CHAPTER III.

‘A Pleasant new Ballad you here may beholdHow the Devill, though subtle, was guld by a Scold.’

The story of this ballad is, that the Devil, being much amused with this scolding wife, went to fetch her. Taking the form of a horse, he called upon her husband, and told him to set her on his back. This was easily accomplished by telling her toleadthe horse to the stable, which she refused to do.

‘Goe leade, sir Knave, quoth she,and wherefore not, Goe ride?She took the Devill by the reines,and up she goes astride.’

And once on the Devil, sherodehim; she kicked him, beat him, slit his ears, and kept him galloping all through Hell, until he could go no longer, when he concluded to take her home again to her husband.

‘Here, take her (quoth the Devill)to keep her here be bold,For Hell would not be troubledwith such an earthly scold.When I come home, I mayto all my fellowes tell,I lost my labour and my bloud,to bring a scold to Hell.’

In another ballad, called ‘The Devil’s Oak,’ he is made out to be a very poor thing; the last verse says:

‘That shall be try’d, the Devil then he cry’d,then up the Devil he did start,Then the Tinker threw his staff about,and he made the Devil to smart:There against a gate, he did break his pate,and both his horns he broke;And ever since that time, I will make up my rhime,it was called “The Devil’s Oak.”’

But popular belief credited to certain men the power of being able to produce the Devil in a visible form, and these were called necromancers, sorcerers, magicians, etc. Of them Roger Bacon was said to have been one, and Johann Faust, whom Goethe has immortalized, and whose idealism is such a favourite on the lyric stage. But Johann Faust was not at all the Faust of Goethe. He was the son of poor parents, and born at Knittlingen, in Würtemberg, at the end of the fifteenth century. He was educated at the University of Cracow,thanks to a legacy left him by an uncle, and he seems to have been nothing better than a common cheat, called by Melancthon ‘an abominable beast, a sewer of many devils,’ and by Conrad Muth, who was a friend both of Melancthon and Luther, ‘a braggart and a fool who affects magic.’ However, he was very popular in England, and not only did Marlowe write a play about him, but there are many so-called lives of him in English, especially among the chap-books—in which he is fully credited with the power of producing the Devil in a tangible form by means of his magic art.

But the spirits supposed to be raised by these magicians were not always maleficent; they were more demons than devils. It will therefore be as well if we quote a competent and learned authority on the subject of devils.

Says Gyfford: ‘The Devils being the principallagents, and chiefe practisers in witchcrafts and sorceryes, it is much to the purpose to descrybe them and set them forth whereby wee shall bee the better instructed to see what he is able to do, in what maner, and to what ende and purpose. At the beginning (as God’s word doth teach us) they were created holy Angels, full of power and glory. They sinned, they were cast down from heauen, they were utterly depriued of glory, and preserued for iudgement. This therefore, and this change of theirs, did not destroy nor take away their former faculties; but utterly corrupt, peruert, and depraue the same: the essence of spirits remayned, and not onely, but also power and understanding, such as is in the Angels: yeheavenly Angels are very mighty and strong, far above all earthly creatures in the whole world. The infernall Angels are, for their strength called principalityes and powers: those blessed ones applye all their might to set up and aduaunce the glory of God, to defend and succour his children: the deuils bend all their force against God, agaynst his glory, his truth and his people. And this is done with such fiercenes, rage and cruelty, that the holy ghost paynteth them out under the figure of a great red or fiery dragon, and roaring lyon, in very deed anything comparable to them. He hath such power and autority indeede, that hee is called the God of the world. His Kingdome is bound and inclosed within certayne limits, for he is yeprince but of darknes; but yet within his sayd dominion (which is in ignorance of God) he exerciseth a mightytyranny, our Saviour compareth him to a strong man armed which kepeth his castle.

‘And what shall we saie for the wisedome and understanding of Angels, which was giuen them in their creation, was it not far aboue that which men can reach unto? When they became diuels (euen those reprobate angels) their understanding was not taken awaie, but turned into malicious craft and subtiltie. He neuer doth any thing but of an euill purpose, and yet he can set such a colour, that the Apostle saith he doth change himselfe into the likenesse of an angell of light. For the same cause he is called the old serpent, he was subtill at the beginning, but he is now growne much more subtill by long experience, and continuall practise, he hath searched out and knoweth all the waies that may be to deceiue. So that, if God should not chaine him up, as it is set forth,Revel. 20, his power and subtiltie ioined together would overcome and seduce the whole world.

‘There be great multitudes of infernall spirits, as the holy scriptures doe euerie where shew, but yet they doe so ioine together in one, that they be called the divell in the singular number. They doe all ioine together (as our Saviour teacheth) to uphold one kingdome. For though they cannot loue one another indeede, yet the hatred they beare against God, is as a band that doth tye them together. The holie angels are ministring spirits, sent foorth for their sakes which shall inherit the promise. They haue no bodilie shape of themselues, but to setfoorth their speedinesse, the scripture applieth itselfe unto our rude capacitie, and painteth them out with wings.

‘When they are to rescue and succour the seruants of God, they can straight waie from the high heauens, which are thousands of thousands of miles distant from the earth, bee present with them. Such quicknesse is also in the diuels; for their nature being spirituall, and not loden with any heauie matter as our bodies are, doth afford unto them such a nimblenes as we cannot conceiue. By this, they flie through the world over sea and land, and espie out al aduantages and occasions to doe euill.’[3]

Indeed, ‘there be great multitudes of infernall spirits,’ if we can believe so eminent an authority upon the subject as Reginald Scott, who gives ‘An inuentarie of the names, shapes, powers, gouernement, and effects of diuels and spirits, of their seuerall segniories and degrees: a strange discourse woorth the reading.

