 LOSTWITHIEL
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Boconnoc
(Connoc's Dwelling or Bo-Con-Oke - Place of Stunted Oaks)
Three
miles east of Lostwithiel, Boconnoc can trace its history back to the
Normans. The estate and house were taxed in the Domesday Roll A.D.1087.
The first recorded owners were the De Cant family (1268) and in 1320
- 1386, the Manor was owned by the Carminows. Latterly by Sir Oliver
Carminow who married a daughter of Joan Holland (The Fair Maid of Kent),
a grand-daughter of Edward I who married the Black Prince as her second
husband, for whom the Duchy of Cornwall was created.
Through the centuries, Boconnoc has been associated with many of this
country's famous names and history-makers including Lord Russell, Earl
of Bedford who sold Boconnoc in 1579 to Sir WilliamMohun who rebuilt
it. Later, Thomas Pitt purchased the estate with the proceeds of the
famous Pitt Diamond which he sold to the Regent of France where it ended
up in the hilt of Napoleon's sword. Pitt's grandson, William, became
Prime Minister. Eventually, the estate was bequeathed to the Fortescue
family who still own it although, since 1969 the house has not been
lived in due to deterioration and subsidence.
During
the Second World War, Boconnoc House and the surrounding buildings were
occupied by American troops and the grounds used as an ammunition dump
in preparation for the invasion of Europe.In the grounds (actually the
largest park in Cornwall) can be seen the church, of which the dedication
is unknown, but was thought to have been consecrated in 1413. The most
prominent monument is the Obelisk which is 123 feet high and was erected
in 1771 by Thomas Pitt, 1st Lord Camelford, in memory of his wife's
uncle and benefactor, Sir Richard Lyttelton. It is situated between
Boconnoc and Braddock churches in the middle of an old military entrenchment
near to where the Battle of Braddock Down was fought in the Civil War
1642-1646. During this period Boconnoc was involved in two significant
battles. In January 1643 the Parliament forces under Col. Ruthven impatiently
attempted to enter Cornwall, which was strongly Royalist. The opposing
forces met near Braddock Church, the Royalists being commanded by Bevil
Grenville and Ralph Hopton (both subsequently Knighted) marching from
Boconnoc Park where they had bivouacked overnight. In a short time the
Parliament forces were routed. A more important clash took place the
following year when the King's cause was beginning to wane. Lord Robartes
of Lanhydrock (a sour Puritan) had indicated to the Earl of Essex, then
commander-in-chief of the Parliament Army, that the Cornish were ready
to surrender. Essex marched into the west, to be met by a strong force
under Richard Grenville and Lord Goring and found he was pursued from
the east by no less a person than the King with an a army of several
thousands. The King made his headquarters at Boconnoc and the unfortunate
Roundheads were gradually squeezed into Lostwithiel and Fowey, to their
ultimate surrender at Castle Dore.
There are
approximately 100 head of dear in the Deer Park contained within the
grounds and also a garden of 20 acres which is open in the Spring for
various charities. Boconnoc House and Park have been used for numerous
film locations including the BBC Poldark series and scenes from the
1993 film of The Three Musketeers.
Braddock
Church
 Believed
to be a Cornish/Celtic corruption of Broad Oak, the Church of St Mary
the Virgin at Bradoc (Braddock today) stands on a high hill amid beautiful
green surroundings. The present building is 13thcentury and stands on
the site of a former Church of which the Tower and the Norman arch leading
into the Tower still remain. The Tower houses five bells, cast in 1845.
The font is Norman and has fourcorner faces and large trees of life.
Nearby, at Largin Farm are the trenches used by the Roundheads during
the Battle of Braddock Down, whilst nearby, in Largin Wood, is Largin
Castle - a camp or fort from the Iron Age. Also, near the village of
West Taphouse, are 9 tumuli or barrows in three fields which are said
to be the burial places of tribal kings. Bradoc Church was used for
the wedding scene in the filming of Daphne du Maurier's "My Cousin Rachel".
St
Winnow Church.
Set
in another beautiful river situation, this church stands on what was
probably a 7th century Celtic monastery 500 years before the Conquest.
It is mentioned in Domesday as San Winnuc and still has some remains
of the Norman building. In the 15th century, the aisle and tower were
added and the east windows are magnificent examples of glass craft and
details much of the dress of the period. St Winnow Church is well known
for its bench ends, carved from around 15th to 17th century and still
in excellent condition. There is a plaque commemorating 2 parishioners
who fought in the Zulu Wars and there are a number of South African
connections with the church. Some scenes from the BBC Poldark series
were filmed here. Also at St Winnow can be seen a unique Farm Museum.
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