Became concerned of witches in 1644, when kept awake by meeting at Manningtree
Volunteered to help Stearne
Moved across East Anglia investigating trials
Suggested he simply followed the money
Keen to find evidence of sexual activity with (the male) devil
Had no qualifications
Used title of Witchfinder General
Stayed to set legal proceedings in motion
From a good social standing
Wrote The Discovery of witches
Right place at right time
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John Stearne
Little known about him
Puritan
He first received a warrant to search suspected witches from the Manningtree magistrates
Debts owed to him were never called in, suggesting he knew implications of pursuing them
Published A Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft
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Sir Harbottle Grimston
Local Manningtree magistrate
Hopkins and Stearne presented their initial accusations to him
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Elizabeth Clark
First woman to be accused
Older woman with one leg
Long been suspected
Three teats found on her body
Watched for several nights
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Rebecca West
Named as a witch by Elizabeth Clark
She turned witness for the crown, gaining immunity from prosecution
Gained notoriety when published in anonymous pamphley, 'A true and exact relation of the severall informations, examinations and confessions of the late witches, arraigned and executed in the county of essex.'
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John Lowes
80yr old Royaloist clergyman
Antagonised his parishoners at Brandeston
Spoke in defence of Ann Annson claiming she was as much of a witch as he was
Interpreted as a confession of guilt
Subjected to the swimming test by Hopkins
After interrogation, he confessed
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John Gaule
Minister of Great Staughton in mid 1646
Aware parishoners were blaming witches for their misfortunes
Visited a detained suspect and this raised issues about the witchfinders
Published criticisms in 'Select Cases of Conscience touching witches and witchcrafts in 1646
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