English Reformation and Irish Witches the Effects of Confessionalisation in Suppressing Witchcraft Accusations in Early Modern Ireland

There was a witch in Youghal. l\1ary Longdon testified before the Assize at Cork on 11 September, 1661, that she had been bewitched by Florence Newton. Longdon said Newton, after kissing her on the forehead, had caused her to suffer fits and trances, during which Longdon saw Newton's face and knew that Newton was the cause of her malady. Longdon testified that during her fits she vomited foreign material such as pins, horseshoe nails, wool and straw. Longdon's employer,]ohn Pyne, confirmed that Longdon was frequently struck by small stones hurled from an invisible source. As Longdon concluded her testimony, Newton peered at her from between the heads of the people standing in front ofher. Newton raised her manacled hands toward Longdon and said, "Now she is down." Without another word, Mary Longdon collapsed to the floor and began convulsing, biting her own arms and shrieking.] Could there be any doubt? "Gammar" Newton was a witch. There was a witch in Youghal.