An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

He saith, (P.298.) that about the year 1623, one Fletcher of Rascal, a Town in the North-Riding of Yorkshire, a Yeoman of a good Estate married a Woman from Thornton Brigs, who had formerly been naught with one Ralph Raynard, who kept an Inn, within half a mile from Rascal, in the high Road betwixt York and Thuske, his Sister living with him; this Raynard continuing in unlawful Lust with Fletcher's Wife, and not being content therewith, conspired the death of Fletcher; one Mark Dunn being made privy, and hired to assist in the Murder; which Raynard and Dunn accomplished upon May Day, by drowning him, as they were Travelling all three together, from a Town called Hubby, and acquainted the Wife with the deed, she gave them a Sack, therein to convey his Body, which they did, and buried it in Raynard's back side, or Croft, where an old Oak had been stubbed up, and sowed Mustard-seed in the place, thereby to hide it; they then continued their wicked course of Lust and Drunkenness; and the Neighbours did much wonder at Fletchers absence, but his Wife excused it, and said, he was only gone ⟨p. 231⟩aside for fear of some Writs being served upon him, and so it continued till about July 7th. after, when Raynard going to Topcliff-Fair, and setting up his Horse in the Stable, the Spirit of Fletcher in his usual shape and habit, did appear unto him, and said, O Ralph, Repent, Repent, for my Revenge is at hand; and ever after, until he was put in the Goal the Spirit seemed continually to stand before him, whereby he became sad and restless, and his own Sister over-hearing his Confession and Relation of it to another person, did through fear of losing her own life, immediately reveal it to Sr. William Sheffield, who lived in Rascal; whereupon Raynard, Dunn, and the Wife, were all three apprehended, and sent to the Goal at York, where they were Condemned and Executed, near the place where Raynard lived; and Fletcher was buried; the two Men being hung up in Chains, and the Woman burned under the Gallows.

He saith, (P.298.) that about the year 1623, one Fletcher of Rascal, a Town in the North-Riding of Yorkshire, a Yeoman of a good Estate married a Woman from Thornton Brigs, who had formerly been naught with one Ralph Raynard, who kept an Inn, within half a mile from Rascal, in the high Road betwixt York and Thuske, his Sister living with him; this Raynard continuing in unlawful Lust with Fletcher's Wife, and not being content therewith, conspired the death of Fletcher; one Mark Dunn being made privy, and hired to assist in the Murther; which Raynard and Dunn accomplished upon May Day, by drowning him, as they were Travelling all three together, from a Town called Huby, and acquainted the Wife with the deed, she gave them a Sack, therein to convey his Body, which they did, and buried it in Raynard's back side, or Croft, where an old Oak had been stubbed up, and sowed Mustard-seed in the place, thereby to hide it; they then continued their wicked course of Lust and Drunkenness; and the Neighbours did much wonder at Fletchers absence, but his Wife excused it, and said, he was only gone