is The hoare rocke in the wood The same is sundred from the mayne land by a sandy playne of a flight shoot in breadth passable at the ebbe on foote with boat on the flood Your artiuall on the farther side is entertayned by an open greene of some largenesse which finishing where the hill beginneth leaues you to the conduction of a winding and craggy path and that at the top deliuereth you into a little plaine occupied for the greatest part by a fort of the olde making It compriseth lodgings for the Captayne and his garrison and a Chappell for deuotion This latter builded by Will Earle of Morton to whom William the Conquerour his vncle gaue much lands in those quarters and greatly haunted while folke endured their merits by farre trauailing They haue a tye pit not so much satisfying vse as relieuing necessitie A little without the Castle there is a bad seat in a craggy place called S. Michaels Chaire somewhat daungerous for accesse and therefore holy for the aduenture Vntill Richard the firsts raigne the mount seemeth to haue serued onely for religion and during his imprisonment to haue bene first fortified by Henry de la Pomeray who surprized it and expulsed the Monks howbeit soone after when hee became ascertained of his Soueraignes enlargement the very feare of ensuing harme wrought in him a present effect of the vttermost that any harme could bring namely his death whereon the olde cell and new fort was surrendred to the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Kingsbehalfe Thus Houeden reporteth But the descendents from this Pomeroy alias Pomeroy make a somewhat different relation of this accident for they affirme that a Sergeant at armes of the Kings came to their auncestour at his Castle of Bery Pomeroy in Deuon receyued kind entertaynment for certaine dayes together and at his departure was gratified with a liberall reward in counter-change whereof he then and no sooner reuealing his long concealed errand flatly arresteth his hoaste to make his immediate appearance before the King for answering a capitall crime Which vnexpected and il-carryed message the Gent. tooke in such despite as with his daggen hee stabbed the messenger to the heart and then well knowing in so suparlatiue an offence all hope of pardon foreclosed he abandons his home gets to a sister of his abiding in this mount bequetheth a large portion of his land to the religious people there for redeeming his soule and lastly causeth himselfe to be let bloud vnto death for leauing the remainder to his heire from which time forward this place continued rather a schoole of Mars then the Temple of peace For shortly after the discomfiture of H. the 6. party by Ed. the 4. at Barnet field Iohn Earle of Oxford who had made one and one of the principall on the weaker side arriued heere by shipping disguised himselfe with some of his followers in Pilgrims habits therethrough got entrance mastred the garrison and seyzed the place Which thus politikely wonne hee as valiantly kept and kept a long time defended against the Kings power vntill reasonable conditions swayed him to a surrender A like surprize but of later date I read in Popeliniere touching the like named and seated mount in Normandy During the last Cornish commotion diuers Gent. with their wiues and families fled to the protection of this place where the Rebels besieged them first wynning the plaine at the hils foote by assault when the water was out and then the euen ground on the top by carrying vp great trusses of hay before them to blench the defendants sight and dead their shot After which they could make but slender resistance for no sooner should any one within peepe out his head ouer those inflanked wals but he became an open marke to a whole showre of arrowes This disaduantage together with the womens dismay decrease of victuals forced a surrender to those Rakehels mercy who nothing guilty of that effeminate vertue spoyled their goods imprisoned their bodies and were rather by Gods gracious prouidence then any want of will purpose or attempt restrayned from murdering the principall persons Heere also was the Lady Katherine Gordon an vnfit yoke-fellow for that counterfeit Prince Perkin Warbeck taken by the L. Daubney and conueyed to the King Of this as the last wonder Who knowes not Mighels mount and chaire The Pilgrims holy vaunt Both land and Iland twise a day Both fort and port of haunt Vnder the mount extendeth a bay for lesser vessels to lie at and betweene it and the Westerne shoare there is an indifferēt good road for shipping sauing vpon some winds called the Moūts bay where by Froiss arts report Sir Robert Knolles landed what time his returne out of Fraunce was by K. Ed. the 3. commaunded and for his valiant exployts there atchieued very graciously welcomed Ouer-against the Mount fronteth a towne of petty fortune pertinently named Marcaiew of Marhas diow in English the Thursdaies market for then it vseth this traffike At the beginning of K. H. the 8. raigne it felt the Frenchmens fiery indignation who landed there with 30. sayle But the smoke of those poore houses calling in the country to the refcusse made the place ouer hote for the enemies any longer abode Mousehole in Cornish is named Borternis and in Latine Portus Insulae both importing one sense to wit the Hand hauen and so called through a little Iland placed before it M. Holinshed telleth vs that neere heereunto not many yeeres sithence certayne Tynners as they were working found Speareheads Battel-axes and swords of Copper wrapped in lynnen clouts and little impayred through their long lying Pensans by interpretation The Saints head is a market towne not so regardable for his substance as memorable for his late accident of the Spaniards firing which fell out in this maner The three twentieth of Iuly 1595 soone after the Sun was raised and had chased a fogge which before kept the sea out of sight 4. Gallies of the enemy presented themselues vpon the coast ouer-against Mousehole and there in a faire Bay landed about two hundred men pikes and shot who foorthwith sent their forlorne hope consisting of their basest people vnto the stragled houses of the countrie about halfe a mile compasse or more by whome were burned not onely the houses they went by but also the Parish Church of Paul the force of the fire being such as it vtterly ruined all the great stonie pillers thereof others of them in that time burned that fisher towne Mowsehole the rest marched as a gard for defence of these firers The Inhabitants being feared with the Spaniards landing and burning fled from their dwellings and verie meanely weaponed met with Sir Francis Godolphin on a greene on the West side of Pensance who that forenoone comming from his house for pacifying some controuersies in those Westerne parts and from the hils espying the fires in that towne Church and houses hastened thither
amidst his foes By courage guided sought and scapt his death Loe here amongst his friends whom liking chose And nature lent hath vp resign'd his breath Vnripened fruit in grouth precious in hope Rare in effect had fortune giuen scope Our eyes with teares performe thine obsequy And hearts with sighes since hands could yeeld none aid Our tongues with praise preserue thy memory And thing his with grieft since we behind are staid Coswarth farewell death which vs parts atwaine E're long in life shall vs conioyne againe His sister maried Kendall Edward his vncle and heire by vertue of these entayles married the daughter of Arundel of Trerice and from a ciuill Courtiers life in his younger yeeres reposeth his elder age on the good husbandry of the country hauing raised posterity sufficient for transplanting the name into many other quarters He beareth A. on a Cheuron betweene three wings B. fiue Bezants Against you haue passed towards the West somewhat more then a mile Trerice anciently Treres oftreth you the viewe of his costly and commodious buildings What Tro is you know already res signifieth a rushing of fieeting away and vpon the declyning of a hill the house is seated In Edward the 3. raigne Ralphe Arundel matched with the heire of this land and name since which time his issue hath there continued and encreased their liuelyhood by sundry like Inheritours as S. Iohn Iew Durant Thurlebear c. Precisely to rip vp the whole pedigree were more tedious then behoouefull and therefore I will onely as by the way touch some fewe poynts which may serue in part to shew what place regard they haue borne in the Common wealth There was an Indenture made betweene Hugh Courtney Earle of Deuon Leiutenant to the King for a sea voyage in defence of the Realme and Sir Iohn Arundel of Trerice for accompanying him therein He was Sherife of Cornwall Iohn Earle of Huntingdon vnder his seale of Armes made Sir Iohn Arundel of Trerice Seneshall of his houshold as well in peace as in warre gaue him ten pound fee and allowed him entertaynment in his house for one Gentleman three Yeoman one boy and sixe horses The same Earle stiling himselfe Lieutenant generall to Iohn Duke of Bedford Constable and Admirall of England wrote to the said Sir Iohn Arundel then Vice-admirall of Cornwall for the release of a ship which hee had arrested by vertue of his office The Queene by her letter aduertised Iohn Arundel of Trerice Esquire that she was brought in child-bed of a Prince The King wrote to Sir Iohn Arundel of Trerice that he should giue his attendance at Canterbury about the entertaynment of the Emperour whose landing was then and there expected Iohn Arundel of Trerice Esquire tooke prisoner Duncane Campbell a Scot in a fight at sea as our Chronicle mentioneth concerning which I though it not amisse to insert a letter sent him from Tho. Duke of Norfolke to whom he then belonged that you may see the stile of those dayes By the Duke of Norf. RIght welbeloued in our hearty wise we commend vs vnto you letting you with that by your seruant this bearer wee haue receiued your letters dated at Truru the 5. day of this moneth of April by which we perceyue the goodly valiant and ieopardous enterprise it hath pleased God of late to send you by the taking of Duncane Camel other Scots on the sea of which enterprise we haue made relation vnto the Kings Highnesse who is not a little ioyous and glad to heare of the same and hath required vs instantly in his name to giue you thanks for your said valiant courage and bolde enterprise in the premises and by these our letters for the same your so doing we doe not onely thanke you in our most effectuall wise but also promise you that during our life wee will bee glad to aduaunce you to any preferment we can And ouer this you shall vnderstand our said Soueraigne Lords pleasure is that you shall come and repaire to his Highnes with diligence in your owne person bringing with you the said Captiue and the Master of the Scottish ship at which time you shall not onely be sure of his especiall thanks by mouth to know his further pleasure therein but also of vs to further any your reasonable pursuits vnto his Highnes or any other during our life to the best of our power accordingly Written at Lambeth the 11. day of Aprill aforesaid Superscribed To our right welbeloued seruant Iohn Arundell of Trerice The King wrote to Sir Iohn Ar. of Trerice touching his discharge from the Admiralty of the fleete lately committed vnto him that he should deliuer the ship which he sayled in to Sir Nic. Poynts The same yere the King wrote to him againe that he should attend him in his warres against the French king with his seruants tenants and others within his roomes and offices especially horsemen Other letters from the King there are whose date is not expressed neither can I by any meanes hunt it out One to his seruant Iohn Arundel of Trerice Esquire willing him not to repaire with his men and to wayte in the rereward of his army as hee had commaunded him but to keepe them in a readinesse for some other seruice Another to Sir Iohn Arundel of Trerice praying and desiring him to the Court the Quindene of Saint Hillarie next wheresoeuer the King shall then bee within the Realme There are also letters directed to Sir Iohn Arundell of Trerice from the Kings Counsell by some of which it appeareth that hee was Vice admirall of the Kings shippes in the West seas and by others that hee had the goods and lands of certaine Rebels giuen him for his good seruice against them The Queene wrote to Sir Iohn Arundell of Trerice praying and requiring him that hee with his friends and neighbours should see the Prince of Spaine most honourably entertained if he fortuned to land in Cornwall Shee wrote to him being then Sherife of Cornwall touching the election of the Knights of the shire and the Burgesses for the Parliament Shee likewise wrote to him that notwithstanding the instructions to the Iustices hee should muster and furnish his seruants tenants and others vnder his rule and offices with his friends for the defence and quieting of the Countrie withstanding of enemies and any other imployment as also to certifie what force of horse and foote he could arme These few notes I haue culled out of many others Sir Iohn Arundell last mentioned by his first wife the coheire of Beuill had issue Roger who died in his fathers life time and Katherine married to Prideaux Roger by his wife Trendenham left behind him a sonne called Iohn Sir Iohns second wife was daughter to Erisy and widdow to Gourlyn who bare him Iohn his succeeder in Tretice and much other faire reuenewes whose due commendation because another might better
