At the Court of Hinchinbrooke - the second examination of William Morton accused - 15th January 1604

William Morton being first charged directly to have spoken very lately in conference with an acquaintance of his that there would be fire and sword throughout the land (one only place excepted) for religion amongst ourselves, answers that he never spake words importing any certain or known damage to the Kingdom; yet he confesses that he has uttered (but knows not when or to whom) that he feared great troubles to happen within this kingdom this year, between Midsummer and Lammas, ad that there would be fire and sword in divers parts. He thinks that those troubles will be westward in the beginning and be stirred up by Papists. For he has heard:
First the prognostication of this year by Gresham in some places interlined in the book showed, secondly a prophecy in generality which he had from Mr Scisson, thirdly one dead told him long time since that after a maiden Queen there would happen great troubles to England, fourthly the chief ground of his fear is that one Butler of Elme or Elney two miles from Wisebridge, a labourer yet a practitioner in physic, told him as they rode between St Ives and Somersham, or between Papworth and Somersham, about Michaelmas last, that he thought there would be great troubles in this land this year by famine fire and sword; and that it was all in God’s hands yet by man’s judgement it was likely so to fall out; for Butler said there was one in Norfolk, not naming him, that had judgements of 26 ancient writers therein. Being asked whether Butler told him the particularities of the troubles he says that Butler said the troubles were like to happen between Midsummer and Lammas this year and that he doubted the troubles would come by controversies between Protestants and papists, and for money matters, but neither named nor described any person certain by whom or against whom these troubles should happen; neither told him any more thereof but that these troubles would arise westward and that Ely was a sure place in troubles.