How Prince Charles Became the Duke of Cornwall and Much More

On my previous post I mentioned Restormel Castle and the English Civil War. I snapped the above photo of the castle while at the Duchy Plant Nursery and Garden Centre, Lostwithiel. We were having coffee there with friends.

The Nursery is part of the Duchy of Cornwall. The current Duke of Cornwall being Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.

The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established by Edward III in 1337 to provide independence to his son and heir, Prince Edward. A charter ruled that each future Duke of Cornwall would be the eldest surviving son of the Monarch and heir to the throne.  So this is how Prince Charles became the Duke of Cornwall.

According to the Duchy of Cornwall Website:


"The Duchy’s estate extends beyond the geographical boundaries of Cornwall – covering 52,971 hectares of land across 23 counties, mostly in the South West of England. It comprises arable and livestock farms, residential and commercial properties, as well as forests, rivers, quarries, and coastline. Under the guidance of the current Duke of Cornwall, it is the Duchy's responsibility to manage this estate in a way that is sustainable, financially viable and of meaningful value to the local community."

The Prince's full title, I believe is:

 His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, CC, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

I'll make no further comment on Dukes and the like!

Miles and Miles of Beaches at Perranporth Cornwall Bring Miles and Miles of Smiles

Here comes summer - well, hopefully - and this is Perranporth where many people head when they want beaches, surf and having a sunshine holiday in Cornwall - again, hopefully!

Looking at the photo above you might be thinking that there's a lot of people about - and the photo was taken out of the main season. But not to worry, as there are three miles of beaches - enough for most people. Even in the main summer season there should be somewhere to plonk your stuff on the ground and enjoy the sea.

The beach has RNLI lifeguards on duty - though they only patrol the beach area between their flags. So if you wander too far they might not be able rescue you if you should get into difficulties.

It's a beach where there are surfers, so there are lessons to be had, for all ages.

The sea can have some good surf at times.

The beach carries on and on so the people get less and less.

If you wander into the sand dunes you get a good view of the beach or perhaps it should be beaches.

Yes, the beaches seem to go on and on ...

and on and on - perfect! The photos were all taken on the same day.

Visiting Restormel Castle and the English Civil War

This is Restormel Castle, Lostwithiel - or at least what remains of the building. It played a part in the English Civil War.

It was 1644 and a Parliamentarian army (Roundheads), commanded by the Earl of Essex, had marched into Cornwall but had become trapped between two Royalist armies. 

The Parliamentarian Head Quarters was at Lostwithiel and even though the castle had little strategic importance it provided a useful look-out post. There are far views from the top of the castle.

Despite guns being positioned on the chapel roof, and also probably on top of the gatehouse, the castle was easily captured on 21st August, 1644 by Sir Richard Grenville, who found 30 'rebels' and 'divers barrels of beef'.

This was the beginning of the end for the Parliamentarians who were forced to withdraw from Lostwithiel and eventually surrendered at Castle Dore, north of Fowey on 1st of September, 1644.

All in all I enjoyed the visit to Restormel Castle, which was made even better as there was no one else about!

And finally how the inside of the castle may well have looked in the 1600s.

A Shiver Down The Spine At Kings Wood Where The Ghosts Walk - Perhaps!

Walking in the ancient Kings Wood, Pentewan, Cornwall is following a well trodden path for hundreds of years. After walking for a while there is a sign asking: "Did you feel a little shiver just now?" They are not talking about any coldness from the weather - but more ghostly things!

Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Lord Ordainer (1278-1322) and one of the most powerful men in England is believed to have owed Kings Wood. 

He was the cousin of Edward the Second and led the barons' revolt against the King in 1332, but was defeated at the Battle of Boroughbridge. On March 22nd of the same year Thomas was found guilty of treason and beheaded. 

Maybe he now pops back, head under his arm, to his old stomping ground and frequents the paths that he once owned. 

The woods have some very old medieval Cornish stone walls. These marked ownership boundaries and also controlled any livestock. 

Note the coping stones at the top of the walls.

Kings wood was hunted in the 1300s to keep the the grand houses of the aristocracy supplied with venison. The huntsmen didn't want their quarry escaping - so the coping stones were turned inwards to stop the hapless prey jumping the wall to freedom.

I'm sure I felt a shiver down my spine as I walked. I have read (I read some strange books!) that a shiver can be a direct sign from a spirit guide or angel indicating that they are reaching out to you, with a message. I knew I should have worn a warmer jacket - my wife did warn me, but would I listen ...

The Small Lighthouse at Spy House Point, Polperro, Cornwall

It looks quite precarious lodged on Spy House Point, Polperro - but I guess a lighthouse has to be seen far out to sea, otherwise it wouldn't be a lot of use! 

When the lighthouse was in operation - it was decommissioned in the 1950s - the light was visible between eight and twelve miles. It was built in 1911, replacing the previous lighthouse built in 1904. 

When walking east along the coastal path, from Polperro, there is another narrow path leading to steps that lead to the lighthouse. Great views out to sea, of course. There is a safely rail around the building to, hopefully, stop visitors falling 140 feet and splashing into the sea.

It's easy to miss the lighthouse - as can be seen in the photo below - as the building is only 16 feet tall.

See Also:
Walking The South West Coast Path Into Polperro, Cornwall

Mevagissey, Cornwall - Where It's A Good Job That Cows Can't Fly!

On Tuesday we were in Mevagissey and I snapped a few photos as we walked around the harbour. The car parks were virtually full. The Easter visitors have arrived early! But, in saying that, there weren't too many people walking about.

The weather was strange. and couldn't quite make up its mind what it was going to do. It got quite dark but the precipitation never materialised. 

The tide was in so lots of small boats were within the inner harbour walls. Mevagissey looks at its best when the harbour is full of water.

Lots of  seagulls flying about and one made a direct hit on the back of my jacket. Some say this means good luck - but it didn't feel very lucky! I think I've read that it was originally a Turkish belief. I remember though, as kids, we had a rhyme about this:

"Ah!" said the farmer wiping his eye,
"It's a jolly good job that cows can't fly." 

More boats and harbour views in the next three photos.

The fellow below was drying his wings after a successful food finding mission

Mevagissey Hill looks down on the harbour from on high.

A couple were fishing by the harbour wall near the lighthouse, but I didn't see any evidence that they had managed to catch anything.

There are steps for those wanting to travel to the top of Mevagissey Hill. But, even at the top, there is still a way to go along the road to get to the highest point. 

We always enjoy visiting Mevagissey.

See also:
Mevagissey The Two Saint Village and Harbour - 10 Photos

Photos Of Polperro Harbour, Cornwall And Its Boats and Cottages

A few photos today of Polperro harbour on Cornwall's south coast. A very attractive fishing village on the River Pol, now very much a tourist attraction within the summer months.

The photo above shows a small boat entering Poilperro harbour, otherwise the photos are self explanatory - small boats and cottages surrounding the pretty harbour.

See also:
Walking The South West Coast Path Into Polperro, Cornwall