The bound volume at shelfmark CC.n.76 in the Long Room contains a collection of almanacs for the year 1666.
Along with the Bible, almanacs were extremely popular in the 17th century and were the cornerstones of most personal libraries. They evolved from manuscript to the printed age via xylography – a wood engraving printed on vellum and updated annually by hand. Manuscript almanacs however were still produced beyond the Tudor period. Originally containing tables recording annual astronomical events and their impact on people’s lives, almanacs proved useful for astronomers, physicians and astrologers. The subject of astrology – both natural and judicial – played a vital role in the content.
It was not until the mid-16th century that almanacs were issued for popular use and included predictions of a political or religious nature. Editions also included dates with the names of associated saints. Exaggerated predictions and use of thrilling language ensured annual sales of almanacs in England soared to 400,000 copies.
Adding a light-hearted slant, ‘Poor Robin’s almanacs’ not only included the Saint’s days in the almanac but found room to also add villains’ days. Poor Robin (a pseudonym of William Winstanley) had a scatter-gun approach to content that was not unusual for the time in making wild predictions, albeit with tongue firmly in cheek. Observations for August include ‘Fair weather will now be as welcome to the farmer, as a fee to the lawyer’. September sees him display his astrological skills, informing the reader that ‘The bright planet Venus now rising in the buckle of Orion’s girdle, foreshews that towards the latter end of the moneth, men will begin to put toasts in drink.’ It will come as no surprise that his skills in predicting September’s Great Fire of London are lacking. The almanac first appeared in 1662 but was quickly suppressed as scandalous, only to reappear shortly afterwards boasting healthy sales of c. 7,000 per annum.
The public interest in predicting the future remains strong in the 21st century. Continued publication of almanacs such as ‘Old Moore’s’ and the fascination people still show with horoscopes and other aspects of astrology ensures bright prospects for almanac production as we enter the electronic age of publishing. Signs are on it!