Lostwithiel

A visit to Restormel Castle is a ‘must’ and much more detailed information can be obtained there. However, a little more than a mention must be made here.

The castle stands approximately one mile from Lostwithiel, a drive or walk along a pleasant, tree lined lane, just above the river Fowey. It is difficult to exactly date the castle but 1100 would seem to be a likely date. In the late 12th Century the castle and its estates passed into the hands of the noble, Robert de Cardinan who chose Lostwithiel as the centre for economic expansion and obtained Royal permission for the holding of a weekly market.

In 1270, Prince Richard, younger brother of Henry III, bought Restormel from Isolda, the last of the de Cardinan family. Two years later the Prince died.

Edmund succeeded his father, who had made good use of his inheritance. Lostwithiel soon became the capital of the mining industry and much of the development and improvement of the castle came at this time, financed by the profits from the mining. In fact, it was then that the castle took on the appearance that it has today. In 1337 Edward the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III was
created Duke of Cornwall, starting the line of Royal Dukes up to the present Duke of Cornwall, Prince Charles.

There is written evidence that the Black Prince made two visits to the castle and tradition has it that he did indeed spend a great deal of time there and took a direct interest in the administration of Duchy lands.

After the 14th century, Restormel, as with other strongholds in Cornwall who had lost much of their power, had by the time of the Civil War become very dilapidated. It was held by the Parliamentarians, but the old defences were no match for the 17th century artillery and the Royalists, under Sir Richard Grenville, were able to take it after only a few days’ siege. The Royalists abandoned the castle almost immediately and it has not been lived in since.

The castle became a derelict, ivy clad monument to the past with a strange beauty but, in recent times, it has been tastefully restored, first by the Ministry of Works, followed by the Department of the Environment and now in the hands of English Heritage where plays and pageants are held to bring back some elements of its past glory.