The Ancient Saint's Way in Cornwall |
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The Saint’s Way in Cornwall is a story written into the land. This ancient route existed long before it was used by saints, taking advantage of the unique shape of Cornwall and its rivers. Evidence (especially Pictish Art forms) suggest that Phoenicians, Egyptians and Greeks journeyed to west coasts of Britain even before the Iron Age, in search of Keltic wisdom and trade. They would hit Cornwall and Southern Ireland first. Some sources even nominate Cornwall for the site of the ‘Golden Fleece’, a story made famous by Jason and the Argonauts. Gold travelled from Ireland through Cornwall and down to the Mediterranean via sea or through Brittany to the early centres of civilisation. Before the River Camel and the River Fowey in East Cornwall became silted through tin streaming they were navigable much further inland. Prior to tin mining there would have been only a four mile gap overland between the north coast River Camel (at Padstow) and the South Coast River Fowey. This is a serious short-cut to the alternative of travelling right round the peninsula of Cornwall with its dangers of rocks, ridiculous weather and hungry pirates. This is why the Saint's Way is also names as the Mariner's Way. Later copper followed the same route and the Romans ‘followed the supply’ back to Britain. Recent archeaological research in Lostwithiel is unearthing signs of Roman occupation. In terms of an ‘English’ history, Cornwall doesn’t really exist until the end of the Dark ages in 900AD or so, when the English started invading, but there are still many clues built into the land. Cornwall is a Celtic land that has its own history. It was one of the earliest civilised trading nations, more linked by sea with Ireland, Wales and Brittany than by land with England. ‘Restormel’ the Castle of The Black Prince, overlooks the once highest navigable point of the river Fowey, an ancient site and a natural place to control thr river trade. Like Castle D’or , once used as a title for one of Daphne DuMaurier’s books, it is likely to be pre-iron age. When you look at a map a whole line of at least Roman age encampments follows the river route across land, with one site perched next to the once highest navigable point of the river Camel - in Dunmere woods. There is also the site of a large Roman fort at Castle Canyke in Bodmin - reasonably central to both river systems. This suggests that this route was an important one to protect - because it was a main artery for precious metals. The existing Saints Way follows the river route across East Cornwall, which was established long before the Saints as a convenient short-cut between Ireland and Wales and the south coast of Cornwall - and on. The way is rich in springs and many holy wells are still to be found. The Church at Lanlivery, a visible route sign from many miles away, sits high on the horizon, a beacon for travellers. It lines up with the saint’s pathway to ancient standing stones at Helman Tor an evident meeting place from Stone Age times. The Church at Lanivet beckons the traveller on to where the route meets the river Camel at Ruthernbridge and then continues North to Padstow. Like the songs of Aborigines, the peoples who once travelled these lands would learn the route through stories of the wayplaces they would meet. And sometimes, when its quiet, the land still whispers these secrets to willing ears. |
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An ancient matrix of energy lies hidden in the earth, its existence and purpose all but forgotten. One strand, named ‘The Dragon Line’ passes through Cornwall, a land steeped in history and mystery since the dawn of time. Here the line passes through the valley of the River Fowey. A lone ghost, abandoned in the valley of his birth, tells how the line of energy has been usurped, unbalancing the whole planetary energy matrix. In The Lily, the first novel of an extraordinary trilogy, we share his lives as he tells his tale of 2000 years in the Fowey valley. He sets a crucial task, to mend the Dragon Line and restore the balance of power, before time itself runs out. READ THE FIRST 5 CHAPTERS OF THIS AMAZING NOVEL ONLINE FOR FREE |
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