Tudor Quotations about Rotherham
Rotherham does not figure largely in the annals of the world in Tudor times as in other ages. In 1569 Mary, Queen of Scots passed through or stayed here on her way from Bolton Castle to Tutbury. Her lady in waiting Agnes, Lady Livingstone, was taken ill on the way and had to be left behind at Rotherham. Thus far I have not found any record of the town's reaction to this – unfavourable I would venture to suspect. And for those of you who may think of asking - No - Queen Elizabeth did not sleep here. According to my history books the progresses of Elizabeth never took her further north than Stamford to visit My Lord Burghley. These are a few quotes that I have found recorded in history about the town.
From John Leland
John Leland in his travels around England (1530s) said:–
"I enterid into Rotherham by a fair Stone Bridge of iiii Arches, and on hit is a Chapel of Stones wel wrought.
Rotherham is a meatfull large Market Town, and hath a large and fair Collegiate Church. The College was institutid by one Scott, Archbisshop of York. otherhwise caullid Rotherham, even in the same Place wher now is a very fair College sumptuusly buildid of Brike, for a Provost, v Prestes, a Schole-Master of Song and vi Chorestes, a Schole-Master of Grammar and a nother in Writinge.
Though betwixt Cawood and Rotherham be good plenti of Wood, yet People burne much Yerth Cole bycawse hit is plentifully found ther, and sold good chepe.
A mile from Rotherham be very good Pittes of Cole.
In Rotherham be very good Smithes for all cutting tools."
Leland's spellings are all his own.
From Holinshed
1577 Holinshed's Chronicles
"The Done (Don) therefore in Yorkshire among the Peke Hills, and having received a water coming by Ingbirchworth goeth to Peniston, which is 4 miles from the bed, then by Oxspring to Thurgoland,and soone after (joining by the way with Midhope Water that runneth by Midhop Chapell and Hondershelfe), it meeteth another coming from Bowsterston Chapell. Then it goeth by Wadsley Bridge and at Alverton receiveth the Bradfielde water. Then it passeth by Crokes and so to Sheffield Castell (by east whereof it receiveth a brook from the south, that cometh through Sheffield Park).
Then it proceedeth to Westforde bridg and S.W. of Tinsley receiveth the Cowley Stream that runneth by Ecclesfeld. Next of all it goeth into Rotherham, where it meeteth ye Rother, a goodly water whose head is in Darbyshire, about Pilsley from whence it goeth under the name of Doley till it comes to Rotherham by way of North Winfield Church, Wingerworth and Firgeland Hall, 12 miles to Rotherham from Chesterford where it meeteth with the Iber and Brampton Water etc. and so runneth from Treton, Whiston and there taking in a ryll from Aston and so to Rotherham where it meeteth the Donne."
And so are Holinshed's.
Other Quotes
Some twenty years after The Reformation (1537), Lionel Reresby of Thrybergh acquired the following:–
"2 mills and 20 acres of pasture called Templeborrow with appurtenances in Ikkyls held of the Queen (Elizabeth I 1558 – 1603), as of her monastery of Roche lately dissolved in socage, by fealty and rent of 13s 4d for all services and demands."