Family annihilation and satan worshipping policeman H. C Hawley case.

I happened upon this story in an unrelated search in a newspaper archive. I could not find any more info on it apart from this article and a unrelated letter mentioning it:

 

POLICEMAN Devil worshipper obeyed the mandates of Satan; shot wife, killed mother, children and himself.
H. C. Hawley Carried an Image of the Arch Fiend with Him.

Muttered to it in Prayer, and at Last Carried Out Its Bloody Orders.

BOWED DOWN TO AN IDOL
Slew His Aged Mother and His Laughing. Innocent Little Girls.

HIS PATIENT WIFE IS DYING

Long an Ardent Devotee of the Evil Spirit, His Death Reveals the Demoniacal Double Life He Led.

A MAD worshipper of the devil Henry C. Hawley. a policeman of the West Thirtieth street station shot and fatally wounded his wife and killed his mother, two children and himself in their humble home on the top floor of the single apartment house No. 643 Sixth avenue shortly before noon yesterday.

When Hawley's clothing was searched afterward in one of the pockets was found a little red image of the devil with horns, cloven foot, fiery tail, the malicious face and other characteristics of the spirit of evil. Subsequent investigation in the case disclosed that Hawley believed that the devil was the ruling power in the direction of affairs of earth, and it is said that he was a member of a society known as the Devil Worshippers, which has its headquarters in Paris.
Be this as it may, it was known that Hawley worshipped the little red devil, which he carried with him always, with all the sincerity of the heathen bowing before graven idols.

Devil His Guiding Star.
The image to Hawley was typical of the spirit of evil. It was his guiding star. He talked to it as if its ears were human; he prayed to it as if its nature was divine. It directed all his movements and taught him that evil and not goodness and faith is the basis of eternal reward and happiness. He listened to the words which the graven metal lips spoke alone to him and
followed the advice and did whatever he was directed to do.
He was inspired by the malevolent voice of the red devil to waste his life in drinking immoderately, to forsake his loving wife and happy children and court the society of other women, to spend his money for other things than the comforts of home, to follow other courses of evil the bare contemplation of which awakens profound disgust, and finally, as a fitting climax to a woefully misspent life, to end the lives of his whole family and his own life by his own hand.
The innocents had to suffer as well as the follower of the devil as a result of the strange hallucinations of this degenerate, but perhaps it is not so bad as the devil worshipper had wished, for in an old and well thumbed Bible found lying at the side of Hawley's mother's bed this passage was marked, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."



Hid His Evil Doing.
Hawley was appointed a policeman on the recommendation of Commissioner Roosevelt in 1895, and was detailed to the West 35th street police station, where he has since done duty. He performed the routine duties of a policeman as well as the average, and the few complaints made against him were of a trivial character, though it now appears, if the truth were known, that he has violated rules of the department frequently which would have warranted his dismissal. He was born in this city 29 years ago. His father. Henry Hawley, was piano maker in Ninth avenue, and at one [...] was in good circumstances. He ran away from home when a youth and joined the navy. After a short life at sea he came home, was in several stores as clerk and at the time he was appointed a policeman he was a telegraph operator on the elevated railroad. He married Bertha Koholorf January 5,
1891. She was the daughter of a paper manufacturer. They lived in Harlem until Hawley was sent to the West Thirtieth street station. and since then they have been living in the flat on the top floor of No. 643 Sixth avenue. They had three children. Medford, the eldest, a boy, died about two years ago. The other children. Mary-Louisa, five, and Mildred, three years old were the innocent victims of their father's devil worship. Since the death of Hawley's father, several years ago. Mrs. Hawley, a sweet faced old lady with snow white hair, has made her home with her son and her effort by night and by day has been to make her boy give up his evil ways and worship God instead of the devil.

Domestic Life Unhappy.
The domestic life of the family was not happy. It could not have been with a man holding the strange views of Hawley. But in spite of all the cruelties which Hawley heaped upon his wife she was devoted to him heart and soul, and would not listen to the stories which came to her frequently about her husband's double life.Night after night amid Winter's storms and Summer's heat she carried a little basket of food to her husband that he might have a comfortable meal when on duty. And in the lonely hours even when the Tenderloin was quiet this patient little blue-eyed, pretty and loving wife paced the streets with him on his beat and begged him never to do anything which would bring disgrace into their humble home or make their little ones wish they had never known him as their father. If it had not been for the little red devil which came Into Hawley's life about three years ago he might have been a model husband and father, but he could not stem the tide of evil and forgot the duty that he owed to his wife and little ones. She, however, was blind to his every fault and tried to forgive even what she could not forget. As a part of the circumstances which led up to the killing of the family, and showing how completely the red devil dominated his life, something of the double life of Hawley must be told.

His Double Life.
Three years ago, when Hawley became a devotee of the devil, he met Verna Breen, the wife of Daniel J. Breen, a waiter, who lives at No. 130 West 31st street, directly In the rear of the station house. Mrs. Breen confessed to Captain Price yesterday that she had misled Hawley into the belief that she was not married. Kitty and Maud Breen. who are said to be the sisters of Verna live with her. Although living with her husband, who works all night and sleeps in the daytime, Mrs. Breen was known to most, of the tenants in the house as Mrs. Hawley, the wife of Policeman Hawley. Whenever he called upon Mrs. Breen the red devil was always placed upon the mantel near his bed and he always claimed that the graven image kept him from being discovered by the roundsman, who would make a charge against him for being off post, and from being caught in the house by the woman's husband after he learned she was married. It was, indeed, a devilish guardian spirit. Hawley answered the roll call yesterday in the West Thirtieth street station. This was at 6 o'clock. He was detailed for service on the dog watch, which extended from 6 to 8 o'clock, and only during the breakfast hour, which kept him in the station house until 9:15 o'clock. Hawley appeared to be in a very jolly mood during this period. He left the station house about 9:30 o'clock to get breakfast and he should have reported to go on the afternoon tour at 1 o'clock.

Talked to His Evil Spirit.
Hawley did not show any signs that he had been drinking. He had gone only a short distance from the station house, however, when he took the red devil from his pocket and acted as if he were either mad or drunk. He marched into "Silver Dollar" Smith's liquor store, at 31st  and 6th avenue, holding the image in front of him, and talked to it as if it were a thing of life. He ordered drinks for everybody in the place several times, and when the bartender spoke about payment he drew a revolver and threatened to fill everybody full of holes. He was persuaded to leave the place, and then he went to Mrs. Breen's home and dragged her into the street, while her husband was sleeping in a rear bedroom. He took her to a restaurant on 31st street, near Sixth avenue, and they had breakfast. He gave her all the money he had with him. It was nearly 11 o'clock when he left Mrs. Breen. and then he wont alone to a saloon known as "Paddy the Pig's," at Sixth avenue and 36th street, and had several drinks. He talked to the red devil there and flourished his revolver.

