1613), and a satisfactory account is given by
Wright in his _Sorcery and Magic_.
Wright in his _Sorcery and Magic_.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
'
=1. 1. 21 By a Middlesex Iury. = 'A reproof no less severe than
merited. It appears from the records of those times, that many
unfortunate creatures were condemned and executed on charges of the
rediculous nature here enumerated. In many instances, the judge was
well convinced of the innocence of the accused, and laboured to
save them; but such were the gross and barbarous prejudices of the
juries, that they would seldom listen to his recommendations; and
he was deterred from shewing mercy, in the last place by the brutal
ferociousness of the people, _whose teeth were set on edge with't_,
and who clamoured tumultuously for the murder of the accused. '--G.
=1. 1. 32 Lancashire. = This, as Gifford says, 'was the very hot-bed
of witches. ' Fifteen were brought to trial on Aug. 19, 1612, twelve
of whom were convicted and burnt on the day after their trial 'at the
common place of execution near to Lancaster. ' The term 'Lancashire
Witches' is now applied to the beautiful women for which the country
is famed. The details of the Lancaster trial are contained in Potts'
_Discoverie_ (Lond.
1613), and a satisfactory account is given by
Wright in his _Sorcery and Magic_.
=1. 1. 33 or some parts of Northumberland. = The first witch-trial
in Northumberland, so far as I have been able to ascertain,
occurred in 1628. This was the trial of the Witch of Leeplish.
=1. 1. 37 a Vice. = See Introduction, pp. xxxiv f.
=1. 1. 38 To practice there-with any play-fellow. = See variants.
The editors by dropping the hyphen have completely changed the
sense of the passage.
=1. 1. 21 By a Middlesex Iury. = 'A reproof no less severe than
merited. It appears from the records of those times, that many
unfortunate creatures were condemned and executed on charges of the
rediculous nature here enumerated. In many instances, the judge was
well convinced of the innocence of the accused, and laboured to
save them; but such were the gross and barbarous prejudices of the
juries, that they would seldom listen to his recommendations; and
he was deterred from shewing mercy, in the last place by the brutal
ferociousness of the people, _whose teeth were set on edge with't_,
and who clamoured tumultuously for the murder of the accused. '--G.
=1. 1. 32 Lancashire. = This, as Gifford says, 'was the very hot-bed
of witches. ' Fifteen were brought to trial on Aug. 19, 1612, twelve
of whom were convicted and burnt on the day after their trial 'at the
common place of execution near to Lancaster. ' The term 'Lancashire
Witches' is now applied to the beautiful women for which the country
is famed. The details of the Lancaster trial are contained in Potts'
_Discoverie_ (Lond.
1613), and a satisfactory account is given by
Wright in his _Sorcery and Magic_.
=1. 1. 33 or some parts of Northumberland. = The first witch-trial
in Northumberland, so far as I have been able to ascertain,
occurred in 1628. This was the trial of the Witch of Leeplish.
=1. 1. 37 a Vice. = See Introduction, pp. xxxiv f.
=1. 1. 38 To practice there-with any play-fellow. = See variants.
The editors by dropping the hyphen have completely changed the
sense of the passage.
