Shalliley Books

Edmund Robinson was a curate in Holmfirth from 1673. He was soon recognised as living beyond his stipend and in 1677 was probably suspended, rather than as previously thought in 1688, because of ‘exceptionable’ behaviour. Where did his wealth come from? He was suspected of clipping and coining at his home of Bank End in Brockholes. His house was searched and the equipment discovered in the cellar. Incidentally, we do know that Edmund’s wealth was in part explained by payment for illegal weddings and baptisms.

I wonder where the bits of equipment are now? Can anyone shed further light on this story and perhaps fill in gaps and inconsistencies?

We still have copies available from the author (01484666528) and the publisher (01484683196). An intriguing individual, who at various times was a rogue curate, gentleman, parish constable, potential highwayman, fraudster and conterfeiter, land and property owner and moneylender.

Our contact with history professor Paul Ward happily continues with this review from a member of his staff at Edge Hill University.

The Seventeenth century is often a fertile ground for our imaginations and mining historical tidbits. That may be why the new book by John Cross is so engrossing and informative. It is entitled ‘The Curate and the King’s Coin’ and is a narrative of the misdemeanours of The Reverend Edmund Robinson, his arrest and execution. Cross’ book is a charming portrait of early modern English history and is peppered with local anecdotes, maps and paraphernalia. However, Cross’ book is much more and using primary records it reveals a hidden aspect of seventeenth-century life.

It is the kind of England very familiar to this reviewer, where kings, queens and great battles are absent, or bystanders. Cross, tantalisingly, exposes this England through his intrepid investigation of local history. His results may at first reveal a patchwork, but once reassembled we get a new narrative – not only of rural Yorkshire, but of England itself. The potency of Cross’ book is the reason why independent publishers such as Shalliley Books are at the dynamic end of publishing. This is the type of book which would be unlikely to be commissioned by a major mainstream publisher, and if they did, it would lose its niche-local charm.

Dr Onyeka Nubia, Visiting Research Fellow, Edge Hill University, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Huddersfield, Director of Studies, Narrative Eye.

Posted by Dave Walker 1.11.2019

We have had several commercial printers since 2011. Starting with Pete Davies’ cricket book, we obviously used the university press (incidentally closing recently with Amadeus the beneficiary). I simply didn’t know enough despite writing a short pamphlet about Almondbury Casuals and completing a publishing module at Sheffield Hallam. Needless to say I was a quick study. Proof-reading was the first thing. Stephen Chalke, a publisher colleague, said “get a digital print company”. So I did. They were great for me, but ran into asbestos trouble. I followed their side shoot, but that fell over as well. So it’s Amadeus, which I found by chance. Their proof copy was fine and so we took a punt. And we went to see them. David Crossland and Richard Lambert.

David’s been a printer man and boy with Netherwood’s. Weird as the Casuals’ pamphlet was a follow up to Cricket in Perspective by Jim Netherwood. I remember him both from Huddersfield RUFC and Almondbury Casuals. We played a regular memorial fixture for Jim’s son with Wealdstone Corinthians. Jim turned out to play, though latterly, prior to his death, he struggled with mobility. You can read a short biography here.

So having connected and recapped it was time for a tour – great. Gave John, the writer, some ideas for his archaeological journal. I think we have hit on a winner.

I did think about a pic of Mozza.