on heapes in pits at the cliffe side and so conuerted the same to a kind of wood but the noy some fauour hath cursed it out of the countrey This Floteore is now and then found naturally formed like rufs combs and such like as if the sea would equall vs in apparel as it resembleth the land for all sorts of liuing creatures The sea strond is also strowed with sundry fashioned coloured shels of so diuersified and pretty workmanship as if Nature were for her pastime disposed to shew her skilin trifles With these are foūd moreouer certain Nuts some what resembling a sheepes kidney saue that they are flatter the outside consisteth of a hard darke coloured rinde the inner part of a kernell voyd of any paste but not so of vertue especially for women trauayling in childbirth if at least old wiues tales may deserue any credit If I become blame-worthy in speaking of such toyes Scipio and Lelius shall serue for my patrons who helde it no shame to spend time in their gathering But to carie you from these trifles you shall vnderstand that Cornewall is stored with many sorts of shipping for that terme is the genus to them all namely they haue Cock-boats for passengers Sayn-boats for taking of Pilcherd Fisher-boates for the coast Barges for sand Lighters for burthen and Barkes and Ships for trafficke of all which seuerally to particularize were consectari minutias and therefore I will omit to discourse of them or of the wrackes proceeding from them to their great dammage and the finders petty benefit to whom he that in ioyeth the Admirals right by the common custome alloweth a moytie for his labour But though I shunne tediousnesse herein I feare lest I shal breede you Nauseam while I play the fishmonger and yet so large a commoditie may not passe away in silence I will therefore with what briefnes I can shew you what they are when they come where they haunt with what baite they may be trayned with what engine taken and with what dressing saued Herein we will first begin with the Peall Trowt and Sammon because they partake of both salt and fresh water breeding in the one and liuing in the other The Trowte and Peall come from the Sea betweene March and Midsummer and passe vp into the fresh ryuers to shed their spawne They are mostly taken with a hooke-net made like the Easterne Weelyes which is placed in the stickellest part of the streame for there the fish chiefely seeketh passage and kept abroad with certaine hoopes hauing his smaller end fastned against the course of the water and his mouth open to receiue the fish while he fareth vp by night The Sammons principall accesse is betweene Michaelm as and Christmas for then and not before the ryners can afford them competent depth A time forbidden to take them in by the Statute thirteene of Richard the second but if they should bee allowed this priuiledge in Cornwall the Inhabitants might vtterly quit all hope of good by them for the rest of the yeere They are refettest that is fattest at their first comming from the Sea and passe vp as high as any water can carrie them to spawne the more safely and to that end take aduantage of the great raynie flouds After Christmas they returne to the Sea altogether spent out of season whome as the spring time commethon their fry doe follow and it hath beene obserued that they as also the Trowt and Peall haunt the same ryuers where they first were bred Vpon the North coast and to the Westwards of Foy few or none are takē either through those ryuers shallownesse or their secret dislike To catch them sundrie deuices are put in practise one is with the hooke and line where they vse Flies for their baite another with the Sammon speare a weapon like Neptunes Mace bearded at the points With this one standeth watching in the darke night by the deepe pooles where the Sammons worke their bed for spawning while another maketh light with a waze of reed The Sammon naturally resorteth to the flame playing in and out and there through is discerned strooken and drawne on land by a cord fastned to the speare The third and more profitable meanes of their taking is by hutches A head of Fagots or stones is made acrosse theryuer and his greatest part let out through a square roome therein whose vpper side giueth passage to the water by a grate but denieth it to the fish and the lower admitteth his entrie thorow certaine thicke laths couched slope-wise one against another but so narrowly as he can find no way of returne while the streame tosseth him hither and thither and the laths ends gall him if he stumble on the place They vse also to take Sammons and Trowts by groping tickling them vnder the bellies in the Pooles where they houer vntill they lay hold on them with their hands so throw them on land Touching these one scribling of the ryuer Lyner rymed as ensueth THe store-house of Sunnes cheuisance The clocke whose measures time doth dance The Moones vassall the Lord of chance Oceanus Ereyeeres compasse his circle end From bugie bosome where they wend His scaly broode to greete doth send His wife Tellus Some haile but with the coasting shore Some multiplie the Harbours store Some farre into the ryuers bore Amongst therest A threefoldrowt of Argus hew Kind to encrease foes to eschew With Lyners supple mantle blew Themselues reuest What time enricht by Phoebus rayes The Alder his new wealth displayes Of budded groates and welcome payes Vnto the Spring The Trowts of middle growth begin And eygall peizd twixt either finne At wonted hoste Dan Lyners Inne Take their lodging Next as the dayes vp earely rise In com's the Peall whose smaller sise In his more store and oft supplies A praise doth find Lastly the Sammon king of fish Fils with good cheare the Christmas dish Teaching that season must relish Each in his kind And of the Sammon in particular Now to the Sammon king of fish a trice Against whose state both skill and will conspire Paine brings the sewell and gaine blowts the fire That hand may execute the heads deuice Some build his house but his thence issue barre Some make his meashie bed but reaue his rest Some giue him meate but leaue it not disgest Some tickle him but are from pleasing farre Another troope com's in with fire and sword Yet cowardly close counterwaite his way And where he doth in streame mistrustiesse play Vail'd with nights robe they stalke the shore aboord One offers him the daylight in a waze As if darknesse alone contriued wiles But new Neptune his mate at land the whiles With forked Mace deere school's his foolish gaze Poore Fish not praying that art made a pray And at thy natiue home find'st greatest harme Though dread warne swiftnesse guide and strength thee arme Thy neerenesse greatnesse goodnesse thee betray In
by his wiues assent which in many auncient deeds was formall departeth to him and his daughter in lawe with the one halfe of his Holding in hand Now though after the fathers decease the mother may during her life turne them both out of doores as not bound by her owne word and much lesse by her husbands yet I haue seldome or neuer knowne the same put in practise but true and iust meaning hath euer taken place Yet another vnconscionable quirk some haue of late time pried into viz. in a ioynt-lease to three intended by the taker and payer to descend successiuely and intirely one of them passeth ouer his interest to a stranger who by rigour of law shall hold it during the liues of the other twaine The ordinary couenants of most conuentionary Tenants are to pay due Capons doe haruest iournyes grinde at the Mill sue to the Court discharge the office of Reeue and Tithing-man dwell vpon the Tenement and to set out no part thereof to tillage without the Lords licence first obtained Which conditions are yet enlarged or restrained according to the Demifors humour Vsuall it is for all sorts of Tenants vpon death at least if not surrender or forfeyture to pay their best beast for a Heriot yea if a stranger passing thorow the Countrey chaunce to leaue his carkase behind him he also must redeeme his buriall by rendring his best beast which he hath with him to the Lord of the soyle or if he haue none his best Iewell or rather then fayle his best garment then about him in lieu thereof But this custome hath beene somewhat shaken in comming to triall and laboureth of a dangerous Feuer though the Cornish Gentlemen vse all possible remedies of almost fas et nefas by pleading the 11. poynts of the Lawe to keepe it on liue The free Tenants seruices are ordinary with those of other places saue that they pay in most places onely fee-Morton releefes which is after fiue markes the whole Knights fee so called of Iohn Earle first of Morton then of Cornwall and lastly King of this Land whereas that of fee-Gloucester is fiue pound And to accomplish this part I haue heere inserted a note of the Cornish Knights fees and acres which I receyued from my learned and religious kinseman Master Robert Moyle Record Feod Milit. in Cornub. fact Anno 3. H. 4. vt sequitur HEnricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae Francâ—â— Dominus Hiberniae dilectis nobis Vicecom Escaetori nostris in Com. Cornub. ac Iohanni Colshil Iohanni Tremayn seniori collectoribus auxilij 20. solidorum de quolibet feod Milit. tento de nob sine medio in Com. praedicto ad Blanchiam primogenitam filiam nostr ammaritand iuxta formam statuti anno regni Domini Edwardi nuper Regis Angliae Aui nostri 25. edict assignai salutem Quasdam euidentias quas de libris rotulis memorand Scaccarii nostri exhiberi fecimus pro informatione vestra super captione inquisitionum diuersorum feodorum in Com. praedicto viz. de rubro libro vnam scedulam duos rotulos de euidentiis nuper collectoribus auxilii pradicti auo nostro ad filium suum primogenitum milit faciend anno Regnisui 20. concessi vobis mittimus sub pede sigilli nostri mandantes vt inspect euidenc praed vlterius inde tam per casdem euident quam per Inquisitiones super praemiss per vos capiend pro commodo nostro faciatis quod de iur e per vos videatur faciend It a quod euidenc prad vna cum toto facvestro in premiss hoc breue ad Scaccarium nostrum super compot vestrum proxim de eodem auxilio redend Baronibus de dicto Scaccario nostro ibidem