A Short History of Cornwall

Cornwall’s unique geographical position at the far end of Britain’s south-western peninsula has largely shaped its history. Seafaring and fishing have been central to its prosperity and identity from the earliest times. Until the coming of railways and modern roads, its communications and trade were largely by sea, giving it an especially close relationship to Brittany, Wales and other lands along the Atlantic seaboard. Not surprisingly, Cornwall’s relationship with her much larger neighbour, England, has often been conflicted.

Cornwall’s large reserves of tin and copper were exploited from as early as 2300 BC – but, with the arrival of steam power, metal mining dominated the economy in the 18th and 19th centuries – then the bubble burst. Nowadays, Cornwall relies heavily on tourism.

48 pages, full colour, £4.99