The outstanding feature of the Church is its Lantern Spire. The tower is square and buttressed and rests on the North and South sides on arches which were, at one time, open and formed a right of way through the tower. This was closed and doors fixed at the time of the restoration of the Church in 1878-9. Surmounting the tower is the very beautiful, octagonal Lantern Spire built in the Early English style of architecture.

The spire was struck by lightning in 1757 and severely damaged. In January 1876 a violent gale, almost amounting to a cyclone, passed over the town when the tower was again damaged, shattering the stone cross with which the spire was finished.

The most ancient monument in the Church is a brass to the memory of Tristram Curtys who represented Lostwithiel in Parliament 1419-1421.

During the occupation of Lostwithiel by Parliamentary forces in the Civil War, the Church was used as a stable for their horses. According to records taken from a diary of 1644 there is an entry which read “In contempt of Christianity, Religion and the Church they brought a horse to the font, and there, with their kind of ceremonies, did as they called it, christen the horse and called him by name of Charles in contempt of His Sacred Majesty.”

The font is made of Pentewan stone and is thought to be dated about the middle of the 13th century, sometime in the reign of King Henry III.

There is an ancient Cornish Cross in the Churchyard. Stocks in the Church Porch are made to accommodate three people and A ONE LEGGED MAN!

St Saviour’s Church is a small Church on the Bridgend side of the river.

The castle stands approximately one mile from Lostwithiel, a drive or walk along a pleasant, tree lined lane, just above the river Fowey. It is difficult to exactly date the castle but 1100 would seem to be a likely date. In the late 12th Century the castle and its estates passed into the hands of the noble, Robert de Cardinan who chose Lostwithiel as the centre for economic expansion and obtained Royal permission for the holding of a weekly market.

In 1270, Prince Richard, younger brother of Henry III, bought Restormel from Isolda, the last of the de Cardinan family. Two years later the Prince died.

Edmund succeeded his father, who had made good use of his inheritance. Lostwithiel soon became the capital of the mining industry and much of the development and improvement of the castle came at this time, financed by the profits from the mining. In fact, it was then that the castle took on the appearance that it has today. In 1337 Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III was
created Duke of Cornwall, starting the line of Royal Dukes up to the present Duke of Cornwall, Prince Charles.

There is written evidence that the Black Prince made two visits to the castle and tradition has it that he did indeed spend a great deal of time there and took a direct interest in the administration of Duchy lands.

After the 14th century, Restormel, as with other strongholds in Cornwall who had lost much of their power, had by the time of the Civil War become very dilapidated. It was held by the Parliamentarians, but the old defences were no match for the 17th century artillery and the Royalists, under Sir Richard Grenville, were able to take it after only a few days’ siege. The Royalists abandoned the castle almost immediately and it has not been lived in since.

The castle became a derelict, ivy clad monument to the past with a strange beauty but, in recent times, it has been tastefully restored, first by the Ministry of Works, followed by the Department of the Environment and now in the hands of English Heritage where plays and pageants are held to bring back some elements of its past glory.

Situated at the tidal reach of the river Fowey, in a beautiful wooded valley the town lies tucked away just off the A390, a haven of peace and tranquility.

Central in Cornwall, it is within easy reach of the coast and the moors, and well placed for exploring the whole of the county, an ideal centre for a holiday.

Lostwithiel was a ‘new town’ 800 years ago, founded by the Normans for the export of tin. Then the river was wide and deep, and sea going ships tied up along the quay, loading the tin destined for France and the Mediterranean ports. The town was officially known as ‘The Port of Fawi’, and soon became the second busiest port on the south coast of England.

The name ‘Lostwithiel’ comes from two old Cornish words meaning ‘the place at the tail end of the woodland’, and looking down the valley from Restormel Castle (the home of the Norman lords who built the town) one can see how it came by this name.

In the 13th century Lostwithiel was further developed by the Earls of Cornwall to become the County Capital. It was the centre for the administration of county affairs and the main trading centre for tin.

Earl Edmund called Lostwithiel ‘Fairest of Small Cities’ and ‘Lily of the Valley’ and the mediaeval church, bridge and part of the Great Hall (now known as the Duchy Palace) still stand as testimony to its original splendour.

