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The
area around the town of
Bodmin; has been inhabited, since the hunter- gathers
first crossed the land-bridge; that was later to become the English
channel. The first written records relating to Bodmin however:
date
from early
in the 6th
century. A time when Irish, and Welsh missionaries were converting the
pagan Celts to Christianity. One such missionarie was St
Petroc, a
Welsh saint. St Petroc traveled
from
Padstow, ( The name Padstow derives from St Petroc ) to Bodmin along
with another missionarie St Guron, together they founded the
Monastery. And it is from the
Monastery that the towns name evolved; it is thought
to
be derived
from the old Cornish language, and translates as 'dwelling of, or by
the sanctuary of monks' from the Cornish 'Bod-meneghy.' The town
also had
the alternative name: Petrockstow. Bodmin's name
has undergone several transitions from the original over the centuries. Bodmin is chronicled in the
'Domesday Book' of 1088, which states that 'Bodmin is the only town, or
village in Cornwall: that has a market.' Bodmin was once the county
town of Cornwall; but alas that title is now in the hands of
Cornwalls
only city Turo. The area around Bodmin is rich in prehistoric,
and archaeological discoveries; particularly
on nearby Bodmin Moor. Round-house dwellings, and artifacts dating from the Stone
Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age have been
unearthed. Among these early settlers, were a group of warriors who
arrived in Cornwall from Europe. These people were Celts: a diverse
group of independent, indigenous tribal societies. The Celts arrival
is shrouded in time, but it is generally believed they arrived around
1000, BC. They brought with them knowledge of forging bronze, and iron
minerals. The Celts
constructed
villages, cultivated the land, by clearing the vegetation, farmed, and
also mined for tin, copper, bronze, and iron. Which they smelted and
worked the metal, into tools, weapons, cooking utensils,
and also primitive ornaments.
England was invaded in 43 A.D. by the Romans, under the command
of Aulus
Plautius. This was to have a profound effect on The West Country. And
although the
Celtic Tribes fought, long, and hard against the invaders; they
were eventually defeated. The
victorious Romans began to construct fortified towns, and roads, these
were certainly needed for although the Celts were defeated; they were
troublesome lot, and there were
many rebellions. So the Roman needed to fortifie
the towns to protect
the citizens. And good roads were needed to transfer the legions,
quickly
to where they were most needed. The Roman occupation was to last 400
years, until 410. The reason for their departure was that Rome its-self
was under threat: for the Barbarians, were at the very gates of Rome;
and the legions were needed for its defense.
After the Roman legions left England was left virtually undefended,
and at the mercy of
Scots, Pics, and thoes fierce Danish raiders; known to history as
the
'Vikings'. To counteract these threats the ruling class known
as Roman-Britons:
hired the Angels, Jutes, and Saxons warlike tribes, from Holland,
and Germany to help defend them from these marauders.
The hiring of these mercenaries was however: to back-fire spectacularly
on the
Roman-Britons. For the very people they had hired and looked on to
defend them, actually turned on their pay-masters and took control of
England. The Roman-Britons fled in large numbers to
Brittany, France.
Does this historical fact explain why the Cornish, and Breton language
are very similar? And were these historical ties? the reason why the
Cornish people regularly rebelled against English rule? For between
1483, 1497, and 1549, there were 3 major rebellions against English
rule. And a lot of these rebellions were centered on Bodmin. One
rebelionn of
particularl note was:
Thomas Flamanks, march to London in 1497,
protesting against tax.
Bodmin Gaol. This once grim
intimidating Gaol, is now a popular tourist
attraction. And gives the visitor and an insight in to prisoners lives
of the 16th, 17th, and 18th
centuries. Bodmin Gaol had gained a very notorious reputation over the
years.
The Gaol was infamous for hosting many public executions. It was built
in 1777, to replace the old Debtors prison; which is now a public
house,
aptly named the Hole in the Wall. The prison was constantly
being
altered, over the years to increase the number of cells, and
correspondingly inmates. In the years between 1840, to 1850, a total of
55,
hangings,
took place here. Of which 51, of them were public hangings. Public
hangings, besides being the custom at the time; were also a great
public attraction drawing vast crowds of ghoulish spectators. The last
public
hanging was carried out in 1909. The prison finally closed in 1922.
During the First World War (
the war to end all wars? ). Bodmin prison housed many of
the
Nations treasures; including the irreplaceable Doomsday Book, and
the Crown Jewels.
On a lighter note, in January 2007, satellite, and
cable channels, aired a program named 'New Most Haunted:' in episode
6, the team, along with paranormal expert; Derek Acorah,
investigating
paranormal activities at Bodmin Gaol. The team after many unsuccessful
attempts, apparently did make contact with many light, and sound
entities. While the 'expert' Acorah claims to have been possessed by a
bothered spirit named Kreed Kafer. Kafer; was said to be a South
African. He was however: untraceable in any of the excisting records. It later
transcribe, that it was all a hoax, perpetrated by one of the
investigating team, namely Ciaran O'Keefe. And if you examine the name
Kreed Kafer: carefully it turns out to be an anagram of 'Derek
Faker'.
Derek Acorah's comments, are sadly not recorded. Not far from the prison
wall one will find a stone cross. This cross depicts the start of the
well
know, and delightful;
Camel Trail Cycle Way, an
eco-friendly way of
seeing the beautiful, scenic countryside that surrounds one.
