COrnwall , the farthest Shire The name . of England Westwards , hath her name by diuers Authors diuerfly deriued . Some ( as our owne Chroniclers ) draw it from Corineus , cousin to Brute , the first Conquerour 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 horne or corner of Fraunce , whereagainst nature hath placed it : and some , from Cornu Walliae , which ( in my coniecture ) 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 , 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 themselues , 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 Welsh-land , 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 Shape . horne , borrowed the one part of her name from her fashion , as Matthew of Westminster testifieth , & the other Flores Hist. from her Inhabitants : both which conioyned , make Cornuwalliae , and contriued , Cornwall : in which sence , the Cornish people call it Kernow , deriued likewise from Kerne a horne . 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-halsening 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 it selfe 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 haue 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 flickler : and therefore if there be any so plunged in the common floud , as they will still gripe fast , what they haue once caught hold on , let them sport themselues with these coniectures , vpon which mine auerment in behalfe of Plymmouth is grounded . The place where Brute is said to haue first landed , was Totnes in Cornwall , and therfore 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 haue 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 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 Climate . Longitude of sixe .

The Shire extendeth in length to about seuentie Length and breadth . 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 , diuided therefrom , Borders 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 , & 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 . Moreouer , vntill Athelstanes time , the Cornish-men bare equal sway in Excester Anno Dom. 937. 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 betweene 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 Cara clowse 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 ouerflowing hath happened in Plymmouth Hauen , and diuers other places .

In this situation , though nature haue shouldred Commodities of the site . 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 , & in the trade way betwene Wales , Ireland , Spaine , France , & Netherland . The neerenesse helpeth them , with a shorter cut , lesse peril , and meaner charge , to vent forth & make returne of those commodities , which their 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 Southeast 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 easlyer 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 masked with the visard of her Highnes prerogatiue , but the same would verie slenderly turne to the benefit of her Maiesties 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 iust 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 Soueraigne , were reuoked and suppressed , and the same vnder her Highnesse priuie Seale confirmed . Notwithstanding , when her Maiestie made her pleasure afterward knowne , that shee would haue 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 of their owne . Vpon halfe 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 vnwilling , as in a charge heretofore vnusuall , to vndergoe the 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 Discommodities of the site . 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 reuenge ) conuert 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 aduantage thereof ; and you shall see how we will hamper him : I 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 soule 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 fountaine of his Clients purse is drawne drie , by his extrauagant 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 vp 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 oportunitie 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 .

Touching the temperature of Cornwall , the ayre Temperature . thereof is cleansed , as with bellowes , by the billowes , and flowing and ebbing of the Sea , and therethrough becommeth pure , and subtill , and , by consequence , healthfull . So as the inhabitants doe seldome take 2 ruthful and reauing experience of those harmes , which infectious diseases vse to carrie with them . But yet I haue noted , that this so piercing an ayre , is apter to preserue then recouer health , especially in any languishing sicknesse which hath possessed strangers : neither know I , whether I may impute to this goodnesse of the ayre , that vpon the returne of our fleete from the Portugall action , 1589. the diseases which the Souldiers brought home with them , did grow more grieuous , as they carried the same farther into the land , then it fell out at Plymmouth , where they landed : for there the same was , though infectious , yet not so contagious , and though pestilentiall , yet not the verie pestilence , as afterwards it proued in other places .

The Spring visiteth not these quarters so timely , as Spring . Summer . the Easterne parts . Summer imparteth a verie temperate heat ; recompencing his slow fostering of the fruits , with their kindly ripening , Autum re bringeth a somewhat Autunne . late Harnest specially to the middle of the Shire , where they seldome inne their Corne before Michaelmas . Winter , by reason of the Southes neere Winter . neighbourhead , and Seas warme breath , fauoureth is with a milder cold then elsewhere , so as , vpon both coastes , the Frost and Snow come verie seldome , and make a speedie departure . This notwithstanding , the Countrie is much subiect to stormes , which fetching a large course in the open Sea , doe from thence violently assault the dwellers at land , and leaue them vncouered houses , pared hedges , and dwarfe-growne trees , as witnesses of their force and furie : yea , euen the hard stones , and yron-baires of the windowes , doe fret to be so continually grated . One kind of these stormes , they call a flaw , or flaugh , which is a mightie gale of wind , passing suddainely to the shore , and working strong effects , vpon whatsoeuer it incountreth in his way .

