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Cornwall's Patron Saints

The reference to Saint Petroc as Cornwall's patron saint is certain to surprise readers who have learnt that Saint Piran or even Saint Michael were the patron saints. In order to forestall any queries Cornish World has consulted the Reverend Brian Combos, Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd. He has kindly offered the following explanation.

May 8th celebrates his 'apparition' to fishermen at Monte Gargano in Italy in 492 he is patron of Helston and nine other Medieval parish churches, more than any other saint, and of many chapels. However he probably is 'patron' because Robert Count of Mortain, the leading landowner in Cornwall at Domesday Book (1086) fought under his banner at Hastings in 1066. Helston was one of Robert's manors. Michael's most famous shrine in Cornwall, a major place of pilgrimage, was of course, St. Michael's Mount.