Glimpses of Macclesfield

from Glimpses of Macclesfield in ye Olden Days published in 1883

From a paper read at a meeting of the Rosicrusian Society, held in Manchester, on the "Historical Memorials of the Church of Prestbury," we find an entry in the churchwardens accounts for the year 1745. "Item - Paid for umbrella for a carriage, 03 00 00." It is hard to imagine the Guards under fire and using umbrellas at the same time. Such a thing, was seen once. During the action at the Mayor's house, near Bayonne, in 1813, the Grenadiers under Colonel Tyling occupied an unfinished redoubt near the high road. Wellington, happening to ride that way, beheld the officers of the household regiment protecting themselves from the falling rain with umbrellas. This was too much for the great chief's equanimity, and he instantly sent off Lord A. Hill with the message, "Lord Wellington does not approve of the use of umbrellas under fire, and cannot allow the gentlemen's sons to make themselves ridiculous in the eyes of the army."

I was actually looking for information on the history of weavers cottages..