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CHAPTER XVII 



Witchcraft — Its extraordinary superstitions — Biblical authorities — Joan 

 of Arc — The Puritans — Henry VIII. — Sir Matthew Hale — Ducking 

 at Castle Hedingham — Ruth Osborne drowned at Gubblecote^ 

 Verdict of murder — Conviction and execution of Colley — Susanna 

 Hannocks at Wingrove weighed against the church Bible — Visit of 

 the Fiery Drake to Aylesbury Gaol — Prognostication before the 

 assizes of death sentences. 



The extraordinary superstitious belief in witchcraft 

 and sorcery is not to be wondered at in Protestant 

 England, when we remember what we read and 

 are taught in our Bibles. For example, in Exodus 

 xxii. 1 8 it is decreed, ' Thou shalt not suffer 

 a witch to live,' and Saul consulted with the witch 

 of Endor 1056 b.c. ; and in 1484 a.d. Pope Innocent 

 VIII. issued a bull against witchcraft, under which 

 it is recorded that of innocent persons a thousand 

 were burnt, and many killed by the tests which 

 were applied. The burning at the stake of Joan 

 of Arc is a horrible instance of this superstitious 

 belief. In 1520, a great number were burnt in 

 France, when one sorcerer admitted having 1,200 

 associates. Between the years 1580 and 1595 

 900 were burnt in Lorraine ; a hundred and fifty- 

 seven were burnt in Wurtzburg, both old and 

 young, learned and ignorant, between 1620 and 

 1627 ; and we are told that one G randier, a priest 



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