‘Their first and principall King (which is of the power of the east) is calledBaëll; who, when he is conjured up, appeareth with three heads; the first, like a tode; the second, like a man; the third, like a cat. He speaketh with a hoarse voice, he maketh a man go invisible, he hath under his obedience and rule sixtie and six legions of divels.’[4]

All the other diabolical chiefs are described at the same length, but I only give their names, and the number of legions they command.

‘Note that a legion is 6666, and now by multiplication count how manie legions doo arise out of euerie particular,’

Or a grand total of 14,198,580 devils, not including their commanders.

How many of these fall to the share of England? I know not, but they were very active in the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially in the seventeenth. They seem to us, nowadays, to have frittered away their energies in attending on witches, in entering into diverspersons and tormenting them, and in making senseless uproars and playing practical jokes. Let us take about half a dozen of these latter. Say, for argument sake, that they are not very abstruse or intellectual reading; at all events, they are as good as the modern stories of spiritual manifestations, and are as trustworthy.

‘The Just Devil of Woodstock’—Metrical Version—Presumed Genuine History of ‘The Just Devil of Woodstock.’

THE JUST DEVIL OF WOODSTOCK.[5]

‘The 16 day ofOctoberin the year of our Lord 1649, The Commissioners for surveying and valuing his Majesties Mannor House, Parks, Woods, Deer, Demesnes, and all things thereunto belonging, by Name CaptainCrook, Capt.Hart, Capt.Cockaine, Capt.Carelesse, and Capt.Roetheir Messenger, with Mr.Browntheir Secretary, and two or three servants, went fromWoodstocktown (where they had lain some nights before) and took up their lodgings in his Majesties House, after this manner: The Bedchamber and withdrawing room, they both lodged in, and made their Kitchin; the Presence Chamber their room for dispatch of business with all commers: of the Councel Hall, their Brewhouse, as of the Dining room, their Woodhouse, where they laid in the clefts, of that antient standard in the High-Park, for many ages beyond memory,known by the Name of the Kings Oak, which they had chosen out, and caused to be dug up by the Roots.

‘Octob. 17.About the middle of the night, these new guests were first awaked, by a knocking at the Presence Chamber door, which they also conceived did open, and something to enter, which came through the room, and also walkt through the withdrawing room into the Bed chamber, and there walkt about that room with a heavy step during half an hour; then crept under the bed where CaptainHart, and Capt.Carelesselay, where it did seeme (as it were) to bite and gnaw the Mat and Bed-coards, as if it would tear and rend the feather beds, which having done a while, then would they heave a while, and rest; then heave them up again in the bed more high than it did before, sometime on the one side, sometime on the other, as if it had tried which Captain was heaviest; thus having heaved for some half an hour, from thence it walkt out, and went under the servants’ bed, and did the like to them; thence it walkt into a withdrawing room, and there did the same to all who lodged there: Thus having welcomed them for more than two hours space, it walked out as it came in, and shut the outer door again, but with a clap of some mightie force; these guests were in a sweat all this while, but out of it falling into a sleep again, it became morning first before they spoke their minds, then would they have it to be a Dog, yet they described it more to the likenesse of a great Bear, so fell to examining under the Beds, where findingonly the Mats scratcht, but the Bed-coards whole, and the quarters of Beef which lay on the floor untoucht, they entertained other thoughts.

‘Octob. 18.They were all awaked, as the night before, and now conceived that they heard all the great clefts of the Kings Oak brought into the Presence Chamber, and there thumpt down, and, after, roul about the room; they could hear their chairs and stools tost from one side of the room unto the other; and then (as it were) altogether jostled; thus having done an hour together, it walkt into the withdrawing room, where lodged the two Captains, the Secretary, and two servants; here stopt the thing a while, as if it did take breath, but raised a hideous tone, then walkt into the Bed-chamber, where lay those as before, and under the Bed it went, where it did heave, and heave again, that now they in bed were put to catch hold upon Bed-posts, and sometimes one of the other, to prevent their being tumbled out upon the ground; then coming out as from under the bed, and taking hold upon the bed-posts, it would shake the whole bed, almost as if a cradle rocked; Thus, having done here for half an hour, it went into the withdrawing room, where first it came and stood at the bed’s feet, and heaving up the bed’s feet, flopt down again a while, until at last it heaved the feet so high, that those in bed thought to have been set upon their heads, and having thus for two hours entertained them, went out as in the night before, but with a great noise.

‘Octob. 19.This night they awaked, not until the midst of the night, they perceived the room to shake,with something that walkt about the bed-chamber, which, having done so for a while, it walkt into a withdrawing room, where it took up a Brasse warming-pan, and returning with it into the bed-chamber, therein made so loud a noise, in these Captains’ own words, it was as loud and scurvie as a ring of five untuned Bells rang backward, but the Captains, not to seem afraid, next day made mirth of what had past, and jested at the Devil in the pan.

‘Octob. 20.These Captains and their Company, still lodging as before, were wakened in this night with some things flying about the rooms, and out of one room into the other, as thrown with some great force: CaptainHartbeing in a slumber, was taken by the shoulder and shaked until he did sit up in his bed, thinking that it had been by one of his fellows, when suddenly he was taken on the Pate with a Trencher, that it made him shrink down into the bed-clothes, and all of them, in both rooms, kept their heads, at least, within their sheets, so fiercely did three dozen of Trenchers, fly about the rooms; yet CaptainHartventured again to peep out to see what was the matter, and what it was that threw, but then the Trenchers came so fast and neer about his ears, that he was fain to couch again: In the morning they found all their Trenchers, Pots and Spits, upon and about the rooms; this night there was also in several parts of the room, and outer rooms, such noises of beating at doors, and on the Walls, as if that several Smiths had been at work; and yet our Captains shrunk not from theirwork, but went on in that, and lodged as they had done before.

