DAVIES GILBERT, (continued 7)

309 NOTES.

From which he first was call’d the Hoar-rock in the wood.

That the ocean (as in many other places of other countries) hath eaten up much of what was here once shore, is a common report, approved in the Cornish name of St. Michael’s mount; which is Careg Cowz in Clowz, i. e. the Hoar-rock in the wood.[71]

And our Main-amber here, and Burien trophy——

Main-amber, i. e. Ambrose’s stone (not far from Pensans) so great, that many men’s united strength cannot remove it, yet with one finger you may wag it. The Burien trophy is 19 stones, circularly disposed, and, in the middle, one much exceeding the rest in greatness: by conjecture of most learned Camden, erected either under the Romans, or else by King Athelstan in his conquest of these parts.

Were worthy of his end, but where he had his birth.

Near Camel about Camblan, was[72] Arthur slain by Mordred, and on the same shore, east from the river’s mouth, born in Tintagel castle. Gorlois Prince of Cornwal, at Uther-Pendragon’s coronation, solemnized in London, upon divers too kind passages and lascivious regards twixt the King and his wife Igerne, grew very jealous, in a rage left the court, committed his wife’s chastity to this castle’s safeguard; and to prevent the wasting of his country, (which upon this discontent was threatned) betook himself in other forts to martial preparation. Uther (his blood boiling in lust) upon advice of Ulfin Rhicaradoch, one of his Knights, by Ambrose Merlin’s magic personated like Gorlois, and Ulfin like one Jordan, servant to Gorlois, made such successful use of their imposture, that (the Prince in the mean time slain) Arthur was the same night begotten, and verified that[73] Νόθοι τε πολλοὶ γνησίων ἀμείνονες. altho’ Merlin by the rule of Hermes, or astrological direction, justified that he was conceived three hours after Gorlois’ death; by this shift answering the dangerous imputation of bastardy to the heir of a crown. For Uther taking Igern to wife, left Arthur his successor in the Kingdom. Here have you a Jupiter, an Alcmena, an Amphitryo, a Sosias, and a Mercury; nor wants there scarce any thing, but that truth-passing reports of Poetical bards have made the birth an Hercules.

310 Known by one general name upon this point that dwell.

The name of Dumnonii, Damnonii, or Danmonii, in Solinus and Ptolemy, comprehended the people of Devonshire and Cornwal; whence the Lizard promontory is called Damnium in[74] Marcian Heracleotes; and William of Malmesbury, Florence of Worcester, Roger of Hoveden and others, stile Devonshire by name of Domnonia, perhaps all from Duff neint, i. e. low valleys in British; wherein are most habitations of the countrey, as judicious Camden teaches me.

Fuller report of the excellence in wrestling and nimbleness of body, wherewith this western people have been and are famous, you may find in Carew’s description of his country. But to give reason of the climate’s nature for this prerogative in them, I think as difficult as to shew why about the Magellanic streights they are so white, about the Cape de Buon Speranza so black,[75] yet both under the same tropic; why the Abyssins are but tawny moors, when as in the East-Indian isles, Zeilan and Malabar, they are very black, both in the same parallel; or why we that live in this Northern latitude, compared with the Southern, should not be like affected from like cause. I refer it no more to the Sun, than the special horsemanship in our Northern men, the nimble ability of the Irish, the fiery motions of the French, Italian jealousy, German liberty, Spanish puft-up vanity, or those different and perpetual carriages of state-government, Haste and Delay, which, as[76] inbred qualities, were remarkable in the two most martial people of Greece. The cause of Æthiopian blackness and curled hair was long since judiciously[77] fetcht from the disposition of soil, air, water, and singular operations of the heavens; with confutation of those which attribute it to the Sun’s distance. And I am resolved that every land hath its so singular self-nature, and individual habitude with celestial influence, that human knowledge, consisting most of all in universality, is not yet furnish’d with what is requisite to so particular discovery. But for the learning of this point in a special treatise Hippocrates, Ptolemy, Bodin, and others have copious disputes.

311 Of Corin Cornwal call’d, to his immortal fame.

So, if you believe the tale of Corin and Gogmagog: but rather imagine the name of Cornwall from this promontory of the Land’s End, extending itself like a[78] horn, which in most tongues is Corn, or very near. Thus was a[79] promontory in Cyprus called Cerastes, and in the now Candy or Crete, and Gazaria (the old Taurica Chersonesus) another titled[80] Κρίου μέτωπον: and Brundusium in Italy had name from Brendon or[81] Brention, i. e. a Hart’s-head, in the Messapian tongue, for similitude of horns. But[82] Malmesbury thus: “They are called Cornwalshmen, because being seated in the western part of Britain, they lie overagainst a horn (a promontory) of Gaul.” The whole name is as if you should say Corn-wales; for hither in the Saxon conquest the British called Welsh (signifying the people rather than strangers, as the vulgar opinion wills) made transmigration: whereof an old[83] rhimer:

Such was the language of your fathers between three and four hundred years since.

312

APPENDIX. IX.

CORNISH NAMES.

(Communicated by T. Hingston, Esq. M.D.)

It is commonly understood, that those places in Cornwall, which have the word San or Saint as the antecedent component of their names, are so denominated after some martyr or confessor of early times. This is a very obvious and indisputable fact. But it is by no means certain, that in every instance of the kind, the saint conferred his name on the place: for in many cases, the converse seems to have been practised; and contrary to what is generally imagined, I believe that the place bestowed its name on the saint. Thus, for example, in St. Stephen, and St. Allan, two saints are equally commemorated; but Stephen, by his own name, which he possessed independently of accidental circumstances; and Allan, by a name, superseding that which he had received at his baptism, and subsequently derived from the place of his retirement.

The want of this distinction has occasioned unspeakable labour and perplexity in the investigation of Cornish antiquities. Books and documents have been examined, and enquiries made in vain, after names, of which no record exists; and which, even in their own day, were scarcely known beyond the narrow district, in which they were venerated. In some instances, indeed, the objects of such researches might have been illustrious before their retirement; but if, in that case, their acts and sufferings were chronicled, the history was in effect abolished, when their identity was lost in the assumption of a new name.

Thus many of our early saints took refuge here, from the persecutions, to which the Christian faith was exposed 313 in Ireland; and their history has been chiefly sought in the hagiographies of that country. But the greater number of them, on coming into Cornwall, complied with this custom, common, indeed, with all men at that time, of changing the name with the residence; and accordingly, instead of that, by which they had been formerly known, and might have been recorded, they adopted or received another, as choice or accident determined their settlement. Hence we have St. Hy, or St. Iä, the Island-saint; St. Uny, (or perhaps more correctly St. Unan) the Down-saint; St. Dennis, the Hill-saint; St. Allan, the Moor-saint.

But not only have these, and similar appellations, been erroneously regarded as the baptismal and proper names of the saints, whom they commemorate; but the accidental corruption of some of them has led to still greater mistakes; and from the mere coincidence of sound, the saint whose memory was to be preserved, has been identified with some other person, for whom that honour could not have been intended. Thus the town of St. I’s, or with the genitive at full length, as it was commonly written, St. Ies, has for many generations been called St. Ives, though the correct form was frequently used till the close of the seventeenth century. In consequence of this corruption, the place has been said to have derived its name from some bishop Ivo, either the Persian, who gave his name to St. Ives, in Huntingdonshire, or the celebrated Ivo, bishop of Chartres. But St. I was a female from Ireland.

The case of St. Dennis seems to be of the same kind; though in that instance the error is not owing to a corruption of the name, but to the similarity of the sound. St. Dennis signifies the Saint on the Hill, or more strictly, the Hill-saint; and the church stands at this day on the summit of a hill. But the good man, who lived there, has been considered the same person as St. Dionysius, or St. Dennis, the areopagite.

I cannot help suspecting, that some error of this sort has occurred in the case of Paul-parish near Penzance, which is reported to have taken its name from St. Paul de Leon. Now that portion of the Mount’s bay, by which this parish is bounded on the east, is called The Lake; and this lake, which might have been correctly so denominated in ancient times, is at the foot of the hill, on which the present church stands; and it is, therefore, 314 probable that some man of eminent piety once resided near it. In that case, he was called the Lake-saint, which rendered into Cornish, becomes St. Pol. For this reason, I believe that the common account is wholly untrue; and that, as in many other instances, the name of the saint, and through him, of the parish, originated entirely in a local accident.

I may state here, that some parishes have a popular name, arising not unfrequently from very trifling circumstances; and this name has, in some cases, entirely superseded the more legitimate denomination, under which the church was consecrated and registered. Thus, to give one example, the parish at the Lizard is called Landuwednac, which signifies the Black-and-white-church. This appellation was suggested by the peculiar appearance of the church and tower, which are built of black and white stones, arranged alternately, in the manner of a chessboard.

Amongst the names of our Cornish towns, there are three remarkable above the rest for having been very diligently examined, and very little understood. Upon these it may be proper to make a few observations.

Of Truro Tonkin says, that ‘it is so called from its three principal streets; for Tri, three, and Ru, a street, have been turned to Truro merely euphoniæ gratia.’ Tonkin ought to have suspected, that Tri, occurring as the first syllable in the name of a town, was not likely to mean three, because Tri or Tre signifies a dwelling place, or an assemblage of dwellings, and therefore, a town. He might have supposed too, that the place was called Truro, before its three principal streets were built, or designed; since it does not appear to have ever had any other name, and we cannot believe, that it was so denominated by anticipation. For in those rude times, towns were not commonly laid out upon a definite plan: but the houses were erected according to the taste or convenience of the builders; and the streets seem to have been formed, almost as accident might determine.

But Whitaker says, that Tonkin’s etymology, which was adopted from Camden, is altogether absurd; and he consequently undertakes to find a better. For this purpose he assumes, that Truro takes its name from its castle. Now he imagines, that the castle was denominated Trevereu, and that the name was subsequently familiarized to Treuro. In that way, he thinks, the etymon at once presents 315 itself; and we are accordingly informed, that Truro signifies the castle on the Uro. This, however, is to take a course the reverse of that pursued by etymologists in general: for they seek the meaning of a word in its primitive form, but Mr. Whitaker in its corruption. There is also another objection, which may be considered equally conclusive; for, as Mr. Polwhele says, we have no such river in Cornwall as the Uro.

Mr. Polwhele himself has proposed a third explanation, which, however ingenious, I think equally unsatisfactory. He suggests, that Truro may be a town of Roman origin; and that the name is a corruption of Trevorou, the town-on-the-ways. But if it were so, we should not be wholly without any evidence of the fact. Proof would be found in some obscure tradition, some historical record, or some local circumstance; and the name itself, upon which alone this opinion is grounded, would be more completely consistent with it. When the Romans founded a town, it was not their custom to give it a name exhibiting no trace of their own language; but Trúro is unquestionably Cornish; and besides that, as persons skilled in such matters would easily see, it is no very natural corruption of Trevórou. Polwh. Hist. of Cornwall, vol. I, p. 189; vol. II, p. 215.

