Clues to a Buried Treasure in Leek.

The following information has been taken from the book “Olde Leek” by Mathew Miller which suggests that there may be an undiscovered treasure deep below ground in a cave. The information is as follows:

” Now we shall proceed to give the Reader an account of a strange Prophesie which was found in the earth at a place called Leek in Staffordshire, the manner thus:

Several labourers being set on work to dig for stone to pave two streets, having dug a 100 load, about six yards in the ground, found a broad pavement, under which was an iron pot full of bones and ashes; as likewise several other earthen pots that contained the like; but with a touch fell all into dust: Under them was a gravestone, which being taken up had under it a pot of oyl close covered, in which was a scroule of parchment preserved by the same, in which was written these words in old English.

The words found written on the parchment.

When the year sixteen hundred fourtys tows is well nigh gone, folk shall gang here together stane; when gold is most esteem’d Monk Men, then let ‘um digg here arms deep four time ten, and they shall ha’ that which is their sole desire, but then let them beware, for amongst hearts there shall be as naked din, because many will have their lamps to trim, yet shall share the debonire of me gurk hay la tim: But first let um digg forty arms deep, and then into a cave they shall peep, then let ‘um take out what’s in that hole, and give some to every poor sole; and whilst they digg give hungry bread free, and they shall great treasure see.

ANSELEM, &c.

The meaning of these words are, – that in the year 1680, near the end of the said year, men shall gather to that place to get stone and digging in the earth 40 arms deep, shall find a cave in which is a great treasure, yet if they use not according to the intent of the owner, which is to bestow it amongst the poor, it will become a snare to them.

This Anselem as neer as can be computed, about 500 years since was an Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and a very great stickler for the Pope, against the King, viz, Stephen; and did ot only excommunicate him, but caused his subjects to rebell, and caused a long war to ensue between him and Henry the second, son to Maud, The Empress daughter to William the Conquerour, nor would he absolve him till he had bought his peace, and made a Golden Composition with the Bishop. Likewise this Anselem did much contradict the opinions of many learned Chimicks of that age concerning their opinions as to the Transmutation of Mettle; till himself at last by study, found it to be true; and with a certain powder did change abundance of silver and other fine mettles into gold, some of which he has hoarded in this place, where according to antient chronologies, a Monestry had formerly stood but we will leave it till we hear further.” – from a rare tract in the library of Mr Brough.

If I were to speculate on the above article I would suggest that the treasure may have come from Dieulacresse Abbey, this would have been hidden by the Monks before the Dissolution of the Monasteries which was introduced between 1536 and 1541 by Henry V111. The Abbey was the second greatest monastic land owner in the county so they would have needed to hide their assets somewhere. The reference to where a monastery once stood and where the treasure could be along with the transmutation of metal into gold does suggest Dieulecresse Abbey, or the area close to where it once stood ,may be a contender for the location of the treasure. However, if, as stated it is buried at a depth of 40 arms length then we could be talking of a depth up to 120ft, added to this the fact that the exact location is not known I don’t think the treasure will be unearthed any time soon!

photograph by Gary Tacagni.