His Face Like the Fiend's.
Mrs. Hawley by this time became anxious about her husband's failure to come home to dinner, and went out to look for him. She found him walking in the middle of Sixth avenue, near his home. He was talking to the red devil, and the expression on the face of the image was not more fiendish than the look that came into Hawley's face when his wife took him by the arm and said gently, "Come home, Harry."
He pushed her violently away. She pleaded with him to come home and see little May and Mildred, who were waiting to eat with him. But the red devil was at work. He tried to strike the weeping little woman, and when the bystanders cried "Shame! Shame!" at the man in full police uniform, he tore his shield from his coat and threw it violently into her face. It cut her under the eye, but Hawley did not mind this. He was grinning at the red devil. He did not seem to be so very drunk, and after a time he followed his wife home. The little children kissed him and his white-haired mother helped him off with his coat, while Mrs. Hawley busied herself in getting him something to eat. Owen Gallagher, who lives at No. 329 West 39th street, and works for Lock & Smith, plumbers, at No. 103 West 37th street, saw Hawley in his room from the rear window of the shop and heard him abuse his wife. Mrs. Hawley tried to quiet her husband. She went to him, put her arms around his neck and kissed him. He drove her away with a violent blow in the chest. Mrs. Hawley began to cry. Little Mildred, Just able to toddle, caught hold of Hawley's knee and said:
"Don't scold mamma. Don't make mamma cry.
Good mamma. I love you, papa.
Kiss me."

The Archfiend at Work.
Ah. how the red devil was working! Hawley roughly pushed the loving children away, and they, too, cried with their mother Poor Mrs. Hawley, the grandmother of the weeping children, whose whole heart was wrapped up in them and her boy, lovingly put her arms around his neck, but the kiss she would have given him was stopped by a blow upon her lips, the lips that never spoke but in kindness to him. The broken-hearted mother fell upon her knees and wept in silence with her head resting upon the window sill and her arms around her grandchildren. Hawley, unmindful of the cruel blows he had given to those who loved him. Cocked his feet on the window sill at his mother's head and loaded his revolver, a queer, old-fashioned Colt's, with four barrels. He recently pawned the pistol required to be carried by policemen by the rules of the department and bought the old one. As he handled the weapon the red devil whispered in his ear. and no imp of Hades could relish the suggestion better than he did. Reason, home, happiness, everything fled from his mind as the red devil spoke, and Hawley reached the end of the evil spirit's teachings. He became a fiend incarnate. He jumped up suddenly and little May and Mildred fled in terror through the narrow hall into the front room, facing on Sixth avenue. There are six rooms in the apartment. Two hall rooms, the rear being used as a kitchen, a parlor In the front, dining room in the rear, and between these two bed rooms, opening into a private hall.

Murder at Last.
Hawley in his wild rush to catch the children's upset chairs, tables and everything that he could reach. The children, in the dark bedroom managed to elude their father and May ran back to the kitchen. The workmen in the plumber's shop heard the childrens cries as they had heard them before when Hawley was in an ugly mood. Mrs Hawley picked up Mildred to protect her as Hawley rushed into the kitchen.
There was only murder in his heart and eyes. The red devil had got complete possession of him. He knocked Mildred from her mother's arms, seized the helpless woman by the throat and sent two bullets into her brain. She fell at his feet. The devilish work had only just begun. Mrs. Hawley caught hold of her son and tried to restrain him. Her sixty years of life had enfeebled her so that she was no match for the powerful madman. He pushed her against the wall, and while the mother's lips pleaded for mercy he pulled the trigger again. The old woman fell near Mrs. Hawley. and the blood gushed from a wound in her neck, which fractured her spine and paralyzed the lower part of her body. She still retained her senses and used her dying voice to beg her son not to harm the children.

Red Devil's Work Not Done,
The red devil was still at work. Three shots had been fired from the four barrelled pistol, and Hawley went to the parlor and filled up the empty barrels. This took him several minutes, as the weapon was rusty and the cartridges had to be driven out by force. He had locked the door so that there could be no interference with his work. The grandmother called Mildred to her and the little one sat on the floor near her. Hawley searched for May in the bedrooms and upset everything. When he found her hiding place he dragged her to the dark hall and sent a bullet into her brain just above the eyes. There was no one left then but Mildred. It did not take long for her father to find her. The pretty face of Mildred could not stop the mad fury. He grabbed her by the throat and held her while he fired a bullet into the cluster of curls which hung upon her forehead. He dropped her?r at her grandmother's feet, and her dying moans mingled with those of her sister, mother and grandmother.

Heard Groans of the Dying.
When Mr. Gallagher heard the pistol shots In Hawley's home, after seeing him chase the children, he ran to the street and told Policemen Schottmeyer and Sullivan what had happened. They rushed into the flat house and knocked at the front door of Hawley's apartments.
"What do you want?" said Hawley.
"What are you doing in there?" asked Schottmeyer.
"Oh. I was cleaning my revolver and it exploded. There is no one hurt. I'm a brother policeman."
The groans of the dying victims were heard by policemen.
"Open the door, or I will break it," shouted Schottmeyer.
"I have lost the key," replied Hawley, "and my wife is sick." Schottmeyer waited no longer, he threw his weight against the door and broke the lock. He and Sullivan rushed into the front parlor. They had reached little May's body in the dark hallway, when two more shots from the revolver rang out. Hawley had emptied all the bullets left In the revolver into his brain above the right temple and he was found lying in the kitchen near Mildred. The red devil had finished his work. It was well done. And when the policemen took the image from Hawley's pocket the grin upon the face seemed to become more fiendish in view of the slaughter and agony.
Ambulances were called from Bellevue and the New York Hospital. The women and children were taken to the New York Hospital and Hawley was removed to Bellevue. He died just before the ambulance reached the hospital. The children were dying when Dr. Parker saw them and the little innocent souls, passed from their earthly tenement together shortly before 2 o'clock. The doctors, after examining the terrible wounds in Mrs. Hawley's head said there was not the least ground to hope for recovery. Grandmother Hawley was conscious, but the physicians do not" believe she can recover.

"Rum and Bad Women."
When asked by Policeman Schottmeyer in her home who had shot her and what was the cause she said:
"It was rum and bad women." She supplemented this by an ante-mortem statement to Coroner Hart In the hospital. Here is what the dying woman said:
''My son had been drinking and appeared to be crazy. He shot his wife first. Then he shot me. Then he shot his two children and then shot himself. It occurred near noon to-day."
She died last evening. Mrs. Laura Kinget, of No. 1769 Morris avenue, the only daughter of Mrs. Hawley, stopped at the flat just after the shooting. She had been downtown shopping. She saw her mother in the hospital, and the doctor said that she was dying. "Laura! Laura!" said Mrs. Hawley. "Poor little Mildred. I tried to save her.
How is she?" No one told her that the little girl was dead.
Hawley's body was removed to Winterbottom's undertaking shop at Sixth avenue and 37th street, and later the children were laid beside him in death.
They will be buried in St. Michael's Cemetery where Hawley bought a plot to bury his boy.
The investigation made by Captain Price developed an alarming, lack of discipline in the West Thirtieth street station, and serious charges will be preferred against
Sergeant McDermott and Roundsman McGinley, who was in charge of the reserve section on Wednesday night, for neglect of duty.
Hawley was on duty on Wednesday night until 12 o'clock. Then he reported at the station house, and in accordance with the arrangement of the platoons in that precinct he was on reserve duty. This would keep him in the station house until 6 o’clock  yesterday morning.
But Hawley did not go to bed in the station house with the other men.