‘Octob. 21.About midnight, they heard great knocking at every door, after a while, the doors flew open, and into the withdrawing room entred something, as of a very mighty proportion, the figure of it they knew not how to describe; this walkt a while about the room, shaking the floor at every step, then came it close to the bed side, where lay CaptainsCrookandCarelesse; and, after a little pause, as it were, The bed-curtains, both at sides and feet, were drawn up and down, slowly, then faster again for a quarter of an hour, then from end to end as fast as imagination could fancie the running of the rings, then shaked it the beds, as if the joints thereof had crackt; then walkt the thing into the bed-chamber, and so plaied with those beds there: Then took up eight Pewter-dishes, and bouled them about the room, and over the servants in the truckle beds; then sometimes were the dishes taken up, and throwne crosse the high beds, and against the walls, and so much battered; but there were more dishes wherein was meat in the same room, that were not at all removed: During this, in the Presence Chamber there was stranger noise of weightie things thrown down, and as they supposed, the clefts of the King’s Oak did roul about the room, yet at the wonted hour went away, and left them to take rest, such as they could.

‘October 22.Hath mist of being set down, the Officers imployed in their work farther off, came not that day toWoodstock.

‘October 23.Those that lodged in the withdrawing room, in the midst of the night were awakened with the cracking of fire, as if it had been with thorns and sparks of fire burning, whereupon they supposed that the bed chamber had taken fire, and, listening to it farther, they heard their fellows in bed sadly groan, which gave them to suppose they might be suffocated, wherefore they call’d upon their servants to make all possible hast to help them; when the two servants were come in, they found all asleep, and so brought back word, but that there were no bedclothes upon them, wherefore they were sent back to cover them, and to stir up and mend the fire; when the servants had covered them, and were come to the chimney, in the corners they found their wearing apparel, boots and stockings, but they had no sooner toucht the Embers, when the firebrands flew about their ears so fast, that away ran they into the other room, for the shelter of their cover-lids, then after them walkt something that stampt about the room, as if it had been exceeding angry, and likewise threw about the Trenchers, Platters, and all such things in the room; after two hours went out, yet stampt again over their heads.

‘October 24.They lodged all abroad.

‘October 25.This afternoon came unto them Mr.Richard Crook, the Lawyer, brother to Captain Crook, and now Deputy-Steward of the Mannor, unto CaptainParsons, and MajorButler, who had put out Mr. Hyans his Majesties Officer: To entertain this new guest the Commissioners caused a very greatfire to be made, of neere the chimney full of wood, of the King’s Oak, and he was lodged in the withdrawing room with his brother, and his servant in the same room: about the midst of the night a wonderful knocking was heard, and into the room something did rush, which, coming to the chimney side, dasht out the fire, as with the stamp of some prodigious foot, then threw down such weighty stuffe, what ere it was (they took it to be the residue of the clefts and roots of the King’s Oak) close by the bed side, that the house and bed shook with it. CaptainCockainand his fellow arose and took their swords to go unto theCrooks, the noise ceased at their rising, so that they came to the door, and called; the two brothers, though fully awaked, and heard them call, were so amazed, that they made no answer, untill CaptainCockainehad recovered the boldness to call very loud, and came unto their bed-side; then, faintly first, after some more assurance, they came to understand one another, and comforted the lawyer: Whilst this was thus, no noise was heard, which made them think the time was past of that nights troubles, so that, after some little conference, they applied themselves to take some rest. When CaptainCockainewas come to his own bed, which he had left open, he found it closely covered, which he much wondered at, but turning the clothes down, and opening it to get in, he found the lower sheet strewed over with trenchers, their whole three dozens of trenchers were orderly disposed between his sheets, which he and his fellow endeavouring to cast out, such noise arose about the room, that theywere glad to get into bed with some of the trenchers; the noise lasted a full half hour after this. This entertainment so ill did like the Lawyer, and being not so well studied in the point, as to resolve this the Devil’s Law-case, that he, next day, resolved to begone, but, not having dispatcht all that he came for, profit and perswasions prevailed with him to stay the other hearing, so that he lodged as he did the night before.

‘Octob. 26.This night each room was better furnished with fire and candle than before; yet about twelve at night came something in, that dasht all out, then did walk about the room, making a noise, not to be set forth by the comparison with any other thing, sometimes came it to the bed-sides, and drew the Curtains to and fro, then twerle them, then walk about again, and return to the bed-posts, shake them with all the bed, so that they in bed were put to hold one upon the other; then walk about the room again, and come to the servants bed, and gnaw the wainscot head—and shake altogether in that room; at the time of this being in doing, they in the bed-chamber heard such strange dropping down from the roof of the room, that they supposed ’twas like the fall of money by the sound. CaptainCockainenot frighted with so small a noise (and lying near the chimney) stept out, and made shift to light a candle, by the light of which he perceived the room strewed over with broken glass, green, and some as it were pieces of broken bottles. He had not long been considering what it was, when suddainly his candle was hit out, and glass flewabout the room, that he made haste to the protection of the Coverlets, the noise of thundering rose more hideous than at any time before; yet, at a certain time, all vanisht into calmness. The morning after, was the glass about the room, which the maid, that was to make clean the rooms, swept up into a corner, and many came to see it. But Mr.Richard Crookewould stay no longer, yet as he stopt, going throughWoodstockTown, he was there heard to say, that he would not lodge amongst them another night, for a Fee of £500.

