Cornwall
This page was originally created by Brian Jelbert.


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A Topical and Historical Description of Cornwall in 1650 by John Norden

I have taken John Norden's description of Cornwall as a starting point for this page as it is of the same period as the early J*lb*rt family ancestries. The extracts consist of a brief description of the County as a whole and a more detailed description of Penwith Hundred (the far south west peninsula) and some of the villages mentioned in the early parish records. It should be remembered that the distance from Penzance (Pensans) to Land's End is only ten miles.

Cornwall is the farthest part of Britaine towardes the Weste, extending it selfe in a promontorie Primaidis formae, whose Base is founded Vpon the Riuer Tamar, which diuideth the Duchie from Devon for the moste parte ; ther spreading it selfe from Ramehead in the Sowthe, to Morwinstowe in the Northe 40 cornish myles : And thence extendeth to the Landes end about 70 myles. The whole circuite 243 of the same myles. But were it measured, by the Statute myles the Lenght woulde be founde aboue 100 myles.

It is on three sides bounded with the mayn Ocean, namely, on the sowth with the Britishe, on the weste with the Sea which the Countrie people and their Sea-men call Lethowsow, of the supposed drowned lande of Lioness : On the north with the Virgiuie or Irishe Sea.

Penwith Hundred

Penwith signifieth the head of ashen trees, and is the most westerne and farthest hundred of all the Dukedom of Corn-wall, extending it selfe to the Landes ende : bounded with the sea North-weste, and partely south ; vpon which parte also it lyeth vpon Kirrier hundred : in the Easte towching Pyder hundred.

This hundred is ill stored with woode, but less with timber : It is verie mountanous and rockye. Within this hundred are manie tynn mynes, and some copper mynes.

Guluall, a parishe standinge in the bottome of Mountes baye, nere Pensans.

Hillary, called St Hillarye, a parishe nere Mountes bay.

Maderne, called also St Maderne, a parish situate vnder the craggie hills north of Pensance, nere which is a well called Maderne Well, whose fame in former ages was greate ; for the supposed vertue of healinge, which St Maderne had therinto infused : And manie votaries made annale pilgrimages vnto it, but of late St Maderne hath denied his or hers (I know not whether) pristine ayde ; and as he is coye of his Cures, so now are men coye of cominge to his coniured Well ; yet soom a daye resorte.

Moruath, a parishe standinge vpon the Irishe sea, in a moste colde seat in winter : It longs to Madern.

Pensans, It signifieth the head of the sande ; and so it standeth in the botome of Mountes baye, adjoining vnto the sand. It is a market towne, but of late verie muche defaced, being also burnt by the Spaniardes in 1595. It is in Madern parishe.

St Burien A greate parishe nere the Landes end, wher kinge Athelstane buylded a colledge for preistes after his conqueste of the Sillyes, which he vowed to doe vpon his victorie : This Churche was consecrated to a holy Irishe woman, one Buriena.

 


Cornwall Today

 

South Crofty, Camborne was the last working tin mine in Cornwall. It closed in 1998.
The words painted along the site wall in this picture read:

"Cornish lads are fishermen and Cornish lads are miners too but now the fish and tin are gone what are Cornish boys to do?"

Currently (June 2006) Baseresult, the owners, and the Rural Development Agency are in disagreement over the future of the site. Baseresult claim they wish to restart mining commercially and the RDA have other plans for developing this strategic site for business and housing in the Camborne / Redruth area. Read more on my Camborne page.

 

Brian wrote of this section when it appeared on his site: "The following Cornish links will enable you to explore and enjoy many aspects of Cornwall even though a personal visit may not be possible. They are some of my favourites and I hope you will enjoy them. You might also like to try the soc.culture.cornish newsgroup". Website links need constant updating and repair, therefore these links are in the spirit of Brian's original links. They are the same ones as the "Cornish Links" on my homepage.
 
Cornwall Cam
Photos and a Daily Weather Report
Rosemary's Links website An incredible Cornish resource - explore the whole site!
Jon Reese's Website
MI's for Camborne & Illogan and the 1871 Census for Cornwall
Morrab Library, Penzance
Library Resources On Line
West Penwith & the Berrymans
Rick & Mary Parson's homepage West Penwith in Detail
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust Wildlife in Cornwall
Accomodation and other info for the visitor
Cornwall Connections Cornish Links from Roberta Peeples
West Penwith Resources All the local information you could need
The Dunkerley Celtic and Cornish Page A Cornish Page from Australia
Penwith Travel tips A West Penwith Travel Guide
Alan Richards website Cornish Geneology links
Trelawny's Army The Cornish Rugby Supporters' Club
Destination Cornwall
Weather, What's on and loads more infor about Cornwall today
Surf98 free surfing info for Cornwall
Includes a guide to Cornish surfing beaches etc..
ThePasty.com Proper Cornish Grub now available online! Pasties, Saffron cake etc.
Jons "Cornish Light" Jons guide to Cornwall
Brycchan Carey's Cornish links
Cornish Mining World heritage Bid Site...Results out in July
Carn Brea Mining Society Premiere mining society in Cornwall
Cornish Austin Seven Club see also A7 info Super club for Austin 7 owners
Cornish Key (local Government Info Service) Cornwall local authorities join up to offer services and information for residents amd vistors
Cornwall in Focus Good stuff for visitors included here
Northmead Online A site dedicated to the classic and vintage rally scene, 4x4 offroading and much more beside!
Rick Stoddern's Cornish Wrecks Online Just what it says on the box
Cornwall Holiday Directory All the information a visitor could want including accomodation
iknow-cornwall More cornish holiday accomodation
iknow-hampshire Not Cornwall I know, but I lived there for 40 years and it's an attractive place. Site lists holiday accomodation etc.

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