COTEHELE HOUSE
In Cotehele—a name believed to signify the woods on the river—we have one of the least spoiled specimens of a knightly dwelling built in the late mediaeval tradition.
Whereas in the extreme south-west peninsula the landed classes still lived lives of semi-barbarity, in the south and east of England noble families were beginning to shed, once the first Tudor monarch had safely established his dynasty, the architectural trappings of a ruder age—crenelations, machicolations and lancet windows. To understand this we have only to remember that when Cotehele House was taking the conventional Gothic shape we recognize in it today, the Wars of the Roses were over and the dawn of a new classical spirit was stealthily suffusing the more civilized counties of England. While Sir Piers Edgcumbe was adorning his primitive hall at Cotehele, the young King Henry VIII was extravagantly trying to emulate Francis I in all the princely arts of the Renaissance upon the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Even in mountainous Wales life was far quieter and more dependable than in the remote coombes and valleys of the Cornish Duchy, and only in the highlands of Scotland were conditions to be found comparable with it.
The grey granite walls of this exceedingly romantic house are shrouded by woods above the steep banks of the Tamar, where the river soon loops to the west before rushing south again to emerge into Plymouth Sound. From the narrow plateau of the house’s site the windows of the east wing of Cotehele overlook the railway viaduct and the town of Calstock perched above the river. A hundred yards or more to the south the drive edges along the precipitous reach of the Tamar, which unfurls itself in a silver ribbon—whenever the sun is shining—immediately below.

THE EXTERIOR OF COTEHELE
The Barn,
1485-1489
Sir Richard’s
Gatehouse
’
The East Wing 1862
On entering the gate we pass down the straight, short drive with the buttressed range of Sir Richard Edgcumbe’s barn (1485-9) on our right. Ahead of us stands Sir Richard’s embattled gatehouse in the middle of the south wing of the house. Sir Richard’s work is distinguished from the late thirteenth or early fourteenth-century setting (of rough rubble and small round-headed lancets) by the even courses of cut granite blocks and the pointed arch of the entrance with its projecting, moulded drip course and heavy labels. The tympanum and spandrels of this doorway are deeply cut into conventional Gothic patterns.
To the left of the south wing is seen a gardener’s cottage, forming part of the outbuildings of the Retainers’ Court, which comprises the extreme western part of the manor house. Into this court projects Sir Richard Edgcumbe’s chapel with its charming little bell cot and gay finials, all in moulded granite. Here we observe further evidence of late fifteenth-century work in the two-light, pointed windows under square drip courses with labels, and in the low, broad west window to the chapel. In the wide pointed arch to the main court, with a porter’s squint beside it, we have what was probably the original entrance of Hilaria’s day.
To the right of the south wing we pass round the corner to the east wing. This overlooks the terrace garden which abruptly falls into what is called the Valley (see page 29). This east front was almost entirely reconstituted for a widowed Countess of Mount Edgcumbe—a most happy example of alteration that preserves the architectural uniformity of Cotehele—in 1862, a date not usually associated with modesty and good manners in new building to old houses.
Under the square gate-tower a wicket door leads us into the main court through a narrow passage, with ponderous moulded vaulting and on its right side two doorways. The passage way is cobbled and just wide enough to allow a pack horse to walk through it. From the courtyard numerous flattened archways lead to the various quarters of the house, but we are only concerned with the doorway immediately ahead that takes us to the great hall. Before we enter, let us observe the curiously abrupt juxtaposition of the walls in the north-west corner of this beautiful little court. This corner marks the halting of Sir Richard Edgcumbe’s work and the beginning of his son’s, Sir Piers. On the west wall we have the perpendicular east window under a pointed gable of Sir Richard’s chapel. On the north wall we have, somewhat inconsiderately pushed forward against the chapel’s east end, as though its builder was in some fearful hurry, the boundary of Sir Piers’s additions. Under the gable we have a noble double window of three lights
each, complete with saddle bars, the heads of ogival shape, a low transom and the mullions moulded in cavetto that proclaim their early Tudor origin. Over it is the no less perfect window of the solar, or south bedroom. To the right of these windows, on ground floor level is the double window of two lights only marking the dais end of the hall and taking the place of what a generation earlier would have been the true mediaeval oriel. For we must bear in mind that even in this backward extremity of England, Sir Piers Edgcumbe’s hall (completed, as we have previously explained, before 1520) is a product of the developed Tudor evolution of great halls.
THE INTERIOR OF COTEHELE
The Great Hall. Sir Piers’s hall may be modest in length —only forty feet—but it certainly can vie with the most splendid interiors of the west country. It is some surprise to find ourselves, contrary to the undeviating mediaeval rule, stepping straight into the middle of the room, instead of into a darkened screens passage. Here there are indeed no screens at all, but the three doors on our right lead away into the offices and east quarters of the house, occupied by the Trust’s tenants. Even so, a note of tradition and completeness is instantly and firmly struck. The roof is not, as might be expected, of the developed hammerbeam type, now prevalent in Henry V111s reign as at Hampton Court and Eltham Palace, but still of the mediaeval form, the spaces between the main purlins being strengthened by intersecting, moulded wind braces, the effect of which is very decorative. The rough stone and cement floor, sparsely furnished with several superb pieces of oak, and the whitewashed walls, hung with arms, banners and trophies, ranging from a full suit of armour to swords of foreign make, wonderfully preserve the atmosphere of the sixteenth century. At the dais end, where the family and their guests originally assembled
at meal times is a large open Tudor fireplace for their especial comfort. Among the heraldic panels of the windows are emblazoned the arms of those families into whom the Edgcumbes had married, names that evoke past history and glories of the west country—Holland, Tremaine, Durnford, Cotterel, Raleigh, Trevanion, Carew, St. Maure and Fitzwalter—each contained within a diamond-shaped shield, a fleur-de-lis on the upper corner. Contents of Great Hall,  Of the furniture the following pieces should be noted:
(1) The large oak refectory table, on four baluster legs joined by stretchers, and its companion oak bench. Late sixteenth century. On this table has been arranged: Contents. Reference in this guide book can only be made to a selection of the more interesting pieces. Most of the contents are the property of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. The author is indebted for the description of the contents to Colonel Charles Brocklehurst. A selection of pewter, the tazze and dishes often chased with the Edgcumbe arms within a wreath of foliage. The pewter dates mostly from the seventeenth century and will have been in constant use by the family until possibly the mid-eighteenth century.
 A Charles I chair-table, the dual purpose back or top carved with a foliated arch containing a spray of interlacing foliage and the date 1627. It is one of the finest and earliest specimens of its kind and is illustrated in the Dictionary of Furniture.
 An oak arm-chair, the turned legs joined by stretchers, the back carved with a central panel of formal foliage, an arch and cherubs, surmounted by a bell-shaped ornament and two moon faces, c. 1650. An oak arm-chair, the back carved in high relief with a panel representing Adam and Eve with the Serpent and the Tree of Knowledge and flanked by the sun and moon, a gryphon and a dragon, and surmounted by carved and pierced strapwork with a cherub’s head in the centre, c. 1650. Nine George II folding chairs, the seats and backs stuffed and covered in leather, with brass nailed borders, the mahogany legs and seats hinged for folding purposes, an unusual suite.
The armour includes: A half-size suit of sixteenth-century armour consisting of helmet, gorget, breast and back plates, pauldrons, full arms and tassets.

Two brass horns, pronounced by the British Museum to be undoubtedly of the Bronze Age. They were probably acquired by a member of the family when in Ireland, having been found in a bog between Cork and Mallow.
 A burgonet, close helmets, Cromwellian helmets, breasts and backs of the seventeenth century and Napoleonic date. Twelve matchlock guns. Halberts, handbills, pikes and gisarmes. Swords, daggers and a vambrace. An assegai and Zulu shield picked up beside the body of the Prince Imperial in 1879. The Dining-Room. A doorway in the north-west corner and dais end of the great hall leads us to the foot of the staircase. The original cobbled floor was uncovered in 1956 when a later wooden floor was removed. Thence a doorway gives access to the old dining-room, lit at the courtyard end by the great double window that marks the beginning of Sir Piers Edgcumbe’s additions to the house. Here we are at once confronted by the first series of rich tapestries that cover practically every inch of wall space in the ensuing rooms. Although most of these tapestries, being of the seventeenth and even early eighteenth centuries, are not coeval with the rooms themselves, they provide a rare instance of how the wall spaces of a late mediaeval dwelling were treated, as an alternative to wainscot. The plastered walls of the rooms at Cotehele are hung with panels of tapestry, ruthlessly cut wherever necessary to suit the spaces and treated just as was arras in mediaeval times, regard being had for their purely decorative value and warmth rather than artistic merit. It is very probable that the existing tapestries were substituted for earlier Tudor arras, which before it became worn out, was hung here in a similar fashion. The furniture in this and the ensuing rooms has, as far as can be ascertained, always belonged to the house and in several cases to the very rooms in which it is still found. About 1840 the Rev. F. V. J. Arundell, Rector of the neighbouring parish of Landulph, published his History of Cotehele. This contains a beautiful series of coloured lithographsby Nicholas Condy, an accomplished Plymouth artist. In
14
his illustrations of the interior of the house the Stuart and early Georgian furniture is faithfully delineated. These plates at least afford proof that a hundred years ago the greater part of the furniture was then in place. Contents of Dining-room (1) A large panel of late seventeenth-century Flemish tapestry woven with figures and representing the toilet of Venus in a verdant landscape with a dolphin fountain. Within a rich border of flowers and fruit a fox’s mask in the bottom centre. (2) Four panels of seventeenth-century Flemish tapestry, each woven with small classical figures in green and brown landscapes. The bottom border of each is woven with bright coloured clusters of fruit and flowers with grotesque masks at the ends.
(3) A William and Mary three-back settee on eight baluster legs joined by scroll stretchers with urn finials, and with triple arched back, stuffed and covered with pink velvet and panels of gros point needlework. (4) A pair of George I settees on three walnut cabriole legs in front and plain ones behind. Stuffed and covered in pale blue damask with flowers in pinks and yellows. (5) An oak refectory table on four gadrooned baluster legs joined by plain stretchers on ball feet, the edge to the top carved with bold gadroons and heart-shaped ornaments. Sixteenth century (the stretchers, feet and top are replacements). (6) Three Charles II walnut arm-chairs, the arms carved with foliage and spiral supports, the legs carved with oblong rosettes and joined by pierced bands of foliage. The backs and seats covered in yellow and brown velvet. (7) A Georgian mahogany pole fire-screen on tripod hoof feet, carved with ovolos and foliage with fluted base to pole
15

There is not a great deal of written history concerning cotehele , the national trust have a booklet written in 1947 and reprinted atvarious dates.

Indeed the location of the house and quays are within an ancient landscape , calstock has recently experienced a massive update to it's historical archives , which with reflection should have a great bearing on all sites along the river Tamar .

There are drawings of the house by Nicholas Condy  Born at Withiel in Torpoint, Cornwall, Condy was the son of Nicholas Condy of Mevagissey and his wife, Elizabeth Thomas. He became a professional painter after serving in the Peninsular War (1811-1818). In 1814 he married Ann Trevanion Pyle in Stoke Damerel, Devon, where they made their home (Plymouth). He specialised in landscape painting and coastal scenes in watercolours, which he produced on tinted paper to a standard size. His best known painting is at Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall (The Court Dinner at Cotehele), and he published a book of his watercolours about Cotehele (now a National Trust property)

The Black Prince 

(From a picture of the time)

On the next morning the priests came to him and54 Servants of the People prayed with him, blessing his sword and dedicating it to the service of God. He was then taken before the king or some famous warrior, who made him kneel before him, and struck him a light blow on the shoulder with a naked sword. Then after naming him “ Sir So-and-So ” he bade him rise and fight boldly in the name of the Most High. A newly-made knight waited eagerly for a chance to show how brave he could be in battle ; and when he had clearly proved his courage in some way he was said to have “ won his spurs.” Now you see what King Edward III. meant at Crecy. His son, the Black Prince, had been made a knight a few days before the battle which gave him his opportunity to show his bravery and skill as a leader. Both King Edward III. and the Black Prince were known in many lands as pattern knights whom all the eager young gentlemen of the time strove to imitate. And in this great game of knighthood they were doing the people valuable service. We might say, with a great deal of truth, that the knights of those early days were the inventors of manners. Before their time even the nobles and leaders were somewhat coarse and boorish in many ways. They had little respect for women or children or the aged. Their ways of living were rude and dirty, and their houses were ill-kept and uncomfortable. But the knights and ladies of the Age of Chivalry made great changes in these matters. They were much more courteous to each other both in speech and action, bowing, making curtseys, “ doffing ” the hat, and so forth. Their ways of speaking were more careful and gentle. Their table manners were cleaner, and their treatment of each other less boorish and selfish. Each knight was taught to forget himself for the good of his order; and this consideration for others is at the root of all good manners.

In common with the work of restoration of many Westcountry churches now proceeding, the National Trust has arranged for the Cotehele Chapel to be renovated for Coronation Year. Fortunately, as the windows have been restored during the past two years, there is not a great deal to be done but cleaning the woodwork and sills . This chapel is one of the most Interesting and best preserved of any In the mansions of the West In 1411 Peter Edgcumbe and Elizabeth, his wife were granted a Iicence by the then Bishop of Exeter to build a private chapel. to employ a priest, and for Mass to be celebrated. Possibly this chapel was on the site of the existing one which was built by the famous Sir Richard Edgeurnbe shortly after 1485. The exact date is not known, but in that year he was granted the estates of the rebel Bodrugan. and from a country squire with a small estate be became a rich man . He only lived just over three years more but they were years very full of activities. Various circumstances point to him starting right away to use his additional funds for building at Cotehele. He was also actively employed on official duties, and he died at Morlaix, in Brittany. In 1489 when he was there in the capacity of an Ambassador.
BELL TRADITION
In the chapel there to a painting representing his tomb in the now ruined church at Morlaix where he was buried This painting to shown on the bench under the screen, and there are also some ancient wood carvings, including that of Justice blindfolded The church at Morlaix was destroyed at the time of the French Revolution. The chapel projects from the western side of the mansion and is small, but very attractive. There is a most interesting bell turret for two bells, but only one now remains. There is a tradition against ringing this bell, for it to said in the past to have heralded the passing of the head of the family. In a recess under the turret there are the works of an ancient clock referred to in books over a century old. In the way fantastic stories grow up concerning ancient houses a rumour was once current that the clock works formed part of an instrument of torture of medieval days. The chapel is entered from the house by a winding stair from the old dining-room. Opening off the Ladies Chamber once the sojar The rood screen in Cothele Chapel. there is a small room from which sick or infirm members of the family could follow the service. There is a similar window in the room formerly used by a resident priest, and from which he could watch the preparations for the service , he came down to the chapel from there by a narrow stairway mode of rough slabs of oak.
LEPER’S SQUINT
In the south wall there is an opening permitting people using a small room opening from the quadrangle to follow the service . This is popularly known as a leper’s squint, but it was more likely for the use of men and women the family are known to have provided for in old age in almshouses. Finally there is a low window in the west wall that until a century ago was unglazed and allowed people for whom there was no room in the chapel or room attached to follow the service. The chapel has an arched and panelled ceiling of great beauty. with a carved wall plate and carved bosses at the intersections of the ribs. The timbered roof is coved in the form of an obtuse arch. The Tudor rose is seen in several places. There is a wooden screen with
very delicate carving along the top. a Communion table with two ancient pewter candlesticks and a more modern crucifix. There are small pewter plates for the offering But the most exquisite item to a unique altar cloth that must date earlier than 1539. for it bears the arms of Sir Piers Edgcumbe who died in that year It to of red velvet powdered with fleur-de-lis. The cloth illustrates our Lord and the twelve Apostles. Owing to it's delicate state and rarity it is not now on view. There is another
very richly embroidered cloth, but that too has been withdrawn from use.

An article in th Western morning news of an unknown date.

Cotehele ( Cornish: Kosheyl ) is a mediaeval house with Tudor additions, situated in the parish of Calstock in the east of Cornwall, England. It is a rambling granite and slate-stone manor house on the banks of the River Tamar that has been little changed over six centuries. This fortified manor house is set on a high bluff on the Cornish bank of the river, which gave natural protection from skirmishing armies approaching from the east. In the 14th century, the de Cotehele family was one of Cornwall’s most powerful. Ralph and Hilaria de Cotehele, the orphaned children of this dynasty, were the wards of John, Earl of Cornwall, brother of the King Edward III. In 1353, the  John was created Earl of Cornwall by his elder brother King Edward III.

Hilaria, heiress to her brother’s estates, married William Edgcumbe and brought to the union her land at Cotehele. The Edgcumbes, her new husband William’s family, actually originated from the Devon side of the Tamar, near Tavistock. In the 13th century, the family is recorded as living in the parish of Milton Abbot, where many buildings still bear the Edgcumbe name today. William Edgcumbe’s elder brother John, despite remaining in Milton Abbot, founded a second line of the family in Cornwall, with descendents based at Tregeare, near Launceston. For five centuries, the Edgcumbes were based at Cotehele, near Saltash. Now owned by the National Trust, Cotehele is a Tudor mansion built by Sir Richard Edgcumbe and his son, Sir Piers, during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Brief Life History of Hilaria  De Cotehele was born in 1330, in Saltash, Cornwall, her father, William De COTEHELE, was 20 and her mother, Songerunde de Donne, was 20. She married William Edgecombe in 1353, in Saltash. They were the parents of at least 2 sons. She died in 1381, in St Dominick, Cornwall, , at the age of 51 When William de COTEHELE was born in 1310, in Saltash, Cornwall, his father, Ralph DE COTEHELE, was 30 and his mother, Mrs. Eleanor De Cotehele, was 25. He married Songerunde De Donne in 1329, in Saltash. They were the parents of at least 1 daughter. He died in 1336, at the age of 26. When Songerunde De Donne was born in 1310, in Saint Dominick, Cornwall, , her father, Walter de Donne, was 25 and her mother, Mrs. Walter de Donne, was 20. She married William de COTEHELE in 1329, They were the parents of at least 1 daughter. She died in Saltash, Cornwall, England. Walter de Donne was born in 1285, in Saint Dominick, Cornwall,. He married Mrs. Walter de Donne in 1309, in St Dominick, Cornwall, William de Cotehele was born in 1250, in Tavistock, Devon, England as the son of Sir William De Lucy the second. He had at least 1 son with Mrs William de Cotehele. Household of Hilaria de Cotehele : Spouse (William de Edgecombe) is 31 years older. She is married to William de Edgecombe. They got married in the year 1353 at Cotehele Manor, Saint Dominick, Saltash, Cornwall, .They got married in the year 1353 at Cotehele Manor, Saint Dominick, Saltash, Cornwall.

COTEHELE, OR COTEHELE HOUSE.
This venerable Mansion is situated about three miles to the north of Pentillie on a bold knoll, near the western bank of the Tamar; but the lofty surrounding woods prevent the river from being seen, except from the upper rooms. It is quaintly described by Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, as  anciente, large, strong, and fayre, and appurtenanced with the necessaries of wood, water, fishing, parkes, and milles, withe the devotion (in times past) of a riche furnished chapelle, and charitie of alms-houses for certain poor people which the owners used to relieve.
Cotehele came into the possession of the Edgcumbe by the marriage of Hilaria, daughter and heiress of William de Cotehele, with William de Edgcumbe, in the reign of Edward the Third; and it afterwards, for a time, became the chief residence of that family : it is now the property of the Earl of .Mount Edgcumbe. The Mansion which is principally of granite, was erected by Sir Richard Edgcumbe, early in the reign of Henry the Seventh : it's external architecture partakes of the mingled character of the old manor-house and the feudal castle. The entrance is through a moore stone archway, which leads into a small quadrangular court, adjacent to which, on the northern side, is a large square embattled tower, including the principal rooms. Access to the different rooms is obtained through the Hall which is an interesting apartment, twenty-two feet broad, and forty-two feet long, still displaying  all the characteristic appendages of feudal dignity.” In the windows, in painted glass, are various emblazonments of the arms of the Edgcumbe family and its alliances. Several suits of ancient armour, both plate and mail, arc hung against the walls, with arquebuses, pikes, halberds, bows and arrows, swords, and other implements of warfare; and at the south end stands the figure of an ancient warrior, armed  cap-a-pie. Some immense branching stags’-horns, elephants tusks, and two antelopes' heads, are likewise preserved here. The principal apartments are hung with mouldering tapestry; and it should be remarked that all the furniture corresponds with the domestic style of the  olden times, though mostly collected by the late, and the present Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. The staircase leading to the upper stories exhibits some family portraits of a distant age; and in the state bed-room is a rich altar-cloth of crimson velvet, embroidered with figures of the twelve apostles, and other device. This altar-cloth formerly ornamented the family chapel, which is a small edifice, contiguous to tile hall, turreted and embattled. Among the antique vestiges contained in the different apartments, are several rudely-carved ebony chairs; koine immense brazen firedogs; elaborately wrought cabinets; embroidered caches; numerous drinking vessels, of glass and earthenware, grotesquely formed; old china; ancient books, including a manuscript music-book of Henry the Eighth’s reign ; and divers other curiosities. A sleeping apartment in the northern tower is said to have been occupied several nights by Charles the Second;  and in August 1789 George the Third, Charlotte his Queen, and three of the Princesses, breakfasted in this mansion with the then Earl and Countes of Mount Edgecumbe.