‘Octob. 27.The Commissioners had not yet done their work, wherefore they must stay, and, being all men of the sword, they must not seem afraid to encounter with anything, though it be the Devill, therefore, with pistols charged, and drawn swords laied by their bed sides, they applied themselves to take some rest, when something, in the midst of night, so opened and shut the window casements, with such claps, that it awakened all that slept; some of them peeping out to look what was the matter with the windows, stones flew about the rooms as if hurled with many hands; some hit the walls, and some the bed’s head close above the pillows; the dints of which were then, and yet (it is conceived) are to be seen, thus sometime throwing stones; and sometime making thundering noise; for two hours space it ceast, and all was quiet till the morn. After their rising, and the maid come in to make the fire, they looked about the rooms; they found fourscore stones brought in that night, and, going to lay them together, in the corner,where the glass (before mentioned) had been swept up, they found that every piece of glass had been carried away that night: many people came next day to see the stones, and all observed that they were not of such kind of stones as are naturall in the countrey thereabout; with these were noises like claps of thunder, or report of Cannon planted against the rooms; heard by all that lodged in the outer courts, to their astonishment; and atWoodstockTown, taken to be thunder.

‘Octob. 28.This night, both strange and differing noise from the former, first wakened CaptainHartwho lodged in the bed-chamber, who hearingRoeandBrownto groan, called out toCockaineandCrooketo come and help them, forHartcould not now stir himself. Cockaine would faine have answered, but he could not, or look about, something he thought, stopt both his breath and held down his eye lids. Amazed thus, he struggled and kickt about, till he had awaked CaptainCrook, who, half asleep, grew very angry at his kicks, and multiplied words till it grew to an appointment in the field: but this fully recoveredCockaineto remember that CaptainHarthad called for help, wherefore to them he ran in the other room, whom he found sadly groaning: where scraping in the chimney he found a candle and fire to light it; but had not gone two steps, when something blew the candle out, and threw him in the chair by the bed side, when presently cried out CaptainCareless, with a most pittiful voice, Come hither, O come hither, brotherCockaine, the thing’s gone off me.Cockainescarceyet himself, helpt to set him up in his bed, and, after, CaptainHart; and having scarce done that to them, and also to the other two, they heard CaptainCrookcrying out, as if something had been killing him;Cockainesnacht up the sword that lay by their bed, and ran into the room to saveCrook, but was in much more likelyhood to kill him, for at his coming the thing that pressedCrook, went off him, at whichCrookstarted out of his bed, whenCockainethought a spirit made at him, at whichCrookcried out Lord help, Lord save me;Cockainelet fall his hand, andCrookembracingCockainedesired his reconcilement: giving him many thanks for his deliverance, then rose they all and came together, discoursed sometimes godly, and sometimes praied, for all this while was there such stamping over the roof of the house, as if 1,000 horse had there been trotting. This night, all the stones brought in the night before, and laid up in the withdrawing room, were all carried away again by that which brought them in, which at the wonted time, left off, and, as it were, went out, and so away.

‘Octob. 29.Their businesse having now received so much forwardnesse, as to be neer dispatcht, they encouraged one the other, and resolved to try further, therefore they provided more lights and fires, and further, for their assistance, prevailed with their Ordinary Keeper to lodge amongst them, and bring his Mastive Bitch, and it was so this night with them, that they had no disturbance at all.

‘Octob. 30.So well had they past the night before, that this night they went to bed confidentand carelesse, untill, about 12 of the clock, something knockt at the door as with a smith’s great hammer, but with such force as if it had cleft the door; then entred something like a Bear, but seem’d to swell more big and walkt about the room, and out of one room into the other; treading so heavily, as the floore had not been strong enough to bear it; when it came to the bed chamber, it dasht against the beds heads some kind of glasse vessell, that broke in sundry pieces; and, sometimes, it would take up those pieces, and hurle them about the room, and into the other room; and when it did not hurle the glasse at their heads, it did strike upon the tables as if many smiths, with their greatest hammers, had been laying on as upon an anvill: sometimes it thumpt against the walls, as if it would beat a hole through; then upon their heads such stamping, as if the roof of the house were beating down upon their heads, and, having done thus during the space (as was conjectured) of two hours, it ceased and vanished, but with a more fierce shutting of the doors than at any time before. In the morning they found the pieces of glass about the room, and observed that it was much differing from that glasse, brought in three nights before, this being of a much thicker substance, which severall persons which came in carried away some pieces of. The Commissioners were in debate of lodging there no more, but all their businesse was not done, and some of them were so conceited as to believe, and to attribute the rest they enjoyed the night before this last unto the Mastive bitch; wherefore they resolved to get morecompany, and the Mastive bitch, and try another night.