Ironically, tin, the source of the town’s wealth, gradually caused its decline. Rubble, carried down by tributaries of the Fowey River from the mines on the moors, silted up the river, preventing big ships from reaching the quay.

A further 600 years of history have left their mark. The town suffered during the Civil War, when it was occupied by Parliamentary soldiers and besieged by Royalists throughout August 1644. Eventually the Parliamentarians were routed, but the town was left shattered, and its people starving. Gradually they recovered, and there was much rebuilding in the late 17th century.

John Betjeman is reputed to have said ‘there is history in every stone in Lostwithiel’, and this is evident to the interested observer who walks the streets and lanes of the town.

Now it is a peaceful, friendly place; parking is free, and members of staff at the Tourist Information Centre, (in the Community Centre adjacent to the car park) are always ready to help visitors.

Set in this historic background are numerous antique shops specialising in high quality furniture, curios and collectibles, ceramics, Victoriana and glorious junk! Other shops specialise in contemporary arts and crafts, paintings, lace, patchwork. One has to explore the hidden lanes in the town to find some of these.

Words by Barbara Fraser

Restormel’s defences were perfect. The castle was built behind a 17 metre moat, upon slopes which were artificially steepened. These clearly acted as a powerful deterrent, for Restormel has seen action only once during its long history in 1644, when Charles I’s forces drove out the Parliamentarian garrison during the Civil War.

The Castle still belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall. It is administered by English Heritage and is open to the public. Various events are staged here from time to time, bringing history to life. The views over the valley from the top of the castle wall are magnificent.

In the spring, Restormel Castle is surrounded by banks of daffodils and bluebells. It lies a mile to the north of the attractive medieval town of Lostwithiel.

He emigrated to San Fransisco after a spell in the British Navy and there amassed a fortune after qualifying as a dentist from the University of California. The great earthquake of San Fransisco in 1906 left him bankrupt but he went on to amass a second fortune and completed his promise of finance towards the establishment of a park at Lostwithiel.

In April 1907 the park was formally opened by the Mayor, and on Empire Day, 24th May 1908 a new flagpole was dedicated The generous donor has given pleasure to the people of Lostwithiel since then.

Today, the Park offers a pleasant place for walking and fishing, and is the venue for many outdoor events of the town. Car parking is available and the wide sweep of the river affords moorings for small craft which contribute to a colourful scene.

The park contains many commemorative stones and artefacts, including the shelter to celebrate the the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 and the anchor from the last working river barge which travelled between Fowey and Lostwithiel in the 19th Century. The barge lies buried in the mud of the bank opposite and came to light in 1993 when South West Water undertook repair work on the riverside.

Through the ages the building has always been referred to as the Duchy Palace. In fact it never was a palace as we would use the word today.

It is assumed that this name originated from the time the building was erected, it was said to have been built as a replica of the Great Hall of Westminster, circa 1265-1300 AD.

The Dukes and Earls of Cornwall, who were of Royal blood, had their residence at Restormel Castle so the correct name for the building would have been the Great Hall of Lostwithiel.

In 1265 AD, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, second son of King John and brother of King Henry III, acquired Restormel Castle, the Borough of Lostwithiel and the town of Fowey, from the de Cardinan family. During this period Lostwithiel was the most important port of Cornwall and second only to Southampton along the South Coast.

In 1273 AD, Richard died and was succeeded by his son Edmund, who took occupation of Restormel Castle and it is generally accepted that Edmund built the Great Hall. The County Assizes were held there on many occasions until Tudor times.

This building was a very large complex, covering more than two acres. It consisted of the Great Hall, which was the Convocation Hall for the Stannaries and County affairs. It also housed the Smelting Houses, the Coinage Hall for the Stannaries and County. In this complex the Stannary Courts were held. These were courts of no Appeal. With these courts was the Stannary prison. Records state that the whole complex was built and completed between 1272 and 1300 AD and regarded as the finest and grandest buildings in Cornwall.

In 1338 AD, the Earldom was raised to a Dukedom. The first Duke was the Black Prince. The building then became the administration centre for the Duchy and the only polling station for the whole of Cornwall.

