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Updated: May 18, 2025
Edward Braddyll, the object of his jealousy and hate, suddenly sickened of a malady so strange and fearful, that all who saw him affirmed it the result of witchcraft. None thought of my husband's agency in the dark affair except myself; but knowing he had held many secret conferences about the time with Mother Chattox, I more than suspected him.
These things I have seen with my own eyes; and I am resolved that the perpetrators of these enormities, Mothers Demdike and Chattox, shall be brought to justice. As to you, the deluded victims of the impious hags, I can easily understand why you shut your eyes to their evil doings.
Both families no doubt traded on the fear they inspired. Indeed Dame Chattox was said to have sold her guarantee to do no harm in return for a fixed annual payment of "one aghen-dole of meale." That there was a feud between the two clans was to be expected.
Chattox had retaliated by seeking to kill Nutter by witchcraft, and had been further incited thereto by three women, who wished to be rid of Nutter, in order that "the women, their coosens, might have the land." As a consequence Nutter had died within three months. The quarrel, indeed, was three-cornered. It was said that Demdike's daughter had fashioned a clay picture of a Nutter woman.
"Why, there is one of the old women we have just been speaking of Mother Chattox," said Richard, pointing them out, "and with her, her grand-daughter, pretty Nan Redferne." "So it is," cried Nicholas, "what makes the old hag here, I marvel! I will go question her." So saying, he strode quickly towards her. "How now, Mother Chattox!" he cried. "What mischief is afoot?
Robin Hood and his merry men, with the morris-dancers, rushed out of their bowers, and the whole churchyard was in agitation. Above the din was heard the loud voice of Simon Sparshot, still shouting, "A witch! witch! Mother Chattox!" "Where where?" demanded several voices. "Yonder," replied Nicholas, pointing to the further cross.
The latter exclamation had been occasioned by the appearance of an old woman at the further end of the hall, beckoning to her. On seeing her, Mistress Nutter immediately quitted the squire, and followed her into a small chamber opening from this part of the hall, and into which she retreated. "What brings you here, Mother Chattox?" exclaimed the lady, closing the door.
In the end, however, Mother Demdike got the upper hand. Years have flown over the old hag's head, and her guilty career has been hitherto attended with impunity. Plans have been formed to bring her to justice, but they have ever failed. And so in the case of old Chattox. Her career has been as baneful and as successful as that of Mother Demdike."
"Who's that?" asked Mother Chattox, quickly. "Master Richard Assheton, o' Middleton," whispered Nan Redferne. "Another of these accursed Asshetons," cried Mother Chattox. "A plague seize them!" "Boh he's weel-favourt an kindly," remarked her grand-daughter. "Well-favoured or not, kindly or cruel, I hate them all," cried Mother Chattox. "To the crosses, I say!"
When those who had assisted at this fearful execution looked around for the mysterious being who had commanded it, they could nowhere behold him. Then was heard a laugh of gratified hate such a laugh as only a demon, or one bound to a demon, can utter and the appalled listeners looked around, and beheld Mother Chattox standing behind them. "My rival is gone!" cried the hag.
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