Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson
17 May 1572; related acts undated in this reading · Latin and English
Manuscript reading with unresolved passages and act dates.
Edition details and citation
Sources
Durham University Library, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, ff.280v–281v; DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, ff.373v,379r,387v,405v
Texts included
Deposition heading, three witnesses, four act-book entries and Raine’s printed selection.
Edition
1.0
Prepared
2026-10-25
Reading conventions
Square brackets mark expansions, missing text or editorial descriptions; question marks mark tentative readings. Original text and English readings remain separate.
Suggested citation
Witches in Early Modern England, Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson, reading edition, 25 October 2026, section title and source folio or page.
Source rights
Repository and published-source rights remain with their respective holders; no blanket reuse licence is assigned.
Case heading and date
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, f.280v lower
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation
Witnesses produced on behalf of Agnes Burden [interlined Anne and an alias abbreviation tentatively read], wife of William Burden, on her [libel?] against Elizabeth Anderson in a cause of defamation [contracted expression unresolved], 17 May 1572.
Latin transcription
Testes producti ex p[ar]te agnetis [inserted above: anne als?] Burden ux[oris] w[illelmi] burden sup[er?] lib[ello?] suo ad[versus] Eliz[abetham] and[er]son in ca[us]a diffamac[ionis] [unread contracted expression] xvijº maij aº d[omi]ni 1572.
Thomas Fewler deposition
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, f.280v lower continuing 281r upper
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation and modern reading
Thomas Fewler of Stockton in the county of Durham, cotman alias chapman, aged about fifty years, a witness produced, admitted and sworn in this cause [remaining contracted procedural words unread]. He says that he knows the parties well, for [duration unread] years [continuation unread]. [Further contracted introductory wording unread.] On the [first rubric cancelled; second inserted] article, he says that about Candlemas last past, while he was their near neighbour, he was bringing two of his stirks from the water into his own house. The parties were quarrelling and one was reviling the other. He then heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a “crowket handyd wytch” [crooked-handed witch]. [Continuation concerning Anne Burden unread.] On the following recto the account continues with Elizabeth Anderson [faint words unread]. The surviving words include “was sworne” and a following expression that remains uncertain; no complete reply can be reconstructed. The witness cannot depose [contracted qualification unread]. He gives no other [time expression unresolved]. [Further circumstantial wording remains faint.] He says the words were spoken audibly there, so that many might have heard them, being spoken so near the cross and in the town street. On the next article [number faint], the answer includes “any suche wordes” and a reference to the time already deposed [the remaining words cannot be translated reliably]. On the fourth article, a revised answer concerns whether Anne Burden’s good name was impaired by Elizabeth’s words. Portions are cancelled or faint. The surviving final phrase refers to words that “can empare hir good name.” [The complete answer remains unresolved.] On the fifth article [short Latin response unresolved]. On the sixth he believes what is believed, and not otherwise [contracted continuation unread]; the surviving Latin also concerns relationship by blood or marriage and victory in court, but its whole construction is unresolved. The mark of Thomas Fewler.
