The Little History of Cornwall

by Paul Wreyford

There is nothing ‘little’ about the history of Cornwall! However, this small volume condenses that fascinating, rich history into a collection of stories and facts that will make you marvel at the events the county has witnessed. Discover Henry VIII’s plan to protect the county from invasion from Catholic Europe, the important development of tin mining on the north coast and the rise of seaside resorts all around the county. Take a journey through Cornwall’s historic struggles and celebrations or jump in to the era of your choice to discover the who, what and why of Cornish history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2018

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting Cornish facts - I didn’t know captain Bligh, of mutiny on The Bounty, was Cornish 😬

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful little book mostly full of facts about things Cornish people have done. So even-toned though that raging colonialists are described the same way as someone inventing a new safer light for mining.

[Rosanna Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having recently moved back to Cornwall this was a good reintroduction to some basic history. As others have said, it’s really only the very top line, not much detail, but definitely a good starting point and has provided me with plenty of little trivia facts to share when guests come to visit, or at pub quizzes.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little History of Cornwall rather fell into my lap. My partner's mum very kindly gave me a copy, thinking I might enjoy learning a little more about the county I have called home for the last year and a half. She was absolutely right. This was a wonderful introduction to Cornish history, and one that really does live up to its title. Concise and compact, Wreyford traces Cornwall's history from its earliest settlers through to the modern day, managing to cover an enormous amount of ground without ever making the book feel inaccessible or overwhelming.

What I particularly enjoyed was the way Wreyford builds a sense of Cornish identity by recognising patterns and continuities throughout its history. Rather than simply presenting a succession of dates and events, he considers the relationship between the people and the land they inhabit, and the ways in which geography, industry and historical experience have shaped a distinct sense of belonging. There is a recurring picture of hard-working communities whose lives have been so closely tied to the landscape, from mining to farming, alongside a fierce individualism that perhaps owes something to Cornwall's position at the very bottom corner of England. Its geographical separation, combined with a long history of resisting absorption into England at large, has helped foster a particularly strong sense of cultural identity.

What makes this especially interesting is how recognisable that identity remains today. Having lived in Cornwall for a relatively short time, I have already become very aware of just how proud people are to be Cornish. You cannot travel more than a few miles without spotting a Cornish flag flying outside a house or displayed on the back of a car. Reading about the historical roots of that pride gave me a much greater appreciation for it. There is something lovely about understanding a little more of the history behind the everyday things that make a place feel distinctive.

Wreyford's writing is also wonderfully accessible. It is clear, engaging and very easy to digest, without ever feeling as though it is oversimplifying its subject. There is an assumption of some basic knowledge of English history, but never so much that the reader is left struggling to keep up. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of stories about ordinary, often overlooked people, through whom the broader sweep of history becomes much more tangible. Some wonderful characters emerge along the way, including a woman who fought off French attackers threatening her harbour town while the men were away at sea, and the man who founded Pears Soap. These are the kinds of stories that make history feel alive, reminding us that the past is not only made up of monarchs, wars and political decisions, but also of the people getting on with their lives, occasionally doing rather extraordinary things.

I have already passed my copy on to my dad, which is perhaps the best recommendation I can give it. For anyone looking for an approachable introduction to Cornwall's history, this is a lovely place to start. More than anything, it has left me wanting to know much more. I seem to have developed a new fixation with reading history books about Cornwall, and I suspect this is only the beginning.

[Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

The physical book itself is a beautiful design (hardback too, what a joy) and the illustrations are well done. This is definitely one of those books where it feels good to hold it in your hand.

In some places I felt there could have been more detail added (although in all fairness it has little in the title for a reason), especially in the first chapter which was incredibly short. There is for sure more available information out there than what is given. However, it is an easy read for those who are just getting into Cornish history. The chapters are split into several topics under several subheadings which makes it easier to take breathers between reading.

My biggest concern with this is that there isn’t really any referencing done. There are mentions of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Geoffrey of Monmouth’s ‘History of the Kings of Britain’ and others but it might have been beneficial to have a list at the end of the book as to where all this information is being pulled from to corroborate the given facts.

Overall, I did enjoy it. It’s nice to see whole books being dedicated to the awesome history of Cornwall, and it’s especially nice to see the whole story all in one place.

[Ken Sampson · Rating 2 out of 5]

[21 Dec 2018] A great concept - a short history of Cornwall and well written in a easy accessible style. It covers pretty much all the bases and has a chatty friendly-style which is really refreshing. However it has one major flaw - which emerges early on - and underpins the entire work and that is the author does not understand his subject at all. He goes to great lengths to ensure you understand that Cornwall is a territorial possession of England and is 100% an English County - pretty much every page refers to it as 'an English County'. Yes - he indulges the reader with the usual trite 'Cornwall is a land apart' stuff, but fails to understand that for many Cornish people their sense of Cornish ethnicity is absolutely core and underpins a sense of not being English. At one point - he demonstrates his failure to grasp the subject by saying ' They [the Cornish] think of themselves as Cornish first and English second' - Sorry to burst you bubble Mr Wreyford, but the reality is just as the Welsh are Welsh, the Scottish are Scottish and the English are English - we the Cornish are Cornish! Essentially he is patronising and deeply offensive to Cornish people - Ask yourself would anyone write a book about Wales or Scotland and describe them as mere extensions of England? No don't think so!

Yes - you get a sense of what happened in Cornwall, but absolutely nothing about the Cornish. Acceptable for tourists, but Cornish people should probably avoid as it will not be good for your blood pressure

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A misleading title as this book about the history of Cornwall is packed full of history and information - who knew that Captain Bligh of Mutiny On The Bounty fame was Cornish!
This book condenses that amazing, fascinating and rich history into a collection of stories about people, places and events that will make you marvel at the events the county has witnessed.
Henry VIll's plan to protect the county from invasion, tin mining submarines on north coast and the rise of seaside resorts all around the county.
It includes Cornwall's historic struggles and celebrations, its painter & poets, sculptors & sports people, everyone of note.

[Kit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst it does have a lot of interesting facts, it is also littered with inaccurate information and it is obvious the writer has spent little time in Cornwall (and I resent it being repeatedly called "the backwater of England").
The early book between stone age to Stuart era holds merit but after that it's a muddle.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a delightful way to learn about English history! The Little History of Cornwall provides a terrific overview of the history of the county without getting bogged down in a lot of dry details. I definitely plan to read more of the books in this series. Read if you enjoy: English history

[Rekha Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter - especially for anyone visiting Cornwall. It's written in a very conversational, accessible way but I sometimes found that this made for a slightly clumsy narrative. Very easy read however, so a good way to dip into Cornwall's history.

[George Foord · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. It is very short in detail but gives a good overview.

[Alexander Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun compilation of facts about Cornwall from the stone age until today. I wish there was a little more about Cornish Language!