|
| |
|
Cornwall
|
| Celtic
Fact & Fiction Legends
of Long Ago |
|
Click on the links above to access our History, Facts
& Fiction, Links and Products pages about Cornwall |
|
|
-
Some Historical Fact about Cornwall:
-
 The
national flag of Cornwall is St. Piran’s flag - a black background
with a white cross. According to folklore, St. Piran sailed to
Cornwall from Ireland on a stone. He had offended one of the
Irish kings who shackled him to a millstone and threw him into the
sea. The people were amazed to see him rise to the surface astride
the stone. He landed in Cornwall, where he built his church at
Perranporth. According to legend, one night as St. Piran was
preparing his dinner, his rectangular hearth cracked in the heat of
the strong fire. The black rocks became so hot that he noticed
shining white metal in the shape of a white cross appeared among the
black ash. This was the discovery of the smelting process
which St. Piran taught to the Cornish. In Cornwall, they celebrate
St. Piran’s Day on March 5th. The Cornish Tartan is called St
Piran.
-
 The
Cross of St Piran
"Probably one of the oldest crosses in Cornwall is the
"cross of St. Piran," which stands near the ruins of the
deserted church amid the sand-hills of Perranporth. This cross is
mentioned in a charter of King Edgar in A.D. 960, and was an old
landmark even at that date."
The Story of Cornwall, by A.K. Hamilton Jenkin
(1934). Publishers: Thomas Nelson and Sons
-
Some interesting things to see in
Cornwall Today:
-
Zennor Quoit
High up on the Penwith moor this structure with large, flat
slabs stands. The capstone leans at an angle from the ground due
to the collapse or removal of a support. Grid Ref: SW469380,
Latitude: 50.187221, Longitude: -5.546141
-
Chun Castle
Iron Age hill fort. Double embanked ramparts, well and Chun
Quoit (photo right) nearby, a Neolithic antiquity on the moors
above Morvah. West of Penzance-Madron-Morvah road. Excellent
scenic view point. Grid Ref: SW402340, Latitude: 50.148415,
Longitude: -5.637086.
-
Trencrom Hill
Second century BC rampart. Hut circles and well. 'Giant'
legends. Excellent scenic viewpoint. North-east of Penzance, off
B3311 St.Ives-Penzance road.
-
Gurnard's Head
Cliff Castle (marked as Trereen Dinas). Path from Gurnard's
Head coastguard station near hotel on B3306.
-
Merry Maidens
Circle of nineteen standing stones just south of B3315 about
one mile west of Lamorna valley. Nearest town: Penzance Nearest
village: Trewoofe OS Sheet: 203 OS Map reference: SW433245
-
Madron
Baptistry Wishing well, roofless Norman chapel, baptistry
and altar slab. The well is accredited with curative powers.
Signposted on the Penzance-Madron-Morvah road.
-
Carn Euny
Ancient Village. Sancreed, near Land's End (SW 403288).
English Heritage. There is fine preservation of stone house
foundations and an underground passage, or fogou. The finds are
at the Royal Cornwall Museum.
-
Chysauster
Ancient Village. Madron, near Land's End (SW 472350).
Courtyard houses, a fougou and field system. Footpath from
Badger's Cross to Newmill road. The finds are at the Royal
Cornwall Museum. Photo left shows Chysauster Ancient Village.
-
Cornish
Crosses Cornwall has the highest concentration of Celtic
crosses in the country, most easily accessible. In Cornwall, the
style of cross tends to be freestanding. Part of the simplicity
of the Cornish crosses is due to the difficulty of carving
granite.
-
Carn Brae
Occupied from 3,900BC, and was protected from attack by stone
ramparts. Archaeological evidence shows the settlement was
attacked and burned down at some point in its history. Hoards of
Celtic coins have also been found on the hill during excavation.
According to folklore, a giant called John of Gaunt lived on
this ancient site. The giant had a rivalry with another local
giant called Bolster. The two would often engage in battle and
throw boulders at each other. The many large erratics found in
this area are supposed to be remnants of their battles. Map ref:
SW 683 407. Directions: Carn Brae is to the South West of
Redruth. A footpath from Churchtown leads up the hill.
-
Cornish Language Links:
|
|