liberaÌ„dum habeatis Teste Iohanne Cokayn apud Westmonast 30. die Ianua Anno Regni nostri 2. Rotl memorum de anno 3. Hillar record Hundred de Penwith WIll de Campo Arnulphiten 7. feod di in Luduon trewedryn Maien Kellemeke Will. Basset ten 1. feod in Tihidi Trenalga Mich. de Bray ten 2. partes vnius feod in Bray Alanus Bloighon ten 2. feod in Tremall Haeres Marcide Walestbren ten 2. partes feod in Veno Episcop Exon. ten dimid feod in Lauestli Haeres Iocei Dynnan ten 1. feod in Gorten Comes Gloc. ten 4. part vnius feod in Draynneck Idem Comes ten 1. feod in Couerton Idem Comes ten 1. feod in Binnerton Idem Comes ten 5. part 1. feod in Loigans Haeres Ties ten dimid feod in Alwerton Marchio Dorset ten 4. feod in Trenwel Hundred de Lysnewith WIll de Botriaux tenet in isto Hundred in Walebreux 1. feod Idem Will. ten in Polruman di feod Idem Will. ten in Wolueston 1. feod Idem Will. ten in Tresciward 1. feod Idem Will. ten in Worthauale 1. feod Reginald de Ferrar in ead Hund. 7. feod Will. de Witha Iohan. de Crammon tenent in Trewint Westdisart 1. feod Idem Will. de Campo Arnulphi ten 1. feod in Heliset Idem Will. ten in Oterham 1. feod Idem Will. in Donneghny Crugplegh di feod Simon Giffard ten 1. feo in Donneghny de la Bruer Henric. de la Pomerey ten in Lesnewith Treuyghan di feod Rogerus de Crammon ten in Moteland 1. feod Omnia praedicta feod sunt feod Mortanne Haeres Iocei Dinan ten in Ouer rescradeck nether rescradeck di feod Hundred de Stratton HErbertus de Pyn ten in Middeland 3. feod Idem ten in Bere 1. feod in Deuon Idem ten in Alwington in Deuon 2. feod Idem ten Mar wonchurch 1. feod Idem ten in Pensenteinon Trethewy Westory 2. feod Comes Gloc. ten 2. magna feod in Kilkham land Ranulphus de Albo Monasterio tenet in Stratton 1. feod Thomas de Wamford ten in Efford 1. feod Henric. de Killigreu ten 1. feo in Orchard marries Iohannes de Cobbeham in Lancols 1. feod quod Abbas conuentus de Hartland tenent in pur perpet elem Idem ten in Wiston Scrpeknol 1. feod Idem ten in burgo paruo Ponte knol Sunondsham 1. feod quod Abbas conu praed clam tenere in pura perpet elem Idem ten 3. part 1. feod in Turlebere Idem ten 1. feod 6. part 1. feod in Hilton simul cum Ferewil in Deuon Rogerus de Carmmon ten 1 feod in Hormecot Refcher Rex ten 1. feod in Bostinne Idem ten Lamaylwen 1. feod quod Oliuerus de Crammon ten Idem ten in Nantoige 1. feod di feod Iohanna Lengleis ten 1. feod in Wadfaste Guilielmus de Campo Arnulphi ten 1. feod in Pennalim Idem ten 1. feod 2. partes 1. feod in Wike Prior de Lanceston ten ¼ 1. feod in Borton Haluethus Maliuery ten di feo milit in Tamerton Omnia praedicta feod sunt parua feod praeter 2. feod in Kilkam lond Hundred de East IOhanna de Rame ten 1. fe magnum de Seniock Nicholaus Danne ten 1. partem feod
Klyo Klowo Heere Didaskein Dathisky To teach Kyon Kye Dogge Kentron Kentron Spurre Methyo Methow Drinke Scaphe Schapth Boat Ronchos Ronchie Snorting c. This language is stored with sufficient plenty to expresse the conceits of a good wit both in prose and rime yet cā they no more giue a Cornish word for Tye then the Greekes for Ineptus the French for Stand the English for Emulus or the Irish for Knaue Othes they haue not past two or three naturall but are fayne to borow of the English mary this want is releeued with a flood of most bitter curses and spitefull nick-names They place the adiectiue after the substantiue like the Grecians and Latines as Father ours March guiddu horse white c. In numbring they say Wonnen 1 Deaw 2 Tre 3 Pidder 4 Pimp 5 Whey 6 Zith 7 Eath 8 Naw 9 Deag 10 Ednack 11 Dowthack 12 Tarnack 13 Puzwarthack 14 Punthack 15 Wheytack 16 Zitack 17 Itack 18 Naunzack 19 Eygganz 20 Deaw Eigganz 40 Cans 100. Mille 1000. Molla 10000. Durdatha why is Good morrow to you Ternestatha Good night Fatlughan a why How do you Da durdalatha why Wel I thanke you Betha why lawanneck Be you mery Benetugana Farewell A sister they call Whoore a whoore whorra a priest coggaz a partridge grigear a Mare cazock Relauta by my troth Warra fay by my fayth Molla tuenda laaz ten thousand mischiefs in thy guts Mille vengeance warnathy a thousand vengeances take thee Pedu ioll deuils head Pedu brauze great head pedu mowzack stinking head and so in infinitum Which termes notwithstāding thogh they witnes their spite on the one side yet retayne they as great a proofe of their deuotion on the other for the Lords Prayer the Apostles Creed and the ten Commaundements haue beene vsed in Cornish beyond all remembrance But the principall loue and knowledge of this language liued in Doctor Kennall the Ciuilian and with him lyeth buryed for the English speach doth still encroche vpon it and hath driuen the same into the vttermost skirts of the shire Most of the Inhabitants can no word of Cornish but very few are ignorant of the English and yet some so affect their owne as to a stranger they will not speake it for if meeting them by chance you inquire the way or any such matter your answere shal be Meea nauidua cowzasawzneck I can speake no Saxonage The English which they speake is good and pure as receyuing it from the best hands of their owne Gentry and the Easterne Marchants but they disgrace it in part with a broad and rude accent and eclipsing somewhat like the Somersetshire men specially in pronouncing the names as Thomas they call Tummas Tubby Mathew Mathaw Nicholas Nichlaaz Reignald Reinol Dauid Daaui Mary Maari Frauncis Thwyting is properly the cutting of little chippes from a stick Pilme the dust which riseth Brusse that which lyeth which termes as they expresse our meaning more directly so they want but another Spencer to make them passable The number of Cornish Inhabitants though it cannot directly bee summed may yet proportionably be gessed at by the musters taken of the able men hereafter set downe which wee will value at a third part of the whole in ensuing Bodins rate But another question falleth sometimes into scanning namely whether Cornwall haue heretofore beene better stored with people then it is now Some holde the affirmatiue and vouch to prooue it the generall decay of Inland townes where whole streets besides particular houses pay tribute to Comdowne Castle as also the ruines yet resting in the wilde Moores which testifie a former inhabitance Others incline againe to the negatiue alleadging the reasons heretofore touched in the deare price of farmes or bargaines by which mine assent is rather swayed for I suppose that those waste grounds were inhabited and manured when the Saxons and Danes continual inuasions draue them to abandon the sea coasts saue in such townes as were able to muster vpon any sodaine occasion a sufficient number for their owne defence The residue retired into the heart of the land where vpon a longer warning they might sooner assemble from all sides to make head and the enemie in so far a march and retrait should aduenture a greater hazard to bee distressed by the way Which policy the French were driuen vnto in Edward the thirds time vpon the Englishmens Frowncis Iames Iammez Walter Watty Robert Dobby Rafe Raw Clemence Clemmowe c. holding herein a contrary course of extension to the Italians abridgement who terme Frauncis Cecco Dominick Beco Lawrence Renzo as also to the Turks who name Constantinople Stampoli Adrianople Adrina an Olifant Fil and the Sicilians who curtayle Nicholas to Cola. Besides these they haue taken vp certayne peculiar phrases which require a speciall Dictionarie for their interpretation of which kinde are T is not bezibd that is fortuned to me Thou hast no road ayme he will neuer scrip escape it he is nothing pridy handsome as also boobish lubberly dule comfort lidden by-word shune strange shew threaten skew shunne hoase forbeare To reproue one of lazines they will say Doest thou make Idle a coate that is a coate for idlenes In coniecturing what number may effect a thing they adde or some as two or some ten or some twentie or some idest thereabouts The other rude termes wherewith Deuon and Cornish men are often twyted may plead in their defence not onely the prescription of antiquitie but also the title of proprietie and the benefit of significancy for most of them take their source from the Saxon our naturall language and continue in vse amongst the Dutch as Nimme commeth of Nimpt Vang of Fieng the one importing a taking by ones selfe the other by deliuery both which we now cōfound Ich to Ick Cund to Cundigen Lading to Geladen eruing goods to Erbnuss So often roades and the Spaniards make vse of at this day in their Indies Touching the decayed Inland townes they are counteruayled with a surplusage of increase of those on the coast and the desolate walles in the Mores haue begotten a seuen-fold race of cotages neere the sea side And thus much of Cornwall compared with it selfe now if you match it with other champion Shires methinks I may gather the same to be better inhabited within a like circuit of miles because the plenty of hils valleys afford a larger quantity of groūd therunto He that cannot conceiue this may read Polibius in his 9 booke where it is written that for this reason Lacedemon being but fourty eight furlongs in compasse contayneth more dwellings then Megalopolis which extendeth vnto fiftie My last proofe is grounded on this that where the most part of the shire is seuered into inclosures you cannot easily make choyce to stand in any one of them aboue a quarter of a mile distance from some dwelling house After the names language and number thus perused the Cornish peoples disposition quality
0 S. Breock 0. 15. 0 Withiel 0. 5. 0 Carnenton 0. 10. 0 Vwel 0. 10. 0 Sum. tot deductions 15. 10. 113. 1. 6. THE SVRVEY OF CORNWALL The second Booke IN this second booke I will first report what I haue learned of Cornwall and Cornishmen in general and from thence descend to the particular places and persons as their note-worthie site or any memorable action or accident of the former or later ages shall offer occasion The highest which my search can reach vnto I borrow out of Strabo who writeth that the Westerne Bretons gaue ayde vnto the Armorici of Fraunce against Caesar which hee pretended for one of the causes why he inuaded this Iland Next I find that about sixtie yeeres from the landing of Hengist one Nazaleod a mightie King amongst the Bretons ioyned battell with Certicus Soueraigne of the West-Saxons and after long fight with his owne death accompanied the ouerthrow of his armie Yet the Bretons thus abandoned by fortune would not so forsake themselues but with renued courage and forces coped once againe with Certicus and his sonne Kenrick at Certicesford thogh equally destitute of successe as before Gurmund an arch-Pirate of the Norwegians was called by the Saxons out of his late conquered Ireland to their aide against Careticus king of the Bretons whom he ouercame in battel and inforced his subiects to seeke safegard by flight some in Wales some in Cornwall and some in little Breteigne since which time they could neuer recouer againe their auncient possession of the whole Iland Howbeit not long after Iuor sonne to Alane king of the said little Breteigne landed in the West parts wanne from the Saxons Cornwall Deuon Somerset shires by force of armes and then established his conquest by a peaceable composition with his aduerse partie Adelred king of West-sex inuaded Deuon and Cornwall whom Roderick king of the Bretons and Blederick Prince of those prouinces encountred and discomfited which notwithstanding processe of time reaued from him and added such strength to his enemies that he was driuen to abandon Cornwall and retire into Wales So the Cornishmen quitting their libertie with their prince stouped to the cōmaund of Egbert King of West-sex and with their territorie saith William Malmsburie enlarged his confines Athelstane handled them yet more extremely for hee draue them out of Excester where