In times past, the Cornish people gaue themselues principally, (and in a maner wholly) to the seeking of Tynne, and neglected husbandry: so as the neighbours of Deuon and Sommerset shires, hired their pastures at a rent, and stored them with theyr owne cattell.

As for tillage, it came farre short of feeding the Inhabitants mouthes, who were likewise supplyed weekely at their markets from those places, with many hundred quarters of corne and horseloades of bread. But when the Tynneworkes began to fayle, and the people to increase, this double necessitie draue them to play the good husbands, and to prouide corne of their owne. Labour brought plentie, plentie cheapnesse, and cheapnesse sought a vent beyond the seas, some by procuring licence, and more by stealth (if at least the common brute doe not wrong them with a slaunder) [20] so as, had not the Imbargo with Spaine (whither most was transported) foreclosed this trade, Cornwall was likely in few yeeres, to reape no little wealth by the same. And yet, whosoeuer looketh into the endeauour which the Cornish husbandman is driuen to vse about his Tillage, shall find the trauell paineful, the time tedious, and the expences verie chargeable. For first, about May, they cut vp all the grasse of that ground, which must newly be broken, into Turfes, which they call Beating. These Turfes they raise vp somewhat in the midst, that the Wind and Sunne may the sooner drie them. The inside turned outwards drieth more speedily, but the outside can better brooke the change of weather. After they haue beene throughly dried, the Husbandman pileth them in little heapes, and so burneth them to ashes.

Then doe they bring in Sea sand, of greater or lesser quantitie, partly after their neerenesse to the places, from which it is fetched, and partly by the good husbandrie, and abilitie of the Tiller. An ordinarie Horse wil carrie two sackes of Sand, and of such the borderers on the Sea, doe bestow, 60. at least, in euerie Acre, but most Husbands double that number. The Inland soyle requireth not so large a proportion, and in some places, they sow it almost as thinne as their Corne: for if they should strow the same verie thicke, the ground would become ouer-rancke, and choke the Corne with weeds. A little before plowing time, they scatter abroad those Beat-boroughs, & small Sand heaps vpon the ground, which afterwards, by the Ploughes turning downe, giue heate to the roote of the Corne. The tillable fields are in some places so hilly, that the Oxen can hardly take sure footing; in some so tough, that the Plough will scarcely cut them, and in some so shelfie, that the Corne hath much adoe to fatten his roote. The charges of this Beating, Burning, Seeding and Sanding, ordinarily amounteth to no lesse then twentie shillings for euerie Acre: which done, the Tiller can commonly take but two crops of wheate, and two of Oates, and then is driuen to giue it at least seuen or eight yeres leyre, and to make his breach elsewhere.

Of Wheat there are two sorts, French, which is bearded, and requireth the best soyle, recompencing the same with a profitable plentie: and Notwheate, so termed, because it is vnbearded, contented with a meaner earth, and contenting with a suteable gaine.

Rye is employed onely on those worst grounds, which will beare no Wheate. Barley is growne into great vse of late yeeres, so as now they till a larger quantitie in one Hundred, then was in the whole Shire before: and of this, in the deare seasons past, the poore found happie benefit, for they were principally relieued, and the labourers also fed, by the bread made thereof; whereas otherwise, the scarcitie of Wheate fel out so great, that these must haue made many hungrie meales, and those out-right haue starued. In the Westerne-most parts of Cornwall, they carrie their Barley to the Mill, within eight or nine weekes from the time that they sowed it; such an hastie ripening do the bordering Seas afford. This increase of Barley tillage, hath also amended the Cornish drinke, by conuerting that graine into Mault, which (to the il relishing of strangers) in former times they made onely of Oates.

I haue beene alwayes prone to maintaine a Paradox, [21] that dearth of corne in Cornwall (for with other Shires I will not vndertake to meddle) so it go not accompanied with a scarcitie, is no way preiudiciall to the good of the Countrie; and I am induced thus to thinke, for the reasons ensuing: There are no two trades, which set so many hands on worke, at all times of the yeere, as that one of Tillage. The Husbandman finding profit herein, is encouraged to bestow paines and charges, for enclosing and dressing of waste grounds, which therethrough afterwardes become also good for pasture. With the readie money, gotten by his weekely selling of corne, he setteth the Artificer on worke, who were better to buy deare bread, being but a part of his meate, and which he counteruaileth againe, by raising the price of his ware, then to sit idly, knocking his heeles against the wall. Their obiection, who feare least the transporting of much away, will leaue too little at home, I answere with this observation: When the price of corne falleth, men generally giue ouer surplus Tillage, and breake no more ground, then will seme to supplie their owne turne: the rest, they imploy in grazing, wherethrough it falleth out, that an ill kerned or saued Haruest, soone emptieth their old store, & leaueth them in necessity, to seeke new reliefe from other places. Whereas on the other side, if through hope of vent, they hold on their larger tillage, this retaineth one yeeres prouision vnder-hand, to fetch in another, which vpon such occasions, may easily bee left at home: and of this, what Cornishman is there, that hath not seene the experience ?

For Fruites, both wild, as Whurts, Strawberies, and Raspies, and longing to the Orchard, as Peares, Plums, Peareplummes, Cherries, Mulberies, Chessenuts, and Walnuts, though the meaner sort come short, the Gentlemen step not farre behind those of other parts; many of them conceiuing like delight to grasse and plant, and the soyle yeelding it selfe as ready to receyue and foster. Yet one speciall priuiledge, which the neerenesse to the South, the fitnesse of some grounds standing vpon lyme stones, the wel growing of Vines, and the pleasant taste of their Grapes, doe seeme to graunt, I haue not hitherto knowne by any to bee put in practise, and that is, the making of Wines: the triall would require little cost, and (perhaps) requite it with great aduantage.

For fewell, there groweth generally in all parts great store of furze, of which the shrubby sort is called tame, the better growne French, & in some, good quantitie of Broome. The East quarters of the Shire are not destitute of Copswoods, nor they of (almost) an intolerable price: but in most of the West, either nature hath denyed that commodity, or want of good husbandry lost it. Their few parcels yet preserued, are principally imployed to coaling, for blowing of Tynne. This lacke they supply, either by Stone cole, fetched out of Wales, or by dried Turfes, some of which are also conuerted into coale, to serue the Tynners turne.

Timber hath in Cornwall, as in other places, taken an vniuersall downefall, which the Inhabitants begin now, and shall heereafter rue more at leisure: Shipping, howsing, and vessell, haue bred this consumption: neither doth any man (welnere) seek to repayre so apparant and important a decay. As for the statute Standles, commonly called Hawketrees, the breach of the sea, & force of the weather doe so pare and gall them, that they can [22] passe vnder no better title then scar-crowes.

Among creatures of a breathing life, I will only note such as minister some particular cause of remembrance.

Touching venimous Wormes, Cornwall can plead no such Charter of natures exemption, as Ireland. The countrey people retaine a conceite, that the Snakes, by their breathing about a hazell wand, doe make a stone ring of blew colour, in which there appeareth the yellow figure of a Snake, & that beasts which are stung, being giuen to drink of the water wherein this stone hath bene socked, will therethrough recouer. There was such a one bestowed on me, and the giuer auowed to haue seene a part of the stick sticking in it: but Penes authorem sit sides.

This mention of Snakes, called to my remembrance, how not long since, a merry Cornish Gentleman tryed that old fable to be no fable, which sheweth the dangerous entertayning of such a ghest. For he hauing gotten one of that kind, and broken out his teeth (wherein consisteth his venome) used to carrie him about in his bosome, to set him to his mouth, to make him licke his spittle, & when he came among Gentlewomen, would cast him out suddenly, to put them in feare: but in the end, their vaine dread proued safer then his foole-hardinesse: for as he once walked alone, and was kissing this gentle playfellow, the Snake in good earnest, with a stumpe, either newly growne vp, or not fully pulled out, bit him fast by the tongue, which therewith began so to rankle and swell, that by the time hee had knocked this foule player on the head, & was come to his place of abode, his mouth was scarce able to contayne it. Fayne was he therefore to shew his mishap, and by gestures to craue ayd in earnest of the Gentlewomen, whom hee had aforetime often scared in sport.

Of all maner vermine, Cornish houses are most pestred with Rats, a brood very hurtfull for deuouring of meat, clothes, and writings by day; and alike cumbersome through their crying and ratling, while they daunce their gallop gallyards in the roofe at night.

Strangers, at their first comming into the West parts, doe complayne that they are visited with the slowe sixe-legged walkers, and yet the cleanely home-borne finde no such annoyance. It may proceed from some lurking naturall effect of the Climate; as wee read, that the trauailers who passe the Equinoctiall, doe there lose this manlike hunting vermine, and vpon their returne recouer them againe.

The other beastes which Cornwall breedeth, serue either for Venerie, or meate, or necessary vses. Beastes of Venery persecuted for their case, or dammage feasance, are Marternes, Squirrels, Foxes, Badgers, and Otters. Profitable for skinne and flesh, Hares, Conies and Deere. The Foxe planteth his dwelling in the steep cliffes by the sea side; where he possesseth holds, so many in number, so daungerous for accesse, and so full of windings, as in a maner it falleth out a matter impossible to disseyze him of this his ancient inheritance. True it is, that sometime when he marcheth abroad on forraying, to reuittaile his Male pardus, the Captaine hunters, discouering his sallies by their Espyal, doe lay their souldier-like Hounds, his borne enemies, in ambush betweene him and home, and so with Har and Tue pursue him to the death. Then master Reignard ransacketh euery corner of his wily [23] skonce, and besturreth the vtmost of his nimble stumps to quite his coate from their iawes. He crosseth brookes, to make them lose the sent, he slippeth into couerts, to steale out of sight, he casteth and coasteth the countrie, to get the start of the way; and if hee be so met, as he find himselfe ouermatched, he abideth, and biddeth them battell, first sending the myre of his tayle against their eyes, in lieu of shot, and then manfully closing at hand-blowes, with the sword of his teeth, not forgetting yet, the whiles, to make an honourable retraict, with his face still turned towardes the enemie: by which meanes, hauing once recouered his fortresse, he then gives the Fico, to all that his aduersaries can by siedge, force, myne, sword, assault, or famine, attempt against him.

The Otters, though one in kind, haue yet two seuerall places of haunt: some keepe the Cliffes, and there breede, and feede on Sea-fish, others liue in the fresh ryuers, and trade not so farre downe, who being lesse stored with prouision, make bold now and then to visite the land, and to breake their fast upon the good-mans Lambs, or the good-wiues pultrie.

Of Conies, there are here and there some few little Warrens, scantly worth the remembring.

