About
Loved by holidaymakers, artists, writers and locals, there’s much more to Cornwall than meets the eye. In this book, you can discover more about the many fascinating aspects that make Kernow the place it is today. Just what are its connections with King Arthur and why is it associated with a certain type of bird? What is a great recipe for a Cornish pasty and which intriguing ancient customs are still practised in Cornwall to this day? In this book, you can learn about the local dialect and its history. You can also discover some of the many ghostly tales and curious legends that are still told about Cornwall. So, whether you’re new to Cornwall or just ready to explore it in a little more detail, Bradwell’s Book of Cornwall has something for everyone.
Contents
Cornish History
Cornwall has a rich and fascinating history. From its time as a leader in the industrial world to the story of the Cornish diaspora, the county has shaped the world in many ways.
Cornish Wit and Humour
The Cornish are known for their sense of humour. In this section you will find humorous tales and jolly jokes connected with the area and its people.
Cornish Ghosts
Cornwall’s landscape is packed full of creepy tales of ghostly apparitions and spirits from times long past. Not surprisingly, the Cornish coast has given rise to many otherworldly tales.
Cornish Legends
Cornwall is associated with legends of many kinds. It’s not hard to see why. From its connection with the most famous legendary king to tales of the little people and the county’s mysterious standing stones, this is a place where legend endures.
Cornish Recipes
The recipes of Cornwall are a part of its culinary heritage. The food experienced in the Duchy is one of the most talked-about subjects for locals and for those visiting on holiday. Cornwall’s cuisine reflects the rich tapestry of its history.
The Cornish Language
The Cornish language has a fascinating history. Cornish is one of six Celtic languages, brought over when the Celts migrated across to Britain and Ireland from mainland Europe. Try speaking some Cornish words and phrases for yourself!
Famous Cornish Murders
Two of Cornwall’s historic murders are still talked about to this day. One because it involves a famous author and has an unnerving psychic twist; the other because it was a tragic tale which inspired a well-known author to pen a ballad.
Famous Locals
Cornish locals have had an influence on areas as diverse as music, mathematics, sport and science. With so many local people helping to shape life in the UK and further afield, we share just some of Cornwall’s movers and shakers from past and present.
Local Names
Cornwall is not only the base for a number of nationally and internationally well-loved brands, it is also the source of inspiration for companies in sectors as varied as fashion, food and water sports.
Cornish Customs
As a county rich in history, Cornwall has some fascinating customs, a number of which are kept alive to this day. From the Helston Floral Day to its sham mayors, it is a place where dancing, singing and general merriment continue to form an important aspect of its identity.
Cornish Sports
With such strong roots in its past, it is perhaps not surprising that Cornwall has some fascinating sporting traditions with enduring associations with its history. Whether it is wrestling or windsurfing, the sports which are big in Cornwall are closely connected with its heritage and landscape.
Introduction
What do you associate with Cornwall? Is it the famous Cornish pasty? The stunning scenery? The intriguing history? There is no doubt that Cornwall is a place of many aspects, and that the more you get to know it, the more there is to know. Many people think of holidays, sunshine and ice cream when they think of Cornwall. That’s not surprising with tourism contributing up to 24 per cent of Cornwall’s gross domestic product. Cornwall has the longest coastline of any English county, measuring over 400 miles or nearly 700 kilometres! It’s one of the most remote parts of the UK but, at 1,376 square miles, it makes up a pretty large chunk of the country.
There’s no doubt that Cornwall has faced challenges, for example the high levels of unemployment and being one of the poorest areas in the UK while having some of the country’s highest living costs. Yet, despite these problems, Cornwall continues to be known and loved as a place for fun activities such as surfing and walking. It is also associated with artistic endeavours and fictional worlds. Cornwall is a place of contrasts. While it is now seen as a place of escape by many, it was once a centre of industry. Although it is valued as an area where a more natural way of life can be enjoyed, it is also now giving rise to businesses which are shaping industries across the globe. That’s why we can only scratch the surface of Cornwall in this book. It is a place that has fascinated people for many, many years and will continue to do so long into the future. Remote and isolated from much of the country, Cornwall continues to fight for its own identity to this day. No wonder its motto is ‘One and All’.
In this book, we take a brief journey through Cornwall’s rich history and how locals have successfully fought to make the Cornish an independent ethnic group. We also find out about the Cornish Alps and the interesting history behind them. One of the things Cornwall is particularly known for is its heritage of weird stories and fascinating superstitions. Once upon a time, Cornwall was the land of giants and the little people, the piskies. Read on to take a wander around its landscape and discover the stirring stories behind its standing stones. We will also explore the ghosts which are said to inhabit the land, from phantom coaches to headless horsemen. We look at Cornwall’s connection with probably the most famous legendary king and the fascinating link between Cornish people and a certain bird.
Cornwall is a county with its own unofficial national anthem. It’s a place where people proudly fight for their rights and their identity. While Cornwall is certainly changing and has many exciting times ahead, it also has strong connections with its past. While the tales of its old customs may sound like they are part of history, some of those traditions are still lovingly kept alive by locals to this day. It is the same too for the county’s language: ‘Kernowek’ has come a long way since it was brought over when the Celts migrated across to Britain and Ireland from mainland Europe, continuing to be spoken in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and in West Devon and Exeter until its fall at the Reformation. After nearly becoming lost in the mists of time, the Cornish language is now enjoying a resurgence.
There’s no doubt about it – Cornwall is a place it takes time to really get to know. Yes, it is famous for its pasties, its beaches and its holiday fun. But there is much, much more to it than that. This little book can only go so far in telling those stories. But hopefully we have shared some of the mystery, the history and the ways of life which go into making Cornwall one of the most fascinating places in the world. Read on to see for yourself!
‘Cornwall is very primeval: great, black, jutting cliffs and rocks, like the original darkness, and a pale sea breaking in, like dawn. It is like the beginning of the world, wonderful…’
D.H. Lawrence
Book Details
Released: May 2018
Format: PB
Pages: 80
Size: 160 x 160mm
Author: Camilla Zajac
ISBN: 9781912060580
Code: 08007
£5.99
