarded as such in Calverley and neighbouring places. The allegations are made jointly, separately and as to each matter.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Impr[imis] Ponit et artic[ulat] quod d[i]cta Agnes Broadley vidua fuit et est mulier valde honesta bonae famae vitaeq[ue] et conversat[i]onis integrae null[o]q[ue] Crimin[e] (saltem notorio) [antea?] diffamata seu [aliqualiter?] [involuta?] (infradicendis salvis) proq[ue] tali et ut talis fuit et est communiter dicta tenta habita nominata et reputata palam publice et notorie infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]d[ictam] aliaq[ue] loca vicina Et ponit [deleted word] Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Article two on the alleged defamatory words — editorial note

The accusation is English embedded in Latin. Licet falso is the plaintiff’s qualification, not a verdict. The future probabitur promises proof. Date amendments, spiritus term, reitterated? and closing contractions remain uncertain.

Despite the foregoing, Agnes alleges that Anthony Mason, led by a malicious spirit of [deceit?], defamed her during the specified months: July through March in the year written as 1700, and [also?] March, April, May and June in 1701. [Cancelled, inserted and detailed time wording remains unresolved.] Within Calverley and surrounding places he allegedly uttered grievous, reproachful, insulting and defamatory words about or to her. In English, or in substantially similar words, he allegedly reported—although falsely, as the pleading says—that Agnes was a whore and a witch; that he would prove her both; that she had bewitched his wife to death; and that he would swear to it. He allegedly spoke and [repeated?] these and other defamatory words on several occasions, at least once before credible witnesses. Testifying concerning such and so great defamatory words, time, place, manner and form of the foregoing, as and to the extent that will be proved during this suit [closing contractions unresolved].

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Item Ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]missis non obstantibus p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason spiritu [versutiae?] ductus maligno mensibus Julij et Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris Januarij Februarij et Martij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo [deletion/interlinear insertion not fully resolved] [necnon?] Mensibus Martij Aprilis Maij et Junij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo primo [unclear time words] eorund[em] eorundemq[ue] mensium [unclear] quol[ibet] uno [deletions] [deleted word] infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]dict[am] aliaq[ue] loca vicina et circumvicina malitiose animo diffamandi et injuriandi [eandem?] Agnetem Broadley ipsam diffamavit et injuriavit nonnullaq[ue] verba atrocia opprobriosa convitiosa contumeliosa odiosa et diffamatoria [deletion] eius Agneti Broadley seu de ead[em] Emisit dixit asseruit protulit et p[rae]dicavit Et [praeprimis?] haec verba Anglice loquendo seu alia eis in effectu consimilia (vizt) the said Anthony Mason speaking to of or against the said Agnes Broadley said & reported (licet falso) that she the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley was a whore & a witch & that he would prove her a whore & a witch & that she bewitched his the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's wife to Death & that he would swear that she bewitched his s[ai]d wife to death with diverse other scandalous & defamatory words he the s[ai]d Anthony Mason spoke & [reitterated?] Diverse & sundry times & once at the least in the p[re]sence & hearing of diverse & sundry Credible Witnesses Contestantes de talibus et tantis verbis diffamatorijs ac de tali et tanto tempore loco modo et forma p[rae]missor[um?] quod et quant[um] in eventu huius litis probabitur cui Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: Article three on an alleged acknowledgment — editorial note

Id acceptan[tis?] remains tentative. This is Agnes’s allegation of an acknowledgment; Mason denies ever making it.

Agnes further alleges that Mason later admitted and acknowledged before trustworthy witnesses, both in her presence—she [accepting it?; ending uncertain]—and outside it, that he had repeatedly, or at least once, uttered such abusive and defamatory words to her or about her. She alleges this as above.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod post p[rae]missa p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason coram testibus fidedignis tam in p[rae]sentia ipsius Agnetis Broadley id acceptan[tis?] quam extra se huiusmo[di] verba convitiosa et diffamatoria eius Agneti Broadley [deleted words] seu de ead[em] Emisisse dixisse asseruisse protulisse et p[rae]dicasse sepius et iteratis vicibus seu semel fassus est et recognovit Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Article four on reputational injury — editorial note

The adjective ending before status remains tentative. Mason denies injury from his words; both witnesses say they do not know what to depose on this article.

Agnes alleges that the words have gravely injured and diminished her standing, good reputation and esteem, previously unimpaired among respectable and serious people, and are likely to cause further injury. She alleges this as above.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left–right, article 4 across the spread; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod ratione p[rae]dictorum verborum convitiosorum et diffamatoriorum p[rae]dict[us?] status bona fama et opinio ipsius Agnetis Broadley (apud bonos et graves penes quos prius extiterat illaesa) graviter et enormiter laeduntur et diminuuntur ac de verisimili plus laedi possunt in futurum Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left–right, article 4 across the spread; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Article five on parish and jurisdiction — editorial note

Ac sit is retained from the later recollation. Mason accepts this jurisdictional article; it does not admit the speech.

Agnes alleges that Anthony Mason was and is of Calverley parish and is subject to the court’s jurisdiction in this matter. She alleges this as above.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason fuit et est p[arochi]ae de Calverley p[rae]dict[ae] ac sit in hac parte Jurisdic[tion]i subditus et subjectus Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Article six on public report — editorial note

Mason’s answer maintains what he has affirmed and denied; it does not accept the whole complaint.

Agnes alleges that public report and reputation have circulated and continue to circulate about all and each of these matters in the places named and neighbouring places. She alleges this as above.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 6; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod de et sup[er] o[mn]ibus et singulis fuit et est publica vox et fama in locis p[rae]dictis aliisq[ue] locis vicinis Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 6; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Prayer for relief and reservation — editorial note

Both ecclesiastice contractions are supported by the correction pass and present image inspection. No amount, particular punishment, damages award, sentence or executed costs order is supplied.

Once the foregoing is established to the extent sufficient in law, Agnes’s party asks the judge to pronounce that Mason should be corrected and punished ecclesiastically for this misconduct, condemned in costs already incurred and to be incurred on her behalf, and compelled ecclesiastically to pay them duly and effectively. She requests a definitive pronouncement, decree and declaration. She proposes the matters jointly and separately without binding herself to prove every allegation or undertake unnecessary proof; she asks to obtain relief to the extent of what she proves, reserving the benefit of law and humbly invoking the judge’s office. Rights and the right of protesting are reserved, etc.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Unde facta fide de p[rae]missis quantum de Jure sufficit petit pars ista p[rae]fatum Anthonium [deleted: Broadley?] Mason pro tanto temeritatis suae excessu in p[rae]missis et ea concernen[tibus] Eccl[esiast]ice corrigend[um] et puniend[um] necnon in expensis ex parte et p[er] partem dictae Agnetis Broadley in hac Causa fact[is] et fiend[is] Condemnari Condemnatumq[ue] ad debitam et effectualem solutionem earum parti dictae Agnetis Broadley Eccl[esiast]ice cogend[um] et compellend[um] fore pronunciari decerni et declarari p[er] vos et v[est]ram s[ente]ntiam diffinitivam D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] Quae proponit et fieri petit pars ista Conj[uncti]m et Div[isi]m non arctans se ad o[mn]ia et singula p[rae]missa proband[a] nec ad onus superfluae probationis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probaverit in p[rae]missis eat[in]us obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in o[mn]ibus semp[er] salvo v[est]rum officium D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] humiliter implorans Salvo Jure etc. Et protestandi

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Deposition of John Pearson — editorial note

Bagley is a supported manuscript place-name reading; no modern identification is established. Grave? and Cooper? remain tentative. The endorsement date is not automatically the first examination date or incident year. The former juratus expansion is withdrawn; the text reads Dicit et. Source wording does not independently establish a second sworn formula here.

The marginal endorsement is dated 9 August 1704 and reads [formally repeated?] before Henry Watkinson. John Pearson, of Bagley in Calverley parish, York county [abbreviated case ending uncertain], aged about 33, clothier, is produced and examined as a witness to the articles of Agnes Broadley’s libel against Anthony Mason. On articles two and three he says that around the middle of the preceding March he happened to be at Mason’s house at Rodley, Calverley parish. Agnes was also there. He heard Mason call her an old witch and a [Grave?] witch, accuse her of bewitching his wife to death, say he would prove her a witch and swear that she had bewitched his wife to death, or use similar expressions. He reports these words spoken and repeated before himself, a daughter of Mason, and a young girl of one Jeremy [Cooper?; surname uncertain]. Otherwise he knows nothing further to depose. Asked about article four, he does not know what to depose. He was not brought forward on the remaining articles. The subscription is represented as Sig. Jo: Pearson.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

9no Augusti 1704 Repetit[us?] coram Hen: Watkinson Johannes Pearson de Bagley p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley [deleted: nato?] in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 33 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis sup[er] po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex parte et [per?] partem Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] Anthonium Mason dat[i] et exhibit[i] productus ex[aminatus] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inatus] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past he this Dep[onen]t happened to be at the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's house att Rodley in the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te where [deleted: hee?] he heard the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason call the ar[ticula]te Agnes Broadley (who was then alsoe at yᵉ s[ai]d Mason's owne house at Rodley aforesaid) [an?] Old witch and [Grave?] Witch and Said that she bewitched his wife to Death and that he would prove her a witch and would Sweare yᵗ shee did bewitch his s[ai]d wife to death with [some?] Such sort of expressions w[hi]ch he then & there spoke & repeated in the p[re]sence of this Dep[onen]t, a Daughter of the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's and a young Girle of one Jeremy [Cooper's?] Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] Quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inatus] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis Non latus e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Jo: Pearson

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: Deposition of Anne Hast — editorial note

Would? and dureing? remain tentative. The wording of company is preserved without forcing agreement with Pearson’s list or assuming an identical occasion. Clothier is not asserted as Anne’s occupation. The former jurata expansion is withdrawn; the text reads Dicit et.

Anne, wife of William Hast of Calverley in York county [abbreviated ending uncertain], aged about 30, is produced and examined as a witness as above and says and deposes as follows. Clothier [attachment uncertain]. On articles two and three she says that about the middle of the preceding March she was at Anthony Mason’s own house at Rodley in Calverley parish, in company with Mason and Agnes Broadley. She heard Mason call Agnes a witch and an old witch and say that he [would?] swear she had bewitched his wife to death. He repeated the words in the presence and hearing of Anne and Mason’s daughter, who were all the company in the house [during?] Anne’s stay, according to the deposition. Otherwise she knows nothing further to depose. On article four she does not know what to depose; she was not brought forward on the remaining articles. Henry Watkinson’s name appears in the margin. At the foot are Sig., Anna, a roughly circular mark and Hast.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Anna ux[or] Gulielmi Hast de Calverley in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 30 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis ut supra producta ex[aminata] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur [Margin] Hen: Watkinson Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inata] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past she this Dep[onen]t was in the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's owne house at Rodley within the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te in Company with the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason & Agnes Broadley when and where she heard the s[ai]d Mason call the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley Witch: and old witch and Said yᵗ he [would?] be Sworne that she bewitched his wife to death w[hi]ch s[ai]d words he then & there repeated in the p[re]sence and hearing of this Dep[onen]t and the s[ai]d Mason's Daughter who were all the Company that was then in the s[ai]d Mason's house [dureing?] this Dep[onen]ts Stay there Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inata] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis non lata e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Anna [roughly circular mark] Hast

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: Personal answers of Anthony Mason — editorial note

The repeated po- article contraction and recognit- endorsement remain unresolved. Eund[em] is supported by comparison with the affirmative formulas. The first and fifth articles concern reputation and jurisdiction; these are not admissions of defamatory speech.

