Jane Kay and Anne Cooke — CP.H.1506
CP.H.1506 · Latin and English
Anne Cooke answers the additional articles on 17 May 1622
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1506; image 2; image 1 covered duplicate
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Anne Cooke’s personal answers to additional articles brought by Jane Kay, 17 May 1622. [The heading and some linking formulas remain partly unread.] To article 1 she refers to the witnesses' statements and depositions and the answers on those positions; the complete concluding formula is unread. To article 2 she believes Peter Bateman lives at Holmfirth, twenty miles from Almondbury, near the chapel within Kirkburton parish's liberties; otherwise she does not believe the position true. To article 3 she does not believe it true in any respect. To article 4 she believes Richard Wood is her father [the contracted respondent word is provisionally read; a deleted clause remains unread]. To article 5 she believes Thomas Candie lives at Wakefield and attends or is retained by a man described as a justice of the peace [name/style partly unread]. Otherwise she does not believe the position true. To article 6 she refers to the witnesses' depositions [remaining contracted clause unread]. To article 7 she denies the position [the following English qualification about faults, the administered matter and belief remains partly unread and untranslated]. To article 8 she refers to the witnesses' statements and depositions and otherwise disbelieves it. To article 9 she believes what is believed and denies what is denied. Anne Cooke makes her mark.
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
17 Maij 1622 Responsiones personales Annae Cooke super positionibus et articulis alijs in [contracted words] ex parte Janae Kay contra eam data [contracted clause] fiunt. Ad primam positionem [contracted response formula] refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum et ad responsiones super eisdem positionibus factas et aliter [unread words] credit positionem hujus [unread] veram in aliquo. Ad secundam positionem [contracted response formula] credit that Peter Bateman articulated doth dwell at Holmfirth xx myles distant from Almondburie articulated, and neare unto ye Chappell within the liberties of Kirkburton aforesaid [insertion: parish articulated], Et aliter non credit positionem [contracted ending] veram in aliquo. Ad tertiam positionem [contracted response formula] non credit eandem esse veram in aliquo. Ad quartam positionem [contracted response formula] [deleted word] credit that tharte Richard Wood [deleted words] is father of this [respondent?; contracted word] Et aliter non credit positionem hujus esse veram. Ad quintam positionem [contracted response formula] credit that Thomas Candie articulated dwells at Wakefield and is attendant or retainer to one Mr [name/style partly unread] a Justice of Peace Et aliter non credit positionem hujus esse veram. Ad sextam positionem [contracted response formula] refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum [unread contracted clause] [unread clause] et aliter non credit positionem hujus esse veram in aliquo. Ad septimam positionem [contracted response formula] non credit eandem [unread words] that she this parte Anne Cooke should have made anie such [word uncertain] as to the [unresolved word] administred in this cause by the partie of the said Jane Kay articulated yet she this [respondent?] doth [unresolved verb] beleive the same [unresolved word] to be true. Ad octavam positionem [contracted response formula] refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum et [unread word] vera Et aliter non credit positionem hujus esse veram in aliquo. Ad nonam positionem [contracted response formula] credit de creditis et negat de negatis. Signum Anna [mark] Cooke [damaged lower-right docket remnants partly unread; no additional person identified]
Docket identifying the witness papers
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1506; image 3 left
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Docket: Kay and Cooke. The repository stamp and pencil shelfmark are later archival marks, not testimony.