In September 1644 AD, the Civil War was at its height and the town of Lostwithiel was taken by the Earl of Essex who made it his headquarters. During the battle the town was badly damaged, the Great Hall sacked and burnt, destroying valuable records of the Shire and Stannaries. The part known as the Exchequer Hall was the least damaged and this then became the Convocation Hall for the Stannaries and the Public Convocation. It was also used for the County Courts and election of Knights etc.

In 1533, John Leland stated that “in Lostwithiel is the Shire Hall for Cornwall and it is the Shire town for Cornwall.” In 1585 Norden, in his survey, stated the same.

Another interesting Historical fact is that in 1495 AD, Henry VII instructed Parliament to pass an Act that the Weights and Measures for the County of Cornwall be placed at Lostwithiel. These weights are now part of the Old Borough Regalia.

At the end of the Civil War some of the buildings were repaired and the people of the town returned to their old ways and occupations.

The last Tinners Parliament was held in the Hall in 1751 AD. After the old buildings had been given up for County business they were used for many different purposes: the old prison was let for dwellings, the vaults for stores and a part for the Duchy Offices.

In 1874 the Duchy Offices were removed elsewhere. The whole building was sold to tradesmen of the town. The Convocation Hall became a Drill Hall. This is now owned by the Freemasons. Within the building in the upper ante room, traces remain of a Medieval Rose window which was over the original South entrance. Original oak supports and timbers still exist.

At the north end of the building is the Duchy Coat of Arms of the 15 bezants, circa 1650, and it is said to be the earliest Arms of the Duchy in this formation anywhere.

On the apex of the Hall roof is the Prince of Wales’ plume of feathers which was probably erected by the Black Prince when he paid his first visit to Lostwithiel and Restormel Castle in 1353 AD. Records show that these plumes were later renewed.

Today sees these same buildings being used as Masonic Hall, dwellings, antique shop and printers.

Gold travelled from Ireland down through Cornwall and across to the Mediterranean via sea or through Brittany to the early centres of civilisation. Before the River Camel and the River Fowey in East Cornwall became silted through tin streaming they were navigable much further inland. Prior to tin mining there would have been only a four mile gap overland between the north coast River Camel (near Ruthernbridge) and the South Coast River Fowey (by Restormel Castle). This is a serious short-cut to the alternative of travelling right round the peninsula of Cornwall with its dangers of rocks, ridiculous weather and hungry pirates.

Later copper followed the same route and the Romans followed the supply back to Britain. In terms of an English history, Cornwall doesn’t really exist until the end of the Dark ages in 900AD or so, when the English started invading, but there are still many clues built into the land. Cornwall is a Celtic land that has its own history. It was one of the earliest civilised trading nations, more linked by sea with Ireland, Wales and Brittany than by land with England. Unfortunately the ‘victors’ get to write the history books so much of the history of this ancient land is lost. The ‘oral tradition’ of Celtic culture compounds this great loss of Cornish history.

‘Restormel’ the Castle of The Black Prince, overlooks the once highest navigable point of the river Fowey, an ancient site. Like Castle D’or, (once used as a title for one of Daphne DuMaurier’s novels), it is likely to be pre-iron age. When you look at a map a whole line of at least Roman age encampments follows the river route across land, with one site perched next to the once highest navigable point of the Camel – in Dunmere woods. This suggests that this route was an important one to protect – because it was a main artery for precious metals. Another ‘central’ Roman fort at Castle Canyke supports this idea.

The existing Saints Way follows the river route across East Cornwall, which was established long before the Saints as a convenient short-cut between Ireland and Wales and the south coast of Cornwall – and on. The way is rich in springs and many holy wells are still to be found. The Church at Lanlivery, a visible route sign from many miles away, sits high on the horizon, a beacon for travellers. It lines up with the saint’s pathway to ancient standing stones at Helman Tor an evident meeting place from Stone Age times. The Church spire at Lanivet still beckons the traveller on to where the route meets the river Camel at Ruthernbridge and then continues North to Padstow.

Like the songs of Aborigines, the peoples who once travelled these lands would learn the route through stories of the wayplaces they would meet. And sometimes, when it’s quiet, the land still whispers these secrets to willing ears.