The margin dates the answers 17 July 1701 and contains a recognit- endorsement [exact expansion uncertain] and Tho: Hooke Sur: [title contraction retained]. These are Anthony Mason’s personal answers to the positions and articles of Agnes Broadley’s libel. He believes the first article true. To the second and third he says that neither within the alleged time and place nor at any other time or place did he speak any of the alleged words, or any other scandalous or defamatory words to, of or against Agnes; nor did he ever own or confess having spoken such words. Otherwise he does not believe the same proposition true in any respect. To the fourth he says Agnes’s good name, fame and repute are not lessened or hurt by any words he spoke; otherwise he does not believe it true in any respect. He believes the fifth article true. To the sixth he affirms what he has affirmed and denies what he has denied. The subscriptions read Tho: Hooke and Anthony mason.

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

17:o Julij 1701 recognit[ae?] Tho: Hooke Sur: Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Anthonij Mason factae po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex p[ar]te et p[er] partem Agnetis Broadley con[tra] eum dat[i] et Exhibit[i] Ad primum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad secundum et tertium po[…] respondendo Dicit That he this Respond[en]t did not within the time and place libellate nor in any other time or place speake or say all or any of the words libellate or any other scandalous or diffamatory words to of or against her the said Agnes Broadley, nor did this Respond[en]t ever owne or confess that he had spoken any such words Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quartum po[…] respondendo dicit That the good name ffame & repute of the said Agnes Broadley is not lessened or hurt by any words spoke by this Respond[en]t Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quintum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad sextum po[…] respondendo Credit Credita et negat negata [Subscriptions] Tho: Hooke; Anthony mason

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: Libel reverse docket — editorial note

Faint mirror-reversed text is show-through; the registry stamp and reference are later archival markings.

Broadley against Mason. 1701.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Broadley con[tra] Mason 1701.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: Answers reverse docket — editorial note

Mayson is retained as the docket spelling; other faint reverse writing is show-through, not a separate testimony.

Personal answers. Mayson against [abbreviated connective uncertain] Broadley.

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 8, sideways face-up docket, read after rotation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Mayson ads[?] Broadley

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 8, sideways face-up docket, read after rotation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: York explains the documentary procedure

York describes the libel as the initiating statement and request for judgment and explains the use of admissions and witness depositions. This helps distinguish Agnes’s pleading, the witness evidence and Mason’s answers. It does not supply missing manuscript words or prove which procedural steps occurred in this case.

a short statement of the charges brought, and a request for judgement

What are cause papers?, n.d., Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, What are cause papers?, research guide, sections Libel, The Proof, Admission by the defendant and Production of Witnesses and Depositions; accessed 25 October 2026., Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, What are cause papers?, research guide, sections Libel, The Proof, Admission by the defendant and Production of Witnesses and Depositions; acce… · context

Comparison of sources: Witchcraft defamation as reputation litigation

Brown distinguishes witchcraft prosecutions from defamation litigation brought by those accused and cautions that depositions are shaped by witnesses and documentary procedure. His worked example concerns Margaret Alcock in 1632, not Broadley. For this edition the caution supports keeping allegations, testimony and denials separate; it adds no facts about Agnes, Anthony or a judgment.

the legal procedures of courts and clerks

James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, 2016-10-31, James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, Inner Lives, 31 October 2016; section The Bewitching of Richard Malham and paragraphs beginning Mary’s husband, Although Mary, And saith, As is now well established and As is so often. Retrieved 26 October 2026., Brown 2016; paragraph beginning As is now well established · context

Context: About this case and its sources

Reference: University of York, Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56
Record dates: 1701–1704
Source languages: Latin and English
Court: Consistory, as described in the York catalogue
Case: Defamation concerning allegations of witchcraft
Surviving papers: Four pieces according to the York catalogue; deposition and libel; no sentence
Parties: Agnes Broadley [catalogue: Agnes Bradley], plaintiff, widow; Anthony Mason, defendant
Witnesses: John Pearson, about 33; Anne Hast, about 30, wife of William Hast
Outcome: No sentence survives in the catalogued papers; the result is not established
Texts in this edition: Libel and prayer, two witness depositions, personal answers and reverse dockets.
Text status: Manuscript reading with unresolved passages and relative dates.
Edition: 25 October 2026 · version 1.0
How to cite: Witches in Early Modern England, Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason, reading edition, 25 October 2026, section title and source folio or page.

In Dei Nomine Amen Coram vobis ven[erabili] viro Henrico Watkinson Legum Doctore Almae Curiae Cons[istorialis] Ebor[acensis] offi[cia]li princi- [unclear appointment/deputy wording] sive Surrogato aut alio Judice in hac parte quocumq[ue] pars discret[a]e mulieris Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] et adversus Anthonium Mason p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley Ebor[acensis] dioc[esis] [unclear procedural words] coram vobis in Judicio [unclear] interveniend[?] ad omnem tam Juris quam facti effectum exinde quovis modo sequi valen[tem] o[mni]bus melioribus via modo et Juris forma quibus melius aut efficacius de Jure potuit aut potest debuitve aut debet dicit allegat et in hiis scriptis in Jure proponit Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et art[iculat]im prout sequitur [Margin] Rob: Medley

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Impr[imis] Ponit et artic[ulat] quod d[i]cta Agnes Broadley vidua fuit et est mulier valde honesta bonae famae vitaeq[ue] et conversat[i]onis integrae null[o]q[ue] Crimin[e] (saltem notorio) [antea?] diffamata seu [aliqualiter?] [involuta?] (infradicendis salvis) proq[ue] tali et ut talis fuit et est communiter dicta tenta habita nominata et reputata palam publice et notorie infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]d[ictam] aliaq[ue] loca vicina Et ponit [deleted word] Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item Ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]missis non obstantibus p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason spiritu [versutiae?] ductus maligno mensibus Julij et Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris Januarij Februarij et Martij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo [deletion/interlinear insertion not fully resolved] [necnon?] Mensibus Martij Aprilis Maij et Junij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo primo [unclear time words] eorund[em] eorundemq[ue] mensium [unclear] quol[ibet] uno [deletions] [deleted word] infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]dict[am] aliaq[ue] loca vicina et circumvicina malitiose animo diffamandi et injuriandi [eandem?] Agnetem Broadley ipsam diffamavit et injuriavit nonnullaq[ue] verba atrocia opprobriosa convitiosa contumeliosa odiosa et diffamatoria [deletion] eius Agneti Broadley seu de ead[em] Emisit dixit asseruit protulit et p[rae]dicavit Et [praeprimis?] haec verba Anglice loquendo seu alia eis in effectu consimilia (vizt) the said Anthony Mason speaking to of or against the said Agnes Broadley said & reported (licet falso) that she the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley was a whore & a witch & that he would prove her a whore & a witch & that she bewitched his the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's wife to Death & that he would swear that she bewitched his s[ai]d wife to death with diverse other scandalous & defamatory words he the s[ai]d Anthony Mason spoke & [reitterated?] Diverse & sundry times & once at the least in the p[re]sence & hearing of diverse & sundry Credible Witnesses Contestantes de talibus et tantis verbis diffamatorijs ac de tali et tanto tempore loco modo et forma p[rae]missor[um?] quod et quant[um] in eventu huius litis probabitur cui Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod post p[rae]missa p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason coram testibus fidedignis tam in p[rae]sentia ipsius Agnetis Broadley id acceptan[tis?] quam extra se huiusmo[di] verba convitiosa et diffamatoria eius Agneti Broadley [deleted words] seu de ead[em] Emisisse dixisse asseruisse protulisse et p[rae]dicasse sepius et iteratis vicibus seu semel fassus est et recognovit Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod ratione p[rae]dictorum verborum convitiosorum et diffamatoriorum p[rae]dict[us?] status bona fama et opinio ipsius Agnetis Broadley (apud bonos et graves penes quos prius extiterat illaesa) graviter et enormiter laeduntur et diminuuntur ac de verisimili plus laedi possunt in futurum Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left–right, article 4 across the spread; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason fuit et est p[arochi]ae de Calverley p[rae]dict[ae] ac sit in hac parte Jurisdic[tion]i subditus et subjectus Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod de et sup[er] o[mn]ibus et singulis fuit et est publica vox et fama in locis p[rae]dictis aliisq[ue] locis vicinis Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 6; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Unde facta fide de p[rae]missis quantum de Jure sufficit petit pars ista p[rae]fatum Anthonium [deleted: Broadley?] Mason pro tanto temeritatis suae excessu in p[rae]missis et ea concernen[tibus] Eccl[esiast]ice corrigend[um] et puniend[um] necnon in expensis ex parte et p[er] partem dictae Agnetis Broadley in hac Causa fact[is] et fiend[is] Condemnari Condemnatumq[ue] ad debitam et effectualem solutionem earum parti dictae Agnetis Broadley Eccl[esiast]ice cogend[um] et compellend[um] fore pronunciari decerni et declarari p[er] vos et v[est]ram s[ente]ntiam diffinitivam D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] Quae proponit et fieri petit pars ista Conj[uncti]m et Div[isi]m non arctans se ad o[mn]ia et singula p[rae]missa proband[a] nec ad onus superfluae probationis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probaverit in p[rae]missis eat[in]us obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in o[mn]ibus semp[er] salvo v[est]rum officium D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] humiliter implorans Salvo Jure etc. Et protestandi

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

9no Augusti 1704 Repetit[us?] coram Hen: Watkinson Johannes Pearson de Bagley p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley [deleted: nato?] in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 33 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis sup[er] po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex parte et [per?] partem Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] Anthonium Mason dat[i] et exhibit[i] productus ex[aminatus] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inatus] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past he this Dep[onen]t happened to be at the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's house att Rodley in the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te where [deleted: hee?] he heard the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason call the ar[ticula]te Agnes Broadley (who was then alsoe at yᵉ s[ai]d Mason's owne house at Rodley aforesaid) [an?] Old witch and [Grave?] Witch and Said that she bewitched his wife to Death and that he would prove her a witch and would Sweare yᵗ shee did bewitch his s[ai]d wife to death with [some?] Such sort of expressions w[hi]ch he then & there spoke & repeated in the p[re]sence of this Dep[onen]t, a Daughter of the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's and a young Girle of one Jeremy [Cooper's?] Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] Quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inatus] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis Non latus e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Jo: Pearson

