A codfish was brought to market in Cambridge, England, on this day in 1626. Codfish were probably brought to market every day in 1626 – and in 1627 and throughout the centuries, but this was a rather unusual fish. Upon being opened, it was found to have a book in its stomach. There are plenty of fish in books, but how many books in fish are there?
The book had seen better days, but it remained readable. It had been written by one John Frith and included several essays on religious subjects evidently written by Frith when in prison. Oddly enough, he had been confined in a fish cellar where many of his fellow prisoners died from smelling too much salt cod. Frith got past the salt cod but was eventually taken to the Tower, and in 1533 was burned at the stake for unacceptable religious beliefs. How he got his essays – which were no doubt inflammatory – into that cod is still a mystery.
The folks at Cambridge reprinted the work, which had been totally forgotten for a hundred years until it turned up inside the fish. The reprint was called Vox Piscis, which would translate to “voice of the fish.” There’s definitely a morale booster for writers here: When Random House says no, go find yourself a big fish.
Wretched Richard's Almanac 