(the page here is damaged)
[His] Satan Worship.
At 1[2:40] am. vesterday Hawley aroused
Mrs. […] ordered her to open the doors […] refused. She told Hawley many times before.
That s[…] away from her
to av[…] was furious, and
to pr[…] in the door she
opened […] revolver in his hand.
He […] through a form of worship […] devil before he went to […] to kill Mrs. Breen
befe […] watched him sleep until […] Then she aroused him. […] for roll call in the […]
He went away, saying a prayer to the red devil.
Captain Price is trying to find out how Hawley could get out of the station house without anyone knowing it. He has done this repeatedly it was learned from Mrs.Breen and […] said that other policemen have been in the habit of spending the time elsewhere that they should have spent in bed in the station house. Sergeant McDermott and Roundsman McGinley say that they saw Hawley go upstairs; as if he were going to bed, and they did not see him again until roll call.
“I would like to see the man," said Captain Price, "who could get out of this station house in Inspector Williams's time. I will bet my salary for the rest of my life that no other man will sneak out of this house while I am here. I never saw such a lack of discipline as this, and some one will suffer for it. I was around the precinct until 3 o'clock this morning, and could not personally watch the men." When Mr. Breen, the husband of the woman who encouraged Hawley's visits during his absence, learned what had happened; he packed up his personal effects and sought other quarters.

Source: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83030180/1898-08-12/ed-1/?sp=12&st=text&r=0.386,0.283,0.477,0.8,0

The Essex witches trial part 2.

The confession of Joan Upney of Dagenham, in the county of Essex, who was brought before Sir Henrye Gray Knight, the third of May 1589.

This examinate said, that one Fustian Kirtle, otherwise called Whitecoat, a witch of Barking, came to her house about seven or eight years ago, and gave her a thing like a mole, and told her if she ought anybody any ill will, if she did bid it, it would go clap them.

She said that a mole stayed with her for not more than a year, but it eventually withered away. After that, she gave her another mole and a toad, which she kept for a long time. She has never been without some toads since then until she last left her house. She confessed that she ran away because she heard John Harrold and Richard Foster say she was a witch, and other hurtful words.

She says that one day she left a toad under the doorstep at Harrold's house, and it pinched his wife, sucking her until she died. However, the said Joan Upney never came back to her.

She also mentioned that on another day, a toad crossed her threshold as Richard Foster's wife was passing by, and it went and pinched her but never returned.

She left two other toads at home when she ran away, but they eventually withered away.

She said that her eldest daughter would never want to deal with her toads, but her youngest daughter would handle them and treat them as well as she did.

The examination of Joan Prentice, one of the women of the almshouse of Sible Hedingham, within the said County being taken the 29. of March, in the 31 year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth.

In Primis, this said examinate said and confessed, that about six years last past, between the feasts of all Saints, and the birth of our Lord God, the devil appeared to her in the almshouse house aforesaid about ten o’clock in the night time, being is in the shape and proportion of a dark-colored ferret, with fiery eyes, and the said Examinate being alone in her chamber, and sitting upon a low stool, preparing herself to bedward the ferret standing with his hinder legs upon the ground, and his fore legs settled upon her lap, and setting his fiery eyes upon her eyes, spake and pronounced to her these words follow∣ing, namely: Joan Prentice give me thy soul, to whom this Examinate being greatly amazed, answered and said: In the name of god what art thou The Ferret answered, I am satan, fear me not my coming unto thee is to do thee no hurt but to obtain thy soul, which I must and will have before I depart from thee to whom the said examinate answered and said, that he demanded that of her which is none of hers to give, saying that her soul appertained only unto Jesus Christ, by whose precious blood shedding, it was bought and purchased. To whom the said ferret replied and said, I must then have some of thy blood, which she willingly granting, offered him the forefinger of her left hand, the which the Ferret took into his mouth, and setting his former feet upon that hand, sucked blood therout, in so much that her finger did smart [pain] exceedingly: and the said examinate demanding again of the Ferret what his name was: It answered Bidd. and then presently the said Ferret vanished out of her sight suddenly.

Item, the said examinate saith further, that about one month after, the said ferret came again to her in the night time as she was sitting upon a little stool, preparing herself to bedward, as is above said: Joan wilt thou go to bed, to whom she answered yea that I will by Gods grace, then presently the Ferret leapt up on her lap, and from thence upon to her bosom, and laying his former feet on her left shoulder, sucked blood out of her left cheek, and then he said to her, Joan if thou will have me do anything for the, I am and will be always ready at thy commandment, and thereupon she being a little before fallen out with William Adams his wife of Sible Hedingham aforesaid willed the ferret to spoil her drink which was then in brewing, which he did accordingly.
Also, the said person being examined further states and confesses that the said ferret appeared to her on several occasions, always when she was going to bed. The last time it appeared was about seven weeks ago when, as she was going to bed, the ferret jumped onto her left shoulder and sucked blood from her left cheek. Afterward, it asked her what she wanted it to do. She replied, 'Go to Mr. Glascock's house and nip one of his children named Sara, but do not hurt her.' The next night, the ferret returned to her and informed her that it had done as she commanded, specifically that it had nipped Sara Glascock, and she would die as a result. In response, she exclaimed, 'You villain! What have you done? I told you to nip her just a little, not to hurt her. Have you killed the child?' Upon uttering these words, the ferret disappeared suddenly and has not come to her since.

Item, she affirms that the reason why she instructed her ferret to bite the mentioned child was that she had been at Mr. Glascock's house the day before, seeking his charity. One of his female servants informed her that both her master and mistress were not at home, and thus, asked her to be patient for that moment. As a result, the person being examined left feeling greatly dissatisfied. That night, she sent her ferret to bite the child, as mentioned above.

She says and affirms that whenever she wanted her ferret to do something for her, she used these words: "Bidd, Bidd, Bidd, come Bidd, come bidd, come bidd, come suck, come suck, come suck." Upon uttering these words, the ferret would promptly appear as mentioned before, suck blood from her left cheek, and then carry out any mischief she commanded or wished it to do to or against any of her neighbors.

Finally, the said person being examined says and confesses that one Elizabeth Whale, the wife of Michael Whale, a laborer from Henningham Sibble, and Elizabeth Mott, the wife of John Mott, a cobbler from the same town, are equally familiar with her way of commanding the ferret. However, she does not know if they or any of them have caused harm to any of their neighbors.

When their indictments were read and their examinations were conducted, they tried to find ways to prolong their lives. To strengthen the case, several witnesses were brought forward to testify against them. The judge presiding over the circuit, with great foresight, wisely called in the two illegitimate children mentioned earlier and questioned them intensely to ensure they told the truth about their grandmother and mothers, which they did. Along with the depositions of other witnesses, the children provided enough evidence to support the indictments.