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Anna ux[or] Gulielmi Hast de Calverley in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 30 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis ut supra producta ex[aminata] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur [Margin] Hen: Watkinson Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inata] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past she this Dep[onen]t was in the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's owne house at Rodley within the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te in Company with the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason & Agnes Broadley when and where she heard the s[ai]d Mason call the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley Witch: and old witch and Said yᵗ he [would?] be Sworne that she bewitched his wife to death w[hi]ch s[ai]d words he then & there repeated in the p[re]sence and hearing of this Dep[onen]t and the s[ai]d Mason's Daughter who were all the Company that was then in the s[ai]d Mason's house [dureing?] this Dep[onen]ts Stay there Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inata] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis non lata e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Anna [roughly circular mark] Hast

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

17:o Julij 1701 recognit[ae?] Tho: Hooke Sur: Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Anthonij Mason factae po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex p[ar]te et p[er] partem Agnetis Broadley con[tra] eum dat[i] et Exhibit[i] Ad primum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad secundum et tertium po[…] respondendo Dicit That he this Respond[en]t did not within the time and place libellate nor in any other time or place speake or say all or any of the words libellate or any other scandalous or diffamatory words to of or against her the said Agnes Broadley, nor did this Respond[en]t ever owne or confess that he had spoken any such words Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quartum po[…] respondendo dicit That the good name ffame & repute of the said Agnes Broadley is not lessened or hurt by any words spoke by this Respond[en]t Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quintum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad sextum po[…] respondendo Credit Credita et negat negata [Subscriptions] Tho: Hooke; Anthony mason

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Broadley con[tra] Mason 1701.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Mayson ads[?] Broadley

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 8, sideways face-up docket, read after rotation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Evidence gap: 1 Research findings and source distinctions

The decisive distinction is between allegation, testimony, answer and adjudication. Article two of the Latin libel contains English words including “a whore & a witch”. Its licet falso parenthesis means although falsely, expressing Agnes’s party’s position. Neither witness passage independently supplies whore. Their testimony supports reported witchcraft accusations, not supernatural causation.

Agnes’s pleading alleges both the original speech and a later acknowledgment. Mason denies each. His acceptance of article one concerns Agnes’s good reputation; his acceptance of article five concerns Calverley and jurisdiction. Neither is a confession of the alleged speech. Both witnesses answer nescit deponere on the fourth article about reputational injury, meaning that they do not know what to depose, not that a court rejected the claim.

The papers preserve chronological differences. The libel includes amended month and year wording referring to 1700 and 1701. Mason’s answers are dated 17 July 1701. A marginal repetition endorsement beside Pearson is dated 9 August 1704. March last past is not assigned a certain year. No sequence of examination, repetition or adjudication is invented from the order of photographs.

The catalogue dates the case 1701–1704 and records four pieces, with a libel and deposition but no sentence. Eight image positions do not mean eight independent documents: image 1 is covered duplicate material, image 3 is a spread and images 4 and 8 are reverse dockets. The collected material does not establish an outcome elsewhere.

The later recollation corrects the witness introductions to Dicit et, withdrawing the former proposed juratus and jurata expansions. This is a correction to what the manuscript says; it does not establish that witnesses were unsworn. Ac sit in article five, ecclesiastice in both prayer clauses, the proof clause, Eundem in the answers and the dockets are incorporated. Several other readings remain provisional.

The decisive distinction is between allegation, testimony, answer and adjudication. Article two of the Latin libel contains English words including “a whore & a witch”. Its licet falso parenthesis means although falsely, expressing Agnes’s party’s position. Neither witness passage independently supplies whore. Their testimony supports reported witchcraft accusations, not supernatural causation. Agnes’s pleading alleges both the original speech and a later acknowledgment. Mason denies each. His acceptance of article one concerns Agnes’s good reputation; his acceptance of article five concerns Calverley and jurisdiction. Neither is a confession of the alleged speech. Both witnesses answer nescit deponere on the fourth article about reputational injury, meaning that they do not know what to depose, not that a court rejected the claim. The papers preserve chronological differences. The libel includes amended month and year wording referring to 1700 and 1701. Mason’s answers are dated 17 July 1701. A marginal repetition endorsement beside Pearson is dated 9 August 1704. March last past is not assigned a certain year. No sequence of examination, repetition or adjudication is invented from the order of photographs. The catalogue dates the case 1701–1704 and records four pieces, with a libel and deposition but no sentence. Eight image positions do not mean eight independent documents: image 1 is covered duplicate material, image 3 is a spread and images 4 and 8 are reverse dockets. The collected material does not establish an outcome elsewhere. The later recollation corrects the witness introductions to Dicit et, withdrawing the former proposed juratus and jurata expansions. This is a correction to what the manuscript says; it does not establish that witnesses were unsworn. Ac sit in article five, ecclesiastice in both prayer clauses, the proof clause, Eundem in the answers and the dockets are incorporated. Several other readings remain provisional.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 · context

Context: 2 Images resolution and editorial method

Repository and rights holder: University of York, Borthwick Institute, GB 193. Current manifest retrieved 25 October 2026: https://discover.york.ac.uk/ark:/36941/CP_I_56/presentation/3/manifest

All eight saved native JPEGs were visually reinspected for this edition. Their decoded dimensions match the newly retrieved manifest. These are the complete available digital photographs, not a claim about the archive’s physical scan resolution in dots per inch. Image numbers identify repository photographs, not folios. Long s is represented as s; abbreviation expansions are in square brackets; question marks indicate tentative readings; unclear and deleted passages remain explicit. Capitalisation, punctuation and some line divisions are editorial or provisional. This is an expanded diplomatic review edition, not a certified final facsimile transcription.

Image 1: 2135 × 3364 pixels. Card-obscured duplicate of libel recto in image 2; no extra document inferred.

Image 2: 2154 × 3140 pixels. Latin libel opening and articles 1–2.

Image 3: 4050 × 3310 pixels. Two-page spread: Latin libel continues with embedded English allegation, articles 3–6 and prayer.

Image 4: 2165 × 3319 pixels. Short Latin connective in face-up case docket, year 1701 and later archive markings; reverse show-through.

Image 5: 2145 × 3198 pixels. Latin introduction and procedural formulas, English John Pearson deposition, subscription and repetition endorsement.

Image 6: 2219 × 3358 pixels. Latin introduction and procedural formulas, English Anne Hast deposition, mark and subscription.

Image 7: 2175 × 3242 pixels. Latin date/heading/article formulas with English Anthony Mason denials and subscriptions.

Image 8: 2127 × 3148 pixels. Sideways Latin personal answers docket and reverse show-through.

Repository and rights holder: University of York, Borthwick Institute, GB 193. Current manifest retrieved 25 October 2026: https://discover.york.ac.uk/ark:/36941/CP_I_56/presentation/3/manifest All eight saved native JPEGs were visually reinspected for this edition. Their decoded dimensions match the newly retrieved manifest. These are the complete available digital photographs, not a claim about the archive’s physical scan resolution in dots per inch. Image numbers identify repository photographs, not folios. Long s is represented as s; abbreviation expansions are in square brackets; question marks indicate tentative readings; unclear and deleted passages remain explicit. Capitalisation, punctuation and some line divisions are editorial or provisional. This is an expanded diplomatic review edition, not a certified final facsimile transcription. Image 1: 2135 × 3364 pixels. Card-obscured duplicate of libel recto in image 2; no extra document inferred. Image 2: 2154 × 3140 pixels. Latin libel opening and articles 1–2. Image 3: 4050 × 3310 pixels. Two-page spread: Latin libel continues with embedded English allegation, articles 3–6 and prayer. Image 4: 2165 × 3319 pixels. Short Latin connective in face-up case docket, year 1701 and later archive markings; reverse show-through. Image 5: 2145 × 3198 pixels. Latin introduction and procedural formulas, English John Pearson deposition, subscription and repetition endorsement. Image 6: 2219 × 3358 pixels. Latin introduction and procedural formulas, English Anne Hast deposition, mark and subscription. Image 7: 2175 × 3242 pixels. Latin date/heading/article formulas with English Anthony Mason denials and subscriptions. Image 8: 2127 × 3148 pixels. Sideways Latin personal answers docket and reverse show-through.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 · context

Context: Uploaded PDFs and legibility

The recovery inventory maps twelve upload cache entries to eleven unique PDFs. Every preserved PDF was inspected for its embedded raster dimensions with Poppler pdfimages. Their substantial manuscript viewport rasters are either 1378 × 1458 or 2760 × 1458 pixels. The 2500 × 570 branding strip, small control images and transparency masks are not manuscript resolution. The listed 144 pixels per inch is placement density in the PDF, not the original photograph’s scan dpi.

Main uploads: images 2, 5 and 8 contain 1378 × 1458-pixel viewports; images 3, 4, 6 and 7 contain 2760 × 1458-pixel viewports. Alternate captures reverse the sizes for images 2–5: image 2 and 5 alternates are 2760 × 1458; image 3 and 4 alternates are 1378 × 1458. The file-by-file resource inventory and raw measurement reports are supplied in 04_Validation.

The PDF captures are useful for orientation and some large-letter reading, but zoomed and cropped viewports do not preserve a complete manuscript surface. Pixel width alone does not make a viewport equivalent to a native photograph. In particular the complete answers image includes the lower subscription area absent from the enlarged PDF viewport. The IIIF images are needed for this collation and are already supplied; no additional upload is required to use them. Remaining uncertainty is chiefly handwriting and abbreviation, with cancellations and show-through, rather than a reason to invent text from catalogue summaries.

