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Information on
Boconnoc
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The parish is named after the Old Cornish for 'Dwelling place of Conoc'. It
is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bochenod. At that time, it
is recorded as having land for 8 ploughs but only one plough there with one
slave. There were 2 villagers and 6 smallholders. The parish then consisted of
100 acres of woodland and 40 acres of pasture.
Boconnoc is situated in the deanery and Hundred of West; it has on its north
Broadoak (Braddock), on the east Lanreath, on the south St Veep, and on the west
St Winnow.
The parsonage and glebe of Boconnoc were annexed to the park and grounds of
Boconnoc House, by Act of Parliament, in 1806 when a new rectory house was built
at
Broadoak (Bradock) to serve both parishes. The old parsonage became the home
of the Steward of the Boconnoc Estate, and is located behind Boconnoc House in a
secluded valley, among majestic trees.
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 1944. 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 deer 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. |
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