Yet that it is a corruption, is certain. In the charter granted by Reginald Fitzroy, in the reign of Henry II. the name of the town is written Trivereu. It is of this word, therefore, that Truro is a corruption; and if we can determine its signification, we shall ascertain the etymon of Truro. Now nothing can be better known, than that Rivereu, or Riverô, in the ancient language of this county, had the same meaning as the kindred word rivers, in English: and with regard to the initial T, it can be scarcely necessary to say, that it stands for Tre, or its archaic form Te, a town. The word, therefore, in the primitive and proper mode of writing it, is Trerivero; and consequently, the name as it appears in Reginald’s charter, is itself an example of that liability to change, by which the same word was subsequently converted to Truro. But the alteration in that case was so slight, that the composition of the word was scarcely obscured; and so natural, that its corruption could not have been prevented. For it was hardly possible in common speech to avoid the elision, which turns Trerívero into Trívero; as 316 this again has been contracted to Trúro. The word Truro, then, signifies the Town-on-the-rivers, or as we should now say, Riverton. And this interpretation is illustrated and confirmed by the local peculiarities: for the town is intersected by two rivers, which originally were its boundaries —the Cenion on the south, and the Allan on the east.

With respect to Marazion or Marketjew, I need not examine what has been said about Sion, Jerusalem, and the Jews; for it is wholly unfounded and absurd. Marghas, or in its softer form Maras, signifies a market, and Iän, of or belonging to an island. Hence Marasían means the Island-market. This name is derived from St. Michael’s Mount, which is in fact an island; and to its monastery the market belonged. Marghasjew, as it is called in Elizabeth’s charter, or as we now speak, Marketjew, signifies Thursday-market: the charter, by which the privilege of a market was granted to the monks by Robert, earl of Cornwall, having appointed it to be kept on the fifth day of the week. In Domesday the town is called Tremarastol, which signifies the Market-town-of-the-monastery. These three names, therefore, mutually explain one another; and their signification is confirmed by the historical facts.

Penzance is said to signify “the Saint’s head, or rather the Head of the bay.” Polwh. Hist. of Cornwall, vol. ii. p. 39. I believe that Mr. Polwhele quotes this from Tonkin. But did Tonkin himself expect that his readers would be satisfied with an etymology so indeterminate and contradictory? Yet this is the usual mode of explaining Cornish words. Camden says, that Penzance, or as he more correctly spells it, Pensans, means the Head of the sands. But Whitaker declares this to be unworthy of Camden; and he therefore gives us an improved interpretation of his own. For this purpose he reads Tonkin backwards; and as that writer renders Pensans the Head of the bay, Whitaker asserts it to be the Bay of the Head! And this is unworthy of Whitaker. He says, the phrase is equivalent to Mount’s bay. But it was never imagined before, that the Cornish word Pen could signify such an object as St. Michael’s Mount; and still less can it be supposed that a town would be denominated a Bay. Yet the real signification of Pensans lay at his feet; for nothing can be more obvious and easy. The name is derived both from the little chapel of St. Anthony, which he himself 317 describes, and from the point of land, on which that chapel stood. For there the town took its beginning; and there, of course, it found a name —that of the place which it occupied. Now a point of land was in Cornish called Pen; and when it chanced to be distinguished by the erection of a chapel, it would naturally be denominated sacred or holy, which was expressed by the word san, or if it was a terminal syllable, sans. Hence Pensans signifies Holy-head; and in allusion to this, John the Baptist’s head is in the town-arms.

But Mr. Whitaker would not have committed this error, if he had been heedful of a principle, observed in the composition of Cornish words, which can never be safely overlooked, in any attempt to investigate their meaning. The ancient names of places in Cornwall mostly consist of two substantive nouns, one of which has the force of an adjective, and qualifies the other: as Penrose, Penpraze, Polwhele. The component parts of such words have always been treated as if they had been associated by caprice, or accident; and the same elements have been represented as adjectives or substantives indifferently, according to the fancy or convenience of the interpreter.

But in truth, the ingredients of all these compounds are combined and distinguished by a settled rule. It is generally supposed, that in all instances the word used substantively precedes that which is employed adjectively. In many cases, however, it does not: and as, therefore, the qualifying noun cannot with certainty be discovered by its position, they who suppose it to occupy uniformly the second place, can be right only by chance; and we are consequently to look for some other mark, by which it may be easily and invariably known. That mark is the accent. Thus we say Pensáns: and so, if we admit, what Mr. Whitaker supposes, that Pen may signify a hill, and sans a bay, the word in that case would mean the Bay-hill, and not as he says, the Hill-bay.

But as this accent lives only in common speech, and the peculiarities of the English manner have already considerably disturbed it, those who have occasion to write any Cornish words, and especially the cultivators of our history and antiquities, should always mark the accented syllable: for there is no other way of making this rule of interpretation available; and of preventing perplexities for the time to come, still greater than those, which have 318 already existed. But besides the natural and inevitable tendency of the predominant English to change the pronunciation of Cornish words, there is a kind of whim or fashion amongst some, who know nothing of these things, by which the corruption is wilfully hastened; and while they confidently say Pénrose, Pénprase, and Nánkivel, they presume to correct those, who with more knowledge or less affectation, are accustomed to speak otherwise.

319

APPENDIX. X.

TANNER’S NOTITIA MONASTICA FOR CORNWALL, FROM NASMITH’S EDITION, FOLIO, 1787, WITH ADDITIONS.

(For these additions I am indebted to Sir Henry Ellis, F.R.S. Sec. S.A. one of the Editors of the New Edition of Dugdale’s Monasticon. Edit.)

I. St. ANTONY, or Antonine.

In this county were two priories of this name, which are often confounded by some of our writers.

1. Benedictine Cell. One was a cell of Black monks of Angiers, belonging to Trewardreth priory[84], and being mentioned in Gervase of Canterbury’s catalogue must be as early as K. Richard I.st’s time. The rectory here, as parcel of the possessions of Tywardreith, was granted, 6 Eliz. to William and John Killigrew.

2. Austin Cell. The other, St. Anthony’s near St. Mawes, was a small priory of two Austin canons subordinate to Plimpton[85], and as parcel of the same was granted, 38 Hen. 8. to Thomas Goodwin.

II. St. BENNETT’S, in the parish of Lanivet.

Nunnery. The tower whereof is yet standing.[86]

III. St. BLAISE near Fowey, in the deanry of Poudre.

Almshouse. An old almshouse.[87]

320 IV. BODMIN, olim Bosmanna.[88]

1. Austin Canons. The body of St. Petroc being removed[89] to this place, there was a church built to his memory, and the episcopal see for Cornwall was therein placed by K. Edward the elder and archbishop Plegmund, A.D. 905.[90] Here K. Æthelstan is reported to have met with old Saxon, or rather British, monks following the rule of St. Benedict, to whom he granted so great privileges and endowments, that he is accounted founder of the monastery here, about A.D. 926. That settlement was destroyed by the Danish pirates, A.D. 981, yet the Religious continued here under several shapes,[91] and much alienations of their lands, both before and after the Conquest, till about the year 1120, when one Algar, with the king’s licence and the consent of Will. Warlewast bishop of Exeter, re-established this religious house, and placed therein Regular canons of the order of St. Austin, who continued till the general suppression, when it was styled the priory of St. Mary and St. Petroc,[92] and was valued at 270l. 0s. 11d. per ann. Dugd. 289l. 11s. 11d. Speed. The site, with the demesnes, were granted, 36 Hen. 8. to Tho. Sternhold, one of the first translators of the Psalms into English metre.

Vide Mon. Angl. tom. i. 213. ex Leland. Collect. vol. i. p. 75, 76. Et ibid. p. 227. cartam Ethelredi regis de episcopo Cornubiæ apud S. Petrocum, et libertatibus eidem concessis. Ibid. tom. ii. p. 5. cart. 57 Hen. 3. m. 9. confirm. cartam Eadredi regis priori et canonicis de Bodmine, de manerio de Niwetone.

Leland. Itin. vol. ii. p. 114. vol. iii. p. 12.

In Itinerario Will. de Worcestre, p. 100. 111. de fundatione et dimensione ecclesiæ; p. 107. excerpta ex kalendario principalis 321 Libri Antiphoner: p. 111. nomina nobilium et generosorum in kalendario memoratorum: p. 112. ex registro.

Cart. Antiq. D. n. 40, 41.

Cart. 36 Hen. 3. m. 18. pro manerio de Neweton.

Cart. 13 Ed. 1. n. 9. et 66. pro piscaria in Alan, bosco in Bodan, et aliis libertatibus.

Cart. 6 Ed. 2. n. 1.

Cart. 9 Ed. 3. n. 41. pro emptione stanni: Pat. 19. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. d. de visu franci plegii infra villam: Pat. 48 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 12. de XL s. redd. exeunt. de burgo, et boscis de Kingswood et Kelleritho.

Pat. 3 Ric. 2. p. 2. m. 25.

Pat. 1 Hen. 4. p. 8. m. 34.

Pat. 1 Hen. 6. p. 3. m. 24. Pat. 3 Hen. 6. p. 1. m. 11.

Pat. 3 Ed. 4. p. 1. m.

2. Hospital. About a mile from Bodmin is St. Laurence,[93] a poor hospital or lazarhouse,[94] on the east; well endowed for nineteen leprous people, two whole men and women, and a priest to minister unto them.[95]

Vide Leland. Itin. vol. ii. p. 115. vol. iii. p. 12.

3. Almshouse. At the west end of the town was a chapel and an almshouse,[96] but not endowed with lands.[97]

Vide Leland. Itin. vol. ii. p. 115.

4. Grey Friers. A house of Grey friers on the south side of the market-place, begun by John of London a merchant, and augmented by Edmund earl of Cornwall.[98] After the dissolution this friery was granted to one William Abbot, 37 Hen. 8. and in Q. Elizabeth’s time it was made the house of correction for the county.[99]

Vide Leland. Itin. vol. ii. p. 115. vol. iii. p. 12.

Stevens’[100] Supplement, vol. i. p. 154.

In Itinerario Will. de Worcestre, p. 99. de fundatione et excerpta quædam ex kalendario.

[Harl. MS. 6964. p. 77.

Hoveden, Script. post Bedam, fol. 324.

Domesd. tom. i. fol. 120. b. 121.

MS. Cole, Brit. Mus. vol. xxvii. 184 b. H.E.]

322 V. St. BURIEN, in the deanry of Trigge Minor.

College. King Ethelstan is said to have built and endowed a collegiate church almost at the Land’s End,[101] and to have granted the benefit of a sanctuary and other privileges to the same, in honor of St. Buriena or Beriana a holy woman from Ireland, who had an oratory and was buried here. At the Conquest here were Secular canons,[102] as there were a dean and three prebendaries at the time of making the Lincoln taxation 20 Ed. 1. and also down to 26 Hen. 8. though this deanery was seized into the king’s hands temp. Ed. 3. by reason that Mr. John de Maunte then incumbent, was a Frenchman; and as alien, was given, 24 Hen. 6. to King’s college in Cambridge, and afterward by K. Edward 4. (anno regni 7.) to Windsor college;[103] yet neither of those societies long enjoyed, or had any benefit from it; for it was all along, and still continues, an independent deanry, in the gift of the crown or of the duke of Cornwall, of exempt jurisdiction as a royal free chapel.[104] The deanry or rectory, 26 Hen. 8. was valued at 48l. 12s. 1d. per ann. Prebenda parva 2l. 8s. 4d. Prebenda de Respernel 7l. 6s. 8d. Prebenda de Tirthney 7l.

Vide Coke’s Institutes, vol. i. p. 344.

Roll’s Abridgement, p. 2. f. 341.

Prynne’s Papal Usurpations, vol. iii. p. 933.

Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 18. vol. vii. p. 117.

In bibl. Harleiana, ms. 980. p. 212. of the exemption of the dean from episcopal jurisdiction and proceedings thereon, 26 Ed. 3. ms. 7048. p. 343. collectiones e chronico eccl. S. Burianæ.

