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The Survey of Cornwall

R >> Richard Carew >> The Survey of Cornwall




The Reader will, I hope, excuse my transcribing here the whole
Epistle. These Addresses are a true Test of an Author's Wit and
Genius. And who can be displeased with so just a Character of one
of the greatest Men of our Nation? Mr. Carew subscribes himself,
His Lordships poor Kinsman, Richard Carew of Antonie; but how he was
related to him, I could not yet find. Sir Walter Raleigh had a Son,
whose Christen-name was Carew; and probably our Author was his
Godfather.

In his Preface, Mr. Carew observes, that when he first composed this
Treatise, not minding that it should be published in Print, he caused
only certain written Copies to be given to some of his Friends ......
But since that time, Master Camden's often mentioning this Work, and
his Friends Persuasions, had caused his Determination to alter, and to
embrace a pleasing Hope, that Charity and good Construction would rest
now generally in all Readers.

"Besides", says he, " the State of our Country hath
undergone so many Alterations, since I first began these
Scriblings, that, in the reviewing, I was driven either
likewise to vary my Report, or else to speak against my
Knowledge....

Reckon therefore (I pray you) that this Treatise plotteth
down Cornwall, as it now standeth, for the particulars,
and will continue, for the general."

Mr. Carew's Survey of Cornwall was receiv'd, when it came out, (as it
hath been ever since) with a general Applause; as it appears by the
Encomiums pass'd upon it, which it would be too long to enumerate. Mr.
Camden, in the sixth Edition of his Britannia, printed in 1607,
acknowledges, at the end of his Account of Cornwall, that our Author
had been his chief Guide through it (M). But as 'tis usual to Authors
of an inferior rank to be the best pleased with their Works, so the
best Authors are the least satisfy'd with their Performances, and the
most severe Censors to themselves.

The Approbation of the Publick only excites them to mend their
Writings, and give them all the Perfection they are capable.
Mr. Carew was uneasy at the Errors of the Printers, and some
Oversights of his, that had crept into his Book; and desired to
improve it by the Observations of others, who had writ on the same
Subject. Being told in the Year 1606, that Mr. Dodderidge, who was
then Sollicitor-General, had published some Account of the Dutchy of
Cornwall, (which was not true, for that Tract did not come out till
1630) he desired Mr. Camden to send him a Copy of it.

"I make bold", says he (N), " to use my thanks for your
kind remembring me by Sir Anthony Rouse, as a Shoeing-
horn to draw on a Request; and this it is : I learn that
Master Sollicitor hath compiled a Treatise of our Cornish
Dutchy, and dedicated it to the Prince : this I much long
to see, and heartily pray by your means to obtain a Copy
thereof. The first publishing of my Survey was voluntary;
the second, which I now purpose, is of necessity, not so
much for the enlarging it, as the correcting mine and the
Printers Oversights: and amongst these, the Arms not the
least, touching which mine Order, suitable to your Direction,
was not observed, and so myself made an Instrument, but
not the Author of Wrong and Error. I imagine that I may
cull out of Master Sollicitor's Garden many Flowers to
adorn this other Edition; and if I wist where to find
Mr. Norden, I would also fain have his Map of our Shire;
for perfecting of which, he took a Journey into these Parts."

Mr. Carew never published a second Edition of his Book, tho' he lived
fourteen Years after the writing of that Letter. And whether he left
behind him a Copy of it revised and corrected for a new Impression,
does not appear. It hath indeed been reported, that there was a Copy
extant with large Additions (O); but they don't tell us whose
Additions they are. They can hardly be the Author's own Additions,
since they are said to be large ones; and we have seen that Mr.
Carew's Design in the intended second Edition of his Survey, was not
so much for the enlarging it, as the correcting his and the Printers
Oversights. However it be, we may reasonably wonder that a Work so
valuable, and the only compleat one we have on that Subject, should
not have been reprinted since the Year 1602; whereby it is become so
scarce, and bears such an excessive Price. Perhaps this is owing to
the false Rumours which have been spread from time to time, that it
was going to be reprinted with large Additions. For these idle common
Reports have often prevented new Editions of useful and necessary
Books. But it is to be hoped, that some publick-spirited Persons will
reprint it, as it was first published. If any body hath any Additions
or Supplements to it, they may print them separately.

