1609 RUDSTON, John and Thomas

 

John Rudston is known to have produced almanacs from 1606 (BL has a cover to 1606). Nothing is known about John Rudston (sometimes spelt Rudstone) and it could be that the name is a pseudonym, many Almanac writers used a different name, however there is an interesting almanac dated 1609 attributed to Thomas Rudston, with further copies to 1613. This indicates a family relationship, with possibly the son taking over from the father. John´s first dated almanac is from 1615 and an almost unbroken run is known until 1627.[1] John Rudston referred to himself as Mathe or as Philomathen and Louise Hill Curth[2] notes he worked out of Cambridge.

The 1609 title is A double Almanacke and Prognostication for the yeare of our Redemption, 1609 / Being the first from the leape yeare. Wherein, appropriately for the parallel of our Cantabridgian clime, but like indifferently serving for the middle partes of this whole Monarchie of great Britaine. Sub Latitud. 52.20. Sub Longitud. 21.; By Thomas Rudston Phylmathem. London. Printed for the company of Stationers. (Mass Hist. Soc.)

 

All illustrations courtesy of Internet Archive. Available online.

 

Thomas Rudston included a set of routes: A Geographicall description of the right wayes from any notable town in England to the Citty of London, as also from one notable Towne to another.

 

           

 

When Rudston´s almanacke appeared in 1610, the title was only slightly changed.

A New Almanacke & Prognostication for the yeare of grace, 1610, being the second from the leape yeare: Rectified, appropriately to the parallel of the (tref?)famous University of Cambridge, but like indifferently serving this whole Monarchie of great Brittaine. Amplified with many new additions of great use:By Thomas Rudtson Philmathem. Imprinted at London for the company of Stationers.

The Almanacke of 1613 is also under the name Thomas Rudstone (title only slightly changed, copy known lacks Prognostication), but by 1615 John Rudston had taken over:

An Almanacke & Prognostication for the yeare of our Lord God, 1615, being the third after leape yeare: calculated and referred to the meridian and latitude of London, and may well serve for this whole monarchie of Great Brittaine: whereunto is added many necessary rules, tables, and directions. By John Rudston Math. This was published in London. Printed for the Company of Stationers. 1615. (BL).

From the beginning Rudston included routes: A Geographicall description of the right wayes from any notable town in England to the Citty of London, as also from one notable Towne to another.

    

 

        

 

In the later almanacs Rudston included a new tabular arrangement of fifteen routes:

The Geographicall description of waies from one notable Towne to another, over all England, & thereby how to travell from any of them to the City of London, set forth after a new order by A.H. (This was Arthur Hopton.)

                

   

 

Thomas Rudston and Imprinted at London: For the Company of Stationers:

1606 title page only extant (BL), 1607 (BL), 1609 (Massachusetts Historical Society), 1610 (LPL), 1611 (BL), 1612 (BL), 1613 (B).

John Rudston and Imprinted at London: For the Company of Stationers:

1615 (B), 1616 (LPL), 1617 (LPL), 1618 (LPL), 1619 (B), 1620 (LPL), 1624 (BL), 1625 (LPL), 1626 (LPL), 1627 (BL).

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[1] Francis Bennett had 1615 but the internet reveals copies as early as 1610. However, Louise Hill Curth additionally lists John Rudston from 1607 to 1613 with an issue in each year and one in 1628. I have listed only those to be found in library catalogues and at Internet Archive.

[2] Louise Hill Curth (2007) p. 243.