The jury found these wicked women guilty of murdering men, women, and children, and of committing various wicked and horrifying acts on multiple occasions. Consequently, the judge proceeded to pronounce the death sentence upon them, as they truly deserved.

After receiving their judgments, they were taken back to the prison, where they stayed for about two hours before the officers prepared to lead them to the place of execution. Upon arriving at the execution site, a learned divine named Mr. Ward, at the request of the justices, exhorted these wicked women to repentance. He urged them to confess the truth of their wicked deeds and to pray to God with penitent hearts, seeking mercy and pardon for their sins. They said a few prayers after the preacher, acknowledging that they deserved to die for their wicked actions, and they faced their deaths with patience.
It is worth noting that Mother Upney, experiencing inner remorse and conscience pricking, cried out that she had grievously sinned and that the devil had deceived her, repeating it twice. Yet, through the influence of God's spirit working within her and Mr. Ward's efforts, she appeared genuinely remorseful for her actions and died in a penitent state. She sought forgiveness from God and the world until her last breath, acknowledging her wicked and detestable life.
Fin

The Essex witches trials part 1.

The arraignment and execution of Joan Cunny of Stysted in the County of Essex widow, of the age of fourscore years, or thereabouts, who was brought before Anthony Mildmay Esquire, the last day of March. 1589.

Illustration of the three witches and the familiars Jack and Jill.

 

In primis, this examinate saith and confessed, that she hath knowledge and can do the most detestable Art of Witchcraft, and that she learned this her knowledge in the same, of one mother Humfrye of Maplested, who told her that she must kneel down upon her knees, and make a circle on the ground, and pray to Satan the chief of the devils, the form of which prayer that she then taught her (These spirits belonging to this witch, did suck, commonly upon a sore leg which this mother Cunny had), this examinate hath now forgotten, and that then the spirits would come unto her, the which she put in practise about twenty years since, in the Field of John Wiseman of Stysted Gentleman, called Cowfenne field, and there making a circle as she was taught, and kneeling on her knees, said the prayer now forgotten, and invocating upon Satan. Two Sprites did appear to her within the said circle, in the similitude and likeness of two black frogs,(She had four principal spirits. The first was Jack. The second was Jill. The third was Nicholas. The fourth was Ned.) and there demanded of her what she would have, being ready to do for her what she would desire, so she would promise to give them her soul for their travail, for otherwise: they would do nothing for her. Whereupon she did promise them her soul, and then they concluded with her so as to do for her what she would require, and gave themselves several names, that is to say, the one Jack, and the other Jill, by the names she always did after calling them. And then taking them up, she carried them home in her lap and put them in a box and gave them white bread and milk (Jack killed mankind. Jill killed womenkind. Nicholas killed horses. Ned killed cattle)

And within one month she sent them to milk Hurrells beasts, which they did, and they would bring milk for their own eating and not for her.

And further, she said that her sprites never changed their colour since they first came unto her, and that they would familiarly talke with her, when she had anything to say or do with them in her own language.

And likewise she confessed that she sent her said spirits to hurt the wife of John Sparrow the elder, of Stysted, which they did, and also that where Maister John Glascock of Stysted, aforesaid had a great stack of logs in his yard, she by her said Spirits did overthrow them.

And further, faith that she hath hurt diverse persons within this sixteen or twenty years, but how many she now knoweth not.

Furthermore, she confessed that she sent her sprites unto William Unglee of Stysted Miller, and because they could not hurt him, she sent them to hurt one Barnabie Griffyn, his man, which they did. Likewise she confessed, that she sent her saide sprites, to hurt Master Kitchin Minister of the saide town, and also unto one George Coe of the said town shoemaker, to hurt him likewise: but they could not, and the cause why they could not, as the said sprites told her, was because they had at their coming a strong faith in God, and had invocated and called upon him, that they could do them no harm.

And further she saith, that Margaret Cunny, her Daughter, did fall out with Father Hurrill, and gave him cursed speeches, and thereupon, she thought she sent her spirits to her.

Also she does utterly deny that she sent her said spirits to Finches wife, Deuenishes wife, and Renold Ferror or any of them to hurt them.

And being further examined, she confessed that although her said spirits at some time can have no power to hurt men, yet they may have power to hurt their cattle.

This Joane Cunny, living very lewdly, having two lewd daughters, no better than naughty packs, had two bastard children being both boys, these two children were chief witnesses, and gave in great evidence against their Grandma and Mothers, the eldest being about 10. or 12. years of age.

Against this Mother Cunny the elder boy gave in this evidence which she herself after confessed, that she going to Braintye Market, came to one Harry Finches house, to demand some drink, his wife being busy and a brewing, told her she had no leisure to give her any. Then Joane Cunnye went away discontented: and at night Finches wife was grievously taken in her head, and the next day in her side, and so continued in most horrible pain for the space of a week, and then died.

Mother Cunnye confessed that she sent her spirit Jill to torment her.

The same boy confessed that he was commanded by his Grandmother to fetch a burden of wood, which he gathered, but another boy stole it from him, and he came home without: and told his Grandma: and she commanded her sprite to prick the same boy in the foot which was done and the same boy came to the barre lame and gave evidence against her.

Again the same boy confessed that his Grandma when he had lost his wood, said she would have wood enough: and asked him to go into Sir Edward Huddlestones ground being high Sheriff of the Sheere, and to take with him Jack the sprite, and so he did, who went unseen to anybody but to the boy, and when they came to a mighty Oak-tree, the spirit went about it, and presently the tree blew up by the roots and no wind at all stirring at this time: which Master high Sheriff acknowledged to be blown down in a great calm.

16th century true crime part 4.

Eleven or twelve Danish gentlemen being in talks together one evening in a stove, fell to some hot words among themselves, which at length grew to such terms, that the candles suddenly were put out, and one of them was stabbed with a poignard and killed. Amongst those gentlemen was a Pursuant of the King’s. Now the murderer was unknown, by reason of the number, although the gentlemen accused the pursuant for it, but the King would not believe them, saying they had conspired against his servant. In this perplexity the King caused them to come altogether into the stove, and standing round about the dead corpse, he commanded that they should one after another lay there right hand on the slain gentleman’s naked breast, swearing they had not killed him. The Gentlemen did so, and no signs appeared to witness against them. The Pursuant only remained who condemned before in his own conscience, went first of all and kissed the dead Mans feet but as soon as he laid his hand on his breast the blood gushed forth in great abundance, both out of his wound and nostrils: so that urged by this evident accusation, he confessed the murder, and by the Kings own sentence was incontinently beheaded. HENRY RANSOVIVS Lieutenant for the King of Denmark in the duchy of Holstein makes this relation in a letter of his that is now in print: and farther adds, that the King his master reported this history to him, and to Ulric his son in law Duke of Mecklenburg with these words: Some of the gentlemen accused of this murder are still living, this first day of July 1591. And how that ever since the execution of the Pursuant, King Christian II Permitted that over al his Kingdom unknown murders should be sought out after that manner.

