The Cornish
Association of
Western Australia Inc.
(Re-Established 1991)
Cornish Culture
People
St. Piran is the most popular of the patron saints of Cornwall. His family origins are obscure, but the tradition that he came from Ireland is very strong. His rise to be Cornwall's Patron stems from his popularity with the Cornish tin-miners. It is said that Piran himself first discovered tin in Cornwall (or rediscovered what the Romans knew well) when he used a large black Cornish rock to build himself a fireplace.
He was amazed to find that, as the flames grew hotter, a trickle of pure white metal began to ooze from the stone. He shared this knowledge with the local people and thus provided the Cornish with a lucrative living. The locals were so delighted that they held a sumptuous feast in Piran's honour where the wine ran like water. Piran was fond of the odd tipple and he is still remembered today in the Cornish phrase "As drunk as a Perraner".
The trickling white metal upon its
black background, however, remains his most enduring memorial as
the White Cross of St. Piran on the Cornish National flag.
(http://www.britannia.com/bios/ebk/pirandm.html) 
Jonathan Trelawney
Born: 24th March
1650 at Trelawney, Pelynt, Cornwall
Died: 19th July 1721 at
Chelsea, Middlesex
Jonathan Trelawney was the son on Sir Jonathan Trelawney Seniro of Pelynt (Cornwall) and his wife, Mary, daughter of Sir Edward Seymour of Berry Pomerory (Devon). He entered the church and became, first, Bishop of Bristol, before being transfered to the See of Exeter in 1688. He is chiefly remarkable form having been, as Bishop of Bristol, one of the famous seven bishops committed to the Tower of London by King James II, at which time he became the subject of the Cornish ballad, the burthen which runs:
"And shall Trelawney die!
And shall Trelawney die!
There's twenty thousand Cornish lads
Will know the reason
why."
Trelawney was transferred to Winchester in 1707, in which office he died, twenty years later. He was buried in the church of Pelynt in Cornwall.
(Britannia Biographies)
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