Mr. Carew (P)

"was intimate with the most noted Scholars of his Time,
particularly with Sir Henry Spelman, who in an Epistle (*)
to him concerning Tythes, doth not a little extol him for
his Ingenuity, Vertue, and Learning. 'Palmam igitur cedo'
(saith he) '& quod Graeci olim in Caria fua gente, admirati
sunt, nos in Caria nostra gente agnoscimus, ingenium
splendidum, bellarumque intentionum saecundissimum, &c.'"

And a famous Scotch Poet (+)

"stiles him another Livy, another Maro, another Papinian,
and highly extols him for his great Skill in History, and
Knowledge in the Laws (Q)."

Mr. Carew

"died on the sixth day of November, in fifteen hundred and
twenty, and was buried in the Church of East-Antonie among
his Ancestors. Shortly after, he had a splendid Monument
set over his Grave, with an Inscription thereon, written
in the Latin Tongue (R)"

As I have not seen that Inscription, I cannot tell whether it be the
same with the following Epitaph, written by Mr. Camden (S), probably
at the Request of Mr. Carew's Family.


M.S.
Richardo Carew de Antonie
Armigero,
Filio Thomae Carew ex Anna Edgcombia,
Nepoti Wimundi Carew Militis ex
Martha Dennia,
Pronepoti Joannis Carew ex Thomasina
Hollandia:
Viro
Moribus modestis, mente generosa,
Eruditione varia,
Animo erga Deum devato;
Qui inter medias de caelesti vita meditationes
Placide in Chrifto obdormivit,
Anno aetatis Lxiij.
E. Arundelia uxor marito charissimo,
Conjugalis fidei ergo,
Et .... Filius Patri optimo,
Officiosi obsequii ergo,
Posuerunt.
Obiit .............



(a) In the Eastern Parts of Cornwall, within some Miles of Plymouth.
(b) Anth. Wood Athen. Oxon. vol. 1. c. 452. 2d Edit.
(c) The Survey of Cornwall, fol. 100.
(d) The Survey of Cornwall, fol. 100.
(e) Ibid. fol. 102.
(f) Ibid. fol. 103, 104.
(g) Wood, ubi supra.
(h) Sir Philip Sidney was born in 1554. Wood ibid. c. 226.
(i) The History of the Worthies of England, p. 205.
(k) Ubi supr.
(l) What Mr. Wood means by this Parenthesis, I leave to the reader
to determine.
(m) Ibid.
(n) Caroli Fitzgeofridi Assaniae: sive Epigrammatum Libri tres &c.
Oxon. 1601, in 8vo. Lib. 3. Ep. 33.
(o) Afterwards Sir George Carew.
(p) Survey, fol. 59. ver.
(q) The Survey of Cornwall was published in the Year 1602.
(r) Ibid. fol. 61.
(s) Ubi supr. Epi. 40.
(t) Lege, sinitimae
(v) Leg. exantlasse.
(x) Leg. integellus.
(y) It was printed in 1654. See Wood, ubi supr. c. 453.
(A) Wood, ibid.
(B) Ibid.
(D) Britannia, &c. Londini 1586, in 8vo.
(E) Ubi supr. c. 452.
(F) Survey, &c. fol. 88.
(G) Ibid. fol. 83.
(H) Wood, ubi supr.
(I) See Dr. Smith's Life of Sir Robert Cotton.
(K) Dr. Smith, ubi supr.
(L) In 4to.
(M) Quemque mihi preluxiss non possum non agnoscere.
(N) Gul. Camdeni Epistolae, &c. Epist. LVIII. pag. 72.
That letter is dated 13th of May 1606.
(O) W. Nicolson, The English Historical Library, chap. II.
p 11, 12 of the 2d Edition.
(P) Wood, ubi supr. c. 453.
(*) In his Apol. of the Treatise de non temerandis Ecclesiis,
&c. Lond. 1646, 4to.
(+) Joh. Dunbar Megalo-Britannus in Epigrammat. suis,
cent. 6. numb. 53.
(Q) Wood, ibid.
(R) Wood, ibid.
(S) Camdeni Epistolae, &c. pag. 106.