The Cornish soyle , for the most part , is lifted vp into Earth . many hils , some great , some little of quantitie , some steepe , some easie for ascent , and parted in sunder by short and narrow vallies . A shallow earth dooth couer Forme . their outside , the substance of the rest , consisteth ordinarily in Rockes and Shelfe , which maketh them hard for manurance , & subiect to a drie Summers parching . The middle part of the Shire ( sauing the inclosures about some few Townes and Villages ) lieth waste and Qualitie . open , sheweth a blackish colour , beareth Heath and spirie Grasse , and serueth in a maner , onely to Summer Cattel . That which bordereth vpon either side of the Sea , through the Inhabitants good husbandrie , of inclosing , sending , and other dressing , carrieth a better hue , and more profitable qualitie . Meadow ground it affoordeth little , pasture for Cattell and Sheepe , store enough , Corne ground plentie .

Hils of greatest name and height are , Hinxten , Rowtor , Hils . Brownwelly , S. Agnes , Haynborough , the foure Boroughs , Roche , Carnbray , and the two Castellan Danis .

In the rest of this earthy description , I will begin with such mynerals as her bowels yeeld forth , and then passe on to those things , of growing , and feeling life , which vpon her face doe relieue themselues .

These mynerals are not so deepe buried by nature in the entrailes of the earth , nor so closely couched amongst Minerals the Rockes , but that desire of gaine with the instrument of Art can digge them vp : they may bee diuided into stones and mettals .

Quarrie stones are of sundrie sorts , and serue to diuers purposes . For walling , there are rough , and Slate : Stones . the rough maketh speedier building the Slate surer . For Windowes , Dornes , and Chimnies , Moore stone carrieth chiefest reckoning . That name is bestowed on it , by the Moores or waste ground , where the same is found in great quantitie , either lying vpon the ground , or verie little vnder . This stone answereth the charge of fetching , with the fairenes of his whitish colour , containing certaine glimmering sparkles , and counteruaileth his great hardnesse in working , with the profit of long endurance , nature hauing ordained the same , as of purpose , to withstand the fretting weather . There are also three other sorts of stones , seruing to the same vse , and hewed with lesse , though differing labour : Pentuan digged our of the Sea Cliffes , and in colour somewhat resembleth gray Marble , Cara 〈…〉 use blacke , not vnlike the Ieat , the third taken out of inland Quarries , and not much differing from the Easterne free stone .

The Sea strond also in many places , affordeth Peeble-stones , Peeble . which washed out of the earth , or falling from the Rockes , and there lying loose , are , by often rolling of the wanes , wrought to a kind of roundnesse , and serue verie handsomely for pauing of streetes and Courts .

For couering of houses there are three sorts of Slate , Slate . which from that vse take the name of Healing-stones . The first and best Blew : the second , Sage-leafe coloured , the third and meanest Gray . The Blew , and so the rest , are commonly found vnder the walling Slate , when the depth hath brought the workmen to the water . This Slate is in substance thinne , in colour faire , in waight light , in lasting strong , and generally carrieth so good regard , as ( besides the supplie for home prouision ) great store is yeerely conucied by shipping both to other parts of the Realme , and also beyond the Seas , into Britaine and Netherland .

They make Lyme , moreouer , of another kind of Lyme stones . Marle stone , either by burning a great quantitie thereof together , with a feruent fire of Furze , or by maintaining a continuall , though lesser heate , with stone Cole in smaller Kils : this is accompted the better cheape , but that yeeldeth the whiter Lyme .

Touching mettals : Copper is found in sundrie places , but with what gaine to the searchers , I haue not Mettals . beene curious to enquire , nor they hastie to reueale . For at one Mine ( of which I tooke view ) the Owre was shipped to bee refined in Wales , either to saue cost in the fewell , or to conceale the profit .

Neither hath nature denyed Siluer to Cornwall , Siluer . though Cieero excluded the same out of all Britaine : and if wee may beleeue our Chroniclers reports , who ground themselues vpon authenticall Records , king Edward the first , and king Edward the third , reaped some good benefit therof . But for our present experience , what she proffereth with the one hand , shee seemeth to pull backe with the other , whereof some Gentlemen not long sithence , made triall to their losse : howbeit , neither are they discouraged by this successe , nor others from the like attempt .