Cornwall was stored not long since with many Parkes of fallow Deere. But king Henrie the eight being perswaded (as it is said) by Sir Richard Pollard, that those belonging to the Duke, could steed him with little pleasure in so remote a part, and would yeeld him good profit, if they were leased out at an improoued rent, did condiscend to their disparking. So foure of them tooke a fall together, to wit, Cary bullock, Liskerd, Restormel and Lanteglos. Howbeit,this good husbandrie came short of the deuisers promise, and the Kings expectation: wherethrough the one was shent for the attempt, and the other discontented with the effect. Notwithstanding, as Princes examples are euer taken for warrantable precedents to the subiect: so most of the Cornish Gentlemen preferring gaine to delight, or making gaine their delight, shortly after followed the like practise, and made their Deere leape over the Pale to giue the bullockes place.

Parkes yet remaining, are in East Hundred, Poole, Sir Ionathan Trelawneys: newly reuiued, Halton, M. Rouses, lately impaled: and Newton, M. Coringtons, almost decayed. In West Hundred, Boconnock, Sir Reginald Mohuns. In Powder Hundred, Caryhayes, M.Treuamons. In Stratton Launcels, M. Chamonds. In Kerier Hundred, Trela warren, M. Viruans: and Merther, M. Reskymers.

Red Deere, this Shire breedeth none, but onely receiueth such, as in the Summer season raunge thither out of Deuon: to whome the Gentlemen bordering on their haunt, afford so course entertainment, that without better pleading their heeles, they are faine to deliuer vp their carcases for a pledge, to answer their trespasses.

Beastes seruing for meate onely, or Pigs, Goates, Sheepe, and Rother cattell. For meate, draught, and plowing, Oxen: for carriage, and riding, horses: for gard, attendance, and pleasure, Dogs of sundrie sorts.

What time the Shire, through want of good manurance, lay waste and open, the Sheepe had generally [24] little bodies, and course fleeces, so as their Wooll bare no better name, then of Cornish hayre, and for such hath (from all auncientie) beene transported, without paying custome. But since the grounds began to receiue enclosure and dressing for Tillage, the nature of the soyle hath altered to a better graine, and yeeldeth nourishment in greater aboundance, and goodnesse, to the beastes that pasture thereupon: So as, by this meanes (and let not the owners commendable industrie, turne to their surcharging preiudice, least too soone they grow wearie of well-doing) Cornish Sheepe come but little behind the Easterne flockes, for bignes of mould, finenesse of Wooll often breeding, speedie fatting, and price of sale, and in my conceyte equall, if not exceede them in sweetnesse of taste, and freedome from rottennesse and such other contagions. As for their number, while euerie dweller hath some, though none keepe many, it may summe the totall to a iolly rate. Most of the Cornish sheepe haue no hornes, whose wool is finer in qualitie, as that of the horned more in quantitie: yet, in some places of the Countie there are that carrie foure hornes.

The Deuon and Somersetshire grasiers, feede yeerely great droues of Cattell in the North quarter of Cornwall, and vtter them at home, which notwithstanding, Beefe, Whitfull, Leather or Tallow, beare not any extraordinarie price in this Countie, beyond the rate of other places: and yet, the oportunitie of so many Hauens, tempteth the Marchants (I doubt me, beyond their power of resistaunce) now and then to steale a transportation, and besides, vttereth no smal quantitie for the reuitailing of weather-driuen shippes. Some Gentlemen suffer their beastes to runne wilde, in their Woods and waste grounds, where they are hunted and killed with Crossebowes, and Peeces, in the maner of Deere, and by their fiercenesse, and warinesse, seeme to haue put on a part of the others nature. Each Oxe hath his seuerall name, vpon which the driuers call aloud, both to direct and giue them courage as they are at worke.

The Cornish horses, commonly are hardly bred, coursely fed, low of stature, quicke in trauell, and (after their growth and strength) able inough for continuance: which sort proue most seruiceable for a rough and hilly Countrie. But verie few of them (through the owners, fault) retaine long this their naturall goodnesse. For after two yeeres age, they vse them to carrie sackes of Sand, which boweth downe, and weakneth their backes, and the next Summer they are imployed in harrowing, which marreth their pace. Two meanes that so quaile also their stomackes, and abate their strength, as the first rider findeth them ouer-broken to his hands. Howbeit now, from naught, they are almost come to nought: For since the Statute 12. of Henry the eight, which enableth eueri man to seize vpon horses that pastured in Commons, if they were vnder a certaine sise, the Sherifes officers, reckoning themselues specially priuiledged to poll in their masters yeere, haue of late times, whether by his commandement, or sufferance, accustomed to driue those waste grounds, and to seize on those not voluntarie statute-breaking Tits, so as nature denying a great harace, and these carrying away the little, it resteth, that hereafter, not the dammes Foale, but the dames Trotters, be trusted vnto, This consideration [25] hath made me entertain a conceite, that ordinarie Husbandmen should doe well to quit breeding of Horses, and betake themselves to Moyles: for that is a beast, which will fare hardly, liue verie long, drawe indifferently well, and carrie great burdens, and hath also a pace swift, and easie enough, for their Mill and market seruice. By which meanes, looke what is abated from the vsuall number of Hacknies, should (with a gainefull recompence) be added to their goodnes: and hereof this quarter hath alreadie taken some experiment. For, not long sithence, it hapned that one brought ouer an hee Asse, from France, because of the strangenesse of the beast (as euerie thing where it comes first, serves for a wonder) who following his kind, begat many monsters, viz. Moyles, and for monsters indeed, the Countrie people admired them, yea, some were so wise, as to knocke on the head, or giue away this issue of his race, as vncouth mongrels.

Amongst living things on the land, after Beastes, follow Birds, who seeke harbour on the earth at night, though the ayre bee the greatest place of their haunt by day.

Of tame Birds, Cornwall hath Doues, Geese, Ducks, Peacockes, Ginney duckes, China geese, Barbarie hennes, and such like.

Of wild, Quaile, Raile, Partridge, Fesant, Plouer, Snyte, Wood-doue, Heathcocke, Powte, &c.

But, amongst all the rest, the Inhabitants are most beholden to the Woodcockes, who (when the season of the yeere affordeth) flocke to them in great aboundance. They arriue first on the North-coast, where almost euerie hedge serveth for a Roade, and euerie plashoote for Springles to take them. From whence, as the moyst places which supplie them food, beginne to freeze vp, they draw towards those in the South coast, which are kept more open by the Summers neerer neighbourhood: and when the Summers heate (with the same effect from a contrarie cause) drieth vp those plashes, nature and necessitie guide their returne to the Northern wetter soyle againe.

Of Hawkes, there are Marlions, Sparhawkes, Hobbies, and somewhere Lannards. As for the Sparhawk, though shee serue to flie little aboue sixe weekes in the yeere, and that onely at the Partridge, where the Faulkner and Spanels must also now and then spare her extraordinarie assistance; yet both Cornish and Deuonshire men employ so much trauaile in seeking, watching, taking, manning, nusling, dieting, curing, bathing, carrying, and mewing them, as it must needes proceede from a greater folly, that they cannot discerne their folly herein. To which you may adde, their busie, dangerous, discourteous, yea, and sometimes despiteful stealing one from another of the Egges and young ones, who, if they were allowed to aire naturally, and quietly, there would bee store sufficient, to kill not onely the Partridges, but euen all the good-huswiues Chickens in a Countrie.

Of singing Birds, they haue Lynnets, Goldfinches, Ruddockes, Canarie birds, Blacke-birds, Thrushes, and diuers other; but of Nightingals, few, or none at all, whether through some naturall antipathie, betweene them and the soyle (as Plinie writeth, that Crete fostereth not any Owles, nor Rhodes Eagles, nor Larius lacus in Italy Storkes) or rather for that the Country is generally [26] bare of couert and woods, which they affect, I leaue to be discussed by others.

Not long sithence, there came a flocke of Birds into Cornwall, about Haruest season, in bignesse not much exceeding a Sparrow, which made a foule spoyle of the Apples. Their bils were thwarted crosse-wise at the end, and with these they would cut an Apple in two, at one snap, eating onely the kernels. It was taken at first, for a forboden token, and much admired, but, soone after, notice grew, that Glocester Shire, and other Apple Countries, haue them an ouer-familiar harme.

In the West parts of Cornwall, during the Winter season, Swallowes are found sitting in old deepe Tynne-workes, and holes of the sea Cliffes: but touching their lurking places, Olaus Magnus maketh a farre stranger report. For he saith, that in the North parts of the world, as Summer weareth out, they clap mouth to mouth, wing to wing, and legge in legge, and so after a sweete singing, fall downe into certaine great lakes or pooles amongst the Canes, from whence at the next Spring, they receiue a new resurrection; and hee addeth for proofe hereof, that the Fishermen, who make holes in the Ice, to dip vp such fish with their nets, as resort thither for breathing, doe sometimes light on these Swallowes, congealed in clods, of a slymie substance, and that carrying them home to their Stoues, the warmth restoreth them to life and flight: this I haue seene confirmed also, by the relation of a Venetian Ambassadour, employed in Poland, and heard auowed by trauaylers in those parts: Wherethrough I am induced to giue it a place of probabilitie in my mind, and of report in this treatise.

After hauing thus laid open euerie particular of the land, naturall order leadeth my next labour, to bee imployed about the water, and the things incident thereunto: the water I seuer into fresh and salt.

Touching fresh Water, euerie hill wel-neere sendeth forth plentifull, fresh, cleare and pleasant springs, profitable for moystning the ground, and wholesome for mans vse, & diuers by running through veines of Mettals, supposed also medicinable for sundrie diseases; of which more in their particular places. These springs, (as seuerall persons assembling, make a multitude) take aduantage of the falling grounds, to vnite in a greater strength, and beget Ryuers, which yet are more in number, and swifter in course, then deepe in bottome, or extended in largenesse. For they worke out their bed through an earth, full of Rockes and stones, suting therethrough, the nature onely of some speciall fishes, of which kind are, Minowes, Shoats, Eeles, and Lampreys. The rest are common to other Shires, but the Shote in a maner peculiar to Deuon and Cornwall: in shape and colour he resembleth the Trowt: howbeit in bignesse and goodnesse, commeth farre behind him. His baites are flies and Tag-wormes, which the Cornish English terme Angle-touches. Of the Ryuers and Hauens which they make, occasion will be ministred vs to speake particularly in the next booke; and therefore it shall suffice to name the chiefest here in generall, which are on the South coast: Tamer, Tauy, Liner, Seaton, Loo, Foy, Fala, Lo. On the North, Camel, Halae.

Of fresh water Ponds, either cast out by nature, or wrought out by Art, Cornwall is stored with verie few, though the site of so many narrow vallies offereth [27] many, with the onely charge of raysing an head. But the Oceans plentifull beames darken the affecting of this pettie starlight: touching whose nature and properties, for his saltnesse in taste, strength in bearing, course in ebbing and flowing, the effects are so well knowne to the vulgar, as they need not any particular relation; and the causes so controuersed amongst the learned, as it passeth mine abilitie to moderate the question: onely this I will note, that somewhat before a tempest, if the sea-water bee slashed with a sticke or Oare, the same casteth a bright shining colour, and the drops thereof resemble sparckles of fire, as if the waues were turned into flames, which the Saylers terme Briny.