till then they bare equall sway with the Saxons left onely the narrow angle on the West of Tamer riuer for their Inhabitance which hath euer since beene their fatall bound On their Reguli as Vincentius deliuereth he imposed an yerely tribute of 20. li. in gold 300. li. in siluer 25. oxen and hunting hounds and hawkes at discretion To these afflictions by home-neighbours of bondage tribute and banishing was ioyned a fourth of spoyling by forrayne enemies for Roger Houedon telleth vs that the Danes landed in sundry places of Cornwall forrayed the Countrey burned the Townes and killed the people To whom succeeded in the like occupation Godwin and Edmond magnus King Harolds two sonnes discomfiting the forces opposed against them harrowing Deuon and Cornwall and then retiring with their prey into Ireland After the conquest when K. H. the first inuaded Griffin ap Conan Prince of Wales he distributed his armie into three portions one of which wherein consisted the forces of the fourth part of England and Cornwal hee committed to the leading of Gilbert Earle of Strigill In Henry the thirds time by the testimony of Mathew Paris William Earle of Sarum after long tossing at sea with much adoe about Christmas arriued in Cornwall and so afterwards did Earle Richard the Kings brother at two seuerall times the later of which being destitute of horses and treasure he prayed therein ayde of his loyals When Edward the third auerred his right to the Crowne of Fraunce by the euidence of armes the French for a counterplea made an vnlawfull entry into Deuon and Cornwall but Hugh Courtney Earle of Deuon remooued it with posse Comitatus and recommitted them to the wooddē prison that brought them thither Yet would not the Scots take so much warning by their successe as example by their precedent if at least Froissarts ignorance of our English names bred not his mistaking in the place By his relation also Cornwals neere neighbourhead gaue oportunity of accesse both to the Earle Montford when he appealed to that Kings ayd for recouering his right in Brittaine albeit I cannot bring home Cepsee the designed port of his landing and after his captiuitie to the messengers of his heroicall Countesse employed in the like errand And from Cornwall the Earle of Sarum Wil. de Mesuile and Philip de Courtney set to sea with 40. ships besides Barks and 2000. men at armes besides Archers in support of that quarrell Lastly his authoritie enformeth me that those souldiers of Cornwall who vnder their Captaines Iohn Apport and Iohn Cornwall had defended the Fort of Bercherel in Brittaine against the power of Fraunce aboue a yeree space in the end for want of due succours vpon an honourable composition surrendred the same Queene Margaret wife to H. 6. vpon her arriual out of Fraūce after the losse of Barnet field receiued great ayd though to smal purpose frō the Deuon and Cornish men vnder the conduct of Thomas Earle of that shire And so much were those Western people addicted to that name as they readily followed Sir Edw. Courtney his brother Peter Bishop of Excesler what time they assisted the Duke of Buckingham in his reuolt against Richard the third Neither did his suppressour and successour H. the 7. finde them more loyall for the Cornish men repining at a Subsidy lately graunted him by Act of Parliament were induced to rebellion by Thomas Flammock a Gentleman Michael Ioseph a Black-smith with whom they marched to Taunton there murdering the Prouost of perin a Commissioner for the sayd Subsidy and from thence to Welles where Iames Touchet Lord Audely degenerated to their party with which encrease they passed by Sarisbury to Winchester and so into Kent But by this time Lords Commons were gathered in strēgth sufficient to make head against them and soone after black Heath saw the ouerthrow of their forces in battell and Loudon the punishment of their seducers by iustice In the same fatall yeere of reuolts Perkin Warbeck a counterfeit Prince landed in Cornwall went to Bodmyn assembled a trayne of rake-hels assaulted Excester receyued the repulse and in the end sped as is knowne and as he deserued The last Cornish rebellion was first occasioned by one Kilter and other his associats of a Westerne parish called S. Keueren who imbrued their wicked hands in the guiltles blood of one M. Body as he sate in Commission at Helston for matters of reformation in religion and the yere following it grew to a general reuolt vnder the
conduct of Arundel Wydeslade Resogan and others followed by 6000. with which power they marched into Deuon besieged and assaulted Excester gaue the L. Russell employed with an army against them more then one hot encounter which yet as euer quayled in their ouerthrow In my particular view I wil make easie iournies from place to place as they lye in my way taking the Hundreds for my guydes vntill I haue accomplished this wearisome voyage My first entrance must be by the hundred of East so named for his site and therein at Plymmouth hauen It borroweth that name of the riuer Plym which rising in Deuon and by the way baptizing Plymston Plymstock c. here emptieth it selfe into the sea The hauen parteth Deuon and Cornwall welneere euery where as Tumer riuer runneth I say welneere because some few interland places are excepted a matter so sorted at the first partition eyther to satisfie the affection of some speciall persons or to appropriate the soyle to the former Lords or that notwithstanding this seuerance there might stil rest some cause of entercourse between the Inhabitants of both Counties as I haue heard a late great man ensued and expressed the like consideration in diuision of his lands betweene two of his sonnes Now though this hauen thus bound both shires yet doth the iurisdiction of the water wholly appertayne to the Duchy of Cornwall and may therefore bee claymed as a part of that Country Notwithstanding I will forbeare what I may to intrude vpon my good friend M. Hookers limits and reserue to him the description of the farther shore The first promontory of this harbour on the West side is Rame head by his proportion receyuing and by his possession giuing that name and armes to his owner whose posterity conueyed it by inter-marriages from Durnford to Edgecumb on the toppe thereof riseth a little vaulted Chappell which serueth for a marke at sea From thence trending Penlee poynt you discouer Kings sand and Causam Bay an open roade yet sometimes affoording succour to the woorst sort of Sea-farers at not subiect to cōptrolment of Plymmouth forts The shore is peopled with some dwelling houses and many Cellers dearely rented for a short vsage in fauing of Pilcherd At which time there flocketh a great concourse of Sayners and others depending vpon their labour I haue heard the Inhabitants thereabouts to report that the Earle of Richmond afterwards Henry the seuenth while hee houered vpon the coast here by stealth refreshed himselfe but being aduertised of streight watch kept for his surprising at Plymmouth he richly rewarded his hoste hyed spcedily a shipboord and escaped happily to a better fortune Here also of late yeeres part of the Cornish forces twise encamped themselues planted some Ordinance and raised a weake kind of fortification therethrough to contest if not repulse the landing of the expected enemie and a strong watch is continually kept there euer since one thousand fiue hundred ninetie seuen at which time a Spaniard riding on the Bay while most of the able people gaue their attendance at the Countie Assises sent some closely into the village in the darke of the night who hanged vp barrels of matter fit to take fire vpon certaine doores which by a traine should haue burned the houses But one of the Inhabitants espying these vnwelcome ghests with the bounce of a Caliuer chaced them aboord and remoued the barrels before the traynes came to worke their effect The Inginer of this practise as hath since appeared by some examinations was a Portugall who sometimes sayled with Sir Iohn Borowghs and boasted to haue burned his Ship for which two honourable exploits the King of Spaine bestowed on him two hundred duckets In the mouth of the harbour lyeth S. Nicholas Iland in fashion losengy in quantity about 3. acres strongly fortifyed carefully garded and subiect to the Cōmaunder of Plymmouth for t When the Cornish rebels during Edw. the 6◠raigne turmoyled the quiet of those quarters it yeelded a safe protection to diuers dutyful subiects who there shrowded themselues From this Iland a range of rocks reacheth ouer to the Southwest shore discouered at the low water of Spring tides and leauing onely a narrow entrance in the midst called the Yate for ships to passe thorow whereto they are directed by certaine markes at land Vpon this South shore somewhat within the Iland standeth mount Edgecumb a house builded and named by Sir Ric. Edgecumb father to the now possessioner and if comparisons were as lawfull in the making as they prooue odious in the matching I would presume to ranke it for health pleasure and commodities with any subiects house of his degree in England It is seated against the North on the declining of a hill in the midst of a Deere park neere a narrow entrance thorow which the salt water breaketh vp into the country to shape the greatest part of the hauen The house is builded square with a round turret at eche end garretted on the top the hall rising in the mids aboue the rest which yeeldeth a stately sound as you enter the same In Summer the opened casements admit a refreshing coolenes in Winter the two closed doores exclude all offensiue coldnesse the parlour and dining chamber giue you a large diuersified prospect of land sea to which vnder-ly S. Nicholas Iland Plymmouth fort the townes of Plymmouth Stonehouse Milbrook Saltash It is supplyed with a neuer-fayling spring of water and the dwelling stored with wood timber fruit Deere and Conies The ground abundantly answereth a housekeepers necessities for pasture arable and meadow and is replenished with a kinde of stone seruing both for building lyme and marle On the sea clifs groweth great plenty of the best Ore-wood to satisfie the owners want and accommodate his neighbours A little below the house in the Summer euenings Sayne-boates come and draw with their nets for fish whither the gentry of the house walking downe take the pleasure of the sight sometimes at all aduentures buy the profit of the draughts Both sides of the forementioned narrowe entrance together with the passage betweene much haunted as the high way to Plymmouth the whole towne of Stonehouse and a great circuit of the land adioyning appertaine to M. Edgecumbs inheritāce these sides are fenced with blockhouses and that next to Mount Edgecumb was wont to be planted with ordinance which at comming parting with their base voices greeted such ghest sas visited the house neither hath the opportunity of the harbour wanted occasions to bring them or the owners a franke mind to inuite them For proofe whereof the earst remēbred Sir Ric. a gentleman in whom mildnes stoutnes diffidēce wisdome deliberatenes of vndertaking sufficiency of effecting made a more cōmendable thē blazing mixture of vertue during Q. Ma. raigne entertained at one time for some good space the Admirals of the English Spanish Netherland fleets with
