I came across these two interesting entries in the Wells-Next-the-Sea Parish register (Familysearch web site – Baptisms, Marriages, Burials 1548-1649). ------------------------------------------------------------- 1583 - Burials December. Perished upon the west coast coming from Spaine Richard WALLER, Christopher DODD, John BUNTYNG, Willm. CRAVEN, George PAGE, Gregory BAXTER, Christopher BAXTER, Thomas AYRE, Henrye GOULDSMITH, Walter MARSHALL, Robert ARCHER, Oliver COBB, Wm. BARRET, Rich: DYE whose deathes were brought about by the detestable woorking of an execrable witch of Kings Lynn whose name was Mother GABLEY <or GABLE> by the Boyling or rather labouring of certayne eggs in a payle full of colde water, afterward approved sufficientlye at the araignement of the saide witch. <A note has been added to the page ‘....ed for BBC Jan 1954 W.A. STEPHENS Rector.’ There are several references on the internet stating that Mother Gabley was found guilty of witchcraft and hanged. Poor old lady. ------------------------------------------------------------- 1587 - Buriings . October 8 and 13. George MATHEWE a shoemaker being an Adulterer was stabbed into with a knife by the husband of the Adultress evene as the filthie deede was in dooing & soe kilde, oute of hande whoute speaking of any woorde the eighte daye of October betwixt the howers of fyve & six of the Clock in the morninge, was buried the thirtene day of October betwixt ye howers of 2 & 3 after noon. <At foot of page> The life of the murtherer whose name was Andrewe TOMSON a northe contry man was through the ----- of his kinsmen & freindship of some townsmen stayed ------- the ------ murther not soe much as p----ted into the chapittle (?) ------ the revenge god ------ the towne --- twoe yeres is --- pleasing ------- at ---- to –....... ------------------------------------------------------------- I would be very grateful if someone could please double check my transcription for the second item and hopefully fill in some blanks. The page becomes illegible towards the bottom. The URL is https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12383-4078-98?cc=1416598&wc=M66B-LW5:30389701,29358102,30599901 (image 30 of 149). The registers record losses at sea of hundreds of men from Wells in the 16th & 17th centuries, mostly while en route to/from Newcastle and Iceland. Best regards ................ Bill Atkins http://www.oldshuck.webspace.virginmedia.com/