Margery Convers the wife of Robert Convers, Recorder of the town of Rye, aged 44 years or thereabouts, being sworn upon the Holy Evangelist, deposeth and saieth as followeth, viz.
That she this deponent immediately after the death of Master Taylor’s child, named George Taylor, did go into the house of Master Taylor to see certain sights in the glass windows. For that she had heard that day which she went thither, by the report of Master Taylor himself, of strange and miraculous sights which he, the said Master Taylor, himself had seen in the windows.
And she being come unto the said house, went up into the chamber with Mistress Taylor and other of her neighbours, to see the sights in the window. She looking upon those windows could see nothing, nor any of them that were then present with her. Whereuppon this deponent taking her leave of Mistress Taylor, was ready to depart with her neighbours that came with her to see the sights. But Mistress Taylor requested this deponent to stay with her a little while. The which this deponent consented unto.
Whereupon Mistress Taylor desired her to sit down by her, and they entering into communication as well of the death of her children as of the late sickness of her husband, this deponent said unto her that she
“Was sorry for the death of her children, and likewise for the sickness of her husband.” And she said that she
“Was no whit sorry for the same, for as freely [God] gave them her, as soon as she ... gave them to God again.” Then this deponent said unto [Mistress Taylor]
“It is well that you can take it so lightly, for I assure you that I buried a maid of mine which was buryed that day that your son was buried, which grieveth me very much, and I think in regard of her great pains and pangs in her sickness, and the manner of her sickness, will be a cause that I shall never forget her whilest I live.” Then said she,
“Your maid was with me for a medicine for her throat, and I was as angry with her as ever I was with maid in my life!” Then this deponent asked her the cause, and Mistress Taylor answered her,
“Why, woman, she took the upper hand of my child!”
And upon further communication she said
“Well, Master Taylor will leave me as free as he found me, for I have now no child, nor I shall have no more. And I think I will never marry widower again. I knew Master Taylor had a good portion of money and land, but I will stand to his brother’s courtesy.” Then this deponent said unto Mistress Taylor again
“I see no cause, but by the grace of God Master Taylor and you may live many fair years togethers.”
Then said Mistress Taylor to her again,
“That Swapper was with her for the length of her husband in a sheet, were it never so old.” Then this deponent said unto her again,
“I hope
[end of sheet 1]
[RYE 13/25]