‘Octob. 31.This night, the fires and lights prepared, the Ordinary Keeper and his bitch, with another man persuaded by him, they all took their beds, and fell asleep. But, about 12 at night, such rapping was on all sides of them, that it wakened all of them. As the doors did seem to open, the Mastive bitch fell fearfully a yelling, and presently ran fiercely into the bed to them in the truckle bed. As the thing came by the table, it struck so fierce a blow on that, as that it made the frame to crack; then took the warming pan from off the table and stroke it against the walls with so much force as that it was beat flat together, lid and bottom; now were they hit as they lay covered over head and ears within the bedclothes; CaptainCarelessewas taken a sound blow on the head with the shoulder blade-bone of a dead Horse (before, they had been but thrown at when they peept up, and mist,) Brown had a shrewd blow on the leg with the back bone, and another on the head; and everyone of them felt severall blows of bones and stones through the bed clothes, for now these things were thrown as from an angry hand that meant further mischief; the stones flew in at the window as if shot out of a Gun, nor was the bursts lesse (as from without) than of a Cannon, and all the windows broken down. Now, as the hurling of the things did cease, and the thing walkt up and down, CaptainsCockaineandHartcried out,In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, What are you? what would you have? whathave we done that you disturb us thus?No voice replied (as the Captains said, yet some of their servants have said otherwise) and the noise ceast. Hereupon CaptainsHartandCockainerose, who lay in the Bed-chamber, renewed the fire and lights, and one great candle in a candlestick they placed in the door, that might be seen by them in both the rooms; no sooner were they got to bed, but the noise arose on all sides more loud and hideous than at any time before, in so much (as to use the Captain’s own words) it returned and brought seven Devils worse than itself; and, presently, they saw the candle and candlestick in the passage of the door, dasht up to the roof of the room, by a kick of the hinder parts of a Horse, and after, with the Hoof trod out the snuffe, and so dasht out the Fire in the Chimnies. As this was done, there fell, as from the sieling, upon them in the Truckle beds, such quantities of water, as if it had been poured out of Buckets, which stunk worse than any earthly stink could make. And, as this was in doing, something crept under the High Beds, tost them up to the roof of the House, with the Commissioners in them, until the Testers of the Beds were beaten down upon them, and the Bedsted-frames broke under them. And here, some pause being made, they all, as if with one consent, started up, and ran down the stairs until they came into the Counsel-Hall, where two sate up a Brewing, but were now fallen asleep; those they scared much with wakening of them, having been much perplext before with the strange noise, which commonly was taken by them abroadfor thunder, sometimes for rumbling wind; here the Captains and their company got fire and candle, and everyone carrying something of either, they returned into the Presence-Chamber, where some applied themselves to make the fire, whilst others fell to Prayers, and, having got some clothes about them, they spent the residue of the night in singing Psalms and Prayers; during which, no noise was in that room, but most hideously round about, as at some distance.

‘It should have been told before, how that when CaptainHarefirst rose this night (who lay in the Bed-Chamber next the fire) he found their Book of valuations crosse the embers smoaking, which he snacht up, and cast upon the Table there, which, the night before, was left upon the Table in the presence, amongst their other papers. This Book was, in the morning, found a handful burnt, and had burnt the Table where it lay;Brownthe Clerk said, he would not for a 100 and a 100l. that it had been burnt a handful further.

‘This night it happened that there were six Cony-stealers, who were come with their Nets and Ferrets to the Cony-burrows byRosamond’sWell, but with the noise this night from the Mannor-house, they were so terrified, that, like men distracted, away they ran, and left their Haies all ready pitched, ready up, and the Ferrets in the Cony-burrows.

‘Now the Commissioners, more sensible of their danger, considered more seriously of their safety, and agreed to go and confer with Mr.Hoffman, the Minister ofWotton(a man not of the meanest notefor life or learning, by some esteemed more high) to desire his advice, together with his company and prayers. Mr.Hoffmanheld it too high a point to resolve on suddenly and by himself, wherefore, desired time to consider upon it, which, being agreed unto, he forthwith rode to Mr.Jenkinsonand Mr.Wheat, the two next Justices of Peace, to try what Warrant they could give him for it. They both (as ’tis said from themselves) encouraged him to be assisting to the Commissioners, according to his calling.

By which it is to be noted that a Presbyterian Minister dares not encounter an Independent Devil.

‘But certain it is, that when they came to fetch him to go with them, Mr.Hoffmananswered, That he would not lodge there one night, for £500, and being askt to pray with them, he held up his hands, and said, That he would not meddle upon any terms.

‘Mr.Hoffmanrefusing to undertake the quarrel, the Commissioners held it not safe to lodge where they had been thus entertained, any longer, but caused all things to be removed into the Chambers over the Gatehouse, where they staid but one night, and what rest they enjoyed there, we have but an uncertain relation of, for they went away early the next morning; but if it may be held fit to set down what hath been delivered by the report of others, they were also the same night much affrighted with dreadful apparitions; but, observing that these passages spread much in discourse, to be also in particulars taken notice of, and that the nature of it made not for their cause, they agreed to the concealingof the things for the future; yet this is well known and certain, that the Gate-keeper’s wife was in so strange an agony in her bed, and in her bed-chamber such noise (whilst her husband was above with the Commissioners) that two maids in the next room to her durst not venture to assist her, but, affrighted, ran out to call company, and their Master, and found the woman (at their coming in) gasping for breath: and the next day said that she saw and suffered that, which, for all the world, she would not be hired to again.

FromWoodstockthe Commissioners removed untoEuelme, and some of them returned toWoodstock, the Sunday sennight after (the Book ofValuationswanting something that was, for haste, left imperfect), but lodged not in any of those rooms where they had lain before, and yet were not unvisited (as they confess themselves) by the Devil, whom they called their nightly guest. CaptainCrookecame not untillTuesdaynight, and how he sped that night, the gate-keeper’s wife can tell, if she dareth; but, what she hath whispered to her gossips, shall not be made a part of this our Narrative, nor any more particulars which have fallen from the Commissioners themselves, and their servants to other persons; they are all, or most of them alive, and may add to it when they please, and, surely, have not a better way to be revenged of him who troubled them, than according to the Proverb, tell truth and shame the Devil.

There remains this observation to be added, that on a Wednesday morning, all these Officers went away;And that, since then, diverse persons of severall qualities, have lodged often and sometimes long in the same rooms both in the presence, withdrawing room and bed Chamber belonging unto his Sacred Majesty, yet none have had the least disturbance, or heard the smallest noise, for which the cause was not as ordinary, as apparent; except the Commissioners and their company, who came in order to the alienating and pulling down the house, which is well nigh performed.’

As to the authenticity of the above, we are told in the Preface: ‘And now, as to the Penman of this Narrative, know that he was a Divine, and, at the time of those things acted, which are here related, the Minister and Schoolmaster ofWoodstock, a person learned and discreet, nor byassed with factious humours, his nameWidows, who, each day, put in writing what he heard from their mouthes, (and such things as they told to have befallen them the night before), therein keeping to their own words.’

There was also a metrical account[6]of these strange doings, printed in the year in which they occurred; but although it exactly tallies with the prose as above, it is not written in so refined a strain.