The grounds, particularly those between the house and the river, are ornamented with some very noble trees. The Spanish chestnuts, especially, have there attained a vast size ; and, spreading out their huge and massive limbs, are scarcely inferior to the proudest oaks. Near the bottom of one of the sweeping acclivities, whose exuberant clothing embellishes this demesne, is a small Gothic votive chapel, most picturesquely situated upon a little rocky eminence, rising very steeply from the river, yet partially concealed amidst the deep foliage which overshadows it. This was erected by Sir Richard Edgcumbe, in grateful commemoration for his escape from an imminent danger,—which has been thus narrated by Carew, and is inscribed in the interior, against the northern wall: “Sir Richard Edgcumbe was driven to hide himself in there his thicke woods, which overlook the river, what time being suspected of favouring the Earl of Richmond's party against King Richard the Third, he was
hotely pursued, and narrowly searched for; which enigemnity taught him a sudden policy, to put a stone in his cap and tumble the same into the water, while three rangers were hot on his heals. who. looking down after the escapee,
and seeing his cap swimming thereon, gave over their farther hunting, and left him at liberty to shift away, and skip over into Brittaina; for a grateful remembrance of which delivery, be afterward builded in the place of his
lurking, a chappel.
Several old paintings adorn the walls of this chappel; and on the altar is a gilt crucifix,
and a little figure of St. Thomas & Becket, neatly caned in wood. Sonic stained glass, representing St. George and the Dragon, the Crucifixion, a Female Saint, and the Arms of Edgcumbe, is displayed in the east window ; and on the south wall is a painted memorial, or monument, for Sir Richard Edgecumbe, the founder, who was Comptroller of the Household to Henry the Seventh, and, dying at Morlaix, in Bretagne, (when on an embassy in France,) in September, 1489, was buried in the conventual church of that town.

An article in the Western morning news of an unknown date.
VANDALISM
The windows have interesting stained glass, but old records show that much of the original was from time to time replaced. The arms of Sir Piers Edgcumbe and his first and second wives are incorporated in one of the designs. The south window represents Saint Catherine and Saint Anne, and some of it's glass is said by experts to be very good. It has been suggested it to of early 16th century Cotswold origin in the 16th century the east window had fallen into a bad state, and it was sympathetically restored by Mr John Fouracre who added the central figure of Christ. The chapel was restored and it's character well maintained It to thought some of the old linen fold panels came from the Sir Richard Edgcumbe memorial chapel on the cliffs above the River Tamar, and a structure of much interest to people going up to Calstock by boat.

The National Trust has the restoration of this building in hand, too, for unfortunately it has been the subject of vandalism, which to often the case with an isolated building not under constant supervision. It is hoped, however, when restored it's sacred nature will be realised and the building treated with the respect due to it. The altar is of oak of comparatively modern date and its upright panels have quatrefoil heads There was formerly a stone font of pre-Reformation date, but this was removed before 1833, when a local historian recorded the fact that it had been replaced, it seems, by a small silver basin. Baptisms have taken place there until recent years. It to supposed that the ancient crucifix disappeared at the same time.

TRANCE LEGEND
Up to the Reformation a resident priest was employed After that it seems that the family made arrangements with the parishchurch for the chapel to be served when they were in residence, and members of the family made bequests towards the maintenance of assistant clergy in the parish. Records say that the chapel once performed parochial duty, and it has been suggested In old documents that the mansion and Its grounds was anciently either, or reputed to be an extra parochial district.
In the columns of this paper recently reference was made to the legend that a Lady Edgcumbe was buried in a trance, and was roused when the sexton made an attempt to steal her rings. In a Compendium of the History of Cornwall." by Rev J. J Daniell, published in 1850, it is stated that the lady was buried in the vaults under this domestic chapel, and that five years after recovery she became the mother of that Sir Richard Edgcumbe, who became the first baron. There are no vaults under this
small chapel, and before making Mount Edgcumbe the main family residence and Maker Church the family burial place, the parish church of Calstock was used for the Cotehele property. Someaccounts definitely say the lady was buried there and on recovery walked back through the woods to the house where she surprised the family. Polwhele in his History of Cornwall, says the authenticity of this event cannot reasonably be doubted, and his information was received from his grandmother,
who bad close connections with the Edgeumbe family and was well informed on the matter
SIMILAR STORIES
But Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, sister of the fourth earl, who asisted her brother in research into family history, wrote in the short-lived, but very worthy Cornish Magazine, some half a century ago that the legend was associated with Mount Edgcumbe and not with Cotehele. She did not. however enlarge on the matter or give any information helpful over deciding whether it was anything more than a legend. One would have expected a record of such an event associated with a well known family to have been recorded tn contemporary history but such does not seem to have come to light. It may be a mere coincidence, but up and down the country there are several old mansions with very similar stories about members of the family, but it does
not seem that any of these stories have been corroburated. However, there are still people about who say their grandmothers have passed on the Edgcumbe legend and they had it from people living In the district at the time. Many such stories are
picturesque but lack substance.
MISSING SWORD
Sir James Mann. Master of the Armouries of the Tower of London, has in a recent book on the armour of Edward The Black Prince referred to the sword missing from the scabbard that for centuries has been on the tomb of this noted warrior in Canterbury Cathedral. He states that some years ago a writer suggested that Cromwell might have taken the sword away, and a few years after it was definitely stated that he did so, and no evidence whatever was forth-coming that he did any such thing. There is a local tradition that the large two-handled sword in Cotehele Great Hall belonged to the Black Prince, and suggestions have been made that it might possibly be the one missing from the Canterbury armour. Unfortunately,
this very picturesque conjecture has been ruled out. for three leading experts on arms and armour have pronounced it an early 15th century German sword such as was carried in procession in front of the Burgomaster. The Cotehele legend, no doubt,
grew from the fact that the Black Prince was the official guardian of Hilaria of Cotehele while she was a minor after the death of her father. In his capacity of Duke of Cornwall the Prince had the wardship of many such subjects,

There were, first, the seventeen “ Antiqua Maneria ” in Cornwall, which had formed part of the earldom ; secondly, there were the “ Forinseca Maneria ” outside the county, which were included by Edward III in his grant ; and, thirdly, the “ Annexata Maneria ” , both inside Cornwall and without, which had been incorporated subsequently by Act of Parliament. The original nucleus in Cornwall were the manors of Stoke climsland, Rillaton, Helston-in-Trigg, Liskeard, Tybesta, Tywarnhaile, Talskedy, Penmayne, Calstock, Trematon, Restormel, Penkneth, Penlyne, Tewington, Helston-in-Kerrier, Tintagel, and Moresk. Upon these there existed a special conventionary form of tenure, from seven-year to seven-year, right up to the middle of the last century. The lands of the Duchy outside Cornwall were no less extensive than they were within, including an equal number of manors in various counties, and, as it still does, the honour of Bradninch, in Devonshire, all that high country between the rivers Exe and Culm, between Tiverton and Cullompton, and in London the manor of Kennington, upon which the Black Prince resided, now the most remunerative of all the Duchy’s sources of income. This being its peculiar constitution, the history of the dukedom has been one of dormancy in the Crown as much as of separate and independent existence under the Duke. The Black Prince, whose father, Edward III, lived such an unconscionably long time, enjoyed the Duchy for close on forty years ; but with his son, Richard II, who had no children, the Duchy lay dormant in the Crown. Under Henry IV, the later Henry V — Shakespeare’s Prince Hal — was Duke ; then for the forty years from 1413 to 1453 the Duchy was again in the possession of the Crown, and there were lapses again in the fifteenth century. With the death of Prince Arthur, Henry V II’s elder son, in 1502, a new problem arose : did the King’s surviving son and heir succeed to the Duchy under the charter ? Sir John Doddridge, whose little book on the Principality of Wales and the Duchy of Cornwall was published in 1630, says that the intention of the charter was “ first that none should be Dukes of Cornwall, but such as were eldest sons and heirs apparent to the Crown ; and that when there was any fail of such person, then the said dignity should remain in suspense, until such son and heir apparent were extant ” . But the lawyers interpreted the phrase the King’s “ eldest son ” in the original charter to mean his eldest surviving son ; so that Henry, subsequently Henry V III, was enabled to succeed to his brother’s Duchy, as he did later to his wife.

Child(ren):

1. Peter Edgecombe1355-????
2. Sir William Edgcombe of Saltash, Cornwall1378-1434, Hilaria Agnes EDGCUMBE Born 1908 in London Died 2009 in Crownhill, Plymouth Occupation Centenarian, whose name Hilaria, as the last at Cotehele, echoed that of the first, Hilaria de Cothele who married William Edgcumbe in 1353.Father Kenelm William Edward EDGCUMBE (1873 - 1965)  Mother Lilian Agnes ARKWRIGHT (1877 - 1964) Lady Hilaria Gibbs owed her distinctive Christian name, a continuingly popular choice in her family, to her ancestor, Hilaria de Cotehele, a ward of the Black Prince whose marriage in 1353 brought the medieval manor house Cotehele in southeast Cornwall into the possession of the Edgcumbe family, with whom it remained for almost 600 years. Lady Hilaria, known as "Laire" to her family and friends, was one of four children of the 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, Kenelm Edgcumbe, who inherited the title from his second cousin in 1944. It was he who arranged in 1947 that Cotehele should become the first historic house to pass to The National Trust in lieu of death duties.
3. Yet at the end of her long life Lady Hilaria, who knew the property all her life and lived there in 1944 and 1945, had established a strong claim to be a second Hilaria de Cotehele. Even as a centenarian she was a frequent visitor to the house and its estate, regaling visitors with her memories of the house. It was at Cotehele that she celebrated her 100th birthday in 2008 with a lunch party attended by 180 relatives. She also provided Cotehele and The National Trust with the recipe for its traditional stoneground wholemeal bread; although she was brought up in a family accustomed to liveried servants, she was an excellent breadmaker, and her recipe uses dark brown sugar and molasses to impart a rich, soft crumb. Cotehele is one of the least altered medieval houses in the country, because from the 16th century the family seat of the Edgcumbes moved to Mount Edgcumbe overlooking Plymouth Sound. Cotehele was retained as the family's country estate, with a tower from which servants could exchange signals with Mount Edgcumbe regarding the family's movements and requirements. Mount Edgcumbe was wrecked by German incendiary bombs in the air attacks on Plymouth in 1941, but Lady Hilaria's father eventually rebuilt it from 1958 and reoccupied the house in 1961.
4. The mansion was sold to Plymouth City Council and Cornwall County Council in 1971 but was celebrated at Lady Hilaria's 100th birthday party at Cotehele in the shape of a specially commissioned cake, and in the following summer itself became the scene of an even larger celebration, a picnic for 250 family and friends.Hilaria Agnes Edgcumbe was born in London in 1908. Her father was en electrical engineer with an interest in powering early cars and aircraft: one of her earliest memories was seeing Louis Bleriot take off, powered by one of her father's engines. During the First World War her father's company, Everett Edgcumbe, was involved in providing the seachlights protecting Plymouth, so her childhood was spent at Widey Court, Plymouth, a house in which Charles I held court in 1644 during the siege of Plymouth, and neighbouring Widey Grange.Her education was the business of governesses until, in 1923, she was sent to finishing school at Vaucresson, west of Paris, with Madamoiselle Roblin, who taught her fluent French, and for whom Lady Hilaria retained a warm appreciation in later life.Back in England, the young Hilaria decided to teach dancing. In 1933 she married Denis Gibbs, an officer in the Queen's Royal Regiment, and she accompanied him on prewar postings to Italy, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and Ireland.Her brother Piers, who it had been assumed was to inherit the Mount Edgcumbe title, died at Dunkirk. Denis Gibbs was captured at the battle of El Alamein and for two years his wife, with their three young daughters, did not know whether he was still alive. But after the Italian surrender in 1943 Gibbs was able to flee his Italian prison and walk the length of the Apennines through German-occupied Italy, arriving home in time to join in the D-Day landings in 1944.After victory Lieutenant-Colonel Gibbs was sent as commanding officer on the Isle of Man, where he and Lady Hilaria welcomed an official visit by George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
5. The Queen is said to have asked Lady Hilaria: "How many children do you have?" Lady Hilaria told her and, in an aberrent moment, inquired politely:"And how many have you got?"Lady Hilaria was, though, a model army wife while her husband was commanding officer of Officer Cadet Training Units at Mons House, Aldershot, and Eton Hall in Cheshire, and of the battalion stationed in Singapore. She also gained a reputation as a fierce tutor in Scottish reels. "Who's that bossy little woman in the green dress?", someone asked at a party. "Oh, do you mean my mother?" said one of Lady Hilaria's daughters.Family was of foremost importance to her, and she overcame all crises in a spirit of unifying enlightenment. Two of her daughters divorced and remarried, but typically Lady Hilaria's response was: "I have four daughters and six sons-in-law."After Gibbs left the Army the couple ran a successful market gardening business at Roborough House in Devon, before building their retirement home, Aldenham Grange, in Tavistock.Gibbs died in 1984. For the last eight years of her life Lady Hilaria lived with her youngest daughter in Plymouth, close to Cotehele, Mount Edgcumbe and her childhood Widey homes. Throughout her life she chronicled her experiences and thoughts in flowing rhyming verse, which she modestly dismissed as "doggerel" but which the family now hope to collect and print.Lady Hilaria is survived by three of her daughters; a fourth daughter predeceased her.Lady Hilaria Gibbs was born on January 16th 1908. She died on November 19th, 2009, aged 101Obituary, 4th December 2009Copyright: The Times.

Callington

CALLINGTON, in the hundred and deanery of East, anciently called Calweton, Calvington, and Killington, is a market and borough town, 213 miles from London, and about fourteen from Plymouth. The market was granted by King Henry III., in the year 1267, to be held on Wednesdays; an annual fair was granted at the same time, to be held at the festival of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary(fn. n1). The market is still held on Wednesdays, for corn and provisions: the Lady-day fair has been discontinued: the present fairs are, the first Tuesday in March, May 4th, September 19th, and November 12th; they are chiefly for sheep and cattle. The first-mentioned fair has been recently established.Callington first sent members to parliament in the 27th year of Queen Elizabeth; the right of election is vested in persons possessed of freehold property, whether resident or non-resident; and in resident lease-holders. The number of votes, which was sixty at the last election, has been since increased to about seventy. The Portreeve is the returning officer. The number of inhabitants in the town and parish of Callington, in 1801, was 819; in 1811, 938; according to the returns made to parliament at those periods. The only village in the parish of Callington, is Frogwell. The manor was in the Ferrers family when the market was granted as abovementioned: Joan, daughter and heir of Martin Ferrers, brought it into the Champernowne family; Sir Robert Willoughby, Lord Willoughby de Broke, became possessed of it by marrying an heiress of the Champernownes. From the Willoughbys, it passed, by successive marriages, to the families of Pawlet (Marquis of Winchester), Dennis, and Rolle; the heiress of Samuel Rolle, Esq. brought it to Robert, the second Earl of Orford; on the death of whose son, the late George Earl of Orford, without issue, in 1791, it passed to Robert George William Trefusis, Esq., the representative of Bridget, sister of Samuel Rolle abovementioned, who afterwards succeeded in establishing his claim to the barony of Clinton, as derived from the said Samuel Rolle's mother, Arabella, daughter of Theophilus, Earl of Lincoln, and Lord Clinton.

The manor of Calstock is now the property of his son Robert Cotton St. John, Lord Clinton.The parish-church was built chiefly at the expence of Nicholas de Assheton, serjeant-at-law, who died in 1465, and lies buried in the chancel, where are the figures of himself, his wife and children, engraved on brass plates. In a chapel on the north side of the chancel, is the monument of Robert Willoughby, Lord Willoughby de Broke, lord of the manor, and steward of the duchy of Cornwall, who died in or about the year 1502. Hals erroneously supposed it to be the monument of George Brooke, Lord Cobham, who inherited lands at Callington by marrying Anne, the eldest sister of John Lord Bray. Sir Robert Willoughby, who was created Lord Willoughby de Broke by King Henry VII., in the first year of his reign, was at the siege of Boulogne with that monarch, and was one of the chief commanders against the Cornish rebels in 1497. He acquired the manors of Callington, Bere-Ferrers, &c. by marrying the heiress of Champernowne, as beforementioned. It appears that he occasionally resided, and that he died, at the manorhouse of Callington, for he directed by his will, that he should be buried in the church of that parish in which he should die. His son Robert, by whose death the title became extinct, lies buried at Bere-Ferrers, in Devonshire.Callington passes under the same presentation with Southill, the mother-church. It is esteemed a parochial chapel.

Calstock

CALSTOCK, in the deanery and in the middle division of the hundred of East, lies about five miles from Callington, and about the same distance from Tavistock in Devonshire, which is the post-office town. The principal villages in this parish, exclusively of Calstock itself, which contains between four and five hundred inhabitants, are Albeston, Chilsworthy, Harrobear, Latchley, and Metherell. The manor of Calstock was given by Roger Valletort to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, from which time it continued to be vested in the Earls and Dukes of Cornwall; till the year 1798, when it was purchased, under the land-tax redemption act, by John Pierson Foote, Esq. In 1806, it was conveyed by Mr. Foote to John Williams, Esq. of Scorrier-house, near Redruth, who is the present proprietor.The fishery, which was formerly on lease to the Carew family, is now rented under the duchy, by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.The manor of Harwood, which had been held under the duchy of Cornwall, by the family of Foote, about fourscore years, was purchased in fee, under the land-tax redemption act, in 1798, by J. P. Foote, Esq., who conveyed it to Thomas Bewes, Esq.; it was purchased of the latter by William Roberts, Esq., the present proprietor and occupier.

Cotehele or Cuttele, a singular ancient mansion, beautifully situated on the west bank of the Tamer, came into the possession of the Edgcumbe family, by the marriage of Hilaria, daughter and heir of William de Cotehele, with William de Edgcumbe, in the reign of Edward III.(fn. n2)After this marriage, Cotehele became for a while the chief residence of the Edgcumbe family. In the reign of Richard III., Sir Richard Edgcumbe, who was attached to the house of Lancaster, is said to have concealed himself from the resentment of that monarch, amongst his woods at Cotehele, and to have built afterwards, a chapel on the spot, in grateful remembrance of his preservation(fn. n3). Carew, speaking of this place, says, "the buildings are ancient, large, strong, and fayre, and appurtenanced with the necessaries of wood, water, fishing, park, and mills, with the devotion of (in times past) a rich-furnished chapel, and with the charity of alms-houses, for certain poor people, whom the owners used to relieve(fn. n4)."Cotehele-House, which retains its ancient form, has been fitted up with furniture corresponding with its appearance, and is occasionally visited by its present noble owner, the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe. Their present Majesties, with the Princess Royal, and the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth, honoured the late Earl and Countess of Mount Edgcumbe with a visit at this house, on the 25th of August 1788.Harrobear or Harraburrow, which was the seat of a younger branch of the Carews of Anthony, is now a farm-house, the property of Mr. John Worth.In the parish-church is a burial-chapel of the Edgcumbe family, built by Richard Edgcumbe, Esq. in 1588. In this, among others, are monuments for Piers Edgcumbe, Esq., who died in 1666, and Jemima, Countess of Sandwich, widow of the brave Earl, who lost his life in the action with De Ruyter, in 1672. The Countess died in 1674.The rectory is in the gift of the Prince of Wales, as Duke of Cornwall. The parsonage-house was built, about the year 1720, by Lancelot Blackbourn, then rector and Bishop of Exeter. He was afterwards Archbishop of York.

The lime trade...
Limekilns have been used for centuries to convert limestone into lime Calstock had more limekilns than any other parish in Cornwall and there was a large concentration on, and around, Cotehele Quay. This was because the raw materials arrived by boat, coal from South Wales and limestone from around Plymouth It was handy to have the limekilns close to the quayside, the lime was then taken by local farms by cart. Lime had three main uses It was used as a soil conditioner, as a mortar in the construction of buildings, and as a sort of paint called limewash, lime was spread on fields to help condition the soil. After this, fertiliser which included mud. seaweed and dock dung was added. Combined with the lime, this helped to increase the yield and quality of the crops grown When used on fields of livestock, it improved the nutritional value of the grass, and consequently the health of the grazing animals.
VIVIAN and Sons.
Coal Manure, and Timber, and, General ♦ Merchants
CALSTOCK
HAVE KILNS AT CALSTOCK
Burning Lime.
Lime was made on the Cotehele estate by placing limestone and culm (small bits of coal) alternating layers inside a large stone kiln. This was then heated ,in lighting a fire made it. It took about a week for the coal to burn and convert the limestone into a useful soil improver. The limekilns on the Cotehele estate were both at a time when demand for agricultural lime soared, between 1770 and 1830 By the mid 1800s more limestone was being carried on River Tamar than any other cargo. Lime burning was hot thirsty and dangerous work. The cost of beer or cider for the lime-burner was calculated into the price that the farmer paid for the lime:
The limekilns at Cotehele were last used in 1901. Lime production finally ended on the River Tamar at Halton Quay in 1916.

Contemporary Celtic Worship

Occurring Monthly. Every Fourth Sunday at10 a.m.for 1 hour

Venue St Dominick church Address St Dominick church

Relaxed worship with a Celtic theme

Although known over the centuries as St Dominick, the spelling of the parish name at the beginning of the 21st century, is changing to drop the final letter "K", so becoming St Dominic.


The parish of St Dominic is situated in the Deanery and Hundred of East. It is bounded on the north by Calstock, on the east by the River Tamar which separates it from the Devon parish of Beer Ferrers, on the south by Pillaton and St Mellion, and on the west by Callington. The parish is named after St Dominicia, reputedly a female! It is located on the West bank of the River Tamar about 3 miles to the South East of Callington. There are numerous small hamlets and isolated buildings in the area. Halton Quay played an important part in the economy of the parish in the 19th & early 20th centuries when it was an important fruit growing area, and the Tamar River was the main route by which lime, sand and manure came in and fruit went down to Plymouth. As with much of the area, farming is the main industry.

Besides the Churchtown, the villages are: Cross, Burraton, Etheric (now Bohetheric), Halton Quay, and Ashton. There was a lot of good grazing land in this parish.

Most parish and church description(s) on these pages are fromLake's Parochial History of the County of Cornwallby J Polsue (Truro, 1867 - 1873)

Cemeteries

The Cornwall Family History Society have published Monumental Inscriptions on-line for the Parish Church - 1599 entries.

Callington Area Heritage Centre (broken link)have placed on-line monumental inscriptions for the parish church of St Dominica completed in 1986 on site. Census information for this parish (1841 - 1901) is held in theCornwall Record Office. The Cornwall Family History Society offers a census search service for its members.
Specific census information for this parish is available as follows:

1841.