Amongst other commodities affoorded by the sea, the Inhabitants make vse of diuers his creekes, for griste-milles, by thwarting a bancke from side to side, in which a floud-gate is placed with two leaues: these the flowing tyde openeth, and after full sea, the waight of the ebbe closeth fast, which no other force can doe: and so the imprisoned water payeth the ransome of dryuing an under-shoote wheele for his enlargement.

Ilands, S. Nicholas in the mouth of Plymmouth, S. George before Loo, S. Michaels Mount, and the Ilies of Scilley.

Hauens on the South coast there are, Plymmouth, Loo, Foy, Falmouth, Helford, and the Rode of Mounts bay. On the North, S. Ies, and Padstowe, of which more hereafter.

Diuers of these are dayly much endammaged by the earth which the Tynners cast up in their working, and the rayne floods wash downe into the riuers, from whence it is discharged in the hauens, and shouldreth the sea out of his ancient possession, or at least, encrocheth vpon his depth. To remedy this, an Act of Parliament was made 23. H. 8. that none should labour in Tynneworks, neere the Deuon and Cornish hauens: but whether it aymed not at the right cause, or hath not taken his due execution, little amendement appeareth thereby for the present, and lesse hope may be conceyued for the future.

Yet this earth being through such meanes conuerted into sand, enricheth the husbandman equally with that of Pactolus: for after the sea hath seasoned it with his salt and fructifying moysture, his waves worke vp to the shore a great part thereof (together with more of his owne store, grated from the cliffes) and the Tillers, some by Barges and Boats, others by horses and waines, doe fetch it, & therewith dresse their grounds. This sand is of diuers kindes, colours, and goodnesse: the kinds, some bigger, some lesser; some hard, some easie. The colours are answerable to the next Cliffes. The goodnesse increaseth as it is taken farther out of the Sea.

Some haue also vsed to carry vp into their grounds the Ose or salt water mudde, and found good profit thereby, though not equalling the sand.

To this purpose also serueth Orewood, which is a weed either growing vpon the rockes vnder high water marke, or broken from the bottome of the sea by rough weather, and cast vpon the next shore by the wind and flood. The first sort is reaped yeerely, and thereby bettereth in quantity and qualitie: the other must be taken when the first tyde bringeth it, or else the next [28] change of wind will carry it away. His vse serueth for barly land. Some accustomed to burne it on heapes in pits at the cliffe side, and so conuerted the same to a kind of wood, but the noysome sauour 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 skil in trifles. With these are found, moreouer, certaine Nuts, somewhat 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 taste, 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 inioyeth 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 fastened against the course of the water, and his mouth open to receiue the fish, while he fareth vp by night.

The Sammons principal accesse, is betweene Michaelmas and Christmas: for then, and not before, the ryuers 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, [29] they returne to the Sea, altogether spent & out of season, whome, as the spring time commeth on, 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 taken, 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 Sammons 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 therethrough is discerned, strooken and drawne on land by a cord fastened to the speare. The third and more profitable meanes of their taking, is by hutches. A head of Fagots, or stones, is made acrosse the ryuer, 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

Ere yeeres compasse his circle end, From hugie 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 the rest.

A threefold rowt, of Argus hew, Kind to encrease, foes to eschew, With Lyners supple mantle blew, Themselves 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 early rise, In com's the Peall, whose smaller sise, In his more store, and oft supplies, A praise doth find.

Laftly, the Sammon, king of fish, Fils with good cheare the Christmas dish, Teaching that season must relish Each in his kind.

(*) It is said that the fish cometh, when the Alder leafe is growne to the breadth of a groate.

[30]

And of the Sammon in particular.

NOW to the Sammon, king of fish, a trice, Against whose slate, both skill and will conspire, Paine brings the fewell, and gaine blowes 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, mistrustlesse 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 are 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 the Hauens, great store, and diuers sorts of fish, some at one time of the yeere, and some at another, doe haunt the depthes and shallowes, while the lesser flie the greater, and they also are pursued by a bigger, each preying one vpon another, and all of them accustoming, once in the yeere, to take their kind of the fresh water. They may be diuided into three kinds, shell, flat, and round fish. Of shell fish, there are Wrinkles, Limpets, Cockles, Muscles, Shrimps, Crabs, Lobsters, and Oysters.

Of flat fish, Rayes, Thorn-backes, Soles, Flowkes, Dabs, Playces.

Of round fish, Brit, Sprat, Barne, Smelts, Whiting, Scad, Chad, Sharkes, Cudles, Eeles, Conger, Basse, Millet, Whirlepole, and Porpose. The generall way of killing these (that is the Fishermans bloudie terme, for this cold-blouded creature) is by Weares, Hakings, Saynes, Tuckes, and Tramels.

The Weare is a frith, reaching slope-wise through the Ose, from the land to low water marke, and hauing in it, a bunt or cod with an eye-hooke, where the fish entering, vpon their coming backe with the ebbe, are stopped from issuing out againe, forsaken by the water, and left drie on the Ose.

For the Haking, certaine Stakes are pitched in the Ose at low water, athwart from Creeke, from shore to shore, to whose feete they fasten a Net, and at ful-sea draw the vpper part thereof to their stops, that the fish may not retire with the ebb, but be taken, as in the Weares.

The Sayne is a net, of about fortie fathome in length, with which they encompasse a part of the Sea, and drawe the same on land by two ropes, fastned at his ends, together with such fish, as lighteth within his precinct.

The Tucke carrieth a like fashion, saue that it is narrower meashed, and (therefore scarce lawfull) with a long bunt in the midst: the Tramell differeth not much from the shape of this bunt, and serueth to such vse as the Weare and Haking.

[31]

The particular taking of sundrie kinds of fishes, is almost as diuers as themselues. Wrinckles, Limpets, Cockles, and Muscles, are gathered by hand, vpon the rockes and sands. Many of the Crabs breede in the shels of Cockles, and of the Lobsters in those of Wrinckles, as my selfe haue seene: being growne, they come forth, and liue in holes of Rockes, from whence, at low water, they are dragged out, by a long crooke of yron.

The Shrimps are dipped vp in shallow water by the shore side, with little round nets, fastned to a staffe, not much unlike that which is used for daring of Larkes.

The Ostyers (besides gathering by hand, at a great ebb) haue a peculiar dredge, which is a thick strong net, fastned to three spils of yron, and drawne at the boates sterne, gathering whatsoeuer it meeteth, lying in the bottome of the water, out of which, when it is taken vp, they cull the Oysters, and cast away the residue, which they terme gard, and serueth as a bed for the Oysters to breed in. It is held, that there are of them male, and female. The female, about May, and Iune, haue in them a certaine kind of milke, which they then shead, and whereof the Oyster is engendered. The little ones, at first, cleaue in great numbers, to their mothers shell, from whence, waxing bigger, they weane themselues, and towards Michaelmas, fall away. The Countrie people long retained a conceit, that in Summer time they weare out of kind (as indeed the milkie are) but some Gentlemen making experiment of the contrarie, began to eate them at all seasons, wherethrough, by spending them oftner and in greater quantitie, by spoyling the little ones, and by casting away the vnseasonable, there ensued a scarcitie, which scarcitie brought a dearth, the dearth bred a sparing, and the sparing restored a plenty againe. They haue a propertie, though taken out of the water, to open against the flood time, and to close vpon the ebbe, or before, if they bee touched, the which, not long sithence occasioned a ridiculous chaunce, while one of them through his sodaine Shutting, caught in his owne defence, three yong Mice by the heads, that of malice prepensed, had conspired to deuoure him, and so trebled the valour of the cleft block, which griped Milo by the hands.

Nature hath strowed the shore with such plenty of these shel-fishes, as thereby shee warranteth the poore from dread of staruing: for euery day they may gather sufficient to preserue their life, though not to please their appetite, which, ordinarie with vs, was miraculous to the Rochellers in their siedge 1572.

After Shel-fish succeedeth the free-fish, so termed, because he wanteth this shelly bulwarke.

Amongst these, the Flowk, Sole and Playce follows the tyde up into the fresh riuers, where, at low water, the Countri people find them by treading, as they wade to seeke them, and so take them vp with their hands. They vse also to poche them with an instrument somewhat like the Sammon-speare.

Of Eeles there are two sorts: the one Valsen, of best taste, coming from the fresh riuers, when the great raine floods after September doe breake their beds, and carry them into the sea: the other, bred in the salt water, & called a Conger Eele, which afterwards, as his bignes increaseth, ventreth out into the maine Ocean, & is enfranchised a Burgesse of that vast common wealth: but in harbor they are taken mostly by Spillers made of a cord, [32] many fathoms in length, to which diuers lesser and shorter are tyed at a little distance, and to each of these a hooke is fastened with bayt: this Spiller they sincke in the sea where those Fishes haue their accustomed haunt, and the next morning take it vp againe with the beguiled fish.

For catching of Whiting and Basse, they vse a thred, so named, because it consisteth of a long smal lyne with a hooke at the end, which the Fisherman letteth slip out of his hand by the Boat side to the bottom of the water, and feeling the fish caught by the sturring of the lyne, draweth it vp againe with his purchase. The Porposes are shaped very bigge and blacke. These chase the smaller schoels of fish from the mayne sea into the hauens, leaping vp and downe in the water, tayle after top, and one after another, puffing like a fat lubber out of breath, and following the fish with the flood, so long as any depth will serue to bear them; by which means they are sometimes intercepted: for the Borderers watching vntill they be past farre vp into some narrow creeke, get belowe them with their Boats, and cast a strong corded net athwart the streame, with which, and their lowd and continuall showting and noyse making, they fray and stop them from retyring, vntill the ebbe haue abandoned them to the hunters mercy, who make short worke with them, and (by an olde custome) share them amongst all the assistants with such indifferencie, as if a woman with child bee present, the babe in her wombe is gratified with a portion: a poynt also obserued by the Speare-hunters in taking of Sammons.

Now from within harbour, we will launch out into the deepe, and see what luck of fish God there shall send vs, which (so you talke not of Hares or such vncouth things, for that proues as ominous to the fisherman, as the beginning a voyage on the day when Childermas day fell, doth to the Mariner) may succeed very profitable: for the coast is plentifully stored, both with those foreremembred, enlarged to a bigger size, & diuers other, as namely of shel-fish, Sea-hedge-hogs, Scallops & Sheath-fish. Of fat, Brets, Turbets, Dories, Holybut. Round, Pilcherd, Herring, Pollock, Mackrell, Gurnard, Illeck, Tub, Breame, Oldwife, Hake, Dogfish, Lounp, Cunner, Rockling, Cod, Wrothe, Becket, Haddock, Guilt-head, Rough-hound, Squary Scad, Seale, Tunny, and many others, quos nunc, &c.