King Christian II of Denmark.

I will add another example (saith he) in the same letter written to David Chytreus which happened at Itzehoe in Denmark in my Father’s time. A traveller was murdered by the high way side and because the murderer could not be found out, the magistrates of Itzehoe made the body to be taken up, and an hand to be cut of, which was carried into the prison of the town, and hung up by a string in one of the chambers. About ten years after, the murderer coming upon some occasion into the prison, the hand which had bene a long time dry began to drop blood on the table that stood underneath it. The lawyer beholding so extraordinary a thing stayed the fellow, and adverty said the magistrates of it, who examining him in the presence of my Father, the murderer giving glory to God, confessed the murder which he had committed so many years before, and submitted himself to the rigour of the law which was inflicted on him as he well deserved.

Jerome Magius, a learned philosopher, discusses various accidents in Chapter 6 of his Complaints. After quoting both ancient and modern authors who have written about this subject and presenting all that he believes is necessary for this discussion, he finally concludes that the revelations of murders are miraculous. The authors he cites include Homer in Book 17 of the Iliad, where he speaks of the dead body of Euphorbas in the presence of Menelaus, who had killed him. He also mentions the poet Lucretius in Book 4 with the verse 'Nanque homines ploerun{que} cadunt in vulnus,' and Thaddeus the Florentine in his explanations on Joannitius Isagoge, Henry de Gand in his Quodlibets, Giles of Rome in Question 25 of the 5th Quodlibet, John Muiror on the 4th book of Sentences, Distinction 25, Question 14.
Furthermore, he refers to the author of the book titled 'Peregrinarum quaestionum' in the 3rd Decade, Question 6; Marsilius Ficinus in the 16th book of 'The Immortality of Souls,' Chapter 5; Gale of Martius in Chapter 22 of his book 'De doctrina promiscua'; John Langius, a physician, in his 40th Epistle; Levin Lemnius in Book 2 of 'The Miracles of Nature,' Chapter 7; Gaudence Mevula in the 4 books of 'Memorable Things,' Chapter 18; Paris de Puteo in the treatise of Judges, specifically on the word 'Tortura'; Hippolito Marsillo in his practice, in paragraph Diligenter, number 81; Mark Anthony Blanc in the Commentary on the Law, Final number 408, F. de questionibus; Ludovic Carera in the beginning of his practice, number 140, and Francis Jason in the treatise of Judgements and Tortures.

In the town of Tübingen, a certain traveller coming into an inn, and talking at table of the journey he had to go, asked the host of the house if he knew of any that went his way, because he was afraid he should not hit it whereupon another guest that sat at table with him, said, how he was going to the place he spoke of, and knew all the ways of the forrest through which they were to pass. Travelling together in the wood the latter thinking to make some great purchase fell upon the other and killed him. But finding little about him, he returned heavy and sighing to the same inn from whence they parted. Presently after, the bruit [rumour] went of a man that was found murdered in the forest. And because the murderer discovered himself sufficiently by his sighs, he was apprehended and being examined, confessed the fact, for the which he was put to death. PH. LONICER in his •…heater of Examples.

A murderer that had killed divers men and certain women with child, going on Easter-Eve to the Town of Winshein [Bad Windsheim] in Germany, bought three calves heads of a butcher in the shambles, which he put into a net made like a bag, and laying them on his shoulder went his way homeward. Whereupon it seemed to all that met him in the street that they were mens heads which he carried in the net, so that divers ran and advertised the Magistrates of it, who straight way sent some of their Sergeants, and commanded them to apprehend him and bring him before them. Being come and examined where he had those mens heads? he answered that he had bought them of a butcher in the open shambles. The Butcher was sent for, who affirmed that those which he sold him were calf heads and no other. The Magistrates amazed with this prodigy sent the buyer to prison: where going to be tortured, he confessed his murders: which was no sooner done but presently the three heads taken out of the net returned to their former shape, and the murderer was executed according to his demerits. The same.

A learned Divine of our time recites such another History as that of Ibicus. For he saith that a German travelling a journey fell among thieves, who going to cut his throat, the poor man spied a flight of crows and said,
O Crowes I take you for witnesses and revengers of my death. He had no sooner said so but he was murdered by the thieves; who drinking two or three days after in an inn, a company of crows came and lighted on the top of the house. Whereupon the thieves began to laugh and say one to an other, look yonder are they that must revenge his death whom we dispatched the other day. The Tapster overhearing them told his Master, who reported it to the Magistrate. He presently commanded them to be apprehended, and upon their disagreeing in speeches and contrary answers urged them so far that the confessed the truth, whereupon ensued their execution. In the collection of the memorable speeches of this divine.

A Gentleman of Chalence in Fossigry being in h[… ]Duke of Savoy’s army in September the […]  158[…] and g[…] seeing to behold the cruelties which war the poor inhabitants of the Bailiwick of Ge[…] resolved to depart from the said army. Now because there was no safer nor nearer way for him then to crosse the lake to Bonne [probably Bonn in Switzerland], which might very well be performed in three hours at the most (whereas he should have been a day and a half going by the bridge of Chancy and that with danger) he went to one of his acquaintance named John Villain of the village of Thaney [Tannay] in the Bailiwick of Nyon [part of the Swiss canton of Vaud], hard by the town of Coppet, and desired him to help him to some that would carry him over the lake. Villain went along with him to Coppet, where one of the best of the towne had the Gentleman to a tavern, and there it was agreed that two watermen of the place, which were present, should carry him over. Wherupon he went back to Thaney for his horse, apparel and other things. Being returned and in the boat crossing the lake, the said watermen, whereof the chiefest was called Martin Bourry, fell upon him and cut his throat. Villain understanding it and complaining of so cruel a treachery, was answered, that it was an enemy who they had dispatched. The murderer fearing to be called in question about it, to prevent the matter made a present of the gentleman’s horse which was of great value to a certain master and kept the rest to himself. insomuch that the murder was never spoken afterward, neither dared Villain use many words about it, for fear of himself. But God would not leave it so unpunished. For about the 15 of July 1591. this Bourry going with divers others of Coppet to shoot for a wager, as he was charging the arquebus which he had robbed the Gentleman of when he murdered him, it suddenly discharged of itself and shot the murderer through the heart, so that he fell down stark dead, and never stirred nor spoke a word. This relation I received from Villains own mouth.

In the first troubles a Gentleman of the troops which besieged Moulins in Burbonnois was taken sick in such sort that he could not follow his company when they dislodged: and lying at a baker’s house called John Mon which professed much friendship and kindness to him, he put such confidence in him, that he stayed behind the rest, having showed his host the money that he had, who promised to defend him from all men, together with a little brother of his some 13 or 14 years old. But so far was this wretch from keeping his promise, that contrarily as soon as it was night, he trained them forth of doors, and most wickedly murdered them. Now mark how God revenged it it happened not long after that the murderer being in sentinel, one of his fellows not thinking of it, short him through the arm with an arquebus whereof he languished the space of 3. months, and then died stark mad.
Historie of France vnder CHARLES the 9.