The 1841 Census of St Dominick (HO107/133), Enumeration Districts 12 and 13, is available on-line from the Cornwall Online Census project.

The 1841 census for this parish has also been filmed by the LDS church - film No. 241258.

1851. The 1851 Census of St Dominick (HO107/1901), Enumeration Districts 1a and 1b, is available on-line from the Cornwall Online Census project.

1861.

The 1861 Census of St Dominick (RG9/1526), Enumeration Districts 3 and 4 [including schools], is available on-line from the Cornwall Online Census project.

The Cornwall Family History Society have published transcripts of: Parish 1861 Census, which is available in Book format.

1871. The 1871 Census of St Dominick (RG10/2233), Enumeration Districts 3 and 4, is available on-line from the Cornwall Online Census project.

1881. The 1881 Census of St Dominick (RG11/2283), Enumeration Districts 3 and 4, is available on-line from the Cornwall Online Census project.

1891. The 1891 Census of St Dominic (RG12/1809), Enumeration Districts 3 and 4, is available on-line from the Cornwall Online Census project.

Churches

Anglican St. Dominica and St. Dominic, Church of England

Church History

Anglican. The parish church is located in OS Grid Square SX39670 and was dedicated to St Dominicia on 19th October 1259. It comprises a chancel, nave, and north and south aisles. The south arcade has four semi-circular or obtuse arches, and one pointed; the north has five four-centred pointed arches. The material is granite and the pillars are chiefly monolith. The entrances are a north door, a priest's door, and a south porch. The tower, which is buttressed at the angles, is of three stages; the third stage projects twelve inches on every side and rests on a corbelled table. This arrangement gives a larger bell-chamber. Below the embattled parapet are rude figures of the apostles, and the pinnacles have curious floriated tops. The tower contains six bells. A major restoration of the medieval church took place in the mid-19th century and was reopened on 2nd February 1871.

Non-Conformist. The Bible Christians had a chapel in the Churchtown, an the Wesleyan Methodists had a place of worship at Hay. The first chapel was built about 1828 on the Halton Quay road near Haye Farm and was used until about 1868 when a new chapel was built at Towell, between St Dominic and Bohetherick. This Wesleyan chapel gradually increased its capacity until it could seat 220 persons; a schoolroom was added in 1870. This chapel was closed in 1991 and demolished in 1992. There is a chapel that was originally opened by the Bible Christians in St Dominic village in 1898, it is still used for worship to this day. None of these chapels had a burial ground.

Church Records

LDS Church Records.

The LDS Church batch numbers for St Dominick are: C021842, C053111, E053111, M053111, P021841. These are searchable by surname.

The IGI coverage of this parish is 1559 - 1875.

The Cornwall Record Office holdings: Baptisms 1559 - 1935, Burials 1559 - 1976, Marriages 1559 - 1978, Boyd's Marriage Index 1607 - 1672, BTs 1607 - 1672.

The Cornwall Family History Society have published on-line transcripts of:

1813-37 Marriages

1813-37 Burials.

Baptisms.

Callington Area Heritage Centre (broken link) have placed on-line baptism records for St Dominick parish 1737 to 1841.

Baptisms in this parish 1619 to 1843, and 1846 to 1911, are available on-line through the  OPC Search Facility- (C-PROP).

The Parish Chest have published on CD, baptisms 1737 to 1841 for this parish

Banns.

Banns in the parish 1824 to 1911 are also available on-line through theOPC Search Facility- (C-PROP).

Marriages.

Callington Area Heritage Centre (broken link) have placed on-line marriage records for St Dominick parish 1813 to 1837.

The Cornwall Family History Society have published transcripts of:Parish Marriages 1559 to 1837, which is available in Book, CD or downloadable .pdf file formats.

Marriages 1620 to 1911 for this parish are available on-line through theOPC search Facility- (C-PROP).

Burials.

The Cornwall Family History Society have published transcripts of:Parish Burials 1813 to 1837, which is available in Book or CD format.

Burials 1613 to 1936 for this parish are available on-line through theOPC search Facility- (C-PROP).

Civil Registration

The parish of St Dominick was originally in the Liskeard Registration District. There were sub-districts at Callington (which looked after St Dominick), Lerrin, Liskeard and Looe, but these closed in the 1930s. The parish is now in the St Germans Registration District. However, when Callington was closed and St Dominick came under St Germans, the Callington registers were split and the birth and death registers went to Liskeard and the marriage registers to St Germans.

The parishes of the Liskeard district were: Boconnoc, Broadoak, Callington, Calstock (1837-60), Duloe, East Looe, Lanreath, Lansallos, Lanteglos, Linkinhorne, Liskeard, Liskeard Borough, Menheniot, Morval, Pelynt, St. Cleer, St. Dominick, St. Ive, St. Keyne, St. Martin's, St. Neot, St. Pinnock, St. Veep, Southill, Talland, West Looe.

The Superintendant Registrar of St Germans can be contacted at: Ploughastel Drive, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6DL. Tel: 01752 842624.

Description & Travel

You can see pictures of St Dominick which are provided by:

Gazetteers

The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

"ST. DOMINICK, a parish in the hundred of Middle East, in the county of Cornwall, 9 miles N.E. of Liskeard, and 213 S.E. of Callington. It is situated near the river Tamar, and includes the township of Halton, where Francis Roux, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the friend of Cromwell, was born in 1579. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter, value £318, in the patronage of the Rev. F. L. Bazeley. There are remains of a Roman entrenchment in the vicinity, and of a monastery at Baber.

Ask for a calculation of the distance from St Dominick to another place.

Genealogy

The On-line Parish Clerk (OPC) scheme operates a service to help family historians; the  OPC page for this parish is available on-line, from where the OPC can be contacted by email.

Historical Geography

The Domesday Settlements of Cornwall, a study undertaken by the Cornwall Branch of the Historical Association, has identified and located settlements listed in the Exeter and Exchequer Domesday Survey of AD 1086. The following places have been identified in St Dominick ecclesiastical parish:

Ashton(Aissetona, Aissetone), Grid Reference 385683.Halton(Haltona, Haltone), Grid Reference 410656.

History

Callington Area Heritage Centre (broken link) have placed on-line a webpage for the history of St Dominick parish.

Land & Property

Transcription Of An Auctioneer's CatalogueFor Various Properties On Landulph And St Dominic Offered For Sale In 1831.

Maps

Map of the St Germans Registration District in which the parish lies.

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SX397674 (Lat/Lon: 50.48808, -4.258273), St Dominick which are provided by:

National Library of Scotland(Old Ordnance Survey maps)

Old Maps Online

Vision of Britain(Click "Historical units & statistics" for administrative areas.)

English Jurisdictions in 1851(Unfortunately the LDS have removed the facility to enable us to specify a starting location, you will need to search yourself on their map.)

GeoHack(Links to on-line maps and location specific services.)

Sabre maps

All places within the same township/parish shown on anOpenstreetmapmap.

Nearby townships/parishes shown on anOpenstreetmapmap.

Nearby places shown on anOpenstreetmapmap.

Occupations

Apprenticeship Indentures can be foundon line, courtesy of the Cornwall OPC database.

Apprenticeship Indentures for St Dominick (1779 - 1830) can be also found in theCornwall Record Office.

Poor Houses, Poor Law

St Dominick parish was part of theLiskeard Unionfor Poor Law administration and parish relief.

Bastardy Bonds can be foundon line, courtesy of the Cornwall OPC database.

Overseers' Accounts (1762 to 1835), Settlement Papers (1790 to 1844) and Bastardy Bonds (1791 to 1835) are available in theCornwall Record Office.

Population

Population in 1801 - 538 persons

Population in 1811 - 534 persons

Population in 1821 - 690 persons

Population in 1831 - 726 persons

Population in 1841 - 825 persons

Population in 1851 - 862 persons

Population in 1861 - 862 persons

Population in 1871 - 850 persons

Population in 1881 - 826 persons

Population in 1891 - 781 persons

Population in 1901 - 746 persons

Population in 1911 - 728 persons

Population in 1921 - 697 persons

Population in 1931 - 670 persons

Population in 1951 - 675 persons

Population in 1961 - 588 persons

Population in 1971 - 627 persons

Population in 1981 - 785 persons

Population in 1991 - 845 persons

Population in 2001 - 833 persons

Population in 2011 - 774 persons

Statistics

The parish comprises 3181 acres of land, one acre of water, 43 acres of tidal water and 22 acres of foreshore.

Before the railway came to Calstock (as late as 1907) the River Tamar was the means by which all that the neighbourhood needed was brought in and all that it produced was taken out.

All along the river are abandoned quays, busy places seventy years ago, served by the sailing barges which were built at Calstock and elsewhere and were of a particular type, able to tack up and down river against contrary winds and to go to sea as coasting vessels if their trade so required.
Up river came coal and limestone from Plymouth, with quantities of imported timber for the booming mines of Calstock and Tavistock, which was joined to the Tamar by a canal. Manufactured goods were imported in the same way. Down river went the agricultural produce of the valley farms, and later of the thriving market gardens for which the Tamar is so famous, and the copper and tin ore for smelting, together with arsenic which was a by-product of mining.
As well as the traffic in goods the river carried people, to and from Plymouth in a regular service of market boats. It is still the most beautiful approach to Cotehele, very little different from what it was
in 1846 when Queen Victoria made her voyage up the Tamar. She was cruising with Prince Albert in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert , the first of several vessels of this name. On 21st August she came up the river in Fairy , the yacht’s tender (a small screw steamer) wearing a green silk dress, a lilac polka cloak and a straw bonnet trimmed with heart’s ease. Very elegant she must have looked as she was greeted on the quays by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and a large concourse of the tenantry. All this bustle came to an end with the coming of the railway and when The National Trust acquired Cotehele the quays it was a dead place, the warehouses decaying, the little docks silted up and the quays walls collapsing. Only the salmon netsmen, established here for centuries, still plied their picturesque trade. As a first step in the quays revival the Trust set up a small estate office in 1953 and later established its carpenter’s and plumber’s shops in two of the warehouses.
The publication in 1967 of Mr. Frank Booker’s The Industrial Archaeology of the Tamar Valley evoked enormous interest in the valley’s industrial relics, so fast disappearing, and in the past ten years the Trust has restored the unique complex which had survived at Cotehele quays.
With support from many individuals and bodies the docks have been dug out and repaired, the walls rebuilt and a small museum to tell the story of the river traffic established in one of the warehouses, as a joint venture with The National Maritime Museum. The last of the Tamar sailing barges, Shamrock ,built at Calstock in 1899 and finally abandoned on a mud bank in the estuary in 1969, has been rebuilt and re-rigged. The Edgcumbe Arms had long been closed as a public house, and to reopen it in the motor car age would be to despoil the character of a normally peaceful place. The Trust has therefore con tented itself with painting a new sign, hung on the iron bracket which had survived, and supplying simple teas to thirsty visitors in thesummer months.
Downstream of the main quays, beyond the Morden stream, is a subsidiary , its wall curved to match the lines of the sailing barges, and here the remarkable complex of limekilns is being put in order. Just how they were operated is not yet clear but detective work should provide the answer.
COTEHELE MILL
The Morden stream runs into the Tamar just below the quays.
Half a mile up its valley is the manor mill of Cotehele, worked certainly since the sixteenth century and probably for centuries before that. The watermill has been put into working order, as has a horse powered cider mill alongside, and in the outbuildings can be seen the blacksmith’s forge, the carpenter’s, wheelwright’s and saddler’s shops, complete with their tools, and the sawpit where trees from the woods were sawn into planks. The combination of country house, surrounding estate, mill, workshops and industry based on the quays can give the enquiring visitor a fascinating glimpse into a past which, although quite recent was yet before the days of the railway and the motor car. Mr. Booker’s
volume, the Trust’s own leaflet and the excellent illustrated booklet on Cotehele by Miss Rena Gardiner, all on sale in the Shop, will help fill in the background. A plan obtainable at the Shop shows the way between House, quays and Mill.

The source of the Tamar from Borlase MDCCLVIII , this is a latin date could you please tell me what it is in modern numerals

Yes! The Roman numeral MDCCLVIII breaks down like this:

• M= 1000

• D= 500

• CCL= 250 (C = 100, C = 100, L = 50)

• VIII= 8

So altogether: 1000+500+200+50+8=1758.

which was on the summit of a moor, from whence the ground, declining to the North, makes way for part of the water to run northerly, which is the head of the River Turridge, navigable a little above the town of Bideford, and the ground shelving away on the other side at the same time to the South, drains away the bogs of the same moor to the Southward from the same fountain, and forms the beginning of Tamar, which, at the distance of ten miles, becomes
considerable enough to give name to the small parish and village of North Tamarton, where leaving a bridge of stone, it continues on to the South till it enters the parish of Saint Stephen’s', at the corner of which parish it receives a very plentiful stream, called Werington River. About a mile and half farther down it receives the Atercy River (which runs under the walls of Lanceston), and becomes soon after, at Polstun bridge', a considerable, wide, and rapid stream. Hence it coasts on nearly South, receiving the brooks from each side, till it has passed Graistun ’ bridge *, a mile below which, it receives the Lowley River, and soon after a more plentiful stream from Altarnun, Lewanic, and Lezant parishes, called the Inny, and the place where it joins the Tamar, called Inny-foot . The Tamar increasing still, has a high, strong, stone bridge, in Stokeclymiland, called commonly Horse Bridge, but by Leland Hawtebrig; that is, High Bridge. The last bridge on this River is in the parish of Calstok, begun, says Leland', by Sir Perse Edgeumbe'. The tide almost reached this bridge in the time of Henry VIII'. but it was navigable no further than Morleham, about two miles below, to which small barks still come. Five miles farther down, the Tamar receives the Tavy on the East, and, having made a Creek into the parishes of Botsfleming and Landulph on the West, incomes a spacious harbour, and washing the foot of the antient borough of Saltash within half a mile, is joined by the Lynher Creek and River, then passing straight forward forms the noble harbour of Hamoze , called formerly Tamerworth ; where making two large Creeks, one called St. John's, the other Millbrook, at the West, and Stonehouse Creek at the Eaft, (after a course of about forty miles,nearly South) the Tamar paffes into the Sea, having Mount Nicholas ifland, in Plymouth Sound, for the eaftern boundary. This River, by the appointment of King Athelftan, the Saxon, (A. D. 938.) was to be the general boundary of the Cornish Britans; but when the Normans came in, and the Kingdom became subdivided into Lordships and Manors, (those little Kingdoms within a Kingdom) Barons, jealous of the extent, rights, and honours of their Manors, procured their lands on the borders, to be appropriated to the county in which their domains and chief places of residence were fixed '. Hence it happens that this Saxon law of Athelstan in four instances has given way to the succecding regulations of the Normans, and though the River is reckoned in Cornwall, yet Devonshire intrudes for seven miles in length and three in breadth at Werington, and claims the two parishes there of Werington and North Pedherwyn, as it docs also the manfion, domain, and park of Mount Edgcumbe, at the Tamar’s mouth. This Laft incroachmcnt upon the general boundary was owing probably to the powerful intereft of the Valtorts (a noble family of large revenues in Cornwall, but ufually resident in Devon) antiently proprietors of the place now called Mount Edgecumbe; and, as I imagine, the former was owing to the like interest and application of the Abby of Tavystock in Devon, which had the property of Werington, and (as Leland says, vol. III. page 115.) “ had fair landes thereabout.” But though these places were, by the interposition of their Lords, subjected to the civil authority of Devon, yet care was taken to preserve the rights of the Clergy inviolate: they are taxed as belonging to the Hundreds of Cornwall in the Lincoln taxation, made in the 16th of Edward I. A. D. 1288, and they still continue subject to the jurisdiction of the Archdeacon of Cornwall. On the other hand, Cornwall also exceeds its antient limits near North Tamarton, having a small flip of land of about two miles square on the eastern bank, but why, I am not informed: again, over against Saltash, it claims a small portion of land not a mile square, owing, as I imagine, to the application of the Lords of Saltash, and the Castle of Trematon adjoining. The next considerable River is the Lynher, called so from the Lake it makes before it joins the Tamar at Hamoze ’. It rises on the hills of Altarnun parish, about eight miles West of Lanceston, coasts down to the South South East through the parishes of North-hill, Linkinhorn, and South-hill; and palling about a mile from the borough of Calinton, divides the park at Newton-ferrers, formerly the Seat of the late Sir John Coryton, Bart, and by Pillaton and Lanrake comes to Natter (alias Noddetor) Bridge, where it is navigable, and, by the help of the Sea, begins Lynher Creek : hence continuing its course four miles farther, between the parishes of Cheviock and St. Stephens, it then turns to the East, and, agreeably to its name Lynher , making a fair haven betwixt East An thony and St. Stephen’s, joins the Tamar, after a course of about twenty-four miles. In the summer this stream is small, but in the winter rapid, overflowing, and dangerous, of which alternate extremes Mr. Carew (page 111.) in quaint, but not unharmonious strain, thus expresses himself according to the manner of his time.
I.
When fun the earth least shadow spares,
And highest stalls in heaven his seat,
Then Lyner’s peebly bones he bares,
Who like a lamb doth lowly bleat.
And faintly sliding, every rock
Plucks from his foamy fleece a lock.
II.
Before a River, now a Rill,
Before a fence, now fearce a bound,
Children him o’erleap at will,
Small beasts his deepest bottom found,
The heavens with brass enarch his head,
And earth of iron makes his bed.
III.
But when the milder-mooded skie
His face in mourning weeds doth wrap,
For absence of his clearest die,
And drops tears in his center’s lap,
Lyner ’gynnes lion-like to roare,
And scorns old bankes should bound him more.
IV.
Then, second Sea, he rolles, and bears
Rocks in his wombe, rickes on his backe,
Downe-borne bridges, up-torne wears,
Witnesse and wayle his force, their wracke
40
NATURAL HISTORY
Into men's houses fierce he breakes,
And on each flop his rage he wreakes.
V.
Shepheard adiews his swymming flocke,
The hinde his whelmed harvest hope.
The strongest rampire fears his shocke,
Plaines scarce can serve to give him scope,
Nor hills a barre, whereso he stray'th
Ensue loss, terrour, ruine, death.
The Lynher Creek, about four miles below Natter bridge, joins St. German’s Creek, made by the River Tidi, which has its rise on the South side of Caradon Hill, near Liskerd, where there is a place called Tidicomb, another Tidewell; and after dividing Quethiok parish from Minheneth, it enters the parish of St. German near Molinic, and about two miles lower becomes navigable at a place called Tidiford, (or the first ford on the Tidi) about two miles lower, it washes the sides of the antient borough and formerly Episcopal See of St. German, whence the Creek below is called St. German's Creek; and joining die Lynher, they both together proceed into the Tamar. Seaton is the next River: it riles in St. Clare, about four miles
to the North-East of Liskerd; and passing within a mile of that borough to a place thence called Lanseaton, goes through Minheneth parish, and dividing St. German's on the East from Morval, and St. Martins on the Western bank, falls into the Sea at Seaton, after a course of about twelve miles. The antient town, which probably gave name to this water, must have lain at its mouth, or opening into the Sea; but there are no remains to be seen : the town therefore has probably been swallowed up by the encroachments of the Sea, which in this place have been very considerable, if we may regard die tradition of the neighbourhood. Loo, or East Loo, has its rise also in the highlands of St. Clare; and parting under Liskerd park, divides Keyne parish from Liskerd, then Morval from Dulo; and becoming navigable at Sand-place, empties itself, about three miles after, between two little boroughs, which have their names, East Loo and West Loo, from the River, as the River has its name from the large Pool, which it makes every full tide, between the two towns. Its whole course is about ten miles. Here is a stone bridge of fifteen arches, one hundred and forty-one yards long, and six feet three inches wide betwixt the

In sailing into Plymouth take care of the Shovel and Tinker rocks; on the former is sixteen , on the latter seventeen feet. The mark to sail in clear of them, is to keep Plymouth old church just open to the west of the citadel wall. Sail in with this mark till you bring Withy hedge right up and down , and Drake’s island N.W. or open Mount Edgecombe , when you may anchor in six and seven fathom, coarse sand. If bound for Hamoaze, take care of the Winter Rock (on which there is a beacon) that lies between Drake’s Island and the main.

Go between the rock and east part of the island, and give the island a good birth . To clear the German Rock, which lies about two-thirds of a cable’s length from the shore, and has a beacon on it, as soon as you are abreast of the rock, which you will know by running the stone wall on Block-house point right up and down, steer over towards Mount Edgecombe till you open the Passage point and Blockhouse point; then haul over for Stone-pool, till you have hid Drake’s island behind Block-house point. And to clear Passage-rock (a beacon on it) bring Stone-house on the Old Gun-wharf crane; run that mark on till you bring a large fall-gate gate, that is on the hill above the Passage-house, and the highest Plymouth is two parishes called the old town and the new, the houses all built of this marble and the slatt [slate] at the top look like lead and glisters in the sun; there are no great houses in the town; the streetes are good and clean, there is a great many tho’ some are but narrow; they are mostly inhabited by seamen and those which have affaires on the sea, for here up to the town there is a depth of water for shipps of the first rate to ride; its great sea and dangerous by reason of the severall points of land between which the sea runs up a great way, and there are severall little islands alsoe, all which beares the tydes hard one against the other; there are two keyes the one is a broad space which leads you up into the broad streete and is used in manner of an exchange for the merchants meeteing, for in this street alsoe is a fine cross and alsoe a long Market House set on stone pillars; there are several good conduits to carry the water to the town, which conveyance the famous Sir Francis Drake ( which did encompass the world in Queen Elizabeths days and landed safe at Plymouth) he gave this to the town; there are two churches in the town but nothing fine; I was in the best and saw only King Charles the First Picture at length at prayer just as its cut on the front is piece of the Irenicum, this picture was drawn and given the Church when lie was in his troubles for some piece of service shown him; the altar •.lands in the Chancell or railed place, but it stands table wise the length and not up against the wall; the font was of marble; there are large Meetings of the Descenters in the town takeing in the Quakers and Anabaptists.

