Modernized Spelling Transcription
Witness examinations on the part of
Joan Castle named in the articles of the libel against Richard Illery given and offered as follows:
Deposition 1
Thomas Lane of the parish of Pilton in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he has lived for the space of
24 years, and before lived in Priddy where he was born. 50 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Joan Castle for the space of 16 years and Richard Illary for the space of two years and knows them well.
To the first article of the examination he says and deposes s that she, the articulated Joan Castle, within the parish of
West Pennard, and diverse other parishes next there unto adjoining
is accounted for an honest woman of good conversation,
and of good credit and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the second he deposes he says he refers himself to the law etc.
To the third examination he says and deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past before this his examination and as he recalls, this deponent was
personally present in the churchyard of West Pennard with the articulated Joan Castle and Richard Illary, together with
John Fry, John Gremsteed and William Rawlins. Where and when, he this deponent among many other words by and between
the said Joan and Richard uttered and had, heard the said Joan Castle say first unto the said Richard Illary: 'you have greatly misused
me in saying that I should be the death of my husband and that I did
burn him do'. Then, said the said Richard, 'did I say so?
So [...] have twenty more as well as I'. Present there and then and hearing the words the parties above named.
And otherwise he knows nothing.
To the fourth and fifth he knows nothing.
The sixth he deposes is true.
To the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true etc.
By Thomas Lane
Deposition 2
John Fry of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman,
where he has lived since birth and where he was born, 76 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Richard Illary for the space of two years and Joan Castle for the space of 40 years and knows them well.
To the first he deposes that the articulated
Joan Castle is accounted for an honest woman and for a woman of good
credit and conversation and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the second he refers himself to the law.
To the third he says and deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past before this his examination,
and the day and time he does not recall perfectly, this deponent was personally present
with the articulated Joan Castle, and Richard Illary together with Thomas Lane this deponent's
precontest,
John Gremsteed and William Rawlins in the churchyard of the parish church of West Pennard. Where and when among other
words and speeches then and there by them the said Joan and Richard uttered, this deponent heard the said Joan Castle say unto the said
Richard Illary the words following, viz: 'you said that I had
burned my husband and that I was, and am a
whore'. 'No,' said he, 'I said not
that you were an
whore but twenty more will say and have said that you have burned your husband, as well as I'. Present then and
there the parties above named and hearing the words and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the fourth and fifth he knows nothing.
The sixth he deposes is true.
To the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true etc.
His mark
Deposition 3
John Gremsteed of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he was born
and where he has lived since birth, 57 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Joan Castle for the space of 30 years and Richard Illery for the space of two years and knows them well.
To the first knows nothing he deposes that except this matter, the articulated
Joan Castle has been acounted for an honest woman.
To the second he refers himself to the law.
To the third he says and deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past before this
his examination, and the day and time he does not recall perfectly, this deponent was personally present with the articulated Joan Castle
and Richard Illary together with Thomas Lane, John Fry, this deponent's
precontest and William Rawlins in the churchyard of the parish church
of West Pennard. Where and when, among other communication by and between them the said Joan and Richard had,
this deponent heard the said Joan Castle say the unto the said Richard Ca Illary: 'Thow said that I had
burned my husband'. Then, said he, 'so say
twenty more as well as I'. Present then and there the parties above named. And otherwise he knows nothing.
To the fourth and fifth he knows nothing.
The sixth he deposes is true.
To the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true etc.
J
Deposition 4
William Rawlins of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman,
where he was born and has lived since birth (except for two years), 64 years old. Produced as a free witness and at first examination
has known Joan Castle for the space of 40 years and Richard Illary for the space of two years and knows them well.
To the first article of the libel he says and deposes that he this deponent never knew
nor heard but that the articulated
Joan Castle has been always accounted for an honest woman, and a woman of good life before this matter
happened and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the second he refers himself to the law.