The town of Bourges being yielded by Mons. d'Tuoy during the first troubles, those that held it before were inhibited from talking together either within or without the town, or from being about two together at a time. Amongst them that took pleasure (under colour of this ordinance) to murder such as they met talking together, there was one named Garget captain of the Bourbon quarter, which made a common practise of it, who shortly after taken with a burning fever ran up and down the streets, blaspheming the name of God, calling upon the devil, and crying out, if any one would go along with him to hell, he would pay his charges, and so died in desperate and frantic manner. In the same History.

Peter Martin, one of the queries of the King’s stable, and Postmaster at a place called Liege in the way towards Poitou, upon a slight accusation, without either from or manner of process was condemned by a Lord to be drowned. This Lord commanded one of his falconers to go and execute this sentence upon pain to be drowned himself. Whereupon he performed it: but God deferred not the revenge thereof long, for within three days after, this falconer and a lackey falling out about the good mans apparel went into the field and slew one another. Which being reported to the Lord (a most unrighteous judge) it compelled him to have some remorse, and to say openly, that he would it had cost him five hundred crowns, the poor Query had not been drowned. But it was too little, for to value the life of an innocent man at. In the same historie, book. 7.

Certaine troupes of Peasants of Coulours, Ceresiers, and other places in Champagne, having committed many murders and spoyles in sundrye places, were heer and there defeated and came very near al of them to violent ends during the first troubles. I will note two notable particularities here touching two of those troops One going to set fire on a house, fell down stark dead, being killed with the shot of an arquebus unadvisedly discharged by one of his fellows. Another dragging a poor man and his wife to a post for to have them shot to death, received also a shot from an arquebus which took away his life and so his prisoners escaped. In the same book. It hath been observed in the history of France since the year of our Lord God 1560. Till the last peace, that of a thousand murderers which remained unpunished in regard of men, not ten of them escaped the hands of God, but made most wretched ends: as shall be seen in the books following.

16th century true crime part 3.

Murders discovered by strange means, and punished.

Master Emery Bigot, the King's Attorney in the Parliament of Rouen, recounted the history following to me, with the names and surnames of the persons, which I have altogether forgotten, only the substance of the matter remains in my head. There was a Lucquois merchant, who having lived in England a long time, and desiring to end his days amongst his friends, requested them by letters to provide him a house, for that he meant to see them within six months at the farthest. About the same time he parts from England, followed by a servant of his a, Frenchman, with all his papers and obligations, and comes to the City of Rouen, where after he had made a little stay, he takes his way for Paris but being on the mountain near to Argentueil, his man, favored by the rain and foul weather that was at that time, murdered him, and threw his body into the vignes [vineyards]. As this was happening, a blind man came by, led by his dog, and hearing one groan, asked who it was? where to the murderer answered, that it was a sick man going to ease himself. The blind man went his way and the servant with his master’s money and papers gets him to Paris where he takes up a good round sum upon his master's bills and obligations: this merchant is expected at Luca a whole year together, and seeing that he came not, a fellow was dispatched away expressly to seek him out; coming to London he understood the time of his departure, and that he was bound for Rouen; there also in one of the ins he was told that about 6 months before a Lucquois merchant had lived there, and was gone to Paris. After that enquiry he made, he was never the nearer, nor by any means could hear any tidings of that he sought. Whereupon he complained to the Court of Parliament at Rouen, which began to embrace this affair, commanding the Lieutenant criminal to make diligent search within the City and Monsieur Bigot without. The first thing the Justice did, was to will one of his officers to enquire up and down the town whether there were any men that were within 7 or 8 months before had set up a new shop. The fellow failed not in his charge, but returning says he met with one, of whom having learned the name, the justice supposed an obligation, where by this new merchant binds himself body and goods to pay the sum of 200 crowns within a certain time, and by virtue thereof, being wild to pay the money, he answered that the bond was forged, for he owed no such debt. The Sergeant, taking this answer for a refusal, arrested him. and as they went along together, the merchant happened to tell him that he would answer this well enough: but is there no other matter said he? The Sergeant goes and reports how all had past to the Justice, who taking hold of those words, whither there were no other matter, commanded the prisoner to be brought before him: being come, he made the room to be voided, and with gentle speech told him, that he had sent away the rest, because he meant to deal kindly with him: that in truth he had caused him to bee arrested upon a supposed obligation, but that there was another matter in the wind. For he knew for certain, that the murder of the Luequois was committed by him, and thereof good proof was to be made, how-be-it he desired not to take any rigorous course: that the dead man was a stranger, altogether without friends, and therefore it was an easy matter to bury all things in oblivion, so that the prisoner would be wise, and do that which was fitting for himself. All this was spoken in such a fashion, as if the Justice had gone about to draw money from him. Herewith the prisoner solicited partly by the remorse of his conscience, partly by the hope he had to clear himself by a bride, answered the Judge, that herein appeared the very hand of God, seeing there was no other witness but himself, and yet the matter was come to light, and that upon the promise which had been made him, he would freely confess the truth. Thereupon the judge thinking he had got his desire, sent one for the Register. In the meantime the prisoner perceiving he had played the fool, when the judge would have had him confess the murder, he began to change his copy, and maintained that all this proceeding was full of slander and falsehood. The Justice, being somewhat frustrated by his hope, sends the merchant to prison, in expectation of more ample proof. But having had conference with other prisoners, who are craft masters in such affairs, he appealed from his imprisonment, and s[...]es both the Sergeant and the Justice. I leave you to think whether the cause was without appearance of reason. Forgery is objected against the obligation, and there needs no proof, for it is confessed. And indeed the Justice went directly to the Parliament, where he discoursed at large how all things had been carried. The Court, being well assured of the honesty of the Justice, suspended the course of this suit for a time. In the meantime Monsieur Bigot had incharge, to make enquiry all the way between Rouen and Paris, to see if he could come by any notice of the matter: which he executed with all diligence. At length passing by Argentueil, the bailiff told him, how not long before, they had found a dead carcass in the vines, half eaten by dogs and crows. Therewith came the blind man begging to the inn where Bigot lay, and understanding the perplexity they were in, told them all that he had heard about the same time on the mountain. Bigot asked him, whether he could know the voice again? The other answered that he thought he should. Whereupon he set him up on a horse behind another, and rode away with him to Rouen, where being alighted, and having given an acceptance of his commision, the Court determined to hear what the blind man could say, and after to confront him with the prisoner. He had then discoursed at full all that past in his hearing on the mountain, and the answer that was returned to him, being demanded, whether he could know the voice again? He replied that he did not think but he could. Therwith they showed him the prisoner from afar, and asked him, when the blind man was gone, whether he could take any exception against him. God knows what a case he was in then. For he said that there had never been such devices practiced to impeach the innocency of an honest man, as there had been against him. First the Justice by virtue of a false obligation to lay him in prison: then to make him believe how he had confessed that which never did: and last of all, to bring in a blind man for a witness against him, why it was past all rules of common sense.

