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GODOLPHIN AND THE GODOLPHINS. 



Bt H. MICHBLL WHITLEY, F.G.S., Hon. Sec. 



Assembled together as we are to day beneath the roof -tree, 

 of one of the Historic Homes of Cornwall which has been the 

 birth-place of some of the most famous Cornishmen ; it will be 

 interesting to give a short account of the family of G-odolphin, 

 and briefly to point out the numerous points of interest in their 

 old mansion. 



"With regard to the family, itself, their early history is lost 

 in obscurity, and Col. Vivian (to whose genealogical labours 

 Cornwall owes so much) commences his pedigree with John 

 Lord of Grodolgan, who lived, probably, about the time of 

 Henry III. or Edward I. In time the property devolved on an 

 only daughter, Eleanor, who married John Einsey of Quethiock, 

 who taking the name with the estates moved to Godolphin about 

 the close of the 14th century. 



Other authorities state that in the reign of Edward III. 

 Godolgan belonged to the family of Lambourne, whose heiress 

 married Arundell of Lanherne. Whilst Hals states that Arundel 

 sold Grodolphin to Stephens in the reign of Henry VI., whose 

 daughter married John Knava, who was sheriff of Cornwall in 

 1504, and had the name of Godolphin conferred on him by the 

 King, who took a dislike to his ill-omened name. 



However, as this may be, here the Godolphins lived for 

 generations, intermarrying with good old Cornish families, and 

 producing a stock of famous and valiant men. 



Carew tells us that the name of Godolgan (which probably 

 means Dolgans Down) became softened into Godolphin, and it 

 is probable that the old residence of the ancient family was, like 

 Carn Brea, for security and defence, fixed on the summit of 

 Godolphin Hill, which was, probably, the original Dolgans 

 Down. 



William of Worcester tells us the building was destroyed 

 when ho visited Cornwall in 1478, and Leland, about 60 years 