To the third he says and deposes that upon a Sunday happening
about Midsummer last past before this his examination, and the day and time he does not recall perfectly,
this deponent was personally present in the churchyard of the parish church of West Pennard together with Joan Castle Richard Illary, John Fry,
John Gremsteed and Thomas Lane, this deponent's
precontest. Where and when he this deponent heard the said Joan Castle say first unto the said Richard Illary: 'Thow said,'
said she, 'that I did
burn my husband'. 'Did I?' said the said Richard, 'so twenty more as well as I have said'. Present then and there and hearing
the words the parties before named and otherwise he knows nothing.
To the fourth and fifth he knows nothing.
The sixth he deposes is true.
To the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true etc.
X [his mark]
Deposition 5
Witness examinations on the part of Joan Castle named in the articles of the libel against Richard Illery given and offered as follows:
John Priddy of the parish of West Pennard in the county of Somerset,
husbandman, where he has lived for the space of six years
and before in Leigh upon Mendip where he lived for the space of two years and was born in Wedmore, age 34 years old.
Produced as a free witness etc. and at first examination has known the said Joan Castle for the space of six years and Richard Illary for the space of two years and knows them well.
On the first he deposes that he this deponent never knew but that she, the articulated Joan Castle,
has been always accounted for an honest woman and of good
conversation and never heard otherwise of her as he says until this suit was commenced and otherwise he knows nothing.
On the second he deposes and refers himself to the law etc.
On the third he deposes that about
St James tide last past before this his examination, the day and time he does not recall perfectly,
this deponent happened to be personally present with the articulated Joan Castle and Richard Illary without the door of the said Joan but very near thereunto
within the parish of West Pennard, where was also present one Walter Hoppard hearing these words following. Where and when this deponent among many other
words and speeches had between the said Joan Castle and Richard Illury, heard the same Richard openly say these words following or the very like in effect: viz. 'go
burn tail, thow hast burned thy husband and so will swift the vis surgeon and twenty more may as well
as I'. Present then and there the parties aforesaid and otherwise he knows nothing.
On the forth examination he deposes that at the very same time and place before deposed he this deponent heard the said Richard Illary say that she was an Irish gille,
and also the words before deposed of. And otherwise he knows nothing.
On the fifth he depoess that by reason of speaking these words she is slandered, by reason she was and has
been always accounted for an honest woman.
and otherwise she knows nothing.
On the sixth he deposes that it is true.
On the final he deposes that what he has deposed is true etc.
[his mark]
Deposition 6
Maria Bowre of the parish of Brodly in the county of Somerset,
maiden, where she had lived since birth (except for one year) and
where she was born, age 20. Produced and admitted as a free witness etc. and at first examination says that [...] for the space of 12 years
and Richard Illary for the space of two years and knows them well.
On the first examination she deposes that she never knew nor heard but that she has
been always accounted for an honest woman and of good
conversation, nor never heard otherwise of her until this suite was commenced and otherwise she knows nothing.
On the second she refers herself to the law.
On the third she deposes that on a [...] time happening
after Whitsontide last past
before this her examination, the time she does not recall perfectly, this deponent was in service with the articulated Joan Castle, when there came unto the
said Joan Castle the articulated Richard Illary unto her house within the parish of West Pennard and desired her the said Joan Castle being at
dinner to speak with her. Who went immediately from her dinner unto the door to him, who being both together, this deponent came out of the hall of the said
house and stood in the entry to the end she would hear their talk. Where and when among many other words and speeches by and between the said Richard and Joan had and uttered, this
deponent heard the said Richard say unto the said Joan these words following or the like in effect. viz: 'go
burn tail, thow did burn thy husband and so will and
come twenty more say as well as I'. Present then and there with them the said Richard and Joan, one John Priddy this deponent's
precontest.
And otherwise she knows nothing.
On the fourth she deposes that this deponent at the very time and place before by her deposed of, she heard the said Richard Illary say that she was an Irish
gille, and also the words before deposed of. And otherwise she knows nothing.
On the fifth she deposes that she, the articulated Joan Castle, is slandered by means of speaking these words because she was
always accounted for an honest woman.
And otherwise she knows nothing.
On the sixth she deposes that it is true.
On the final she deposes that what she has deposed is true etc.
[her mark]
