I have only transcribed the Introduction (by R E Leader) and Harrison's Preamble and Description of the Manor - I leave the remaining 400 or so pages of details of land holdings and rents to someone else! My main interest was to place into context a couple of quotes relating to the birds and fish found within the manor - these can be found towards the end of the description.
While I have tidied up the text to some extent, the spellings and punctuation (and capitalisation!) used in Harrison's text are as they were transcribed by Ronksley. I may get round to rendering these sections into modern english at some time and adding some further annotation! (If someone else did that in the meantime, I would gladly add their offering to the site, with due acknowledgement.) Ronksley's footnotes have been included within the text (in [ ] as are other notes).
(Having done this work, and when about to press 'Publish', I have found that a previous transcription of the Description had appeared in the 'Sheffield History Chat Forum' in 2008 (see link) - apologies to 'Bayleaf', I had no intention of treading on his toes, and can asure him that, other than a meaning for 'Hearnshewes', I have not copied his work.)
AN EXACT AND PERFECT
SURVEY AND VIEW
OF THE
MANOR OF SHEFFIELD
WITH OTHER LANDS.
BY JOHN HARRISON,
1637.
TRANSCRIBED AND EDITED BY
JAMES GEORGE RONKSLEY, M.A.
WITH INTRODUCTION BY R. E. LEADER, B.A.
PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR
ARTHUR WIGHTMAN
1908
[------------------- Contents list (pp. i-ii) omitted -------------------]
INTRODUCTION. [pp. iii-viii]
By the generous liberality of Mr. Arthur Wightman, who has undertaken
entire financial responsibility for this work, and by the indefatigable
industry of Mr. James George Ronksley, who has devoted his skilled experience
to the labour of making a faithful transcript and carrying it through the
press, antiquaries are no longer dependent for their knowledge of Harrison's
Survey of the Manor of Sheffield on manuscripts difficult of access, or on
incomplete extracts printed in Forms inconvenient for reference. At last a much desired boon has been
conferred on those interested in the history of the Manor, and there is placed
within their reach a full and authentic version of this important document.
Shortly before the outbreak ·of the Civil Wars, the Earl of Arundel and his
wife Alethea, daughter and co-heiress of Gilbert, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury,
employed a certain John Harrison to conduct systematic surveys of their estates
at Sheffield, Worksop and elsewhere. The
result, as to Sheffield and its vicinity is here set forth. It gives us a detailed account, of
inestimable value, of the locality and its inhabitants in the time of the
Stuarts. The acceptability of the
present volume is enhanced by the fact that the Rev. Joseph Hunter, although aware of certain
extracts found in the Wilson MSS., does not appear to have had the help of the
entire Survey when compiling his "History of Hallamshire".
The Worksop Survey, having been largely reproduced in Mr. Robert White's
"Dukery Records", is not included in this book, which is confined to
the Manors of Sheffield, Cowley, Ecclesfield and certain "foreign
lands" outside their borders, as contained in the two copies known to be
in existence. There are good grounds for
believing that both of these were made in the reign of Charles II. One, in the possession of Mr. William Fox
Tibbitts, descendant of Mr. William Hoyle, a well-known local attorney of the
later eighteenth and earlier nineteenth centuries, was made in the reign of
Charles II. It appears to have belonged
to Mr. John Battie, steward of the Manor in the first half of the eighteenth
Century, and during that period largely concerned in the legal affairs of the
town. The other, and perhaps earlier,
copy is in the Duke of Norfolk's Estate Office.
It is the former of these which Mr. Ronksley, by the courteous permission
of Mr. Tibbitts has transcribed verbatim.
But with it he has sedulously collated the Estate Office manuscript,
specifying, in foot notes, all important points of difference. This was a most laborious and trying business
necessitating the expenditure of much time and patience, as there were many
mistakes and omissions in both copies. Careful
comparison however enabled Mr. Ronksley to reduce these to a minimum. A matter for deep regret is that no plan
accompanying the schedules has been found, although one was certainly made.
The information derivable from this historic Survey is so
self-evident that it would be both impertinent and tedious to dwell here on its
illuminating instructiveness as to topography and place names, to inhabitants,
values, social economy, manners, customs; to the relations between a great proprietor
and his tenants and to the management of a large estate. These, amid other details, confront us with
outstanding prominence and richly reward patient research. Let me take, at random, one or two
illustrations of the manner in which we are helped to recover old names, now
alas, lost; or old personalities dim with time.
