 |
| Charles Cotton, by Alexander Carsgill, 1897 -- Wikipedia |
The subject of my research into people born on the 28th of each month, which is the theme of my blog posts for 2025, is one who, for most folks, remains obscure in the pages of history.
Born in England in 1630 to Charles Sr., he lived during a time of great unrest in the British Isles. Little is known of his family, apart from the fact they were Royalists (loyal to the King Charles 1 and the Monarchy). Charles didn’t attend university, which, in itself wasn’t unusual, as few young men and no young women did at the time. However, the nugget of information that he was tutored at home by Ralph Rawson, who had been expelled from Brasenose College, Oxford. Why, we aren’t certain, but it probably had something to do with “behavior unbecoming”.
Cotton was born into a prominent family, and so enjoyed travel in France and Italy following his tutelage. When he was 18, his father died, and he inherited the family estate. Unfortunately, by that time, about the only thing left were multiple lawsuits which his father had accumulated over the years.
He served in Ireland in the army during the War, achieving the rank of captain. Following the English Civil War, which the Royalists lost once the king was killed, Charles spent the rest of his life in quiet country pursuits, mainly in Staffordshire.
He married Isabella Hutchinson, daughter of Thomas Hutchinson, a Member of Parliament for Nottingham, in 1656. They had one daughter, Catherine, who later married a baronet. Isabella passed away in 1670, and he remarried a wealthy woman of the times, Mary Cromwell, Countess of Ardglass, following her husband’s death. However, Cotton had no access to her money, as it was enjoined to her late husband’s estate. But there is no mention that the couple were unhappy in any way as they lived out their remaining years.
 |
| Cotton's fishing hut -- Wikipedia |
It was while enjoying the role of country gentleman that he befriended Izaak Walton, and the two worked together on various writing projects over subsequent years. One of the first, The Compleat Gamester, published in 1674 was a compilation of card games and the many iterations of those games with a variety of rules in common usage of the time. The book, long considered the go-to English language book on gambling games including billiards, dice, horse racing, and cock fighting, finally succumbed to the popularity of Hoyle’s Games Complete almost a hundred years later.
As a result of his friendship with Walton, Cotton contributed a section to The Compleat Angler entitled, “Instructions on how to angle for a trout or grayling in a clear stream”. At that time, accessibility to good fishing spots in England was restricted physically and legally, with most land under private ownership.
Cotton made most of his own flies, and kept a large inventory of materials with which to construct these lures. An interesting note is that in Montana, his Stonefly lure is still in use to this day, although in his native England, are rarely used.
Charles Cotton also translated a number of works into English, including a practical book on trees, a biography, and poetry.
Another interesting connection to the United States, which, at the time of his death, was a colony of England that had recently welcomed its first European settlers, is that the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum Hall of Fame has honored him for his contributions to The Compleat Angler, saying, “an angler in his own right, Cotton contributed…12 chapters on fishing, mainly fly fishing” and that “some of his advice is still useful, such as casting away from a fish, and using smaller, neater flies rather than large, bushy ones.”
As a result of his friendship with Walton, Cotton contributed a section to The Compleat Angler entitled, “Instructions on how to angle for a trout or grayling in a clear stream”. At that time, accessibility to good fishing spots in England was restricted physically and legally, with most land under private ownership.
Cotton made most of his own flies, and kept a large inventory of materials with which to construct these lures. An interesting note is that in Montana, his Stonefly lure is still in use to this day, although in his native England, are rarely used.
Charles Cotton also translated a number of works into English, including a practical book on trees, a biography, and poetry.
Another interesting connection to the United States, which, at the time of his death, was a colony of England that had recently welcomed its first European settlers, is that the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum Hall of Fame has honored him for his contributions to The Compleat Angler, saying, “an angler in his own right, Cotton contributed…12 chapters on fishing, mainly fly fishing” and that “some of his advice is still useful, such as casting away from a fish, and using smaller, neater flies rather than large, bushy ones.”
 |
| Wikipedia |
When Cotton died in 1687, he left his insolvent estates to his creditors, and is buried at St. James’s Church, Piccadilly.
Leave a comment to enter a drawing for a free ebook, Dianna’s Dilemma. A talented female journalist tracks down a mystery in eastern Colorado. Remember to include your cleverly-disguised email address so we can let you know if you’re the winner. For example: donna AT livebytheword DOT com
Leave a comment to enter a drawing for a free ebook, Dianna’s Dilemma. A talented female journalist tracks down a mystery in eastern Colorado. Remember to include your cleverly-disguised email address so we can let you know if you’re the winner. For example: donna AT livebytheword DOT com
About Dianna’s Dilemma: In 1881, a female journalist travels to La Junta, Colorado, for one story, but finds another even more intriguing. Will she break her promise and reveal a man in hiding—or will she stay true to her word—and her heart? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3SCZFTZ
About Donna:
A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers.
www.DonnaSchlachter.com Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donna-Schlachter/author/B01180A2EE
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=donna+schlachter
The Purpose-Full Writer: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Cotton
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1231
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Cotton
https://cffcm.com/hall-of-fame/2021/7/14/charles-cottong?srsltid=AfmBOopEc0Fzng3HuGEcMPJbluG37cMXResfWQPEEDUl-_lmZ-FikpnN
No comments:
Post a Comment