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
[contracted docket] Kay & Cooke [repository stamp and pencil shelfmark, not original testimony]
Anna Mellor gives evidence on 31 May 1622
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1506; images 3 right–4 left
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Anna Mellor of Almondbury, York diocese, about 40, is produced, admitted, sworn and examined on Jane Kay's articles against Anne Cooke. She has known Kay seven years and Cooke eight years. Chr: Holdsworth is subscribed beside the examination. To article 1 she refers to the witnesses' depositions. She knows Richard Wood and Anne Crosland, witnesses in the cause, and believes them unworthy of credit. To article 2 she knows nothing further than the defendant admits. To article 3 she knows nothing to depose. To article 4 she knows Wood as weak in understanding and very hard of hearing, to her knowledge and belief; she has heard him described as ill-behaved and suspected of many misdemeanours. She knows nothing further beyond her earlier deposition and what the defendant admits. To article 5 she knows nothing beyond the defendant's admission. To article 6 she knows nothing beyond that admission and hearsay. To article 7 she adds that Cooke provoked Kay to speak through defamatory words against her. She otherwise refers to earlier testimony and the admission. To article 8: Cooke and Kay were quarrelling in Almondbury town gate. Cooke said, 'away witch, for thou bewitched Parkin's wife that it never [unread word] after.' Kay replied, '[interjection partly unread] thou look more like a witch than I.' The unread word prevents any secure assertion here about the wife's subsequent condition or death. She refers to the depositions and knows nothing further. To article 9 she affirms her prior deposition as true and answers the usual credibility questions [the contracted conclusion is partly unread; the legible clause denies being coached, instructed or paid].
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 allegatorum per partem Janae Kay contra Annam Coke factis et exhibitis producta admissa jurata et examinata et primo de notitia partium testis dicit quod novit dictam Janam Kay per vij annos, et eandem Annam Coke per octo annos seu circiter. Super primo articulo [contracted] dicit Quod refert se ad dicta et Deposita testium articulorum et [unread] vera Et aliter nescit deponere Saving she saith that she this examinate knoweth the articulate Richard Wood and Anne Crosland witnesses produced in this cause as is articulated which persons are not worthey Cred[it] as she beleiveth [partly unread] perswaded. Super secundo articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam pars rea fatetur. Super tertio articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere. Super quarto articulo [contracted] dicit that she this examinate well knoweth the articulate Richard Wood who is a man of weake understanding & very ill of hearing to this examinate best knowledge and as she is veralie perswaded & a man of bad behaviour & vehemently suspected of many misdemeanors of this examinate certaine hearing Et aliter nescit deponere quam prius deposuit Et pars rea fatetur. Super quinto articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam pars rea fatetur. Super sexto articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam pars rea fatetur et ex auditu. Super septimo articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam prius deposuit et pars rea fatetur Saving she saith that the said Anne Cooke did provoke the said Jane Kay to speake by reason of the diffamatorie wordes spoken by the said Anne against the said Jane as is articulated. Super octavo articulo [contracted] dicit That the articulate Anne Cooke & Jane Kay being chiding together in Almondbury towne gate, and the said Anne Coke saying unto the said [image 4 left continues:] Jane Kay away witche for thou bewitched Parkins wyfe that it never [unread word] after, the said Jane Kay replied & said to the said Anne Coke [interjection partly unread] thou lookes more like a witche then I. Et aliter refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et [contracted words] vera Et aliter nescit deponere. [Deleted: an abbreviated heading] Super nono articulo [contracted] dicit Quod praedeposita sua sunt vera et de sua fama laborare [unread contraction] dicit quod non est docta instructa aut salariata [contracted ending] nec Consanguinea aut affinis [contracted words] nec [contracted words] inimica [contracted ending].
Hestera Scolefeild gives evidence on 31 May 1622
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1506; image 4 left–right
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Hestera Scolefeild [surname provisionally read] of Huddersfield, York diocese, about 21, likewise examined, has known Kay eleven years and Cooke for the same time. [The surname is provisionally read; catalogue Hester Schofield.] To article 1 she knows Wood and Crosland as very poor people whom she believes unworthy of credit on oath and of little credit and standing among their neighbours. She refers to the depositions and knows nothing further. To articles 2 and 3 she knows nothing beyond the defendant's admission. To article 4 she regards Wood as weak in understanding and very hard of hearing and has heard of his bad behaviour and suspected misdemeanours. She knows nothing further beyond what the defendant admits. To article 5 she knows nothing beyond the admission. To article 6 she refers to the depositions and knows nothing further; the cancelled preliminary phrase remains unread. To article 7 she says Cooke moved and provoked Kay to speak through slanderous and provoking speech against her. She otherwise refers to the depositions. To article 8 Cooke abused Kay in Almondbury, saying 'go thy way witch as thou art' and accusing her of bewitching Parkin's wife so that it never [unread word] afterwards. Kay replied that Cooke looked more like a witch than she did [the interjection immediately before 'looks' is uncertain]. She refers to the depositions and knows nothing further. To article 9 she affirms her evidence and answers the credibility questions [contracted clauses partly unread; the legible clause denies being coached, instructed or paid].
