SOME EXTINCT CORNISH FAMILIES. 
333 
Francis, the eldest of the before-named three sons, succeeded to 
the estates, and was an M.P. in the Parliaments of Charles I. ; and 
perceiving the Civil War's approach, he retired to his Cornish seat, 
secured the Scilly Islands for the king's cause, and raised the 
regiment of foot which his brother William commanded. He was 
rewarded at the Kestoration by being created a Knight of the 
Bath, an old title then revived. 
It is singular to find that the Cornish gentry were nearly all on 
the side of the king, though so far removed from Court influence, 
or from personal interest at Court. With the exception of Sir 
John Elliot, who died before the war arose, the only great Cornish- 
men on the side of the Parliament were, I believe, Sir Nicholas 
Carew and Sir Eichard Buller. But on the other side we find 
Arundels, Bassets, Killigrews, and Edgcumbes ; and the old 
couplet from a poem is recalled, which recites — 
" The four wheels of King Charles's wain, 
Grenville, Godolphin, Trevannion, Slanning slain." 
Slanning belonged to Devonshire, and his armour is still to be 
seen suspended in Bickleigh Church. King Charles very gratefully 
expressed his thanks to the loyal Cornish, and his long letter of 
thanks is still to be seen in many churches in the county. It is 
generally relegated to the tower, but is of great interest. 
I have now to pass to the last great man in the main line of the 
Godolphin family, and therefore the only other one to whom this 
paper can refer. This was Sidney Godolphin, the statesman. He 
was the third son of that Sir Francis who was created a K.B. by 
Charles II. He was born about 1635 (the date is quite uncertain); 
and it is stated that when Charles II., then Prince of Wales, was 
driven into Cornwall by the exigencies of the war he made the 
acquaintance of young Godolphin, and formed a high opinion of 
him, and after the Eestoration gave him a place at Court. In 
1663 he was returned as M.P. for Helston to the long or pensionary 
Parliament, and continued to represent that borough in subsequent 
Parliaments while he remained a Commoner. 
He was twice sent on a special mission to the States of Holland 
by Charles II. Towards the end of the reign of that king he was 
made a Commissioner of the Treasury and Privy Councillor; and 
it was said that that he was one of the three who were looked upon 
as the ministry, and esteemed to be alone in the management of 
the king's affairs. 