and lastly from thence to Excester But this first losse receyued reliefe through a succeeding Priory which at the general suppression changing his note with his coate is now named Port Eliot and by the owners charity distributeth pro virili the almes accustomably expected and expended at such places Neither will it I thinke much displease you to heare how the gentlemans ancestour of whom master Eliot bought it came by the same Iohn Champernowne sonne and heire apparant to Sir Philip of Deuon in H. the 8. time followed the Court and through his pleasant conceits of which much might be spoken wan some good grace with the King Now when the golden showre of the dissolued Abbey lands rayned welnere into euery gapers mouth some 2. or 3. gentlemen the Kings seruants and master Champernownes acquaintance waited at a doore where the King was no passe forth with purpose to beg such a matter at his hands Our gentleman became inquisitiue to know their suit they made strange to impart it Thiâ—â—â—hile out comes the King they kneele down so doth master Champernowne they preferre their petition the King graunts it they render humble thanks and so doth M. Champernowne afterwards he requireth his share they deny it he appeales to the King the King avoweth his equall meaning in the largesse whereon the ouertaken companions were fayne to allot him this Priory for his partage The parish Church answereth in bignesse the large proportion of the parish the surplusage of the Priory a great part of whose chauncell anno 1592. fel suddenly downe vpon a Friday very shortly after publike seruice was ended which heauenly fauour of so little respite saued many persons liues with whoÌ„ immediately before it had bene stuffed and the deuout charges of the well disposed parishioners quickly repayred this ruine At the townes end Cuddenbeak an ancieÌ„r house of the Bishops from a well aduaunced Promontory which intituled it Beak taketh a pleasant prospect of the riuer In this parish lyeth Bake the mansion of the foreremeÌ„bred M. Ro. Moyle who maried Anne daughter of M. Lock as he did mistris Vaughan a Gentlewoman suppressing her rare learning with a rarer modesty yet expressing the same in her vertuous life and Christian decease Iohn father to Robert maried Agnes daughter of Semtabyn and his father 〈…〉 daughter of Forteskew to whom that dwelling first descended He beareth for his Armes G. a Moyle passant Ar. A part of this parish confineth on the maine sea offreth a faire landing place called Seaton howbeit by a handsome fence forbidding any foes inuasion it is ouerlooked vpon the one side of the riuer which there dischargeth his streame into the Ocean by Keuerel the ancient house of the Langdons Gent. in former times of faire reuennues whose Armes are Ar. a Cheuron betweene 3. Beares heads erased Sa. The house perhaps borowing his name of Cheâ—ereal al French word signifying a wild Goat as those high elifs affoord them a commodious inhabitance and on the other by Tregonnock the dwelling of M. Tho Smith who in a quiet honest retirednes findeth that contentmet which many ambitious heads far and wide doe vainely seeke for he maried Tre 〈…〉 his father Robert one of the daughters and heires to Killigrew and his sonne Iohn Priscilla the daughter of M. Geo. Wadham His Armes B. a Soultier Ar. betweene 4. Martlets O. Leauing S. Germanes and passing through Laurake parish in which M. Peter Courtney hath an high seated house called WottoÌ„ you descend to Noddet or bridge where the riuer Lyner first mingleth his fresh streame with the brinish waues touching whose name and quality one delighted in the solitary solace of his banks more affecting his owne recreation then hunting after any others good liking descanted thus WHo first gaue Lyners name Or from what cause it came Hard 't is for certaine to expresse Experience yet directs By tryall of effects Thereatto ayme and frame a gesse Is 't that as she thee bear'th So thou doest line the earth With purfeld streames of blew and white Or at a line doth guide So thou doest leuell slide And throw'st into the sea thy mite Is 't that with twisted line The Angler doth vntwine The fishes life by giuing-breath Or as the threshing lout Rusheth his Lyners out So Lyner on his course rushetht Or as some puppy feat Liueth a mastiue great And getteth whelps of mongrell kinde Lyner the sea so lines And streame with waue combines Begetting waters freshly brin'de Item WHen Sunne the earth least shadow spares And highest stalles in heauen his seat Then Lyners peeble bones he bares Who like a lambe doth lowly blear And faintly sliding euery rock Plucks from his foamy fleece a lock Before a riuer now a rill Before a fence now searce a bound Children him ouer-leape at will Small beasts his deepest bottome sound The heauens with brasse enarch his head And earth of yron makes his bed But when the milder-mooded skie His face in mourning weedes doth wrap For absence of his clearest die And drops teares in his Centers lap Lyner gynnes Lyon-like to roare And scornes old bankes should bound him more Then second Sea he rolles and bear's Rockes in his wombe riekes on his backe Downe-borne bridges vptorne wear's Witnesse and wayle his force their wracke Into mens houses fierce he breakes And on each stop his rage he wreakes Shepheard adiew's his swymming flocke The Hinde his whelmed haruest hope The strongest rampire fear 's his shocke Plaines scarce oan serue to giue him scope Nor hils a barre whereso he stray'th Ensue losse terrour ruine death In following the course of Lyner you fall downe by Master Bonds auncient house of Earth descended to his auncesters from the daughter and heire of that name to that of Master Wiuels newly and fayrely builded on which abbutteth Ma. Bullers Shillingham not so much beholden to the owners inhabitance as to natures pleasant and commodious seating Bond married with Fountaine his father with Fits his Armes are Ar. on a Cheuron Sa. three Befants Next wee take view of Trematon Castle as it doth of the Hauen and Countrie adioyning It is or rather was one of the Dukes foremencioned foure houses for now all the inner buildings are sunke into ruine onelythere remaine the Iuie-tapissed wals of the Keepe and base Court and a poore dwelling for the keeper of the Gayle to which prisoners are brought vpon actions from al places appurtenaÌ„t to that large Lordship if they cannot by suretiship discharge themselues from the Bailiefes arrest I haue receiued information from one auerring eye-witnes that about fourescore yeres since there was digged vp in the Parish Chauncell a Leaden coffin which being opened shewed the proportion of a verie bigge man but when the hands went about to ascertaine themselues as well as their eyes the body verified that Omnis caro puluis The partie farder told me how a writing graued in the Lead expressed the same to bee the
her selfe vpon the family of the Dimocks Robert second sonne to the last mentioned Raphe saue one had issue Will. who maried Alice the daughter and heire of Tho. of Edmerston Wil. had another Wil. and he had Iohn and Iohn againe had Wil. This Wil. had Roger who vpon Iulian sister and coheire of Iohn Hill of Fleet begat Iohn and Richard father to the Gentleman now liuing and he matched with Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Southcott and one of the heires to her mother the daughter of Barnehouse besides which hee succeeded to his vncle Iohns inheritance who deceased issuelesse and being yet scarcely entred the limits of an healthfull olde age seeth his pedigree extended into two farther descents As for those outreaching mans memory I haue seene them very sufficiently verified his Armes are O. an Eagle displayed B. pruning her wing armed and langued G. Vpon the top of a creek hereby lyeth Crocadon the mansion of M. Treuisa a Gent. deriuing himselfe from the ancient and weldeseruing Chronicler of that name he beareth G. a garbe O. A mile aboue Halton standeth Cuttayle another house of M. Edgecumbs so named as wee may coniecture of the French Courtaile in English short cut because here the salt water course is straightned by the incroching banks The buildings are ancient large strong and fayre and appurtenanced with the necessaries of wood water fishing parks and mils with the deuotion of in times past a rich furnished Chappell and with the charity of almes-houses for certaine poore people whom the owners vsed to releeue It is reported credited thereabouts how Sir Ric. Edgecumb the elder was driuen to hide himself in those his thick woods which ouerlook the riuer what time being suspected of fauouring the Earle of Richmonds party against King R. the 3. hee was hotely pursued and narrowely searched for Which extremity taught him a sudden policy to put a stone in his cap tumble the same into the water while these rangers were fast at his heeles who looking downe after the noyse and seeing his cap swimming thereon supposed that he had desperatly drowned himselfe gaue ouer their farther hunting and left him liberty to shift away and ship ouer into Brittaine for a gratefull remembrance of which deliuery hee afterwards builded in the place of his lurking a Chappell not yet vtterly decayed And thus hauing coasted the Cornish side of Plymmouth hauen I hold it not amisse to make report of such great voyages as by the memory of our Chronicles or our owne view from this harbour tooke their beginning or ending Heere the neuer inough commended black Prince attended by the Earles of Warwick Suffolk Sarisbury and Oxford the Lord Chandos and others committed himselfe to the sea with a nauy of 300. bottoms for landing and maintayning his fathers right in France and hither after his glorious battell at Poictiers he returned with the captiue French King and his nobles Here the Lady Katherine daughter to the King of Spaine and wife to our Prince Arthur tooke land at her first arriuall in England Heere shipped himselfe the Lord Darcy sent by King Henry the 8. with a lusty crew of soldiers for that Ferdinands iust assistance against the Infidels but vsed by him as a stale for the vniust conquest of Christian Nauar. Here mostly haue the troups of aduenturers made their Rendez vous for attempting newe discoueries or inhabitances as Tho. Stukeleigh for Florida Sir Humfrey Gilbert for Newfound-land Sir Rich. Greynuile for Virginea Sir Martyn Frebisher and Master Dauies for the North-west passage Sir Walter Raleigh for Guiana c. Here Count Mongomery made forth with a more commendable meaning then able meanes or welspeeding effect for relieuing the hard besieged and sore distressed Rochellers Here Sir Fra. Drake first extended the point of that liquid line wherewith as an emulator of the Sunnes glorie he encompassed the world Here Master Candish began to second him with a like heroicall spirit and fortunate successe Here Don Antonio King of Portugall the Earles of Cumberland Essex and Notingham the Lord Warden of the Stanneries Sir Iohn Norrice Sir Iohn Hawkins and who elsewhere and not here haue euer accustomed to cut sayle in carrying defiance against the imaginarie new Monarch and heere to cast anker vpon their returne with spoyle and honour I omit the infinite swarme of single ships and pettie fleetes dayly heere manned out to the same effect And here in eightie eight the foreremembred Lord Admirall expected and set forth against that heauen-threatning Armado which to bee tainted with the shamefuller disgrace and to blaze our renoume with the brighter lustre termed it selfe Inuincible But I may not grow ouer-lasciuious in extolling King R. the 2. Anno 5. of his raigne by Act of Parliament restrained all passengers from shipping themselues in any other Ports theÌ„ such as are there set down of which Plymmouth was one From Plymmouth hauen passing farther into the countrie Hengsten downe presenteth his waste head and sides to our sight This name it boroweth of Hengst which in the Saxon signifieth a horse to such least daintie beasts it yeeldeth fittest pasture The countrie people haue a by word that Hengsten downe well ywrought Is worth London towne deare ybought Which grewe from the store of Tynne in former times there digged vp but that gainfull plentie is now fallen to a scant-sauing scarcitie Those workes afford store of the formentioned Cornish Diamonds The neighboring Inhabitants obserue also that when the top of Hengsten is capped with a cloud the same boadeth a showre within short time after Roger Hoâ—â—den reporteth that about Anno 806. a fleete of Danes arriued in West-wales with whome the Welsh ioyned in insurrection against king Egbright but hee gloriously discomfited them at Hengistendune which I take to bee this place if at least West-wales may by interpretation passe for Cornwall because the other prouince of that name is more commonly diuided into North and South This down is edged by Carybullock sometimes a parke of the Dukes but best brooking that name now it hath lost his qualitie through exchaunging Deere for Bullocke A little aside from hence lyeth Landwhitton now Lawhitton which as I haue elsewhere noted was exempted vnto Edwulff Bishop of Creditune from the Cornish Diocesse to which yet both for the temporaltie and spiritualtie the same oweth present subiection Mary into what new names PontiuÌ„ Coilleng there also mentioned are now metamorphized I must say amplio Those buildings commonly knowne by the name of Lauriston and written Lanceston are by the Cornishmen called Lesteeuan Lez in Cornish signifieth broad those are scatteringly erected and were anciently termed Lanstaphadon by interpretation S. Stephens Church they consist of two boroughs Downeuet and Newport that perhaps so called of downe yeeding as hauing a steep hill this of his newer erection With them ioyne the parishes of S. Thomas S. Stephens The parish