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
Hestera Scolefeild [surname provisionally read] de Huddersfield diocesis Ebor aetatis suae xxj annorum seu circiter testis ut supra producta [contracted admission/oath/examination words] et primo de notitia partium testis dicit quod novit Janam Kay per undecim Annos et Annam Coke per idem tempus novit. Chr: Holdsworth Super primo articulo [contracted] dicit That she this examinate knoweth the articulate Richard Wood and Anne Crosland witnesses articulated to be very poore persons, not worthey Cred[it] in either of their Oathes of doubtfull Cred[it] & of small Cred[it] & estimation amongst their neighbours as she is veralie perswaded Et aliter refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et [contracted words] vera et aliter nescit deponere. Super secundo et [deleted: quarto] tertio articulis [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam pars rea fatetur. Super quarto articulo [contracted] dicit That she this examinate knoweth the articulate Richard Wood a witnes produced in this cause as is articulate whoe is a man of infirm & weake understanding as she is veralie perswaded and very ill of hearing and one that hath bene accompted of lewd behaviour and vehemently suspected of divers misdemeanours of this examinate certaine hearing Et aliter nescit deponere [unread contraction] quam pars rea fatetur. [image 4 right:] Super quinto articulo [contracted] dicit Quod nescit deponere aliter quam pars rea fatetur. Super sexto articulo [contracted] dicit [deleted words] refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et aliter nescit deponere. Super septimo articulo [contracted] dicit That the said Anne Coke did move & provoke the said Jane Kay to speake & utter some wordes against the said Anne Coke by reason of some slaunderous & provoking speach she the said Anne used & spoke against the said Jane Et aliter refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et aliter nescit deponere. Super octavo articulo [contracted] dicit That tharte Anne Coke abusing the said Jane Kay in Almondbury & saying unto her go thy way witch as thou art and that she had bewitched Parkins wiffe that it never [unread word] after, she the said Jane Kay replied & said but the said Anne Coke god [?thou] lookes more like a witche then I Et aliter refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et [unread] vera et aliter nescit deponere. Super nono articulo [contracted] dicit Quod praedeposita sua sunt vera et de sua fama laborare [unread contraction] dicit quod non est docta instructa aut salariata [contracted ending] nec Consanguinea aut affinis [contracted words] nec [contracted words] inimica [contracted ending].
Sara Williamson alias Kay gives evidence on 31 May 1622
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York, CP.H.1506; images 4 right–5 left
English modern reading and translated Latin formulas
Sara Williamson alias Kay of Almondbury, about 35, knows Jane Kay from childhood and Anne Cooke for the same period. [Some contracted wording remains unread.] To article 1 she knows Wood and Crosland as very poor people of little credit, whom she believes unworthy of credit and without standing among their neighbours, according to what she has heard. One descriptor immediately before 'words' remains uncertain. She refers to the depositions. To articles 2 and 3 she knows nothing. To article 4 she believes Wood weak in understanding and very hard of hearing and otherwise knows nothing beyond her earlier testimony and the defendant's admission. To article 5 she knows nothing beyond that admission. To article 6 she refers to the depositions and knows nothing further. To article 7 Cooke had called Kay a witch and accused her of bewitching Parkin's wife before Kay spoke against Cooke. To article 8 Kay replied that Cooke looked more like a witch than she did [one preceding word unresolved]. She otherwise refers to the depositions and knows nothing further. To article 9 she affirms her deposition and answers the credibility questions [contracted clauses partly unread; the legible clause denies being coached, instructed or paid].