Original transcription in Latin and English
Thom[as] ffewler de Stokton in com[itatu] Dunelm[ensi] cotman al[ia]s chapman etatis circiter Lta annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a productus admissus juratus [contracted procedural words unread] dicit q[uod] p[ar]tes bene novit p[er] spatium [numeral unclear] annor[um] [contracted continuation unread] [contracted words concerning the articles unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo?] [inserted: 2do] dicit that [contracted word unread] That about Candlemas last past this deponent beinge ther nigh neibor [word uncertain] was bringin in two stirkes off his from the wayter into his [abbreviation unread] owne house at what tyme the p[ar]tes was chidinge & one of them revilinge [damaged beginning] & this depo[nent] then hard Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull the said Anne burden crowket handyd wytch / and the said anne burden [blackened lower-edge continuation unread]. [281r] [damaged beginning] the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son & said [faint continuation] [uncertain beginning] whome [abbreviation unread] was sworne and [partly unread expression] as [unread continuation] off hir [uncertain words] this ex[aminate] [contracted expression] cannott depose / & de tempore [unread] he cannot [unread] no other [unread] tyme then [unread continuation] [unread] de circumstancijs [partly unread] & sawe none [unread continuation] [unread] & saith the wordes was spoke[n] so audiently there [unread] might many [inserted: have] herd them beinge spoken so neigh the crosse & in the towne gait as they were. Sup[er] [article number faint; probably 3º] [faint answer partly unread] [readable portion] any suche wordes [unread] the tyme by this depo[nent] here p[re]deposed [unread]. Sup[er] 4to he saith [partly unread] think[s?] [unread] anne burdenes good name is [cancelled word unread] empared by the said Eliz[abeth] wordes [inserted: afore?] then [unread] anne Burden is [crossed-out continuation partly unread] & no suche [crossed-out words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] can empare hir good name. Sup[er] 5to fac[it?] de ver[um?]. Sup[er] 6to credit de creditis et non aliter [unread contracted continuation] [unread] alteri [unread] aut q[uod] non est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis nec ullo modo [unread] in Curia de victoria. sign[um] [mark] Thomae ffewler
Second witness provisionally William Rawe
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, f.281r lower continuing 281v upper
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation and modern reading
William [Rawe?], of the same place in the stated county, [currier?], aged [unread] years, a witness produced and sworn in this cause [further procedural wording partly unread]. He says he has known the parties since he was [the connection with being born or brought up in Stockton remains faint]. Further introductory wording concerns the parties and whether he is related, allied or corrupted [exact construction unresolved]. The surviving closing words refer to saying nothing but the truth [qualifications unread]. [The first-article heading and answer are overwritten or faint. The surviving text is insufficient for a complete translation.] On the article numbered second after correction, he describes the parties exchanging words in the town street of Stockton, directly opposite his window, while he was working at his occupation in his own dwelling house. He cannot give the precise other time, hour or day [the preceding time expression is unread]. He heard Elizabeth Anderson [remaining speech and corrections partly unread]. The surviving wording includes a reference to Anne Burden and “was sworned”; its subject, speech attribution and surrounding rejoinder remain uncertain. He refers to words spoken before and at the same time [faint continuation]. He cannot depose further to this article. The top of the next verso continues the answer [damaged words unread]. A subsequent answer says he never heard any such words as are articulated [article number and adjoining words uncertain]. A fourth-article answer has been struck through. It concerns Elizabeth’s words and Anne Burden, but the faint and cancelled wording does not support a full translation. The replacement fourth answer says that he heard Elizabeth Anderson call Anne Burden a whore [the remainder concerns her honesty or reputation, but the connecting words and qualification are faint]. On the fifth article, he says that this article is true, because Elizabeth is of the parish of Norton and of the jurisdiction of this court. The mark of William [Rawe?].
Original transcription in Latin and English
W[illelmu]s [Rawe?] de ead[em] in d[i]c[t]o com[itatu] [currier?] etat[is] [numeral unread] annor[um] testis in dicta ca[us]a product[us] jurat[us] [contracted words partly unread] & saith that he this ex[aminate] hath well knowne the p[ar]ties sence he this ex[aminate] was [raised?] [being?] borne in the said town off Stokton & [faint continuation] ever betwixt the p[ar]ties / to [unread] [he?] saith q[uod] he is neither [unread] of kin or aly or any waies corrupt[ed?] [contracted words unread] [unread] [offering?] to say any thinge but a trewth [unread continuation]. [article rubric partly overwritten] [inserted or overwritten words partly unread] first [unread] [ann burden?] [unread] [honest?] [unread]. Sup[er] [cancelled: primo] [inserted: 2do] art[iculo] [contracted expression unread] dicit That [faint words unread] last past what other time howre or day he cannott depose [cancelled word unread] the said p[ar]ties was multiplyinge wordes in the town gait off Stokton even over against this ex[aminate] window at what tyme this ex[aminate] was in his owne dwellinge house workinge at his occupac[i]on / & hard w[i]th the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son [cancelled word unread] say that [unread] anne burdenes [crossed or overwritten word unread] [inserted: the said anne] was sworned / [unread] againe what occasion [unread] said Eliz[abeth] spake theis wordes he this ex[aminate] saith that [faint continuation] burden before & at the same time [unread] the said Eliz[abeth] [faint continuation] & p[re]terea to this art[icle] this ex[aminate] cannott depose. [281v] [damaged top continuation] he saith that [unread] sup[er] [cancelled numeral?] [inserted: 3º?] [partly unread] he never hard any such word[es] as is art[iculate]. [cancelled answer] Sup[er] 4to no credit de ver[um?] for he [partly unread] none [unread] touching the said Eliz[abeth] wordes that [unread] [inserted words unread] [unread] of the said Anne burden [replacement answer] Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] all he [unread] he hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son caull ann burden a hore [faint continuation] any [unread] of her hon[es]ty he referreth [unread] selfe to [unread] [ending faint]. Sup[er] 5to he saith this art[icle] is trewe for the said Eliz[abeth] is of the p[ar]ish of norton & of the jurisdict[i]on of this court. sign[um] [mark] W[illelmi?] [Rawe?]