The Sheath, or Rasor-fish, resembleth in length and bignesse a mans finger, and in taste, the Lobster, but reputed of greater restoratiue.

The Sea-hedge-hogge, of like or more goodnesse, is enclosed in a round shell, fashioned as a loafe of bread, handsomely wrought and pincked, and guarded by an vtter skinne full of prickles, as the land Vrchin. But the least fish in bignes, greatest for gaine, and most in number, is the Pilcherd: they come to take their kind of the fresh (as the rest) betweene haruest and Alhallon-tyde, and were wont to pursue the Brit, vpon which they feede, into the hauens, but are now forestalled on the coast by the Drouers and Sayners. The Drouers hang certaine square nets athwart the tyde, thorow which the schoell of Pilchard passing, leaue many behind intangled in the meashes. When the nets are so filled, the Drouers take them up, clense them, and let them fall againe.

The Sayners complayne with open mouth, that [33] these drouers worke much preiudice to the Commonwealth of fishermen, and reape thereby small gaine to themselues; for (say they) the taking of some few, breaketh and scattereth the whole schoels, and frayeth them from approaching the shore: neither are those thus taken, marchantable, by reason of their brusing in the meash. Let the crafts-masters decide the controuersie.

The Sayne, is in fashion, like that within harbour, but of a farre larger proportion. To each of these, there commonly belong three or foure boates, carrying about sixe men apeece: with which, when the season of the yeere and weather serueth, they lie houering upon the coast, and are directed in their worke, by a Balker, or Huer, who standeth on the Cliffe side, and from thence, best discerneth the quantitie and course of the Pilcherd: according whereunto, hee cundeth (as they call it) the Master of each boate (who hath his eye still fixed upon him) by crying with a lowd voice, whistling through his fingers, and wheazing certing diuersified and significant signes, with a bush, which hee holdeth in his hand. At his appointment they cast out their Net, draw it to either hand, as the Schoell lyeth, or fareth, beate with their Oares to keepe in the Fish, and at last, either close and tucke it vp in the Sea, or draw the same on land, with more certaine profit, if the ground bee not rough of rockes. After one companie haue thus shot their Net, another beginneth behind them, and so a third, as opportunitie serueth. Being so taken, some, the Countrie people, who attend with their horses and paniers at the Cliffes side, in great numbers, doe buy and carrie home, the larger remainder, is by the Marchant, greedily and speedily seized vpon.

They are saued three maner of wayes: by fuming, pressing, or pickelling. For euery of which, they are first salted and piled vp row by row in square heapes on the ground in some celler, which they terme, Bulking, where they so remaine for fome ten daies, vntil the superfluous moysture of the bloud and salt be soked from them: which accomplished, they rip the bulk, and saue the residue of the salt for another like seruice. Then those which are to be ventred for Fraunce, they pack in staunch hogsheads, so to keepe them in their pickle. Those that serue for the hotter Countries of Spaine and Italie, they vsed at first to fume, by hanging them vp on long sticks one by one, in a house built for the nonce, & there drying them with the smoake of a soft and continuall fire, from whence they purchased the name of Fumados: but now, though the terme still remaine, that trade is giuen ouer: and after they haue bene ripped out of the bulk, reffed vpon sticks, & washed, they pack them orderly in hogsheads made purposely leake, which afterward they presse with great waights, to the end the traine may soke from them into a vessell placed in the ground to receyue it.

In packing, they keepe a iust tale of the number that euery hogshead contayneth, which otherwise may turne to the Marchants preiudice: for I haue heard, that when they are brought to the place of sale, the buyer openeth one hogs-head at aduentures; and if hee finde the same not to answere the number figured on the outside, hee abateth a like proportion in euery other, as there wanted in that. The trayne is well solde, as imployed to diuers vses, and welneere acquiteth the cost in sauing, and the sauing setteth almost an infinite [34] number of women and children on worke, to their great aduantage: for they are allowed a peny for euery lasts carriage (a last is ten thousand) and as much for bulking, washing, and packing them, whereby a lusty huswife may earne three shillings in a night; for towards the euening they are mostly killed.

This commoditie at first carried a very lowe price, and serued for the inhabitants cheapest prouision: but of late times, the deare sale beyond the seas hath so encreased the number of takers, and the takers iarring and brawling one with another, and foreclosing the fishes taking their kind within harbour, so decreased the number of the taken, as the price daily extendeth to an higher rate, equalling the proportion of other fish: a matter which yet I reckon not preiudiciall to the Commonwealth, seeing there is store sufficient of other victuals, and that of these a twentieth part will serue the Countries need, and the other nineteene passe into forraine Realmes with a gainefull vtterance.

The Sayners profit in this trade is vncertayne, as depending upon the seas fortune, which hee long attendeth, and often with a bootlesse trauaile: but the Pilcherd Marchant may reape a speedy, large, and assured benefit, by dispatching the buying, sauing and selling to the transporters, within little more then three moneths space. Howbeit, diuers of them, snatching at wealth ouer-hastily, take mony beforehand, and bind themselues for the same, to deliuer Pilcherd ready saued to the transporter, at an vnder-rate, and so cut their fingers. This venting of Pilcherd enhaunced greatly the price of cask, whereon all other sorts of wood were conuerted to that vse: and yet this scantly supplying a remedie, there was a statute made 35. Eliz. that from the last of Iune 1594. no stranger should transport beyond the seas any Pilcherd or other fish in cask, vnlesse hee did bring into the Realme, for euery sixe tunnes, two hundred of clapboord fit to make cask, and so rateably, vpon payne of forfeyting the sayd Pilcherd or fish. This Act to continue before the next Parliament, which hath reuiued the same, vntill his (yet not knowne) succeeder.

The Pilcherd are pursued and deuoured by a bigger kinde of fish, called a Plusher, being somewhat like the Dog-fish, who leapeth now and then aboue water, and therethrough bewrayeth them to the Balker: so are they likewise persecuted by the Tonny, and he (though not verie often) taken with them damage faisant. And that they may no lesse in fortune, then in fashion, resemble the Flying fish, certaine birds called Gannets, soare ouer, and stoup to prey vpon them. Lastly, they are persecuted by the Hakes, who (not long sithence) haunted the coast in great abundance; but now being depriued of their wonted baite, are much diminished, verifying the prouerb, What we lose in Hake, we shall haue in Herring. These Hakes and diuers of the other forerecited, are taken with threds, & some of them with the boulter, which is a Spiller of a bigger size. Vpon the North coast, where want of good harbours denieth safe road to the fisherboats, they haue a deuice of two sticks filled with corks, and crossed flatlong, out of whose midst there riseth a thred, and at the same hangeth a saile; to this engine, termed a Lestercock, they tie one end of their Boulter, so as the wind comming from the shore, filleth the sayle, and the saile carrieth out the Boulter into the sea, which after the respite of some houres, is drawne in againe [35] by a cord fastned at the neerer end. They lay also certaine Weelyes in the Sea, for taking of Cunners, which therethrough are termed Cunner-pots. Another net they haue long and narrow meashed, thwarted with little cords of wide distance, in which the fish intangleth it selfe, and is so drawne vp.

For Bait they vse Barne, Pilcherd, and Lugges. The Lugge is a worme resembling the Tagworme or Angle-touch, and lying in the Ose somewhat deepe, from whence the women digge them vp, and sell them to the Fishermen: They are descried by their working ouer head, as the Tagworme. And, for lacke of other prouision, the Fishermen sometimes cut out a peece of the new taken Hake, neere his tayle, and therewith baite their hookes, to surprise more of his Canniballian fellowes.

The Seale, or Soyle, is in making and growth, not vnlike a Pigge, vgly faced, and footed like a Moldwarp; he delighteth in musike, or any lowd noise, and thereby is trained to approach neere the shore, and to shew himselfe almost wholly aboue water. They also come on land, and lie sleeping in holes of the Cliffe, but are now and then waked with the deadly greeting of a bullet in their sides.

The Fishermens hookes doe not alwayes returne them good prise: for often there cleaueth to the baite, a certaine fish like a Starre, so farre from good meate, as it is held contagious.

There swimmeth also in the Sea, a round slymie substance, called a Blobber, reputed noysome to the fish.

But you are tired, the day is spent, and it is high time that I draw to harbour: which good counsell I will follow, when I haue onely told you, In what maner the Fishermen saue the most part of their fish. Some are polled (that is, beheaded) gutted, splitted, powdred and dried in the Sunne, as the lesser sort of Hakes. Some headed, gutted, iagged, and dried, as Rayes, and Thornbackes. Some gutted, splitted, powdred, and dried, as Buckhorne made of Whitings, (in the East parts named Scalpions) and the smaller sort of Conger, and Hake. Some gutted, splitted, and kept in pickle, as Whiting, Mackrell, Millet, Basse, Peall, Trowt, Sammon, and Conger. Some, gutted, and kept in pickle, as the lesser Whitings, Pollocks, Eeles, and squarie Scads. Some cut in peeces, and powdred, as Seale and Porpose. And lastly, some boyled, and preserued fresh in Vinegar, as Tonny and Turbet.

Besides these flooting burgesses of the Ocean, there are also certaine flying Citizens of the ayre, which prescribe for a corrodie therein; of whom some serue for food to vs, and some but to feed themselues. Amongst the first sort, we reckon the Dip-chicke, (so named of his diuiug, and littlenesse) Coots, Sanderlings, Sea-larkes, Oxen and Kine, Seapies, Puffins, Pewets, Meawes, Murres, Creysers, Curlewes, Teale, Wigeon, Burranets, Shags, Ducke and Mallard, Gull, Wild-goose, Heron, Crane, and Barnacle.

These content not the stomacke, all with a like sauorinesse, but some carrie a rancke taste, and require a former mortification: and some are good to bee eaten while they are young, but nothing tooth-some, as they grow elder. The Guls, Pewets, and most of the residue, breed in little desert Ilands, bordering on both coastes, laying their Egges on the grasse, without making any [36] nests, from whence the owner of the land causeth the young ones to be fetched about Whitsontide, for the first broode, and some weekes after for the second. Some one, but not euerie such Rocke, may yeeld yeerely towards thirtie dozen of Guls. They are kept tame, and fed fat, but none of the Sea kind will breede out of their naturall place: Yet at Caryhayes, master Treuanions house, which bordereth on the Cliffe, an old Gull did (with an extraordinarie charitie) accustome, for diuers yeeres together, to come and feede the young ones (though perhaps none of his alliance) in the court where they were kept. It is held, that the Barnacle breedeth vnder water on such ships sides, as haue beene verie long at Sea, hanging there by the Bill, vntill his full growth dismisse him to be a perfect fowle: and for proofe hereof, many little things like birds, are ordinarily found in such places, but I cannot heare any man speake of hauing seene them ripe. The Puffyn hatcheth in holes of the Cliffe, whose young ones are thence ferretted out, being exceeding fat, kept salted, and reputed for fish, as comming neerest thereto in their taste. The Burranet hath like breeding, and, after her young ones are hatched, shee leadeth them sometimes ouer-land, the space of a mile or better, into the hauen, where such as haue leasure to take their pastime, chace them one by one with a boate, and stones, to often diuing, vntill, through wearinesse, they are taken vp at the boates side by hand, carried home, and kept tame with the Ducks: the Egges of diuers of these Fowles are good to bee eaten.