THE

S V R V E Y

OF

C O R N W A L L


Written by Richard Carew,
of Antonie, Esquire.







[Abstract graphics]

To the Honorable, Sir Walter Ra-
leigh Knight, Lord Warden of the
Stannaries, Lieutenant Generall of
Cornwall, &c.

This mine ill-husbanded Survey, long since begun, a great while
discontinued, lately reviewed, and now hastily finished, appealeth to
your L. direction, whether it should passe; to your correction, if it
doe passe; and to your protection, when it is passed. Neither unduely:
for the same intreateth of the Province, and Persons,ouer whose
bodies, and estates,you carrie a large, both Martiall, and ciuiil
commaund, by your authoritie, but in whose hearts, and loues, you
possesse a farre greater interest, by your kindnesse. Your eares,
and mouth, haue euer beene open, to heare, and deliuer our grieuances,
and your feete and hands, readie to goe, and worke their redresse, and
that, not onely, alwayes, as a Magistrate, of your selfe, but also
verie often,as a suiter, and solliciter to others, of the highest
place. Wherefore, I, as one of the common beholden, present this
token of my priuate gratitude. It is dutie, and not pre-
sumption, that hath drawne me to the
offering; and it must be fauour,and
not desert, that shall moue your
Lordship to the acceptance: and
so I take humble leaue, rest-
ing no lesse willing to
serue you, then
vnder you.

Your Lordships poore kinsman,

Richard Carew of
Antonie.







To the Reader.

When I first composed this Treatise, not minding that it should be
published in Print, I caused onely certaine written copies to bee
giuen to some of my friends, and put Prosopopeia into the bookes
mouth. But since that time, master Camdens often-mencioning this
worke, and my friends perswasions, haue caused my determination to
alter, & to imbrace a pleasing hope, that charitie, & good
construction resteth now generally in all Readers. Albeit, I well
know, how Opere in vario, no lesse then in longo, fas est obrepere
somnum. And I acknowledge, this playing work to come so farr short,
of satisfying, euen myselfe (though Suus cuiq; placet partus) as I
haue little reason, to expect the applause of any other.

Besides the state of our Countrie hath vndergone so manie Alterations,
since I first began these scriblings, that,in the reuiewing, I was
driuen, either likewise to varie my report, or else to speake against
my knowledge. And no maruaile, for each succeeding time, addeth, or
raueth, goods, & euils, according to the occasions, which it selfe
produceth : rather a wonder it were, that in the ceaselesse reuolution
of the Vniuerse, any parcell should retaine a stedfast constitution.
Reckon therefore (I pray you) that this treatise plotteth downe
Cornwall, as it now standeth, for the particulars, and will continue,
for the generall. Mine Eulogies proceede no lesse, from the
sinceritie of a witnesse, then the affection of a friend: and
therefore I hope, that where my tongue hath beene good, no mans
eye will bee euill: and that each wel-minded Reader will wish a merrie
passage, to this my rather fancie-sporting, then gaine-fseeking voyage.
Farewell.

[1]

The Prosopopeia to the Booke.


I Crave not courteous ayd of friends,
To blaze my praise in verse,
Nor, prowd of vaunt, mine authors names,
In catalogue rehearse:

I of no willing wrong complaine,
Which force or stealth hath wrought,
No fruit I promise from the tree,
Which forth this blooth hath brought.

I curry not with smoothing termes,
Ne yet rude threats I blaste:
I seeke no patrone for my faults,
I pleade no needlesse haste.

But as a child of feeble force,
I keep my fathers home,
And, bashfull at eche strangers sight,
Dare not abroad to rome,

Saue to his kinne of neerest bloud,
Or friends of dearest price,
Who, for his sake, not my desert,
With welcome me entice.





T H E

S V R V E Y

O F

CORNWALL.

The first Booke.



