Year 1597

Jan. 19th, I sent £4 to Bartholomew Hikman by Bradshaw the carrier.

Jan. 22nd, Oliver Carter's threat to sue me with process from London was this Saturday declared in the church to the clerk.

Feb. 5th, Rich. Key, curate of Weram, came to me on Mr. Heton's information, and I was to try him three months for 50s. wages.

Feb. 7th, John Morris came to Manchester.

Feb. 11th, £5 borrowed of Mr. Mat. Heton.

Feb. 14th, this Monday John Morris went with my letters to Mr. John Gwyn, and twelve more squires in Montgomeryshire.

Feb. 17th, I delivered to Charles Legh the elder my silver tankard with the cover, all double gilt, of the Countess of Hereford's gift to Francis her goddaughter, weighing 22 oz. great weight, to lay in pawn in his own name with Robert Welsham the goldsmith for £4 till within two days after May Day next. My daughter Katharin and John Crocker and I myself (John Dee) were at the delivery of it and the weighing of it in my chamber: it was wrapped in a new handkerchief.

Feb. 25th, Mr. Heton borrowed Robert Stephanus's *Greater Concordances*. He has also my book *On the Supper* by Doctor Pezelia.

March 7th, Mr. Heton lent me £5 more, and thereupon I gave him a bill of my hand for the whole ten pounds, to be paid at Michaelmas next. The other £5 was received the 11th of February last.

March 17th, Bartholomew Hikman came.

March 19th, I lent Mr. Hopwood Wierus, *On the Illusions of Demons*.

April 10th, a petition exhibited by the parishioners.

April 11th, 12th, troublesome days about Mr. Palmer the curate.

April 15th, I had my Wierus, *On the Illusions of Demons*, from Mr. Hopwood, and lent him *The Scourge of Demons* and *The Cudgel of Demons* [the Latin has *Fustio*, probably a slip for *fustis*, "cudgel"] in 8vo, for the time till Midsummer.

April 21st, I sent Bartholomew Hikman 40s. I sent by Bradshaw many letters to London. I sent by Goodman Thurp of Salford my long letter to the Bishop of Lincoln, and one to Mr. Shallcross.

April 22nd, in the afternoon Sir Urien Legh, knight, and his brother, and Mr. Brown, and Mr. George Booth, sheriff of Cheshire, did visit me. Mr. Booth said that he would yield that to me which he would not yield to the bishop nor any other. Mr. Wortley of Wortley also came the same day at four in the afternoon.

May 2nd, Mr. Hulme and Mr. Williamson came to me in the Lord Bishop of Lincoln's case for Hulme.

May 4th, I, with Sir Robert Barber, curate, and Robert Talsley, clerk of Manchester parish church, with various men of the town of different ages, went in perambulation to the bounds of Manchester parish: we began at the Leeless Bench against Prestwich parish, and so had a view of the three corn stakes, and then down to Mr. Standysh's new enclosure on the Low, where we stayed and viewed the stake yet standing in the bank of the ditch, it being from the corn eleven measures of Mr. Standley's stake then in his hand, and two feet more, which I measured afterward, and it came to, in Kentish feet, 6 inches and three quarters. The geometrical survey of the very circuits of Manchester parish was ended in this, being the sixth day of my work.

May 11th, the way to Stopford surveyed by John Cholmeley and John Crocker.

May 17th, I paid Richard Walkeden 20s. of his wages.

May 20th, the Lady Booth made my acquaintance here.

May 23rd, 8s. 8d. to Isabell Boordman to make up the whole year's wages due at the Annunciation of Our Lady last past. I allowed Mr. Williamson ten days' respite more for his kinsman to bring in his evidence in the process of the proceedings. I paid the nurse 3s. to make up her full payment of her year's wages, ended at Michaelmas last.

May 27th, open enmity with Palmer before Sir Edward Fitton. Sir Edward Fitton told Matthew Palmer to his face that he had known him to be a mutinous man and a......

June 9th, Thomas Sankinson told me of John Basset's coming to London.

