Launcells - CON ENG

OS Grid Reference: 50°49'N 4°30'W

Name Origin: this may come from Old English land selas country halls, but is presumably Cornish.

LAND OF THE COUNT OF MORTAIN

Alfred holds LANDSEU. Ælfric held it before 1066, and paid tax for 1½ virgates of land; 2 hides here, however. Land for 9 ploughs; 3½ ploughs there; 2 slaves. 3 villagers and 11 smallholders. Underwood, 30 acres; pasture, 50 acres. Formerly 20s; value now 40s. [10 cattle; 12 pigs; 50 sheep; 50 goats Exon]

A Topographical Dictionary of England, Samuel Lewis, 1831:

LAUNCELLS, a parish in the hundred of STRATTON, county of CORNWALL, 1 mile (E.S.E.) from Stratton, containing 891 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Cornwall, and diocese of Exeter, rated in the kings's books at £10. 10. 10. L. W. Buck, Esq. was patron in 1825. The church is dedicated to St. Andrew. The Bude and Holsworthy canal passes through this parish, from west to east. There is an almshouse for four poor persons. Here was a cell to the abbey of Hertland in Derbyshire (sic. Presumably Devonshire is meant).

The Comprehensive Gazetteer of England and Wales, ed J.H.F.Brabner, 1895:

Launcells, parish in Cornwall, 1¼ mile SE of Stratton, 2½ miles W of the river Tamar at the boundary with Devon, and 7 from Holsworthy station on the L. & S.W.R. It contains also the hamlets of Prestacott, Grimscott, Butspur, Cross, and Hersham. Post town, Stratton. Acreage, 6165; population, 547. A priory, a cell to Hartland Abbey, stood in the parish; gave rise to the name of Launcells, a corruption of Llanccll, and was given at the dissolution to the Chamonds. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Truro; value, £150 with residence. The church is ancient, has a pinnacled tower, and contains an altar-tomb of Sir John Diamond. There are Bible Christian and Wesleyan chapels.

Notes

Launcells is set in a secluded valley three miles east of Bude; it is away from every where, charming in its loveliness among the fields. The church of St. Swithin has a very old door with an immense lock leading us to a delightfully unrestored interior with some fine examples of carved bench-ends, barrel roofs and some interesting 15th Century floor tiles from the Barnstaple potteries. The grave of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney lies here and 40 yards south of the church is the small but impressive well of St. Swithin.

Associated Families: Berriman Neale

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