Cornwall, the farthest Shire of England Westwards, hath her name by
diuers Authors diuersly deriued. Some (as our owne Chroniclers) draw
it from Corineus, cousin to Brute, the first Conqueror of this Iland:
who wrastling at Plymmouth (as they say) with a mightie Giant, called
Gogmagog, threw him ouer Cliffe, brake his necke, and receiued the
gift of that Countrie, in reward for his prowesse: Some, as Cerealis,
(no lesse mistaken perhaps in that, then in his measures) from Cornu
Galliae, a home or corner of Fraunce, whereagainst nature hath placed
it: and some, from Cornu Walliae, which (in my conjecture) carrieth
greatest likelyhood of truth.

For what time the Saxons, after many bloudie inuasions [Anno Dom. 586.]
as Pirates, began at last to plant their dwellings [2a] and take roote
in this Iland, as Conquerors, the Britons, by them supplanted, were
driuen to seeke their safegard in the waste Moores, craggie Mountaines,
and wild Forrests of Wales and Cornwall, where the Countries
barrennesse barred their pursuers from victuals, and the
dangerousnesse of the passages laid them open to priuie inuasions.
Such as had in this sort withdrawne themselves, the Saxons termed
Welshmen, by interpretation strangers, for so they were to them, as
they to the Countrie: and their place of abode they called Welshland,
sithence turned to Wales, euen as by the same reason, they giue still
the same name to Italy. Now, Cornwall being cast out into the Sea,
with the shape of a horne, borrowed the one part of her name from her
fashion, as Matthew of Westminster testifieth, and the other from her
Inhabitants; both which conjoyned, make Cornwalliae, and contriued,
Cornwall: in which sence, the Cornish people call it Kernow, deriued
likewise from Kerne a home. Neither needeth this composition to be
accompted any way vncouth, seeing the same is made familiar vnto vs by
the like in other Countries, as of Herbipolis in Germanie, Lombardie
in Italy, Paleocastrum in Crete, and Neoportus in Carniola: all which,
with many other, are likewise compacted of double languages.

This ill-halfening hornie name, hath (as Corneto in Italy) opened a
gap to the scoffes of many, who not knowing their owne present
condition, or at least their future destinie, can be contented to draw
an odious mirth from a publike infamie. But seeing the wisest Enditer,
hath directed the penne of his holiest writers to vse this terme, not
only in a good meaning, but also in a significant sense, and to
sanctifie the thing itselfe in sundrie parts of his seruice: such
iesters dishonest indiscretion is rather charitably to bee pittied,
then their exception either angerly to be grieued at, or seriously to
bee confuted.

I am not ignorant, how sorely the whole storie of Brute, is shaken
by some of our late writers, and how stiffely supported by other some:
as also that this wrastling pull betweene Corineus and Gogmagog, is
reported to have befallen at Douer. For mine owne part, though I
reuerence antiquitie, and reckon it a kind of wrong, to exact an
ouer-strict reason for all that which vpon credite shee deliuereth;
yet I rather incline to their side, who would warrant her authoritie
by apparant veritie. Notwithstanding, in this question, I will not
take on me the person of either Iudge, or stickler: and therefore if
there bee any so plunged in the common floud, as they will still gripe
fast, what they haue once caught hold on, let them sport themselves
with these coniectures, vpon which mine auerment in behalf of
Plymmouth is grounded. The place where Brute is said to haue first
landed, was Totnes in Cornwall, and therefore this wrastling likely
to haue chaunced there, sooner then elsewhere. The Prouince bestowed
on Corineus for this exployt, was Cornwall. It may then be presumed,
that he receiued in reward the place where hee made proofe of his
worth, and whose prince (for so with others I take Gogmagog to have
beene) hee had conquered, euen as Cyrus recompenced Zopirus with the
Citie Babylon [Herodotus], which his policie had recouered. Againe,
the actiuitie of Deuon and Cornishmen, in this facultie of wrastling,
beyond those of other Shires, dooth seeme to deriue them a speciall
pedigree, from that graund wrastler [3] Corineus. Moreouer, vpon the
Hawe at Plymmouth, there is cut out in the ground, the pourtrayture
of two men, the one bigger, the other lesser, with Clubbes in their
hands, (whom they terme Gog-Magog) and (as I haue learned) it is
renewed by order of the Townesmen, when cause requireth, which should
inferre the same to bee a monument of some moment. And lastly the
place, hauing a steepe cliffe adioyning, affordeth an oportunitie to
the fact. But of this too much.