De exemptione hujus ecclesiæ a jurisdictione episc. Exon. plac. term. S. Hill; 8 Ed. 2. ms. penes V. cl. Andr. Fountaine equ. aur. p. 167, &c.

Fragmentum registri hujus collegii tempore Roberti Knollys decani, viz. ab anno 1473. ad annum 1485. ms. haud ita pridem in bibl. RR. P. DD. Joannis Moore episc. Eliensis, nunc in bibl. publica acad. Cantab. Ee. v. 34.

Cart. 15 Joan. m. 2. n. 42.

Cart. 30 Ed. 1. n. 26. pro mercato die Sabbati, et feria in vigilia, die, et crast. S. Martini in hieme apud S. Burien.

Pat. 9 Ed. 2. p. 1. m. 10 vel 20. Plac. coram rege, 12 Ed. 2. Mich. rot. 128. Ibid. 17 Ed. 2. Trin. rot. 90.

Pat. 1 Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 13. de prebenda de Trethin, &c. Claus. 11 Ed. 3. 323 p. 2. m. 13. Plac. coram rege, 13 Ed. 3. … rot.. Escaet. Corn. 20 Ed. 3. n. 32. Pat. 20 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 15. Pat. 31 Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 9.

Pat. 24 Hen. 6. p. 3. m. 28. pro appropriatione hujus decanatus collegio S. Nicholai in Acad. Cantab.

Pat. 1 Ed. 4. p. 3. m. 24. [MS. Lansd. Brit. Mus. 966. Ex Chronico quodam Ecclesiæ Sanctæ Burianæ in Cornub. MS. penes Matth. Hutton, S.T.P. fol. 11. b.

Harl. MS. 6958. pp. 219, 220, 224, 241, 253. 6959. pp. 260, 286. 6960. pp. 25, 68. 6961. pp. 48, 86, 198, 205. 6962. pp. 20, 98, 128. 6963. pp. 72, 122.

MS. Cole, vol. xxvii. fol. 184 b.

Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121.

Mr. Moyle’s Works, i. p. 247. H. E.]

VI. CONSTANTYN, in the deanry of Kerryer.

This seems to have been a church of more than ordinary note, by what is said in Domesday Book under the title Ecclesiæ aliquorum Sanctorum; scil. “S. Constantinus tenet dim. hidam terræ, quæ fuit quieta ab omni servitio T. R. E. sed postquam comes terram accepit, reddebat geldum injuste, sicut terra villanorum.” This church was afterwards appropriate to the dean and chapter of Exeter, who are still the patrons of it.

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121. H. E.]

VII. ENDELLION, in the deanry of Trigge Minor.

College. In the parish church here, dedicated to St. Endelienta, were three prebends or portions before 20 Ed. 1.[105] and subsist to this day, and have incumbents under the titles of Bodmin or the King’s prebend, Marney’s prebend, and Trehaverock prebend, taxed each at 5l. per ann. 26 Hen. 8.

VIII. St. GERMANS.

Austin Canons. Here was a collegiate church of ancient foundation in honor of St. German, one of the famous French bishops, who came over into Britain to oppose the Pelagian heresy. K. Ethelstan is said to have made one Conon bishop here, A.D. 936, though it seems 324 more probable that the episcopal see for Cornwall was not fixed here till after the burning of the bishop’s house and cathedral church at Bodmin; after which K. Canute more amply endowed this church of St. German; and, about A. D. 1050. Leofric, who was bishop here and of Crediton, having united both bishopricks in the church of St. Peter at Exeter, changed the Seculars[106] here into Regular canons.[107] The yearly revenues of this priory were valued, 26 Hen. 8. at 243l. 8s. Dugd. Speed 227l. 4s. 8d. Clare, ms. Valor. The site was granted, 33 Hen. 8. to Kath.[108] Champernoun, John Ridgway, &c.

Vide Mon. Angl. tom. i. p. 213. ex Leland. Collect. i. 75. Ibid. tom. ii. p. 5, 6. inquis. 32 Ed. 3. ex rot. pat. 7 Ric. 2. p. 1. m. 24. de fundatione et dotatione.

Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 40. vol. vii. p. 122.

Cartas, &c. penes Edw. Elliot de eadem.

Fin. 6 Hen. 3. m. 5. de mercat. ibid.

Cart. 6 Ed. 2. n. 1.

Pat. 17 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 32. de mercato et feria in villa S. Germani, et de lib. war. in Lamash: Pat. 31 Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 8. pro ten. in Lanrake: Plac. coram reg. 37 Ed. 3. rot. 9. Pat. 38 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 46. Pat. 43 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 23 vel 43.

Pat. 2 Rich. 2. p. 1. m. 47. pro ten. in Pollersek, Trewint, Todisford, Lancottock, &c. Pat. 9 Ric. 2. p. 1. m.. rex restituit prioratum S. Germani (qui fuit de fundatione Leofrici episc. et quem rex recuperaverat in curia sua adversus Jo. Grandison episc. Exon.) episc. Exon. et successoribus: Pat. 16 Ric. 2. p. 1. m. 27. de redd. in Trethinek, Morna, &c.

Pat. 11 Hen. 6. p. 1. m. 17. pro ten. in Frogwell, Tenepath, &c.

[Stowe’s Annals, edit. 1592. p. 120. Domesd. tom. i. fol. 120 b. H. E.]

IX. HELSTON, in the deanry of Kerrier.

Hospital. A priory or hospital at the west-south-west end of the town, of the foundation of one Kellegrew,[109] dedicated to St. John Baptist.[110] It was endowed only with 12l. 16s. 4d. per ann. Dugd. 14l. 7s. 4d. Speed.

Vide Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 23. Registrum Edm. Stafford episc. Exon. f. 135.

325 X. St. KARENTOC, or Crantoc, near Padstow, in the deanry of Pider.

College. Here were Secular canons[111] temp. Edw. Conf. who continued till the general dissolution, when its yearly revenues were valued at 89l. 15s. 8d. which were divided amongst the dean, nine prebendaries,[112] and four vicars choral.[113] This collegiate church was dedicated to St. Carantocus, said to be a disciple of St. Patric, and was in the patronage of the bishop of Exeter,[114] but now in John Buller of Mowall, esq.

Vide in Prynne’s Papal Usurpations, vol. ii. p. 736. Claus. 34 Hen. 3. m. 15.

Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 7.

Pat. 43 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 31. Pat. 44 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 23.

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121. H. E.]

XI. LAMMANA.

Benedictine Cell. The abbey of Glastonbury had sometime a cell here, dedicated to St. Michael.

Vide Adami de Domerham historia de rebus gestis Glastoniensibus, p. 423. ut prioratus de Basselake et de Lamena ad ordinacionem conventus pertineant. Et in Auctuario eidem historiæ annexo, p. 599. cartam Hastuti filii Johannis de Solenneio de insula de Lamana: p. 600. Roberti de Cardinay de uno ferlingo terræ de Trewodlowan: p. 601. Rogeri filii Willelmi de terra de Lamman: p. 602. compositionem inter conventum Glaston et conventum de Lanstaventone de decimis in dominico Odonis de Portlo; p. 603. cartam Ricardi comiti Cornubiæ de Lammana.

XII. LANACHEBRAN, or Lan-a-Kebran, alias St. Kevran,[115] in the deanry of Kerrier.

Cistertian Cell. Here was a society of Secular canons, at or about the time of the Conquest, dedicated 326 to St. Achebran:[116] and afterwards here was a cell of Cistertian monks, subordinate to Beaulieu abbey in Hampshire,[117] and the manor here, as parcel of the possessions of Beaulieu, was granted, 2 Eliz. to Francis earl of Bedford.

Vide in registro W. Bronscomb episc. Exon. ordinationem vicariæ S. Keverani, quam abbas de Bello Loco habet in proprios usus.

Pat. 2 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 27. Plac. coram rege, 16 Ed. 3. Pasch. rot. 230. Pat. 18 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 4. Pat. 19 Ed. 3. m ——. Pat. 49 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 10. pro privilegiis allocandis.

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121. H. E.]

XIII. LAUNCELS, in the deanry of Trigge Minor.

Cell to the abbey of Hertland.[118]

XIV. LAUNCESTON, olim Lanstaveton, i. e. Fanum S. Stephani.

1. Austin Canons. There was a college of Secular[119] canons before the Conquest, in the church of St. Stephen,[120] about half a mile from this town, which being given to the bishop and church of Exeter by king Henry I.[121] it was suppressed before A.D. 1126. by Will. Warlewast bishop of Exeter, who in lieu of it founded in the west suburb under the castle hill,[122] a priory for canons[123] of the order of St. Austin, which was also dedicated to St. Stephen, to which he gave the best part of the college lands.[124] The 327 yearly revenues of this monastery were rated, 26 Hen. 8. at 354l. 0s. 11d., q. Dugd. 392l. 11s. 2d. q. Speed.[125]

Vide in Mon. Angl. tom. ii. p. 107. quæ Leland. in Itin. vol. ii. p. 110. habet de Launceston: et cart. 13 Hen. 3. p. 1. m. 10. recit. per Inspex. cart. R. Joan. anno regni primo.

Lelandi Collect. vol. i. p. 76. ejusdem Itin. vol. ii. p. 109. vol. iii. p. 132, 133. vol. vii. p. 123.

In Itin. Will. de Worcestre, p. 134. dimensiones ecclesiæ, de fundatione, excerpta ex kalendario.

In Auctuario ad Adamum de Domerham, p. 602. compositionem inter abbatem et conventum Glaston, et priorem et conventum de Lanstaventone de decimis in dominico dom. Odonis de Portlo.

Registrum hujus prioratus, penes magistrum Ric. Escot de hosp. Lincoln.

Registrum prioratus de Launceston, ms. in bibl. Bodl. Oxon. Tanner. 196.

Pat. 13 Hen. 3. m. 7. pro maner. de Cloveston.

Pat. 3 Ed. 1. m. 24. de terris in Tottesden: Pat. 11 Ed. 1. m. 1. vel 2.

Pat. 1 Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 14. vel. 15. Pat. 16 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 1.

Pat. 1 Ric. 2. p. 2. m. 3. pro ten. in Newport; Ibid. p. 3. m. 19. Pat. 6 Ric. 2. p. 3. m.. Pat. 12 Ric. 2. p. 2. m. 24. pro mess. voc. Shiphouse in Treburdesk: Pat. 16 Ric. 2. p. 2. m. 31. de mess. et terris in Newland, Landren, Leskard, &c. Pat. 19 Ric. 2. p. 2. m. 35. pro vicariis S. Tallini, de Tallam S. Mellorii, &c.

Parl. 4 Hen. 4. petitionem contra priorem de vicariis de Lyskeret, Larkinham, et Tallum.

Inquis. Corn. 1 Hen. 5. n. 51. de Bernhay: Pat. 2 Hen. 5. p. 3. m. 32 vel 33.

Rec. in scacc. 10 Hen. 6. Trin. rot. 5.

Pat. 19 Ed. 4. m. 5 vel 6.

2. St. Leonard’s Hospital. An hospital for lepers in this town, dedicated to St. Leonard, is mentioned[126] pat. 6 Ric. 2. p. 3.

3. Friery. Mr. Carew[127] mentions a friery to have been here, besides the abbey or priory.

[MS. Lansdown. Brit. Mus. 939. fol. 21 b. Ex Registro Priorat. de Launceston MS. apogr. inter Libros olim Will. Griffith.

