H.R.H. Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall
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Launceston Castle features in the
ceremony of the Dukes of Cornwall. In
the 20th century, in their role as Dukes
of Cornwall, both King George VI and the
Duke of Windsor visited the Castle in
1909 and 1921 respectively.
The ceremony begins with the following
announcement: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez ! All
manner of persons appearing this day
within the Great Gate of this Castle and
all persons that do offer Suit and
Service to His Royal Highness, Lord of
the Castle and Honour of Launceston
according to the Ancient Custom thereof
draw near and give your attendance."
• Week St. Mary's Bethuel Hutchings, of
Swannacott, was presented to the Duke of
Windsor whilst wearing the goatskin
mantle on his visit as Duke of Cornwall
to Launceston on 25th May 1921. He
repeated this honour by being presented
to King George VI on 1st December 1937.
The King was already crowned when in
1937 he made a state entry into the
Castle, being welcomed with age-old
ceremonial affairs and presented with
feudal dues - a pound of pepper and one
hundred shillings, to name just two,
which were set down in a charter of 1230
by Richard, King of the Romans, then
Earl of Cornwall. Launceston
Castle is run by English Heritage and
owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
William the Conqueror allocated Cornwall
to one of his relatives, and by 1337
Edward III created the Duchy as an
estate for the eldest sons of the
monarch. This has remained the case down
the ages, through 24 Dukes of Cornwall,
to Prince Charles today.
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Keith Hutchings, representing the Manors
of Swannacott and Week St. Mary in the
Hundred of Stratton held by Knight
Service, appearing within goatskin
mantles before the Duchy Court at
Launceston, 1973. |
Edward the Black Prince rode into
Launceston Castle in 1337 to be
proclaimed the first Duke of Cornwall.
This was the first Duchy to be created
in England. Apart from owning large
estates the Dukes of Cornwall claimed
taxes from tin and other mineral rights.
The taxes on tin continued until 1828,
although after this date they still
received income from mineral rights.
In 1760 the Crown gave up its estates to
the nation in exchange for an income,
but the Duchy of Cornwall estates were
not included in this deal.
It was customary for certain people to
meet with the Duke of Cornwall and
present him with gifts appropriate for
his visit to his County, although not
all of the gifts would be of much use
today. Prince Charles became Duke of
Cornwall at the age of 4 when his mother
ascended the throne. However it was not
for another 20 years, in 1973 that he
was actually proclaimed Duke of Cornwall
in Launceston Castle.
• On the 19th November 1973, the Manors
of Swannacott and Week St. Mary in the
Hundred of Stratton held by Knight
Service, and their representatives
appeared within goatskin mantles before
the Duchy Court at Launceston. Bethuel's
grandson, Keith Hutchings, represented
these Manors.
The Manor of Cabillia was held by the
service of paying to the Duke one grey
cloak as often as he should pass through
Cornwall and the Manor of Pengelly was
held by Serjeanty of receiving the grey
riding cloak when the Duke should be
coming towards Cornwall and of carrying
that cloak with the Duke throughout all
Cornwall.
Then the Bailiff recites each
Tenant, his holding and the rent
offered, in token, in recollection of
days long past and each Tenant in turn
presents his rent in the following
order:
1. The Mayor and Commonalty of the
Borough of Launceston held the Borough
in Fee Farm rendering therefore one
hundred shillings and one pound of
pepper. The Mayor of Launceston makes
the presentation.
2. The City of Truro will render one Bow
de Arburne. The Mayor of Truro makes the
presentation.
3. The Manor of Elerky in Veryan in the
West Division of the Hundred of Powder
held, prior to dismemberment, by the
render of a brace of greyhounds. Lt.
Col. J. A. Molesworth-St. Aubyn makes
the presentation.
4. The Manor or Barton of Penvose in the
parish of St. Tudy in the Hundred of
Trigg held under knight services by the
render of a pair of gilt spurs. Mr. M.
W. B. Scurrah makes the presentation.
5. Battons otherwise Battens in the
parish of Northhill in the North
Division of the Hundred of East held
under Knight Service by the render of
one pound of cummin. Mr. E. B. Latham
makes the presentation.
6. The Manor of Clymeslond otherwise
Stoke Climsland in the North Division of
the Hundred of East rendered a salmon
spear and one carriage of wood daily
when Our Lord the Duke should come to
Cornwall. Mr. K. J. Uglow makes the
presentation.
7. The Manors of Swannacott and Week St.
Mary in the Hundred of Stratton held by
Knight Service, and their
representatives had to appear within
goatskin mantles before the Duchy Court
at Launceston. Mr. L. K. Hutchings
represents these Manors.
8. The Manor of Trevalga held by the
render of one pair of white gloves. Mr.
C. G. Peter, Steward of the Manor, held
by Marlborough College, makes the
presentation.
Having given each a white rod,
His Royal Highness then says:
"I hereby confirm you, and
those you represent, Tenants and give
you and them peaceable and quiet seizin
and possession of the Manors, Lands and
Tenements which you hold or represent
according to ancient custom."
Then the Bailiff says: "Let every man
depart and keep his day here upon a new
warning and so God Save The Queen and
the Lord of this Honour."
Most of the inanimate objects can be
seen encased in a display unit within
Launceston Museum. |
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