Notwithstanding that, the Court seeing he had nothing else to say against him, caused 20 men to speak one after another, and still as they spoke, the blind man was asked whether he knew their voices, where he replied that it was none of them. At last when the prisoner had spoken, the blind man said that it was he who answered him on the mountain. The same confusion of voices having been two or three times reiterated, the blind man hit always on the right, and never missed. Take all the accidents of this process severally, and you shall find many that make for the prisoner. But when you have thoroughly considered the contrary, there are a number of circumstances which make against him: a new citizen which had set up a new shop a little after the Lucquois disappearing, the honesty of the Lieutenant known to all men, the deposition by him and the Sergeant made: but especially the miraculous encounter of the blind man, who was both at the murder, as afterward in the inn where Bigot lay: and finally that without any fraud he had discerned the murderers voice from many others. All these things duly weighed, were the cause of the wretched man's condemnation: who before he was executed, confessed all, to the discharge of the Judges consciences. E. PASQVIER in 5. booke des Recerches of France. Chap. 20.

Saint Oportunes church.

On Christmas eve 1551 a certain fellow brained a young woman with a hammer, hard by Saint Oportunes Church in Paris, as she was going to midnight mass, and took away her rings. The hammer was stolen the same evening from a poor smith thereby, who therefore suspected of the murder, was very cruelly handled, and put to an extraordinary kind of torture, by reason of the violent presumptions that made against him. In such a sort that he was quite lamed, and deprived of the means to get his living, where-by reduced into extreme poverty, he made a miserable end.

The murderer remained almost 20 years unknown, and the memory of the murder seemed to be buried with the poor woman in her grave. Now mark how it came out at length, though it was long first. John Flameng Sergeant of the subsidies at Paris, that was afterward chief usher in the Court of Aids, being one day in the Summer at Saint Leups, a village by Montmorency, whether he was sent to sit upon a commission, chanced among other talk at supper, to say before certain of the place, how he had left his wife at home sick, and nobody with her but a little boy. There was an old man then present named Moustier, and a son in-law of his: who immediately upon this speech went away that night, with each of them a basket of cherries, and a green goose [young tender goose], and came about ten of the clock the next morning to Flameng’s house: where knocking, the woman looked out at the window, and asked who it was. They answered that her husband had sent her a green goose, and a basket or two of cherries, whereupon the door being opened to them by the boy, they clapped it too again, and cut his throat. The poor child struggling with them, the woman heard the noise, and stepped out into a gallery joining to her chamber, to see what it was, where perceiving a stream of blood in the yard, one of them told her that it was the blood of the goose: In the meantime the other ran up the stairs thinking to surprise her. She distrusting the truth of the matter, got back again into her chamber, bolted the door within

and cried out of the window for help saying there were thieves in her house. The two wretches, seeing they had failed of their purpose, would have got away, but going to unlock the gate, they broke the key in the lock. So having no means to escape, they went to hide themselves. The youngest climbed up into the funnel of a chimney, the old man covered himself into the bottom of a cellar. There-with the neighbors came running to the house, and breaking open the dore, found the boy lying dead in the yard, where-upon they sought up and down every corner for the murderers; he in the chimney was taken first, and the other after long search was found in the well of the cellar with nothing but his nose above water. They were straight away carried to prison, and shortly after arraigned and condemned to death. Being on the scaffold at the place of execution, the old man desired to speak with the smith’s widow, of whom mention was made at the beginning. When she came he asked her forgiveness, and told her it was he that killed the young woman by St Oportunes Church. This confession of his being committed to record, they were executed as they deserved. E. PASQVIER in the same book and Chapter.

Of giants.

In the year 1511, at an assembly of the states in Augsburg, the Emperor Maximilian I was presented with a man of an extraordinary height and size. This man could devour a whole sheep or calf in a few mouthfuls without any hesitation, whether it was roasted or raw. He claimed that it only sharpened his appetite. This incident was recorded by Surius in his Commentary of the memorable things of our time.

Joachim II elector of Brandenburg

Joachim II, Elector of Brandenburg, had a peasant in his court humorously called Little Michel, for he stood eight feet tall, which is considered quite tall in our time but small compared to giants from ancient times, like Goliath and others from Judea. This account was mentioned by Matthaeus Horst in his collection of the combat between David and Goliath.

I once saw a young maiden of giant-like stature who was taken from town to town as a prodigious sight. People gave her gifts as she was exhibited, and her mother, who accompanied her, received the offerings. She stayed in a rented chamber, allowing people to admire her. Curious, I inquired about her background and learned from both the maiden and her mother (who was of average height) that no one else in their family had extraordinary height. Until the age of twelve, the girl was quite small, but during a bout of quartan ague (a type of malaria) that lasted several months, she began to grow, and all her body parts proportionally increased in size. When I saw her, she was around twenty-five years old, and there was no disproportionate feature from head to foot. At this age, she had not yet experienced her monthly cycle, as nature seemed to regulate her bodily functions to sustain such a large body. She was healthy but not particularly attractive, with dark skin and a simple, sturdy build. Her vital energies, originally meant for an ordinary-sized body, had dispersed throughout her massive frame, making her movements heavy. As for the causes of her extraordinary growth due to the quartan ague, I will leave the medical experts to discuss and not engage in speculation. In summary, when a person between twelve and twenty years old undergoes significant growth due to illness, doubling in height compared to others, we must admit that nature's power is extraordinary and admirable.

This account is drawn from Marcellus Donatus, a learned physician, who discusses the causes of giant-like height as his profession requires.

King Louis XII

After the victory at the Battle of Lode, King Louis XII went to Milan, where I found a young man in the hospital. He was so tall that he couldn't stand upright, lacking sufficient nourishment to support his bulky body and powerful limbs. They had to lay him on two beds joined together to accommodate his length.

The Samogitians, living between Prussia and Livonia, are known for their great height. However, sometimes they produce children who are of small stature, while at other times, they give birth to exceptionally tall individuals.

In 1571, a giant was seen in Paris, and people rushed to catch a glimpse of him. He kept himself hidden in an inn, and one could only see him by paying for the opportunity. When people entered his chamber, they were amazed to find a man of remarkable height sitting in a chair. But their wonder grew when he stood up, and his head touched the chamber's high ceiling. He was believed to be a Polish or a Transylvanian. The giant had a wife who was also incredibly large and very fat, although much shorter than him. They had a young son who was expected to become almost as tall as his father.

At the West-Indies (discovered some hundred years since), many giants have been seen, as recorded by those who have written their histories. Near the Antarctic Pole, there are some found, standing at a height of ten or twelve feet [3-3.5m]. Similarly, on the Island of Sumatra (or Taprobane) in the East-Indies, such giants have been observed. The same author reported these accounts.

The "king" of China in 1555 Jiajing Emperor.

 

In his letters where he discusses the affairs of China, Melchior Nunez reports that in the chief city called Paguin, the porters are fifteen feet tall. In other letters written in the year 1555, he asserts that the King of China employs and feeds five hundred such men as archers in his guard. Simon Maiolus also mentions this in his Canicular days.

