Jane Kay and Anne Cooke — CP.H.1504
CP.H.1504 · Latin and English
Jane Kay’s libel of defamation
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1504; images 2–3
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Opening: Jane Kay brings a defamation cause against Anne Cooke of Almondbury before the archbishop's spiritual court. [The court style, proctor's name and several preliminary and reservation clauses remain unread and untranslated.] Article 1 pleads Jane Kay's honesty and good reputation in Almondbury and nearby places before the alleged defamation. [Some formula clauses remain unread.] Article 2 places the alleged words within March, April, May, June, July, August, September or October 1621. It alleges that Cooke called Kay a witch and said she bewitched Parkin's wife, who never [unread word; possibly tended] afterwards, adding 'go witch as thou art.' [The complete clause about time alternatives and defamation is not yet translated.] Article 3 alleges subsequent acknowledgment of the words. [Its full text is unresolved.] Article 4 pleads injury to Kay's good name among respectable people and risk of future injury. Article 5 pleads Cooke's Almondbury residence and jurisdiction. Article 6 pleads public voice and fame concerning the foregoing. The prayer seeks lawful correction and costs. [The detailed prayer and several linking clauses remain untranslated. These descriptions do not constitute full translation of the gaps.]
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
In dei nomine Amen. Coram vobis [contracted judicial style] [approximately five lines of the archbishop's vicar-general and principal-official jurisdiction and invocation, partly unread] [causa] procur[ator] et procuratorio nomine discretae mulieris Janae Kay contra dictam Annam Cooke de Almondbury diocesis Ebor [contracted continuation] [remaining seven-line introduction and reservation partly unread]. [Margin subscription:] Wm [surname contracted and unresolved]. 1. Imprimis [contracted formula] Quod dicta Jana Kay fuit et est mulier honesta bonae famae vitae et conversationis integrae et honestae mulieris [several contracted words] absque aliqua diffamatione vel aliquali [unread] [infractors reservation] [unread clause] status sui et esse [unread] [clause alleging good public reputation] in dicta parochia de Almondbury alijsque locis vicinis [contracted ending]. 2. Item [contracted formula] Quod praemissis non obstantibus dicta Anna Cooke [contracted words] malitiose mensibus Martij Aprilis Maij Junij Julij Augusti Septembris et Octobris Anno Domini 1621 [contracted month-range alternatives] infra parochiam de Almondbury diocesis Ebor [contracted neighbouring-place clause] [approximately six lines alleging defamatory utterance against Kay, partly unresolved] haec verba Anglice sequencia seu alia eis in effectu consimilia videlicet the said Anne Cooke called the said Jane Kay witch and said that she Kay bewitched one Parkins wife and that it never [unread word; possibly tended] after and further said unto her the said Jane Kay goe witche as thou arte [contracted continuation] [three closing formula lines partly unread]. 3. Item [contracted formula] Quod post praemissa dicta Anna Cooke coram [contracted witness/reference clause] Janae Kay [unread] [three further lines alleging acknowledgment of the defamatory words, partly unread] [continues image 3 left:] [unread line and inserted marginal/interlinear words concerning acknowledgment]. 4. Item [contracted formula] Quod per praemissa verba clamores [unread] verba diffamatoria status bona fama et opinio ipsius Janae Kay apud bonos et graves viros [unread clause] prius reputata bonae famae et [clause alleging serious injury and future harm, two partly unread lines]. 5. Item [contracted formula] Quod dicta Anna Cooke fuit et est de Almondbury diocesis Ebor ac sic [jurisdiction clause, partly unread]. 6. Item [contracted formula] Quod de et super praemissis [unread contraction] et singulis fuit et est publica vox et fama in dicta parochia de Almondbury diocesis Ebor [unread ending]. Unde facta fide de praemissis quantum de jure sufficit ex parte dictae Janae Kay [unread contracted clause] dictam Annam Cooke pro tanta temeritate sua [prayer continues approximately fifteen lines, for correction and costs, not fully read] [closing reservations and subscription partly unread].
Docket identifying the cause and year
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1504; image 4 left
Modern English reading
Docket: Kay and Cooke, 1622. The repository stamp and pencil shelfmark are later archival marks, not the court’s judgment.
Original English expanded transcription
[contracted docket] Kay & Cooke 1622 [repository stamp and shelfmark pencil, distinguished from original]
Anna Mellor gives evidence on 31 May 1622
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1504; image 4 right
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
31 May 1622: Anna Mellor of Almondbury, about 40, has known Kay [seven, provisional numeral] years and Cooke eight years. Produced, admitted, sworn and examined for Kay against Cooke, before Christopher Holdsworth. She is not examined on article 1 because the defendant admits it. To article 2: About last St Peter the Apostle's feast, at a time she cannot more precisely remember, she came to draw water at a common well in Almondbury town gate. She found Cooke and Kay quarrelling and exchanging angry words. She heard Cooke tell Kay, 'away witch, for thou bewitched Parkin's wife that it never [unread word; possibly tended] after.' [The closing witness-presence insertion is unresolved.] She knows nothing further. To article 3 she knows nothing beyond her previous deposition. To article 4 she refers to the law and knows nothing further. Article 5 is not examined because admitted. To article 6 she affirms her prior evidence and answers credibility questions [the detailed abbreviated clauses about instruction, payment, relationship and hostility remain unresolved].