The recovery inventory maps twelve upload cache entries to eleven unique PDFs. Every preserved PDF was inspected for its embedded raster dimensions with Poppler pdfimages. Their substantial manuscript viewport rasters are either 1378 × 1458 or 2760 × 1458 pixels. The 2500 × 570 branding strip, small control images and transparency masks are not manuscript resolution. The listed 144 pixels per inch is placement density in the PDF, not the original photograph’s scan dpi. Main uploads: images 2, 5 and 8 contain 1378 × 1458-pixel viewports; images 3, 4, 6 and 7 contain 2760 × 1458-pixel viewports. Alternate captures reverse the sizes for images 2–5: image 2 and 5 alternates are 2760 × 1458; image 3 and 4 alternates are 1378 × 1458. The file-by-file resource inventory and raw measurement reports are supplied in 04_Validation. The PDF captures are useful for orientation and some large-letter reading, but zoomed and cropped viewports do not preserve a complete manuscript surface. Pixel width alone does not make a viewport equivalent to a native photograph. In particular the complete answers image includes the lower subscription area absent from the enlarged PDF viewport. The IIIF images are needed for this collation and are already supplied; no additional upload is required to use them. Remaining uncertainty is chiefly handwriting and abbreviation, with cancellations and show-through, rather than a reason to invent text from catalogue summaries.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 35, 36, 37 · context

Context: Libel opening and marginal name

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 41, 42 · context

In Dei Nomine Amen Coram vobis ven[erabili] viro Henrico Watkinson Legum Doctore Almae Curiae Cons[istorialis] Ebor[acensis] offi[cia]li princi- [unclear appointment/deputy wording] sive Surrogato aut alio Judice in hac parte quocumq[ue] pars discret[a]e mulieris Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] et adversus Anthonium Mason p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley Ebor[acensis] dioc[esis] [unclear procedural words] coram vobis in Judicio [unclear] interveniend[?] ad omnem tam Juris quam facti effectum exinde quovis modo sequi valen[tem] o[mni]bus melioribus via modo et Juris forma quibus melius aut efficacius de Jure potuit aut potest debuitve aut debet dicit allegat et in hiis scriptis in Jure proponit Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et art[iculat]im prout sequitur [Margin] Rob: Medley

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Complete modern English reading

Editorial note: Opening procedural contractions remain unresolved. No biography or certain role is inferred for Rob: Medley.

Editorial note: The readings antea? and involuta? are tentative on the present inspection; involuta? replaces the former irretita. The broad reputation claim is secure. Mason accepts this article in his answers.

Editorial note: The accusation is English embedded in Latin. Licet falso is the plaintiff’s qualification, not a verdict. The future probabitur promises proof. Date amendments, spiritus term, reitterated? and closing contractions remain uncertain.

Editorial note: Id acceptan[tis?] remains tentative. This is Agnes’s allegation of an acknowledgment; Mason denies ever making it.

Editorial note: The adjective ending before status remains tentative. Mason denies injury from his words; both witnesses say they do not know what to depose on this article.

Editorial note: Ac sit is retained from the later recollation. Mason accepts this jurisdictional article; it does not admit the speech.

Editorial note: Mason’s answer maintains what he has affirmed and denied; it does not accept the whole complaint.

Editorial note: Both ecclesiastice contractions are supported by the correction pass and present image inspection. No amount, particular punishment, damages award, sentence or executed costs order is supplied.

Editorial note: Bagley is a supported manuscript place-name reading; no modern identification is established. Grave? and Cooper? remain tentative. The endorsement date is not automatically the first examination date or incident year. The former juratus expansion is withdrawn; the text reads Dicit et. Source wording does not independently establish a second sworn formula here.

Editorial note: Would? and dureing? remain tentative. The wording of company is preserved without forcing agreement with Pearson’s list or assuming an identical occasion. Clothier is not asserted as Anne’s occupation. The former jurata expansion is withdrawn; the text reads Dicit et.

Editorial note: The repeated po- article contraction and recognit- endorsement remain unresolved. Eund[em] is supported by comparison with the affirmative formulas. The first and fifth articles concern reputation and jurisdiction; these are not admissions of defamatory speech.

Editorial note: Faint mirror-reversed text is show-through; the registry stamp and reference are later archival markings.

Editorial note: Mayson is retained as the docket spelling; other faint reverse writing is show-through, not a separate testimony.

Image 1 is a card-covered photograph of the libel recto visible unobstructed in image 2. Matching opening, margin and lower date material support reading image 2 for that surface. No transcription of hidden writing is manufactured. The reverse show-through on images 4 and 8 is not treated as an independent deposition; later archival reference markings are not testimony.

Editorial note: Opening procedural contractions remain unresolved. No biography or certain role is inferred for Rob: Medley. Editorial note: The readings antea? and involuta? are tentative on the present inspection; involuta? replaces the former irretita. The broad reputation claim is secure. Mason accepts this article in his answers. Editorial note: The accusation is English embedded in Latin. Licet falso is the plaintiff’s qualification, not a verdict. The future probabitur promises proof. Date amendments, spiritus term, reitterated? and closing contractions remain uncertain. Editorial note: Id acceptan[tis?] remains tentative. This is Agnes’s allegation of an acknowledgment; Mason denies ever making it. Editorial note: The adjective ending before status remains tentative. Mason denies injury from his words; both witnesses say they do not know what to depose on this article. Editorial note: Ac sit is retained from the later recollation. Mason accepts this jurisdictional article; it does not admit the speech. Editorial note: Mason’s answer maintains what he has affirmed and denied; it does not accept the whole complaint. Editorial note: Both ecclesiastice contractions are supported by the correction pass and present image inspection. No amount, particular punishment, damages award, sentence or executed costs order is supplied. Editorial note: Bagley is a supported manuscript place-name reading; no modern identification is established. Grave? and Cooper? remain tentative. The endorsement date is not automatically the first examination date or incident year. The former juratus expansion is withdrawn; the text reads Dicit et. Source wording does not independently establish a second sworn formula here. Editorial note: Would? and dureing? remain tentative. The wording of company is preserved without forcing agreement with Pearson’s list or assuming an identical occasion. Clothier is not asserted as Anne’s occupation. The former jurata expansion is withdrawn; the text reads Dicit et. Editorial note: The repeated po- article contraction and recognit- endorsement remain unresolved. Eund[em] is supported by comparison with the affirmative formulas. The first and fifth articles concern reputation and jurisdiction; these are not admissions of defamatory speech. Editorial note: Faint mirror-reversed text is show-through; the registry stamp and reference are later archival markings. Editorial note: Mayson is retained as the docket spelling; other faint reverse writing is show-through, not a separate testimony. Image 1 is a card-covered photograph of the libel recto visible unobstructed in image 2. Matching opening, margin and lower date material support reading image 2 for that surface. No transcription of hidden writing is manufactured. The reverse show-through on images 4 and 8 is not treated as an independent deposition; later archival reference markings are not testimony.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 63, 79, 121, 136, 149, 160, 170, 199, 243, 278, 317, 326, 335, 336 · context

Context: Article one on the reputation of Agnes Broadley

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 65, 66 · context

Impr[imis] Ponit et artic[ulat] quod d[i]cta Agnes Broadley vidua fuit et est mulier valde honesta bonae famae vitaeq[ue] et conversat[i]onis integrae null[o]q[ue] Crimin[e] (saltem notorio) [antea?] diffamata seu [aliqualiter?] [involuta?] (infradicendis salvis) proq[ue] tali et ut talis fuit et est communiter dicta tenta habita nominata et reputata palam publice et notorie infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]d[ictam] aliaq[ue] loca vicina Et ponit [deleted word] Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Article two on the alleged defamatory words

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 81, 82 · context

Item Ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]missis non obstantibus p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason spiritu [versutiae?] ductus maligno mensibus Julij et Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris Januarij Februarij et Martij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo [deletion/interlinear insertion not fully resolved] [necnon?] Mensibus Martij Aprilis Maij et Junij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo primo [unclear time words] eorund[em] eorundemq[ue] mensium [unclear] quol[ibet] uno [deletions] [deleted word] infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]dict[am] aliaq[ue] loca vicina et circumvicina malitiose animo diffamandi et injuriandi [eandem?] Agnetem Broadley ipsam diffamavit et injuriavit nonnullaq[ue] verba atrocia opprobriosa convitiosa contumeliosa odiosa et diffamatoria [deletion] eius Agneti Broadley seu de ead[em] Emisit dixit asseruit protulit et p[rae]dicavit Et [praeprimis?] haec verba Anglice loquendo seu alia eis in effectu consimilia (vizt) the said Anthony Mason speaking to of or against the said Agnes Broadley said & reported (licet falso) that she the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley was a whore & a witch & that he would prove her a whore & a witch & that she bewitched his the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's wife to Death & that he would swear that she bewitched his s[ai]d wife to death with diverse other scandalous & defamatory words he the s[ai]d Anthony Mason spoke & [reitterated?] Diverse & sundry times & once at the least in the p[re]sence & hearing of diverse & sundry Credible Witnesses Contestantes de talibus et tantis verbis diffamatorijs ac de tali et tanto tempore loco modo et forma p[rae]missor[um?] quod et quant[um] in eventu huius litis probabitur cui Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Context: Article three on an alleged acknowledgment

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 123, 124 · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod post p[rae]missa p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason coram testibus fidedignis tam in p[rae]sentia ipsius Agnetis Broadley id acceptan[tis?] quam extra se huiusmo[di] verba convitiosa et diffamatoria eius Agneti Broadley [deleted words] seu de ead[em] Emisisse dixisse asseruisse protulisse et p[rae]dicasse sepius et iteratis vicibus seu semel fassus est et recognovit Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Article four on reputational injury

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left–right, article 4 across the spread; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left–right, article 4 across the spread; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 138, 139 · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod ratione p[rae]dictorum verborum convitiosorum et diffamatoriorum p[rae]dict[us?] status bona fama et opinio ipsius Agnetis Broadley (apud bonos et graves penes quos prius extiterat illaesa) graviter et enormiter laeduntur et diminuuntur ac de verisimili plus laedi possunt in futurum Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left–right, article 4 across the spread; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Article five on parish and jurisdiction

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 151, 152 · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason fuit et est p[arochi]ae de Calverley p[rae]dict[ae] ac sit in hac parte Jurisdic[tion]i subditus et subjectus Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Article six on public report

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 6; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 6; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 162, 163 · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod de et sup[er] o[mn]ibus et singulis fuit et est publica vox et fama in locis p[rae]dictis aliisq[ue] locis vicinis Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 6; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Prayer for relief and reservation

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 172, 173 · context

Unde facta fide de p[rae]missis quantum de Jure sufficit petit pars ista p[rae]fatum Anthonium [deleted: Broadley?] Mason pro tanto temeritatis suae excessu in p[rae]missis et ea concernen[tibus] Eccl[esiast]ice corrigend[um] et puniend[um] necnon in expensis ex parte et p[er] partem dictae Agnetis Broadley in hac Causa fact[is] et fiend[is] Condemnari Condemnatumq[ue] ad debitam et effectualem solutionem earum parti dictae Agnetis Broadley Eccl[esiast]ice cogend[um] et compellend[um] fore pronunciari decerni et declarari p[er] vos et v[est]ram s[ente]ntiam diffinitivam D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] Quae proponit et fieri petit pars ista Conj[uncti]m et Div[isi]m non arctans se ad o[mn]ia et singula p[rae]missa proband[a] nec ad onus superfluae probationis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probaverit in p[rae]missis eat[in]us obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in o[mn]ibus semp[er] salvo v[est]rum officium D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] humiliter implorans Salvo Jure etc. Et protestandi