Sea-fowle not eatable, are Ganets, Ospray (Plynyes Haliaeetos.) Amongst which, Iacke-Daw (the second slaunder of our Countrie) shall passe for companie, as frequenting their haunt, though not their diet: I meane not the common Daw, but one peculiar to Cornwall, and therethrough termed a Cornish Chough: his bil is sharpe, long, and red, his legs of the same colour, his feathers blacke, his conditions, when he is kept tame, vngratious, in filching, and hiding of money, and such short ends, and somewhat dangerous in carrying stickes of fire.

After hauing marched ouer the land, and waded thorow the Sea, to discouer all the creatures therein insensible, & sensible, the course of method summoneth me to discourse of the reasonable, to wit, the Inhabitants, and to plot downe whatsoeuer, noteworthily, belongeth to their estate, reall, and personall, and to their gouernment, spirituall, and temporall. Vnder their reall state, I comprise all that their industrie hath procured, either for priuate vse, or entercourse, and traffike.

In priuate life, there commeth into consideration, their Tenements, which yeeld them sustinance, and their houses, which afford them a place of abode. Euerie tenement is parcell of the demaynes, or seruices of some Manner. Commonly thirtie Acres make a farthing land, nine farthings a Cornish Acre, and foure Cornish Acres, a Knights fee. But this rule is ouerruled to a greater or lesser quantitie, according to the fruitfulnesse, or barrennesse of the soyle. That part of the demaines, which appertaineth to the Lords dwelling house, they call his Barten, or Berton. The tenants to the rest hold the same either by sufferance, Wil, or custome, or by conuention. The customary tenant holdeth at Wil, either for yeeres, [37] or for liues, or to them and their heires, in diuers manners according to the custome of the Mannour. Customarie Tenants for life, take for one, two, three, or more liues, in possession, or reuersion, as their custome will beare. Somewhere the wiues hold by widdowes estate, and in many places, when the estate is determined by the Tenants death, and either to descend to the next in reuersion, or to returne to the Lord, yet will his Executor, or Administrator detaine the land, by the custome, vntill the next Michaelmas after, which is not altogether destitute of a reasonable pretence.

Amongst other of this customarie Land, there are seuenteene Mannours, appertaining to the Duchie of Cornwall, who doe euerie seuenth yere, take their Holdings (so they terme them) of certaine Commissioners sent for the purpose, & haue continued this vse, for the best part of three hundred yeeres, through which, they reckon, a kind of inheritable estate accrued vnto them. But, this long prescription notwithstanding, a more busie then well occupied person, not long sithence, by getting a Checquer lease of one or two such tenements, called the whole right in question: and albeit God denyed his bad minde any good successe, yet another taking vp this broken title, to salue himselfe of a desperate debt, prosecuted the same so far forth, as he brought it to the iutty of a Nisi prius. Hereon certayne Gentlemen were chosen and requested by the Tenants, to become suiters for stopping this gap, before it had made an irremediable breach. They repayred to London accordingly, and preferred a petition to the then L. Treasurer Burleigh. His L. called vnto him the Chauncellour, and Coise Barons of the Exchequer, and tooke a priuate hearing of the cause. It was there manifestly prooued before them, that besides this long continuance, and the Importance, (as that which touched the vndooing of more then a thousand persons) her Highnesse possessed no other lands, that yeelded her so large a benefit in Rents, Fines, Heriots, and other perquisites. These reasons found fauourable allowance, but could obtaine no thorough discharge, vntill the Gentlemen became suppliants to her Maiesties owne person, who, with her natiue & supernaturall bounty, vouchsafed vs gratious audience, testified her great dislike of the attempter, & gaue expresse order for stay of the attempt: since which time, this barking Dogge hath bene mufled. May it please God to award him an vtter choaking, that he neuer haue power to bite againe.

Herein we were beholden to Sir Walter Raleghs earnest writing, (who was then in the Countrey) to Sir Henry Killigrews sound aduice, and to Master William Killigrews painefull soliciting (being the most kinde patrone of all his Countrey and Countreymens affaires at Court.)

In times past, and that not long agoe, Holdings were so plentifull, and Holders so scarce, as well was the Landlord who could get one to bee his Tenant, and they vsed to take assurance for the rent by 2. pledges of the same Mannour. But now the case is altred: for a farme, or (as wee call it) a bargaine can no sooner fall in hand, then the Suruey Court shal be waited on with many Officers, vying & reuying each on other; nay thei are taken mostly at a ground-hop, before they fall, for feare of comming too late. And ouer and aboue the old yerely rent, they will giue a hundred or two hundred [38] yeeres purchace and vpward at that rate, for a fine, to haue an estate of three liues: which summe commonly amounteth to ten, or twelve yeeres iust value of the land. As for the old rent, it carrieth at the most, the proportion but of a tenth part, to that whereat the tenement may be presently improued, & somewhere much lesse: so as the Parson of the parish can in most places, dispend as much by his tithe, as the Lord of the Mannour by his rent. Yet is not this deare letting euerie where alike: for the westerne halfe of Cornewall, commeth far short of the Easterne, and the land about Townes, exceedeth that lying farther in the Countrey.

The reason of this enhaunsed price, may proue (as I gesse) partly, for that the late great trade into both the Indies, hath replenished these parts of the world with a larger store of the Coyne-currant mettals, then our ancestours enioyed: partly, because the banishment of single-liuing Votaries, yonger mariages then of olde, and our long freedome from any sore wasting warre, or plague, hath made our Countrey very populous: and partly, in that this populousnes hath inforced an industrie in them, and our blessed quietnes giuen scope, and meanes to this industrie. But howsoeuer I ayme right or wide at this, once certayne it is, that for these husbandry matters, the Cornish Inhabitants are in sundry points swayed by a diuerse opinion, from those of some other Shires. One, that they will rather take bargaines, at these excessiue fines, then a tolerable improued rent, being in no sort willing to ouer a penny: for they reckon that, but once smarting, and this, a continuall aking. Besides, though the price seeme very high, yet mostly, foure yeeres tillage, with the husbandmans payne and charge, goeth neere to defray it. Another, that they fal euery where from Commons to Inclosure, and partake not of some Easterne Tenants enuious dispositions, who will sooner preiudice their owne present thrift, by continuing this mingle-mangle, then aduance the Lords expectant benefit, after their terme expired.

The third, that they alwayes preferre liues before yeeres, as both presuming vpon the Countries healthfulnesse, and also accounting their family best prouided for, when the husband, wife, and childe, are sure of a liuing. Neither may I (without wrong) conceyle the iust commendation of most such wiues, in this behalfe: namely, when a bargaine is so taken to these three, it often falleth out, that afterwards the sonne marieth, and deliuereth his yeruing-goods (as they terme it) to his father, who in lieu thereof, 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.

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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 Demisors 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 releeses, 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 Anglia & Franciae, & 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. fine medio in Com. praedicto ad Blanchiam primogenitam filiam nostram maritand. iuxta formam statuti, anno regni Domini Edwardi nuper Regis Angliae, Aui nostri 25. edict. assignat salutem. Quasdam euidentias, quas de libris, rotulis & memorand. Scaccarii nostri exhiberi fecimus pro informations vestra, super captione inquisitionum diuersorum feodorum in Com. praedicto, viz. de rubro libra unam scedulam, & duos rotulos de euidentiis nuper collectoribus auxilii praedicti, auo nostro ad filium suum primogenitum milit. faciend, anno Regni sui 20. concessi vobis mittimus, sub pede sigilli nostri, mandantes, vt inspect. euidenc. praed. vlterius inde tam per easdem euident. quam per Inquisitiones super praemiss. per vos capiend. pro commodo nostro faciatis, quod de iure per vos videatur faciend: Ita quod euidenc. praed, vna cum toto fac. vestro in premiss. & hoc breue ad Scaccarium nostrum super compot. vestrum proxim. de eodem auxilio redend. Baronibus de dictio Scaccario nostro ibidem liberandum habeatis. Teste Iohanne Cokayn apud Westmonast. 30. die Ianua. Anno Regni nostri 3. Rotl. memorum de anno 3. Hillar. record.

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Hundred de Penwith.

Will, de Campo Arnulphi ten. 7 feod. & di. in Luduon trewedryn, Maien & Kelle- meke. Will. Basset ten. 1. feod in Tihidi & Trenalga. Mich. de Bray ten. 2. partes vnius feod. in Bray Alanas Bloighon ten 2. feod. in Tremall. Haeres Marci de 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. unius feod. in Drayn- neck. 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 Wale breux. 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 & in 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. Marwonchurch 1. feod. Idem ten. in Pensenteinon, Trethewy & Westory 2. feod. Comes Gloc. ten. 2. magna feod. in Kilkham land.

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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 mar- ries. Iohannes de Cobbeham in Lancels 1. feod. quod Abbas & conuentus de Hartland tenent in pur. & perpet. elem. Idem ten. in Wiston & Serpeknol 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 & Rescher. Rex ten. 1. feod. in Bostinne. Idem ten. Lamaylwen 1. feod. quod Oliuerus de Cram- mon ten. Idem ten. in Nantoige 1. feod. di. feod. Iohanna Lengleis ten. i. feod. in Wadfaste. Guilielmus de Campo Arnulphi ten. 1. feod. m Pen- nalim. Idem ten. 1. feod. & 2. partes 1. feod. in Wike. Prior de Lanceston ten. 1/4 1. feod. in Borton. Haluethus Maliuery ten, di. feo. milit. in Tamerton. Omnia praedicta feod. sunt parua feod. prater. 2. feod. in Kilkam lond.

Hundred de East.

IOhanna de Rame ten. 1. fe. magnum de Seniock. Nicholaus Danne ten. 1. partem feod. dict. feod. de Mortimer in Tregantle de Modeton. Idem Nich. ten. 1. magnum feod. de Abbate de Ta- uistauk. Idem Nich. ten. 1. mag. feod. in Trecan & Trecurnel & Churleton de praedict. Abbate. Idem Wil. de Bodbrand ten. 2. parua feod. de Mor- teynne in Penhangle de Trematon. Idem Will. ten. 1. paru. feod. dict. feod. de Morteynn in Karkeil de Trematon. Rogerus de Tredenick ten. in Tredenick 5. part. 1. parui feod. prout ibid. Rogerus de Ferrar ten. 2. parua feod. dict. feod. de Mortyn in Penpol de Tremerton. Idem ten. 1. paru. feod. in Haston de Tremerton. Idem ten. 1. paru. feod. in Westuenton de Tre- merton. Idem ten. di. paru. feod. dict. feod. de Mortyn in The- lebridge in la rode. Idem ten. 3. part, vnius paru. feod. in Croketon de Tremerton.