June 14th, the unlawful assembly and rout of William Cutcheth, Captain Bradley, John Taylor, Rafe Taylor, at Newton, against my men, describing the disturbance at Newton.

June 27th, news from Hull of 23 barrels of Dansk rye sent me by John Pontoys.

July 1st, I sent Roger Kay to Vanydles for cattle.

July 4th, the carriers went to Wakefield for the corn.

July 5th, toward evening lightning and little thunder.

July 6th, thunder in the morning.

July 7th, five horse loads of Dansk rye came home.

July 19th, the strange pang of my back opening this morning at 6¼ o'clock. In the church upon Mr. Palmer's disorder against Mr. Lawrence.

July 20th, the last of my Dansk rye, in all 21 horse loads.

Aug. 6th, this night I had the vision and sight of many books in my dream, and among the rest was one great volume, thick, in large quarto, newly printed, on the first page of which, as a title, was printed in great letters "God is known in Judah." Many other books, I thought, I saw newly printed, of very strange arguments. I lent Mr. Edward Hopwood of Hopwood my *Malleus Maleficarum* (The Hammer of Witches) to use till New Year's tide next, a short, thick old book with two clasps, printed in 1517.

Aug. 19th, the Earl and Countess of Derby came to Alport Lodge.

Aug. 21st, the Earl and Countess of Derby had a banquet at my lodging at the college at 4½ o'clock.

Aug. 27th, John Addenstall came from Mr. Emery. I wrote.

Sept. 3rd, Mr. Werall of Lobester, within two miles of Doncaster, came to me to make my acquaintance.

Sept. 9th, very windy from the south and rainy.

Sept. 12th, hail this morning on Monday.

Sept. 15th, lent by Mr. Werall 40s. John Cholmley went with him to give him and others physic; and I repaid John Cholmeley the 40s. again.

Sept 24th, Bartholomew came.

Sept. 25th, Mr. Oliver Carter's impudent and evident misconduct in the church.

Sept. 26th, he repented and some pacification was made.

Sept. 27th, I granted a lease of three lives to Mr. Ratclyf for two houses in Dene Square, both of 7s. rent; fine, twenty nobles.

Sept. 28th, Mr. Yardely of Calcot in Cheshire, about six miles from Chester, came toward the Holt. News about the philosopher Mr. Walder.

Sept. 30th, John Crocker (my good servant) had leave to go to see his parents. He went with Bartholomew Hikman and Robert Charles toward Branbroke, with Arthur Golding, to be cured of his fistula. John Crocker intends to return about Easter or at Whitsuntide next. God speed him! Mr. Humphry Damport was made our steward.

Oct. 12th, Rafe Holden preferred a bill against Richard Walkeson for entering Brereriding's chase, which I and Antony Ryve..... proved false. The bill was not found.

Oct. 22nd, John Fletcher of Manchester went with my letters to Vanylos this Sunday morning.

Nov. 3rd, Mr. John Cholmeley set out toward London by way of Market Harborough.

Nov. 7th, the fellows and the receiver did not agree with me in accounts. A little after nine in the morning, Arthur's left eye hurt at playing at fence with rapier and dagger of sticks, by a thrust from Edmond Arnold.

Nov. 10th, Mr. Burch's letter from Matthew Palmer.

Nov. 14th, the fellows would not grant me the £5 for my house rent, as the Archbishops had granted; and our foundation requires a house.

Nov. 17th, I sent Ed. Arnold to London on foot with my letters to Dr. Julio.

Dec. 3rd, 10s. to Richard Walkeden in part of wages. To the nurse 10s.

Dec. 9th, I visited the grammar school.

Dec. 13th, I wrote by the carrier Barret to Dr. Cæsar.

Dec. 14th, Mr. George Broke, son to Mr...... Broke of...., came to make my acquaintance, whom I treated most kindly. Mr. Ratclif of Manchester came with him, but Mr. Heton also came on Tuesday afternoon when I had no leisure.

Dec. 17, I lent to Mr. Barlow for his son a Spanish grammar in 8vo, printed at Louvain in 1555 by Bartholomew Gravay, in Spanish, French, and Latin. To R. Dickonson I paid £7. 2s. for the plate and a new bell, made till 1599, January 1st, £66.