The St Alban's monk John of Tynemouth, another mid 14th century author, adds information regarding Indract in his Sanctilogium Angliae.  Although otherwise summarising the Passio account, he relates a new tradition about Indract and a sister of his named Dominica. Indract with his (nine) companions and his sister Dominica, on their way to Rome, stopped at a place called Tamerunta. There Indract drove his staff into the ground, causing an oak tree to grow, and there he caused a pond to provide a plentiful supply of fish. The place Tamerunta , "Tamerton Foliot" lies along the river Tamar on the Cornish border, and suggests that this new information came from a Cornish source, perhaps the church of St Germans.

Just beyond a deep bend in the tidal reaches of the River Tamar and close to the picturesque grounds of Pentillie Castle is a quiet, forgotten quay. Once a hive of activity Halton Quay now seems to idle in peace and tranquillity, especially when the water is high, lapping gently at the granite walls and the only other sound is the puff of passing geese on the wing.

Today you will find little to see there besides what has to be one of the smallest chapels in Cornwall but that was not always the case.

A couple of hundred years ago this place was one of the main trading quays on the River Tamar with goods coming and going from far-flung places piled high on barges, sailing ships and then later steamers.

During the 15th century lime kilns appeared on the quay, although the industry may date back even further, records show that lime from Halton was used in the mortar during early repairs to Launceston Castle. During the 1830s and 1840s a merchant called Samuel Lang ran his business from here, also selling lime. This industry was continued by Trehane, Perry, Spear & co. into the 1860s when there were large warehouses storing lime and manure on the quay. An advert appeared in the Cornish Times in 1863 promoting the company’s “Best Peruvian Guano” for sale from Halton Quay.

But it is some of quay’s earlier history, and some tales I have teased from it, that gives a fascinating glimpse into the forgotten past of this hidden corner of Cornwall.

Historic Halton House

It is unclear when the first quay or landing place was built at this point on the river but the settlement of Halton first appeared in the Domesday Book in 1086, so it seems likely that there has been a community here, utilising these navigable waters since the earliest time.

Halton House (now Halton Barton Farm, I believe) was once a grand home, purchased by John Rous during the reign of Elizabeth I. During that period it is thought that the owners and their guests would often come and go via the quay. Travel by river, rather than road, even to this isolated backwater of Cornwall, would have been by far the easiest mode of travel.

The antiquarian Richard Carew of Antony mentions Halton House and its then owner Sir Anthony Rous (1555 – 1620), nephew of John, in his 1602 Survey of Cornwall. He describes the house as a “pleasant and commodious dwelling” and goes on to praise Rous’ “kind and uninterrupted” hospitality to any and all that happened to be fortunate enough to stay with him.

Cornish Guardian, 20 August 1959

During that time the banks of the river around Halton were said to be covered by cherry orchards, surely adding to the overall impression of it as a lush, fertile rural idyll. However, one rather famous individual was said to have less than fond memories of the place.

Sir Francis Drake is said to have been friends with Rous, who was simultaneously High Sheriff of Cornwall, MP for East Looe and one of the richest landowners in Cornwall, with some 10,000 acres to his name. And it is thought that Drake and his wife stayed with him at his house at Halton.

But unfortunately, according to John Neale in his book Discovering the River Tamar, Rous and Drake had a some kind of serious disagreement at Halton.

The tomb of Sir Anthony Rous & his son, St Dominick church

It seems that Rous was “an admirer of Drake’s wife”, Mary, supposedly a Cornishwoman originally from Saltash. How exactly this argument came about and what it was over isn’t clear but the mention of Mary implies that there may have been some connection to her. Whatever the circumstances it was serious enough that it seems Drake never visited again. In a small but fascinating connection to major historic events, Anthony’s youngest son, Francis Rous, succeeded in making himself rather unpopular in Royalist Cornwall duringthe Civil War. He was a Parliamentarian, Speaker of the House of Commons and a member of Cromwell’s council . . . and he was also elected Commissioner for Cornwall. In this role Francis was responsible for expelling at least 72 Cornish clergy from their livings – men that Cromwell deemed “scandalous and ignorant ministers”.

These ejections were often carried out in a harsh and sometimes violent manner, leaving many clergymen homeless and penniless and reliant on their parishioners for food and shelter. Understandably Francis’ actions created a great deal of bed feeling and an already tense and divisive period in Cornwall’s history.

A Tale of Two Richards

Another curious episode in the area’s history occurred at Halton in the 19th century.

Two Richards, Richard Hill and Richard Nattle, were both baptised in St Dominick parish and in 1798 these two men went to work together at Halton Barton.

St Dominica church

In 1802 the two Richards both married in St Dominica church – their wives were two sisters, Elizabeth and Maria Wilson, who were also servants at the house.

The two Richards then continued to work together at Halton Quay for the next thirty years, their two families sharing their lives in the tiny backwater. Then, in another bizarre coincidence, the two men both became ill and died on the same day.

The two Richards were then buried side by side on the 13th February 1850 at St Dominica church.

In a sad twist to this already strange tale in December 1857, seven years after Richard Nattle’s death, his wife, Maria, was found by their daughter, Elizabeth, lying on her kitchen floor with a serious head injury. Suspicion immediately fell on the couple’s son, William, who lived with his mother and was known to be a bad tempered drunk.

When Maria died William was charged with her murder, some reports say he was apprehended by authorities at Halton Quay. The trail was then held at the Lent Assizes in Spring 1858. A post-mortem was carried out on Maria by a surgeon called William Bowden and he concluded that it was more likely that her injuries were the result of a violent attack than her falling and hitting her head.

However, despite the evidence the jury could not agree and rather strangely and much to the judge’s frustration came back with a verdict of ‘Manslaughter’ rather than murder. The judge told them that that outcome was not available to them – William had been charged with murder, so they must find him either guilty or not guilty of that charge.

The jury deliberated again and eventually returned a ‘Not Guilty’ verdict and William walked free.

St Indract’s Chapel

In June 1959 a tiny building on the quay that had variously been used as a custom’s house, a coal merchant’s office and a clerking office was reincarnated as a chapel.

The chapel is dedicated to St Indract, said to have been the son of an Irish king who arrived in Cornwall in the 7th century (c689 AD) along with his sister St Dominica.

Legend has it that the pair landed at Halton Quay, decided to settle here on the banks of the Tamar and built a chapel, now lost to the tides of time, and holy well nearby.

Illustration of St Dominick’s Well, J. T. Blight, 1858

More than 200 people attended the consecration of the new chapel by the Archdeacon of Bodmin, the Venerable W. H. Prior, in 1959. The vicar of St Dominick’s was also there, as were a party of W.R.N.S (or Wrens) who had paddled to the quay by canoe all the way from Plymouth!

The plan was for the little building to provide a space for a Sunday School for the local children and this it did, although in 1962 it was reported that it might have the smallest congregation in Cornwall when just 3 children attended the Mothering Sunday service!

Still used today for Evensong services during the summer months St Indract’s became what is perhaps the tiniest church in Cornwall, with space to seat just 10 persons on its pews.

Final Thoughts

You can hardly get more tucked away in this already little visited region of Cornwall than Halton Quay. I stumbled upon this place while visiting Pentillie Castle and could hardly believe how peaceful and beautiful it was on that misty morning.

But the varied and eventful history of this tiny patch of ground not only reminds me that the Tamar River was once an important highway for goods and people, and that so many industries that once seemed so vital and necessary can quickly vanish, but also that Cornwall is a just constant source of interest!

You just never know the stories attached to the most unassuming of places!

Further Reading:

The Tomb of Sir James Tillie, Pentillie Castle

Borderlands – Crossing the River Tamar

Burial Place of Theodore Paleologus – Soldier, Assassin & Descendant of the Last Byzantine Emperor

Trematon Castle

After leaving Launceston we made our way south down the fertile Tamar valley to the ancient settlement of Saltash.

A couple of miles beyond the town is Trematon Castle.

This magnificent monument is one of the series of castles built in Cornwall by the Normans both for defence and as centres of administration and control in their recently conquered territory.

It is sited high on the banks of the Lynher, just above the picturesque village of Forder, where the river empties itself into the Tamar.

Unlike the other medieval castles we visited, Trematon does not dominate the surrounding countryside. Rather, it lies hidden in the folds of the hills and woods. It is a castle which fulfills perfectly the aims of its builders, providing a vantage point from which to observe without being observed.

As well as being unusual in the subtlety of its location, Trematon also differs from the other Norman castles in Cornwall in that it is still a part of a private home. Begun in the eleventh century and completed about two hundred years later, it is similar in design to Restormel and Launceston, the keep standing high on a man-made hill and a long well preserved curtain wall stretching out from the tower. This wall surrounds and protects the lovely house which was constructed on the bailey some 700 years later during the Regency period. The combination of medieval castle and Regency mansion is a daring one, but the house has been so sensitively designed that the two buildings blend to produce a residence of unique character.

At present Trematon is leased from the Duchy of Cornwall by Lord and Lady Caradon. They have lived here for the past twenty years and deserve a great deal of the credit for the castle’s excellent state of preservation. Apart from one weekend in the summer the castle remains closed to the public but Lady Caradon very kindly showed us round and through her knowledge and interest brought

Trematon Castle

After leaving Launceston we made our way south down the fertile Tamar valley to the ancient settlement of Saltash.

50 Servants of the People

money to spare which they could lend to carry on the royal wars.

Some of these guilds still exist and in London march with their banners at the Lord Mayor's Show on the ninth of November of each year. But the work of the guilds is not the same as it was in the early days ; and it is no longer the rule for boys to become apprentices.

THE BLACK PRINCE

Of all the famous tales in history most boys love best of all that which tells how the Black Prince won the Battle of Crecy. Perhaps this is because the prince was only a boy at the time.

The battle was fought in France at a place not very far from the Straits of Dover. Edward III., King of England, the father of the Black Prince, said that he ought also to be King of France ; and he took a splendid army of knights and bowmen across the Channel to fight the French king for his crown.

I like to read the story of the battle as it is told by a knight named Sir John Froissart, who lived at that time, and whose book you must read some day. Here is a portion of the great story in Froissart’s own words :—

“ During the time, a heavy rain fell, accompanied by thunder and a very terrible eclipse of the sun ; and before this rain, a great flight of crows hovered in the air over all the battalions, making a loud noise ; shortly afterwards it cleared up, and the sun shone very bright; but the French had it in their faces, and the English on their backs.

“ When the Genoese who fought for the French king were somewhat in order, they drew near to the English

The Black Prince

and set up a loud shout, in order to frighten them ; but the English remained quite quiet, and did not seem to attend to it.

51

“ Then they set up a second shout and advanced a little forward ; the English never moved. Still they hooted a third time, advancing with their crossbows presented, and began to shoot. The English archers then advanced one step forward and shot their arrows with such force and quickness, that it seemed as if it snowed.

“ When the Genoese felt these arrows, which pierced through their armour, some of them cut the strings of their crossbows; others flung them to the ground ; and all turned about and retreated quite discomfited.”

Remember as you read the above that this fight at Crecy was one of the first of our many battles. The English and Normans had at last joined together to make one united nation, and now the new English nation was facing a foreign foe on his own ground.

Now take another glimpse at this battlefield :—

“ Early in the day the enemy had broken through the archers of the prince's battalion and had engaged with the men-at-arms. Seeing the danger they were in, a knight went off in great haste to the King of England who was posted upon an eminence near a windmill.

“ On the knight's arrival, he said, ‘ Sir, the knights who are with your son are vigorously attacked by the French ; and they entreat that you will come to their assistance with your battalion, for if numbers should increase against him, they fear he will have too much to do.’

“ The king replied, 4 Is my son dead, unhorsed, or so badly wounded that he cannot support himself i' 4 Nothing of the sort, thank God,’ replied the knight,4 but he is in so hot an engagement that he has great need of your help.'

Servants of the People

“ The king answered, * Now, Sir Thomas, return to those that sent you, and tell them from me not to send again for me this day, nor expect that I shall come, let what will happen, as long as my son has life ; and say that I command them to let the boy win his spurs ; for I am determined, if it please God, that all the glory of this day shall be given to him and to those into whose care I have entrusted him.'

52

“ The knight returned to his lords and related the king's answer, which mightily encouraged them, and made them repent that they had ever sent such a message.''

The battle ended in a complete victory for the army of the Black Prince. He had been taught on that great day to depend upon himself. He learnt that if he was meant to govern a kingdom he must prove himself able to lead its armies.

Now note the six words which are printed in italics in the above description—“ let the boy win his spurs.” These words remind us that the Black Prince belonged to that company of men who were known as knights, and who lived their lives according to very definite rules* These men all belonged to an “ order" or society, banded together for certain objects.

They were all riders of horses, and therefore they came to be known as the members of the Order of Chivalry (from the French word cheval, a horse). The time in which they lived, about six hundred years ago, is sometimes spoken of as the Age of Chivalry.

The monks and priests of the time had a great deal to do with these knights. Before a man could become a knight he spent a long time in the company of the priests who explained to him what he would be expected to do.

He must help all who were oppressed or ill-treated; be kind and helpful to women, children, and the aged of

both sexes ; fight bravely against all enemies of the Christian religion ; keep himself pure in thought and word and deed ; and abide by his promises so that the expression “ on the honour of a true knight " might be more binding than bars of iron.

The young man who wished to be made a knight was obliged to spend a whole night kneeling in prayer before the altar of a church on the steps of which his sword and armour were laid. This was called “ keeping vigil.”

The Black Prince 53

(From a picture of the time)

On the next morning the priests came to him and54 Servants of the People

prayed with him, blessing his sword and dedicating it to the service of God. He was then taken before the king or some famous warrior, who made him kneel before him, and struck him a light blow on the shoulder with a naked sword. Then after naming him “ Sir So-and-So ” he bade him rise and fight boldly in the name of the Most High.

A newly-made knight waited eagerly for a chance to show how brave he could be in battle ; and when he had clearly proved his courage in some way he was said to have “ won his spurs.” Now you see what King Edward III. meant at Crecy. His son, the Black Prince, had been made a knight a few days before the battle which gave him his opportunity to show his bravery and skill as a leader.

Both King Edward III. and the Black Prince were known in many lands as pattern knights whom all the eager young gentlemen of the time strove to imitate. And in this great game of knighthood they were doing the people valuable service.

We might say, with a great deal of truth, that the knights of those early days were the inventors of manners.

Before their time even the nobles and leaders were somewhat coarse and boorish in many ways. They had little respect for women or children or the aged. Their ways of living were rude and dirty, and their houses were ill-kept and uncomfortable. But the knights and ladies of the Age of Chivalry made great changes in these matters.

They were much more courteous to each other both in speech and action, bowing, making curtseys, “ doffing ” the hat, and so forth. Their ways of speaking were more careful and gentle. Their table manners were cleaner, and their treatment of each other less boorish and selfish.

Each knight was taught to forget himself for the good of his order; and this consideration for others is at the root of all good manners.

Landulph (Cornish : Lanndhylyk) is ahamlet and a rural civil parish in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is about 3 miles  north of Saltash in the St Germans Registration District.

The parish lies on the River Tamar  which forms the county boundary between Cornwall and Devon and the river surrounds Landulph to the north, east and south. Across the river are the Devon parishes of Bere Ferrers and Tamerton Foliot. To the south-east of Landulph is the parish of Botusfleming and to the west the parish of Pillaton. The population in the 2001 census was 485, which increased to 527 at the 2011 census.

Settlements in the parish include the hamlet of Landulph and the bigger village of Cargreen which is on the bank of the River Tamar. The manor of Landulph belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall.

The parish church of St Leonard & St Dilpe is in Landulph hamlet at OS Grid ref SX431615. Features of interest in the church include the panelling of the Lower family pew (ca. 1600), some unusual bench ends, a memorial inscription on brass for Theodore Paleologus (d. 1636), a descendant of the Byzantine Emperors, and a fine tomb of Nicholas Lower, d. 1655. Another brass is a memorial to Elizabeth Lower, 1638.

Francis Jago Arundell

Landulph Church

Francis Vyvyan Jago was born at Launceston, in July 1780, the only son of Thomas Jago. (He afterwards adopted the additional surname of "Arundell", which had been one of the famous Cornish recusant dynasties - those landed English families who, at the risk of a range of dire penalties, refused to renounce their devout Roman Catholic faith during the English Reformation.) From youth to old age Jago was imbued with a love of antiquarian study, and after his institution in 1805 to the rectory of Landulph he threw himself avidly into studying the history of Cornwall.

St Indract of Glastonbury Today (5 February) we commemorate St Indract, martyr at Glastonbury. From Baring-Gould & Fisher vol 3: The story as given by Wilham of Malmesbury is to this effect : — Indract was the son of an Irish King, and he, with his sister Dominica, and nine companions, started on a pilgrimage across the sea. They got as far as the mouth of the Tamar, where they settled, and lived together for some time in prayer and strictness of life. Indract planted his staff in the ground, and it took root, and became a mighty oak. He also made a pond, from which he daily drew fish, probably salmon, for his little community.

One day he discovered that a member of his society had privily carried off a fish for his private consumption, in addition to the regular meals. After this the supply failed, and Indract deemed it advisable to leave. What apparently took place was a quarrel among the members over the weir in the Tamar, which grew so hot that the congregation separated into factions, and one under Indract left. He went on to Rome, visited the tombs of the apostles, and then retraced his steps, and in course of time reached the neighbourhood of Glastonbury.

The little party lodged at Shapwick, when one of the officials of King Ina, named Horsa, supposing that the pilgrims had money, fell on them by night, murdered the entire party, and carried off whatever he could lay hands on.

King Ina at the time had his court at ” Pedrot.” Being unable to sleep during the night, he went forth, and saw a column of light standing over Shapwick. Probably Horsa had set fire to the cottage of wattles in which were his victims.

Next day Ina heard of the tragedy and ordered the removal of the bodies to Glastonbury, which he was refounding. Whether the murderer was punished we are not told. According to this legend the event took place about 710.

There are difficulties in the story. How could the early part of the history of the slaughtered men become known, as all had been massacred ? No such a person as Indract, son of a King in Ireland, is known in Irish history. The name is, however, found as that of the twenty-first abbot of lona, who was in office in 849, in which year he transported the relics of S. Columba to Ireland. The Annals of Ulster state that he was killed by the Saxons on March 12, 854. We are not informed where he was slain, and it is probable that this is the Indract of William of Malmesbury’s legend. Nothing more likely than that after having been abbot for a while, the desire came on him to visit the holy sites, and that for this purpose he traversed Wessex, and halted in Cornwall, where the British tongue was spoken. The massacre cannot bave been complete ; some of the pilgrims must have escaped, and the matter was brought to the ears, not of Ina, but of Ethelwulf , the father of Alfred the Great.

That Indract did visit Cornwall is shown by the church of Landrake bearing his name (Lan Indract) , and by the existence of his chapel and holy well at Halton, in his sister’s foundation, S.Dominick on the Tamar. Some fragments of the chapel remain with fine ilex trees by it, conceivably scions of that tree which William of Malmesbury tells us existed, in his day, and was held to have originated out of the staff of the saint. The Holy Well is in good order, and, though possessing no architectural beauty, is picturesquely situated under a large cherry tree. The water is of excellent quality and is unfailing. Water for baptisms in S. Dominick is drawn from this well, although situated at a considerable distance from the parish church.

Dr. Oliver gives the chapel as dedicated to S. Ilduict. This is one of his many blunders. The MS. of Bishop Stafford’s Register, from, which he drew his information, gives the chapel as that ” Sancti. Ildracti.” Ildract is, of course, Indract (March 6, 1418-9), but in this, entry the mistake is made by the Registrar of making the Saint a Confessor instead of a Martyr.

Landrake in Bishop Stapeldon’s Register, 1327, is Lanracke. In Domesday it is Riccan. It is now popularly called Larrick. The church, is supposed to be dedicated to S. Peter, and the village feast is held on June 29, S. Peter’s day. The name, however, and the situation, near S. Dominick, favour the idea that it was a foundation of S. Indract.

The day of SS. Indract and Dominica, according to Whytford and Wilson, is May 8. William of Worcester says, ” Sanctus Indractus martir et confessor die 8 Maii, jacet apud Shepton per 5 milaria de Glastynbery cum sociis suis centum martiribus.”

The Bollandists give February 5, on the worthless authority of Challoner. But May 8 is the day in the Altemps thirteenth century Martyrology, and in the fifteenth century Norwich Martyrology [Cotton. MS. Julius B vii), and in Capgrave.

In Art, Indract should be figured as a pilgrim with a salmon in his hand, and a staff that is putting forth oak leaves.

 According to historian and literary scholar Louise Imogen Guiney, during the Elizabethan era, Dr. William Alabaster, who would go on to become an important figure in the Christian poetry of the Anglosphere, served as Landulph's Church of England Vicar between 1596 and 1597. The living, which at the time was worth 400 crowns a year, was allegedly secured for Alabaster through the influence of his patron, courtier Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. In the church of Landulph is a brass to the memory of Italo-Greek nobleman, soldier, and assassin Theodore Paleologus, a descendant of the Palaiologos dynasty who had ruled the Byzantine Empire until its fall in 1453, and who died in Landulph on 21 January 1637. An account of the inscription, and of the person whom it commemorated, was printed by Jago in the volume of the Archæologia for 1817, and reprinted inDavies Gilbert's Cornwall(iii, 365). This paper was afterwards amplified intoSome Notice of the Church of Landulph,which was published in 1840, and a reprint of which, with additions by Joseph Polsue of Bodmin, was announced some years ago (i.e. before 1885).

