Tales from the river bank

So, yes a tiny town built on the steep west bank on the Fowey Estuary. It is a natural harbour that has contributed to a history that is filled with stories of battles, sea raids and piracy.

In the depths of autumn it is quiet with just a few people out and about, the summer season of tourists filling the streets and occupying the holiday rental properties, that in earlier times were lived in by local working Cornishmen, the fishermen, the tin miner, the quarryman the pirates and plunderers all long gone.

At one time, the harbour was one of the most important on the south coast, ships laden with cargoes of tin and china clay departed for Europe and warships set forth, to fight the good fight.
In 1347, forty seven ships set sail from the harbour to cross The Channel and take part in Edward III’s siege of Calais.

Due to the port being seen as both an important trading post and military hub, the harbour by decree was home to and defended by 160 archers and longbow men

What stories these tiny winding streets could tell.

Pirates and Privateers ( a privateer was just a pirate with a written letter of authority to plunder and raid foreign vessels and lands), were aplenty in the town and waters of Fowey.

“The Gallants of Fowey”, forever immortalised in a poem by the 19th century Cornish poet Henry Stokes, were real people, an infamous band of privateers who operated out of Fowey.

They were given licence to seize French ships during the Hundred Years War. The poem tells of all sorts of skirmishes the Gallants ran into with the Spaniards and Dutch as well as the French.

In 1457, sailing up the estuary a fleet of french marauders attacked Fowey.
A legendary six-week stand ensued in which the Gallants of Fowey defended and saved the town

Their heroism lives on, if only in name; The Fowey Gallants sailing cub was formed in 1972, it boasts a full annual sailing program, with a thriving junior section

And a well run sociable club where folk can come for food and drink whilst enjoying the riverside views with their families.

Daphne du Maurier. The author of such English Classics as Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and The Birds made her home in Fowey, her legacy lives on in the annual Daphne du Maurier Festival of Words and Music

She sells sea shells on the sea shore

Active in the late 18th century, John Carter and his brothers were Cornish smugglers, often described as "among the most famous of all the Cornish smugglers. John was given the nickname ‘King of Prussia’; as a child he always had to be ‘king’ when playing with his brothers. John kept the nickname because he became ‘king’ of the smuggling activity in Mount’s Bay, further down the coast.

Just like modern day, many people in Cornwall at the time felt that taxes on goods like brandy and tobacco were unfair.
So to them, there was nothing wrong with smuggling such items. To fellow Cornish men and women the Carter’s became heroes and were protected by the local community

Sadly we don't get to see the fascinating creatures of the deep

I shall allow you to snigger behind your blushes as you add your own smutty innuendo.

and I shall enjoy my frothy cofee

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Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2). Unless stated all images are shot by me (©@grindle) all text is mine, based on various info sources. NOT AI generated. If you like my blog, it would be very much appreciated if you upvote and follow me. Also please feel free to drop a comment.