Charles Cotton - 17th Century Derbyshire Squire
Poet, Co-author Of “A Compleat Angler” And Beresford Dale Fisherman
Mar 11, 2009
Charles Cotton was a writer, author and high-living socialite. His lifestyle of angling, gambling and socialising gave plenty of fuel for his writing, but also lead ultimately to his financial ruin.
Peak District Lord of Beresford Manor
Charles Cotton was born at Beresford Manor, near to Hartington in the UK’s Peak District. Overlooking Beresford Dale, this was a once splendid manor, of which little now remains but a private tower. It is thought that this tower may have reused some of the ruined Hall’s stonework. Growing up next to the River Dove which flows through Beresford Dale, he developed a love of fishing that was to last his entire life. It seems that in later years, Charles Cotton’s income from poetry and writing about angling and gaming was insufficient to meet his expenses, and he was forced to go to Parliament for Acts enabling him to sell parts of his estate in the 1660’s and 70’s and finally Beresford Hall itself in 1681.
Friend of Izaak Walton
Izaak Walton, is the well-known author of “A Complete Angler” and, according to the Izaak Walton Hotel, became good friends with Charles Cotton after the death of Izaac’s second wife and when Charles was in his mid-20s. Both men were known to spend much time fly-fishing on the River Dove in search of trout, and it may be that Charles Cotton “temple to fishing” on the banks of the River Dove was built for Izaak in his later years. The temple still stands, marked on the Ordnance Survey maps, and according to various sources, bears the inscription “Piscatoribus Sacrum” with Charles Cotton’s and Izaak Walton’s initials. However, being on private land, it is inaccessible to the public.
Co author of “A Compleat Angler”
Although Izaac Walton is the well-known author of “A Compleat Angler”, it’s less well known that Charles Cotton wrote part of the 2nd section found in later editions. Cotton’s contribution came from his expertise, largely but apparently not exclusively, in fly fishing on the River Dove. Anecdotal evidence suggests that apparently the tactics employed by Cotton and Walton to lure the fish in the 17th Century are just as effective some 350 years later, and their descriptions of the fish were highly accurate. Numerous sources indicate that "A Compleat Angler" is one of the most republished books in UK history – ranking along with Shakespeare’s plays for number of reprints.
Author of “The Compleate Gamester”
Far less well known than “A Compleat Angler”, but apparently nearly as frequently reprinted (the last reprint was apparently in 1970), Charles Cotton was the original author of “The Compleate Gamester”. Initially anonymous, his work was only later attributed when Richard Seymour added his name and a first section to the book in 1754. Still listed by some specialist booksellers, this book is an instruction manual on how to play the many games of the mid 18th Century - from billiards to bowls and chess to cards and dice. Later additions appear to be riding, racing, archery and cockfighting.
While Shrovetide Football may have been considered too low-class to be mentioned in this particular work, he is thought to have referred to this ancient local game in one of his Burlesque’s (collection of poetry) in 1683. This article has more on unusual sporting events near Ashbourne, including the Shrovetide Football.
Charles Cotton was a 17th Century country gentleman from Beresford Dale in the Peak District. He was a multi-talented writer, poet and master of fly-fishing. His friendship with Izaak Walton may have been influential in his becoming the author or co-author of two of the most republished works in UK history, “The Compleat Angler”, and “The Compleate Gamester”.
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