Examinations taken before Thomas Higgons mayor of Rye, the sixth day of December anno domini 1607 annosque regis Jacobi etc. quinto, as followeth
Elizabeth Michenor, the wife of Nicholas Michenor of Rye aforesaid labourer, sayeth that about midsummer last past, whether before or after she remembreth not, towards the evening this examinate did see Roger Swapper knock at his door a good space, and could not be let in. But at the last the door was opened and he went in, and immediately after he went in, Mistress Taylor came out of the same house and went home to her house.
And she sayeth that this examinate hath very well observed, that Mistress Taylor did divers and sundry times often use and frequent the company of Swapper’s wife, and was commonly at Swapper’s house with her. And she sayeth that about that time, it was commonly spoken that Swapper’s wife had communication and familiarity with spirits.
signum
Elizabeth Michenor
Anne Moore the wife of John Moore of Rye labourer, sayeth that about midsummer last past, towards the day certain she remembreth not, she did see Roger Swapper coming from work to knock at his door a good space before he could get in. And said to this examinate that they came to the door and from the door, and he thought the devil was within with them, that they had no power to open the door. And he said that Mistress Taylor being within the house told him that his wife was not at home, but was gone out of the town. And this examinate told him that she was within. And at the last Mistress Taylor came to the door and did open the door, and came out of the same and went home to her own house.
And afterwards a woman as she thinketh named Goodwife Beale, who went into the door with Roger Swapper when Mistress Taylor opened the same, did tell this examinate that g, Swapper’s wife was within the house in a loft, and that they had a great coal fire. And she further sayeth that about that time there was common speech made thereabouts that Swapper’s wife had communication with spirits.
signum Anne Moore
[RYE 13/9]