wherewith our Realme was then distressed furnished a nauy within the riuer of Sayne and with the same in the night burned a part of Foy and other houses confyning but vpon approch of the countryes forces raised the next day by the Sherife he made speed away to his ships and with his ships to his home In a high way neere this towne there lieth a big and long moore stone containing the remainder of certaine ingraued letters purporting some memorable antiquity as it should seeme but past ability of reading Not many yeres sithence a Gentleman dwelling not farre off was perswaded by some information or imagination that treasure lay hidden vnder this stone wherefore in a faire Moone-shine night thither with certaine good fellowes hee hyeth to dig it vp a working they fall their labour shortneth their hope increaseth a pot of Gold is the least of their expectation But see the chance In midst of their toyling the skie gathereth clouds the Moone-light is ouer-cast with darkenesse downe fals a mightie showre vp riseth a blustering tempest the thunder cracketh the lightning flasheth in conclusion our money-seekers washed in stead of loden or loden with water in steade of yellow earth and more afraid then hurt are forced to abandon their enterprise and seeke shelter of the next house they could get into Whether this proceeded from a naturall accident or a working of the diuell I will not vndertake to define It may bee God giueth him such power ouer those who begin a matter vpon couetousnesse to gaine by extraordinarie meanes and prosecute it with a wrong in entring and breaking another mans land with out his leaue and direct the end thereof to the princes defrauding whose prerogatiue challengeth these casualties A little beyond Foy the land openeth a large sandie Bay for the Sea to ouer-flow which and the village adioyning are therethrough aptly termed Trewardreth in English The Sandie towne Elder times of more deuotion then knowledge here founded a religious house which in King Henrie the eights raigne vnderwent the common downefall I haue receiued credible information that some three yeeres sithence certaine hedgers deuiding a closse on the sea side hereabouts chanced in their digging vpon a great chest of stone artificially ioyned whose couer they ouer-greedy for booty rudely brake and therewithall a great earthen pot enclosed which was guilded and graued with letters defaced by this misaduenture and ful of a black earth the ashes doubtles as that the vrna of some famous personage Vpon a side of this bay one M. Peter Beuill first began the experiment of making a saltwater pond induced thereunto by obseruing that the high Summer tydes brought with them young Basses and Millets whom at their ebbing they left behinde in little pits of the euen ground where they would liue for many weekes without any reuisitation of the sea who as he bettered this naturall patterne so did I his artificiall but yet with a thankefull acknowledgement by whome I haue profited Lostwithiel should seeme to fetch his originall from the Cornish Loswithiall which in English soundeth a Lions tayle for as the Earle of this prouince gaue the Lyon in armes and the Lions principall strength men say consisteth in his tayle so this towne claymeth the precedence as his Lords chiefest residence the place which he entrusted with his Exchequer and where his wayghtier affaires were managed Maioralty markets faires and nomination of Burgesses for the Parliament it hath common with the most Coynage of Tynne onely with three others but the gayle for the whole Stannary and keeping of the County Courts it selfe alone Yet all this can hardly rayse it to a tolerable condition of wealth and inhabitance Wherefore I will detayne you no longer then vntill I haue shewed you a solemne custome in times past here yeerely obserued and onely of late daies discontinued which was thus Vpon little Easter Sunday the Freeholders of the towne and mannour by themselues or their deputies did there assemble amongst whom one as it fell to his lot by turne brauely apparelled gallantly mounted with a Crowne on his head a scepter in his hand a sword borne before him and dutifully attended by all the rest also on horseback rode thorow the principall streete to the Church there the Curate in his best beseene solemnely receiued him at the Churchyard stile and conducted him to heare diuine seruice after which he repaired with the same pompe to a house foreprouided for that purpose made a feast to his attendants kept the tables end himselfe and was serued with kneeling assay all other rites due to the estate of a Prince with which dinner the ceremony ended and euery man returned home again The pedigree of this vsage is deriued from so many descents of ages that the cause and authour outreach remembrance howbeit these circumstances offer a coniecture that it should betoken the royalties appertaining to the honour of Cornwall M. Wil. Kendals hospitality while he liued and here kept house deserueth a speciall remembrance because for store of resort and franknes of entertainment it exceeded all others of his sort This towne anno 11. H. 7. was by act of Parliament assigned to keepe the publike waights and measures ordayned for the Countie Lostwithiel subiecteth it selfe to the commaund of Restormel Castle alias Lestormel sometimes the Dukes principal house It is seated in a park vpō the plaine neck of a hill backed to the Westwards with another somewhat higher falling euery other way to end in a valley watered by the fishfull riuer of Foy. His base court is rather to be coniectured then discerned by the remnant of some fewe ruines amongst which an ouen of 14. foot largenes through his exceeding proportion prooueth the like hospitality of those dayes The inner court grounded vpon an intrenched rocke was formed round had his vtter wall thick strong and garretted his flat roofe couered with lead and his large windowes taking their light inwards It consisted of two stories besides the vaults and admitted entrance and issue by one onely gate fenced with a Portcouliz Water was conueyed thither by a conduit from the higher ground adioyning Certes it may moue compassion that a Palace so healthfull for aire so delightfull for prospect so necessary for commodities so fayre in regard of those dayes for building and so strong for defence should in time of secure peace and vnder the protection of his naturall Princes be wronged with those spoylings then which it could endure no greater at the hands of any forrayne and deadly enemy for the Parke is disparked the timber rooted vp the conduit pipes taken away the roofe made sale of the planchings rotten the wals fallen downe and the hewed stones of the windowes dournes clauels pluct out to serue priuate buildings onely there remayneth an vtter defacement to complayne vpon this vnregarded distresse It now appertayneth by lease to Master Samuel who maried Halse his father a
who wedded Treuanion and his sonne Trestry Hee beareth A. a Pesse G. betweene 3. Sheldrakes proper Sawle who espoused Rashleigh and his father Kindall c. and beareth A. a Cheuron betweene 3. Fauleons heads erased S. Pider Hundred I Must now for a while bid the South sea late well vntill a new oportunity call mee to end the other part of Falmouth hauen and take the Hundred of Pider in taske which confineth with Powder in situation as it resembleth the same in denomination Pider in Cornish is 4. in English and this is the fourth Hundred of Cornwall if you begin your reckoning from the Wester part at Pen with which signifying a head doth seeme so to requirele In entring this Hundred Padstowe first presenteth it selfe a towne and hauen of suteable quality for both though bad are the best that the North Cornish coast possesseth The Borough gaue name to the harbour and borrowed it of Petrock and Stowe contracting the same into Padstowe It hath lately purehased a corporation and reapeth greatest thrift by traffiking with Ireland for which it commodiously lieth The harbor is barred with baÌ„ks of sand made through vniting their weake forces sufficieÌ„tly strong to resist the Oceans threatning billows which diuorced from their parent find their rage subdued by the others lowly submission M. Nicholas Prideaux from his new and stately house thereby taketh a ful and large prospect of the towne hauen countrey adioyning to all which his wisdome is a stay his authority a direction He maried one of Viels coheires and though endowed with fayre reuennues in Deuonâ—aketh â—aketh Cornwall beholdeâ— to his residence He beareth A. a Cheuron S. in chiefe a fyle with three Lambeaux G. The salt water leauing Padstowe floweth vp into the countrey that it may embrace the riuer Camel and hauing performed this naturall courtesie ebbeth away againe to yeeld him the â—â—â—er passage by which meanes they both vndergoe Wade bridge the longest strongest and fayresh that the Shine can muster It tooke his name of a foorde adioyning which affoordeth a way not so safe as compendious when the tyde is out Wade bridge deliuereth you into a waste ground where 9. long and great stones called The sisters stand in a ranke together and seeme to haue bene so pitched for continuing the memory of somewhat whose notice is yet enuied vs by time Neere to Belowdy commonly not vnproperly termed Beelowzy the too of a hill is enuironed with deep treble trenches which leaue a large playne space in the midst they call it Castellan Danis of which my former booke maketh mention and it seemeth in timespast to haue bin a matter of moment the rather for that a great cawfey now couered with grasse doth lead vnto it Saint Colombs is a bigge parish and a meane market towne subiect to the Lordship and patronage of the Lanhearn Arundels who for many descents lye there interred as the inscriptions on their graue stones doe testify Their name is deriued from Hirundelle in French a Swallow out of France at the conquest they came sixe Swallows they giue in Armes The Country people entitle them The great Arundels and greatest stroke for loue liuing and respect in the Countrey heretofore they bare Their sayd house of Lanhearne standeth in the next parish called Mawgan Ladu is Cornish for a bank and on a banke the same is seated what hearne may meane ignorance bids mee keepe silence It is appurtenanced with a large scope of land which while the owners there liued was employed to franke hospitality yet the same wanted wood in lieu whereof they burned heath and