Domesd. tom. i. fol. 120, 120 b.

Harl. MS. 6958. pp. 180, 182.

In Thorpe’s Cat. of MSS. 1833. No. 281. is a “Survey of the lands belonging to the Priory at Launceston, at the Dissolution of the Monasteries, 1539, 31 Hen. VIII. a contemporary Record, a long roll, upon paper, in fine condition, £16 16.” H. E.]

XV. LESKARD, or Minhenned, near Leskard.

Hospital. Here was anciently a house for lepers,[128] for there is an indulgence granted by Edm. Stafford bishop 328 of Exeter, to all those who should contribute to the hospital of St. Mary Magdalen at Leskard, about A.D. 1400.[129]

XVI. St. MARTIN’S.

Nunnery.[130]

XVII. MARY WEEK, in the deanry of Trigge Minor.

College. A college[131] and school here, as Carew.

XVIII. St. MAWES.[132]

In the cart. roll of the fifteenth year of K. John, m. 2. n. 42. there is a grant of a hundred shillings per ann. out of the church of St. Berian in Cornwall to the monks of St. Matthew. I have not yet found any monastery elsewhere in England dedicated to that Apostle.

XIX. St. MICHAEL’S MOUNT.

Alien Priory. A priory of Benedictine monks placed here by K. Edward the Confessor,[133] but before A.D. 1085. annexed to the abbey of St. Michael in periculo Maris in Normandy, by Robert[134] earl of Moreton and Cornwall. After the suppression of the alien priories, this was given first by K. Henry 6. to King’s college Cambridge, and afterward by K. Edward 4. to Sion abbey in Middlesex. At the first seizure of it by K. Edward 3. the farm of it was rated but at 10l. per ann. but at the time of K. Henry 8. the lands belonging to this house, as parcel of Sion, were valued at 110l. 12s. 0d. ob. per ann.

329 Vide in Mon. Angl. tom. i. p. 551. cartam S. Edwardi R. et cartas Roberti comitis et Liurici episc. Exon. Ibid. in tom. ii. p. 901, 902, 903. cartam Edmundi comitis Cornwal recitantem et confimantem donationes Ricardi patris: Cart. Alani comitis Britanniæ de x s. annui redditus de feria de Merdreshem: Cartam Ricardi regis Romanorum de feriis in Marhasgon: Cartam Conani ducis Britanniæ de Wath: Et bullam P. Adriani, A.D. 1155. confirmantem omnes possessiones tam in Normannia quam in Anglia cum anathemate.

Du Monstrier, Neustriam piam, p..

Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 17.

In Itin. Will. de Worcestre, p. 101. indulgentiam concessam visitantibus hanc ecclesiam: p. 103. dimensiones ecclesiæ: p. 129. excerpta ex kalendario.

In Madox’s Formulare Anglicanum, p. 59. Rogeri de Daledich confirmationem donationis VIs. VIIId. percipiend. annuatim de fœdo de Wiscomb per Henricum de Wiscomb factæ.

In Dr. Archer’s account of the religious houses in the diocese of Bath printed at the end of Hearne’s Hemingford, p. 637. of a pension of xl. marks out of the rectory of Mertock.

In Rymeri Fœder, &c. vol. viii. p. 102. 340, 341. pat. 5 Hen. 4. p. 1. m. 21. pro restitutione hujus prioratus, qui dicitur “esse tempore guerræ fortalitium toti patriæ circumjacenti.”

Registrum hujus prioratus olim penes Will. com. Sarisb. Excerpta ex isto registro penes V. cl. Joannem Anstis arm.

Computos, &c. in officio Curiæ Augment. sub titulo Syon Monasterium.

Rot. fin. 13 Ed. 2. m. 3. de terris in Lambedon: Pat. 14 Ed. 2. p. 1. m. 12. de terris in Ottriton monachorum.

Pat. 22 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 30. de ten. in Trevemeny, Polker, et Breglis: Pat. 30 Ed. 3. p. 3. m. penult.

Pat. 10 Hen. 6. p. 1. m. ult. Pat. 20 Hen. 6. p. 4. m. 3. de concessione hujus prioratus rectori et scholaribus S. Nicholai Cantab.

Pat. 1 Ed. 4. p. 2. m. 8. Ibid. p. 3. m. 1. Claus. 2 Ed. 4. n. 13. quiet. clam. præpositi S. Nich. Cantab. abbatissæ S. Salvatoris de Syon de hoc prioratu.

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 120 b.

Harl. MS. 6965. p. 86.

MS. Cole, vol. xxvii. fol. 184 b.

Tanner mentions a Register of this House, “penes Will. Com. Sarisb.” This Register is still at Hatfield in Lord Salisbury’s possession. It came as a Title Deed there, Sir Robert Cecil having purchased the manor of Mt. St. Michael. H. E.]

XX. MINSTER, or Talcarn[135], in the deanry of Trigge Minor.

Alien Priory. An alien priory to the abbey of St. Sergius and Bachus at Angiers.

330 Vide Mon. Angl. i. p. 1036. ex pat. 48 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 3. “Prior de Minstre habet apud Pilesfunte de redditu xx. sol.” Taxat. Lincoln; In Bundell. benef. alienig. 48 Ed. 3. “Minster prior alienigena habet in proprios usus ecclesias de Minster et Bodecastell:” In the account of knight’s fees in Mr. Carew’s Survey of Cornwall, f. 41. b. “Prior de Ministre tenet. i. par. feod. mort, in Polifant, 3 Hen. 4.”

Year Books, 32 Hen. 6. 13, 14.

XXI. NEWPORT near Launceston.

Hospital. Here is an old hospital for lazars, dedicated to St. Thomas, which was well endowed and governed in Mr. Carew’s time.[136]

XXII. NYOTT, olim Neotstoke,[137] or Neotstow, or St. Guerir, in the deanry of West.

Monastery destroyed. Here was a monastery[138] or college^[139] founded in honor of St. Neotus, brother[140] to K. Alfred, who was here buried, which continued till after the Conquest. The church here belonged to Montacute priory in Somersetshire.

Vide in Joanne Glastoniensi, p. 111. historiolam fundationis hujus monasterii.

Stevens’ Supplement, vol. i. p. 217.

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121. H. E.]

XXIII. PETROCSTOW, or Padstow, olim Loderic, or Laffenac, or Adelston,[141] in the deanry of Pydre.

Monastery destroyed. St. Petroc, a religious man born in Wales, but coming from Ireland, is said to have 331 built a monastery on the north coast of Cornwall, about A.D. 520 and to have been there buried;[142] his body was afterward removed to Bodmin.

[Harl. MS. 6964. p. 77.—H. E.]

XXIV. PENRYN, alias Glaseney, in the parish of Gluvias and deanry of Kerrier.

College. Walter Bronescomb the good bishop[143] of Exeter,[144] about the year 1270,[145] built a collegiate church on a moor called Glasenith, at the bottom of his park at Penryn, to the honor of the blessed Virgin Mary and St. Thomas of Canterbury. It consisted of a provost, a sacrist, eleven prebendaries,[146] seven vicars,[147] and six choristers; and was certified, 26 Hen. 8. to be worth 210l. 13s. 2d. per ann. in toto. 205l. 10s. 6d. clare.

Vide in Mon. Angl. tom. iii. p. ii. p. 56. pat. 18 Ed. 2. p. 2. m. 17. appropriationem ecclesiæ S. Alune in Cornubia.

Lelandi Collect. vol. i. p. 115. ejusdem Itin. vol. iii. p. 27. vol. vii. p. 120.

In Itin. Will. de Worcestre, p. 122. 128. de fundatione collegii de Penryn.

In bibl. Harleiana, ms. 862. f. 118. instrumenta spectantia ad ecclesiam collegiatam de Glasney.

Registrum hujus collegii, penes —— Parsons un. audit. scaccarii, A.D. 1706. postea penes Jacobum Mickleton de hosp. Grayensi arm. Videtur esse idem cum registro penes Joannem Row nuper de medio Templo London, arm. unde quamplurima excerpsit V. cl. Joannes Anstis arm.

Pat. 8 Ed. 2. p. 2. m. 2. 17. 20 et 27. Pat. 10 Ed. 2. p. 1. m: 19. de vicariis ecclesiæ.

Fin. 2 Ed. 3. m. 6. in cedula: Pat. 2 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 36. pro ten. et eccl. in Lamerock: Pat. 26 Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 21. pro eccl. S. Justi in Penwith approprianda: Pat. 43 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 40. d. Pat. 44 Ed. 3. p. 1. m; 10. et p. 2. m. 3. Pat. 45 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 40. d.

Pat. 8 Hen. 4. p. 2. m. 9. pro ten. in Trewtham pro cantaria apud Bodryganes alter in hoc collegio.

[Harl. MS. 6958. p. 294. 6960. pp. 166. 184. 234. 6961. p. 225.

Ducarel’s Extr. from the Lamb. Registers in Brit. Mus. vol. ix. p. 218. H. E.]

332 XXV. St. PIERAN in Zabulo, in the deanry of Pydre.

College. In the days of K. Edward the Confessor here were a dean and canons,[148] endowed with lands, and the privilege of a sanctuary.[149] The church[150] was given by K. Henry 1. to the bishop and church of Exeter, who still enjoy the great tithes and the advowson of the vicarage.

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121. H. E.]

[Hearne mentions PORT ELIOT in the margin of his copy of Tanner’s first edition, and says it was sometimes a Priory, and at the Dissolution K. Henry VIII. bestowed it upon one of the ancestors of Richard Elliot mentioned in Norden’s Descr. of Cornwall. H. E.]

XXVI. St. PROBUS, in the deanry of Powder.

College. Here was a collegiate church of Secular canons before the Conquest,[151] which was given to the bishop and church of Exeter by K. Henry 1.[152] Here was once a dean:[153] Four prebendaries or portionists occur here upon the Lincoln taxation, and some time after;[154] but, 26 Hen. 8. the glebe and tithe of St. Probus, as part of the endowment of the treasurership of the cathedral church of Exeter, to which it still belongs,[155] is valued at 22l. 10s. per ann.[156]

[Domesd. tom. i. fol. 121. H. E.]

333 XXVII. SALTASH, in the deanry of East.

Abbey. The abbey[157] of Saltash in com. Devon, is mentioned in the Year Books, 2 Hen. 4. Mich. 45.

XXVIII. SYLLY.

Benedictine Cell. In the biggest of the Sylly islands, called Iniscaw,[158] was a poor cell of two Benedictine monks dedicated to St. Nicholas, belonging to Tavistock abbey, even before the Conquest, and confirmed to them afterward by K. Henry 1. Reginald earl of Cornwall, &c.

Vide in Mon. Angl. tom. i: p. 516. cart. 1 Joan. p. 2. m. 65. Pat. 19 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 5. et ibid. p. 1002. Cartas RR. Hen. 1. Ed. 1. Reginaldi com. Cornub. et Barthol. episc. Exon. ex registro Tavestochiensi.

Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 19.

Cart. 1 Joan. p. 1. n. 155 et 219. de decimis forestsæ de Guffaer.

XXIX. St. SYRIAC,[159] St. Cyriac,[160] St. Carricius,[161] St. Karrocus,[162] St. Cyret, and Julette.[163]

Cluniac Cell. Hare was a small religious house of two Benedictine[164] or Cluniac[165] monks, as early as K. Richard 1st’s time,[166] cell to Montacute[167] in Somersetshire; and as parcel of the possessions of that priory it was granted, 37 Hen. 8. to Laurence Courtney.