Jan. 19th, I sent £4 to Bartholomew Hikman by Bradshaw the carrier. Jan. 22nd, this Saturday in church, Olyver Carter's threat to sue me with a process from London was declared to the clerk. Feb. 5th, Rich. Key of Weram, curate, came to me through Mr. Heton's introduction, and I was to try him for three months for 50s. wages. Feb. 7th, John Morryce came to Manchester. Feb. 11th, £5 borrowed of Mr. Mat. Heton. Feb. 14th, this Monday John Morrise went with my letters to Mr. John Gwyn and twelve more esquires in Montgomeryshyre. Feb. 17th, I delivered to Charles Legh the elder my silver tankard with the cover, all double gilt, of the Countess of Herford's gift to Francis her goddaughter, weighing 22 oz. great weight, to lay in pawn in his own name with Robert Welsham the goldsmith for £4 until within two days after May Day next. My daughter Katharin, John Crocker and I myself (John Dee) were at the delivery of it and the weighing of it in my chamber; it was wrapped in a new handkerchief. Feb. 25th, Mr. Heton borrowed Robert Stephanus's *Greater Concordances*. He also has my book *On the Supper* by Doctor Pezelia. March 7th, Mr. Heton lent me £5 more, and on that I gave him a bill under my hand for the whole ten pounds, to be paid at Michelmas next. The other £5 was received the 11th of February last. March 17th, Bartholomew Hikman came. March 19th, I lent Mr. Hopwood Wierus, *On the Illusions of Demons*.

April 10th, a petition was presented by the parishioners. April 11th and 12th, troublesome days about Mr. Palmer the curate. April 15th, I had my Wierus, *On the Illusions of Demons*, back from Mr. Hopwood, and I lent him *The Scourge of Demons* and *The Cudgel of Demons* [the Latin has *Fustio*, probably a slip for *fustis*, "cudgel"] in 8vo, for the time until Midsomer. April 21st, I sent Bartholomew Hikman 40s. I sent many letters to London by Bradshaw. I sent my long letter to the bishop of Lincolne by goodman Thurp of Salford, and one to Mr. Shallcross. April 22nd, in the afternoon, Sir Urien Legh, knight, and his brother, and Mr. Brown, and Mr. George Booth, sheriff of Chesshire, visited me. Mr. Booth said he would yield to me what he would not yield to the bishop or anyone else. Mr. Wortley of Wortley also came the same day at four in the afternoon. May 2nd, Mr. Hulme and Mr. Williamson came to me in the Lord Bishop of Lincoln's case for Hulme. May 4th, I, with Sir Robert Barber, curate, and Robert Talsley, clerk of Manchester parish church, together with various townspeople of different ages, walked the bounds of Manchester parish. We began at the Leeless Bench facing Prestwich parish, and so had a view of the three corn stacks. Then we went down to Mr. Standysh's new enclosure on the Low, where we stopped and looked at the stack still standing in the bank of the ditch, eleven measures of Mr. Standley's stack then in his hand, and two feet more, from the corn, which I measured afterward; it measured, in Kentish feet, 6 inches and three quarters. The geometric survey of the very circuits of Manchester parish was finished on this, the sixth day of my work. May 11th, the road to Stopford was surveyed by John Cholmeley and John Crocker. May 17th, 20s. of his wages paid to Richard Walkeden. May 20th, Lady Booth made my acquaintance here. May 23rd, 8s. 8d. to Isabell Boordman to make up the whole year's wages due at the Annunciation of our Lady last past. I gave Mr. Williamson ten days more time for his kinsman to bring in his evidence for the process of the proceedings. 3s. paid to the nurse to make up her full payment of her year's wages ended at Michaelmas last. May 27th, open enmity with Palmer before Sir Edward Fitton. Sir Edward Fitton told Matthew Palmer to his face that he had known him to be a mutinous man and a … June 9th, Thomas Sankinson told me that John Basset was coming to London. June 14th, the unlawful assembly and riot of William Cutcheth, Captain Bradley, John Taylor, Rafe Taylor, at Newton, against my men, with the rumor out of Newton. June 27th, news from Hull of 23 barrels of Dansk rye sent me by John Pontoys.