TheBritish Magazinefor April, 1747 (vol. ii., p. 156) professes to give ‘The genuine history of the good devil ofWoodstock, famous in the worldin the year 1649, and never accounted for, or at all understood to this time.’ It is by an anonymous writer, who says he found it in some original papers which had lately fallen into his hands, ‘under the name of authentick memoirs of the memorableJoseph Collinsof Oxford, commonly known by the name offunny Joe,’ and it puts forth that this said Joe, under the name of Giles Sharp, entered the service of the Commissioners as a servant, and with the help of two friends, an unknown trap-door in the ceiling of the bedchamber, and some fulminating mercury, played the part of the Devil; but as the document is not known to be in existence, and is only mentioned in the pages of a magazine a hundred years afterwards, the reader may attach whatever credit he pleases to it. At all events, it proves that something very extraordinary, according to popular rumour, did take place at Woodstock during the Commissioners’ occupation.

‘The Dæmon of Tedworth.’

‘THE DÆMON OF TEDWORTH.[7]

‘MasterJohn Mompesson, ofTedworthinWiltshire, being about the middle ofMarch, in the year 1661, at a neighbouring Town, calledLudgarshal, heard aDrumbeat there, and being concerned as aCommission Officerin theMilitia, he enquired of theBayliffeof the Town, at whose House he then was, what it meant. The Bayliffe told him that they had for some dayes been troubled by thatIdle Drummer, who demanded money of the Constable, by virtue of a pretended pass, which he thought was counterfeit. Upon this Information MasterMompessonsent for the fellow, and ask’d him by whatAuthorityhe went up and down the Countrey in that manner, demanding money, and keeping a clutter with hisDrum? TheDrummeranswered he had goodAuthority, and produced his pass, with a warrant under the hands of SirWilliam Cawlyand ColonelAyliffeofGretenham. These papersdiscover’d the knavery, for M.Mompessonknowing those Gentlemen’s hands, found that his pass and warrant wereforgeries; and upon the discovery, commanded thevagrantto put off hisDrum, and charged the Constable to carry him to the nextJusticeofPeace, to punish him according to the desert of hisInsolenceandRoguery. The fellow then confest thecheat, and begg’d earnestly for hisDrum. But M.Mompessontold him that if he understood from ColonelAyliffe, whoseDrummerhe pretended to be, that he had been an honest man, he should have it again; but in the interim he would secure it. So he left theDrumwith the Bayliffe, and the Drummer in the Constable’s hands; who, it seems, after, upon intreaty, let him go.

‘About the midst ofAprilfollowing, when M.M.was preparing for a Journey toLondon, the Bayliffe sent theDrumto his house; and, being returned, his wife told him that they had been much affrighted in the night byThieves, during his absence; and that the House had like to have been broken up. He had not been at home above three nights, when the same noise returned that had disturbed his Family when he was abroad. It was a very greatknockingat his Doors, and the out side of his House. M.M.arose, and with a brace of Pistols in his hands, went up and down searching for the cause of the Disturbance. He open’d the door, where the great knocking was, and presently the noise was at another. He opened that also, and went forth, rounding his House, but could discover nothing; only he still heard a strange noise andhollow sound; but could not perceive what was the occasion of it. When he was returned to his Bed, the noise was aThumpingandDrummingon the top of his House, which continued a good space, and then by degrees went off into the Air.

‘After thisItwould come 5 nights together, and absent itself 3. Knocking very hard at the out-sides of the House, which is most of it, of Board. ThisItdid, constantly, as they were going to sleep, either early or late. After a month’s racket without,Itcame into the room where theDrumlay, whereItwould be 4 or 5 nights in 7, making great hollow sounds, and sensibly shaking the Beds and Windows.Itwould come within half an hour after they were in Bed, and stay almost two. The sign ofItsapproach was anhurlingin the Air over the House; and atItsrecess they should hear aDrumbeat, like the breaking up of a Guard.Itcontinued in this Room for the space of two months; the Gentleman himself lying there to observeIt: and thoughItwas very troublesome in the fore part of the night, yet, after two hours disturbance,Itwould desist, and leave all in quietness: At which time perhaps the Laws of theBlack SocietyrequiredItspresence at the generalRendezvouselsewhere.

‘About this time the Gentleman’s Wife was brought to Bed; the noise came a little that night she was in Travail, but then forbore for three weeks till she had recover’d strength. After thiscivil cessation, it return’d in arudermanner than before, applying wholly to the younger children; whose BedsteadsItwould beat with that violence that allpresent would expect, when they would fall in pieces. Those that laid their hands upon them, could feel no blows, but perceived them to shake exceedingly.Itwould for an hour together beat, what they CallRoundheadsandCuckolds—the Tattoo, and several other Points of Warre, and that as dextrously as any Drummer. After whichItwould get under the Bed, and scratch there as ifIthad Iron Tallons.Itwould lift the children up in their Beds, follow them from one room to another; and, for a while, applied to none particularly but them.

‘There was a Cock-loft in the House which had been observed hitherto to be untroubled; thither they removed their children, putting them to bed while it was fair day: and yet they were no sooner covered, but theunwelcome Visitantwas come, and played his tricks as before.

