Royal charters applying to Cornwall facts for kids
This article is about special documents called charters that were given by kings of England and are important for the history of Cornwall. Cornwall became part of the Kingdom of England a long time ago, during the Anglo-Saxon period. In the 800s and 900s, the kings of Wessex (a powerful kingdom in England) started ruling Cornwall. After a time when Cornwall was more independent during wars with the Danes, English rule became permanent.
These charters are like official promises or rules from the king. They are important because they talk about two main things: the tin mines in Cornwall (and sometimes Devon) and the Earldom or Duchy of Cornwall. The documents about tin mining are called stannary charters, and they were made between 1201 and 1508. Other charters about the Earldom and Duchy were made between 1231 and 1338.
In 1337, the Earldom of Cornwall was changed into a royal Duchy of Cornwall. A duchy is a special area of land that belongs to a duke or duchess. This Duchy was created to help support the person who was next in line to become king or queen (the heir to the throne). Even today, the rights of the Duke of Cornwall (who is usually the eldest son of the monarch) still depend on these old medieval laws. If there isn't a Duke of Cornwall, the lands and rights of the Duchy are managed by the Crown (the monarch).
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What Are Royal Charters?
Royal charters are very old, official documents issued by a king or queen. Think of them like special contracts or laws that granted rights, freedoms, or land to certain groups of people or places. These documents were written on parchment and sealed with the king's seal to show they were real and important. They helped to set rules and organize how different parts of the kingdom worked.
Why Were Charters Important for Cornwall?
Cornwall had a unique history and important resources, especially tin. The kings of England used charters to define how tin mining would work and who would control it. They also used charters to set up and manage the Earldom and later the Duchy of Cornwall. These documents helped shape Cornwall's special status within England for many centuries.
Charters for Tin Miners
Tin mining was a huge part of Cornwall's economy for hundreds of years. The people who mined tin were called tinners. To make sure tin mining ran smoothly and to collect taxes from it, kings gave special rights to the tinners through charters. These charters often granted them certain freedoms and rules for their work.
Key Tin Mining Charters
Here are some important charters related to tin mining:
- Charter of Liberties to the Tinners of Cornwall and Devon (1201): This was one of the earliest charters giving special freedoms to tin miners in both Cornwall and Devon. It helped establish their unique legal system.
- Charter of Liberties to the Tinners of Cornwall (1305): This charter further defined the rights of tinners, specifically in Cornwall. It was very important for their independence.
- Charter of Confirmation to the Tinners of Cornwall (1402): This document confirmed and re-stated the rights that tinners already had, making sure they continued to be recognized.
- Grant of Pardon to the Tinners of Cornwall (1508): Sometimes, tinners might have broken rules or laws, and this charter granted them a pardon, forgiving past actions.
Charters for the Duchy of Cornwall
The Earldom and later the Duchy of Cornwall were very important parts of the royal family's wealth and power. The Duchy was created to provide an income for the heir to the throne. This meant that the lands and properties of the Duchy would help support the future king or queen.
Important Duchy Charters
Here are some key charters that shaped the Earldom and Duchy of Cornwall:
- Charter of Henry III (1231): This charter was for Richard, who was the Earl of Cornwall at the time. It helped define his rights and responsibilities.
- Charters of Edward II (1307 and 1318): These charters involved Piers de Gaveston and Queen Isabella, showing how the Earldom was managed and passed on.
- Charters of Edward III (1331 and 1332): These documents were for John of Eltham, another Earl of Cornwall, further detailing the Earldom's structure.
- The Great Charter of Edward III (17 March 1337): This is a very important charter! It officially created the Duchy of Cornwall to support the heir to the throne. This was a big change for Cornwall's status.
- Charters of Edward III (18 March 1337 and 3 January 1338): These charters followed the Great Charter, likely adding more details or confirming aspects of the newly formed Duchy.
Cornwall's Unique Status
For a long time, Cornwall had a special status within England, partly because of these charters. However, when King Henry VIII was in power in the 1500s, he wanted to centralize control. This meant that Cornwall's unique position was not always recognized in new royal documents. Even so, unlike Wales, no specific laws were passed to formally change Cornwall's status. The rights of the Duke of Cornwall still rely on these old medieval laws, showing how important these historical charters remain today.
Images for kids
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An example of the characteristic pattern of parallel ridges and scarp left by tin-streaming, east of Fox Tor, Dartmoor