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Idem Calistock 1. paru. feod. & est in manu regis. Idem aqua de Tamar di. feod. in manu reg. de honore de Tremeton. Idem Rogerus de Inkepenne ten. 2. paru. feo. Mortynn in Halton. Galfrid. de Erth. ten. di. paru. feod. ibid. Idem Galfrid. de Groue ten. 3. part, vnius di. feod. paru. de Mortyn ibid. Idem Nic. de Merton ten. 1. paru. feod. Mortyn in Treualuare & in Trekinward. Will. de Botriaux ten. di. paru. feod. de Mortyn in Penhele de rege. Thomas Lercedekne ten. 4. part. 1. feod. paru. in Treu- ris de rege. Baro de Stafford ten. di. feod. paru. dict. feod. de Mortyn de rege in Kallilond. Episcop. Exon. ten. 1. mag. feod. Gloce. de rege. Ric. de Trenaga tenet ibid. paru. feod. de Willi. Botriaux. Regin. de Beuil ten. ibid. paru. feod. in Tredawil de Wil. de Botriaux. Idem Prior de Minstre ten. 1. paru. feod. Mort. in Polisant. Idem Nic. Danne ten. 3. part. 1. feod. paru. dict. feod. de Mor. in Legh.

Hundred de West.

CArdynan Penlyn ten. pro duobus feod. paru. dict. feod. de Morteyn in custodia regis. Ric. de Serifeaux ten. 3. paru. feod. de Mort. in Laurethon, Kilgather & Lansalwys. Will. de Bodrigan ten. paru. feod. in Trethim Bes- sant. Manerium de Liskerd est di. paru. feod. Mort. & est in manu reg. Tho. de Cruptus ten. 2. paru. feod. in Cruphs & Caruaton. Matheus de Trethake ten. 2. par. feod. Mo. in Tre- thake, Lamlewarn, Trelewarn & Denant. Mathilda de Hewisch ten. di. part. feo. in Meuely. Ioh. de Wellington & Reg. Querquius ten. 5. part. 1. feod. in Fawyton.

Hundred de Trigger.

ROb. Thomy ten. di. feod. in Bliston dict. feod. Mortyn. Idem Nico. de Bindon ten. in Penrosburdon di. feod. Mort. Rob. de Cheyndut ten. in Bodannan 4. part. 1. feo. Mort. Ioh. filius Wil. te. in Kinnarght 4. par. 1. feo. Mor.

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Idem ten. in Tregradeck, 4. part. 1. feod. Mor. Henricus Camel ten. in Belionnus, 1. feod. Mor. Polroda. Robert. de Brunn ten. in Delisonbol 1. feod. Mort. Matheus & Agnes de Trehauk ten. in Trehome di. feod. Mort. Robertus Giffard te. in Lannomunnus di. fe. Mor. Robertus de Helligan ten. ibi. 2. feo. dict. fe. Mort. Iohannes de Tinten ten. in Tynten & in Trewinneck 1. feod. Mort. Ioh. de Seneschal te. in Helland, 4. part. 1. fe. Mort. Haeres de Walesbren ten. in Lamailwen 4. part. 1. feod. Mort. Ric. de Rescarreck ten. in Rescarretunus 4. part. fe. Mort. Dom. de Lancarsse ten. ib. 5. part. 1. feo. di. fe. Mort. Dom. de Portguin ten. ib. di. feod. Mort. Siluester de Tregamuran ten. in Tregonen 1. feod. magnum. Iohannes Darundle ten. in Treawset, & in Trenbeith 1. feod. Mort. Episcop. Exon. ten. in Eglosel 1. feod. mag. Ioh. Tracy & Hugo Peuerel tenent in Tremscord & Hamatethy, 2. feod. Mort. Ricard. de Serifeaux ten. in Kilkoid 2. feod, & di. Mort. Iohannes de Guillez ten. in Trenderet. 1. feo. Mor. Barth, de Cant. ten. ibid. di. feod. Mort. Ioh. fil. Will. ten. in Haumal di. feod. Alanus Blughon ten. in Polrodon Donnat 2. feo. Mort.

Hundred de Pider.

IOhannes de Vinfrauil ten. ratione Aliciae vxoris fuae, 1. mag. feod. in Laherne. Ric. de Hiuoisch ten. ibid. mag. feod. in S. Idy. Rosamunda de la forest ten. ibid. mag. feod. in Tre- ueald. Bartholomeus de Bercle tenet dimid. mag. feod. in Tre- woleck. Iohannes de Tregage tenet dimid. mag. feod. in Tre- nurdre. Episcop. Exon. te. 5. part. mag. feod. in Dinbegh. Rad. de Berthei ten. ibid. 1. paru. feod. Henric. Ties te. 4. part. mag. feod. in Trewarnayl. Item Rex ten. 4. part. 1. mag. feod. in Trewarnayl. Ela de sanct. Colano ten. ibid. di. paru. feo. Mort. Ric. de sanct. Colano ten. ratione Isoldae vxo. eius ibid. di. paru. feod. Mort. Rob. Thomy ten. in Caruaton 4. part. 1. paru. feod. Barth. de Berckle te. in Tremor, di. paru. feo. Ioh. Darundle ten. di. paru, feod. in Treloy. Iohannes Hamelyn te. di. paru. feod. in Trekinnen, Rad. Darundle te. di. paru. feo. in Trekinnen.

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Regin. de Botriaux ten. 5. part. paru. feod. in Cut- fordferle.

Hundred de Powder.

Will. de Campo Arnulphi ten. in Tiwardraith 1. feo. vnde Prior ten. 3. acr. & di. ibi. Idem Will. ten. in Bodrigan Penarth & Cargois 3. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Gouely 1. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Prideas 1. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Lishiestick 1. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Treuerlynwater di. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Bodenda 4. part. 1. feod. Idem Will. ten, in Treuerbindren 5. par. i. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Tronneck 5. part. 1. feod. Idem Will. ten. in Tronalgerthan 4. part. 1. feod. Episcop. Exon. ten. in Caniwerez 1. feod. Idem Episcop. ten. in Trenel 1. feod. Idem Episcop. ten. in Taluren 1. feod. Idem ten. in Fentengullyn di. feod. Idem ten. in Tremnel di. feod. Idem ten. in Trelonck. di. feod. Henr. de la Pomeray ten. 3. part. 1. feo. in Hellarna. Ioh. de Riparys ten. in Mauntayn di. feod. Idem ten. in Trethak 1. feod. Steph. de Belloprato ten. in Treuewith & Trewithy di. feod. paru. Serlo de Lauladro ten. ibid. & in S. Goriann & in paru. Luntyan 1. feod. & di. paru. Rad. de Killigreu ten. ibid. 1. feod. paru. Will, de Bodrigan ten. in Tremodret & in la roche 3. feod. paru. Serlo de Lauladro ten. in Alet 3. part. 1. feod. Will. Stanley & Comes de Riuers ten. 1. feod. mili. Mo. in Elerky. Haeres Iocei Dynnan ten. in Eglosroset in Trelewith 1. feod. Will. Baillisbury vaca. vxo. fuae ten.in Blanchelond 1. feod. Henr. fil. Maugi de Killigreu ten. in Trewyn 3. part. 1. feod. Ric. de Hiwisch ten. in Trenasanstel di. feod. Idem ten. in Gloures 1. feod. Haeres Iocei Dynnan ten. in Argallez 1. feod. paru. Idem ten. in Fountomon 3. part. 1. feod. paru. Haeres Thomas de Prideas ten. in Boswyghergy 2. part. 1.feod. paru. Mat. de Trethake ten. in Tragameddon 2. feo. par. Rex. ten. aquam de Fawe pro 2. feod. & 3. part, 1.feo. Henricus de la Pomerey ten. 12. feod. in Tregony.

Hundred de Kerier.

WAlter. Wailisbury & Isolda vxor eius te. 3. feod. in Rescronges dicta feod. Mortan.

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Iohannis de Riparys te. in Rosewike 1. feo. Mort. Episcop. Exon. ten di. mag. feod. in Minstre. Rogerus de Carminon ten. 20. part. 1. feo. Mort. extra 10. part. illius 20, in Wynnenton, Marthyn & Ta- merton. Thomas Durant ten. in Penzenguans, 1. fe. Mort. Iohannes fil. Will. ten. di. feod. in Arworthel per Car- tam Edwardi quondam Com. Cornub. dict. feod. Mor.

Euidentiae extractae de rubro libra de Scaccario, 143. Cornub.

RObertus de Cardinan 71. feod. milit. Reginaldus de Valle torta 59. de honore de Tre- meton. Thomas de Middleton 10. de honore de Midd. Will. de Botterill 12. milit. Robertus fil. Walteri 11. milit. de feod. Ric. de Lusti auunculi sui. Robertus de Peuerel 9. milit. de feod. eiusdem. Ric. fil. Ric. 1. feod. & 3. part, cum haere de Rupe. Rad. Bloyon 7. Arehennaund. Flandrensis 7. milit. Robertus de Tintagle 5. milit. Henricus fil. Will. 4. milit. Wil. de Albemarle 5. milit. cum relict, Robert. de Bikehat. Radulphus de Treat. 1. milit. Ric. Wallensis 2. milit. Wil. de Bosfco Roardi 2. milit. Iohannes de monte acuto. Henricus de Pomeray. Henricus de Herys 1. Pharanus Warebras 1. milit. Barth. fil. 1. milit. Gilbertus Anglicus 1. milit. Symon Pincerna 1. Ric. filius Iuonis 1. Ric. Buzon. 1. Henricus fil. Com. 1. Huardus de Bekelege 1. Walterius de Dunstan vil. 1. milit. Hastul de Sullinge 4. part. Robertus de Mandeuil 1. milit. Alicia de Valletorta 1. milit.

Seriantes.

PEtrus fil. Ogeri 40. Cabulion per vnam Capam de Gresenge in aduentum dict. Regis in Cornu- biam. Rogerus Cithared 5. pro portanda illa Capa dum Rex fuerit in Cornubia.

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Iohan. de Pencoit vnam acram in Lametyn prec. de 5.s. fac. ibid, custodiam per 40. dies. Rog. de Bodmel 1. acram pro sequela in Com. Rob. Espiakelin duas acras & furuum in Lanceneton, vt eat in exercitum cum rege stipendiis ipsius Regis.

Extenta acrarum Cornub. facta coram Salom. de Ross. & Sociis suis Iustic. itinerant, apud Laun- ceston a die Paschae in 3.septimanas anno Reg. Edw. 12.

Hundred de Penwith.