Vide Mon. Angl. tom. i. p. 670, 671. tom. ii. p. 910.

Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 37. vol. vii. p. 121.

Pat. 15 Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 5. de concessione hujus cellæ Willelmo comiti Sarisb. per priorem et conv. de Monteacuto.

[Report to the Originalia, vol. iv. fol. 155 b. Brit. Mus., where it is called St. Caroch.]

334 XXX. St. THETHA, St. Teath or St. Etha, in the deanry of Trigge Minor.

College. The parish church here is sometimes on the records called collegiate,[168] and consisted of two prebendaries[169] or portionists,[170] who seem to have been collated by the bishop of Exeter.

XXXI. TREBIGH, or Turbigh.

Knights Hospitalers. A preceptory of Knights Hospitalers of St. John of Jerusalem, to which Henry de Pomerai and Reginald Marsh were considerable benefactors [Mon. Angl. tom. ii. p. 551.] It was valued at 60l. per ann. [ms. Le Neve] but this with Ansty [Wilts.] was valued, 26 Hen. 8. at 90l. 1s. 9d. in toto. 81l. 8s. 5d. clare. [ms. Valor, in off. Primit.] This among other possessions of the old Knights, then undisposed of, was regranted to the Hospitalers upon their restoration, 4 et 5 Phil. et Mar. and after their dissolution, 16 Eliz. to Henry Wilby and Geo. Blyth.

XXXII. TREGONY, in the deanry of Powder.

Alien Priory. The advowson of the priory of Tregony, as belonging to the abbey de Valle in Normandy, is mentioned fin. div. com. 52 Hen. 3. n. 18. This priory with the advowsons of the churches of Tregony and Biry were made over A.D. 1267, by the abbat and convent de Valle in diœc. Bajoc. to the prior and convent of Merton.[171]

Vide inter munimenta eccl. cath. Exon. cartam abbatis et conventus de Valle, de resignatione hujus prioratus.

[Bishop Lyttelton in a letter to Browne Willis, copied in MS. Cole, Brit. Mus. vol. xl. p. 59. says, “In the last edition of the Monastica Notitia the author queries if there was any Priory at Tregony in Cornwall. I find the original resignation thereof of the Abbat de Valle in Normandy to the Bp. of Exon, Peter Quivil, for the use of the Priory of Merton, together with the advowsons of the parish churches of Tregony and Bury, dated 1267.” H. E.]

335 XXXIII. TRURO.

Black Friers. In the latter end of K. Henry 3d’s reign,[172] a convent of Black friers settled in Kenwyn street.[173] Rauf Reskimer left a benefaction, 2 Ed. 4. to this house, of which his ancestors had been founders. It was granted, 7 Ed. 6. to Edward Aglianby.

Vide Leland. Itin. vol. iii. p. 27. vol. vii. p. 120.

In Itin. Will. de Worcestre, p. 128, excerpta ex kalendario.

Pat. 49 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 26. pro manso elargando.

Claus. 2 Ed. 4. n. 101. d.

XXXIV. TRUWARDRAITH,[174] Tuwardraz,[175] or Tywardreit, in the deanry of Powder.

Alien Priory. An alien priory of Benedictine monks[176] belonging to the abbey of St. Sergius and Bachus in Angiers,[177] founded before A.D. 1169. by Champernulphus or Chambernon of Bere,[178] lord of the manor of Tywardreith, or by the ancestors of Robert de Cardinan,[179] perhaps Robert Fitz William. It was seised by the Crown during the wars with France, and its farm then fixed at fifty marks per ann.[180] but being afterwards made denisen it continued till the general suppression, about which time herein were seven monks,[181] whose revenues were rated at 123l. 9s. 3d. per ann. Dugd. 151l. 16s. 1d. Speed. It was dedicated to St. Andrew, and granted 34 Hen. 8. to Edward earl of Hertford.

Vide in Mon. Angl. tom. ii. p. 586, 587. Cart. 33 Ed. 1. n. 38. recit. per inspeximus tres cartas Hen. 3. viz. primam recitant, cartam Roberti de Cardinan confirm, donationes antecessorum, secundam de 336 ecclesia de Austel, tertiam de libertate sanctuarii S. Austeli.

Lelandi Collect. vol. i. p. 76. ejusdam Itin. vol. iii. p. 14. 32, 33. vol. vii. p. 120.

In Libro Nigro Scaccarii, p. 131. de 1 fœd. mil. tent. de comite Reginaldo.

In Rymeri Fœder. &c. vol. iv. p. 248. vol. viii. p. 106.

Cart. 9 Ed. 2. n. 16. pro merc, et fer. apud Fowey, et lib. war. in Tywardreith, Trerant, Tremaynon, et Carigog.

Claus. 4 Ed. 3. m. 27. de ten. in Fawy.

[Harl. MS. 6959. p. 185. 6960. p. 34.

Harl. MS. 6961. pp. 30. 89.

Repert. to Originalia, Brit. Mus. vol. iii. p. 273.

MS. Cole, vol. xxvii. fol. 184 b.

Lysons, Mag. Brit. Cornw.

Gent. Mag. 2d vol. for 1822. Supp. p. 602.

A great number of original grants, deeds, &c. relating to this priory from its foundation to its dissolution are at Wardour Castle, in the possession of Lord Arundel of Wardour; and extracts from a Calendar, with a list of the priors, has been lately published in the Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica, vol. iii. pp. 106-111. H. E.]

For Talcarn see Minstre in this county.

St. Mary de Valle is omitted, as it probably was not in England, see under Minstre note d.

337

APPENDIX. XI.

SOME DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE PRIORY AT BODMIN.

Award of John Treffry, Thomas Brown, and others, in a Dispute between the Prior of Bodmyn and Richard Flamank, Esq., respecting Lands in Little Boscarn and Dynmur.

(Cart. Antiq. Harl. Mus. Brit. 57. A. 35.)

To all maner men that this present wrytyng comyth to, John Treffry efte Tremur, Thomas Brown, John Coche, and John Wythiell gretyng, Where diverse discencion, discordis and debatis weryn bytwene Alan priour of the priory of Bodmyn and his convent ther in the one party, and Richard Flamank esquier, in that other party, of and yn certeyn landys and tenementis with the appertenaunce in Litell Boscarn and Dynmur, of which landis and tenementis in Litell Boscarn there assise of novel disseisin hangith, and a writte of oyer and terminer of trespas supposed there afore John Hale and Richard Neweton, Justis of assise in the counte of Comwaill, assigned at the suyte of the said Richard agenst the saide priour and other. To whiche the saide Richard and the saide priour have putte ham yn arbitrement, ordinaunce, and juggement of ous forsaide Thomas and John Wythiell arbitrours in the party of the saide Richard chosen, and of ous forsaide John Tremur and John Coche arbitrours in the party of the saide priour chosen, to whiche arbitriment, ordinance, and juggement to stande and perfourme for the party of the saide Richard, Jamys Flamank ys bonden by his obligacion berynge date the Tywysday nexte after the Conversion of Seynt Paule the 338 yeer of reigne of Kyng Harry the Sexte twolthe, to the saide priour in cc. pound. And the forsaide priour ys bounden by his obligacion beryng date the same day and yeere to the saide Jamys yn cc. pound to stande and perfourme in his party the saide arbitriment, ordinaunce, and juggement as yn the same obligacions more pleynly ys conteyned. Be hit to knowe to alle manner men by this present our endentours, that we arbitrours forsaide arbitre, ordeyne, and ajugge in the fourme as ensueth, that ys to wete, that the bounde that comyth thurgh the doune lyinge bytween the lande of the saide priour and the saide Richard, comynge to a stone standynge with oute a diche by Dynmur wode yclepyd Kenediche in the north side of the said diche ther of old tyme beynge abounde, ys and schall be a bounde bytwene the saide priour and his successors and the saide Richard and his heyres; and so goyng don to another stone standyng of olde tyme in a banke of a grype; and fro that stone into another stone beyng of olde tyme a bounde; and fro that stone to another stone by an oke, by ous new pighte, and so the saide diche and the grype beyng several to the saide Richard and to his heires, and so fro the ende of that grype righte to the north west corner of Dynmur brigge by a bounde that we have set, is and schall be the bounde bytwene the saide priour and his successours, and the saide Richard and his heyres. And the saide Rychard and his heyres schal have al the landys withynne the same diche and boundys; and the saide Priour and his successours schal have al the land, wode, and the mill called Dynmur mille, beynge with oute the saide diche, gripe, and boundis, and also the saide Richard and his heyres schall have alle the land bynethe the said brigge; and that the saide priour and his successours schall have fre outefluvie and curse of water fro the saide mille into the water of Alan, in the manner as it rennith nowe; and also the saide priour and his successours schall have fre goynge and comynge for him and for his servaunts to purge and clense alle the saide curse of water, and to caste the stonys and gravell, fenne and slyme, of the same lete, in bothe sidys uppon the lande of the same Richard, there to abide and not to cast ne hele the motys ne the kutte of the treys ther growynge, and yf eny treys wyxen uppon the sides of the same water, in letting other noysaunce of the curse or purgynge of the 339 same water, thenne that the saide priour may do warne the saide Richard and his heyres to kutte and remove al suche treys, And but yf he so do with ynne sevene dayes after suche warnynge, that then it schal be lufful and lawfull to the saide priour and his successours and his servauntes to kutte and remove alle suche treys and leve on the grounde of the saide Richard. And also the saide priour, and his convent schal grante under har comune seal to the saide Jamys for his costages and for to be good frende to the saide priour and his successours havynge an annuyte of syxantwenty schelyng an eghte pans to be take yeerly, terme of his lyf, by the handys of the styward of the saide priour of the saide hous, who that ever be priour, at the festis of Nativite of Seynt John Baptiste and Cristismasse by evene portions, And if it be by hynde by a moneth after every terme forsaide, if it be asket by the saide Jamys other his servauntes that thenne it be lawfull to the forsaide Jamys in al the lands of Wythiellgoos to distreyne; and that distrece so take to imparke and inpounde it unto the tyme of the forsaide syxantwenty schelynge and eghte pans satisfaccion be ymade togeder with the arrerag, And also the forsaide priour and his successours schal holde perpetually onys a yeer, that ys to wetynge at Seynt Vincent ys day the obyt of Richard Flamank, Margaret his wyf, Jamys Flamank, and Elizabeth his wyff, and Anne the daughter of the saide Richard, and for all har good doerys, And also the forsaide Richard and Jamys Flamank and her heires schal leve al maner of suytes the whiche they have other maye have agenst the saide priour and convent and alle other men as twochinge the materys and causes forsaide, And also the saide priour and his successours schal leve al maner of suytes the whiche they haue other mowe haue against the forsaide Richard and Jamys Flamank, and all other men as twochynge the materys and causes forsaide. To whiche arbitriment, ordinaunce, and juggement, we foure arbitratours forsaide, to this our present endentours our seales haue y put her to wytnys. Thomas Moyle maior of the burgh of Bodmyn, John Corke, Thomas Bere of Bryn, John Nicoll, Walter Pole, John Peyntor, Thomas Daunant, and other. I wryte at Bodmyn awendysday nexte after the Conversion of Seynt Paule the year of reigne of our soveraygne lord Kynge Harry the Sexte twolthe.

340 Award in a Dispute between Thomas Bishop of Megarence and Prior of the House and Churche of our Lady and St. Petrok of Bodmyn, and John Flamank, respecting Rothyn More.