generally it is more regardable for profit then commendable for pleasure The Gent. now liuing maried Anne the daughter of Henry Gernâ—â—gham his father a man of a goodly presence and kinde magnanimity maried the daughter of the Earle of Darby and widdow to the L. Stourton He beareth S. 6. Swallowes in pile A. Little Colan hath lesse worth the obseruation vnlesse you will detide or pity their simplicity who sought at our Lady Nants well there to foreknowe what fortune should betide them which was in this maner Vpon Palm Sunday these idle-headed seekers resorted thither with a palme crosse in one hand an offring in the other the offring fell to the Priests share the Crosse they threwe into the well which if it swamme the party should outliue that yeere if it sunk a short ensuing death was boded and perhaps not altogether vntruely while a foolish conceyt of this halsening might the sooner helpe it onwards A contrary practise to the goddesse Iunoes lake in Laconia for there if the wheateÌ„ cakes cast in vpon her festiuall day were by the water receiued it betokened good luck if reiected euill The like is written by Pausanias of Inus in Greece and by others touching the offrings throwne into the fomace of mount Etoa in Sicill From hence by the double duety of consanguinitie and affinity I am called to stop at Colowarth which inhabitance altered the Inhabitants from their former French name Escudifer in English Iron shield to his owne as they prooue by olde euidence not needing in the Norman Kings new birth to be distinguished with the Raigners number Cosowarth in Cornish importeth The high groue and well stored with trees it hath bene neither is yet altogether destitute Iohn the heire of that house hauing by the daughter of Williams issue only one daughter Katherine suffered part of his lands to descend vnto the children of her first husband Alen Hill another part hee intayled in her second marriage with Arundel of Trerice to their issue The house of Cosowarth and the auncient in heritance there adioyning he gaue to the heires male of his stock by which conueyance his vncle Iohn succeeded who married the daughter of Sir Wil. Lock King H. the 8. marchant and by him knighted for that with equall courage and hazard hee tooke downe the Popes Bull set vp at Antwerp against his Soueraigne He had issue Thomas Edward Michael Iohn and Robert Thomas maried the daughter of Samtubyn on whom he begat Iohn and Dorothy Iohn the elder and Robert neuer tasted the sweet and sowre of bridale fruit Michael tooke to wife Sidenhams daughter of Dulâ—â—â—…rton in Somersetshire and is father onely of issue female Hee addicteth himselfe to an Ecclesiasticall life and therein ioyning Poetry with Diuinity endeuoureth to imitate the holy Prophet Dauid whose Psalmes of his translation into English meeter receiue the general applause beyond a great many other wel-deseruing vndertakers of the same taske Iohn the yongest succeeding in this inheritance vpon iust cause good conscience and gratefull kindenesse renewed the intayle which his father Thomas had cut off and in a single restate and the vniuersall loue of all that conuersed with him made a short period of his long hoped life whose decease I bewayled in these times HE that at sea and land
meant Merlyn Ara Lesâ—â—y Pawle Pensanz ha Newlyn Not farre from the lands ende there is a little village called Trebegean in English The towne of the Giants graue neere whereunto and within memory as I haue beene informed certayne workemen searching for Tynne discouered a long square vault which contayned the bones of an excessiue bigge carkas and verified this Etimology of the name At Saint Buriens a parish of great circuit and like benefit to the Incumbent King Athelstane accomplished his vowe in founding a Colledge of Priests what time he had conquered the Sillane Ilands Chiwarton signifyeth a house on the greene lay and a Castle on a greene hill is giuen by the Gent. of that name who in a quiet single life maketh no farther vse of his knowledge gotten in the lawes during his younger age or that experience wherewith a long course of yeeres hath sithence enriched him then may tend sine lucro to the aduauncement of publike iustice or sine strepitu to the aduisement of his priuate acquaintance Hee beareth A. a Castle S. Standing on a hill V. Sundry other Gentlemen people that remote quarter as Lauelis c. touching whom I must plead non sum informatus Diogenes after he had tired his Scholers with a long Lecture finding at last the voyde paper Bee glad my friends quoth hee wee are come to harbour With the like comfort in an vnlike resemblance I will refresh you who haue vouchsafed to trauaile in the rugged and wearysome path of mine ill-pleasing stile that now your iourny endeth with the land to whose Promontory by Pomp. Mela called Bolerium by Diodorus Velerium by Volaterane Helenium by the Cornish Pedn an laaz and by the English The lands end because we are arriued I will heere sit mee downe and rest Deo gloria mihi gratia 1602. April 23. Corrections FOlio 9. a. lin 13. read Lanine Fol. 10. lin 28. read Sic. Fol. 15. a. l. 5. ere Fol. 16. a. l. 27. certainly Fol. 17. b. l. 28 Gentleman ibid. l. 30. appeale fol. 18. b. l. 12. expected fol. 19. a. l. 10. canding fol. 20. b. l. 28. may fol. 21. a. l. 17. an fol. 23. a. l. 17. Kerier fol. 25. a. l. 16. dieting ibid. b. l. 1. affect fol. 32. a. l. 8. Dories fol. 33. a. l. 4. celler ibid. b. l. 11. foreclosing fol. 53. b. l. 22. of which fol. 55. a. l. 6. Bonithon and l. 20. Carminow ibid. b. l. 2. Tedna ibid. l. 22. guiddn fol. 56. a. l. 8. Pedn fol. 61. b. l. 28. Trerice fol. 66. b. l. 11. leaue out of straw fol. 67. b. l. 15. siluer fol. 68. a. l. 17. breeder ibid. l. 26. vnpleasing fol. 75. a. l. 32. from him ibid. b. l. 22. Peluianders fol. 76. a. l. 19. fore-hip ibid. b. l. 2. Circumforanei fol. 77. a. l. 2. appannage fol. 80. a. l. 29. Newelm fol. 82. b. l. 1. entrusted ibid. l. 16. entrusted fol. 84. b. l. 22. ventings fol. 87. a. l. 25. interpreted fol. 88. a. l. 18. Hender fol. 98. a. l. 7. interlaced fol. 100. b. l. 22. third and l. 23. as fol. 106. b. l. 4. net becomes fol. 110. a. l. 24. Saultier ibid. b. l. 21. Lineth fol. 111. a. l. 7. eie fol. 112. a. l. 28. faire fol. 116. b. l. 19. Trerice fol. 117. b. l. 10. pearced and l. 11. segreant and l. 30. strata fol. 118. a. l. 14. Treuenner fol. 122. b. l. 18. Cambala fol. 127. b. l. 3. tripped The Table of the first Booke THe Suruey of Cornwal coÌ„taineth a description generall in the first booke reporting her Accidents Elements Inhabitants THe Suruey of Cornwal coÌ„taineth a description Special in the 2. book containing matters Topographical Historicall Accidents wherein are deliuered the name shape Fol. 1. Climat 2. The quantitie length and breadth ibid. Borders ibid. Commodities of the situation 3. Discommodities 4. Temperature 5. Elements Earth aboue forme qualitie 5. Things of life growing and feeling Earth vnder Mynerals 6. Precious Diamonds Pearle and Agats 7. Water fresh springs riuers ponds 26. Therein the fish 28. The taking 30. Sea things liuelesse liuing fish foule Things of life growing Mats 18. Hearbs 19. Corne dressing ibid. kindes 20. Trees for fruit ibid. Fewel timber 21. Things of life feeling Wormes 21. Beastes Venery 22. meat 23. vse 24. Birds ibid. Minerals Stones for walling windowes couering pauing lyme 6. Mettals Tynne 7. Copper 6. Siluer and Gold 7. Tynne-works Kindes finding 8. Colour bignesse 10. Working expressing the persons Aduenturers ibid. Captaine ibid. Labourers ibid. Maner tooles ibid. Loose earth rockes 11. Conueyance by water engines Addits ibid. Tynne-dressing Breaking stamping drying crazing washing ibid. Blowing 12. Iurisdiction Charter 16. Officers supreme L. Warden Vice-warden 17. Ioterior Stewards Gaylour 18. Iuries great petty ibid. Witnesses ibid. Orders Sharing 12. Places Wastrel Seuerall 13. Bounds doales measure ibid. Coynage in time 13. Post 14. and their places ibid. times ibid. Officers ibid. Price by free sale Preemption 17. Vsury in Tynne black white 15. Sea things liuelesse Briny Salt-mils Ilands hauens 26. Sand Orewoods Shels and Nuts Shipping 27. Sea things liuing Fish partaker of the fresh 28. Therein the fashion shelly flat round 30. Within hauen 29. Their taking generall and particular 30. Vpon the coast 31. Sauing and venting 33. Foule eatable not eatable 35. Inhabitants estate reall Priuate grounds houses 36. Entercourse bridges high wayes 53. Traffike markets fayres ibid. Wayghts and measures 54. Inhabitants estate personall Names 54. Language 55. Number 57. Disposition ancient ibid. Disposition later of mindes holinesse 58. Sciences Diuines ibid. Ciuilians 59. Phisicians 60. Statemen Martiall Free schooles 61. Mechanicall 62. Disposition later of bodies strength ibid. Actiuity health 63. Degrees Nobility and Gentlemen ibid. Townsmen 65. Husbandmen 66. Poore 67. Recreations Feasts Saints 69. Haruest Church-ale 68. Pastimes of the minde songs 72. Guaries 71. Pastimes of the body shooting 72. Hurling to goales 73. Hurling to countrey 74. Wrastling 75. Games 76. Gouernment as an entire State Gouernours ibid. Royalties 79. Gouernment as a part of the Realme Spiritual Arch-bishop Bishop Arch-deacon 82. Peculiars 81. Gouernment as a part of the Realme Temporall Martiall Commaunders 83. Martiall Forces ibid. Orders Forts 84. Beacons Poasts 85. Ciuill Magistrates Iudges 89. Iustices 88. Vice-admirall Coroners Clarke of the market 87. Corporations 86. Parliaments 90. Ciuill Ministers Constables Baylifs 85. Gaylour 90. Limits Hundreds Franchises parishes 86. Proportions places to meete rates ibid. The end of the first Table The Table of the second Booke COrnwall in generall 96. East Hundred 98 Topographicall Plymmouth hauen 98. Rame head ibid. Causam bay ibid. S. Nicholas Iland 99. The bridge ibid. Mount-Edgecumb ibid. West Stonehouse 100. Hamose ibid. Milbrook 101. Insworke ibid. Antony 102. Lyner riuer ibid. Saltwater pond 104. Banqueting house 107. Beggers Iland ibid. Sheuiock 108. Chrasthole ibid. S. Germanes ibid. Cuddenbeake 109. Seaton 110. Wotton ibid. Trematon Castle 111. Saltash 112. Ash torre
