[margin:] Master Swayne, Master Cockram, Master Fowtrell, Master Tharpe, Master Bracegirdle
The examination of Anne Taylor the wife of George Taylor of Rye in the county of Sussex gentleman, taken the 16th day of October Anno domini 1607 annosque regni domini nostri Jacobi dei gratia regis nunc anglie etc. quinto, before Thomas Higgons mayor of Rye aforesaid, and the jurats of the same town, upon certain articles or interrogatories as followeth.
1 To the first she sayeth that the said Susan Swatter did tell this examinate that certain spirits did appear unto her by night and by day, as she lay in her bed, in sundry shapes, that is so say two men and two women; and that as she remembreth, she did tell this examinate that at times she had seen to the number of 18 spirits.
2 To the second she sayeth, that her answer unto her the said Susan was, when she had made her acquainted therewith, that this examinate was altogether ignorant what such apparitions should mean. And that she this examinate would, if the said Susan did think it convenient, make Master Bracegirdle acquainted therewith. But she answered me her again, “do not so, for it is as much as all our lives are worth, if you should make him or your husband acquainted therewith”.
3 To the third she can say nothing.
4 To the fourth, she sayeth that she made her acquainted that four spirits did familiarly appear unto her viz. two men and two women. And that they named themselves by the names of Richard and Robert, Margery and Katherine.
5 To the 5th she sayeth she cannot remember that the said Susan did tell her any such matter as is contained in that interrogatory.
6 To the sixth, she sayeth that she this examinate did not go into the said garden with the said Susan to dig, but the said Susan requested this examinate that she might go and dig in her garden, and then she should be well, which this examinate was contented withall. And the said Susan
[end of sheet 1]
[RYE 13/5]