In a great temple in Valencia, a man's eye-tooth was seen, larger than a fist, as reported by Ludovicus Vives. Other travelers and historians have also mentioned seeing such large teeth, but since they likely belonged to people who lived many ages before, we won't dwell on this further.

In our time, among the archers of the deceased King of Navarre, there was a man from Béarn of such tall stature that he equaled his master's height when mounted on a great horse, surpassing the tallest men in the country by a head and shoulders. On the other hand, there was a man called "the great Smith" in Paris, who was very tall compared to many of average height.

Antonie Pigafet, a renowned traveller of his time, claimed to have seen a giant near the Antarctic pole whom other tall men did not reach above his navel. There were also accounts of individuals beyond the Strait of Magellan with necks a cubit long and the rest of their bodies proportionate to this extraordinary feature.

16th century top ten part two. Magicians, witches and wizards on places 11 to 21

 

11. Delrio describes a contest between two magicians in this way: one of them had kidnapped a fair and beautiful maiden and placed her behind him on a wooden horse, riding with her high up in the air. Meanwhile, the other magician was attending a noble feast in a castle in Burgundy. He sensed their flight from the castle and used his charms to compel the abductor to descend, presenting him before everyone in the castle courtyard, looking sad and unable to move, with the blushing maiden. However, the abductor was not helpless and secretly enchanted the magician who had bound him. While looking out from a high castle window into the courtyard, he caused a pair of large horns to sprout from the magician's head. The magician was unable to pull his head back between the strong iron bars, nor did he dare to jump from such a height. With the horns, he was forced to make an agreement with the other magician and release his captive, concealed within a hollow cloud. Likewise, the other magician allowed him to remove the horns and return to the feast, much to the amusement of the present company.

12. According to the same author, two magicians met at the Queen of England's court and made an agreement that they would unquestioningly obey each other in any matter. One of them commanded the other to stick his head out of a window, and as soon as he did, a large pair of stag horns appeared on his forehead, much to the amusement of the spectators who mocked and taunted him. Feeling humiliated and seeking revenge, when it was the other magician's turn to be obeyed, he drew the outline of a man on the wall with charcoal and ordered the first magician to stand beneath that image, demanding that the wall should make way and let the magician in. The first magician pleaded to be excused, but the other refused, and he was forced to stand beneath the drawing. Suddenly, the wall appeared to open, and the magician entered it, never to be seen again.

13. The author shares another story from C. Germanus, who claims it to be a well-known and undisputed truth. A notable conjurer performed a demonstration of his art by cutting off the head of an innkeeper's servant where he was staying. However, he found himself unable to reattach the head due to the presence of another conjurer who happened to be nearby. The conjurer pleaded with the second one not to hinder him, but the other paid no attention to the request. The first magician then caused a lily to spring up on the table and, after cutting off its head and flowers, the second magician suddenly fell to the ground without a head. The first magician then reattached the servant's head and quickly left, fearing being accused of his rival's murder.

14. Iamblichus, a notorious enchanter, sacrificed to the devil and was raised ten cubits off the ground, astonishing all those present who saw him seemingly walk in the air. As Evanippus testified, his garments changed strangely, as if they had been dipped in a thousand glorious colors.

 

15. Michael Sidecita, a great magician, was playing with others on the battlements of the great imperial palace in Constantinople, overlooking the water. He noticed a boat loaded with various earthen vessels, some plain and some painted in different colors. For amusement, he whispered a charm to himself and caused the boat's owner to rise from his seat and smash the fragile vessels with his oar until they were almost reduced to powder. The owner, perplexed by his actions, expressed great sorrow and explained that he did it because he saw a huge, ugly serpent approaching him, threatening his life until he destroyed his own merchandise. This magician lost his eyes later, as Emperor Manuel Komnenos punished him for other, more nefarious pranks.

16. Pythagoras, near Tarentum, saw an ox eating beans and instructed the herdsman to drive the beast away from that kind of grain. The herdsman laughed, saying that the ox wouldn't understand such admonition and that Pythagoras's advice would be better suited for his scholars in the school. Angered, Pythagoras muttered some words, and the ox immediately left its meal, ran to the city, and could never again be yoked. It behaved like a domesticated dog, taking food from anyone's hands. Pythagoras was later burned alive in the house of Milo the Crotonian.

17. In the year 1323, Frederick, Duke of Austria, was chosen as the Emperor against Lewis and was defeated in a major battle between Otinga and Molensdorf. Lewis sent him to be kept as a prisoner in a strong castle. Later, a magician arrived in Austria and promised to use his art and the assistance of spirits to free Frederick and bring him safely to Leopold, his brother, within an hour if he received a suitable reward. Frederick agreed, and the magician and Leopold performed conjurations in a circle, calling forth a spirit who was bound to obey the magician. The spirit appeared as a man and was commanded to free Frederick and take him to Leopold in Austria unharmed. However, the spirit insisted that Frederick had to willingly mount his horse with him. Frederick was hesitant and made the sign of the cross, causing the spirit and the horse to disappear. Frederick was eventually freed from prison and confirmed that the same incident had happened to him that day. But Leopold was so frightened by the spirit that he saw that he died shortly after.

 

18. Iovius praises the extraordinary intellect of Henricus Cornelius Agrippa, stating that he had a vast understanding and memory, comprehending all arts and sciences, their deepest secrets, and highest concepts. Despite his considerable knowledge, Agrippa died at a lowly and obscure inn in Lyon, cursed by many for being infamous and suspected of practicing necromancy, as he was always accompanied by a devil in the form of a black dog. In a moment of repentance before his death, Agrippa removed the collar from the dog's neck, which bore magical inscriptions, and exclaimed, "Abi perdita bestia, quae me perdidisti," meaning "Be gone, you wretched beast that has utterly undone me." From that day on, the familiar dog was never seen again, as it leaped into the Araris river and never resurfaced.

19. Clemens Romanus speaks of Simon Magus, stating that he created a man out of thin air, became invisible at will, animated statues, and stood unharmed amidst flames. He could also appear with two faces like Janus, transform himself into various animals, and fly in the air. He commanded a scythe to mow on its own, and it cut down ten times more than any other scythe. When Selene the Harlot was confined in a tower, thousands of people came to see her, surrounding the castle. Simon caused her face to appear at every window in the castle simultaneously. Anastasius Nicenus adds that he would appear as if made of gold or sometimes as a serpent or another creature. During feasts, he showed all kinds of specters, made dishes appear on the table without any visible servant, and caused many shadows to walk before him, which he claimed were the souls of deceased people.

20. Pasetes was known for many magical pranks, such as creating a sumptuous feast that would suddenly disappear at his will. He would also purchase things and pay for them, only to have the money returned to him afterward.

21. Iohannes Teutonicus, a canon of Halberstadht in Germany, performed numerous incredible feats of magic. He was transported by the devil in the guise of a black horse and was seen and heard celebrating Mass on the same Christmas day in Halberstadht, Mentz, and Collen.