Original Latin and English expanded transcription
Sara Williamson alias Kay de Almondbury diocesis Ebor aetatis suae xxxv annorum seu circiter testis ut supra [contracted admission/oath words] et primo de notitia partium testis dicit quod novit Janam Kay a pueritia [unread contraction] et dictam Annam Coke per idem tempus novit. Chr: Holdsworth Super primo articulo [contracted] dicit That she this examinate doth well know the articulate Richard Wood and Anne Crosland witnesses produced as is articulate whoe are [image 5 left continues:] very poore persons of very litle [insertion:] cred[it] not worthey Cred[it] in [doubtfull?] wordes as she is veralie perswaded and of noe Cred[it] or estimation amongst their neighbours of this examinate certaine hearing Et aliter refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et [unread] vera et aliter nescit deponere. Super secundo et tertio articulis [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere. Super quarto articulo [contracted] dicit that the articulate Richard Wood is a man infirme & weak in his understanding as she this examinate is veralie perswaded and very ill of hearing Et aliter nescit deponere quam prius deposuit et pars rea fatetur. Super quinto articulo [contracted] dicit quod nescit deponere aliter quam pars rea fatetur. Super sexto articulo [contracted] dicit Quod refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et [unread] vera Et aliter nescit deponere. Super septimo articulo [contracted] dicit That before the said Jane Kay gave any speaches to the said Anne Coke she the said Anne Coke had called her witch and charged her that she the said Jane had bewitched one Parkins wiffe Et [unread contraction] refert se ad dicta et deposita testium articulorum Et aliter nescit deponere. Super octavo articulo [contracted] dicit That after the articulate Anne Coke had called the said Jane Kay witche & telling her that she had bewitched one Parkins wiffe, she the said Jane replied & said but she the said Anne Coke god [unread word] lookes more like a witche then I Et aliter refert se ad dicta et Deposita testium articulorum Et [unread] vera et aliter nescit deponere. Super nono articulo [contracted] dicit Quod praedeposita sua sunt vera et de sua fama laborare [unread contraction] dicit quod non est docta instructa aut salariata [contracted ending] nec Consanguinea aut affinis [contracted words] nec [contracted words] inimica [contracted ending].
About this case and its sources
Reference
CP.H.1506
Repository
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York
Court
York ecclesiastical cause; catalogue court undefined
Case
Defamation (witchcraft); personal answers and witness-credit examinations
Record dates
17–31 May 1622; answers 17 May, examinations 31 May
Surviving material
Two catalogued pieces; five saved images. Personal answers, docket and three examinations; no libel or sentence. Image 1 covered duplicate, image 5 right blank.
Languages
Latin and English
Parties
Jane Kay, plaintiff; Anne Cooke [Coke; Coakes], defendant, following catalogue and these article headings
Witnesses
Anna Mellor [catalogue Anne Meller],40, Almondbury; Hestera Scolefeild [provisional; catalogue Hester Schofield],21, Huddersfield; Sara Williamson alias Kay [catalogue Sarah Williamson],35, Almondbury. Challenged or mentioned witnesses: Peter Bateman, Richard Wood, Thomas Candie [catalogue Candy], Anne Crosland [catalogue Crossland]. Catalogue repeats Wood; no second identity inferred.
Other people
Chr: Holdsworth, subscription; Parkin and unnamed wife in reported accusation; justice of the peace whose name remains unread
Outcome
Unknown; no surviving sentence
Coverage
Five saved images represent two catalogued pieces: personal answers, a docket and three witness examinations. Image 1 is a covered duplicate of image 2; image 5 right is blank. Five paired units cover the collected writing. Contracted Latin, deleted words, part of answer 7 and a condition word in reported speech remain unresolved; corresponding English readings are partial. No libel or sentence survives in this file. No witness exclusion, conviction, death or case outcome is established.
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 and Anne Cooke, CP.H.1506, reading edition version 1.0,27 October 2026; Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York.