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Forward-Thinking Falmouth |
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Page 2 of 4
The town itself, with its English-sounding name ‘Falmouth’, is not particularly old and in the Middle Ages nearby Penryn and Truro were of far greater importance. At this time there was no settlement on the site of the current town, apart from the Manor House at Arwenack and its dependent buildings. This was the seat of the Killigrew family who also owned the land in Budock and Pendennis head, which they rented to the Crown. They were responsible for shaping the early development of the town, and in 1613 Sir John Killigrew obtained royal sanction to build four inns at the site of the handful of fishermen’s cottages which made up the settlement then known as Smithick. This was a name that could have been derived from St Mithick, however it was soon changed to Pennycomequick. This unusual name probably stemmed from the Cornish words Pen, Coomb and Ick suggesting the translation ‘head of the valley’. Early growth of the town was, therefore, in large part due to the need to provide drink and victuals to ships using the haven and to supply the nearby garrison at Pendennis.
Throughout the Civil War the town became a centre of activity; Pendennis Castle was an important stronghold. The castle proved to be one of the last royalist strongholds to be surrendered, sticking out a six- month siege.
Incessant warfare with Spain and France continued through the 18th century and contributed to Falmouth’s growth as an important naval centre, and also to the establishment of the town as Britain’s packet station in 1689. The packet ships were responsible for transporting mail, which had previously travelled overland across Europe. The service contributed to the traditional activities of the town such as ship-repair and building, and the quartering of seamen and provision of their food. It also improved Falmouth’s land communications with London via the Quicksilver coach service, and put the town in the national eye and at the centre of international lines of contact. At first two boats were used to ply mail between Falmouth and Corunna in northern Spain. By 1827, 39 packets were operating to Lisbon and the Mediterranean, North and South America and the West Indies. Often referred to as Falmouth’s ‘golden age’ the era of the Packet Ships lasted until 1850 when the post office opted to send mail by steamship via Southampton. Exotic plants brought back to the area as a result of these voyages can be viewed today in Falmouth at gardens such as Fox Rosehill, which are located off Melvill Road and are testament to the town’s international legacy.
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