(Cart. Antiq. Har. 44. H. 20.)

To all true Cristen people to whom this present wrytyng indented shal come to see or rede, we William Carnsuyowe esquire, Nicholas Opy, and Cristofer Tredenek sende gretyng in our Lord God everlastyng; and wheere afore this tyme that stryff, debate, and variance hath byn hadde, movid, and yet hangith betwene the reverent fader in God Thomas bisshop of Megarence and prior of the house and church of our Lady and Seynt Petrok of Bodmyn in the right of the said house, of the oon parte, and John Flamank of Bocarun esquire, of the other parte, of and uppon the right, titill, and possession of certain landes called Savelyn More, otherwyse called Rothyn more, sett and liyng in the same more betwene the landes, tenementes and closes of the saide Fader in God of the west parte called Savelyn closes, and the landes, tenements, and closes of the said John Flamank called Rothyn, of the est parte, And for asmoche as the said more so in variance hath be so intrykyd with tynners ther wyrkyng nowe as in tymes passed, so that the bounds and waters rynnyng in the same that sumtyme weere bounds between the said parties, cannot be to us parfectly knowen, wheere vppon the saide parties stande bounde either to other in xl^{ti li} by ther severall oblicacions whois date is the last day of August in the x^th yere of the raigne of Kyng Harry the viij^th, to abyde the awarde and jugement of us the saide arbitrours of an uppon the premyses. Wheere uppon we the said arbitrours, the fyrst day of September the x^th yere of the raigne of Kyng Harry the viij^th, at the said more in variance called Rothyn more, called afore us the saide reverent fader in God and the saide John Flamank, and theere and then hyryng ther complynts, aunswers, reioynders, replicacions, and wyttenes in every part examyned by goode deliberacion and avisement, and also by the full aggrement and consent of both parties, fyrst we awarde, judge, and deme that all the tolle tyn that shall be wrought theere after the fest of Seynt Michell the arcangell nexte cornyng after this present date, in the said more, shall be equally divided and departed betweene 341 the saide reverent fader and his successours, priores of the saide house, of the one halfe for ever, and the other halfe to the saide John Flamank and his heyres for ever, wiche shal be wrought withyn the bounds and merkes hereafter folowyng; that is to say, fro Rothyn brygge upward in all the saide More elonges by the water that comyth from Tregewan to the closes of the saide fader in God in the west side of the saide More to the closes and heyges of the saide John Flamank in the est side of the saide more called Rothyn, and so fro the saide brygge uppe alonge in the saide More to a certain bounde and merke theere now redy made by a thorne, viz., a stone of Bodyell gray with a hole in the hede pyzt ther by the said thorne, for a bounde, and no furder; and if hit fortune hereafter any tyn in ther severall grounde to ther owne use and no more in the same to departe. And also we saide arbitrours adjuge and awarde that all the pasture wode, fwell, and other casualties being or growyng within the precyncte of the boundes afore by us rehersyd, to be ocupied and devyded equally betwene the saide fader in God and his successours, and the saide John Flamank and his heyres for ever, and that the saide fader in God and his successours shal not cutt nor selle no wode nor fwell theere growyng, without the aggrement and consent of the saide John Flamank and his heyres, nayther the saide John Flamank and his heyres shal not cut nor selle no wode nor fwell there growyng within the precyncte of the saide bounde without the aggrement and consent of the saide fader in God and his successours priours of the same house. In wetenes wheereof to this our arbitrement we the foresaide William Carnsuyowe esquire, Nicholas Opy, and Cristofer Treederick, have sette our seales and subscribed with our handes. Ygeven at Bodmyn on the fest of Seynte Michell the arcangell in the yere and raigne of Kyng Harry the viij^th the x^th yere.

Per me Willielmum Carnsuyelle,

Per me Nicolaum Opy,

Per me Cristophorum Tredenek.

342 The Prior of Bodmyn to Mr. Lock, complaining that the Canons refuse to live up to the Rules set them by their Visitor.

(From the Orig. MS. Cotton. Cleop. E. IV. fol. 116.)

Maister Lok, I harttili recommend me unto you; so thankyng you for your gret kyndeness and payne that ye have take for me, which I trust wons God wyllyng to recompens. Syr, I am sore disquieted with a sort of unthryfty chanons, my convent, and there berars, which of long contynuans has lyvyd unthriftili, and agene the gode order of relygyon, to the grete sklaunder of the same, as all the contrey can tell; for the reformacyon thereof, the buschope yn hys late visitacyon gave cartayne and dyvers injuncions commandyng me straytle to see obseruyd and kept; which ar noo harder than our owne rule and profession byndis us, and as alle other relygyus men use and observe where gode relygion is observed and kept. Wherewith they be sore greved, and yntend the most parte of them to depart with capacitise, with owt my concent and wylle, and won of them hathe purchased a capacyte the last terme, without my lycence, which is agene the words of his capacite, wherefor I have restrayneyd his departyng, for no gret los that I showld have of hym, but for the yl example to other; for yf I should suffer this man to depart yn thys manner I shal have never a chanon to byde with me. I am sore threttyned with won Mr. Roger Arundell a gret berar and mayntynar of my bretherne agenst me, and the procurar of there capacites, to be browght before the kyngs graces honourable councell, for that I have not suffered this lewde chanon to depart with his capacite accordyng to there yntent. I pray you harttili to shew this mater to my gode Mr. Secretary desieryng hym, as my speciall trust ys yn hym yf, anney complaints cum to hym, as I dowt not but that there wol, yt may plese hym to refer the examynation of the mater to Sir John Arundell, Sir Peter Eggecumbe, Sir John Chamond, or any other discrete gentilmen yn the contrey what so ever, so that I cum not to London as there purpose ys, which showld be to gret a charge for me to bere, my hous beyng sore yndetted all redye. This gentilman hathe procured a commyssion, as I am informyd, to pull down a were longyng to my pore hows, which hathe 343 stand up thes ccccc yere and more. If nede be I wol wryte more of this mater by Mr. Hill. Thus fare ye as wol as yoʳ gentil harte can thynke, and all my gode frends and loviers, to home pray you have harttili commendid. From 28 Maij by yoʳ owne for ever.

Thomas prior there.

Bodmyn.

(In a Book of Pensions remaining in the Augmentation Office.)

Hereafter ensuythe the namys of the late p^ror and convente of Bodmyn, in the countye of Cornwall, w^t the annuall pencons assigned unto them by vertue of the Kyngs highnes comyssion the xxvij^th daye of February in the XXX^th yere of the reigne of o^r most drade souũeigne lorde Kyng Henry the viij^th, the furst payment of the saide pen[~co]ns and e[~v]y of them to begynne at the feaste of th’annūcia[~co]n of o^r blessed Lady next comyng for one q^urrt, and so after, that to be payde ev’y halfe yere duryng their lyffs; according to the rate hereafter specyfied —

That is to say,

Furst, Tho[=m]s Wannysworth p^ror lxvj^li xiij^s iiij^d

Richarde Olyver, suppⁱo^r viij^li

Richarde Luer, blynde and of th’age of one hundrethe yeres x^li & vj dussen wodes yerly.

Benett Smythe vj^li

Tho[=m]s Rosemonde vj^li

John Wylcoke cvj^s viij^d

Tho[=m]s Marshall cvj^s viij^d

John Dagle cvj^s viij^d

Michell Flemyng xl^s

John Beste xl^s

Tho[=m]s Rawlyns, blynde and aged, for his corrody yerly xl^s

S[=m] of all the pen[~co]ns aforesaide cxviij^li xiij^s iiij^d

Jᵒ Tregonwell,

William Petre,

John Smyth.

Fiant pensiones religiosis predictis. Rychard Ryche.

344 Valor Ecclesiasticus tempore Henr. VIII.

(From the First Fruits’ Office.)

Spiritualia.

Com. Cornubiæ.

Bodmin Decim. Garb £7 2 3

Decim. Personal’ 6 4 1

Oblac’ ad Virginem Mariam 0 10 6

Mynfrey Decim. Garb 14 13 6

Cutberte Decim. Garb 17 10 0

Padistowe Decim. Garb 14 9 6

Decim. Pisc 4 0 0

Oblac 2 0 0

Lanhidiok Garb 4 2 0

Oblac 0 2 2

Decim. Personal 0 8 0

Aliis Profic’ ibidem 1 0 0

£72 2 0

Temporalia.

Bodmyn, Lanhiderok, Fosnewith, et Bree. Redd. et Firm. £74 18 7

Pendewey Redd. et Firm. 24 0 0

Bodynell Redd. et Firm. 7 0 8

Wythiell Redd. et Firm. 11 12 5

Rialton Libera Redd. et Firm. 27 0 0

Infra Redd. et Firm. 22 0 0

Retergh Redd. et Firm. 10 13 4

Elynglase Redd. et Firm. 14 10 0

Padistowe Redd. et Firm. 10 7 5

Com. Devon.

Newton Petrok Redd. et Firm. 7 9 6

Holcomb Redd. et Firm. 5 1 0

Vendic. Bosc 3 0 0

Summa Valoris, tam Spiritual’ quam Temporal’ £289 11 11

345 Comput. Ministrorum Domini Regis temp. Hen. VIII.

(Abstract of Roll, 31 Hen. VIII. Augmentation Office.)

Bodmin Prioratus.

Com. Cornub.

Bodmyn Scit’ cum Terr. Da[=n]ical’ Firm. £8 17 10

Bodmyn Maner’ cum Capell. de Langhidrocke Redd. liƀor’ Tenenc’ 7 0 0

Redd. tam Custom. quam Convenc’. Tenen 15 19 0

Braye Firma 1 6 8

Langcarne Firma 0 0 1

Newnam Firma 0 0 1

Langhydroke cum Capell. Firma 1 0 0

Bodmyn Terr. D[=n]ical. Firma 13 3 5

Bodmyn Villa Feod’ Firma 5 10 0

Perquis. Cur. 0 19 0

Pendevye Redd. tam Custom. quam Convenc’. Tenen 25 2 8

Perquis. Cur 0 8 0

Bodynyell Maner. Firma 5 0 0

Wythiell Maner. Firma 10 0 0

Rialton et Retargh Maner. cum hundred. de Petherschel al’ Pether Redd. Assis 83 1 7½

Firma Terr. D[=n]ical 15 6 8

Elynglas et Kelsey Maner. in quadam Insula voc’ the Gull Rock Firma 18 17 0

Newton Petrocke et Halcombe Firma 12 10 6

Paddestowe Maner. cum memb. ac cert. Terr. in Lanlesyke. Firma 20 8 6½

Bodmyn Menstre et Paddestowe Decim’ Garb. 54 0 0

Bodmyn Sanct. Cuthbert Decim’ Garb. 19 0 0

Decim’ Prædial et Minut. 6 4 1

Trenowe in Tyntagell Por[~co] Decim’ Garb. 0 6 8

Paddestow Firm. De cim. Pisc. &c. 10 0 0

Eglosayll’ Penc’ 2 0 0

346

APPENDIX. XII.

EARLS OF CORNWALL.

The following account of the different individuals who have held the office of Prince or Earl of Cornwall from the earliest times, till the period of its becoming merely nominal, excepting as to emolument and patronage, with the new appellation of Duke, under the fantastic settlement of King Edward the Third, is derived from Dugdale’s Baronage.