 CORNWALL.
1700's
which was on the summit of a moor, from whence the ground, declining to the North, makes way for part of the water to run northerly, which is the head of the River Turridge, navigable a little above the town of Bideford, and the ground shelving away on the other fide at the fame time to the South, drains away the bogs of the fame moor to the Southward from the fame fountain, and forms the beginning of Tamar, which, at the distance of ten miles, becomes considerable enough to give name to the small parish and village of North Tamarton, where leaving a bridge of ftone, it continues on to the South till it enters the parifh of St. Stephen’s', at the corner of which parifh it receives a very plentiful stream, called Werington River. About a mile and half farther down it receives the Aterey River (which runs under the walls of Lancefton, and becomes Icon alter, at Polftun bridge', a confiderable, wide, and rapid stream.
Hence it coasts on nearly South, receiving the brooks from each tide, till it has paffed Graiftun ’ bridge *, a mile below which, it receives the Lowley River, and foon after a more plentiful ftream from Altarnun, Lewanic, and Lezant parifhes, called the Inny, and the place where it joins the Tamar, called Inny-foot .

The Tamar increafing ftill, has a high, ftrong, ftone bridge, in Stokeclymiland, called commonly Horfe Bridge, but by Leland Hawtebrig; that is, High Bridge. The laft bridge on this River is in the parifh of Calftok, begun, fays Leland', by Sir Perfe Edgeumbe'. The tide almoft reached this bridge in the time of Henry VIII'. but it was navigable no further than Morleham, about two miles below, to
which fmall barks ftill come.

Five miles farther down, the Tamar receives the Tavy on the Eaft, and, having made a Creek into the parifhes of Botsfleming and Landulph on the Weft, incomes a fpacious harbour, and washing the foot of the antient borough of Saltafh within half a mile, is joined by the Lynher Creek and River, then paffing ftraight forward forms the noble harbour of Hamoze , called formerly Tamerworth ; where making two large Creeks, one called St. John's, the other Millbrook, at the Weft, and Stonehoufe Creek at the Eaft, (after a courfe of about forty miles, nearly South) the Tamar paffes into the Sea, having Mount Edgeumbe for its weftern, and the lands of Stonehoufe 

Botus Fleming;

Portrait of a Cornish Parish

Botus Fleming is easy to forget, when you live in the west or even mid-Cornwall, along with the many other smaller settlement’s lying in the far east of Cornwall. Larger towns such as Saltash and Launceston are often passed through as we travel abroad into England and beyond as part of a day out, but smaller communities also have a story to tell. I can’t do justice to them here but can help start sharing something of them to a wider Cornish audience.

To the north of Saltash is the small parish of Botus Fleming that has a total area of 1.78 square miles and a population of about 750. The number of people living within the parish has risen sharply in recent years as Hatt one of the two villages has become a dormitory settlement for Plymouth. Previously employment would have been through agriculture and employment through the two mansion houses with their estates. For a short period from 1846-50 the Wheal Sophia mine operated extracting copper ore, this seems to have been short lived and following a change of name to Moditonham and Marraborough Consols between 1850-1852 then Cornwall South Tamar in 1853 it closed in 1854.

Botus Fleming & Hatt area of Cornwall

Listening to the sound of nothing at Moditonham Quay by Amy Caldwell

When market gardening was an important element of rural life, Botus Fleming was known as ‘The Cherry Village’. with fruit and vegetable shipped down the River Tamar to Plymouth from Moditonham Quay. The quay to the east of the parish lies on the shore of the Kingsmill Lake a creek above Saltash was also used to transport all manner of other agricultural needs and produce as well as from mining activities. The quay today is a favourite spot for those enjoying views over the river and bird watching. The salt marshes within Kingsmill Lake offering a wonderful habitat.

As with many older Cornish settlements names have changed over time. First recorded in 1259 it was Bothflumet meaning Flumet’s dwelling. Believed by some, including the 17^thcentury Cornish historian William Hals, to have been linked to Flemings, perhaps a Norman family, who are recorded in Domesday as holding a number of manors in Cornwall. The church has a stone effigy of a knight in armour thought to be Stephen le Fleming who was a medieval Crusader perhaps one of that family.

Effigy of knight in Botus Fleming Church

St Mary's Church, Botus Fleming, Cornwall

Botus Fleming Church interior

Only one manor in this parish, situated to the east of the village of Botus Fleming, was recorded during medieval times and held by Philip de Vautort then seven generations of his descendants. Called Modeton in the early days and held from the earls of Cornwall they were part of the powerful Norman Vautort family who held the manor of Trematon and manors in Devon. The original suggested castle at Modeton, now Moditonham, was possibly just a fortified residence with licence to crenulate dating from the 14^thcentury. Records show on 6^thDecember 1452 Bishop of Exeter Edmund Lacy made a grant, ‘to Richard Talbot esquire and Elinora his wife of Boteflemyng in Cornwall for service in presence of either or both of them in their house at Modyton inthat parish, during pleasure.’

Bishop Lacy was also making enquiries regarding the vacancy of the parish church at Bodflemyng alias Bodflyme or Bodflymy in Cornwall, resulting in chaplain John Pykan being made rector. This illustrates the various alternative spellings for the parish and there were certainly a number of people named Flemyng named around that time over a number of generations.

The mansion at Modeton, as historically described, was replaced by the existing Georgian mansion around 1710 incorporating some of the earlier buildings and again altered around 1760. It was Grade II listed in 1968 and bequeathed to the National Trust in 1978. Later sold and for many years in the ownership of haematologist, John O'Brien who was an inspired scientist best known for proving the importance of aspirin with its low dose efficacy in the reduction of heart attacks. He lovingly restored the property and took to growing daffodils and anemones exporting to Covent Garden flower market in London.

Within the grounds of Moditonham Park is a Grade II listed dovecot dating to circa mid eighteenth century. Constructed of slatestone and Devon limestone rubble, with brick dressings it formerly had a slate roof. It was used to provide the kitchens at Moditonham with squab’s, young tender pigeons, much favoured by the wealthy owners. It also acted as a folly, which were very popular constructions by the wealthy in the 18^thcentury.

Moditonham House, Botus Fleming

Dovecot at Moditonham

Sir William Penn Symons

William Penn Symons memorial Saltash

Probably the family with the longest connection to Botus Fleming parish is the Symons family of Hatt, here we are indebted to the work of Arthur John Jewers a late 19^thcentury antiquary who provides early information. Church records show that the Symons family have been part of Botus Fleming parish since the early 16^thcentury.

Within Botus Fleming church there is a mural tablet in memory of William Symons Esq, of Hatt, High Sheriff of Cornwall, who died 9th August, 1766, aged 70. Probably the best-known Symons is Lieutenant-General William Penn Symons who died in the Boer War in 1899. Said to have been a man of high ability and a leader of exceptional valour an imposing memorial was erected in Victoria Gardens in Saltash and unveiled by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on 18^thSeptember 1901. A stained-glass window was made for Botus Fleming Church depicting Christ with Roman centurion and soldiers. General Symons was incidentally a descendant of William Penn founder of Pennsylvania, hence the forename Penn.

The historic Grade II* mansion Hatt House dates from late 16^thor early 17^thcenturies. About 1710 a new house was built as an extension to the front of the older property with further altered through to the 19^thcentury. This property has been in the Symons family for 450 years and for a period of some 40 years resided in the occupation of in-laws as the properties heir had vanished and later drowned. All down to an unacceptable love match. However, the vanished heirs son discovered the family legacy after his father's accidental drowning in Liverpool and returned to claim his inheritance.

The parish also has a holy well known as the Bidwell or Bid Well. The housing is constructed of granite and slatestone dated to the late 15^thcentury. Internally it has a plastered vaulted ceiling, slate floor and a niche containing a 19^thcentury statue of the Virgin Mary. It was repaired as with many similar holy wells during the 20^thcentury.

Hatt House, Botus Fleming

The Bidwell, Botus Fleming

William Martyn - Obelisk In Field North East Of Church, Botus Fleming

The Rising Sun, Botus Fleming

A somewhat strange burial monument marked mausoleum on older maps lies to the east of the church. This marks the burial of William Martyn a Doctor of Physic of Plymouth in 1762. At his instructions his tomb was to be placed at the highest point in middle of the field. On top of the chest tomb is an obelisk, the monument being twelve feet high. His father was mayor of Plymouth twice in 1683 and 1685 and bought land in Botus Fleming in 1706, perhaps with the idea of building a property within close reach of Plymouth. On his death property at Botus Fleming was inherited by his son William. He wanted to set an example to poor people, although a good Catholic Christian, of not being buried in consecrated ground. He says, in modern terms, engraved on the tablet on his tomb that they should better spend the money on sustenance for themselves rather than on expensive burials for their families. They shouldn’t fear that on judgement day that their kin would suffer because of not being buried in consecrated ground. He obviously thought the church was running a scam of overcharging. Perhaps a follow on from medieval practices of selling indulgences and relics from dubious sources such as saints fingers and slithers of the true cross.

Now something for those that appreciate a quiet real ale pub, Botus Fleming has the Rising Sun. Described by CAMRA Kernow as; ‘tastefully refurbished after having been largely unaltered for years, this rural gem is tucked away in a quiet village near Saltash, just off the beaten track. The three real ales are regularly and imaginatively changed.’ A pub has been on this site for at least nearly 160 years recorded as the Rising Sun on the ordnance survey map surveyed in 1865. However closer inspection of the first ordnance survey of 1809 shows a building on the site of the existing Rising Sun over 50 years earlier. Over that period the building has been extended from that originally constructed.

Although Botus Fleming is a small and fairly unknown parish to most of Cornish residents living further to the west, it has a lot of history crammed into their less than two square miles. If travelling nearby I believe well worth a visit

Plymouth to Truro late of Mr. Brunel, in the very remarkable structure of the of water was 70 ft., and the riverbed, of mud and gravel, 20 ft.

It was accomplished by means of a Royal Albert Bridge. (From the Saltash station persons are allowed to walk on the bridge, paying 3d. each. This extraordinary viaduct which for novelty and ingenuity of construction stands unrivalled in the world—carries the railway. at a height of 1oo ft. above the water from the hills of Devon to those of Cornwall, on 19 spans or arches, of which 2alone bridge the estuary in gigantic leaps of 455 ft. Its total length is 2240 ft., or nearly half mile its greatest width only 30 ft., but its height from the foundation to the top of the tubes, 260 ft., or 50 ft. greater than that of the Monument. The estuary is here at its narrowest point, but broader than the Thames at Westminster, and not to be spanned without the aid of a central pier. To found and build such a structure was the first great difficulty. The second was to hang the roadway; for as a central pier afforded no point to which chains could be secured, it was impossible to erect a suspension bridge similar to the Britannia. The supports of the roadway most be made in a manner self-supporting, and this Mr. Brunel effected, by an ingenious combination of the arch, the tubular girder, and suspension chain. The main chains which stretch from the short to the central pier, and from which the roadway hangs, are attached at the ends to enormous iron tubes, which in two magnificent curves bridge the estuary.

Thus each tube gives support to the chain, and forms with it a double bow, or ellipsis. The chief labours of construction were to build the central pier, and to raise the tubes. Each weighs about 1200 tons, and to up hold such a mass of iron it was necessary that the foundation should rest on the solid rock. But to reach this was no easy matter. The depth novel application of the cofferdam principle. A cylinder of wrought iron, 100 ft. in height, 37 ft. in diameter and weighing 300 tons, was sunk on the spot selected. The water was pumped out and air forced in, and the men set to work as in a diving-bell. But the labour was most severe. The excavation was carried on under a pressure of 38 lbs. to the inch, which produced distressing symptoms, and in one instance a fatal effect; and although less felt
after a time, when 40 men could work together with little inconvenience, it was gratifying to all parties to see the granite pile emerge above the surface of the river. Then commenced a series of very interesting operations. One of the tubes was put together on the shore, floated out on pontoons each 50 ft. in length—and lodged at high water upon the bases of the piers, which were to rise simultaneously with the arch as it was lifted by hydraulic pressure. Each tube is elliptical in form, and constructed throughout of inch boiler-plate, strengthened inside by ties and diaphragms. It is 12 ft. in height, and 17 ft. in width. The process of placing the two tubes in position occupied from 5 to 6 months. The western tube was first raised. Twice a week it was lifted by the presses 3 ft., and in the following 3 days the masonry was built up an other 3 ft. Thus the progress was 6 ft. per week, and at the end of each week the 6 ft. joints of the iron columns of the central pier were added. These pillars are of colossal dimensions. They are 4 in number, octagon in their shape, 10feet in diameter and 100 ft. in height. They stand 10 feet apart in the centre of the granite pile, and are bound together by a lattice-work of wrought iron. Each weighs about 150 tons. On the top, like a capital, rests the tablet inserted in the wall of this building is inscribed,—“This chappie was repaired in the Mayoralty of Matthew Veale, Gent, anno 1689.” The Mayor of Saltash is an important personage: he takes precedence of the Mayor of Plymouth, and by virtue of bis office is also coroner for the borough of Plymouth. The Saltash corporation has jurisdiction over the waters of Plymouth Sound and its tributaries, and derives a considerable revenue from the buoys which it maintains therein.

Exploring Devon's history along the River Tamar unveils a captivating narrative of human existence, spanning back to prehistoric times. Evidence of Saxon settlement can be seen in the form of burial sites and remnants of settlements, offering glimpses into the lives of these early settlers. The river itself played a crucial role in facilitating trade and communication, serving as a pathway for boats and ships that transported goods and connected communities along its banks. Devon's rich cultural heritage, intertwined with the Tamar and its surrounding landscapes, continue to captivate historians and reveal the remarkable stories of those who came before us.

It is not long since Plymouth was accounted a mean fishing town 

Until the conveniency of the haven which without striking sail admitteth into its bosom the tallest ships that be where they ridesafe in either of the two rivers , to take the opportunity of the first wind.

 Stuart Amos Arnold published an eighteenth-century navigation called

The Merchant and Seaman’s Guardian in the British Channel.

In it he gave detailed instructions to navigate into the port using the ancient system of seamarks -

lining up landmarks by eye to chart a course through and past hazards In sailing into Plymouth take care of the Shovel and Tinker rocks ;  on the former is sixteen, on the latter seventeen feet.

The mark to sail in clear of them , is to keep Plymouth old church just open to the west of the citadel wall , sail in with this mark till you bring Withy hedge right up and down, and Drake’s island North West or open Mount Edgecombe , when you may anchor in six and seven fathom of coarse sand If bound for Hamoaze , take care of the Winter Rock on which there is a beacon that lies between Drake’s Island and the main landGo between the rock and east part of the islan, and give the island a good birth To clear the German Rock, which lies about two thirds of a cable’s length from the shore , and has a beacon on it ,as soon as you are abreast of the rock , which you will know by running the stone wall on Block-house point right up and down ,

steer over towards Mount Edgecombe till you open the Passagepoint and Blockhouse point; then haul over for Stone-pool , till you have hid Drake’s island behind Block-house point.

 And to clear Passage-rock , there is beacon on it bring Stone-house on the Old Gunwharf crane ; run that mark on till you bring a large fall-gate gate ,that is on the hill above the Passagehouse , and the highest chimnies on the Passage-house in one ; then steer safely in for Hamoaze , and anchor in thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen fathom, or less water at pleasure.

These directions give a glimpse into a lost landscape, where patches of willow were significant enough to be landmarks visible from the Sound.

Once moored, what might the merchant expect on arrival ? A number of travel writers described seventeenth-century Plymouth, among them Celia Fiennes in her epic journey Through England on a Side Saddle in the Time of William and Mary in 1698.

She was delighted by the appearance of the local stone , which she referred to as ‘marble’ which made Plympton ‘look white like snow’.From there she rode down the banks of the River Plym to the town itself.

Plymouth is two parishes called the old town and the new, the houses all built of this marble and the slatt [slate] at the top look like lead and glisters in the sun; there are no great houses in the town; the streets   OH! are good and clean, there is a great many though some are narrow ; they are mostly inhabited by seamen and those whichhave altaiies on the sea, for here up to the town there is a depth of
water for shipps of the first rate to ride ;

its great sea and dangerous

History of Devonshire.
their residence at Warleigh. The heiress of the Folio!! » brought it to the Gorges, and from them it passed, by
female heirs, to Bonvile, Coplestone, and Bampfylde . For some century and a half it has been the seat of the Radcliffes. The Coplestone oak, which stood on the grim by the church, was the traditional scene of a murder by one of the Coplestones, the ‘ fatal oak ? of Mrs. Bray's ‘Warleigh.’ Gilbert Foliott, successively Abbot of Gloucester, Bishop of Hereford (1149), and Bishop of London (1161 ), was a native of Tamerton. One of the most learned men of his day, he was also a steady opponent of A Becket, and was excommunicated by that primate and the Pope accordingly, but relieved by a synod which he called. He held the See of London twenty years.Maristow in this parish, the seat of Sir Massey Lopes, was the site of the ancient chapel of St. Martin (whence the name) belonging to the canons of Plympton. After the Dissolution it came to the Champernownes, who sold it in 1550 to John Slanning of Shaugh. Thence it descended with the rest of the Slanning estates, and was bought by Sir Masseh Manasseh Lopes in 1798. It seems probable that Maristow was the chapel of St. Martin de Blakestane (the next Domesday manor to Tamerton), held by the Priory temp. Henry I., and given by Paganel. It is also said to have been the gift of William de Pin and his daughter Sibella.

PLYMOUTH, DEVONPORT, AND STONEHOUSE.
I'm recorded history of Plymouth cannot be traced much In (her than the Norman Conquest. The town finds no mention in the ‘ Saxon Chronicle.’ Risdon, indeed,
citing the life of St. Indractus, tells us that by the Saxons it was named Tamarweorth , which is much more
likely, if the reference has any historic value, to be the Saxon name of what is now Drake’s Island — ‘ the Island of the Tamar.’ Leland also asserts that much of what afterwards came to be called Plymouth was held by the canons of the ancient Saxon college of Plympton, which Bishop Warelwast made the foundation of the famous Plympton Priory. But these statements have no authority ; and the earliest undoubted and distinct mention we have til Plymouth is as the Sutton of ‘ Domesday,’ held by William in succession to the Confessor, an insignificant manor, with an enumerated population of 7 only. It was many a long year after this that the manor was granted by the Crown to the Valletorts, and by them in part to the monks of Plympton ; and that mainly by the fostering care of the prior and his brethren, though largely as the result of independent effort, the foundations of the chief centre of population of the West were laid.“ Domesday “ affords the materials for a striking comparison between past and present, The eight manors as t

Before the railway came to Calstock (as late as 1907) the River Tamar was the means by which all that the neighbourhood needed was brought in anti all that it produced was taken out. All along the river are abandoned quays, busy places seventy years ago, served by the sailing barges which were built at Calstock and elsewhere and were of a particular type, able to tack up and down river against contrary winds and to go to sea as coasting vessels if their trade so required. Up river came coal and limestone from Plymouth, with quantities of imported timber for the booming mines of Calstock and Tavistock, which was joined to the Tamar by a canal. Manufactured goods were imported in the same way. Down river went the agricultural produce of the valley farms, and later of the thriving market gardens for which the Tamar was famous, and the copper and tin ore for smelting, together with arsenic which was a by-product of mining. As well as the traffic in goods the river carried people, to and from Plymouth, in a regular service of market boats. It is still the most beautiful approach to Cotehele, very little different from what it was in 1846 when Queen Victoria made her voyage up the Tamar. She was cruising with Prince Albert in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert—the first of several vessels of this name. On 21st August she came up the river in Fairy , the yacht’s tender (a small screw steamer) wearing a green silk dress, a lilac polka cloak and a straw bonnet trimmed with heart’s ease. Very elegant she must have looked as she was greeted on the Quay by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe “and a large concourse of the tenantry”. All this bustle came to an end with the coming of the railway and when The National Trust acquired Cotehele the Quay was a dead place, the warehouses decaying, the little docks silted up and the quay walls collapsing. Only the salmon netsmen, established here for
centuries, still plied their picturesque trade. As a first step in the Quay’s revival the Trust set up a small estate office in 1953 and later established its carpenter’s and plumber’s shops in two of the warehouses.
The publication in 1967 of Mr. Frank Booker’s The Industrial Archaeology of the Tamar Valley evoked enormous interest in the valley’s industrial relics, so fast disappearing, and in the past ten years the Trust has restored the unique complex which had survived at Cotehele Quay.
With support from many individuals and bodies the docks have been dug out and repaired, the walls rebuilt and a small museum to tell the story of the river traffic established in one of the warehouses, as a joint venture with The National Maritime Museum. The last of the Tamar sailing barges, Shamrock ,built at Calstock in 1899 and finally abandoned on a mud bank in the estuary in 1969, has been rebuilt and re-rigged. The Edgcumbe Arms had long been closed as a public house, and to reopen it in the motor car age would be to despoil the character of a normally peaceful place. The Trust has therefore contented itself with painting a new sign, hung on the iron bracket which had survived, and supplying simple teas to thirsty visitors in the summer months. Downstream of the main quay, beyond the Morden stream, is a subsidiary quay, its wall curved to match the lines of the sailing barges, and here the remarkable complex of limekilns is being put in order. Just how they were operated is not yet clear but detective work should provide the answer.
COTEHELE MILL
The Morden stream runs into the Tamar just below the Quay. Half a mile up its valley is the manor mill of Cotehele, worked certainly since the sixteenth century and probably for centuries before that. The watermill has been put into working order, as has a horse powered cider mill alongside, and in the outbuildings can be seen the blacksmith’s forge, the carpenter’s, wheelwright’s and saddler’s shops, complete with their tools, and the sawpit where trees from the woods were sawn into planks. The combination of country house, surrounding estate, mill, workshops and industry based on the Quay can give the enquiring visitor a fascinating glimpse into a past which, although quite recent was yet before the days of the railway and the motor car. Mr. Booker’s volume, the Trust’s own leaflet and the excellent illustrated booklet on Cotehele by Miss Rena Gardiner, all on sale in the Shop, will help fill in the background. A plan obtainable at the Shop shows the way between House, Quay and Mill.