Cornwall is seated (as most men accompt) in the Latitude of fiftie
degrees, and thirtie minutes; and in the Longitude of sixe.

The Shire extendeth in length to about seuentie miles: the breadth,
as almost no where equall, so in the largest place, it passeth not
thirtie, in the middle twentie, and in the narrowest of the West
part, three. The whole compasse may hereby be coniectured.

It bordereth on the East with Deuon, divided therefrom, in most
places, by the ryuer Tamer, which springing neere the North Sea, at
Hartland in Deuon, runneth thorow Plymmouth Hauen, into the South.
For the rest, the maine Ocean sundreth the same, on the North from
Ireland, on the West from the Ilands of Scilley, and on the South from
little Britaine. These borders now thus straightned, did once extend
so wide, as that they enabled their inclosed territorie, with the
title of a kingdome. Polidore Virgil allotteth it the fourth part
of the whole Iland, and the ancient Chronicles report, that Brute
landed at Totnes in Cornwall, a Towne now seated in the midst of
Deuon. Moreover, vntill Athelstanes time, the Cornish-men bare equal
sway in Excester with the English: for hee it was who hemmed them
within their present limits. Lastly, the encroaching Sea hath rauined
from it, the whole Countrie of Lionnesse, together with diuers other
parcels of no little circuite: and that such a Lionnesse there was,
these proofes are yet remaining. The space between the lands end, and
the Iles of Scilley, being about thirtie miles, to this day retaineth
that name, in Cornish Lethowsow, and carrieth continually an equall
depth of fortie or sixtie fathom (a thing not vsuall in the Seas
proper Dominion) saue that about the midway, there lieth a Rocke,
which at low water discouereth his head. They terme it the Gulfe,
suiting thereby the other name of Scilla. Fishermen also casting
their hookes thereabouts, haue drawn vp peeces of doores and windowes.
Moreouer, the ancient name of Saint Michaels Mount, was Caraclowse in
Cowse, in English, The hoare Rocke in the Wood: which now is at euerie
floud incompassed by the Sea, and yet at some low ebbes, rootes of
mightie trees are discryed in the sands about it. The like ouer-
flowing hath happened in Plymmouth Hauen, and diuers other places.

In this situation, though nature hath shouldred out Cornwall into the
farthest part of the Realme, and so besieged it with the Ocean, that,
as a demie Iland in an Iland, the Inhabitants find but one way of
issue by land: yet hath shee in some good measure, counteruailed such
disaduantage, through placing it, both neere vnto, and in the trade
way betweene Wales, Ireland, Spaine, France, & Netherland. The
neerenesse helpeth them, with a shorter cut, lesse peril, and meaner
charge, to vent forth and make returne of those commodities, which
their [4] owne, or either of those Countries doe afford: the lying
in the way, bringeth forraine shipping to claime succour at their
harbours, when, either outward, or homeward bound, they are checked by
an East, South, or South-east wind: and where the Horse walloweth,
some haires will still remaine. Neither is it to bee passed ouer
without regard, that these remote quarters, lie not so open to the
inuasions of forraine enemies, or spoyles of ciuil tumults, as other
more inward parts of the Realme, which being seated neerer the heart,
are sooner sought, and earlyer ransacked in such troublesome times:
or if the Countries long naked sides, offer occasion of landing to any
aduerse shipping, her forementioned inward naturall strength,
increased by so many Lanes and Inclosures, straightneth the same to
a preying onely vpon the outward Skirts by some pettie fleetes: For
the danger of farder piercing, will require the protection of a
greater force for execution, then can there be counteruailed with the
benefit of any bootie, or conquest, were they sure to preuaile. And
if to bee free from a dammage, may passe for a commoditie, I can adde,
that the far distance of this Countie from the Court, hath heretofore
afforded it a Supersedeas from takers & Purueyours: for if they should
fetch any prouision from thence, well it might be marked with the
visard of her Highnes prerogatiue, but the same would verie slenderly
turne to the benefit of her Majesties house keeping: for the
foulenesse and vneasinesse of the waies, the little mould of Cornish
cattel, and the great expence of driuing them, would defaulke as much
from the iuft price to the Queene, at the deliuering, as it did from
the owners at the taking. Besides that, her Highnesse shipping should
heerethrough bee defrauded of often supplies, which these parts afford
vnto them.

