Tallanus facts for kids

Tallanus is believed to have been a saint from Cornwall, a region in England. People say he was a hermit, living alone and dedicating his life to religion, way back in the 5th century. He supposedly lived in a place called Talland, which is located between the towns of Polperro and Looe. The main church in Talland is named after him. It's thought to be very old, possibly built in the 5th century, and it's the only church in Britain dedicated to Saint Tallanus. Some people think the name 'Talland' even came from Saint Tallanus's name.

However, there's a bit of a mystery! The name Tallanus only shows up in old documents starting in the 15th century. This makes some historians wonder if he was actually a real person from the 5th century, or if he was a story created much later.

The Mystery of Saint Tallanus

The first time the church now dedicated to Saint Tallanus is mentioned in records was in 1205. Back then, it was simply called "the church at Tallan." Before 1452, there are no records of anyone named Tallanus. Also, there's no clear proof that Tallanus was ever officially recognized as a saint. This suggests that the idea of Saint Tallanus might have developed much later than the 5th century.

What Does 'Talland' Mean?

The words "Tal" and "Lan" come from the Cornish language. "Tal" means "brow of the hill," and "Lan" means "holy place" or "church." If you put them together, "Tallan" perfectly describes the church's location on a hillside. Monks from Launceston, called Augustine monks, built this church between 1086 and 1205. It seems that, like with other churches in Cornwall, the word "saint" was simply added in front of a local place name. This helped connect the church to a holy figure, even if that figure's history was a bit unclear.

Sources

• Talland Church