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
Ultimo die mensis Maij 1622 Chr: Holdsworth Anna Mellor de Almondbury diocesis Ebor aetatis suae xl annorum seu circiter testis super positionibus et articulis libelli [unread contraction] per partem Janae Kay contra Annam Coke exhibitis producta admissa jurata et examinata et primo de notitia partium testis dicit quod novit dictam Janam Kay per [vij; provisional numeral] annos et eandem Annam Coke per octo Annos seu circiter. Super primo articulo non examinata quia pars rea fatetur. Super secundo articulo [contracted] dicit That aboute the feast of St Peter the Apostle now last past (a more certaine tyme she remembreth not) she this examinate Comming to drawe water [altered/insertion:] at a common well in the towne gate of Almondbury articulated found the articulate Anne Coke and Jane Kay chiding together and att angry speaches thone against thother where and [deleted word] when she this examinate did heare the said Anne Coke say unto the said Jane Kay away witche for thou bewitched Parkins wiffe that it never [unread word; possibly tended] after there being [unread contraction] this examinate & the [inserted witness-presence clause partly unread] Et aliter nescit deponere. Super tertio articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam prius deposuit. Super quarto articulo [contracted] dicit quod refert se ad jura Et aliter nescit deponere. Super quinto articulo non examinata quia pars rea fatetur. Super sexto articulo [contracted] dicit Quod praedeposita sua sunt vera et de sua fama laborare [unread contraction] dicit quod non est docta instructa aut salariata [contracted clause] nec Consanguinea aut affinis [contracted clause] nec [contracted clause] inimica [contracted ending].
Hestera Scolefeild gives evidence
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1504; images 4 right–5 left
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Hestera Scolefeild [catalogue Hester Schofield] of Huddersfield, about 21, likewise examined, knows Kay eleven years and Cooke for the same time. Article 1 is admitted, so not examined. Her name is read provisionally from this cause; variant headings in related proceedings are not silently substituted. To article 2: Between Easter and Whitsuntide last, at a time she cannot specify more closely, she stood at Jane Kay's house door in Almondbury. She heard the women quarrelling. Cooke said to Kay, 'go thy way witch as thou art.' Asked by Kay how she was a witch, Cooke replied that Kay bewitched Parkin's wife so that it never [unread word; possibly tended] afterwards. Sara was present with others [inserted names unresolved]. She knows nothing further. To article 3 she knows nothing beyond that. To article 4 she refers to the law. Article 5 is admitted. To article 6 she affirms her testimony and answers the usual credibility questions [contracted text unresolved].
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
Hestera Scolefeild [provisional surname] de Huddersfield diocesis Ebor aetatis suae xxj annorum seu circiter testis ut supra producta [contracted admission/oath words] et primo de notitia partium testis dicit quod novit dictam Janam Kay per undecim annos et Annam Coke per idem tempus bene novit. Chr: Holdsworth Super primo articulo non examinata quia pars rea fatetur. [Image 5 left:] Super secundo articulo [contracted] dicit That betweene Easter and whitsontide now last past (a more certaine tyme she remembreth not) she this examinate being standing in Jane Kayes house doore situate in the towne of Almondbury articulate when this party articulate did heare the said Jane Kay and the articulate Anne Coke att Chiding and angrie wordes together where & when the said Anne Coke (amongst other angrie speaches) said unto the articulate Jane Kay goe thy way witche as thou arte and she the said Jane asking her the said Anne Coke wherein she was a witche she the said Anne replied and said that she had bewitched Parkins wiffe that it never [unread word; possibly tended] after there & then being [unread contraction] this examinate and her contest Sara [inserted surname partly unread] and divers [inserted names partly unread] Et aliter nescit deponere. Super tertio articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam prius deposuit. Super quarto articulo [contracted] dicit quod refert se ad jura Et aliter nescit deponere. Super quinto articulo non examinata quia pars rea fatetur. Super sexto articulo [contracted] dicit Quod praedeposita sua sunt vera et de sua fama laborare [unread contraction] dicit quod non est docta instructa aut salariata [contracted clause] nec Consanguinea aut affinis [contracted clause] nec [contracted clause] inimica [contracted ending].
Sara Williamson alias Kay gives evidence
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1504; image 5
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Sara Williamson alias Kay of Almondbury, about 35, knows Kay from her own childhood and Cooke for the same period. Likewise examined; article 1 admitted. To article 2: Between Easter and Whitsuntide last, at a time she cannot specify more closely, she sat working at her husband's house door in Almondbury. She heard and saw Cooke and Kay exchanging angry speech. Cooke called Kay a witch, saying 'go thy way witch as thou art,' and further that Kay bewitched Parkin's wife so that it never [unread word; possibly tended] afterwards. Kay called on witnesses and asked this witness and others to remember the words. Hester Scolefeild [provisional surname] was present with others. [One verb and a few contracted words remain unresolved.] To article 3 she knows nothing beyond that. To article 4 she refers to the law. Article 5 is admitted. To article 6 she affirms her testimony and answers the credibility questions [contracted clauses remain unresolved].