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Context: Deposition of John Pearson

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 202, 203 · context

9no Augusti 1704 Repetit[us?] coram Hen: Watkinson Johannes Pearson de Bagley p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley [deleted: nato?] in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 33 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis sup[er] po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex parte et [per?] partem Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] Anthonium Mason dat[i] et exhibit[i] productus ex[aminatus] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inatus] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past he this Dep[onen]t happened to be at the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's house att Rodley in the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te where [deleted: hee?] he heard the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason call the ar[ticula]te Agnes Broadley (who was then alsoe at yᵉ s[ai]d Mason's owne house at Rodley aforesaid) [an?] Old witch and [Grave?] Witch and Said that she bewitched his wife to Death and that he would prove her a witch and would Sweare yᵗ shee did bewitch his s[ai]d wife to death with [some?] Such sort of expressions w[hi]ch he then & there spoke & repeated in the p[re]sence of this Dep[onen]t, a Daughter of the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's and a young Girle of one Jeremy [Cooper's?] Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] Quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inatus] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis Non latus e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Jo: Pearson

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Context: Deposition of Anne Hast

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 245, 246 · context

Anna ux[or] Gulielmi Hast de Calverley in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 30 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis ut supra producta ex[aminata] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur [Margin] Hen: Watkinson Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inata] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past she this Dep[onen]t was in the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's owne house at Rodley within the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te in Company with the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason & Agnes Broadley when and where she heard the s[ai]d Mason call the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley Witch: and old witch and Said yᵗ he [would?] be Sworne that she bewitched his wife to death w[hi]ch s[ai]d words he then & there repeated in the p[re]sence and hearing of this Dep[onen]t and the s[ai]d Mason's Daughter who were all the Company that was then in the s[ai]d Mason's house [dureing?] this Dep[onen]ts Stay there Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inata] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis non lata e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Anna [roughly circular mark] Hast

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Context: Personal answers of Anthony Mason

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 281, 282 · context

17:o Julij 1701 recognit[ae?] Tho: Hooke Sur: Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Anthonij Mason factae po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex p[ar]te et p[er] partem Agnetis Broadley con[tra] eum dat[i] et Exhibit[i] Ad primum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad secundum et tertium po[…] respondendo Dicit That he this Respond[en]t did not within the time and place libellate nor in any other time or place speake or say all or any of the words libellate or any other scandalous or diffamatory words to of or against her the said Agnes Broadley, nor did this Respond[en]t ever owne or confess that he had spoken any such words Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quartum po[…] respondendo dicit That the good name ffame & repute of the said Agnes Broadley is not lessened or hurt by any words spoke by this Respond[en]t Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quintum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad sextum po[…] respondendo Credit Credita et negat negata [Subscriptions] Tho: Hooke; Anthony mason

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Context: Libel reverse docket

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 319, 320 · context

Broadley con[tra] Mason 1701.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Context: Answers reverse docket

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 8, sideways face-up docket, read after rotation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 8, sideways face-up docket, read after rotation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios Source layer: Expanded diplomatic manuscript reading with explicit uncertainty; 25 October 2026 collation of saved native IIIF photographs

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 328, 329 · context

Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Mayson ads[?] Broadley

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 8, sideways face-up docket, read after rotation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Comparison of sources: 6 Catalogue comparison and article crosswalk

Comparison source: current York IIIF manifest, metadata fields Date, Court, Case, Details, Abstract, Parties Mentioned and Witnesses, retrieved 25 October 2026. https://discover.york.ac.uk/ark:/36941/CP_I_56/presentation/3/manifest

Case and survival: York describes Consistory defamation concerning witchcraft, four pieces, deposition and libel, and No sentence. The represented file agrees; this does not prove that no outcome could survive in another record.

Names: the catalogue lists Agnes Bradley [Broadley] and Anthony Mason. The libel supports Agnes Broadley; the reverse answers docket writes Mayson. Pearson and Hast names and approximate ages 33 and 30 agree. The catalogue identifies Anne as William Hast’s wife; the Latin introduction independently supports that relationship.

Alleged words: the libel supports the catalogue’s whore-and-witch theme, promise to prove Agnes such and accusation about Mason’s wife’s death. These are Agnes’s pleaded allegations. The witnesses independently support witchcraft accusations and locate them in Mason’s Rodley house. The word whore is not imported into their accounts.

Denial and injury: Mason denies the speech and acknowledgment, and denies injury from any words he spoke. The catalogue’s concise denial summary is supported, but the numbered affirmative and negative answers provide more detail. Neither witness supplies evidence on article four.

Witness occasions: Pearson describes himself, a daughter and a young girl; Hast names herself and Mason’s daughter as the company during her stay. The texts also mention Agnes’s presence. Their company wording is preserved without inventing one identical occasion or repairing the witness’s phrasing.

Dates: the catalogue range 1701–1704 agrees with the dated answers and marginal endorsement. That agreement does not resolve the cancelled libel dates, first deposition date or incident year.

Comparison source: current York IIIF manifest, metadata fields Date, Court, Case, Details, Abstract, Parties Mentioned and Witnesses, retrieved 25 October 2026. https://discover.york.ac.uk/ark:/36941/CP_I_56/presentation/3/manifest Case and survival: York describes Consistory defamation concerning witchcraft, four pieces, deposition and libel, and No sentence. The represented file agrees; this does not prove that no outcome could survive in another record. Names: the catalogue lists Agnes Bradley [Broadley] and Anthony Mason. The libel supports Agnes Broadley; the reverse answers docket writes Mayson. Pearson and Hast names and approximate ages 33 and 30 agree. The catalogue identifies Anne as William Hast’s wife; the Latin introduction independently supports that relationship. Alleged words: the libel supports the catalogue’s whore-and-witch theme, promise to prove Agnes such and accusation about Mason’s wife’s death. These are Agnes’s pleaded allegations. The witnesses independently support witchcraft accusations and locate them in Mason’s Rodley house. The word whore is not imported into their accounts. Denial and injury: Mason denies the speech and acknowledgment, and denies injury from any words he spoke. The catalogue’s concise denial summary is supported, but the numbered affirmative and negative answers provide more detail. Neither witness supplies evidence on article four. Witness occasions: Pearson describes himself, a daughter and a young girl; Hast names herself and Mason’s daughter as the company during her stay. The texts also mention Agnes’s presence. Their company wording is preserved without inventing one identical occasion or repairing the witness’s phrasing. Dates: the catalogue range 1701–1704 agrees with the dated answers and marginal endorsement. That agreement does not resolve the cancelled libel dates, first deposition date or incident year.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344 · context

Context: Article 1

Libel: Agnes’s good reputation. Answer: Believes the article true. Witnesses: No separate substantive article-one account represented.

Libel: Agnes’s good reputation. Answer: Believes the article true. Witnesses: No separate substantive article-one account represented.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 346 · context

Context: Article 2

Libel: Defamatory speech. Answer: Denies speaking the words. Witnesses: Both describe witchcraft accusations.

Libel: Defamatory speech. Answer: Denies speaking the words. Witnesses: Both describe witchcraft accusations.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 348 · context

Context: Article 3

Libel: Later acknowledgment. Answer: Denies ever owning or confessing the speech. Witnesses: Both narratives jointly headed articles two and three; no independently dated acknowledgment inferred.

Libel: Later acknowledgment. Answer: Denies ever owning or confessing the speech. Witnesses: Both narratives jointly headed articles two and three; no independently dated acknowledgment inferred.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 350 · context

Context: Article 4

Libel: Reputational injury. Answer: Denies injury from his words. Witnesses: Both nescit deponere.

Libel: Reputational injury. Answer: Denies injury from his words. Witnesses: Both nescit deponere.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 352 · context

Context: Article 5

Libel: Calverley and jurisdiction. Answer: Believes the article true. Witnesses: No separate jurisdiction narrative.

Libel: Calverley and jurisdiction. Answer: Believes the article true. Witnesses: No separate jurisdiction narrative.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 354 · context

Context: Article 6

Libel: Public report. Answer: Maintains prior affirmations and denials. Witnesses: No separate substantive public-fame account.

Libel: Public report. Answer: Maintains prior affirmations and denials. Witnesses: No separate substantive public-fame account.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 356 · context

Context: York explains the documentary procedure

https://www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/holdings/research-guides/what-are-causepapers/

Short quotation: “a short statement of the charges brought, and a request for judgement”.

https://www.york.ac.uk/borthwick/holdings/research-guides/what-are-causepapers/ Short quotation: “a short statement of the charges brought, and a request for judgement”.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 360, 361 · context

Context: Witchcraft defamation as reputation litigation

https://innerlivesblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/margaret-alcocks-evil-eye-witchcraft-defamation-suits-in-early-modern-england/

Short quotation: “the legal procedures of courts and clerks”.

These contextual sources are not additional witnesses to CP.I.56. The exact-name public searches for Agnes Broadley or Agnes Bradley with Mason and witchcraft did not identify a further accessible case-specific scholarly edition in the results reviewed. That is a bounded search result, not a claim that no scholarship exists. Earlier Chester and London procedural parallels remain leads in the preserved research; no unresolved York text has been supplied from them.

https://innerlivesblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/margaret-alcocks-evil-eye-witchcraft-defamation-suits-in-early-modern-england/ Short quotation: “the legal procedures of courts and clerks”. These contextual sources are not additional witnesses to CP.I.56. The exact-name public searches for Agnes Broadley or Agnes Bradley with Mason and witchcraft did not identify a further accessible case-specific scholarly edition in the results reviewed. That is a bounded search result, not a claim that no scholarship exists. Earlier Chester and London procedural parallels remain leads in the preserved research; no unresolved York text has been supplied from them.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 365, 366, 368 · context

Context: Libel

Year comes from the libel docket and catalogue, not an exact filing day. Broad amended allegation dates are not normalised. These are allegations and a request for relief, not findings or orders.

Year comes from the libel docket and catalogue, not an exact filing day. Broad amended allegation dates are not normalised. These are allegations and a request for relief, not findings or orders.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 373 · context

Context: Witnesses

Date intentionally omitted: March is relative, first examination dates are not secure, and Pearson’s 9 August 1704 endorsement is procedural. The accounts are grouped as evidence, not asserted to describe one identical occasion. Whore is not supplied from the libel into these witness passages.

Date intentionally omitted: March is relative, first examination dates are not secure, and Pearson’s 9 August 1704 endorsement is procedural. The accounts are grouped as evidence, not asserted to describe one identical occasion. Whore is not supplied from the libel into these witness passages.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 376 · context

Context: Answers

His final formula maintains prior admissions and denials. Neither accepting article 1 nor article 5 admits the speech. No judgment is recorded in the collected material.