"Boardman's Bridge" leading from Pond Street to Lead Mill Road
over the Porter as it approaches the Sheaf, is, after suffering sundry
eccentricities of designation, no longer known.
Its source is revealed in John Boardman, who "holdeth at will ye
shuttles" (p. 53 and p. 51). Again
inquiry has recently been made as to "Row Lees", the site of some old
silver rolling mills on the Sheaf, in what is now Lancing Road. Rowlee is mentioned several times in the
Survey, which shows that in 1637, "Nether Rowlee (meadow &
arable)" lay east of "ye River called Little Sheath" (p. 53). [footnote - The hay from Rowlee was led
"to the great stable at the Castle, for my Lo.’ Use”, in 1636. (Hunter's Hallamshire, 1st edition, pp.
102-3.) ] The entry (p. 54) "William
Pleasington, gentleman, holdeth Dewhouse Close at will," brings us into
touch with one who flits elusively across the local stage until finding rest in
the Parish Church Chancel in 1652. But
resisting the fascination of delving into this tempting quarry, I must content
myself with these brief examples of its many treasures, further noting only the
manner in which Mr Ronksley has augmented convenience of investigation by his
excellent index.
It is unfortunately impossible satisfactorily to answer he very natural
question, who was the John Harrison to whom we are indebted for this "Exact
Survey and View" of Hallamshire? All
we can say is negative - he was not a local man. He was sent here, we now not whence, by the
Earl of Arundel. This is conclusively
proved by certain notes from the Manor accounts found in the Wilson MSS. of such item as the following in payments
made in connection with the Survey:-
1633
|
Mr Boardman for the Dyat of the surveyors at ye Manner
|
4 =
|
17 =
|
0
|
Pd Wm Hoole for leadinge the cheane with the surveyors 32 daies at 8d per
diem.
|
1 =
|
1 =
|
4
|
|
1634
|
June 10 Richard Gillott for 3 weeks Dyat for Mr Harrisonne at Treeton he
beinge theare to Survey
|
1 =
|
3 =
|
0
|
And more for Keeping his horse 3 weekes
|
10 =
|
0
|
||
July 15 Pd Mr Harrison as it doth apeare by his bill for his charges in journeyinge
to & from his owne house to Shef.
|
1 =
|
12 =
|
10
|
|
1636
|
Oct 22 Paid by Mr Webster for ye survayor in the North for theire chargs
.
|
11 =
|
0 =
|
0
|
These are illustrative of other charges for "dyat", “horses' keep", “leadinge the chaine", supplying Mr Harrison with "paper, .quilles and incke", and similar outgoings, including payments to his assistants for work which, it appears, was spread over the years 1633 to 1637. We find Mr. Harrison staying here, at intervals, for long periods - as 18 weeks; even 23 weeks and 3 days. These all indicate that the Lords of the Manor had deemed it necessary to employ skill in surveying and valuing greater than that resorted to by their predecessors, who had relied on appraisements made by the local bailiffs. The Wilson manuscripts include some of these, in the form of rentals, from 1590 to 1616, and conspicuously one "Of the rents belongeing to the rt. hon. The Erle of Shrewsbury, in ye collection of William Halsey, his bayliffe of Sheffeld, pro 1604". Still more important, in relation to Harrison's work, is "A Survey of Lands belonging the Mannor of Sheffeld, 1611, Tennamentts and Landes surveyed by Mr. Wm. Leighe, Bayliffe of Sheffeld". That is in the time of Gilbert, the 7th Earl. But the changes resulting from the extinction of the male Shrewsbury line required an outsider's investigation. Accordingly John Harrison was called in, and was paid for his services £104 - a sum equivalent to £834, or perhaps even £1,000, now. Payment of the balance is thus recorded :-
1637
|
June 10 Paid to Mr Spencer for Mr John Harrison by appointment of Mr John
Dix as appeareth by acquittance dated ye 10 J une 1637
|
£73 =
|
0 =
|
0
|
The position of Mr. John Dix is not defined, but that he was a person of consequence in the administration of the Estates is shown by the fact that he and a certain Sir Edward Leech were joint consignees to whom a fine, settling the succession to the Shrewsbury property, was levied in 1627. (Hunter's Hallamshire 1st edition, p. 99).