must either craue or take leaue of the Londoners to lay open the hard dealing of their Tynne Marchants in this trade WheÌ„ any Western Gent. or person of accompt wanteth money to defray his expences at London he resorteth to one of the Tynne Marchants of his acquaintance to borrow some but they shall as soone wrest the Clubbe out of Hercules fist as one penie out of their fingers vnlesse they giue bond for euerie twentie pound so taken in lone to deliuer a thousand pound waight of Tyn at the next Coynage which shal be within two or three months or at farthest within halfe a yeere after At which time the price of euerie thousand will not faile to be at least twentie three prehaps twentie fiue pound yea and after promise made the party must be driuen with some indignitie to make three or foure errands to his house or hee shall get the money deliâ—ered In this sort some one Marchant will haue 5. hundred pound out beforehand reaping thereby a double commoditie both of excessiue gaine for his lone and of assurance to bee serued with Tynne for his money This they say is no Vsurie forsooth because the price of Tynne is not certainely knowne before-hand for once onely within these twelue yeeres of set purpose to escape the penaltie of the Law they brought it a little vnder twentie pound the thousand but if to take aboue fiftie in the hundred be extremitie whatsoeuer name you list to giue it this in truth can bee none other then cutthroate and abominable dealing I will not condemne all such as vse this trade neither yet acquite those who make greatest pretence of zeale in Religion and it may be that some vpon by-respects find somwhat friendly vsage in Vsance at some of their hands but the common voice saith that for the most part they are naught all And yet how bad soeuer this fashion may iustly bee accompted certaine of the same Countrymen do passe farre beyond it as thus The Marchant that hee may stand assured to haue Tynne for his money at the time of Coynage or deliuerance besides his trade of lone abouementioned layeth out diuers summes before-hand vnto certaine Cornishmen owners of Tynworkes or otherwise of knowne sufficiencie who are bound to deliuer for the same so many thousands of Tynne as the money shal amount vnto after the price agreed vpon at the Coynages To these hungrie flies the poore labouring Tynner resorteth desiring some money before the time of his pay at the deliuerance the other puts him off at first answering he hath none to spare in the end when the poore man is driuen through necessitie to renew his suite he fals to questioning what hee will doe with the money Saith the Tynner I will buy bread and meate for my selfe and my houshold and shooes hosen peticoates such like stuffe for my wife and children Suddenly herein this owner becomes a pettie chapman I will serue thee saith he hee deliuers him so much ware as shall amount to fortie shillings in which he cuts him halfe in halfe for the price and foure nobles in money for which the poore wretch is bound in Darbyes bonds to deliuer him two hundred waight of Tynne at the next Coynage which may then bee worth fiue pound or foure at the verie least And as mischiefe still creepes onward this extreme dealing of the London Marchant and Countrie chapman in white Tynne is imitated or rather exceeded by the wealthier sort of Tynners themselues in the blacke by laying out their money after thus much the marke which trade though subtill and darke I will open as plainely as I can A foote of blacke Tynne as is before said containeth in measure two gallons the waight vncertainely followeth the goodnesse A foote of good Moore-tyn which is counted the best sort will way about fourescore pound Of the Myne Tynne which is meaner fiftie two pound of the worst fiftie pound Two pound of good blacke Tynne being melted will yeeld one of white twentie eight or thirtie foote of the best fortie of the middle 52. of the meanest a thousand Now the wealthier sort of Tynners laying out part of their money beforehand buy this black Tynne of the poore labourers after so much the marke that is looke how many markes there are in the price made at the Coynage for the thousand so many two pence halfepenie three pence or foure pence partly after the goodnesse and partly according to the hard conscience of the one and necessitie of the other shal he haue for the foote as if the price be twentie sixe pound thirteene shillings foure pence the thousand therein are fortie markes then shall the poore Tynner receiue of him who dealeth most friendly for euerie foote of his best blacke tynne of which as was said about thirtie will make a thousand fortie times foure pence viz. thirteene shillings and foure pence which amounteth to twentie pound the thousand whereas that foote at the price is worth aboue fiue pence the marke Likewise will hee pay for the meaner blacke Tynne of which about fortie foote will make a thousand three pence the marke which is ten shillings the foote and so shall he haue also after twentie pound for the thousand for the worse they giue lesse rateably By which proportion how vncertaine soeuer the goodnesse of the Tynne or the greatnesse of the price do fall their gaine of a fourth part at least riseth alwaies vncertainly Whereto adding that they lay out beforehand but a portion of the money due and that onely for some small time you shall find it grow to the highest degree of extremitie But whether it proceedeth from this hard dealing or for that the Tynners whole familie giue themselues to a lazie kind of life and depend only vpon his labour and gaynes which often ill succeeding aduentures such ouer-deare bought Tynne daylie impaire or from both these together once it hath beene duly obserued that the parishes where Tynne is wrought rest in a meaner plight of wealth then those which want this dammageable commoditie and that as by abandoning this trade they amend so by reuiuing the same they decay againe whereas husbandrie yeeldeth that certayne gaine in a mediocritie which Tynneworkes rather promise then performe in a larger measure Let vs now examine what course of Iustice is held for deciding such controuersies as befall in Tinne causes and with what priuileges they are endowed and encouraged After such time as the Iewes by their extreame dealing had worne themselues first out of the loue of the English Inhabitants and afterwards out of the land it selfe and so left the Mines vnwrought it hapned that certaine Gentlemen being Lords of seuen tithings in Blackmoore whose grounds were best stored with this Minerall grewe desirous to renew this benefit and so vpon suit made to Edmond Earle of Cornwal sonne to Richard king of the Romans they obtayned from him a Charter vvith sundrie Priuileges amongst
vvhich it vvas graunted them to keepe a Court and hold plea of all actions life lymme and land excepted in consideration vvhereof the sayd Lords accorded to pay the Earle a halfpeny for euery pound of Tynne which should be wrought and that for better answering this taxe the sayd Tynne should bee brought to certayne places purposely appointed and there peized coyned and kept vntill the Earles due were satisfied Againe the Lords of these Tithings were for their parts authorised to manage all Stannerie causes and for that intent to hold Parliaments at their discretion and in regard of their labour there was allotted vnto them the toll-Tynne within those Tithings which their successours doe yet enioy This Charter was to be kept in one of the Church steeples within those Tithings and the Seale had a Pick-axe and Shouell in faultier grauen therein This I receiued by report of the late master William Carnsew a Gentleman of good qualitie discretion and learning and well experienced in these mynerall causes who auouched himselfe an eye-witnesse of that Charter though now it bee not extant Howbeit I haue learned that in former time the Tynners obtained a Charter from king Iohn and afterwards another from king Edward the first which were againe expounded confirmed and inlarged by Parliament in the fiftieth yeere of Edward the third and lastly strengthened by king Henrie the seuenth King Edward the firsts Charter granteth them liberty of selling their Tynne to their best behoofe Nisi saith he nos ipsi emere voluerimus Vpon which ground certaine persons in the Reignes of K. Edward 6. Queene Marie sought to make vse of this preemption as I haue beene enformed but either crossed in the prosecution or defeated in their expectation gaue it ouer againe which vaine successe could not yet discourage some others of later times from the like attempt alleadging many reasons how it might proue beneficiall both to her Highnesse and the Countrie and preiudiciall to none saue onely the Marchants who practised a farre worse kind of preemption as hath beene before expressed This for a while was hotely onsetted and a reasonable price offered but vpon what ground I know not soone cooled againe Yet afterwards it receiued a second life and at Michaelmas terme 1599. the Cornishmen then in London were called before some of the principal Lords of her Maiesties Council and the matter there debated by the Lord Warden in behalfe of the Countrie and certaine others deputed for the Marchants who had set this suite on foote In the end it grew to a conclusion and Articles were drawne and signed but they also proued of void effect Last of all the said Lord Warden in the beginning of Nouember 1600. called an assembly of Tynners at Lostwithiel the place accustomed impanelled a Iurie of twentie foure Tynners signified her Maiesties pleasure both for a new imposition of sixe pound on euerie thousand that should bee transported ouer and aboue the former fortie shillings and sixteene shillings alreadie payable as also that her Highnesse would disburse foure thousand pound in lone to the Tynners for a yeres space and bee repayed in tynne at a certaine rate By the foreremembred ancient Charters there is assigned a Warden of the Stanneries who supplieth the place both of a Iudge for Law and of a Chauncellour for conscience and so taketh hearing of causes either in Forma iuris or de iure aequo Hee substituteth some Gentlemen in the Shire of good calling and discretion to be his Vice-Warden from whome either partie complainant or defendant may appeare to him as from him a case of rare experience to the Lords of the Councill and from their Honours to her Maiesties person other appeale or remoouing to the common law they gaynsay The Gayle for Stannery causes is kept at Lostwithiel and that office is annexed to the Comptrolership The Tynners of the whole shire are deuided into foure quarters two called Moores of the places where the Tynne is wrought viz. Foy moore and Blacke moore the other Tiwarnaill and Penwith To each of these is assigned by the L. Warden a Steward who keepeth his Court once in euery three weekes They are termed Stannery Courts of the latine word Stannum in English Tynne and hold plea of whatsoeuer action of debt or trespasse whereto any one dealing with blacke or white Tynne either as plaintife or defendant is a party Their maner of triall consisteth in the verdict giuen by a Iurie of sixe Tynners according to which the Steward pronounceth iudgement He that will spare credit to the common report shall conceiue an ill opinion touching the slippings of both witnesses and Iurours sometimes in these Courts For it is sayd that the witnesses haue not sticked now and then to fasten their euidence rather for seruing a turne then for manifesting a truth and that the Iurours verdict hath sauoured more of affection then of reason especially in controuersies growne betweene strangers and some of the same parts And such fault-finders voutch diuers causes of this partialitie One that when they are sworne they vse to adde this word my conscience as the Romans did their Ex animi meisententia which is suspected to imply a conceyted enlargement of their othe Another that the varietie of customes which in euery place welneere differ one from another yeeldeth them in a maner an vnlimited scope to auerre what they list and so to close the best Lawyers mouth with this one speach Our custome is contrary And lastly that they presume vpon a kind of impunity because these sixe mens iuries fall not within compasse of the Star-chambers censure and yet the L. Wardens haue now then made the pillory punishment of some a spectacle example and warning to the residue For mine owne part I can in these Tynne cases plead but a hearesay experience and therefore will onely inferre that as there is no smoke without a fire so commonly the smoke is far greater then the fire Strange it were and not to be excepted that all poore Tynne Iurours and witnesses should in such a remote corner alwayes conforme themselues to the precise rule of vprightnesse when we see in the open light of our publike assises so many more iudicious and substantiall persons now and then to swarue from the same In matters of important consequence appertayning to the whole Stannery the L. Warden or his Vnder-warden vseth to impannell a Iury of foure and twenty principall Tynners which consist of sixe out of euery quarter returnable by the Maiors of the foure Stannery townes and whose acts doe bind the residue Next to the liuelesse things follow those which pertake a growing life and then a feeling The women and children in the West part of Cornwall doe vse to make Mats of a small and fine kinde of bents there growing which for their warme and well wearing are carried by sea to London and other parts of the Realme and serue to