His final formula maintains prior admissions and denials. Neither accepting article 1 nor article 5 admits the speech. No judgment is recorded in the collected material.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 379 · context

Context: Other named and unnamed people

Four central people in import. William Hast, Henry Watkinson, Rob: Medley, Tho: Hooke, Jeremy [Cooper?], unnamed daughter, unnamed young girl and unnamed deceased wife are discussed only to the supported extent; no speculative extra identities are created.

William Hast is Anne’s named husband, not an inferred attendee at the incident. Hen: Watkinson is the official named in the libel and witness margins; Rob: Medley and Tho: Hooke remain documentary name forms without invented biographies. Jeremy’s surname and the young girl’s relationship remain uncertain. The unnamed wife’s reported death is not assigned a date or supernatural cause. None receives a speculative extra identity in the import.

Four central people in import. William Hast, Henry Watkinson, Rob: Medley, Tho: Hooke, Jeremy [Cooper?], unnamed daughter, unnamed young girl and unnamed deceased wife are discussed only to the supported extent; no speculative extra identities are created. William Hast is Anne’s named husband, not an inferred attendee at the incident. Hen: Watkinson is the official named in the libel and witness margins; Rob: Medley and Tho: Hooke remain documentary name forms without invented biographies. Jeremy’s surname and the young girl’s relationship remain uncertain. The unnamed wife’s reported death is not assigned a date or supernatural cause. None receives a speculative extra identity in the import.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 389, 390 · context

Context: Lexical and procedural readings

Opening appointment and procedural contractions; date cancellations and insertions; reputation-clause words; article-two spiritus term, verb and closing syntax; article-three acceptance ending; some adjective endings and abbreviated marginal formulas remain uncertain.

Opening appointment and procedural contractions; date cancellations and insertions; reputation-clause words; article-two spiritus term, verb and closing syntax; article-three acceptance ending; some adjective endings and abbreviated marginal formulas remain uncertain.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 393 · context

Context: Witness details

Grave? epithet and Jeremy Cooper? surname remain tentative. The unnamed girl’s relationship to Jeremy is not established. Anne’s Clothier attachment is unresolved. Bagley is read as written without a modern place identification.

Grave? epithet and Jeremy Cooper? surname remain tentative. The unnamed girl’s relationship to Jeremy is not established. Anne’s Clothier attachment is unresolved. Bagley is read as written without a modern place identification.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 395 · context

Context: Chronology

The broad amended libel dates are not converted into an exact range. March last past is relative and no incident year is forced. The 9 August 1704 repetition endorsement does not establish the first examination date; the answers are dated 17 July 1701.

The broad amended libel dates are not converted into an exact range. March last past is relative and no incident year is forced. The 9 August 1704 repetition endorsement does not establish the first examination date; the answers are dated 17 July 1701.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 397 · context

Evidence gap: Outcome

The catalogue says No sentence, and the saved images contain no judgment. It is not established whether another record preserves an outcome, reconciliation, costs or enforcement.

The catalogue says No sentence, and the saved images contain no judgment. It is not established whether another record preserves an outcome, reconciliation, costs or enforcement.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 399 · context

Context: Identities and scope

No parish-register, probate or family identification beyond the represented witnesses has been established. The archive describes four pieces, but eight photographs include duplicates and reverse surfaces. No unseen document is invented.

No parish-register, probate or family identification beyond the represented witnesses has been established. The archive describes four pieces, but eight photographs include duplicates and reverse surfaces. No unseen document is invented.

Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx, Authoritative Word edition; paragraph indices 401 · context

Comparison of sources: English readings and editorial qualifications

Rob: Medley’s full name and capacity remain unestablished. The libel’s amended month wording is not converted into a precise incident range. Anne Hast’s Clothier wording is retained without assigning it as her occupation. The 1701 docket gives a year, not an exact filing date or another deposition.

In the name of God, Amen. Before the venerable Henry Watkinson, Doctor of Laws, Principal Official of the York Consistory Court, [appointment or deputy wording unresolved], or his surrogate or another judge in this matter, the party of Agnes Broadley, widow, proceeds against Anthony Mason of Calverley parish, York diocese. [Some intervening procedural wording is unresolved.] Her party sets out the following allegations in writing, jointly, separately and article by article, using the available legal forms to obtain their consequences in law and fact. [Margin] Rob: Medley.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · qualifies

Despite the foregoing, Agnes alleges that Anthony Mason, led by a malicious spirit of [deceit?], defamed her during the specified months: July through March in the year written as 1700, and [also?] March, April, May and June in 1701. [Cancelled, inserted and detailed time wording remains unresolved.] Within Calverley and surrounding places he allegedly uttered grievous, reproachful, insulting and defamatory words about or to her. In English, or in substantially similar words, he allegedly reported—although falsely, as the pleading says—that Agnes was a whore and a witch; that he would prove her both; that she had bewitched his wife to death; and that he would swear to it. He allegedly spoke and [repeated?] these and other defamatory words on several occasions, at least once before credible witnesses. Testifying concerning such and so great defamatory words, time, place, manner and form of the foregoing, as and to the extent that will be proved during this suit [closing contractions unresolved].

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · qualifies

Anne, wife of William Hast of Calverley in York county [abbreviated ending uncertain], aged about 30, is produced and examined as a witness as above and says and deposes as follows. Clothier [attachment uncertain]. On articles two and three she says that about the middle of the preceding March she was at Anthony Mason’s own house at Rodley in Calverley parish, in company with Mason and Agnes Broadley. She heard Mason call Agnes a witch and an old witch and say that he [would?] swear she had bewitched his wife to death. He repeated the words in the presence and hearing of Anne and Mason’s daughter, who were all the company in the house [during?] Anne’s stay, according to the deposition. Otherwise she knows nothing further to depose. On article four she does not know what to depose; she was not brought forward on the remaining articles. Henry Watkinson’s name appears in the margin. At the foot are Sig., Anna, a roughly circular mark and Hast.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · qualifies

Broadley against Mason. 1701.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 4, face-up docket and year; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · qualifies

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-secondary-york-guide: Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, What are cause papers?, research guide, sections Libel, The Proof, Admission by the defendant and Production of Witnesses and Depositions; accessed 25 October 2026.

ps-secondary-brown-2016: James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, Inner Lives, 31 October 2016, sections Getting Sued By A Witch and The Bewitching of Richard Malham, especially paragraphs beginning While the secular courts and As is now well established; accessed 25 October 2026.

a short statement of the charges brought, and a request for judgement

What are cause papers?, n.d., Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, What are cause papers?, research guide, sections Libel, The Proof, Admission by the defendant and Production of Witnesses and Depositions; accessed 25 October 2026., Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, What are cause papers?, research guide, sections Libel, The Proof, Admission by the defendant and Production of Witnesses and Depositions; acce… · context

the legal procedures of courts and clerks

James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, 2016-10-31, James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, Inner Lives, 31 October 2016; section The Bewitching of Richard Malham and paragraphs beginning Mary’s husband, Although Mary, And saith, As is now well established and As is so often. Retrieved 26 October 2026., Brown 2016; paragraph beginning As is now well established · context

Comparison of sources: Complete edition evidence and source apparatus

These passages and source records belong to the full case edition. They retain documentary headings, text layers and scholarly apparatus. Their inclusion here does not turn contextual material into independent corroboration of an alleged event.

Agnes Bradley [Broadley], plaintiff, female; Widow Anthony Mason [Mason], defendant, male

York Cause Papers catalogue — CP.I.56, n.d., University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives, CP.I.56, saved catalogue metadata. Documentary pieces are not image counts., CP.I.56, Parties Mentioned · context

Comparison of sources: Full citation locators

Full references retained alongside abbreviated interface labels.

events ev-libel citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-libel citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-libel citation 3: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-libel citation 4: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-libel citation 5: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-libel citation 6: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-witnesses citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-witnesses citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-witnesses citation 3: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-witnesses citation 4: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-answers citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-answers citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-answers citation 3: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-answers citation 4: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-answers citation 5: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

events ev-answers citation 6: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 3: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 4: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 5: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 6: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 7: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 8: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 9: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 10: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 11: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 12: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 13: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-agnes citation 14: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 3: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 4: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 5: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 6: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 7: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 8: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 9: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anthony citation 10: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-john citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-john citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anne citation 1: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

person_assertions pa-anne citation 2: University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios

In the name of God, Amen. Before the venerable Henry Watkinson, Doctor of Laws, Principal Official of the York Consistory Court, [appointment or deputy wording unresolved], or his surrogate or another judge in this matter, the party of Agnes Broadley, widow, proceeds against Anthony Mason of Calverley parish, York diocese. [Some intervening procedural wording is unresolved.] Her party sets out the following allegations in writing, jointly, separately and article by article, using the available legal forms to obtain their consequences in law and fact. [Margin] Rob: Medley.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Despite the foregoing, Agnes alleges that Anthony Mason, led by a malicious spirit of [deceit?], defamed her during the specified months: July through March in the year written as 1700, and [also?] March, April, May and June in 1701. [Cancelled, inserted and detailed time wording remains unresolved.] Within Calverley and surrounding places he allegedly uttered grievous, reproachful, insulting and defamatory words about or to her. In English, or in substantially similar words, he allegedly reported—although falsely, as the pleading says—that Agnes was a whore and a witch; that he would prove her both; that she had bewitched his wife to death; and that he would swear to it. He allegedly spoke and [repeated?] these and other defamatory words on several occasions, at least once before credible witnesses. Testifying concerning such and so great defamatory words, time, place, manner and form of the foregoing, as and to the extent that will be proved during this suit [closing contractions unresolved].