Vpon which reasons, some of the Purueyours attempts, heretofore
through the suite of the Countrie, the sollicitation of Sir Richard
Gremuile, the credite of the Lord Warden, and the graciousnesse of our
Soueraigae, were reuoked and suppressed, and the same vnder her
Highnesse priuie Seale confirmed. Notwithstanding, when her Majestie
made her pleasure afterwards knowne, that shee would have a generall
contribution from euerie Shire, for redeeming this exemption, Cornwall
opposing dutie against reason, or rather accompting dutie a reason
sufficient, yeelded to vndergoe a proportionable rate of the burthen.
So they compounded to furnish ten Oxen after Michaelmas for thirtie
pound price; to which, by another agreement with the Officers, they
should adde fortie markes of their owne. Vpon half a yeeres warning
either partie might repent the bargaine. This held for a while; but
within a short space, either the carelesnesse of the Iustices in
imposing this rate, or the negligence of the Constables in collecting
it, or the backwardnesse of the Inhabitants in paying the same, or all
these together ouerslipped the time, and withheld the satisfaction.
Hereon downe comes a Messenger with sharpe letters from the Officers
of the Greene cloth. The conclusion ensued, that his charges must bee
borne, and an higher price disbursed for the supplie. Thus it fareth
too and fro, and the Cornishmen seeme to hold a Wolfe by the eares:
for to make payment the people are unwilling, as in a charge
heretofore vnusuall, to undergoe the [5] managing hereof, the Iustices
strayne courtesie, as in a matter nothing plausible, and appertaining
to ouer-many partners, for the well effecting, and yet to breake they
are both afraid, suspecting that a heauier load will follow, if this
composition be once set at large.

These commodities goe not vnaccompanied with their inconueniences: for
to Cornwall also hath Pandora's Boxe beene opened. One is, that the
farre distance from the higher seates of Iustice, rippeth a wider gap
to intruding iniuries, and increaseth the charge and time of procuring
their redresse. Which due occasion of discouragement, the worst
conditioned, and least cliented Petiuoguers, doe yet (vnder the sweet
baite of revenge) convert to a more plentiful prosecution of actions.
The ordinarie trade of these men is, where they perceiue a sparke of
displeasure kindling, to increase the flame with their bellowes of
perswasion. Hath such a one abused you, saith he? Anger him a little,
that breaking out into some outragious words, you may take advantage
thereof; and you shall see how we will hamper him: warrant you he
shall fetch an errand to London, & beare part of your charges too.
After the game hath beene brought in by this Winlesse, the poore foule
is bound not to release his aduersarie, without his Attournies
consent, who plieth the matter with so good a stomack, as hee eateth
the kernell, whilest they fight about the shell. At last, when the
fountain of his Clients purse is drawne drie, by his extravagant fees
of Pro consilio, pro expeditione, pro amicitia Vicecomitis, &c.
besides the packing betweene the Vndersheriffe and him, of docketing
out Writs neuer sued foorth, the mediation of friends must shut up the
matter in a comprimise. Another discommoditie groweth, that whereas
London furnisheth all prouisions (euen Tynne, and such other arising
in the same Countrie) of best stuffe, fashion, store, and cheapnesse:
the hard procuring, and farre carriage, addeth an extraordinarie
increase of price to the Cornish buyers: and for matters of benefit,
or preferment, by suits at Court, either the opportunitie is past,
before notice can arriue so far: or the following there, and losse the
whiles at home, will require a great and assured gaine in the
principall, to warrant the hope of a sauing bargaine in the
appurtenance.

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