Page:Cornwall (Salmon).djvu/46

CORNWALL people. The Conqueror triumphed, and suc- ceeded in taking a firmer hold of Cornwall than ever Roman or Saxon had done before him. The greater part he gave to his own half-brother, Robert de Mortain. About the year 1330 Cornwall, with its vast mineral wealth, was gifted to the eldest son of the reigning monarch in perpetuity, thus creating the duchy. There was a civil revolt against taxation in 1496 ; another on behalf of Periiin Warbeck in 1497 ; and another in defence of the Catholic fiiith in i 549. All were disastrous in their issue, though they illustrated the gallantry and devotion of the Cornishmen. They evinced the same gallantry and devotion during the Civil War, when the duchy for the most part sided with the king, and did much to revive his fortunes. Charles visited Cornwall in person, and took a part in its fighting ; but the best work was done by such men as Sir Bevil Grenville, Hopton, Godolphin, Slanning, Trevanion, Carminow and others. Many of these lost their lives in the king's service, as recorded by the old couplet — " The four wheels of Charles's Wain, Grenville, Godolphin, Trevanion, Slanning, slain". It was in September, 1643, that Charles wrote his letter of thanks to the Cornish people (sec Appendix), which may still be read on the walls of some of the churches. Three years later resistance was crushed out by the great Roundhead leader Fairfax. Cornwall did 28