John Bambridge deposition
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, f.281v middle to lower
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation and modern reading
John [Bambridge?] of the aforesaid Stockton in the same county, [occupation unresolved; possibly fisher], aged [numeral uncertain], a witness produced, admitted and sworn as above [remaining contracted words unread]. He says he has known the parties for [possibly twenty-two] years. The surviving closing Latin concerns relationship by blood or marriage; the complete qualification is unresolved. On the first article, he says that Anne Burden, over [possibly twenty-two] years, is accounted a very honest woman and is so taken and accounted in the town and parish where he lives [short connecting expression unresolved]. On the second article, while coming from the water to his house, he heard the parties quarrelling. Anne Burden called Elizabeth Anderson a whore. Elizabeth answered [the following reply is crossed by lines whose cancellation extent remains uncertain]. The legible portions read “my hordom is known” and include a reference to a husband, “is sworned” and a possible interlined “perjured.” [Connecting words unresolved.] He cannot depose further [precise connection unresolved]. On the third article, he has not heard Elizabeth Anderson say or acknowledge any such words [interlinear wording concerning Anne Burden remains tentative]. On the fourth article, the answer concerns good name and Elizabeth’s words; blackening and uncertain words prevent a reliable complete translation. On the fifth article [short contracted response unread]. The mark of John [Bambrige?].
Original transcription in Latin and English
Joh[ann]es [Bambridge?] de Stokton p[re]d[icto] in eodem com[itatu] [fisher?] etat[is] [xxviij?] annor[um] testis ut sup[ra] product[us] admissus jurat[us] [contracted words unread] he saith that he hath know[n] the p[ar]ties by the space off xxij [numeral tentative] yeres & more he [non?] est consang[uineus] neq[ue] affinis [contracted ending unread]. Sup[er] p[ri]mo he saith that ann Burden [inserted: [unread]] by the space of xxij [numeral tentative] yeres is accompted to be a verie honest woman & so taken & accompted [unread short expression] in the towne & p[ar]ish where he dwelleth. Sup[er] 2do art[iculo] he saith That commynge from the wayter [short beginning uncertain] to his [abbreviation unread] house hard the p[ar]ties chidinge and at that time the said ann burden cauld the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son hore / and the said Eliz[abeth] answered & said [passage crossed by lines; extent of cancellation uncertain] my hordom is known w[i]th [unread] [your?] husband & [overwritten word unread] [husband?] is sworned / and [inserted: p[er]jured?] [unread] & cannott depose. Sup[er] 3º he hath not hard the said Eliz[abeth] and[er]son to [have?] said or acknowledged any suche wordes [interlined: to the said ann burden?]. Sup[er] 4to he saith q[uod] [hir?] good name [blackened words unread] by the said Eliz[abeth] [unread] & [evil?] wordes. Sup[er] 5to [contracted response unread]. sign[um] [mark] Joh[ann]is [bambrige?]
Related act book entry on folio 373 verso
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, f.373v
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation
[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] The female defendant [unread] to respond [?] [unread] lawful or proper person [unread] [name or office unread] [unread] Elizabeth [?] [unread] [unread] for or to [unread] [unread] [two?] [unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [lower lines unresolved].
