330 TRANSACTIONS OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
valiant, prudent men, have served their prince and country as 
members of Parliament, justices of the peace, deputy-lieutenants, 
sheriffs, colonels, &c, as scarce any other family this country hath 
afforded ; " and he states that an ancestress of his belonged to this 
great family. Nevertheless, his love for a malicious thrust could 
not spare his own kindred ; for he tells us that of old this family 
was called Knava, and that whilst one John Knava was sheriff of 
Cornwall, Henry VII. took exception to the suggestiveness of 
the name, and altered it to Godolphin, of which place he was 
lord. This statement is entirely without foundation, as Godolphins 
of Godolphin can be traced for many descents before the wars 
of the Eoses; and Hals, who simply collected gossip, cites no 
muniments or documents to support any of his mere hearsay 
statements. 
The first John, lord Godolphin, flourished about the reign of 
Henry III. or Edward I. ; but Colonel Vivian, in his genealogical 
table, is unable to assign a precise date. He married Margaret, 
daughter of Eoger Trewargon. Mr. Tregelles says the remains 
of the mansion (now occupied as a spacious farm-house), the 
many roads of approach to it, the antique gardens, and the broad- 
terraced hedges, still testify to its importance ; and there was a 
time when the only newspaper which reached this remote part of 
England was brought by the Lord Treasurer Godolphin's special 
messenger, to Exeter, and laid on the table of the hall at Godol- 
phin, for the benefit of the neighbouring clergy and gentry. 
Dr. Borlase gives a conjectural view of the house in its glory, 
surrounded by its park and groves. 
The house is now occupied by Mr. Eoseveare Eosewarne, C.C., 
and has been restored by him. A portion of the ancient mansion 
remains, erected in the reign of Henry VIII. or earlier, including 
the fine hall with a carved oak roof, and a beautifully carved oak 
screen which covers the whole space round and about the fireplace. 
A large portion of the present building is due to the great Lord 
Treasurer. In the hall is set up a leaden cast of the arms of 
Henry VIII. In the older part of the house, now uninhabited, 
is a room called the royal room, with a large open granite fireplace, 
and a remarkably fine carved en+ronce. Opening out from this 
room is that in which it is said Charles II. once slept, and which 
has been described to me by my father, who slept in it during a 
visit at the house about fifty years ago. This room has five exits 