ST. GERMANS

Augustinian was the seat of a bishop in early times. The bishops of the Celtic churches were not like those of the English; their sphere influence was not defined in the same way. In Ireland a bishop often lived in a monastic settlement and was inferior in rank to Abbot. In Cornwall the Bishop of St. Germans was probably the head of a monastery. Whether his jurisdiction extended over the whole of modern Cornwall, or whether there were not other bishops, at Bodmin, for instance, in the quite early days, is not clear. The first bishop who is named is one Conan, in Athelstan’s time (in 936), but he will not have been actually the first. The last was Burhwold. In 1050 the old See of St. Germans was united with Exeter by Edward the Confessor, and Bishop Leofric, who had formerly had Crediton for his See, moved thither. He is said to have placed canons in St. Germans. But it was Bartholomew, Bishop of Exeter in Henry II’s time, who made it a Priory of Augustinian Canons. So it continued till the Suppression, when its annual value was somewhat under £250.The church has a certain cathedral flavour about it, in that it has two western towers; one is Norman, with an octagonal top of the thirteenth century. The other, the southern, has Norman base and Perpendicular upper Storey. Between them is a fine late Norman door. The nave has two Norman piers on the south side, and a Norman font is in the south tower. The original north aisle was pulled down in 1803 and replaced by the pew of the Elliots—the house of Port Eliot is immediately beside the church. The description in the Beauties of "England and Wales (Britton and Bray- ley; this volume was issued in 1801) is rather unwontedly minute and careful. I will quote a good part of it, and the visitor may be interested in comparing it with what he sees now. After describing the western arch it says : “ Over the arch is a pediment with a cross at the top resembling an heraldic cross patee within a circle; on each side is a small pointed window, and above these are three small narrow round-headed windows. [Above these is the main western gable.]“ The north aisle is divided from the nave by five short thick round columns, each connected with a half-pillar opposite to it in the north wall, by a low surbased arch. All the capitals of the columns are square, and curiously ornamented with Saxon (i.e. Norman) sculpture. The third from the west end is embellished with grotesque figures having bodies resembling dogs, opposed to each other, with their fore parts meeting at the angle of the capital in one head ;the upper part human, but the lower like a scollop shell. Above these range six plain arches, some of them apparently of the same age and Style with those in the nave of St. Alban’s Abbey Church, Hertfordshire.“ In several windows of the aisle are a few coats of arms on painted glass.“ The architecture of the south aisle is very dissimilar from that on the

The site of Calstock Roman Fort probably dating from the 1st century AD.

This is only the third Roman fort to have been found in Cornwall and the first with possible associations with Roman military interests in Cornwall's mineral resources.

The site is located on a spur above the river Tamar near to St. Andrew's church

in the parish of Calstock, Cornwall.

It was found accidently by a team from Exeter University, as part of the larger Bere Ferrers Project,

investigating the development of medieval silver mines in this area.

A geophysical survey in 2007 revealed the outline of a Roman fort enclosed by two ramparts and two ditches.

A number of anomalies were also revealed which may be associated with Roman metalworking. In 2008 a trial trench was excavated on the site which revealed details of the fort's defences.
The fort measures circa 170m by 160m,

with an internal area of circa 140m by 130m (1.82 hectares). This is much larger than the other two known Roman forts in Cornwall; Nanstallon (Monument Number 431370) and Restormel (Monument Number 432777). Two ramparts and ditches were uncovered.

The outer rampart is approximately five metres wide and is constructed of clay and shillet from the digging of the ditches. The sides of the rampart were held together with timbers on both faces.

Two ditches were uncovered between the inner and outer rampart with characteristic v-shaped profiles and square-cut bases which is typical of Roman military sites.

They were 2.8m deep and approximately 3.5m wide. The outer rampart was also approximately five metres wide and the investigations show that it was capped with large sandstone rubble on the western and southern sides of the fort. Just outside this rampart a stone-lined furnace structure was excavated.

Finds from it included Roman pottery, fragments of furnace lining and some ore and slag which suggest that Roman metalworking was taking place in the 1st century AD.

A track leading into the fort was also identified.

On the other hand new things come to light calstock discovered roman fort at calstock recently i.e. 2011

we should perhaps take into account the curious fact that the Civitas Dumnoniorum ; basically the Cornish peninsula west of Exeter , appears to have been a part of Britain virtually unaffected by those changes to élite behaviour usually termed ‘romanisation’. Is it possible that much of it lay outside provincial or diocesan control and that some kind of border was depicted on the Cosmographer’s map source as separating the south-western peninsula from the rest of Britain? In that case, Isca Dumnoniorum may have been prominent as a point of contact between the wilds of the far south-west and the more ‘civilised’ Durotriges (or Durotrages, following RIB 1673: the form of the name is very uncertain according to Rivet & Smith to the east.

Group 1: the Cornish Peninsula ,  in qua britania plurimas fuisse ciuitates et castra legimus ex quibus aliquantas designare uolumus id est:

Giano Barnstaple 10546 Eltabo River Taw 10546 Elconio River Torridge 10547

Nemestotatio North Tawton 10547

Tamari Launceston ? 10548 maybe know the plymouth isca and geography change , add 2 plympton and tamerton foliot

Puro coronauis ? 10548Pilais ? 10549Vernilis Liskeard ? 10549Ardua rauenatone River Dart 10550Deuionisso Statio ? 10551deuentia steno Buckfastleigh / Totnes ? 10551/10552Duriarno Plymouth 10552Vxelis Barnstaple? 1061Verteuia Land’s End 1061 = 1069This group appears to take us on a general perambulation of the Cornish Peninsula and adjacent area*Taua, the second name, is clearly the River Taw .*Nemetostatio is probably the fort at North Tawton, which is in an area where a group of modern names containing the elementsNymetandNemetare found .The identification of*Conio*with Ptolemy’s must therefore be questioned as the general progression seems to be from north-east to southwest.It may refer theRiver Torridge, although this is a Celtic name, derived from a Brittonic *Torric-, ‘violent, rough’.*Glano*should therefore be somewhere in north Devon, perhaps in the vicinity of Barnstaple.Tamaris, this a site on the River Tamar , perhaps at the crossing at Launceston , not the river itself , as the name recurs in the list of river-names . *Durocornouio* and *Pilais*Britannia in the Ravenna Cosmography: a reassessment K J Fitzpatrick-Matthews15

cannot now be identified. Charles Thomas (1966a, 87) originally identified the former with The Rumps, a pre-Roman defended enclosure. More recently, he suggested that it might be Tintagel, the site of an important sub-Roman trading settlement, although its Romano-British status is not clear . *Vernilis* may be the , perhaps near Liskeard ; the correct RomanoBritish form may have been *Verleua.The Cosmographer’s form would have arisen by way of a transposition of-l-and -u-, the latter being miscopied as -n-.The next name must be for * Deruentione, the River Dart, so the Cosmographer’s eye may have moved from travelling along the spine of Cornwall, following the poorly known road along the centre of the peninsula, and he has possibly now turned his attention to the road south from Exeter, closer to the south Devon coast.Deuionisso Statio and *Deruentio Statio (which are wrongly divided in the text) are probably unlocated Roman government establishments, perhaps tax offices. The latter may have lain in the Dart valley (Dart being Brittonic *Deruentiu: Ekwall 1928, 114), perhaps at Buckfastleigh or Totnes, and the former perhaps near Newton Abbot or elsewhere on the River Teign. The next name, Duriarno, is probably not the same as Durnouaria (Dorchester), as suggested by Rivet & Smith (1979, 345) following Horsley (1732, 490), since it is probably not corrupt (compare the Arnodurum quoted by Williams (Richmond & Crawford 1949, 32), which shows the more usual ‘continental’ ordering of elements). Instead, it may be the name of a site in the vicinity of Plymouth where the inhumation cemetery at Mount Batten and a sequence of coins attest a settlement of some importance (Thomas 1966a, 86). Uxelis is too far west to be the same as Ptolemy’s Οὔξελλα (II.3, 13), which must be on the River Parrett, his Οὐεξάλλα εἴσχυσις (II.3,2), and may be a site or river in Cornwall, perhaps the Fowey or the Fal, unless it is an example of a name written to the west of its symbol on the map source. If this is the case, then it may have been near Barnstaple (Strang 1997, 30). Group 2: the south Devon and Cornish coast Melamoni Sidford ? 1062 = 1064/1069/10613 Scadumnamorum Exeter ,TermoninMesteuia -Land’s End The mention of Moridunum, Sidford , for the first time indicates a change of direction, and there are now hints of an ordering of names with a general progression from east to west. The -l- for -r- in Moridunum is also found in the next section; it may be that the name was very difficult to read in the Cosmographer’s source. It is unlikely to have occurred as a result of misreading two separate documents, further evidence for the essential unity of the Cosmographer’s sources. The unlocated *Terminum would have been somewhere between Exeter and Land’s End, an admittedly imprecise location. The River Gowy in Cheshire was formerly known as the aqua de Tervin (‘water of Tarvin’) in 1209, the name deriving from the Latin terminus, ‘boundary’, via Welsh Terfyn (Dodgson 1970, 26), which has been retained by a large parish and village. Although the origin of the latter name is generally sought in the post-Roman politics of the region (Bu’Lock 1972, 24), it is probable that the River Gowy was the eastern boundary of the prata legionis of the fortress at Chester. Could a similar origin be suggested for this name, at the western boundary of the prata legionis of the early fortress at Exeter or the territorium of the later capital of the CivitasDumnoniorum?

Somerset Milidunum SidfordApaunaris BathMasona Camerton? 1065Alouergium Shepton Mallett 1065The Cosmographer returns to Moridunum, with the same peculiar -l-for -r-as in the previous group, and a similarly logical ordering of names this time jumping north-eastward and then working back to the starting-point identify Apaunaris with Aquae Sulis, Bath, perhaps correctly, so the two remaining names may relate to sites between Bath and Sidford.<Masona> suggests a name derived from that of a river, although which cannot now be ascertained; it perhaps refers to the small town at Camerton. The name is corrupt. *Alobergium should be in a hilly location, probably near the Mendip Hills at Shepton Mallett, where parts of a Romano-British small town have recently been identified.

Calstock Roman fort
Dr Chris Smart, Professor Stephen Rippon and Dr Peter Claughton
Geophysical survey carried out by Chris Smart and Dr Peter Claughton, Research Fellows in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Exeter as part of the Bere Ferrers Project (directed by Professor Stephen Rippon) has led to the discovery and excavation of a previously unknown Roman fort. The site, situated on a spur above the River Tamar on the border between Devon and Cornwall, is adjacent to St. Andrew’s church in the parish of Calstock.
The Bere Ferrers Project has, over the past two years, been investigating the development of the royal silver mines which were worked on theDevon bank of the Tamar between 1292 and the mid 16th century.While the mining of ore was restricted to the localised deposits in Bere Ferrers parish, the processing of that ore was carried out away from the mines close to woodland which supplied fuel for smelting and refining.Documentary evidence suggested that smelting was carried out near to the church of St. Andrew in the parish of Calstock on the Cornish side of the Tamar when woods there were allocated to the mines as there are references to smelting and refining at a curia ‘next to the church’ and vetus castrum de Calistok(‘at the old castle/fort at Calstock’).It is known that this curia was an earthen-walled and gated administrative centre containing the King’s hall and the refinery, although previously the vetus castrum de

Calistok has been interpreted as the Iron Age hillfort in the north of the parish.
In the summer of 2006 a high-resolution resistivity survey was conducted on Church Hill to the south of the new burial ground in search of the medieval activity. Faint traces of the banks and ditches of an enclosure were identified and were interpreted as either the site of the curia, or an earlier prehistoric hillslope enclosure.
In the autumn of 2007,a magnetometer survey was conducted of a larger area with the specific goal of identifying the locations of furnaces associated with the medieval industry. This survey gave greater clarity compared to the resistivity results, and revealed the distinctive outline of a Roman fort enclosed by two ramparts and two ditches,. Significantly, a number of anomalies also hinted at the potential sites of smelting furnaces known as ‘boles’.

Our sponsors, The Leverhulme Trust,kindly agreed to fund an archaeological evaluation of the site, led by Chris Smart, over two weeks in January 2008.This evaluation had two key aims: first to date the construction of the fort and second to examine the possible medieval smelting bole.
A single evaluation trench measuring 2m by 45m was positioned to expose a section across the fort’s defences as well as the potential smelting bole. As the field in which the excavation took place was under permanent pasture and had not been ploughed in the recent past, it was expected that the preservation of in situ archaeology would be good. Overall, the fort measures c.170m by 160m, with substantial defences leaving an internal area of c.140m by 130m (1.82 hectares). Comparison with the internal areas of the two other Cornish forts, Nanstallon (0.72 hectares) and Restormel  (0.42 hectares), demonstrates that the fort at Calstock was constructed on a much larger scale. The trench was cut a short distance into the interior of the fort, revealing a possible oven and stoking chamber.Its position, against the inner rampart, would have minimised the risk to the timber buildings, and is a typical feature of Roman forts. Pottery of various types was recovered from the oven and overlying deposits, and may give an indication of the length of use of the site.
Excavation revealed an inner rampart approximately 5m wide, constructed of clay and shillet cast from the digging of the first ditch, and revetted with timbers on both faces. The outermost revetment was constructed of worked timbers 30cm square, suggesting that they may have formed the basis for a timber super-structure or palisade. A band of blue-grey clay has been interpreted as the degraded remnants of a stack of turves which had been piled upon the natural geology abutting the timber revetment. The two ditches which sat between the inner and outer rampart both had a characteristic v-shaped profile with a square-cut base, typical of Roman military sites. Each measured 2.8m deep from the modern land surface and was approximately 3.5m wide. The outer rampart was also approximately 5m wide and appears to have been constructed of the same intermixed deposit of clay and shillet. Geophysical survey and excavation shows that the outer rampart on the western and southern sides of the fort was capped with large angular and sub-angular sandstone rubble. The date and purpose of this stone capping has yet to be determined. Acid soil conditions will have limited the survival of animal bone but sherds of pottery, including Samian, were recovered. Significantly, what have been tentatively identified as pieces of mineralised vein material were recovered from one of the lower fills of the outer ditch, indicating that mined material had been deposited there. This material, which has yet to be examined in detail, is perhaps the first certain evidence of a Roman military interest in Cornwall’s rich mineral resources.
Investigation of the geophysical anomaly to the south of the fort defences may corroborate this hypothesis. Prior to excavation it was conceived that this may be the location of a medieval smelting bole referred to in fourteenth century accounts. The feature presented itself as a square or rectangular (it was not fully revealed) stone-lined furnace. No slag was recovered from the feature but its fill has been sampled and is awaiting further analysis.The furnace sat within a deposit of intermixed heat-affected natural, charcoal and furnace-lining that extended for approximately 10m south of the outer rampart. Samian pottery was also found in this deposit. Furnace-lining and unabraded Roman pottery, including a sherd of stamped Samian, was also found in a shallow pit at the southern end of this ‘working area’. Radiocarbon dating will hopefully confirm whether the furnace is Roman or medieval, although, at this stage it appears that it was a focus of Roman industrial activity.
Post-excavation analysis and preparation of the written report is now underway. It is anticipated that full details of the excavation will be published in the national journal of Roman archaeology Britannia, as well as the county journal Cornish Archaeology.

