Europe's inner demons

Such are the accusations voiced by peasants in the Canton of Lucerne. Alongside them one may set an English case, of purely popular inspiration, in which the authorities did nothing at all beyond recording the accusations.⁽³⁶⁾

In 1601-2 a justice of the peace in Devonshire, Sir Thomas Ridgeway (later Earl of Londonderry), took evidence from twelve witnesses concerning maleficia

which were supposed to have been perpetrated in the village of Hardness, near Dartmouth. The accused were a fisherman, Michael Trevisard, his wife Alice and his son Peter; and the accusers were ordinary villagers, who appealed to the magistrates for protection. Ridgeway had the deposition written down, no doubt for use at the assizes; though it is not known whether the accused persons were ever brought to trial. The “examination” (i.e. deposition) of one of the witnesses, Alice Butler, of Hardness, is typical:⁽³⁷⁾

1. This examinate^**

saith that she, sitting at a door or bench in Hardness aforesaid about Christide last was twelvemonth with one Michael Trevysard of Hardness aforesaid, used these words: “I would my child were able to run as well as any of these children that run here in the street!” Then said Trevysard, “It shall never run!” “No? That’s hard!” says this examinate again. “No, it shall never run,” answered Trevysard, “till thou hast another,” repeating the same words a dozen several times at the least with great vehemency. Whereupon this examinate, being much troubled in mind, especially upon a fear conceived by her before through the general bad report that went of him, departed from him. And the very same week the same child sickened, and consumed away, being well one day and ill another, for the space of seventeen weeks or thereabout, and then died.

2. This examinate further saith, that Peter Trevysard, son of the said Michael Trevisard, came to this examinate’s house to borrow a hatchet, which Alice Beere, servant to this examinate, denied, to whom the said Michael answered, “Shall I not have it? I will do thee a good turn ere twelvemonth be at an end.” And shortly the said Alice Beere sickened, continuing one day well and another day ill, for the space of eleven weeks, and then died. In which case both the husband of this examinate and a child of theirs fell sick, and so continued seventeen or eighteen weeks, and then died.