EARLS OF CORNWALL ANTE CONQU:

Anno 499. Of this county was Gorlois Earl, in the time of Uther Pendragon, King of the Britons, of whom this is reported.[182] That Uther determining to solemnize the Feast of Easter at London, with great honor, appointed all his nobles to be thereat, amongst which, this Gorlois then was, together with Igerna his wife, whose beauty did surpass all other British women, so that the king fell in love with her, and courted her with all delicates; which being discerned by the Earl, he retired speedily into his country without leave; the king, therefore, being highly incensed against him for so doing, hasted after him into Cornwall, and fired divers of his towns, and at length besieged him at Dimilioch, provoked him to come out to battle, which he did so inconsiderately, 347 he being one of the first mortally wounded, his followers disperst themselves. After whose death the king took Igerna to wife, and begot on her a son, called Arthur, who became afterwards not a little famous.

Anno 517. The next Earl was Cador,[183] who when King Arthur had besieged Colgrine, the Saxon General in the City of York, understanding that Baldulph the brother of Colgrine, expecting the coming of more Saxons upon the sea coast, designed to fall upon King Arthur in the night time, Arthur having notice thereof by his scouts, sent this valiant Cador with six hundred horse, and three thousand foot, who, meeting the enemy unexpectedly, slew many of them, and routed the rest.

Anno 520. About three years after,[183] upon another invasion of the Saxons, and a great battle fought with them near Bathe in Somersetshire, wherein Colgrine and Baldulph (before mentioned) lost their lives; and Cheldric the other principal leader of them, with the remaining part of their forces, were put to flight, this Earl Cador, by King Arthur’s command, pursued them into the Isle of Thanet, slew Cheldric, and forced the rest to yield themselves to his mercy.

Anno 542. This noble Cador left issue Constantine,[183] whom King Arthur at his death appointed to be his successor in his kingdom of Britain.

The next Earl was Godric,[184] of whom I have seen no other mention than that Egelwold, sometime King of England, leaving no other issue that survived him, but one daughter, named Goldusburgh, (six years of age at his death) committed her to the tuition of this Godric, who afterwards gave her in marriage to Haveloc, son to Birkelan King of Denmark.

In the time of King Æthelred, Ailmer, or Æthelmare, (for so he was also called) was Earl of this county, who being a person of singular piety, founded[185] first of all the Abbey of Cerne in Dorsetshire, in the days of King Edgar, and had so great a veneration to the memory of Eadwan, brother of S. Edmund the Martyr, who led[185] an hermit’s life in Dorsetshire,[186] before mentioned, near to a certain spring called the Silver Well, that with the help of Dunstan (Archbishop of Canterbury) he translated his 348 relics to the old church of Cernel, then the parish church.

After this, scil. in An. 1005 (in the time of King Ethelred,) he founded[187] the Abbey of Eynesham in Oxfordshire, and likewise[188] the Priory of Bruton in Somersetshire, (all Monks of the Benedictine Order) which he amply endowed, as by the authorities which I have here cited will appear; though in that of Bruton, canons of S. Augustine were afterwards placed.

This Ailmer was[189] also Earl of Devonshire, under which title, in the year 1013, when[189] Suane, King of Denmark, overrun the greatest part of the land with his army, and forced King Ethelred to betake himself unto the city of Winchester for refuge, he with all the great men of the West, fearing the tyranny of the Danes, submitted[189] themselves to Suane, and gave hostages[189] for their peaceable obedience unto him. And about three years after this, when King Edmond Ironside fought so stoutly against King Canute, (son to the same Suane) he joining[190] with that traitorous Eadric Streone, Earl of Mercia, and Earl Algar, adhered[190] to Canute.

Of his issue there nothing more appeareth, than that he left a son[191] called Æthelward, who in the year 1018 was killed[191] by King Canute, together with that great traitor Eadric Streone, Earl of Mercia.

ROBERT, EARL OF CORNWALL.

To this Earldom was Robert, Earl[192] of Moreton in Normandy,[192] brother to King William by the mother, shortly[192] after the Conquest advanced, and had other great honours given[192] him in this realm.

In the time of King William Rufus, taking[193] part with his brother Odo, Earl of Kent, in that insurrection on the behalf of Robert Curthose, he held[194] the castle of Pevensey on that account; but so soon as the King laid siege thereto, rendered[194] it up to him, and made his peace.

This Earl having had[195] the standard of Saint Michael 349 carried before him in battle, as the words of his charter do import (under which it is to be presumed he had been prosperous) did, out of great devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin, for the health of his soul and the soul of his wife, as also for the soul of the most glorious King William (for those are his expressions) give[196] the Monastery of S. Michael, at the Mount in Cornwall, unto the Monks of S. Michael de Periculo Maris in Normandy, and to their successors in pure alms.

To the Abbey of Grestein in Normandy[197] founded by Herlwine de Contevill, his father, he was a great benefactor, for he gave[198] thereunto the lordships of Gratings and Broteham in Suffolk, and the tithe of Cambis, as also his lands at Saisinton in Cambridgeshire; which place of Gratings (now Cretings) was a cell to that foreign monastery. He likewise[198] gave thereto the manor of Wilminton in Sussex, where also there was a cell for monks of that religious house; and in Ferlis[198] five hides of lands. In Pevensel he gave[198] them the house of one Engeler; and in his Forest of Pevensel, granted to them pannage and herbage, with timber for repair of their churches and houses, as also fuel for fire.

He gave moreover to that Abbey of Grestein half the fishing of Langeney, and the whole tithe of that fishing, as also the churches of Eldene, Wesdene, and Ferles, and one hide of land at Heetone. But whereas he found that the greatest part of the possessions which belonged to the Priory of St. Petroc at Bodmin in Cornwall, founded by King Æthelstan, had been[199] taken from the same, and enjoyed by canons secular, he therefore seised[199] upon the remainder, and converted them to his own use.

When he departed this world, I do not find; but if he lived after William Rufus so fatally lost his life by the glance of an arrow in New Forest from the bow of Walter Tirell; then was it unto him that this strange apparition happened, which I shall here speak of, otherwise it must be to his son and successor Earl William,—the story[200] whereof is as followeth. In that very hour that the king received that fatal stroke, the Earl of Cornwall being hunting in a wood distant from that place about two —— 350 and left alone by his attendants, was accidentally met by a very great black goat, bearing the king all black, and naked, and wounded through the midst of his breast; and adjuring the goat by the Holy Trinity to tell what that was he so carried, he answered, “I am carrying your King to judgment, yea that tyrant William Rufus, for I am an evil spirit, and the revenger of his malice which he bore to the church of God, and it was I that did cause this his slaughter; the protomartyr of England, St. Alban, commanding me so to do; who complained to God of him for his grievous oppressions in this Isle of Britain, which he first hallowed,” all which the Earl related soon after to his followers.

This Earl Robert took to wife[201] Maud, daughter to Roger de Montgomery (Earl of Shrewsbury) which Maud was also a great benefactress to the Monks of Grestine in Normandy, by the gift[202] of Conoc, consisting of ten hides, and two hides in Bodingham, with the church of that place, as also one house in London, with all customs thereto belonging. Moreover, she gave[202] unto them two and thirty hides of land which she had of Roger de Montgomery her father, viz. at Harinton eight, at Mersen eleven, at Hiteford six, at Langeberge two, at Tavistone three and an half, and at Clavendon three yards land.

By this Maud he had issue[203] William, who succeeded him in these earldoms of Moreton and Cornwall, and three daughters, whose Christian names are not expressed; whereof the first was wife[203] to Andrew de Vitrei; the Second to[203] Guy de la Val; the third to the Earl of Thoulouse, brother to Raymond Count of St. Giles, who behaved himself so valiantly in the Jerusalem expedition.

The lands whereof he was possessed at the time of the Conqueror’s Survey,[204] were in Sussex, fifty-four manors, besides the borough of Pevensel; in Devonshire seventy-five, besides a church and a house in Exeter; in Yorkshire an hundred and ninety-six; in Wiltshire five; in Dorsetshire forty-nine; in Suffolk ten; in Hantshire one; in Middlesex five; in Oxfordshire one; in Cambridgeshire five; in Hertfordshire thirteen; in Buckinghamshire twenty-nine; in Gloucestershire one; in Northamptonshire 351 ninety-nine; in Nottinghamshire six; and in Cornwall two hundred and forty-eight, having two castles, one at Dunhevet, the other at Tremeton.

William, succeeding Earl Robert his father in the earldom of Moreton in Normandy, and this of Cornwall, being a person[205] of a malicious and arrogant spirit from his childhood, envied the glory of King Henry the First; and not contented with those two earldoms, demanded from King Henry the earldom of Kent as his right, which earldom his uncle Odo (the Bishop) formerly had, giving out[205] privately, that he would not put on his robe, unless that inheritance which he challenged by descent from his uncle might be restored to him, unto which demand, the King at first, considering[205] his own unsettled condition, gave[205] a subtile and dilatory answer; but when[205] he discerned that those clouds, from whence he doubted a storm, were over, he not only denied[205] his request, but began to question him for whatsoever he possessed unrightfully; yet (that he might not seem to oppose what was just) modestly yielding[205] that he should have a lawful trial for the same; but with that judicial sentence, which thereupon ensued, this Earl being highly displeased, in a great rage got over into Normandy, and there besides some fruitless attempts which he made against the King’s castles, having an evil eye towards Richard Earl of Chester (son of Hugh) made[206] no little spoil upon his lands, though he was then but a child, and in the King’s tutelage; from which time, together with Robert de Bellesme, Earl of Shrewsbury, he ceased not[206] to foment a rebellion in those parts. Anno 1103.

4th H. I. 1104. The king therefore discerning these his practises, seised[207] upon all his possessions here in England, razed[208] his castles to the ground, and banished[208] him this realm.

And not long after passing[208] over into Normandy to quench those flames which these two earls had made by joining with Robert Curthose (who thought himself injured, that his younger brother Henry had made himself King,) subdued[208] (anno 1106) all that power which there appeared against him, and at length laid siege to Tenerchebray (a town belonging to this[208] Earl). For the raising whereof 352 Duke Robert with this William, and Robert de Belesme, and many other came[209] with a great army, where a short fight[210] ensued, this earl leading[211] the van, and Robert de Belesme the rear; and of the king’s army, Ranulf de Bajorsis (an eminent baron) the van, and Robert Earl of Mellent the rear. The armies thus disposed, our Earl William made the[212] onset upon Ranulf with extraordinary courage, but could not break through his troops, they stood so stoutly to it. The front on both sides thus maintaining their ground, Helias Earl of Maine, (on the King’s part) fell upon the flank of the enemy’s foot, who being not well armed, were soon shattered, which disorder, being observed by Robert de Bellesme, he began to fly with the rear; whereupon, the King soon obtained an absolute victory, the duke himself being made prisoner, and all his principal adherents, amongst which, this Earl, being taken by the Britains, from whose hands the king and his friends had much ado to get him, was sent prisoner into England, there to be secured during his life.[213] After which, the king causing his eyes to be put out, bestowed[214] his earldom of Moreton upon Stephen of Blois (son of Stephen Earl of Champaine), whom he then honoured with knighthood, who was after King of England.

This Earl William built[215] the castle of Montacute in Somersetshire, and called it by that name from the sharpness of the hill on which he did set it, and likewise founded[216] a priory near thereto, which he amply endowed, annexing it as a cell to the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy.

He also gave[217] to the Abbey of Bee in Normandy his lordship of Preston in the Rape of Pevensel in Sussex, and was buried[218] in the Abbey of Bermondsey in Southwark; but when he died, I find no mention, nor of either wife or issue that he had.