Decunar. de Tihidi. 70. Lanistly 28. Acr. Redwory 14. Acras. Alwarton. 64. Couerton. 45. Trefruss. 3. Treruffe. 1. Marchel. 23. Dreyneck. 5. Trefundryn. 20. Bennerton. 45. Maen. 15. Gurlyn. 15. Bree. 8. Loygans. 9. Kelyneck. 24. Tenent de Tregony. 9. Warewil. 25. Penuerthy. 8. Tredyne. 1. Vthno. 8. Trewannard. Prior Mich. 8. Kelision. 6. Treynwal. 20. Tredeny. 3. Luddeuan. 55. Sum. 532. Acr.

Hundred de Kerier

Talgollon. 6. Carmynow. 18. Pensignans. 6. Wymanton. 12. Kenel 1. di. Trebrabo. 24. Arwothel. 9. S. Mawgan. 9. Restrongas. 21. Helston. 30. Penryn. 21. Methele. 15. Treros. 6. Trenhale. 6. Minster. 12. Godolghan 13. als. Epo. 9. Trewotheck. 6. Pengirsick, 6. Trenaweth. 9. Rogearon. 9. Trelan. 9. Wenna. 9. Rosewike. 30. Trelew. 9. als. 1. Ac. Exo. Lysard. 12. Presprinick. 6. Tredaneck. 6. Trelybey. 9. Tucays. 6. Luceas 31. als. 31. Ac. Ex. Clehar. 6. Sum. 397. Acr. & dimid.

Hundred de Pider.

Deci. de naushike pro. 6. Trewenneck. 3. Kalestek. 4. Trewoleck. 9. Elineas. 24. Bodwenek. 9. Dygimbris. 39. Rialton parua. 57. Treloy. 9. Trenowith. 3.

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S. Ify. 14. Treworder Bilcon. 12. Lanheyl Tinten. 18. Meddeschole. 9. Methean. 2. S. Peran. 3. Trewarnayl. 51. Eliquyn. 6. Carantock. 18. Cargoule. 39. Ryalton. 18. Porthe. 9. Lanhernow. 18. Carnaton. 14. Pawton. 120. Tregennow. 9. Aldennow. 21. Tremblithe. 4. Lantallen. 4. Gluuian. 3. Tremore. 6. Withiel. 15. Banhedrek. 9. Ryalton magna. 57. Retergh. 9. Cotford felle. 15. Trewynnian. 3. Berthey. 24. Meyndy. 6. Cragantallen. 3. Sum. 700. Acr.

Hundred de Powder.

Decuna de Tregaire. 93. Treworeck & Trew. 24. Inde alloc. 20. Ac. pro. do. Tremodreth. 18. Deuon. Treueruen & Poldu. 15. Blanchelond. 11. Eglosros. 3. Argallas. 6. Crogith & Caryheges. 9. Trenoweth. 9. Treuanion. 6. Kestel & Coran. 6. Lanhaddron. 4. Trelueck. 1. Boderdel. 20. Trelewith. 6. Brithion. 8. Tewynton. 33. Lanestek. 6. Tregony Pomeray. 32. Elerky. 42. Tredaek. 20. Werneckbosueleck. 4. Gouily. 9. Cargoul. 8. Pennarth. 9. Tretherf. 3. Trenyeck & Golours. 7. di. Pentewyn. 3. Trethewy. 6. S. Goron. 6. Boswiththe. 20. Beranel. 36. Trenance priour. 12. Trenananstle. 8. Killiuregh. 2. Tregarreck. 14. Landegy. 9. Maresk 36. pro reg. al- Tregamedon. 6. loc. 2. Alet. 12. Bodrugan. 9. Berthey Brune. 3. Treualgarthyn. 3. Growith & Trewithgy. 30. Lauada. 1. Treworeck. 9. Pridiaux. 12. Tybest & Penkeuel. 42. Tywascreth. 36. Treueruyn. 3. Pensentimow. 6. Nantyan. 36. Kenewyn. 1. Sum. 573. Acr. & dimid.

Hundred de Trigg.

Egloshayl. 7. di. Lannousun. 18. Penpout. 21. Bendeuy. 36.

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Namail. 3. Roscarreck Bighan. 3. Hundr. de Trig. 9. Tregradeck. 16. Trelindret. 1. di. Lancarff. 6. Tinten. 12. Pentir. 1. di. Trenesquit. 18. Trewornar. 18. Peterow. 6. Penrosburdon. 12. Boddannan. 27. Killigint. 18. Deliodbol. 6. Tridiseck. 18. Bliston. 33. Heligan. 9. Canta. 1. di. Reskarrekam. 9. Broneyr. 2. Linnoban. 66. Rugog. 9. Bodymel. 12. Delioner. 9. Trehaneck. 6. Polroda. 15. Hellaund. 6. Killigen. 9. Tamitethy. 12. Portligwyn. 1. di. Lanowseynt. i8. Sum. 473. & dimid.

Hundred de Lesnewith.

Hellesland. 57. Cydmonth. 7. Treualga. 18. Powndstock. 9. Treuilla. 3. Donneny. 18. Cracampton. 12. Treseward. 7. di. Dysard. 6. Bochym. 21. Wolueston. 9. Boleny. 8. Treglasta. 35. Ebsett. 21. Mokelound. 8. S. Genys. 10. Treuerueth. 9. Whalsborow. 8. Wortheual. 29. Otterham. 12. Lesnewith. 24. Tremayl. 6. Sum. 337. & dimid.

Hundred de Stratton.

Decena de Middeland. Marwyn-church & extra.2. 68. di. Launceles. 20. Loghe. 2. Thurlebere. 12. Corg. 1. Weke. 15. Fanceston. 8. Wadfast. 17. Pennalym. 17. Wyldsworthy. 4. Efford. 21. Tamerton. 8. Bere. 3. Harnacot. 9. di. Hilton. 20. Morton. 2. Forkeston & Brendon. 4. Kilkampton & Allerton. Witston & S. Petnel. 2. 68. Boyton & Bradbridge. 9. Stratton. 21. dimid. Bryard. 5. Sum. 341. Acr. & dimid.

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Hundred de East.

Penheal. 36. Landreyn. 3. Item ibid. 1. Clemyslond. 50. Tredawel. 13. Halton. 18. Trelosk. 14. Newton. 16. Tauestok. 27. Trematon. 80. Modeton. 9. Lanrake. 100. Cauilond. 44. Sheuiek. 100. Launcelond. 50. Tregilla. 12. Polisaund 6. Penquite. 11. Trefrys. 18. Carnedon. 8. Lawytton. 80. Rame. 20. Haston. 7. Bennalua. 20. Landilp & leghe. 14. Penhasgar. 26. Killaton. 20. Thorleton. 5. Treuaga. 13. Cranydon. 24. Trenymel. 12. Buysworek. 10. Penpol. 24. S. Germyn. 37. Treuartha. 3. Hamet. 7. Sum. 927.

Hundred de West.

Cardinan. 24. Treuellawan. 15. Breuigon. 6. Lanrethow. 12. Estdraynez. 6. S. Wynow. 4. dimid. Tremethert. 24. Bocunek. 12. Recradock. 9. Treuilias. 3. Lutcot. 24. Trethu. 6. Pendryn. 6. S. Wot. 3. Killigath. 9. Perpol. 24. Plenynt. 9. Losnewith. 6. Manely. 12. Trethewy. 3. Polscoth. 1. dimid. Penquite. 9. Botylet. 9. Boccalawar. 6. Killigoreck. 9. Tallan. 6. Baurylen & Hamiteth. 3. Trethek. 6. dimid. Fowyton. 30. Langonet. 6. Treueruyn. 6. Rathwil. 1. dimid, West Draynez. 6. Brothok. 3. Laskerd. 18. Penfran. 9. Crutour. 9. Colmettyn. 6. Trelowya. 6. Kelly & Mighstow. 3. Trenant. 6. Sum 353.

Sum. tot. 5555. dimid. Acr.

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Nomina Baron. & Militum ex Rotulis de feodis Militum, vel de Scutagio Solutis Regi Richardo primo : In libro rubeo Scaccarii.

Cornubia.

WAlterus Hay 20. M. per Agn. vxorem suam. Nicholaus filius Galfridi 10. M. Willi. Boterell. 12. M. Alanus Blundus 7. M. Geruasius filius Willi. 5. M. Willi. frater Comitis 4. M. Willi. filius Ric. 5. M. Rad. de Rupe 3. M. Willi. Oliuer. 1. M. Henricus de Tredeleberg. 1. M. Richardus filius Iuo. dim. M. Iohannes de Soleigny. Stephanus Flandrensis. 7. M. Alanus de Dunstauill. 1. M. Rogerus Anglicus. 1. M. Regium de Valletorta 51. M. Secundum quod Lucas filius Bernardi Senescallus euis mandauit per litteras Baron. de Scaccar. in Anno sexto Regis Richardi. Robertus de Cardin. 71. M. Secundum quod Senescallus eiusdem mandauit Baron. eodem anno 6. R. 1. Galfridus de Lacell. qui habet med. feod. q. fuerunt Richard, de Lucy in hoc Com. 9. M. sicut Ric. filius Willi. Senescallus eius mandauit per breue, Anno regni Regis Richardi octauo.

Cornubia

Anno 40. Henr. tertii.

lllustri viro, Domino Henrico, Dei gratia, Regi Angliae, Domino Hiberniae, Duct Nor. Aquitan. & Com. Andeg. vicecomes Cornubiae, salutem, cum omni reve- rentia & obsequio. Ad mandatum vestrum, nomina illorum qui ten. quindecem libratas terrae vel plus, & tenent per seruitium militare, & milites non sunt, excellentiae vestrae praesentibus transmitto, vide- licet.

THomas de Tracy, cuius terrae in Cornubia valent 40. libras & plus. Rogerus de Mesy. 16. li. Stephanus de Bellocampo. 15. li. Henr. filius Henr. de la Pombre. 30. li. Robertus de Carmeneu. 16. li. Willi. filius Roberti. 15. li. Marc. le Flamanc. 16. li.

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Willi. Wise. 16. li. Iordanus de Hacumb. 14. li. Robertas de Draenas. I5. li. Philippus de Valletorta. 40. li. Richard. de Grenuile. 50. li. Henricus de Dones. 15. li.

Nomina Militum, & aliorum hominum ad Arma, Anno Regni Regis Edw. filii Regis Edw 17.

IOhannes de Treiagu vicecomes.

Nomina militum de Com. Cornubiae, tam infra libertates quam extra.

WIlli. de Botriaux. Reginaldus de Botriaux. Rad. de Albo Monasterio, Richard. de Campo Arnulphi. Henricus de Campo Arnulphi.

Le Petit.