Mr. Ronksley has given reasons for thinking that Mr. Tibbitts' copy of the
Survey may have been made from that now in the Duke of Norfolk's possession (pp.
1 and 332, note 3), both probably dating about the year 1668. That one was made in that year is evident
from the following interesting entry In the Manor accounts found in the Wilson
MSS. :-
1668
|
pd to George Hall for writteinge Mr Hareson Survey per Mr Halton order
|
£4 =
|
0 =
|
0
|
The Mr. Halton above mentioned, was Immanuel Halton the astronomer, who, brought by the Howards from their estate at Graystoke, Cumberland, became auditor of the household of the Earl of Arundel, and lived in a house adjoining that Wingfield Manor which suffered grievous destruction at the hands of one of his descendants. Immanuel Halton is buried in South Wingfield Church. In the Duke of Norfolk's Estate Office there is a plan of Hesley Park, and a drawing of Hesley Hall and "Chappell Furnace" made by him, all places duly noted in the Survey.
I the more willingly comply with a request to pen these few prefatory lines
because it gives me the opportunity of expressing on behalf of the public in
general, and archaeologists in particular, our grateful appreciation of the
patriotic service rendered by Mr. Wightman and Mr. Ronksley in bringing
Harrison's record from dusty muniment rooms to the light of day. Warm thanks are also due to Mr. Tibbitts for
allowing his copy to be printed, and to His Grace the Duke of Norfolk for permitting,
with a courtesy characteristic of all his relationships with Sheffield, his
version to be used for the purpose of comparison.
R. E. LEADER.
July, 1908.
[John
Harrison’s preamble – p. 1]
AN exact & perfect Survey & View of the Mannor of
Sheffield, with the Mannors of Cowley & Ecclesfeild, scituated in the
County of Yorke, late parcell of the possessions of the Right Honourable Gilbert
Earle of Shrewsbury, and now parcell of the possessions of the Right Honourable Thomas Howard Earle of
Arundell & Surrey, prime Earle & Earle Marshall of England,
Lord Howard, Lord Mowbray, Lord .Segrave, Lord Bruse, Lord ffitzalan, Lord Culne,
Lord Oswaldestre, Lord Maltravers & Graystocke, Knight of ye most
Noble Order of' the Garter & one of his Majesties most
Honourable Privy Councell, and of the Right .Honourable Countisse ye Lady Alatheia,
his wife, one of the Daughters and Coheires of the said Right Honourable Gilbert
Earle of Shrewsbury, had made and taken there by the view and particular
measuration of all and every the Messuages, Lands and Tenements of,
within, and belonging to the same. Dated
the 29th of September, Annoque Domini 1637 Annoque Regni Regis
Caroli secundi Anglie, &c., thirteenth,
Per me John Harrison Supervisor.
THE
DESCRIPTION OF THE MANNOR OF SHEFFIELD. [pp. 2-4]
THIS Mannor of Sheffield is a very large & spacious Mannor, which in
times past did belong to the Right Honourable ffamily of the Shrewsburys, &
lyeth in the County & Diocesse of Yorke, & in Stafford [footnote - Stafford for
Strafford in both copies] hundred & extendeth in length Eighteen Miles from
the East side of Sheffield Parke that lyeth next unto ye Mannor of Handsworth
unto the farthest end of Holden ffarme which reacheth unto the border of
Glossop Dale which is another Mannor of ye Lord of this Mannor & containeth
in breadth Eight miles and an halfe from ye Northside of Highgreene ffarme that
lyeth next unto ye Lordships of Wortley and Tankersley unto Messebrooke next
Derbyshire being the Southside of Heeley: but the liberty of this Mannor
extendeth itself farther: even throughout all Hallamshire. Within this Mannor is kept a Court Barron
once every three weekes & a Court Leet twice every yeare, whereof ye
Chiefest Court is kept upon every Easter Tuesday (which is there called Sembly
Tuesday), at which Court there are six Juryes impanelled, one for Sheffield Towne,
one for the soake of Sheffield, one for Handsworth, one for the soake of
Southall, one for the soake of Ecclesfield, and one Jury alsoe for the Soake of
Bradfield. Then this Court is always
adjorned untill ye Thursday after, on which day there are foure Juryes more
sworne for every soake a Jury & alsoe a fifth Jury of 24 men if occasion
serveth; you see then that this Mannor is & hath been anciently divided
