408 THE HOUSE OF GODOLPHIN. 



by the evidence In the second place, I was anxious to follow 

 the gradual growth of the building, and to attempt to realise its 

 appearance as each successive architect added his contribution. 

 Finally, it is hoped that, though slight in extent, a description 

 of Godolphin as it now stands may afford some data to any 

 future archaeologist bent upon determining the further changes 

 that the house may have undergone subsequently to the year 

 1898. 



In conclusion, I desire to express my cordial thanks to Mr. 

 John B. Cornish, of Penzance, for much valuable help ; and to 

 Mr. Trerice Richards, the present occupant of Godolphin, for his 

 courtesy in permitting me to examine the house. 

 The House of Godolphin. 



The isolated mass of granite that thrusts itself up between 

 Breage and Germoe, through the surrounding slate, rises towards 

 its northern extremity into two peaks, known respectively as 

 Tregonning, and Godolphin, Hill. At the foot of the latter, 

 pleasantly sheltered amid surrounding trees, stands the old 

 manor-house of Godolphin. For nearly three centuries this was 

 the home of one of the greatest families in the west of England • 

 and though a large part of the old house has been taken down, 

 and the remainder strangely altered by modern building, there 

 yet remain traces of its past magnificence. 



The name, Godolphin, has given rise to much difference of 

 opinion as to its origin and meaning. It bears little resemblance 

 either in sound or appearance to a Cornish word, and has prob- 

 ably undergone much modification from its original form. 

 Whatever that was, it seems to have been a Cornish territorial 

 name before it became a family one. But its origin either as a 

 place or a family name is involved in much obscurity. 



Col. Vivian, in his " Visitations of Cornwall," traces back 

 the pedigree of the Godolphins into the dim regions of dateless 

 antiquity. If the family did exist as early as this, they do not 

 seem to have owned the estates till much later, as Hals mentions 

 several of their predecessors in possession. His account of the 

 sale of the property on one occasion is worth reproducing, owing 

 to the quaintness of the condition attached. I quote his account 

 as given by Davies Gilbert in his " History of Cornwall." It 