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Once the foregoing is established to the extent sufficient in law, Agnes’s party asks the judge to pronounce that Mason should be corrected and punished ecclesiastically for this misconduct, condemned in costs already incurred and to be incurred on her behalf, and compelled ecclesiastically to pay them duly and effectively. She requests a definitive pronouncement, decree and declaration. She proposes the matters jointly and separately without binding herself to prove every allegation or undertake unnecessary proof; she asks to obtain relief to the extent of what she proves, reserving the benefit of law and humbly invoking the judge’s office. Rights and the right of protesting are reserved, etc.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

The marginal endorsement is dated 9 August 1704 and reads [formally repeated?] before Henry Watkinson. John Pearson, of Bagley in Calverley parish, York county [abbreviated case ending uncertain], aged about 33, clothier, is produced and examined as a witness to the articles of Agnes Broadley’s libel against Anthony Mason. On articles two and three he says that around the middle of the preceding March he happened to be at Mason’s house at Rodley, Calverley parish. Agnes was also there. He heard Mason call her an old witch and a [Grave?] witch, accuse her of bewitching his wife to death, say he would prove her a witch and swear that she had bewitched his wife to death, or use similar expressions. He reports these words spoken and repeated before himself, a daughter of Mason, and a young girl of one Jeremy [Cooper?; surname uncertain]. Otherwise he knows nothing further to depose. Asked about article four, he does not know what to depose. He was not brought forward on the remaining articles. The subscription is represented as Sig. Jo: Pearson.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Anne, wife of William Hast of Calverley in York county [abbreviated ending uncertain], aged about 30, is produced and examined as a witness as above and says and deposes as follows. Clothier [attachment uncertain]. On articles two and three she says that about the middle of the preceding March she was at Anthony Mason’s own house at Rodley in Calverley parish, in company with Mason and Agnes Broadley. She heard Mason call Agnes a witch and an old witch and say that he [would?] swear she had bewitched his wife to death. He repeated the words in the presence and hearing of Anne and Mason’s daughter, who were all the company in the house [during?] Anne’s stay, according to the deposition. Otherwise she knows nothing further to depose. On article four she does not know what to depose; she was not brought forward on the remaining articles. Henry Watkinson’s name appears in the margin. At the foot are Sig., Anna, a roughly circular mark and Hast.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

The margin dates the answers 17 July 1701 and contains a recognit- endorsement [exact expansion uncertain] and Tho: Hooke Sur: [title contraction retained]. These are Anthony Mason’s personal answers to the positions and articles of Agnes Broadley’s libel. He believes the first article true. To the second and third he says that neither within the alleged time and place nor at any other time or place did he speak any of the alleged words, or any other scandalous or defamatory words to, of or against Agnes; nor did he ever own or confess having spoken such words. Otherwise he does not believe the same proposition true in any respect. To the fourth he says Agnes’s good name, fame and repute are not lessened or hurt by any words he spoke; otherwise he does not believe it true in any respect. He believes the fifth article true. To the sixth he affirms what he has affirmed and denies what he has denied. The subscriptions read Tho: Hooke and Anthony mason.

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

First, Agnes’s party alleges that she was and is a very honest woman of good reputation and upright life and conduct, not previously [antea?] defamed or implicated [precise adverb uncertain] in any crime, at least a notorious one, subject to the matters stated below. She has publicly and commonly been regarded as such in Calverley and neighbouring places. The allegations are made jointly, separately and as to each matter.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Agnes alleges that Anthony Mason was and is of Calverley parish and is subject to the court’s jurisdiction in this matter. She alleges this as above.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Agnes further alleges that Mason later admitted and acknowledged before trustworthy witnesses, both in her presence—she [accepting it?; ending uncertain]—and outside it, that he had repeatedly, or at least once, uttered such abusive and defamatory words to her or about her. She alleges this as above.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

In Dei Nomine Amen Coram vobis ven[erabili] viro Henrico Watkinson Legum Doctore Almae Curiae Cons[istorialis] Ebor[acensis] offi[cia]li princi- [unclear appointment/deputy wording] sive Surrogato aut alio Judice in hac parte quocumq[ue] pars discret[a]e mulieris Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] et adversus Anthonium Mason p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley Ebor[acensis] dioc[esis] [unclear procedural words] coram vobis in Judicio [unclear] interveniend[?] ad omnem tam Juris quam facti effectum exinde quovis modo sequi valen[tem] o[mni]bus melioribus via modo et Juris forma quibus melius aut efficacius de Jure potuit aut potest debuitve aut debet dicit allegat et in hiis scriptis in Jure proponit Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et art[iculat]im prout sequitur [Margin] Rob: Medley

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, opening and left margin; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item Ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]missis non obstantibus p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason spiritu [versutiae?] ductus maligno mensibus Julij et Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris Januarij Februarij et Martij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo [deletion/interlinear insertion not fully resolved] [necnon?] Mensibus Martij Aprilis Maij et Junij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo primo [unclear time words] eorund[em] eorundemq[ue] mensium [unclear] quol[ibet] uno [deletions] [deleted word] infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]dict[am] aliaq[ue] loca vicina et circumvicina malitiose animo diffamandi et injuriandi [eandem?] Agnetem Broadley ipsam diffamavit et injuriavit nonnullaq[ue] verba atrocia opprobriosa convitiosa contumeliosa odiosa et diffamatoria [deletion] eius Agneti Broadley seu de ead[em] Emisit dixit asseruit protulit et p[rae]dicavit Et [praeprimis?] haec verba Anglice loquendo seu alia eis in effectu consimilia (vizt) the said Anthony Mason speaking to of or against the said Agnes Broadley said & reported (licet falso) that she the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley was a whore & a witch & that he would prove her a whore & a witch & that she bewitched his the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's wife to Death & that he would swear that she bewitched his s[ai]d wife to death with diverse other scandalous & defamatory words he the s[ai]d Anthony Mason spoke & [reitterated?] Diverse & sundry times & once at the least in the p[re]sence & hearing of diverse & sundry Credible Witnesses Contestantes de talibus et tantis verbis diffamatorijs ac de tali et tanto tempore loco modo et forma p[rae]missor[um?] quod et quant[um] in eventu huius litis probabitur cui Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Unde facta fide de p[rae]missis quantum de Jure sufficit petit pars ista p[rae]fatum Anthonium [deleted: Broadley?] Mason pro tanto temeritatis suae excessu in p[rae]missis et ea concernen[tibus] Eccl[esiast]ice corrigend[um] et puniend[um] necnon in expensis ex parte et p[er] partem dictae Agnetis Broadley in hac Causa fact[is] et fiend[is] Condemnari Condemnatumq[ue] ad debitam et effectualem solutionem earum parti dictae Agnetis Broadley Eccl[esiast]ice cogend[um] et compellend[um] fore pronunciari decerni et declarari p[er] vos et v[est]ram s[ente]ntiam diffinitivam D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] Quae proponit et fieri petit pars ista Conj[uncti]m et Div[isi]m non arctans se ad o[mn]ia et singula p[rae]missa proband[a] nec ad onus superfluae probationis de quo protestatur sed quatenus probaverit in p[rae]missis eat[in]us obtineat in petitis Juris beneficio in o[mn]ibus semp[er] salvo v[est]rum officium D[omi]ne Judex antedict[e] humiliter implorans Salvo Jure etc. Et protestandi

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, closing prayer and reservation; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

9no Augusti 1704 Repetit[us?] coram Hen: Watkinson Johannes Pearson de Bagley p[arochi]a[e?] de Calverley [deleted: nato?] in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 33 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis sup[er] po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex parte et [per?] partem Agnetis Broadley vid[uae] con[tra] Anthonium Mason dat[i] et exhibit[i] productus ex[aminatus] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inatus] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past he this Dep[onen]t happened to be at the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's house att Rodley in the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te where [deleted: hee?] he heard the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason call the ar[ticula]te Agnes Broadley (who was then alsoe at yᵉ s[ai]d Mason's owne house at Rodley aforesaid) [an?] Old witch and [Grave?] Witch and Said that she bewitched his wife to Death and that he would prove her a witch and would Sweare yᵗ shee did bewitch his s[ai]d wife to death with [some?] Such sort of expressions w[hi]ch he then & there spoke & repeated in the p[re]sence of this Dep[onen]t, a Daughter of the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's and a young Girle of one Jeremy [Cooper's?] Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] Quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inatus] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis Non latus e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Jo: Pearson

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and subscription; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Anna ux[or] Gulielmi Hast de Calverley in Com[itatu] Ebor[aci?] aetat[is] suae 30 annor[um] aut eo circiter Clothier testis ut supra producta ex[aminata] Dicit et deposuit prout sequitur [Margin] Hen: Watkinson Sup[er] secundo et tertio Art[icu]lis Exam[inata] Dicit That ab[ou]t the middle of March last past she this Dep[onen]t was in the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason's owne house at Rodley within the p[ar]ish of Calverley ar[ticula]te in Company with the ar[ticula]te Anthony Mason & Agnes Broadley when and where she heard the s[ai]d Mason call the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley Witch: and old witch and Said yᵗ he [would?] be Sworne that she bewitched his wife to death w[hi]ch s[ai]d words he then & there repeated in the p[re]sence and hearing of this Dep[onen]t and the s[ai]d Mason's Daughter who were all the Company that was then in the s[ai]d Mason's house [dureing?] this Dep[onen]ts Stay there Et al[ite]r nescit deponere Sup[er] quarto Art[icu]lo Exam[inata] dicit q[uod] nescit deponere Sup[er] reliquis non lata e[st] [Subscription] Sig. Anna [roughly circular mark] Hast

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 6, witness heading, narrative, procedural close and mark; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

17:o Julij 1701 recognit[ae?] Tho: Hooke Sur: Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Anthonij Mason factae po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex p[ar]te et p[er] partem Agnetis Broadley con[tra] eum dat[i] et Exhibit[i] Ad primum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad secundum et tertium po[…] respondendo Dicit That he this Respond[en]t did not within the time and place libellate nor in any other time or place speake or say all or any of the words libellate or any other scandalous or diffamatory words to of or against her the said Agnes Broadley, nor did this Respond[en]t ever owne or confess that he had spoken any such words Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quartum po[…] respondendo dicit That the good name ffame & repute of the said Agnes Broadley is not lessened or hurt by any words spoke by this Respond[en]t Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quintum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad sextum po[…] respondendo Credit Credita et negat negata [Subscriptions] Tho: Hooke; Anthony mason

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

Impr[imis] Ponit et artic[ulat] quod d[i]cta Agnes Broadley vidua fuit et est mulier valde honesta bonae famae vitaeq[ue] et conversat[i]onis integrae null[o]q[ue] Crimin[e] (saltem notorio) [antea?] diffamata seu [aliqualiter?] [involuta?] (infradicendis salvis) proq[ue] tali et ut talis fuit et est communiter dicta tenta habita nominata et reputata palam publice et notorie infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]d[ictam] aliaq[ue] loca vicina Et ponit [deleted word] Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2, article 1; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason fuit et est p[arochi]ae de Calverley p[rae]dict[ae] ac sit in hac parte Jurisdic[tion]i subditus et subjectus Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 right, article 5; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Item ponit et artic[ulat] quod post p[rae]missa p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason coram testibus fidedignis tam in p[rae]sentia ipsius Agnetis Broadley id acceptan[tis?] quam extra se huiusmo[di] verba convitiosa et diffamatoria eius Agneti Broadley [deleted words] seu de ead[em] Emisisse dixisse asseruisse protulisse et p[rae]dicasse sepius et iteratis vicibus seu semel fassus est et recognovit Et ponit ut supra

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 3 left, article 3; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin) · context

Comparison of sources: Accusation and alleged effect

Pearson and Hast report the content of accusations; neither proves that witchcraft caused a death. Their company lists differ, and no identical occasion or identity between the two unnamed daughter references is established. The young girl is separately enumerated from Pearson’s daughter reference. William is named as Anne’s husband only. Mason’s answers deny the speech and acknowledgment; they are not a retraction. Rodley locates reported speech, not alleged magic.

that she had bewitched his wife to death; and that he would swear to it.