THomas Lercedekne est in Vascoma in sericium Regis. Iohannes de Alneto. Iohannes de Tynten. Willi. de Ferrers. Robertus Bendyn. Reginaldus de Mohun. Robertus filius Willi. impotens miles coronator Domini Regis. Iohannes de Carmenou. Otto de Bodrugan peregrinatus est ad San. Iacobum li- centia Domini Regis.

Nomina hominum ad Arma In Com. Cornubiae.

IOhannes de Dynham. Rad. de Bloyen. Willi. Basset. Oliuerus de Carminou. Henricus de Peng. Rogerus de Reskymmer. Iohannes de Lambron. Iohannes le Scor. de Taluran.

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Richardus de Cerefeaux iunior. Iohannes de Pyn. Rogerus Pridyas. Rad. de Bello Prato, peregrinatus est cum Ottone de Bodrugan, cum licentia regis pro se & duobus va- lectis.

Isti praenominati habent 40. libr. terrae & redditus per annum. Alii multi Armigeri desunt, nomina eorum dilace- rata, non possunt legi in originali.

EDwardus Dei gratia, Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquit.vicecomiti Cornub. salutem. Cum nuper tibi praeceperimus, quod omnes & singulos de balliua tua in- fra libertates & extra, tam illos qui viginti libratas terrae & redditus per annum habent, quam illos similiter qui plus habent, de quocunq; teneant sine delatione rogares, & speci- aliter requireres ex parte nostra, fermiterq, iniungentes eis- dem, quod essent ad nos Londini die dominica prox. post octa- vas Sci. Iohannis Bapt. proximo futuras, cum equis & Ar- mis, videlicet, quilibet eorum prout decuerit statum suum, parati transfretare cum corpore nostro, partes transmarinas, ad Dei nostri & ipsorum honorem, ut speramus, & pro sal- uatione & communi utilitate regni nostri, tibi praecipimus, firmiter iniungentes, quod mandato nostro praedicto diligenter & celeriter executo, nos de nominibus omnium illorum de balliua tua quos sit rogaueris ad dictam diem dominie. dis- tincte & aperte, sub sigillo tuo certiores reddere non omittas: Remittens nobis tunc hoc breue. Teste meipso apud Portes- mouth, 24. die Maii, Anno regni nostri vicesimo quinto.

Nomina eorum qui habent viginti libratas terrae, seu redditus vel amplius, in Com. Cornubiae.

DOminus Oliuerus de Denham. Dominus Willi. de Boteraus Senior. Dominus Willi. de Boteraus maior. Dominus Willi. de Campo Arnulphi. Dominus Thomas de Kan. Dominus Stepha. de Bello Prato. Dominus Rogerus de Carminou. Dominus Thomas de Pridias. Dominus Hugo Peuerell. Dominus Iohannes de Lambron. Dominus Rad. Bloyhon. Dominus Iohannes filius Willi. Dominus Osbertus le Sor. Dominus Robertus Gifford. Dominus Richardus de Huwyse. Dominus Reg. de Beuill. Dominus Richardus de Reskymer, Dominus Henricus de la Pomerey. Dominus Petrus de Fysac. Dominus Roulandus de Quoykyn. Dominus Richardus de Greneuyle. Dominus Walterus de Cornubia.

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Dominus Reginaldus de Botreaus. Thomas le Erchideakene. Serlo de Lansladeron. Walterus de Trem. Steph. de Trewythen. Odo de la Roche. Willi. del Estre. Rad. filius Oliueri de Arundell. Willi. de Bret. Mich. le Petit. Iohannes de Kellerion. Henricus de Kymyell. Iohannes de Arundell. Rogerus le Flemming. Richardus le Ceariseus. Iohannes de Tynton. Rad. de Cheyndut. Robertus le Brun. Stephanus de Trewynt. Robertus filius Willi. Thomas de Waunford. Rogerus Cola. Rogerus de Meules. Iohannes de Kylgat. Richardus de Trenaga. Philip. de San. Wynnoko, Iohannes de Thurlebere.

NOW to weaue on our former web. The ancient maner of Cornish building, was to plant their houses lowe, to lay the stones with morter of lyme and sand, to make the walles thick, their windowes arched and little, and their lights inwards to the court, to set hearths in the midst of the roome, for chimneyes, which vented the smoake at a louer in the toppe, to couer their planchings with earth, to frame the roomes not to exceede two stories, and the roofes to rise in length aboue proportion, and to bee packed thick with timber, seeking therethrough onely strength and warmenesse; whereas now-adayes, they seat their dwellings high, build their walles thinne, lay them with earthen morter, raise them to three or foure stoaries, mould their lights large, and outward, and their roofes square and slight, coueting chiefly prospect and pleasure. As for Glasse and Plaister for priuate mens houses, they are of late yeeres introduction.

The poore Cotager contenteth himselfe with Cob for his wals, and Thatch for his couering: as for Brick and Lath walles, they can hardly brooke the Cornish weather: and the vse thereof being put in triall by some, was found so vnprofitable, as it is not continued by any.

It resteth, that after the Cornish Inhabitants reall priuate estate, I speake of their entercourse and traffike, and so step forth to their personal.

This entercourse is obtayned by high wayes and Bridges: for highwayes, the Romanes did not extend theirs so farre: but those layd out of later times, are in the Easterne part of Cornwall, vneasy, by reason either of their mire or stones, besides many vp-hils and downe-hils. [54] The Westerne are better trauaileable, as lesse subiect to these discommodities: generally, the statute 18. Eliz. for their amendement, is reasonably wel executed.

Bridges, the riuer Tamer hath Polston, Gresham, Horse, and New Bridge. Lyner, that at Noddetor, Seton, and Loo, two bridges of the same name. Foy riuer, Reprin, Lostwithiel, S. Nighton, or Niot. Fala riuer, Grampord, Tregny. Loo riuer, Helston. On the North coast, vpon Camel, Wade, Dilland & Helland. Vpon Deuon, Trywartheuy, &c. for they are worth no curious enquiry.

For maintenance of traffike by buying and selling, there are weekely markets kept: In the Hundred of East, at Saltash, Launceston, and Milbrook. In west H. at Loo, and Liskerd. In Stratton H. at the Towne of the same name. In Lesnewith H. at Bottreaux Castle, and Camelford. In Powder H. at Foy, Lostwithiel, Grampord, Tregny, and Truro. In Trig H. at Bodmin. In Kerier Hun. at Helston, and Perin. And in Penwith Hundred, at Pensants, and at S. Ies. Of these, Bodmyn and Launceston are the greatest: this as placed in the broadest, that in the middle part of the Countie.

Fayres there are many, some of which here ensue.

March 13. at Bodmyn, Helston, S. Michaels mount. April 24. at Loo. 25. at S. Columbs, S. Probus. May 1. at Launceston, Perin. Iune 11. at Minhinet, 24. at Launceston, Pelint, Probus, Colombs Iuly, on S. Margets day, at S. Stephens. S. Thomas transl, at Camelford. On S. Iames day, at Golsinni, Saltash. August 1. at S. Germaines. On S. Laurence day, at S. Laurence. On the Assumption of our Lady, at Lalant, September, on S. Mathews day, at Liskerd, on S. Bartholmews, at Lostwithiel, on the Natiuitie of our Lady, at Kellington, S. Marie weeke, and Marcasiow. October, on S. Dionise day, at Treuenna in Tintagel, Nouember, on S. Katherins day, at S. Thomas. On S. Leonards day, at Launceston and Tregny. December, on S. Nicholas day, at Bodmyn.

And because traffike cannot bee exercised without waights and measures, a word or two of them.

Touching wayghts, the statute 12. H. 7. which made a generall ordinance therein, did specially exempt those appertayning to the cunnage, in Deuon and Cornwall, viz. that they should be priuiledged to continue their former vsage.

In measures the Shire varieth, not only from others, but also in it selfe: for they haue a land-measure, and a water-measure: the water-measure, of things sold at the ships side (as salt and peason) by the Inhabitants, is sixteene gallons the bushell; by strangers, betweene 18. and 24. The land-measure differeth in diuers places, from 18. to 24. gallons the bushell, being least in the East parts, and increasing to the Westwards, where they measure Oates by the hogshead.

The Iustices of peace haue oftentimes indeuoured to reduce this variance to a certaintie of double Winchester: but though they raysed the lower, they cannot abate the higher to this proportion: and yet from the want of this reformation, there ensue many inconueniences; for the Farmer that hath the greatest bushell at the market, maketh a price for the lesser to follow with little, (or at least) no rateable deduction. Besides, they sell at home to their neighbours, the [55] rest of the weeke, by the smaller meafure, as was payd in the market for the bigger.

There are also some Ingrossers, who buy Wheat of the husbandman, after 18. gallons the bushell, and deliuer it to the transporting Marchant, for the same summe, at 16.

So doth their Pearch exceed that of other Countries, which amounteth vnto 18. foote. And it is likewise obserued by strangers, that the Cornish miles are much longer then those about London, if at least the wearinesse of their bodies (after so painefull a iourney) blemish not the coniecture of their mindes. I can impute this generall enlargement of saleable things, to no cause sooner, then the Cornish mans want of vent and money, who therethrough, to equall others in quality of price, is driuen to exceed them in quantitie of measure.

Touching the personall estate of the Cornish Inhabitants, to begin with their name in generall, I learne by master Camden (who, as the Arch-antiquarie Iustus Lipsius testifieth of him, Britanniae nebulas claro ingenij sole illustrauit) that Ptolomey calleth them Damnonii, Strabo Ostidamnii, and Aretemidorus, Cossini.

Touching their particular denominations; where the Saxons haue not intruded their newer vsances, they partake in some sort with their kinsmen the Welsh: for as the Welshmen catalogize ap Rice, ap Griffin, ap Owen, ap Tuder, ap Lewellin, &c. vntill they end in the highest of the stock, whom their memorie can reach vnto: So the Westerne Cornish, by alike, but more compendious maner, intitle one another with his owne & his fathers christen name, and conclude with the place of his dwelling; as Iohn, the sonne of Thomas, dwelling at Pendaruis, is called Iohn Thomas Pendaruis. Rich. his yonger brother is named, Richard Thomas Pendaruis, &c. Through which meanes, diuers Gent. and others haue changed their names, by remoouing their dwellings, as Trengoue to Nance, Bonithon, to Carclew, two brethren of the Thomasses, the one to Carnsew, the other to Rescrowe, and many other.

Most of them begin with Tre, Pol, or Pen, which signifie a Towne, a Top, and a head: whence grew the common by-word.

By Tre, Pol, and Pen, You shall know the Cornishmen.

Neither doe they want some signification, as Godolfin, alias Godolghan, a white Eagle: Chiwarton, the greene Castle on the hill: which Gentlemen giue such Armes; Reskimer, the great Dogges race, who beareth a Wolfe passant. Carnsew, alias, Carndew, a black rock: his house Bokelly, which soundeth the lost Goat: and a Goate he beareth for his coate: Carminow, a little Citie: Cosowarth, the high Groue, &c.