Tynners doe also find little hoppes of Gold amongst Gold . their Owre , which they keepe in quils , and sell to the Goldsmithes oftentimes with little better gaine , then Glaucus exchange .

Yea it is not altogether barren of precious stones , and Pearle : for Dyamonds are in many places found Dyamonds cleauing to those Rockes , out of which the Tynne is digged : they are polished , squared , and pointed by nature : their quantitie from a Pease , to a Walnut : in blacknesse and hardnesse they come behind the right ones , and yet I haue knowne some of them set on so good a foile , as at first sight , they might appose a not vnskilfull Lapidarie .

The Pearle ( though here not aptly raunged ) breed Pearle . in bigge Oysters , and Muscles , greater in quantitie , then acceptable for goodnesse , as neither round nor Orient . Perhaps Caesar spoyled the best beds , when he made that gay Coate of them , to present his graundame Venus .

Cornwall is also not altogether destitute of Agates Agates . and white Corall , as by credible relation I haue learned . Corall .

But why seeke wee in corners for pettie commodities , when as the onely mynerall of Cornish Tynne , openeth Tynne . so large a field to the Countries benefit ? this is in working so pliant , for sight so faire , and in vse so necessarie , as thereby the Inhabitants gaine wealth , the Marchants trafficke , and the whole Realme a reputation and with such plentie therof hath God stuffed the bowels of this little Angle , that ( as Astiages dreamed of his daughter ) it ouerfloweth England , watereth Christendome , and is deriued to a great part of the world besides . In trauailing abroad , in tarrying at home , in eating and drinking , in doing ought of pleasure or necessitie , Tynne , either in his owne shape , or transformed into other fashions , is alwayes requisite , alwayes readie for our seruice : but I shall rather disgrace , then endeere it by mine ouer-weake commendation , and sooner tire my selfe , then draw the fountaine of his praises drie . Let this therefore suffice , that it cannot bee of meane price , which hath found , with it , Dyamonds , amongst it Gold , and in it Siluer .

The Cornish Tynners hold a strong imagination , that in the withdrawing of Noahs floud to the Sea , the same tooke his course from East to West , violently breaking vp , and forcibly carrying with it , the earth , trees , and Rocks , which lay any thing loosely , neere the vpper face of the ground . To confirme the likelihood of which supposed truth , they doe many times digge vp whole and huge Timber trees , which they conceiue at that deluge to haue beene ouerturned and whelmed : but whether then , or sithence ; probable it is , that some such cause produced this effect . Hence it commeth , that albeit the Tynne say couched at first in certaine strakes amongst the Rockes , like a tree , or the veines in a mans bodie , from the depth whereof the maine Load spreadeth out his branches , vntill they approach the open ayre ▪ yet they haue now two kinds of Tynne workes , Kinds of workes . Stream , and Load : for ( say they ) the foremencioned floud , carried together with the moued Rockes and earth , so much of the Load as was in closed therein , and at the asswaging , left the same scattered here and there in the vallies and ryuers , where it passed ; which being sought and digged , is called Streamworke : vnder this title , they comprise also the Moore workes , growing from the like occasion . They maintaine these workes , to haue beene verie auncient , and first wrought by the Iewes with Pickaxes of Holme , Boxe , and Harts horne : they prooue this by the name of those places yet enduring , to wit , Attall Sarazin , in English , the Iewes offcast , and by those tooles daily found amongst the rubble of such workes . And it may well be , that as Akornes made good bread , before Ceres taught the vse of Corne ; and sharpe stones serued the Indians for Kniues , vntill the Spaniards brought them Iron : so in the infancie of knowledge , these poore instruments for want of better did supplie a turne . There are also taken vp in such works , certaine little tooles heads of Brasse , which some terme Thunder-axes , but they make small shew of any profitable vse . Neither were the Romanes ignorant of this trade , as may appeare by a brasse Coyne of Domitian's , found in one of these workes , and fallen into my hands and perhaps vnder one of those Flauians , the Iewish workmen made here their first arriuall .