‘On the 5th ofNovemb. 1662.Itkept a mighty noise, and one of the Gentleman’s Servants observing two Boards in the children’s room that seemed to move, he badeItgive him one of them, and presently the Board came within a yard of him. The Fellow added,Nay, let me have it in my hand: upon which it was shuft quite home. The man thrust it back, and the Dæmon returned it to him, and so from one to another at least 20 times together, till the Gentleman forbad his servant suchFamiliarities. That morningItleft aSulphurous smellbehindIt, verydispleasantandoffensive.... At night the Minister of the place, Mr.Cragge, and many of the Neighbours came to the House—and went to prayer at the Children’s Bed-side, where, at that timeItwasvery troublesome and loud. During the time ofPrayerItwith-drew into the Cock-Loft, but, the Service being ended,Itreturned; and in the sight and presence of the company, theChairswalked about the Room, the Children’s Shooes were thrown over their heads, and every loose thing moved about the Chamber; also a Bed staffe was thrown at theMinister, which hit him on the Leg, but so favourably, that a lock of Wooll could not have fallen more softly. And a circumstance more was observed, viz., that it never in the least roul’d, nor mov’d from the place where it lighted.

‘The Gentleman perceiving thatItso much persecuted the little Children, lodg’d them out at a Neighbour’s House, and took his eldest daughter, who was about 10 years of Age, into his own Chamber, whereIthad not been in a month before. But no sooner was she in Bed, but the troublesome Guest was with her, and continued his unquiet visits for the space of three weeks, during which timeItwould beat the Drum, and exactly answer any Tune that was knock’d, or called for. The House where the Gentleman had lodged his Children, being full of Strangers, he was forced to take them home again; and, because they had never observed any disturbance in the Parlor, he laid them there, where also their old Visitant found them; but, at this time, troubled them no otherwise than by plucking them by the hair and night-cloathes.

‘Itwould sometimes lift up the Servants with their Beds, and lay them down again gently, without any more prejudice than the fright of beingcarried to theDrummer’squarters. And at other timesItwould lie like a great weight upon their Feet.

‘’Twas observed, that when the noise was loudest, and came with the mostsuddainandsurprizing violence, yet no Dog would move. The Knocking was oft so boysterous and rude, that it hath been heard at a considerable distance in the Fields, and awakened the Neighbours in the Village, none of which live very near this house.

‘About the latter end ofDecemb. 1662. theDrummingswere less frequent, and the noise theFiendmade, was agingling, as it had been of money, occasioned, as ’twas thought, by some discourse of an antient Gentlewoman, Mother to M.M.(who was one day saying to a Neighbour that talked ofFairies leaving money, that she should likeItwell, ifItwould leave them some to make amends for the troubleItmade them) for that night there was a greatchinkingof money all the house over; but he that rose earliest the next morning, was ne’re a groat the richer. After thisItdesisted from itsruder noises, and employedItself about littleapishTricks, and less troublesomeCaprichios. OnChristmas Eve, an hour before day, one of the little Boyes arising out of his Bed, was hit on a sore place in his Heel by the latch of the Door, which thewaggish Dæmonshad pluckt out and thrown at him. The Pin that fastened it was so small, that ’twas for the credit of hisOpticksthat he pick’t it out without Candle-light. The night afterChristmas Day,Itthrew all the old Gentlewoman’s Cloathsabout the Room, and hid herBiblein the Ashes. In suchimpertinent ludicrous fagaries, it was frequent. AfterthistheSpiritwas very troublesome to a Servant of M.Mompesson’s, who was a stout fellow, and of sober conversation.... His Master permitted him to give this proof of his courage, and lodg’d him in the next room to his own. There wasJohn engarrison’d, and provided for the assault with a trusty Sword, and other implements of War. And, for some time, there was scarce a night past without some doubty action and encounter, in which the success was various. One while,John’sbag and baggage would be in the enemy’spower,DoubletandBreechessurprized, and his Shooes raised inrebellionagainst him; and thenlusty JohnbyDintof Weapon recovers all again, suppresseth theinsurrectionof hisShooes, and holds his own in spight ofSatanand theDrummer. And for the most part, our combatant came off with honour and advantage, except when his enemy outwatch’d and surprized him, and then he’s made a prisoner, bound hand and foot, and at the mercy of theGoblin; till he hath got the opportunity of recovering hisDiabolical Blade, and then our Champion is in good plight again....

‘About the beginning of Jan. 1662 they were wont to hear asingingin thechimney, beforeItcame down. And one night, about this time, Lights were seen in the House: One of which came into M.Mompesson’sChamber, which seemedblueandglimmering, and caused a great stiffness in their eyes that saw it. After this light, something washeard coming up the Stairs, as if it had been some one without Shooes. The light was also 4 or 5 times seen in the Children’s Chamber; and the Maids confidently affirm that the doors were at least ten times opened, and shut in their sight. They heard a noise at the same time when the Doors were opened, as if half a dozen had entred in together. After which, some were heard to walk about the room, and one rusled as if it had been in silk. The like M.M.himself once heard.

‘During the time of the Knocking, when many were present, a Gentleman of the company said,Satan, If theDrummersets thee a work, give three Knocks, and no more, whichItdid very distinctly, and stopt. Then the Gentleman knockt, to see ifItwould answer him asItwas wont, butItremained quiet. He further tryedItthe same way, biddingIt, for confirmation, ifItwere theDrummer, to give 5 Knocks and no more that night, whichItdid accordingly, and was silent all the night after. This was done in the presence of SirTho. ChamberlainofOxfordshireand several others.

‘OnSaturdaymorning, Jan. 10. an hour before day, theDrumwas beaten upon the out-sides of M.Mompesson’sChamber, from whenceItwent to the other end of the House, where some Gentlemen, Strangers, lay, playing at their door, and without, 4 or 5. several Times, and so went off into the Air.

‘The next night, a Smith of the Village lying withJohn, they heard a noise in the room, as if one had been shooing of a horse there; and somewhatcame, as it were, with a pair ofPincers, and snipt at the Smith’s Nose, most part of the Night.