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
Sara Williamson alias Kay [deleted: contracted word] de Almondbury diocesis Ebor aetatis suae xxxv annorum seu circiter testis ut supra producta [contracted oath words] et primo de notitia partium [contracted words] dicit quod novit dictam Janam Kay a pueritia ipsius deponentis et dictam Annam Coke per idem tempus novit. Chr: Holdsworth Super primo articulo non examinata quia pars rea fatetur. [Image 5 right:] Super secundo articulo [contracted] dicit That betweene Easter and whitsontide now last past (a more certaine tyme she remembreth not) she this examinate being sitting & working att her husbands house doore situate in Almondbury articulate when this party [unread contraction] did heare & see the articulate Jane Kay and Anne Coke having & att angry speaches together where and when the said Anne Coke did call the said Jane Kay witche saying unto her go thy way witche as thou arte and said further that she the said Jane had bewitched Parkins wiffe that it never [unread word; possibly tended] after Upon speaking of which wordes the said Jane Kay tooke witnes & [deleted word, inserted:] desired this examinate unto them & desired her & other witnesses then & there [word uncertain: able?] to remember her wordes then & there being [unread contraction] this examinate & her Contest Hester Scolefeild [provisional surname] with others Et aliter nescit deponere. Super tertio articulo [contracted] dicit Quod nescit deponere aliter quam prius deposuit. Super quarto articulo [contracted] dicit Quod refert se ad jura Et aliter nescit deponere. Super quinto articulo non examinata quia pars rea fatetur. Super sexto articulo [contracted] dicit Quod praedeposita sua sunt vera et de sua fama laborare [unread contraction] dicit quod non est docta instructa aut salariata [contracted clause] nec Consanguinea aut affinis [contracted clause] nec [contracted clause] inimica [contracted ending].
Anne Cooke gives personal answers on 17 May 1622
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1504; image 6 right
English translation
Cooke believes article 1 true, denies article 2, and does not believe herself obliged to answer articles 3 and 4 because they depend on the denied second article. She believes article 5 true. To article 6 she believes what is believed and denies what is denied. She makes her mark. The first article's admission concerns Kay's pleaded reputation; it is not an admission of the defamatory words denied in article 2.
Original Latin expanded transcription
17 Maij 1622 Responsiones personales Annae Cooke factae positionibus et articulis [inserted/contracted words] per partem Janae Kay contra eam exhibitis. Ad primam positionem [contracted response formula] credit eandem esse veram. Ad secundam positionem [contracted response formula] non credit eandem esse veram. Ad tertiam et quartam positiones [contracted response formula] non credit se teneri eisdem respondere quia dependunt ex dicta positione secunda negata. Ad quintam positionem [contracted response formula] credit eandem esse veram. Ad sextam positionem [contracted response formula] credit de creditis et negat de negatis. Signum Anna [mark] Cooke.
About this case and its sources
Reference
CP.H.1504
Repository
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York
Court
York ecclesiastical cause; catalogue court field undefined
Case
Witchcraft defamation
Record dates
17 and 31 May 1622 in represented documents; catalogue range 31 May 1622 only; pleaded months March–October 1621
Surviving material
Two catalogued pieces; six images. Libel, docket, depositions and personal answers. No surviving sentence recorded.
Languages
Latin and English
Parties
Jane Kay [Key; Kay], plaintiff; Anne Cook [Cooke; Coke], defendant, according to catalogue
Other people
Anna Mellor [catalogue Anne Meller], Hestera Scolefeild [catalogue Hester Schofield] and Sara Williamson alias Kay [catalogue Sarah Williamson], witnesses; Chr: Holdsworth, subscription; William, marginal subscriber with unread surname; Parkin and unnamed wife; Sara’s unnamed husband
Outcome
Unknown; no sentence in the collected file
Coverage
Six saved images represent two catalogued pieces. Six paired units cover the libel, docket, three depositions and personal answers. Contracted preliminary clauses, prayer, marginal names and some credibility clauses remain partly unread. The condition word after never is uncertain. No sentence survives in the collected file; no victory, conviction, death or payment is inferred.
Edition
27 October 2026, version 1.0; available-source edition for review
Reading conventions
English precedes the original Latin or mixed-language text. Source spelling is retained. Square brackets mark expansions, uncertainty, cancellations and unread writing; gap descriptions are not manuscript wording. English readings are partial where the underlying clauses remain unread. Image positions are not folios. Allegations, denials and reported testimony remain distinct from findings.
Suggested citation
Jane Kay against Anne Cooke, CP.H.1504, reading edition version 1.0, 27 October 2026; Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York.