July 1st, I sent Roger Kay to Vanydles for cattle. July 4th, the carriers to Wakefeld for the corn. July 5th, toward evening lightning and a little thunder. July 6th, thunder in the morning. July 7th, five horse loads of Dansk rye came home. July 19th, the strange pang in my back opening, at a quarter past six in the morning. In the church, over Mr. Palmer's disorder toward Mr. Lawrence. July 20th, the last of my Dansk rye; in all 21 horse loads. Aug. 6th, this night I had a vision and a showing of many books in my dream, and among them was one great thick volume in large quarto, newly printed, on the first page of which, as a title in great letters, was printed "God is known in Judah." Many other books I thought I saw newly printed, on very strange subjects. I lent my *Malleus Maleficarum* (The Hammer of Witches) to Mr. Edward Hopwood of Hopwood to use until New Year's tide next; a short, thick, old book with two clasps, printed in 1517. Aug. 19th, the Earl and Countess of Derby came to Alport lodge. Aug. 21st, the Earl and Countess of Derby had a banquet at my lodging at the college at half past four. Aug. 27th, John Addenstall from Mr. Emery. I wrote. Sept. 3rd, Mr. Werall of Lobester, within two miles of Donkaster, came to make my acquaintance. Sept. 9th, very windy from the south and rainy. Sept. 12th, hail this morning on Monday. Sept. 15th, Mr. Werall lent me 40s. John Cholmley went with him to give him and others physic; and I paid John Cholmeley the 40s. back. Sept 24th, Bartholomew came. Sept. 25th, Mr. Olyver Carter's shameless and open misconduct in the church. Sept. 26th, he repented and some pacification was made. Sept. 27th, I granted a lease of three lives to Mr. Ratclyf for two houses in Dene Square, of 7s. rent for both; fine, twenty nobles. Sept. 28th, Mr. Yardely of Calcot in Chesshyre came, about six miles off from Chester, toward the Holt. News about the philosopher Mr. Walder. Sept. 30th, John Crockar (my good servant) had leave to go to see his parents. He went with Bartholomew Hikman and Robert Charles toward Branbroke, with Arthur Golding, for the cure of his fistula. John Crocker intends to return about Easter or at Whitsuntide next. God be his speed! Mr. Humphry Damport was made our steward.

Oct. 12th, Rafe Holden put in a bill against Richard Walkeson for entering Brereriding's chase, which I and Antony Ryve … false. The bill was not found. Oct. 22nd, John Fletcher of Manchester went with my letters to Vanylos this Sunday morning. Nov. 3rd, Mr. John Cholmeley set out for London by way of Market-Harborow. Nov. 7th, the receiver and I did not agree in the accounts. A little after nine in the morning Arthur's left eye was hurt at fencing with a rapier and dagger of sticks, by a thrust from Edmond Arnold. Nov. 10th, Mr. Burch's letter from Mathew Palmer. Nov. 14th, the fellows would not grant me the £5. for my house rent, as the Archbishops had granted; and our foundation requires a house. Nov. 17th, I sent Ed. Arnold to London on foot with my letters to Dr. Julio. Dec. 3rd, 10s. to Richard Walkeden in part of wages. 10s. to the nurse. Dec. 9th, I visited the grammar school. Dec. 13th, I wrote by the carrier Barret to Dr. Cæsar. Dec. 14th, Mr. George Broke, son to Mr. … Broke of …, came to make my acquaintance, and I treated him in a very friendly way. Mr. Ratclif of Manchester came with him, but Mr. Heton also came on Tuesday afternoon when I had no leisure. Dec. 17, I lent Mr. Barlow for his son a Spanish grammar in 8vo, printed at Lovayn in 1555 by Bartholomew Gravay in Spanish, French, and Latin. To R. Dickonson I paid £7. 2s. for the plate and a new bell made till 1599, January 1st, £66.