It is mentioned in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen which may date from the 11th century.
The story describes the court as being at Celliwig (Callington ) in Cernyw (the Welsh name for Cornwall), otherwise known as the kingdom of Dumnonia including modern Devon. and part of Somerset. The hall is guarded by Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr, Arthur's porter, and Culhwich has difficulty gaining entrance due to the special laws that restrict entry once a feast has begun. Though there is no description of the place the implications of the story are of great wealth and splendour. The story describes Arthur's warriors at the court in depth and says that: "From here, one of his Warband, Drem, could see a gnat as far away as Scotland; while another, Medyr, could shoot an arrow through the legs of a wren in Ireland!" Some of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein (or Welsh Triads) mention Arthur and "Three Tribal Thrones of the Island of Britain" and locate one of his courts at Celliwig: "Arthur as Chief Prince in Celliwig in Cernyw, and Bishop Bytwini as Chief Bishop, and Caradog Freichfras as Chief Elder." Caradoc was his chief elder at this court and that Bishop Bytwini or Bedwin was chief bishop. This is one of the early triads found in Peniarth MS 54 reflecting information recorded before Geoffrey of Monmouth. The same triad goes on to say Arthur's other courts were at Mynyw and Pen Rhionydd. The triads also state that at Celliwig Mordred struck Gwenhwyfar a blow. This may have led to the Battle of Camlann. The early Welsh poem Pagŵryw'r porthor? may also mention the court. Celliwig was also known to the Cornish as well, as it appears as Kyllywyc in the Cornish-language play Beunans Ke, written perhaps around 1500. In the Iolo Manuscripts (1843), a corpus of pseudo-medieval Welsh texts by the renowned literary forger and inventor of tradition Iolo Morganwg (1747–1826), Celliwig is referred as the former site of the "throne of Cornwall" but the text adds that it is now at Caervynyddawg (Caerfynyddog), a site which is otherwise unattested.  Cornish legal record mentions a 'Thomas de Kellewik' from west Cornwall, though his exact place of origin is unknown. Celliwig was identified by some Cornish antiquaries from 1816 onwards with Callington (occasionally locally attested as 'Callywith') where the ancient monuments of Castlewich Henge and Cadson Bury ringfort are in close proximity.Their influence gave Callington its modern name in Common Cornish; Kelly Bray Cornish : Kellibregh 'dappled grove' is located just to the north. Another suggestion at the time was Kelliwith. Other suggested locations include Gweek Wood and on the coast at Tintagel Barras Nose or Willapark. Rachel Bromwich, the latest editor of the Welsh Triads, matched it to Kelly Rounds, a hill fort in the Cornish parish of Egloshayle.This had already been suggested by Charles Henderson in the Cornish Church Guide (1925) (p. 87). Intriguingly, the Ravenna Cosmography identifies a major regional Roman-era settlement as Nemetostatio in central Dumnonia ( identified with North Tawton, Devon) which would translate from Latin as 'The Outpost of the Sacred Grove(s)'. Not far away from the modern Cornish border is the village of Kelly in Devon which takes it name from an ancient local family, attested as far back as the 11th century. However there are also a number of places called Cernyw or containing that name in Wales, e.g. the place name Coedkernew (Coed Cernyw) in Newport. So it has been suggested that this court might be the hillfort of Llanmelin, near Caerwent. As Caradog is connected to the Kingdom of Gwent this might support this idea. There is also a farm called Gelliweg on the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd which one pair of Arthurian researchers and writers, Steven Blake and Scott Lloyd, argue may be the location. Celliwic as a fictional place .Those who argue that Arthur is a mythic figure also suggest this court is entirely fictional. Given the name means "forest grove... it may have originally been envisaged as somewhere Otherworldly (sacred groves being common in Celtic myth) and only later might a specific location have been ascribed to it." Gorlas. in Arthurian legend , Gorlois (Welsh: Gwrlais) of Tintagel, Duke of Cornwall, is the husband of Igraine prior to Uther Pendragon. He is the father of Morgan le Fay, Morgause, and Elaine. Gorlois' name first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regium Britanniae c 1136 , in which Uther falls in love with Igraine and wars with Gorlois to get to her. Uther asks for Merlin's aid in pursuing her, and Merlin concocts some drugs that disguise Uther in the form of Gorlois. As Gorlois , he approaches his love easily and they sleep together, conceiving Arthur. Unbeknownst to either of them, the real Gorlois has been killed in his castle that very night. Eventually Igraine is convinced to marry Uther. Later treatments such as the Vulgate Cycle and Thomas Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur expand on this outline by having Gorlois' daughters married off to Uther's vassals; Elaine to King Nentres of Garlot, Morgause to King Lot of Orkney, and (after receiving an education in a convent) Morgan to King Urien. Arthur is spared any knowledge of this when he is whisked away by Merlin to be raised by Sir Ector. And this murdered King is by tradition also connected with another fortress roughly mid-way between Duloe and Roche - which are south of the Bodmin and Goss Moors respectively - for the field inwhich stands Castle Dore was called Carhurles meaning 'Gorlas' fortress'. It therefore seems that the chieftain could have preceded King Mark of the Tristan saga at this earthwork which is known to have been re-occupied in Gorlas' time having been abandoned during the Roman period. Assuming that the traditional link between the Arthurian and Tristan sagas could be factual and that King Mark DID succeed GORLAS and hold this southern territory by the sixth century, not only must Arthur's domain of Camlan, the oldest form of Camelot, and his stronghold Celliwic be sought elsewhere but the suggested area should be required to fulfil certain conditions in order to present itself a feasible proposition. As Arthurian events would have taken place slightly before those of the Tristan saga, an Irish incursion should be in evidence for the saga's prologue depicts the Cornish at loggerheads with Irish intruders; and a known Roman cavalry tradition is imperative if we are to believe that the proposed area could produce ahorse-borne, armour-clad warrior together with a Carlyon meaning 'camp of the legion' with which he was reputedly associated. Moreover, the suggested district might the more convincingly offer itself were it adjacent to the easiest route out of Cornwall to facilitate movement up-country to a site where the Battle of Badon halted a seeming English advance westward. Finally, we should seek an Avalon for the dying King. the Earl (Duke/King of Cornwall, would reign as regent and hold the Kingdom of Britain in trust for the English heiress.  Gokjborough. the daughter of the late Anglican heir, Cymen. and his wife, Adela, the Saxon heiress, only child and daughter of England's first Bretwalda. Aella of Sussex Thus, preserving the fiction of centralized rule which was accepted only because the alternative was unthinkable. 552-560 GODRICH of Cornwall. Prince-Regent, Earl (Duke/King) of Cornwall, reigned as regent of Britain in the absence of a national-king during the interregnum that followed the murder of the boy-king. Huai, and his mother. Queen Lonle [Lenore; Lunette) There were civil wars throughout Britain during his regency The episode of Havelock "The Dane’ takes place during the regency of Earl Godrich. CADROD (CATRAUT) the Arthurian heir, established his headquarters at a castle (site unsure) called "CALCHVYNYDD" (‘hill of chalk or lime"), which name came to be his epithet, somewhere in the British midlands between the Thames and the Trent rivers He fights the Cerdicite heir Cynnc "of Wessex" . CYNRIC (CUNORIX). the Cerdicite heir, the other claimant to the British throne, held sway south of the Thames in Wessex with his headquarters at Winchester One of the surviving ex-tnumvirs, Ruwal of Dumnonia [Devonshire), meanwhile, was expelled from Britain by Caradoc "Strong-Arm", Count of the Saxon Shore, in another regional-war, and fled to Armonca (Brittany) where he established himself at St. Bneoc. circa 552 Riwal was killed fighting Cynvawr II of Cornwall, circa 555. and his widow married King Cynvawr Prince ludwal of Dumnonia (son of Riwal, the ex-tnumvir) fled his murderous step-father (Cynvawr II of Cornwall -Brittany) and found refuge at the court of King Childebert I of France (534-558). in 558. Prince ludwal of Domnonia retook his throne Cynvawr II withdrew back to Cornwall, area 558. and. circa 560. was murdered along with his wife [name] and son (St Tremeur] St Brieoc is attacked by King Childebert of France, and King Canao II leads the resistance
Meantime, the civil war between the House of Arthur and the House of Cerdic continued to rage Cynnc repulsed Cadrod s offensive at Old Sarum [Salisbury) in 552. and slew him in battle at Barfcury Castle, near Swindon, Wiltshire, in 556 King Erp (Urban) of Gwent was killed in the battle (fighting for the Arthurian heir); and his kingdom was divided in halves, called Gwent and Ergyng Cadrod ’Calchvynydd" was survived by seven sons and three daughters His eldest son. Cyndywyn. was murdered following his father s death in battle Another son. Cyndeym "Wledic*. rallied his father s old supporters and earned on the struggle He slew Cynric in battle in 560 and set himself up as an anti-king although technically the throne was vacant while the country was governed by Godrich. the Earl of Cornwall, who officially reigned as regent of Britain in the absence of a legitimate ’national" king Cynric was survived by three sons Coelm (Ceawlm), Cutha. and Cwichelm. of whom the eldest Ceawlin (Coelm) succeeded to the Wessex kingdom
The name Ceawlin (Coelin) is Celtic , but the names of his brothers, possibly half-brothers, have a Saxon favour to them Their mother may have been a Saxon princess; or perhaps by this time the influence of Saxon culture was beginning to show itself in the Wessex royal house 560-565 9. HAVELOK "THE DANE", barbarian-king. not usually numbered in the regnal-lists. however, remembered in tradition, legend, and folklore, reigned for three years as King of Bntain. or England. 560-562 The legend of Havelock "The Dane" begins when he was a boy and tells us that a fisherman was ordered by Denmark's usurper-king to murder the true heir to the Danish throne. Havelock, then a youth about age eleven, but instead the fisherman allowed the young prince to escape to England Later, when Havelock had come of age. he found employment with an English ealdorman He soon became famous for his prowess at sports, and when this was heard by Earl/king Godrich of Cornwall, the Regent of Britain, he decided to marry-off his ward. Goldborough. the English heiress, to Havelock "The Dane"
They were married and Havelock took his new bride with him back to Denmark There, when it was discovered that Havelock was the true heir, the Danish jarls (earls) overthrew the Danish usurper-king and invited Havelock to take the throne Havelock then led an invasion of England, defeated and killed Earl Godrich. Regent of Britain, and took the English throne in spight of his wife The civil wars among the Britons continued throughout his reign. He, soon after obtaining the English throne, however. The British nobles in an attempt to prevent the total dissolution of the state and to end the civil war. gathered in an assembly and agreed on a compromise whereby Godrich. the Earl (Duke/King) of Cornwall, would reign as regent and hold the Kingdom of Britain in trust for the English heiress. GokJborough. the daughter of the late Anglican heir, Cymen. and his wife, Adela, the Saxon heiress, only child and daughter of England's first Bretwalda. Aella of Sussex Thus, preserving the fiction of centralized rule which was accepted only because the alternative was unthinkable.
552-560 X. GODRICH of Cornwall. Prince-Regent, Earl (Duke/King) of Cornwall, reigned as regent of Britain in the absence of a national-king during the interregnum that followed the murder of the boy-king. Huai, and his mother. Queen Lonle [Lenore; Lunette) There were civil wars throughout Britain during his regency The episode of Havelock "The Dane’ takes place dunng the regency of Earl Godrich.CADROD (CATRAUT) the Arthurian heir, established his headquarters at a castle (site unsure) called "CALCHVYNYDD" (‘hill of chalk or lime"), which name came to be his epithet, somewhere in the British midlands between the Thames and the Trent rivers He fights the Cerdicite heir Cynnc "of Wessex" CYNRIC (CUNORIX). the Cerdicite heir, the other claimant to the British throne, held sway south of the Thames in Wessex with his headquarters at Winchester
One of the surviving ex-tnumvirs, Rrwal of Dumnonia [Devonshire), meanwhile, was expelled from Britain by Caradoc "Strong-Arm", Count of the Saxon Shore, in another regional-war, and fled to Armonca (Brittany) where he established himself at St. Breoc. circa 552 Riwal was killed fighting Cynvawr II of Cornwall, circa 555. and his widow married King Cynvawr Pnnce ludwal of Domnonee (son of Riwal, the ex-tnumvir) fled his murderous step-father (Cynvawr II of Cornwall-Brittany) and found refuge at the court of King Childebert I of France (534-558). in 558. Prince ludwal of Dumnonee retook his throne Cynvawr II withdrew back to Cornwall, area 558. and. circa 560. was murdered along with his wife [name] and son (St Tremeur] St Brieoc is attacked by King Childebert of France, and King Canao II leads the resistance
Meantime, the civil war between the House of Arthur and the House of Cerdic continued to rage Cynnc repulsed Cadrod's offensive at Old Sarum [Salisbury) in 552. and slew him in battle at Barfcury Castle, near Swindon, Wiltshire, in 556 King Erp (Urban) of Gwent was killed in the battle (fighting for the Arthurian heir); and his kingdom was divided in halves, called Gwent and Ergyng Cadrod ’Calchvynydd" was survived by seven sons and three daughters His eldest son. Cyndywyn. was murdered following his father s death in battle Another son. Cyndeym "Wledic*. rallied his father s old supporters and earned on the struggle He slew Cynric in battle in 560 and set himself up as an anti-king although technically the throne was vacant while the country was governed by Godrich. the Earl of Cornwall, who officially reigned as regent of Bntain in the absence of a legitimate ’national" king Cynric was survived by three sons Coelm (Ceawlm), Cutha. and Cwichelm. of whom the eldest Ceawlin (Coelm) succeeded to the Wessex kingdom The name Ceawlin (Coelin) is Celtic, but the names of his brothers, possibly half-brothers, have a Saxon favour to them Their mother may have been a Saxon princess; or perhaps by this time the influence of Saxon culture was beginning to show itself in the Wessex royal house 560-565 9. HAVELOK "THE DANE", barbarian king. not usually numbered in the
regnal-lists. however, remembered in tradition, legend, and folklore, reigned for three years as King of Britain. or England. 560-562 The legend of Havelock "The Dane" begins when he was a boy and tells us that a fisherman was ordered by Denmark's usurper-king to murder the true heir to the Danish throne. Havelock, then a youth about age eleven, but instead the fisherman allowed the young prince to escape to England Later, when Havelock had come of age. he found employment with an English ealdorman He soon became famous for his prowess at sports, and when this was heard by Earl or King Godrich of Cornwall, the Regent of Britain, he decided to marry-off his ward. Goldborough. the English heiress, to Havelock "The Dane" They were married and Havelock took his new bride with him back to Denmark There, when it was discovered that Havelock was the true heir, the Danish jarls (earls) overthrew the Danish usurper-king and invited Havelock to take the throne Havelock then led an invasion of England, defeated and killed Earl Godrich. Regent of Britain, and took the English throne in spight of his wife The civil wars among the Britons continued throughout his reign. He, soon after obtaining the English throne, however.

THE IRISH AND CARLYON The place name Celliwic occurs not only in the Arthurian legend but also, as the variant Caellwig* in later Cornish history and is therefore certainly an area of the county and probably one of the Moorland. Although its site is in dispute, the signs are that It will eventually be permitted to settle where it already hovers between the hill forts of  Killybury and Canyke by Callywith ,that is in the Camel Valley. And this could be to the dismay of sceptics for Camlan also seems to fit this district.(*page IS) too Charters clearly demonstrate that the present misnomer Allen, by which the River Camel's tributary is known instead of by its correct name Laine, originally applied to the* Camel itself and was accurately rendered ALAN.As this River Alan or Camel twisted and turned, the Cornish epithet 'cam' meaning 'crooked' apparently prefixed not only the word ' heyle ' meaning 'estuary' but also on occasion the name Alan. Thus, it would seem that the present name Camel is a corruption of one or both of the Cornish names for this river - Camheyle and CAMALAN. ° It might therefore be interesting to seek the required conditions in the Camel Valley. Of six known stones in Cornwall which are inscribed in the Irish script compirising unconnected strokes and called Ogham, five are on Bodmin Moor and three of these in the Camel area. Should the sixth seem curiously remote from the others at Truro, w© maybe forgiven for remembering that one of Arthur's reputed battle sites was on the 'River Treuroit . However and regarding names on the three Camel Ogham stones, that at St. Endellion which also bears the early Christian Chi Rho symbol, 'XP‘, the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ - commemorates 'Brocagnus', identified with the Irishman Brychan who arrived in Cornwall via Wales. Both names on the Worthy vale Ogham stone are Roman as is the one on the St. Kew memorial. An Irish incursion is certainly evident as is also a lingering Roman usage. The latter is hardly surprising in an area where Roman road stones at Boscastle and Tintagell and a 'camp of the legion' at Tregear have been found. Moreover, even after the Roman cavalry station at Nanstallon meaning 'Vale of Alan' was abandoned, it is apparent that agents of Rome used the most accessible route to and from England across this north coast district at least as late as the fourth century when the Tintagel stone was inscribed. Ami, as some 300 years of contact with Roman custom appears to have influenced the local

—St. Cubert and the Lost Church of St. Piran.
Distance from Newquay to St. Cubert Road, four miles.The church site is about two miles beyond.The new line between Newquay and Perranporth has rendered this excursion possible to every one.
Refreshments at the St. Cubert Post Office, Mrs; Anthony’s Tea Rooms.
St. Cubert (or Cuthbert, to be accurate) is a much-visited little village, because it is a comfortable, pleasant walk of four miles from Newquay, passing several streams. The scenery, consisting of blown sandhills, is unique.The remains of a church, 1,500 years old, can be inspected.
St. Cubert-is proud of its little church.The pillars have some quaintly-carved capitals, and the roof has remnants of wood carving of the Decorated period.The font is of Norman design, but of later date, and, like others in the county, preserved its ornamentation in troublous times by a covering of plaster.The narrow belfry arch is exceedingly graceful.Outside the church tower, about three feet from the ground, is a rough, irregular “ inscribed stone ” built into the west wall.The inscription is: “CONEC-TOCI FI LI TEJERNO MALI,” without doubt a memorial stone to one Conectocius, son of Tejerno.
The Holy Well is in a cave, access to which can be had at half tide.The distance from the church is about two and a half miles, and a signboard points the way.Hals wrote (circa 1720) : “ The virtues of this water are very great.It is incredible what numbers in summer season frequent this place and waters from counties far distant.” Faith was strong in those days, for analysts have since shown the water to be without any special efficacy.

The situation and appearance of the well, however, account for much of its reputation.
Half a mile to the east of Holy Well is Porth Joke, a picturesque V-shaped beach between the cliffs, fed by a stream.Numerous picnics are held here, the distance from Newquay being only three and a half miles.
St. Piran in the Sands.—These remains are most difficult to find and visitors have been known to wander for hours among the sandhills without coming across them. Any of the village children will readily act as guides.From St. Cubert Church strike off in a south-westerly direction across the undulating piles of blown sand.In a few minutes you come upon a leat, now a broad, dry path, winding between the mounds;follow this in the same south-westerly direction until on the higher ground inland is seen on the left an old cross.The ruins are in a slight depression immediately on the right, and not many yards from the leat.An iron railing surrounds this remnant of an ancient church, the history of which is as follows :—
St. Piran was an Irish saint (legend declares he floated over from Ireland on a millstone), who arrived in Cornwall about the year 550, and built his church (the remains of which are now seen) close to the spot where he was shipwrecked.At the close of a long and successful ministry he was buried beneath the altar of his oratory.About one hundred years or so afterwards, during an unprecedently violent storm, the sands were swept for miles over the land, burying, inter alia, the church. Instead of recovering their lost church, the populace built another one, further inland, on the spot where now stands the cross already alluded to.This building remained, although frequently threatened by the sand with the same fate as its predecessor, until 1420, when it was replaced by a larger church. The latter continued until 1804, when, further inundations of sand being imminent, it was removed to Perranzabuloe, two miles inland from Perranporth. All the while the first church had remained buried in the sands. It was not until 1835 that, owing to the shifting of the sands, it was discovered.The dimensions were : length (internal), twenty-five feet; height of walls, twenty-five feet; breadth, twelve and a half feet. There was one doorway and an opening for ventilation, but no windows.The headless remains of St. Piran were found beneath the altar.
From 1835 to the present day the public have shown their appreciation of the magnificent relic, nearly 1,500 years old, by carrying away stones from the fabric.These disgraceful acts of vandalism were continued even last summer, and the remonstrances of the villagers are in vain.At present four low, broken-down walls remain, that at the west end barely showing its pointed apex.The altar stone is still there, and will probably remain until a relic-hunter more shameless than his fellows arrives with a vehicle.
The bones discovered beneath the altar were considered to be those of the saint himself, because (a) it was customary during that period to bury the remains of the holy men

nia aurum et argentum, et alia metalla pretium victoriae #

These metals have,in later times, been got in qualities sufficient to prove, that they might, at an earlier period,have been an object worthy of conquest.In the reigns of James IV. and Y. vast wealth was procured in the Lead Hills,from the gold collected from the sand washed from the mountain. In the reign of the latter, not less than to the value of three hundred thousand pounds sterling.In another place, a piece of thirty ounces weight was found.Much also was obtained in the time of the Regent Morton7,.The search is now given over; but bits are still found accidentally.Lord Hopton, owner of the Lead, Hills, is in possession of a specimen that weighs an ounce and a half #
Gold is to this day found in Cornwall #mixed with tin and other substances The largest piece that has been yet discovered, is equal in weight to three guineas.It is probable that it was the Cornish gold which proved the lure to the Romans; for it was impossible they or the Phoenians cians could be ignorant of it, who had such long commerce with the country, and who were acquainted with the manner of obtaining it in other places.Pliny, speaking of tin, says, that there is found in the gold mines of Spain and Portugal, a sort called Elutiah (which a Cornish man would call stream tin), being washed from the vein by water, and gathered up in baskets along with the gold0.
Strabo and Tacitus agree, that we had mines silver. of silver.In the reigns of Edward I. and III. there were very considerable works at Combmar-tin in Devonshired: three hundred and thirty-seven miners sent for out of Derbyshire, were employed in them; and the produce was so great as to assist Edward the Third to carry on the war with France.In the beginning of this century, much native silver was found on the estate of Sir John Ershine, in the county of Stirling; but the vein was soon exhausted.
The Britons were acquainted with the uses of gold and the art of coining before the arrival of the Romans; witness the golden sickles of the Druids, the coins found at Carnbre in Cornwall,
To prevent antiquaries being further misled about the Ampthill gold mine,I must inform them, that it proved only a bod of mica aurea; or, to speak like a punster, turned out nothing but tale.

and the coins of Cassivelaunus.They made use of different sorts of metals for the purpose of coining;but chiefly gold,as being the easiest fused, and most capable of an impression.Doctor Borlase has preserved a series of these very early coins, from the rudest and most unintelligible impressions, to the period when the Britons made an attempt to form a face on their coins.All these are unlettered; a proof of their antiquity, and of their having been struck before their intercourse with the Romans.The first we know of, which is inscribed, is that of Caissvelaunus, cotemporary with Caesar.The next is of Cunobeline, who had even been at Rome.As soon as the Britons became acquainted with the Romans, they made an essay to imitate their manner of coining; they put letters on them, elephants, and gryphons; things they were before unacquainted with. They were not suffered to make any progress in the art; for as soon as their conquest was effected, their coin was suppressed. The learned have endeavoured *
(*) The gold sickles do not seem to have had anything to do with coins, and they belonged to the Druids of Gaul, not Britain; and as to Cassivollaunus, his name is not known on any coin. The coins of the Britons, like those of the Gauls, wore imitations of money current among the Greeks of Marseilles, and more especially the gold stater of Philip II. of Macedon.It is remarkable that the Dumnonii and the people of the tin country had no coins of their own minting.

The work to be consulted on the subject is Evans’s ‘Coins of the Ancient Britons.’
to trace these antient monies from the Phoenicians; but the comparison would not hold.The Gauls alone had some pieces similar: nor is this to be wondered at, since they and the Britons had a common origin, were neighbors, and might as well agree in the few arts they had, as in religion and languages.
I now return to the subjects which occasioned this digression;and to give some account of the various antique instruments and coins found near Flint;and accompany the same by the more expressive description, a print.
N° 1. tab. v. is a rich ornament of gold, in form of a button with a shank. It is composed elegantly with twisted wire, and studded with little globular bits of solid gold.This seems to have belonged to the bracelet or necklace (it is uncertain which), whose fragment is represented at No 2. This is also composed of gold links, with round beads of a rich blue glass placed between every second link. Something similar to this is preserved by count Caylus, which is entire, and appears to have been a necklace'.
No.3. is a cylindric fragment of glass, probably part of some ornament, being of a rich blue color, and perforated as if it was designed to be strung. With it was found a thick piece of sea-green glass,
* Borlase's Antiq. Cornwall, 242. tab. xix.
1 Tom. iii. 312, tab. Lxxxv.
part of a vase.Glass was among the earlier imports into Britaing, when the wild natives were as much captivated with toys as the Indians of new-discovered countries are at present.At first they received these, and all their other vitreous commodities, by means of the Phoenicians, whose capital, Tyre, was pre-eminent in that manufacture.The glain nadroedd, or snake-gems, were at first obtained by way of exchange for the British exports.They were originally made by the Britons of stone.I have such a one in my cabinet. I have seen another in possession of the Reverend Hugh Davies, found in Anglesea.The traders soon learned to imitate what was prized so highly in our island, in a more elegant material; and imported them as a most captivating article of commerce; in the same manner as circumnavigators often mimic, in shewy brass, the utensils and weapons of Indian nations, in order to engage their friendship.
N° 4. is a small brazen head, with the back pstrt affixed to iron.Perhaps this was one of the Sigillaria, or little images sold at the fairs, and presented usually to children11:the fairs where these toys were sold went by the same name.A learned friend also supposes these to
g Strabo, lib. iv. p. 281.
h Non cognoscis me? ego sum Felicio, cui solebas sigillaria afferre. Seneca, Epist. 12.
be miniature likenesses, which friends presented to each other as memorials.
N° 5. is a Stylus, or instrument for writing on the ceratae tabellae, or waxen tablets; which were made of thin leaves of lead, brass, or ivory, and covered with a thin coat of wax. The pen, if I may call it so, was usually of brass; one end pointed, in order to write; the other flat, in order to efface what was wrong, by smoothing or closing the wax. Horace gives every writer most excellent advice, in alluding to this practice:
Saepe Stylurn vertas, iterum quae digna legi sint,
Scripturus.
Oft turn your style, when you intend to write Things worthy to be read.
N° G. is an instrument of very singular use: a narrow species of spoon, destined to collect, at funerals, the tears of the relations of the deceased, in order to deposit them in the little phials which were placed with the ashes in the urn, memorials of their grief. Such are very frequently found: but the custom is far higher than that of classical antiquity,; for the Psalmist, in expressing his sorrows, alludes to it;Thou tellest my flittings ; put my tears into thy bottle.
N" 7. is an instrument seemingly designed for I lie purpose of dressing the wicks of lamps.
N" 8. may possibly be destined for the same
uses.(!) One of the most productive gold mines in old times may be supposed to have been Ogofau near DolauCothi in Carmarthenshire,where extensive traces of the mining are still well known; and gold mining has been carried on lately in the neighbourhood of Dolgelley. J.B.

“ Borlase, Nat. Hist. Cornwall, Donaghmore High Cross, Co. Down, Northern Ireland , Moone High Cross, Co. Kildare, Southern Ireland, St Robert’s Cave-Chapel And Holy Well, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
Saxon Cross in St Peter’s Minster Church, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Chysauster Ancient Settlement, Near Gulval, Cornwall
Gop Hill Cairn, Trelawnyd, Flintshire (Sir y Fflint), Wales
Farnhill Moor Cup-Marked Rocks, Near Skipton, North Yorkshire
The Potteries Museum And Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Panorama Stones, St Margaret’s Gardens, Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Haystack Rock, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
St Nicholas’ Round Church, Orphir, Orkney Isles.
The Mineral Well, Near Brinkies Brae, Stromness, Orkney
Castle Haugh, Paythorne Bridge, Newsholme, Lancashire
Winckley Lowes I, Near Hurst Green, Lancashire
The Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle, Co. Cork, Southern Ireland
Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber, Gwynedd, North Wales
Pinder Hill, Waddington, Near Clitheroe, Lancashire
High Wall Well, Bramley Meade, Whalley, Lancashire
St Peter’s Church, Prestbury, Cheshire
Churchyard Calvary Cross, Great Mitton, LancashireIt is mentioned in the Welsh tale ,Culhwch and Olwen ,which may date from the 11th century.