Bodmin can also boast of having one of the earliest railway lines in
the country. For in 1831, Sir William Molesworth; instructed the
Plymouth
engineer Roger Hopkins to survey the route for a railway to run from
Bodmin, to Wadebridge. The strange thing is that the line was built to
the narrow gauge, 'why is that strange?' Well you see at that time
there was no standard gauge for tracks, and the Great Western
Railway
decided to use their engineer's, Isambard Kingdom-Brunel broad-gauge
7ft ¼, track, while the rest of the country, particularly in
the
North was using Stephenson's narrow-gauge 4ft 8½. Conflict
was bound to arise, especially where the two gauges were to link up. (
This anomaly led to a gauge war between, advocates of the narrow gauge
4ft½, and Brunels superior 7ft ¼ track, )
The West
Country was embracing Isambard Kingdom-Brunel's far superior
wide gauge 7ft ¼. However for what-ever reason Plymouth
engineer, Roger Hopkins, ignored broad gauge and decided to use
Stephenson's narrow gauge, and with hindsight this proved a wise
choice. For the question of the two gauges, was to lead to an Act of
Parliament declaring narrow gauge to be the standard gauge for all
lines. This strange decision was made despite the fact that after a
completion
between Stephenson, and Brunel, which proved the superioty of broad
gauge, over narrow gauge in speed, stability, and comfort. It is widely
believed this strange decision was reached because
of cost. As far more of the narrow gauge had been laid, and the cost of
converting it to Brunels broad gauge was prohibited.
Bodmin boasts, many places of interest for the visitor. For the steam
train enthusiasts there is the wonderful opportunity to experience
Victorian travel. For the wonderfully preserved Bodmin &
Wenford
railway originally opened by the Great Western Railway in 1888, the
line runs
through some of the most beautiful scenery one could wish to see. Then
there is the Bodmin Town Museum which charts Bodmin's history from the
very beginning, through to the end of the 2nd World War. Mount Folly on
which the museum stands is nicely landscaped with plenty of seats for
the visitor to rest, and relax. The Fair Park is let out to visiting
Fairs, and Circuses, during the summer months. The Fair Park is one of
a number of areas owned by the Town Council which contribute greatly to
the town's visual quality and amenities
Pencarrow
House Lanhydrock House. There are two very historic houses indeed that lie close to Bodmin. To
the north lies the statley house Pencarrow
House. The present house was completed by Sir
John Molesworth circa 1770, his descendants still own and live in the
house today. The house, is also home to a superb collection of
paintings, with works by many famous artists. The paintings are further
enhance by the fact that they are set amongst wonderful outstanding
furniture and porcelain from the ( The Georgian Period 1714- 1811 ) (
The Regency Period 1812-1830 ) and the (Victorian Period 1837-1901. )
Sir Arthur Sullivan, stayed here in 1882, and it was in the house he
wrote much of the music
for Iolanthe. And to the South-East of Bodmin is Lanhydrock-House
both can be viewed on the links on right of screen. A National
Trust property that was the home of the
Robarte family for
600 years. Lanhydrock is a lovely Tudor mansion, set around a three
sided courtyard.
However the sad fact is only north wing, gate house, and the arch of
the entrance porch are original. The house that can be seen today was
rebuilt to the exact style of the original house after a disastrous
fire destroyed it in 1881. The house is set in wonderful gardens, and
parkland stretching along the River Fowey. Bodmin Beacon, is a 144ft
obelisk dedicated to an direct descendant of Sir Walter Raleigh. His
name
Lt.-Gen. Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert (1785-1853) and was erected to
commemorate his service to Queen and Country. In 1994, the Beacon was
declared a Local Nature Reserve. 18,000 trees have been planted to
develop woodland, and wildlife reserve. Today the beacon still
dominates Bodmin and can be clearly seen no matter where one is.
Bodmin Moor was home to
Bronze Age settlers, who left evidence of their
hut circles in numerous places. Lonely Dozemary Pool is the legendary
last resting place of King Arthur's sword Excalibur.
The moor is also a
place of mystery, and It was also the setting for perhaps Arthur
Connan-Doyles greatest Sherlock Holmes Mystery 'The Hounds of the
Baskervilles.' Bodmin Moor was also the setting for Daphne
du Maurier's
novel 'Jamaica Inn'.
Yes a awful lot of famous authors have found inspiration in
the
west country. There is also the intriguing story of the beast of
Bodmin Moor. Since 1983, there have been over 60 reported sightings of
a
big cat on Bodmin Moor. There was video footage showing an large cat
like animal which is some three and a half feet in length. Despite an
inconclusive inquiry by the government nothing was proved,
However, many locals remain convinced that there is one or more
big cats at large on the moor. And as one who has been abroad on the
moor on both a misty, February morning, and a dark, moonless, night, it
is
easy to see how the imagination can run riot. Wait what was that howl,?
is that dark shadow a large cat?
Of all Bodmin's ghosts, the most famous is Charlotte Dymond. On Sunday
14th April 1844, Charlotte Dymond was found murdered on the slopes of
Roughtor. Her lover, a crippled farmhand called Matthew Weeks was later
hanged at Bodmin Gaol for the crime. Since that time, and especially on
the anniversary of her death, Charlotte has been seen walking in the
area, clad in a gown and a silk bonnet. There is a memorial stone at
Roughtor Ford which marks the site of her murder, and her grave lies in
the churchyard at Davidstow. All macabre stuff but well in keeping with
Bodmins history. Bodmin is the gateway to the fascinating
Eden Project, which is just a twenty-minute drive away: there is a
regular bus service which runs to the attraction, that has been dubbed
the eighth wonder of the world. Granted Bodmin does not have the
charisma of coastal towns like Penzance, or St Ives. It is however the
place for lovers of our history, nature, and wildlife to visit.
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