353 REGINALD EARL OF CORNWALL.

This Reginald was[219] one of the illegitimate sons of King Henry the First, (begotten, as it is generally believed,[220] on the daughter of Robert Corbet,) and surnamed[221] de Dunstanvill.

In 3 Stephen, he was a stout adherer[221] to Maud the Empress, against Stephen; but afterwards falling off, was in anno 1140 (5 Steph.) made[222] Earl of Cornwall by that king. Howbeit, after this, being surprised in Cornwall, at a certain castle then in the power of the king, by one William Fitz Richard (a person of a noble extraction and ample fortune in those parts) violating his faith to that king, he married the daughter of this William,[223] and thereupon reduced that whole country to his will, grievously oppressing all the king’s party, and not sparing what was sacred, insomuch as he underwent the sentence of ex-communication for so doing by the Bishop of Exeter. The king therefore hearing of these his rebellious practices, marched suddenly thither with a powerful army, and recovering those strong-holds by him gained, committed[224] them to the trust of Earl Alan (of Richmond).

After this, scil. in 6 Steph. he was[225] in that fatal battle of Lincoln, against King Stephen; but ere long, the tide turning, by the success which the king had in taking[226] the Castle of Forandune, in com. Berks, which Robert Earl of Gloucester had built on the behalf of the empress, being by her sent with overtures of peace to the king, he was taken by Philip, a younger son to that earl, who had revolted to the king’s side.

After which time I find no more mention of him till 2 Henry II. that he had the lordship of Meleburne, in com. Somerset, given[228] him by King Henry, as also[229] the manors of Karswill and Depeford, with the hundreds.

In 10 Henry II. he endeavoured (for the king’s honour as it is said) a reconciliation betwixt King Henry and 354 Thomas Becket, then Archbishop of Canterbury; which not taking effect, he was the next year sent[231] to visit him in his sickness, and after that to[232] acquaint him with the judgment given against him.

Furthermore, upon the levying of that aid, in 12 Henry II. for marrying the king’s daughter, he certified[233] his knights’ fees to be two hundred and fifteen and a third part in Cornwall and Devonshire; for which, in 14 Hen. II. he paid[234] two hundred and fifteen marks, 4s. 5d. besides[234] £59. 6s. 8d. for the knights’ fees of Richard (de Redvers) Earl of Devon.

Moreover, in 19 Henry II. upon that rebellion of Robert Earl of Leicester, on the behalf of young Henry (the king’s son), he marched[235] against him (with the Earl of Gloucester) to St. Edmondsbury, and the year following joined with[236] Richard de Luci (at that time Justice of England) in the siege of Leicester, then held out by the forces of the earl, which town they took,[236] though not the castle.

This Earl Reginald, for the health of the soul of King Henry his father, gave[237] to the monks in the Isle of Sully, all the wreck of sea happening upon that island, excepting Wales, and any whole ship. And departing[238] this life at Certesey in anno 1175 (21 Hen. II.) was buried[238] at Reading, having issue four daughters, viz. —— married[239] to Richard de Redvers, Lord of the Isle of Wight; Maud, to[240] Robert Earl of Mellent; Ursula, to[240] Walter de Dunstanvill; and Sarah, to[241] the Viscount of Limoges, who had,[241] in frank marriage with her, the moiety of the manor of Thiwernhy in Cornwall.

He also left issue[242] two sons, but illegitimate; the one called[242] Henry FitzCount, begotten[242] on the body of Beatrix de Vaus, lady of Torre and Karswell; which Henry, through the bounty of King Henry the Second, had a grant[242] of the whole county of Cornwall, as also of[242] the manors of[242] Bradeneth and Ocford, with other lands in com. Devon, and the lordship of Karswell, by the gift[242] of Beatrix his mother.

The other son was called[242] William.

355 Upon the death of this Reginald, the king retained[243] the Earldom of Cornwall in his own hands, and likewise all his lands in England and Wales, for the use of John his own son (afterwards king), excepting[243] a small proportion to his daughters before mentioned.

I come now to Henry (the older of his illegitimate sons) in regard he was a person of note in his time.

This Henry, by the name[244] of Henry Fitz-Count, had in 4 Joh. an assignation[244] of £20 (current money of Anjou) for his support in that king’s service at Roan; and about that time gave[245] twelve hundred marks for the lands of William de Traci, which lands Hugh de Curtenai and Henry de Traci afterwards enjoyed.

In 17 Joh. this Henry had from the king a grant[246] of the whole county of Cornwall, with the demesnes, and all other its appurtenances, to farm, until the Realm should be in peace, and the king clearly satisfied whether he ought to hold it by right of inheritance, or as part of the demesne of the crown; and being then made constable[247] of the castle at Lanceston, rendered[247] up the government of the castle of Porcestre, which he had formerly held. Moreover, by the assent[248] of that king, he held[248] the town and castle of Totneis, as also[248] the manors of Corneworth and Lodeswell, which Reginald de Braose formerly had by the grant of King Henry the Second. And 1 Hen. III. obtained another grant[249] of the county of Cornwall, with all its appurtenances, to hold in as full and ample manner as Reginald Earl of Cornwall held it, and not to be disseised thereof, but by judgment of the King’s Court.

In 4 Hen. III. it appears[250] that he stood indebted to the king in five hundred ninety-seven pounds and one mark, which was due by him to King John for the honour of Braeles (alias Broeneis), and that the same year disobeying[251] the king’s commands, as also stubbornly departing[251] the court without leave, the king discharged all his subjects,[251] and in particular those of Cornwall, from having anything to do with him. Howbeit, soon after, through the mediation[251] of the Bishops of Norwich, Winchester, and Exeter, as also[251] of Hubert de Burgh (then Justice of 356 England) and some others, giving[252] up the Castle of Lanceston, and the county of Cornwall, with all the homage and services thereto belonging, as fully as King John enjoyed them at the beginning of the war which he had with his barons, his peace[252] was then made with a salvo jure, &c. saving the right he pretended to for that county, wherein the king was to do him justice when he should come of age.

But that as it seems was never done: for certain it is that the king did not arrive to his full age till long after the death of this Henry, it being evident[253] that he died about two years after, viz. in 6 Hen. III. whereupon command was given to the Sheriff of Cornwall, that he should permit his executors to enjoy all his goods, and likewise the rents of all his lands whereof he was possessed when he went to Hierusalem for the full term, for all those who were signed with the cross.

It is by some thought that this Henry succeeded his father in the Earldom of Cornwall, in regard that King Henry the Third in the first year of his reign granted to him the county of Cornwall, with all its appurtenances, as is above expressed. But considering that the title of earl was never attributed to him after that time, I cannot conceive anything more passed by that grant, than the barony or revenue of that county. For it is observable, that in patent[254] to Richard Duke of Gloucester, by King Edward the Fourth, whereby he grants him Castrum, Comitatum, Honorem, et Dominium Richmundiæ, there passed no more than the mere Seignorie, otherwise he would not have omitted the title of Earl thereof amongst his styles. The like may be noted of Raphe Earl of Westmerland, who had Castrum, Comitatum, Dominium, et Honorem Richmundiæ granted[255] to him by King Henry the Fourth, yet never enjoyed the title of Earl of Richmond.

RICHARD EARL OF CORNWALL.

Of this county, Richard, a younger son to King John (for he calls him[256] filius noster) had the title of Earl in the 357 time of King Henry the Third. Of him the first mention I find is in 16 Joh. the king then directing his precept[257] to Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, (at that time Justice of England) for livery (though then very young) of all the lands of Roese de Dovor, whom he had married,[257] she being in the custody[257] of William de Brewer; but not long after this (notwithstanding his tender years) he was, in 1 H. III. constituted governor[258] of Chileham Castle in Kent, and the next ensuing year obtained a grant[259] from the king of the honour of Walingford.

Moreover, in 5 Hen. III. he had a grant[260] of the honour of Eye, to hold during pleasure, (which shortly after was rendered to the Duke of Lovain, the right owner thereof); and in 9 Hen. III. had the like grant[261] of the custody of the county of Cornwall (id est the sherevalty) during the king’s pleasure, Henry de Berkering being his substitute.

In this 9th year of Henry III. he was girt[262] with the sword of knighthood, upon Candlemas Day, with ten other noble persons who were designed for his service; and soon after accompanied[263] William Longespe, Earl of Salisbury, (his uncle,) into Gascoigne, having letters of[263] recommendation from the King to the Archbishop and Citizens of Burdeaux, who gladly welcoming him thither, assisted[263] him with their best advice for recovery of those lost territories; whereupon he raised[264] forces in all those parts, having had from the king (before he set out of England) a grant of the county of Cornwall, with all Poictou, for which respect he was generally called[264] Earl of Poictou; and marching into the country, in a short time subjugated[264] all those places by force which declined to do homage to him, receiving a supply[265] of Welsh from hence, with a large[265] sum of money.

It is reported,[266] that whilst he lay at the siege of the castle of Riole, hearing of the approach of the Earl of March, he divided his army, and with part thereof, keeping the seige with the rest, gave him battle, and obtained an absolute victory, whereby he gained all their baggage, and took many prisoners; and not long after this, having merited so well by these his successful beginnings, upon the third day of Pentecost (id est, 3 calend. Junii, 358 11 Hen. III.) was advanced to[267] the title and dignity of Earl of Cornwall, at Westminster, with great solemnity.

But within a while after there grew much difference[268] betwixt him and the king his brother, touching a certain lordship given to Waleran Teutonicus (id est, Ties) by King John, which he alleged[268] to be parcel of the Earldom of Cornwall, and caused possession to be taken of it for himself; whereupon, Waleran making a complaint, the king first wrote to him about it, and then sent for him, commanding the render thereof, which he refused to do, challenging the judgment of his peers as to matter of right. Whereat the king took such offence that he required him forthwith to do it, or depart the realm; unto which he answered, that he would not deliver up the land, nor, without the sentence of his peers, go out of the kingdom; and in great discontent departing went[268] to his own house; which breach betwixt the king and him caused Hubert de Burgh (then justice of England, and in chief power at court) to advise the king to surprise him in his bed the next night following, lest he should raise a disturbance in the realm; but being privily advertised of that design, he fled immediately away, making no stop till he got[269] to Reading; and thence hasting to Marlborough, there found his trusty friend William Mareschal, Earl of Pembroke, unto whom having made relation of what had passed, they took their course to the Earl of Chester; and being thus got together, through the power and interest of their friends raised a potent army, making their rendezvous at Stanford, whence they sent a minatory message to the king, but imputing all the fault to Hubert de Burgh, requiring a confirmation of that charter of the forest which had been cancelled at Oxford. The king, therefore, discerning this cloud, appointed a meeting at Northampton upon the third of the nones of August next following, assuring them that he would there do full right unto all; where meeting accordingly, for their better satisfaction (amongst other his condescensions) he gave this Earl Richard his mother’s dowry, with all the lands in England which did appertain to the Earl of Britanny, as also those which belonged to the Earl of Bolein, then deceased[270]; whereupon, he had livery[271] of the whole 359 county of Rutland. And in 15 Henry III. obtained another grant[272] of the inheritance of the honour of Walingford, with the castle and all its appurtenances, as also the manor of Watlington, to hold by the service of three knights’ fees; likewise, of all the lands in England[272] which Queen Isabell (the king’s mother) held in dower, and of those which belonged to Robert de Drewes, and to the Duke of Lorrain (at that time seised into the king’s hands), to hold until such time as the king should restore them.