THE annoual Thomas Flamank commemoration was held in Bodmin on June 27 to remember those who lost their lives in the Cornish rebellion of 1497.

Organised by the Cornish National Party since 1986, this annual event was well attended by locals and dignitaries alike.

Master of ceremonies and Cornish Bard, Caner Plu Golom Keith Truscott led the commemoration and singing along with Clarinda Truscott. Chris Bartram played the fiddle and there was singing of 'Cornwall Forever', a rallying call followed by Hail to the Homeland, some Cornish singing of Bro Goth (a Celtic anthem sung in the tune of the Welsh National anthem), with one and all singing Trelawney at the top of their voices to end the ceremony.

A wreath at the memorial stone on Lower Bore Street
A wreath at the memorial stone on Lower Bore Street (Androw Hawke)

Prayers and blessings were read by Ann Kerridge, the Bodmin St Piran’s day schools coordinator and Reverend Paul Andrew from Mebyon Kernow’s West Cornwall branch, along with a Celtic blessing from Stephanie Thomas from Bodmin Old Cornwall Society. Mr Trelawny Williams from Port Quin attended, and he is a descendant of Thomas Flamank’s wife.

Alastair Quinnell was also present, with Mr Quinnell previously helping organise the Cornwall to London commemorative march back in 1997 to mark the 500th anniversary of the march on the city. A wreath was laid on behalf of Bodmin Town Council by Cllr Mike Barbery and several town councillors, including former mayors also attended.

Further wreaths were laid by Bodmin Old Cornwall Society, Mebyon Kernow and the Cornish National Party itself.

The ceremony marked the anniversary of the famous Cornish rebellion
The ceremony marked the anniversary of the famous Cornish rebellion (Androw Hawke)

The event in Bodmin commemorated Thomas Flamank, a Bodmin lawyer who joined forces with Michael An Gof, a blacksmith from St Keverne who led a Cornish rebellion in 1497 to London to oppose King Henry VII’s taxation plans which would be used to fight the Scots.

They marched through Cornwall gaining support and left the Duchy via Polson Bridge in Launceston. The Cornish, a Celtic cousin of Scotland, opposed this and when they got to London, a battle commenced.

The Cornish could not match the Kings arms and hundreds were subsequently killed. Flamank and An Gof were taken to Tyburn and executed.