The story describes the court as being, at Celliwig(callington ) reads Kelliwig in Cernyw (the Welsh name for Cornwall), otherwise known as the kingdom of Dumnonia, including modern Devon.
The hall is guarded by Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr,
Arthur's porter, and Culhwch has difficulty gaining entrance due to the special laws that restrict entry once a feast has begun.
Though there is no description of the place the implications of the story are of great wealth and splendour.
The story describes Arthur's warriors at the court in depth and says that:
"From here, one of his Warband, Drem, could see a gnat as far away as Scotland;
while another, Medyr, could shoot an arrow through the legs of a wren in Ireland!"
Some of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein (or Welsh Triads) mention Arthur and
"Three Tribal Thrones of the Island of Britain"
and locate one of his courts at Celliwig:
"Arthur as Chief Prince in Celliwig in Cernyw, and Bishop Bytwini as Chief Bishop, and Caradog Freichfras as Chief Elder."
Caradoc was his chief elder at this court and that
Bishop Bytwini or Bedwin was chief bishop.
This is one of the early triads found in Peniarth MS 54 reflecting information recorded before Geoffrey of Monmouth.
The same triad goes on to say Arthur's other courts were at Mynyw and Pen Rhionydd.
The triads also state that at Celliwig Mordred struck Gwenhwyfar a blow.
This may have led to the Battle of Camlann.
The early Welsh poem Pa gŵr yw'r porthor? may also mention the court.
Celliwig was also known to the Cornish as well,
as it appears as Kyllywyc in the Cornish-language play Beunans Ke,
written perhaps around 1500.
In the Iolo Manuscripts (1843), a corpus of pseudo-medieval Welsh texts by the renowned literary forger and inventor of tradition Iolo Morganwg (1747–1826), Celliwig is referred as the former site of the "throne of Cornwall" but the text adds that it is now at Caervynyddawg (Caerfynyddog), a site which is otherwise unattested.
Location
A 1302 Cornish legal record mentions a 'Thomas de Kellewik'
from west Cornwall, though his exact place of origin is unknown.[3]
Celliwig was identified by some Cornish antiquaries from 1816 onwards with Callington (occasionally locally attested as 'Callywith') where the ancient monuments of Castlewich Henge and Cadson Bury ringfort are in close proximity. Their influence gave Callington its modern name in Common Cornish; Kelly Bray (Cornish:Kellibregh 'dappled grove') is located just to the north. Another suggestion at the time was Kelliwith.[citation needed] Other suggested locations include Gweek Wood[citation needed], and on the coast at Tintagel Barras Nose[citation needed] or Willapark. Rachel Bromwich, the latest editor of the Welsh Triads, matched it to Kelly Rounds, a hill fort in the Cornish parish of Egloshayle.[4] This had already been suggested by Charles Henderson in the Cornish Church Guide (1925) (p. 87). Intriguingly, the Ravenna Cosmography identifies a major regional Roman-era settlement as Nemetostatio in central Dumnonia ( identified with North Tawton, Devon) which would translate from Latin as 'The Outpost of the Sacred Grove(s)'.Not far away from the modern Cornish border is the village of Kelly in Devon which takes it name from an ancient local family, attested as far back as the 11th century.
However there are also a number of places called Cernyw or containing that name in Wales, e.g. the place name Coedkernew (Coed Cernyw) in Newport.So it has been suggested that this court might be the hillfort of Llanmelin, near Caerwent. As Caradog is connected to the Kingdom of Gwent this might support this idea. There is also a farm called Gelliweg on the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd which one pair of Arthurian researchers and writers, Steven Blake and Scott Lloyd, argue may be
the location.
Celliwic as a fictional place
aceThose who argue that Arthur is a mythic figure also suggest this court is entirely fictional. Given the name means "forest grove... it may have originally been envisaged as somewhere Otherworldly (sacred groves being common in Celtic myth) and only later might a specific location have been ascribed to it."

KIT HILL ,The hill is usually accepted as the place mentioned in an entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 835 (corrected by scholars to 838) which says that Egbert king of the West Saxons defeated an army of Vikings and Cornish at the Battle of Hingston Down (Hengestdūn = "Stallion Hill").

Geolog
The Hingston Down Consols mine on the hill is the type locality for the mineral  Arthurite , which was discovered here. There is also a quarry on the hill, which forms the Hingston Down Quarry & Consols Site of Special Scientific Interest, noted for its mineralisation.

‘Oh, noble, honoured queen!

Nothing can console me! I've just seen a messenger arrive, and believe me,
the king has never been so dismayed by any message he’s received,
and has never grieved so bitterly.
All his men are grieving equally, and truly, 1 think the messenger has brought some news that’s upset all the court.
The king has fainted! Whatever’s happened, he mounted and rode from the city, with fully thirty thousand knights and fifteen thousand ladies and girls and maids. No man has ever seen such an army raised as rode that day from Orquenie. There were many splendid waggons to carry the king's equipment, his provisions and his pavilions: his baggage-train was of an astounding length. The line stretched out across the plains, and those at the rear had to camp a league from the place where the foremost lodged, in a meadow beside a river.
They set out again early the next day; and the boy led them and guided them joyfully and with great delight, through forests and across fair open land, with plenty of feasting all the way, straight to the castle where Sir Gawain now was lord.

The king reached there on the seventh day, and the boy came up to him and said:
'There is the castle, dear sir, that your good nephew has won.’
The kininterwoven branches; and they made shelters for then horses, and for other purposes, too, by taking boughs from the forest and stripping off their leaves. Then the cooks were provided for with the smaller twigs and branches. Yvain, King Urien’s son, and Gifflet, the son of Do, arrived with the queen, whom they were escorting. And I tell you, in their company, which was well endowed with ladies, came three thousand knights, and none of them lacked a fine warhorse; and behind them came
1(H)g stepped down; and then you would have seen them all dis mount and pitch their tents and pavilions. And the Welshmen among them, most skilled in the craft, built a great number of lodges in the Welsh manner, of I he great convoy of waggons - you never saw one so great. The queen dismounted at her tent, already pitched for her.
Queen Ygerne was in the upper chambers of the hall, and saw the great host stretching all along the meadow. She was terrified at the sight, and her heart was faint and trembling. She took her daughter by the hand and said;
Norcadet my daughter, we’ve lived a long while, and now our time has i iiiiic, for we’re besieged! I've never seen so many men amassed, so many shilling helmets and shimmering shields. Look at all the swords and lances! Are they ladies or fairies down there on the riverbank?’
(iod help me, I don’t know, dear lady. But I’ve never seen girls or ladies hi maids in such a throng, or leading an army or going off to war, and it Imubles me most terribly.’
Iust then Sir Gawain and his sister Clarissant came from a chamber, and us soon as she saw him Ygerne rushed to him and said:
My good, dear friend, look at the mighty army besieging us down there, all along the meadows. And look, dear friend, on that side there are only gills and ladies. Sir, you asked a favour of me for love's sake: that I la mldn’t ask you your name for seven days, or enquire about your lineage.
I iiTrained completely, and didn't say a word. But now, you know, the seventh day has passed, and I’d like to know your name.'
I shall indeed tell you, lady, for I’ve never hidden my name from anyone. I am called Gawain.’
She embraced him on the instant, and kissed his eyes and lips and face. And her daughter was beside herself, her heart leaping and soaring for joy, sueli |oy as had kept her wide awake on the day when he was born, and she kissed his face and breast.
'My good, dear friend,’ said Queen Ygerne, ‘by the faith I owe almighty i mil, I am the mother of King Arthur, and this is my daughter: she is your mother.’
Hut when Gawain’s sister Clarissant, who was also there, heard this, she lushed to her chamber and began to grieve desperately, because her htolhcr knew all about her love for Guiromelant, who had challenged him lo buttle.

The RIC has recently purchased a hoard of Iron Age and Roman coins found in St Levan parish with help from the Art Fund,

the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Headley Trust,

but still requires support to match these funds.

The hoard is a unique mix of Iron Age gold coins,

like the quarter stater shown here minted by the Regini tribe in the Surrey and Sussex area, and Roman Republican silver coins, some
There are few other hoards buried after the Roman Conquest in AD 43 with Iron Age and Roman coins that have been found together in the country as a whole, and even individual Iron Age coins are rare in Cornwall. The Iron Age coins minted by tribes not normally represented this far west, such as the Belgae and the Atrebates, probably travelled westwards with the Roman coins as a result of Roman military activity in the 1st century AD. This suggests that although the Roman invasion of these areas did lead to a speedy replacement of the existing Iron Age coinages with the new Roman coinage, there was a limited amount of intermingling of these coinages in the earliest years of the Roman occupation of southern Britain. This incredibly important find shows the transition from an ind

LYNHER was built by the skilled boatbuilder James Goss in 1896 in Calstock and used throughout the industrial heyday of the Plymouth Rivers.

She formed an important commercial and social link between the communities of the Rivers Lynher and Tamar and the growing town of Plymouth, even being used at one point to deliver post and produce, and she retains strong associations to this area today.

She is the most pertinent example of an industrial method of river transport applied to its geographic location and her trade routes, founded on the transport of stone, fertiliser and farm produce mirror the industrial growth of Plymouth with its Naval Dockyard and the merchant shipping industry of the South West.

During the first half of the Twentieth Century until she finished work in 1962, the barge was owned by Notter Bridge Quarries and Poldrissick Quarry, both on the River Lynher.

She also played a role in the Second World War, being requisitioned by HM Government for use as a barrage balloon platform and anchored in Plymouth Sound for the duration. LYNHER is now one of only two surviving Tamar barges (the other being SHAMROCK) from the hundreds which were once the workhorses of this region.

She has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels since 1998 and has the status of being listed on the National Historic Fleet.

The Tamar barge LYNHER was built in 1896 by James Goss at Calstock.

Such barges carried coal, wood, limestone, sand and dung from Plymouth to Tamar Gardens. At one time she was owned by Mr Brand of Tudeford Post Office and Stores.

He employed her bringing up supplies to his shop from Devonport.
For years after this she was engaged in stone carrying from Poldrissick quarries. The quarry owners, the Steed Brothers, had invested in other similar barges BLUE ELVAN, ELIZABETH JANE and TRIUMPH. Her last owner was Captain Sam Daymond of Saltash who re-registered her in 1924 when she was fitted with an engine.

It is believed that she was last at work in 1954, though possibly reduced to a dumb lighter. The vessel was abandoned in the mud at Poldrissick quarry on the River Lynher in 1952 and recovered for restoration in 1989.
Currently under the ownership of the Lynher River Barge Community Interest Company (CIC), any surplus from the commercial operation of the vessel is re-invested into the provision of
The new engine, a diesel Beta Marine 75hp, will allow the barge to manoeuvre safely along the Plymouth waterways and offer increased river voyages to the public and local communities. From April 2019 a number of new voyages will be available thanks to the new engine and they will include cruises on the Rivers Tamar & Lynher to explore the heritage and wildlife within the outstanding scenery of the Tamar Valley.

The barge will often sail to Calstock, starting from Plymouth and cruising most of the navigable river.

Duke of Cornwallis a title in the Peerage of England
traditionally held by the eldest son of the reigning British monarch, previously the English monarch.
The Duchy of Cornwall was the first duchy created in England and was established by royal charter in 1337. The present duke is the Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II. His wife, Camilla, is the current Duchess.
Some folkloric histories of the British Isles, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1136), claim that the first leader of Cornwall was Corineus, a Trojan warrior and ally of Brutus of Troy, the original settler of the British Isles. From this earliest period through the Arthurian period, the legendary Dukes of Cornwall are semi-autonomous if not independent from the High-King or ruler of Britain, while also serving as his closest ally and, at times, as his protector.[citation needed] According to legend, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall under King Uther Pendragon, rebelled against the latter's rule when the king became obsessed with Gorlois' wife Igraine. Uther killed Gorlois and took Igraine: the result of their union was the future King Arthur.
The historical record suggests that, following the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Cornwall formed part of the separate Kingdom of Dumnonia, which included Devon, although there is evidence that it may have had its own rulers at times.

The southwest of Britain was gradually incorporated into the emerging Kingdom of England, and after the Norman Conquest in 1066 the new rulers of England appointed their own men as Earl of Cornwall, the first of whom was in fact a Breton of 'Cornwall' in Brittany. Edward, the Black Prince , the eldest son of Edward III, was made the first Duke of Cornwall in 1337. After Edward predeceased the King, the duchy was recreated for his son, the future Richard II.

Under a charter of 1421, the duchy passes to the sovereign's eldest son. Cornwall was the first dukedom conferred within the Kingdom of England.
Geography Capital Isca Dumnoniorum (Exeter) Location Devon and Cornwall, and parts of Somerset and Dorset Rulers Kings of Dumnonia

The summer solstice on dartmoor no stars little light pollution tourists asleep..............................................
The Antiqua maneria (ancient manors),

or assessionable manors, were the original 17 manors belonging to the Earldom of Cornwall.
After March 1337 these manors passed to the new Duchy of Cornwall which was created by King Edward III to give financial support to his son Edward, the Black Prince (1330 - 1376). These manors were known as assessionable manors as the manors were to lease under assession leases periodically.
The table below shows the 17 Antiqua maneria including the number and status of Customary tenants in the early fourteenth century: the manors vary greatly in size and importance. The parishes stated are the modern parishes rather than those in existence in the 14th century.

Table of customary tenants in the early fourteenth century

Conventionarii = Conventionary tenants;

Villani = Villeins;

Nativi = Villeins;

Liberi Conventionarii = Free tenants;

Nativi Conventionarii = Conventionary tenants;

Nativi de Stipite = Villeins by descent

Manor
1300
1327-32
1333-1340

Conventionarii
Villani
Conventionarii
Nativi
Liberi Conventionarii
Nativi Conventionarii
Nativi de Stipite
Calstockof Harewood House

In Saxon times Calstock was in the Kingdom of Cornwall, which resisted the spread of Wessex from the east.

In 838 CE Wessex had spread as far as the River Tamar, and a battle for independence was fought near Calstock.

Following the Norman Conquest, Calstock manor was recorded in the Domesday Book.

The Saxon manor (held by Asgar) was taken over, and in the 14th century became part of the Duchy of Cornwall: one of the 17 Antiqua maneria.

Arms of the Williams family of Scorrier, Vair, three crescents or
At the time of Domesday Book (1086) the manor was held by Reginald from Robert, Count of Mortain.

There were two and a half hides of land and land for 12 ploughs. Reginald held one virgate of land with 2 ploughs and 12 serfs. 30 villains and 30 smallholders had the rest of the land with 6 ploughs.

There were 100 acres of woodland, 3 square leagues of pasture and 3 pigs.

The value of the manor was £3 sterling though it had formerly been worth £6.

Arms of the Trelawny family, Argent, sable chevron
The manor was sold by the Duchy to John Williams of Scorrier House circa 1807.[2] 1807 saw Sir William Lewis Salusbury-Trelawny, 8th Baronet, of the Salusbury-Trelawny baronets, purchase the estate.

St Andrew's Parish
Granite cross
A granite cross at the eastern end of the churchyard marks the grave of Sir William Lewis Salusbury-Trelawny, 8th Baronet, of Harewood House, Calstock, part of Salusbury-Trelawny baronets, who was for sometime the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and M.P. for East Cornwall.

He died at Harewood in 1856, aged seventy five years. Folklore says that Sir William didn't want his body ever to leave his estate and so he was carried in through the back gate to his current resting spot, closest to his estate. Inside the church, just north of the pulpit, are two plaques:
At the top of one is inscribed "Laus Deo" ("Praise God"). Below that is inscribed the names of the four children of Sir William, the oldest living to just 28.
At the top of the other is an image of the cross, inscribed "Beneath The Cross"; below, Sir William and his wife are depicted. Below them is their fifth child, whom also died in middle age.
Modern day
Harewood House has since been changed. There are now two detached properties, only joined by a rather out-of-place looking large stone doorway. The house is now only two storeys tall as the roof height has been altered.

Climsland

Stoke Climsland is a village in the valley of the River Tamar, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom within the civil parish of . The population of the parish including Luckett at the 2011 census was 1,703.[1] An electoral ward in the same name also exists. At the same census the population was 3,703.[2]

Contents

The manor of Climsland was one of the seventeen Antiqua maneria of the Duchy of Cornwall. The manor was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as Climson; there were 5 hides of land and land for 24 ploughs. One hide was held by the lord (with 3 ploughs and 9 serfs) and 30 villeins and 30 smallholders had 17 ploughs and 4 hides of land. There were also 3 acres of meadow, 16 square leagues of pasture and 3 square leagues of woodland. The income from the manor was £6 sterling.[3]
In the 12th century, Climsland became part of a 250 hectares (620 acres) Royal Deer Park called Kerrybullock, until it was disparked by Henry VIII in the 16th

Helston in Kirrier

Helston in Trigg (Helstone in Lanteglos); and Penmayne

Definition of medieval

The adjective medieval literally means “of the Middle Ages,” i.e., the period between antiquity (the Roman world) and the early modern era 

Common chronological range

Historians most often treat the Middle Ages as roughly the 5th century to the 15th century: from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (commonly dated 476) up to the Renaissance and early modern transitions around 1400–1500 

Standard subperiods and their usual dates

• Early Middle Ages: about 500–1000.
• High Middle Ages: about 1000–1300.
• Late Middle Ages: about 1300–1500.
  These are conventional labels; exact boundaries vary by region and by the historian’s focus 

What authors usually mean when they write “medieval”

• Broad cultural sense: the social, political, religious, and material world shaped by feudal institutions, Christendom, and post‑Roman societies in Europe between Late Antiquity and the Renaissance 
• In specialised works an author may narrow the term (for example, “medieval urban law” might mean 1100–1400), so check the author’s period definition in introductions or captions 

Origin and first use of the word

The English term derives from Latin medium aevum “middle age.” The modern English adjective (often spelled mediaeval earlier) was coined in the 19th century from that Latin phrase; recorded modern forms date from the early 1800s (commonly cited 1825 for the form medieval/mediaeval) 

Quick guidance for reading historical scripts

When you encounter “medieval” in a text, assume 5th–15th centuries unless the author states otherwise; for precise work always look for the author’s explicit chronological scope because usages and boundary years differ by topic and region 

Bronze Age time boundaries overview

The Bronze Age is a cultural-technical phase defined by the pervasive use of bronze (an alloy of copper with tin or arsenic), alongside associated changes in technology, trade, burial practice, and social organisation. Its absolute dates vary widely by region because metallurgy and associated cultural changes spread at different times. Below are commonly used regional ranges and practical guidance for tagging or labelling gazetteer entries.

Common regional date ranges

• Near East and Anatolia
  Early Bronze Age: c. 3300–2100 BCE; Middle Bronze Age: c. 2100–1600 BCE; Late Bronze Age: c. 1600–1200 BCE.
• Aegean (Greece and Cyclades)
  Early Bronze Age: c. 3000–2000 BCE; Middle Bronze Age: c. 2000–1600 BCE; Late Bronze Age: c. 1600–1100 BCE.
• Central and Western Europe
  Broad Bronze Age: c. 2300–800 BCE; subdivided (Early/Middle/Late) roughly as Early c. 2300–1500 BCE, Middle c. 1500–1200 BCE, Late c. 1200–800 BCE.
• British Isles (including Devon and Cornwall)
  Broad Bronze Age: c. 2500–800 BCE; Early Bronze Age often starts c. 2500–2000 BCE (after Late Neolithic/Beaker horizons), Late Bronze Age ends c. 800 BCE.
• South Asia (Indian subcontinent)
  Indus-related Bronze Age/Harappan: c. 3300–1300 BCE (mature Harappan c. 2600–1900 BCE); local Bronze-using traditions continue and overlap with early Iron use.
• East Asia
  Bronze Age in China: roughly c. 2000–771 BCE (Xia-Shang-Zhou sequences; Shang c. 1600–1046 BCE is strongly bronze-rich).
• The Americas and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa
  No true widespread Bronze Age phase comparable to Old World sequences; metallurgy often appears much later and in different forms.

Practical guidance for mapping and gazetteer work

• Use region-specific ranges rather than a single global boundary.
• For ambiguous or single-site reports, prefer relative labels: Early Bronze Age, Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, or Bronze Age (broad)with a numeric range (e.g., Bronze Age c. 2500–800 BCE).
• Where chronology is uncertain, record both: cultural label(Bronze Age) and confidence/precision(e.g., high if radiocarbon dated; low if typological only).
• Include key local markers in metadata: metallurgy present; Beaker/urnfield/bronze-ritual features; radiocarbon dates range; typology links.
• Allow fields for overlapping phases (e.g., “Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age transitional”) and for caveats like reuse or later disturbance.

Why ranges differ and how to communicate that

• Start and end dates depend on: first local alloy production; availability of tin or copper sources and trade; cultural adoption of bronze technologies; and the arrival of ironworking.
• Use wording that communicates variability: “Bronze Age (regional: c. 2500–800 BCE)”or “Bronze Age — British Isles convention: c. 2500–800 BCE”.
• When precision matters, attach dating evidence: radiocarbon ranges, stratigraphic context, or diagnostic artefact types.

Short recommended labels for database fields

• Period label: Bronze Age
• Region qualifier: e.g., British Isles
• Numeric range: e.g., c. 2500–800 BCE
• Subdivision: Early / Middle / Late (if known)
• Dating confidence: High / Medium / Low
• Dating evidence: Radiocarbon; typology; stratigraphy; historical reference

The suffix ‘ton’ constitutes a sort of test word,” says Mr. Isaac Taylor, “ by which we are able to discriminate the Anglo-Saxon settlements.”1 “A tun or ‘ton ’ was a place
surrounded by a hedge, or rudely fortified by a palisade”

The passage you quoted is part of the author’s argument that Plympton’s name is unmistakably Anglo‑Saxon, and that the key to recognising this lies in the suffix ‑ton. The PDF you have open confirms this discussion in its treatment of early Plympton history .

🏰 What ‑tonActually Signifies

The core point is that ‑ton(Old English tūn) originally meant:

• An enclosed place— literally a fenced or hedged area

• A defended homestead or settlement— often with a palisade

• A farmstead that could grow into a village or manor

So when you see a place‑name ending in ‑ton, you are almost always looking at:

• A Saxon foundation, or

• A Saxon renamingof an older site they took over.

This is why Isaac Taylor calls it a “test word”: it reliably marks Anglo‑Saxon occupation or administrative control.