It is recorded that in 1314 the Bishop of Exeter, Walter de Stapleton, on the Feast of St. Leonard, summoned the Prior of Bodmin to Lostwithiel Bridge where the Bishop gave out punishment to the Prior in respect of an affray which had taken place in Bodmin Priory Church two years previously. From the Black Prince’s records of 1357, instructions were given for the bridge to be repaired and in the reign of Henry IV, 1399-1413, some trust or common lands were given to the town of Lostwithiel by an opulent wool merchant named Walter Wooley. He stipulated that these town lands as they were called, should be let out or leased and the revenue from these used to maintain the old bridge and the Church of St. Bartholomew.

In 1533 John Leland was commissioned by Henry VIII to do a survey of the Kingdom and at Lostwithiel, he described the bridge as a very ancient structure, a bridge of five arches of stone and supplemented on the eastern end by a wooden bridge, which we learn that in Tudor times was replaced by stone arches of varying size.

During the course of time, the river has changed its course, with traces of masonry, believed to be part of the old bridge uncovered in North Street, and on Bridgend side, of which there are no records. These remains could also have been parts of smaller bridges crossing streams flanking each side of the river before entering the main water course.

The general opinion from past research, is that the five arches at the western side (town side) are original and compare with the architecture of the Old Duchy Palace and Shire Hall, the Church and Restormel Castle, c. 1200’s.

The eastern end is of a much later period which would, no doubt, have been the section built in Tudor times to replace the old wooden bridge, referred to by Leland in 1533.

On the southern parapet of the bridge (town side), there is an oblong stone with signs of inscriptions on it, which can no longer be defined. However the date on this stone is 1676, of which apparently there is a record of alterations or repairs being carried out at that time.

There are no records in the County Records Office regarding the bridge as it stands, apart from the eastern end of the structure but one can safely say that the western arches are original and would classify as 13th Century.

It is interesting to note that, before the bypass of the town and the building of the new bridge on the A390 which took place during the 1930’s, all traffic passing through Lostwithiel had to cross the river by this eleven foot wide bridge.

Situated at the tidal reach of the river Fowey, in a beautiful wooded valley the town lies tucked away just off the A390, a haven of peace and tranquility.

Central in Cornwall, it is within easy reach of the coast and the moors, and well placed for exploring the whole of the county, an ideal centre for a holiday.

Lostwithiel was a ‘new town’ 800 years ago, founded by the Normans for the export of tin. Then the river was wide and deep, and sea going ships tied up along the quay, loading the tin destined for France and the Mediterranean ports. The town was officially known as ‘The Port of Fawi’, and soon became the second busiest port on the south coast of England.

The name ‘Lostwithiel’ comes from two old Cornish words meaning ‘the place at the tail end of the woodland’, and looking down the valley from Restormel Castle (the home of the Norman lords who built the town) one can see how it came by this name.

In the 13th century Lostwithiel was further developed by the Earls of Cornwall to become the County Capital. It was the centre for the administration of county affairs and the main trading centre for tin.

Earl Edmund called Lostwithiel ‘Fairest of Small Cities’ and ‘Lily of the Valley’ and the mediaeval church, bridge and part of the Great Hall (now known as the Duchy Palace) still stand as testimony to its original splendour.

Ironically, tin, the source of the town’s wealth, gradually caused its decline. Rubble, carried down by tributaries of the Fowey River from the mines on the moors, silted up the river, preventing big ships from reaching the quay.

A further 600 years of history have left their mark. The town suffered during the Civil War, when it was occupied by Parliamentary soldiers and besieged by Royalists throughout August 1644. Eventually the Parliamentarians were routed, but the town was left shattered, and its people starving. Gradually they recovered, and there was much rebuilding in the late 17th century.

John Betjeman is reputed to have said ‘there is history in every stone in Lostwithiel’, and this is evident to the interested observer who walks the streets and lanes of the town.

Now it is a peaceful, friendly place; parking is free, and members of staff at the Tourist Information Centre, (in the Community Centre adjacent to the car park) are always ready to help visitors.

Set in this historic background are numerous antique shops specialising in high quality furniture, curios and collectibles, ceramics, Victoriana and glorious junk! Other shops specialise in contemporary arts and crafts, paintings, lace, patchwork. One has to explore the hidden lanes in the town to find some of these.

Words by Barbara Fraser