APPENDIX B
Reading edition
St. Michael's Mount
It is a place of historic and prehistoric interest. Here is the well by which
"Jack the valiant Cornishman Did slay the giant Cormoran."
Jack being the Cornish variant of the better known Peredur of Wales and Ian MacAnnheil of Ireland.
Here, too, are the "Giants' Graves" which cover the victims of Jack's valour; and on the beach at the foot of the hill is the Chapel Rock, whereon once stood an oratory of which Leland speaks as "a little chapel yn the sande nere by the towne toward the Mount," and where it is said the pilgrims were wont to halt before making the ascent. But the Chapel Rock has a legend older than those connected with the building which once stood upon it. Cormoran having already carried off the top of the neighbouring hill of Trencrom to make the Mount itself, was in want of further stones wherewith to build his castle, and sent his wife to fetch them. She thinking any stone would do as well, fetched this from the nearer hill of Ludgvan-Lees. Angry at her conduct, the monster slew her with his mighty foot, and the great rock, rolling from her apron, fell where we now see it—a silent witness to the lady's strength and to the truth of the narrative.
St. Keyne is said to have conferred on St. Michael's Chair the power of giving to that one of a married couple who first sits therein domestic mastery; such as can also be obtained by drinking from her more celebrated well near Liskeard. Curiously enough, legend and name have been transferred from the real chair of St. Michael on the western side of the hill to the ruined lanthorn of moorstone on the chapel tower, the lanthorn which in olden days was probably used as a lighthouse, as the grooves for the sheltering horn or glass can still be seen.
The little old church has a beautiful rose window at the east, and a yet more beautiful one let into the western wall; this latter was until recently hidden by the organ pipes. Some interesting alabaster bas-reliefs are also to be seen. The roof timbers of the refectory are very old, but the carving on them is modern, and the frieze Elizabethan. The place contains many interesting curios such as the clock from Godolphin House, a Jacobean bed, the Glastonbury chair, and a pair of silver candlesticks in which the prickets have given place to sockets, and which Lord St. Levan believes to be unique.
These details have been taken from a paper on St. Michael's Mount by Mr. Thurstan Peter.