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 images 2–3 article 2

He heard Mason call her an old witch and a [Grave?] witch, accuse her of bewitching his wife to death, say he would prove her a witch and swear that she had bewitched his wife to death, or use similar expressions.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 image 5 Pearson

She heard Mason call Agnes a witch and an old witch and say that he [would?] swear she had bewitched his wife to death.

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 image 6 Hast

To the second and third he says that neither within the alleged time and place nor at any other time or place did he speak any of the alleged words, or any other scandalous or defamatory words to, of or against Agnes; nor did he ever own or confess having spoken such words.

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 image 7 answers · qualifies

she bewitched his the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's wife to Death & that he would swear that she bewitched his s[ai]d wife to death

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 images 2–3 article 2 (Latin and English)

Old witch and [Grave?] Witch and Said that she bewitched his wife to Death and that he would prove her a witch and would Sweare yᵗ shee did bewitch his s[ai]d wife to death with [some?]

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 image 5 Pearson (Latin and English)

heard the s[ai]d Mason call the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley Witch: and old witch and Said yᵗ he [would?] be Sworne that she bewitched his wife to death

CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 image 6 Hast (Latin and English)

That he this Respond[en]t did not within the time and place libellate nor in any other time or place speake or say all or any of the words libellate or any other scandalous or diffamatory words to of or against her the said Agnes Broadley, nor did this Respond[en]t ever owne or confess that he had spoken any such words

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, CP.I.56 image 7 answers (Latin and English) · qualifies

Editorial note: Edition revision dated 27 October 2026

The edition preserves the pleading, the separate witness accounts and Mason’s personal answers. Five records distinguish three documentary units from the reported accusation and the alleged harmful effect. Ten person records include two provisionally distinct daughter references; their identity is unresolved. The alleged death by witchcraft is not a finding of causation.

Mason’s answers deny the speech and any acknowledgment. They do not retract it, and no surviving sentence in the represented papers establishes a verdict on the allegation. The complete answers and their English reading appear in the source edition above.

Despite the foregoing, Agnes alleges that Anthony Mason, led by a malicious spirit of [deceit?], defamed her during the specified months: July through March in the year written as 1700, and [also?] March, April, May and June in 1701. [Cancelled, inserted and detailed time wording remains unresolved.] Within Calverley and surrounding places he allegedly uttered grievous, reproachful, insulting and defamatory words about or to her. In English, or in substantially similar words, he allegedly reported—although falsely, as the pleading says—that Agnes was a whore and a witch; that he would prove her both; that she had bewitched his wife to death; and that he would swear to it. He allegedly spoke and [repeated?] these and other defamatory words on several occasions, at least once before credible witnesses. Testifying concerning such and so great defamatory words, time, place, manner and form of the foregoing, as and to the extent that will be proved during this suit [closing contractions unresolved].

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

The margin dates the answers 17 July 1701 and contains a recognit- endorsement [exact expansion uncertain] and Tho: Hooke Sur: [title contraction retained]. These are Anthony Mason’s personal answers to the positions and articles of Agnes Broadley’s libel. He believes the first article true. To the second and third he says that neither within the alleged time and place nor at any other time or place did he speak any of the alleged words, or any other scandalous or defamatory words to, of or against Agnes; nor did he ever own or confess having spoken such words. Otherwise he does not believe the same proposition true in any respect. To the fourth he says Agnes’s good name, fame and repute are not lessened or hurt by any words he spoke; otherwise he does not believe it true in any respect. He believes the fifth article true. To the sixth he affirms what he has affirmed and denies what he has denied. The subscriptions read Tho: Hooke and Anthony mason.

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios · context

Item Ponit et artic[ulat] quod p[rae]missis non obstantibus p[rae]fatus Anthonius Mason spiritu [versutiae?] ductus maligno mensibus Julij et Augusti Septembris Octobris Novembris Decembris Januarij Februarij et Martij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo [deletion/interlinear insertion not fully resolved] [necnon?] Mensibus Martij Aprilis Maij et Junij Anno D[omi]ni Millesimo Septingentesimo primo [unclear time words] eorund[em] eorundemq[ue] mensium [unclear] quol[ibet] uno [deletions] [deleted word] infra p[arochi]am de Calverley p[rae]dict[am] aliaq[ue] loca vicina et circumvicina malitiose animo diffamandi et injuriandi [eandem?] Agnetem Broadley ipsam diffamavit et injuriavit nonnullaq[ue] verba atrocia opprobriosa convitiosa contumeliosa odiosa et diffamatoria [deletion] eius Agneti Broadley seu de ead[em] Emisit dixit asseruit protulit et p[rae]dicavit Et [praeprimis?] haec verba Anglice loquendo seu alia eis in effectu consimilia (vizt) the said Anthony Mason speaking to of or against the said Agnes Broadley said & reported (licet falso) that she the s[ai]d Agnes Broadley was a whore & a witch & that he would prove her a whore & a witch & that she bewitched his the s[ai]d Anthony Mason's wife to Death & that he would swear that she bewitched his s[ai]d wife to death with diverse other scandalous & defamatory words he the s[ai]d Anthony Mason spoke & [reitterated?] Diverse & sundry times & once at the least in the p[re]sence & hearing of diverse & sundry Credible Witnesses Contestantes de talibus et tantis verbis diffamatorijs ac de tali et tanto tempore loco modo et forma p[rae]missor[um?] quod et quant[um] in eventu huius litis probabitur cui Conj[uncti]m Div[isi]m et de quol[ibet]

CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3, article 2 from image 2 foot through image 3 left; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

17:o Julij 1701 recognit[ae?] Tho: Hooke Sur: Resp[onsi]ones P[ersona]les Anthonij Mason factae po[sitio]nibus et Art[icu]lis Libelli ex p[ar]te et p[er] partem Agnetis Broadley con[tra] eum dat[i] et Exhibit[i] Ad primum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad secundum et tertium po[…] respondendo Dicit That he this Respond[en]t did not within the time and place libellate nor in any other time or place speake or say all or any of the words libellate or any other scandalous or diffamatory words to of or against her the said Agnes Broadley, nor did this Respond[en]t ever owne or confess that he had spoken any such words Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quartum po[…] respondendo dicit That the good name ffame & repute of the said Agnes Broadley is not lessened or hurt by any words spoke by this Respond[en]t Et al[ite]r non Credit Eund[em] esse verum in aliquo Ad Quintum po[…] respondendo Credit Eund[em] esse verum Ad sextum po[…] respondendo Credit Credita et negat negata [Subscriptions] Tho: Hooke; Anthony mason

CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7, date, heading, answers to articles 1–6 and subscriptions; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios (Latin and English) · context

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.

Broadley–Mason · reading edition, Witching reading edition; prepared 2026-10-27; edition version 1.1; reading identifier edition-broadley-mason. · context

People

• Agnes Broadley: Widow defending her reputation in a York defamation cause
• Anne Hast: Wife of William Hast giving a separate witness account
• Anthony Mason: Defendant who denied the defamatory speech and injury
• Jeremy [Cooper?]: Jeremy named through the young girl’s association
• John Pearson: Clothier giving evidence about reported accusations at Rodley
• Unnamed daughter of Anthony Mason in Hast’s account: Mason’s daughter reportedly present in Hast’s account
• Unnamed daughter of Anthony Mason in Pearson’s account: Mason’s daughter reportedly present in Pearson’s account
• Unnamed wife of Anthony Mason: Unnamed wife mentioned in the alleged lethal bewitchment
• Unnamed young girl associated with Jeremy [Cooper?]: Young girl separately listed by Pearson
• William Hast: Husband named in Anne Hast’s witness introduction

Events

• John Pearson and Anne Hast separately reported hearing Anthony Mason accuse Agnes Broadley of witchcraft at his house in Rodley, Calverley parish, around the middle of March last past. Both described accusations concerning his wife’s death; Pearson also reported a promise to prove Agnes a witch. Neither supplied evidence on the fourth article about injury to reputation. (a documentary entry)
• Anthony Mason allegedly accused Agnes Broadley of bewitching his wife to death. Agnes’s libel attributes the charge to him; Pearson and Hast separately report witchcraft accusations at Mason’s Rodley house. Their accounts do not establish one identical occasion. Mason denied speaking the words.
• The reported accusation attributes the death of Anthony Mason’s unnamed wife to witchcraft by Agnes Broadley. This records the alleged harmful effect for discovery. The collected papers do not establish magical causation, the wife’s death date or the place of any supposed bewitchment.
• 1701: Agnes Broadley, a widow, pursued defamation proceedings against Anthony Mason at York. Her libel alleged that he called her a whore and a witch, accused her of bewitching his wife to death, and promised to prove or swear to the charge. She sought ecclesiastical correction and costs. (a documentary entry)
• 1701, July 17: On 17 July 1701 Anthony Mason denied speaking the defamatory words, ever admitting that he had spoken them, or injuring Agnes Broadley’s reputation through his words. He accepted her good-reputation article and his parish affiliation and subjection to the court’s jurisdiction. (a documentary entry)

Sources

• James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, 2016-10-31, James Brown, Margaret Alcock’s Evil Eye: Witchcraft Defamations in Early Modern England, Inner Lives, 31 October 2016; section The Bewitching of Richard Malham and paragraphs beginning Mary’s husband, Although Mary, And saith, As is now well established and As is so often. Retrieved 26 October 2026. (scholarship) (later scholarship)
• CP.I.56 libel, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 2–3; docket 4, six articles and prayer; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56 (court record)
• CP.I.56 depositions, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 5–6, complete represented examinations; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56 (court record)
• CP.I.56 answers, University of York Borthwick Institute, CP.I.56, repository image 7; docket 8, answers dated 17 July 1701; image numbers are photograph positions, not certified folios, University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives CP.I.56 (court record)
• What are cause papers?, n.d., Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, What are cause papers?, research guide, sections Libel, The Proof, Admission by the defendant and Production of Witnesses and Depositions; accessed 25 October 2026. (scholarship) (later scholarship)
• Agnes Broadley and Anthony Mason — authoritative research edition, WEME authoritative research edition, Broadley_Mason_Authoritative_Source_Edition.docx (edition)
• York Cause Papers catalogue — CP.I.56, n.d., University of York, Borthwick Institute for Archives, CP.I.56, saved catalogue metadata. Documentary pieces are not image counts. (catalogue)
• Broadley–Mason · reading edition, Witching reading edition; prepared 2026-10-27; edition version 1.1; reading identifier edition-broadley-mason. (edition)

Credit

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