into four soakes, viz.: The soake of Sheffield (which also containeth Sheffield
Town & Handsworth), ye soake of Southall, ye soake of Ecclesfield, & ye
soake of Bradfield, & according to these four soakes will I devide this
Survey booke, but first of all I will expresse Sheffield Castle & ye parke
which is a free liberty of itself. I
cannot here omit a Royalty that this Mannor hath above other Mannors, yt is
upon every Sembly Tuesday aforesaid, is assembled upon Sembly green, where the
Court is kept, & neare unto the Castle, at ye least one hundred thirty nine
horsemen, with horse & harnesse provided by ye free Holders, Coppy Holders
& other Tenants, & to appeare before the Lord of this Mannor or ye
Steward of his Courts to be viewed by them, & for ye confirmeing of ye
Peace of our Soveraigne Lord the King. There
are two markets weekly at Sheffield, whereof the chiefest is upon Tuesday &
the other upon Thursday, there are also two faires every yeare, ye one is kept
upon Tuesday after Trinity Sunday, & ye other is on ye 17th of November,
within this Mannor is a spacious parke being about eight miles in Compase,
& conteyneth by measure according to ye Statute, 2461 acres, three roods,
& 11 3/10 perches, about ye middest thereof is a faire
house called the Lodge, very pleasantly scituated upon a hill and in a good
ayre. This parke is very well adorn’d
with great store of very Stately Timber and not meanly furnished with fallow
Deare, the number of them at this present is one Thousand, wheareof Deare of
Auntler is two hundred, if you look into ye bowels of this Parke, you shall
find ye inside correspondent to the outside, being stored with very good coales
and Iron stone in abundance.
SHEFFIELD TOWN is situated close unto the Parke & an ancient ffaire
castle thereto adjoyning mounted upon a little hill, & at the foot thereof
are two Rivers meeting together, but ye River of Doune drowns the name of ye
other River called ye Sheath, besides these two Rivers there are other Rivers
called Porter Water, Loxley Water & Riveling Water with other small Rivers
& brookes. These Rivers are very
profitable unto ye Lord in regard of the Mills & Cutler wheeles that are
turned by theire streames, which weeles are imployed for the grinding of knives
by four or five hundred Master Workmen that gives severall marks.
There are alsoe within this Mannor very stately Timber especially in Haw
Parke, which for both straitnesse & bignesse there is not ye like in any
place that you can heare of being in length about 60 foot before you come to a
knot or a bow, & many of them are two ffathams & some two fathams &
a halfe about & they grow out of such a Rocher of stone that you would
hardly thinke there were earth enough to nourish the rootes of ye said trees.
Alsoe there are within this Mannor good stones for building, & slate
stones for tyling or slateing of houses, & course grinding stones for
knives & scithes, & alsoe very good Millnstones are hewen out in
Rivelin or stone edge, there is likewise very good clay for pots & bricks.
This Mannor is not onely profitable, but for pleasure alsoe, being
furnished with red Deare & ffallow, with hares & some Rowes,
with Phesants & great store of Partridges, & moore Game in
abundance both black & red, as moore Cockes, moore Hens & young
pootes upon ye moores, as also Mallard, Teale, Hearnshewes [? ‘Herinshrew, a heron’ in “A Glossary of Words used
in the neighbourhood of Sheffield”, S O Addy, 1888], Plover, ye chiefest fishing within
this Mannor is in ye River that passeth through the same, wherein are great
store of Salmon, Trouts, Chevens [Chub], Eles and other small fish. There may be within this Mannor raised iron worke which would afford unto ye Lord (as is thought) a thousand pounds yearly & all charges discharged & for ye maintaineing of this worke, there are within this 2 thousand acres of wood & timber (besides Sheffeild Parke) whereof there are above 16 hundred acres of spring woods besides great store of old trees fit for noe other purpose but for ye makeing of Charkehole. All those things considered (with many more which for brevity sake I omit) this Mannor is not inferior to any Mannor in England as I suppose.
----------------------
[pp. 5-402
not transcribed (!)]
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