Latin transcription
[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted words unread] ad respondend[um?] [remaining words unread] legitima p[er]sona [contracted words unread] [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] ad [contracted expression unread] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [duobus?] [remaining words unread] [interlinear or cancelled words unread] [partly legible lower lines unresolved].
Related act book entry on folio 379 recto
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, f.379r
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation
[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] The female defendant [unread] in lawful or proper person [name or office unread] [unread] [proctor?] [unread] [unread] [to be published?] [unread] [unread] [for or to?] [unread] [unread] [May?].
Latin transcription
[Party column] anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] rea [contracted word unread] in legitima p[er]sona [name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] [procuratorem?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [ad?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [maij?].
Related act book entry on folio 387 verso
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, f.387v
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation
[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] [unread] [Gilbert?] [remaining name or office unread] [unread] Anne Burden [unread] [unread] Elizabeth [?] Anderson [unread] [unread] [to be published?] [depositions?] [unread] [unread] [unread].
Latin transcription
[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Elizabeth and[er]son [Main entry] [contracted opening unread] [Gilbertus?] [remaining name or office unread] [contracted line partly unread] anne burden [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] Elizabeth[am?] and[er]son [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [publicandis?] depo[sitionibus?] [remaining words unread] [contracted line partly unread] [contracted line partly unread].
Related act book listing of Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson
Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections, DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, f.405v middle entry
Manuscript transcription with unresolved readings
English translation
[Party column] Anne Burden against Elizabeth Anderson [Main entry] For or to [procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [unread] in person [unread] [unread] [October?] [unread ending].
Latin transcription
[Party column] Anna Burden con[tra] Eliz[abetham?] and[er]son [Main entry] ad [contracted procedural wording unread] [day or numeral unread] [cancelled words unread] [remaining line unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] in p[er]sona [remaining contracted words unread] [partly legible contracted line unread] octob[ris?] [unread ending].
Printed selection in Raine
James Raine, ed., Depositions and Other Ecclesiastical Proceedings from the Courts of Durham, Surtees Society 21 (London: J. B. Nichols and Son, 1845), p.247, no.CCXCIX.
Printed selection from the court record
Original English text
CCXCIX. On the part of Agnes, alias Anne Burden, wife of William Burden, against Elizabeth Anderson, in a cause of Defamation. 17 May, 1572. [C. f. 380.] Thomas Fewler, of Stokton, coteman, alias chapman, aged about 50 years. He saith that, about Candlemas last past, this deponent, being ther nigh neibour, was bringing in two stirks of his from the wayter into his owne house, at what tyme the parties was chidynge, and one of them revilinge the other. And this deponent then hard Elizabeth Anderson caull the said Anne Burden “crowket handyd wytch.” He saith the words was spoken audiently there; ther might many have herd them, beinge spoken so neigh the crose and in the towne gait as they were. Signum + Thomæ Fewler.
About this case and its sources
Reference
Durham University Library, DDR/EJ/CCD/1/2, ff.280v–281v; DDR/EJ/CCA/1/2B, ff.373v,379r,387v,405v
Record dates
17 May 1572; related acts undated in this reading
Source languages
Latin and English
Court
Durham Consistory Court
Case
Defamation concerning witch and whore insults
Parties
Agnes alias Anne Burden, complainant; Elizabeth Anderson, defendant
Witnesses
Thomas Fewler; William Rawe or Rowe [surname provisional]; John Bambridge [surname provisional]
Other named people
William Burden, husband of Agnes Burden
Outcome
Not established by the represented entries
Texts in this edition
Deposition heading, three witnesses, four act-book entries and Raine’s printed selection.
Text status
Manuscript reading with unresolved passages and act dates.
Edition
25 October 2026 · version 1.0
How to cite
Witches in Early Modern England, Agnes alias Anne Burden and Elizabeth Anderson, reading edition, 25 October 2026, section title and source folio or page.
Citations attached to the represented texts; saved repository catalogue information where explicitly identified.