‘One morning M.Mompessonrising early to go a Journey, heard a great noise below, where the Children lay, and, running down, with a Pistol in his hand, heard this voice,A Witch, A Witch, as they had also heard it once before; but, upon his entrance, all was quiet. Having, one night played some little pranks at M.Mompesson’sBed’s feet,Itwent into another Bed, in which one of his Daughter’s lay, whereItpassed from side to side, and lifted her up, asItwent under her. At that time there were three kindes of noises in the Bed. They endeavoured to thrust atItwith aSword, butItvery carefully avoided them, still skipping under the Child, when they were ready to thrust. The night after,Itcamepantinglike a Dog out of breath; upon which one took a Bed-Staff to knock, which was taken out of her hand, and thrown away with some violence. Upon this the company came up, and, presently, the room was filled with abloomy noysomesmell, and was veryhot; though without Fire, and in midst of a verysharpandseverewinter.Itcontinued in the Bed, panting and scratching an hour and half, and then went into the next Chamber, where it knock’d a little, and seemed to rattle a chain. Thus it did for two or three nights together.

‘After this, the old Gentlewoman’s Bible was found in the Ashes open, the paper side being downwards. M.Mompessontook it up, and observed that it lay open at the third chapter of S.Mark, in which there is mention of theunclean spirits fallingdown before our Saviour; of hisgiving power to the 12 to cast out Devils, and of theScribes’opinion, that hecast them out through Beelzebub. The next night they strewed ashes over the Chamber, to see whatimpressionsItwould leave. And in the morning, found in one place the resemblance of a great Claw, in another, of a lesser; some Letters in another, which they could make nothing of; besides manyCirclesandScratchesin the Ashes; all which, I suppose, wereludicrousdevices, by which thesportful Dæmonmadepastimewith humanIgnoranceandCredulity.

‘About this time, my[8]curiosity drew me to the House, to be a witness of some of those strange passages.Ithad ceased fromIt’spranks ofDrumming, andruder noises, before I came; but most of the more remarkable circumstances before related were confirmed to me there, by several of the Neighbours together, who had been present at them. At that timeItused to haunt the Children; I heardItscratch very loudly and distinctly in their Bed, behind the Boulster. I thrust in my hand to the place where the noise seemed to be, upon which It withdrew to another part of the Bed; and, upon the taking out of my hand,Itreturned as before. I had heard ofIt’simitating noises, and therefore made the trial, by scratching certain determinate times upon the Sheet, as 5. and 7. and 10. whichItdid also, and still stopt at my number. After awhileItwent into the midst of the Bed, under the Children, and therepantedlike a Dog, very loudly. I put my hand upon the place, and felt the Bed bear up against it, as if something had thrust it up; but, by grasping, could feel nothing but the Feathers: and there was nothing under it. The motionItcaused by thispantingwas so strong, that it shook the Rooms and Windows.Itcontinued thus for more than half an hour, while I stayed, and as long after. I was certain that there could be nofallacynordeceitin these passages, which I critically examined; and I am sure there was nothing offearorimaginationin the case; for I was no more concerned than I am at the Writing this Relation.

‘But to proceed with M.Mompesson’sown particulars.

‘There came one morning a light into the Children’s Chamber, and the voice, crying,A Witch, A Witch, for at least an hundred times together. M.M.seeing at a time some Wood move that was in the Chimney, when no one was near, discharged a Pistol into it; after which they found several drops of Blood on the Hearth, and in divers places of the Stairs.

There was a seemingcalmin the House for 2 or 3 nights after the discharge of the Pistol; but thenItcame again, applyingItselfto a little Child, newly taken from Nurse; which it so persecuted, thatItwould not let the poor Infant rest for two nights together, nor suffer a Candle in the Room, but would carry them away up theChimney, or throw them under the Bed.Itso scared this Child byleaping upon it, that for some hours, it could not be recovered out of the fright. Insomuch as they were inforced again to remove the Children out of the House. The next night, after they were gone, something about midnight came up the Stairs, and knockt at M.Mompesson’sdoor; but he, lying still,Itwent up another pair of Stairs, to his Man’s Chamber, to whomItappeared, standing at his Bed’s foot. The exact shape and proportion he could not discover; but saw a great body, with tworedandglaringeyes, which for some time were fixt steddily upon him, and, at length, disappeared.

‘Another night, Strangers being present,Itpurr’d in the Children’s Bed like aCat; and at that time the Cloaths and Children were lift up from the Bed, and 6 men could not keep them down. Upon this they removed them from thence, intending to have ript open the Bed: but they were no sooner laid in another, but this second Bed was more troubled than the former.Itcontinued thus 4 hours, and so beat the Children’s legs against the Bed-posts, that they were forced to arise, and sit up all night. After thisItwould empty Chamber-pots into their Beds, and strew them with Ashes; and that though they were never so carefully watch’t,Itput a long piked Iron into M.Mompesson’sBed, and, into his Mother’s, a naked Knife upright. It would fill porringers with Ashes, throw every thing about, and keep a noise all day.

‘About the beginning of April 1663. a Gentleman that lay in the house had all his money turn’d black in his Pockets. And M.Mompesson, one morning,coming into his Stable, found the Horse he was wont to ride, on the ground, with one of his hinder Legs in his mouth, and so fastned there, that ’twas difficult work for several men, with a Leaver, to get it out. After this there were some other remarkable things; but myaccountgoes no farther: Only M.Mompessontold me, that afterwards the house was several nights beset with 7 or 8 in the shape of men, who, as soon as a Gun was discharged, would shuffle away together into an Arbour.

‘The Drummerwas tryed at theAssizeatSalisbury, condemned to theIslands, and was, accordingly, sent away: but I know not how, made a shift to come back again. And ’tis observable, that during all the time of his restraint, and absence, the House was in quiet; but, as soon as ever he came back, the disturbance also returned. He had been a Souldier underCrumwel, and used to talk much of gallant Books he had of an odd Fellow’s, who was counted a Wizard.’

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