Condor of Cornwall facts for kids
Condor (also known as Candorus or Cadoc) was a legendary nobleman from Cornwall. People first wrote about Condor in the late 1500s. They claimed he was the earl of Cornwall when the Norman Conquest happened in 1066. It was said he promised loyalty to William the Conqueror to keep his title. Some historians think he might have supported rebels during the Siege of Exeter in 1068 and lost his earldom. Later, much of Cornwall was given to William's Norman supporters. Condor's son, Cadoc, might have gotten the title back under King Henry I. His daughter then passed it on to Reginald de Dunstanville.
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Condor's Story
Historians from the 1700s, like William Hals, believed Condor might have been born or lived in St Clement. Hals also connected Condor to other places in Cornwall, such as the Instworth peninsula and Trematon manor. Early 1800s historian Richard Polwhele said that Launceston, Tintagel, and Trematon castles were homes for Condor and other early Earls of Cornwall.
Some old writings describe Condor as being "from the royal blood of the Britons." This means he was thought to be from a very old and important family. One 16th-century book even called him "Earl of Devon." Some modern experts believe Condor was a direct descendant of Donyarth, the last known king of Cornwall, who died in 875.
Becoming Earl of Cornwall
After the Norman Conquest of England, some historians say that Condor was made the first Earl of Cornwall by William the Conqueror. This happened after Condor promised his loyalty to William. However, William Hals suggested that Condor might have supported rebels during the Siege of Exeter in 1068. If so, he would have lost his earldom. After the siege, William the Conqueror did travel to Cornwall to show his power.
A Norman knight named Brian of Brittany fought for William at the siege. He was given lands in Devon and Cornwall as a reward. He likely became the Earl of Cornwall. Brian was probably removed from his position around 1075. His lands in Cornwall then went to William's half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain. By 1086, Robert owned almost all of Cornwall.
Condor's Family and the Earldom
When Robert's son, William, Count of Mortain, rebelled against King Henry I in 1104, he lost his lands. Some historians believe that Condor's son, Cadoc, might have gotten the lands back.
Many old writings say that Cadoc had one daughter and heir, who was called Hawisia, Avicia, or Agnes. She married Reginald de Dunstanville. Through her, Reginald claimed the title of Earl of Cornwall. He was later officially given this title by his half-sister, Empress Matilda.
What Does the Name Condor Mean?
Condor's name isn't always spelled the same way. Some old writers called him Condor, while others used Cadoc or Candorus. His son was also sometimes called Condor the Second or Cadoc.
The name Condor might come from a place in St Clement called Conor or Condura. This name could mean 'the King's Water' or 'the neck of water'. Other ideas for Condora include 'the head between two waters' or 'druid's down'.
The name Cadoc is thought to come from old Cornish words meaning 'war' or 'a soldier'. It can also mean 'warlike' or 'man of battle'.
Old Writings About Condor
Many old books and manuscripts mention Condor. They help us understand what people believed about him centuries ago.
One old book from the 1500s, called an armory, listed Condor as "Earl of Devon." It also described his coat of arms: a black shield with fifteen gold circles (called bezants).
Robert Glover, a herald from the 1500s, wrote that Condor's daughter, Hawisia, was the heir of "Candor from the royal blood of the Britons, count of Cornwall at the time of the Conquest." He also said Condor promised loyalty to William the Conqueror for his county.
William Camden, a famous historian, wrote in his book Britannia (published between 1586 and 1610) that Condor (or Cadoc) was thought to be the last Earl of Cornwall from British heritage. Camden also described Condor's coat of arms as a black shield with fifteen gold circles.
Richard Carew, another historian, wrote in 1602 that Condor was the Earl of Cornwall when William the Conqueror took over England. Carew also mentioned that Condor's daughter, Agnes, married Reginald, who was King Henry I's son.
William Hals, writing around 1750, said that Condor might have been born in St Clement. He also suggested that Condor lost his earldom because he rebelled against William the Conqueror. Hals wrote that Condor's son, Cadoc, was also called Condor the Second.
William Borlase wrote in 1754 that Condor was the last Earl of Cornwall of British blood. He believed that Condor's family had been kings, dukes, and earls of Cornwall for a long time. Borlase also thought that Cadoc, Condor's son, might have been buried at St. Stephen's Church near Saltash.
Images for kids
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Attributed arms of Condor, from Camden's Britannia (1610 edition)
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Attributed arms of Condor's son Cadoc, from Hals' History of Cornwall (around 1750)
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See also
- Cornish heraldry
- Higher Condurrow
