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Historic England Research Records

St Petrocs Church

Hob Uid: 430853
Location :
Cornwall
Padstow
Grid Ref : SW9157575410
Summary : The Celtic monastery of Lanwethinoc or Lanuthinoc was founded by Bishop Wethinoc who was supplanted by St Petroc who came over from Wales probably in the 6th century. The monastery became known as Petroc-stow (or Padstow) ie Petroc's Church, but the old name Lanwethnoc (or Languinhenoc) remained long enough to give name to the Manor of Padstow in Domesday Book, 1085. Monks were still recorded here in the 9th century. The Church of St Petrock at Padstow possibly occupies the site. The church is largely 15th century with a 13th century tower and some 12th century fabric. Circa 12th century origins surviving in west tower and possibly chancel. Restored in circa 1855 and 1888-9 by S.D. Sedding. Stone rubble with moulded plinth. Stepped buttresses. Slate roof with gable ends with lower roof to chancel and chapels at east end of north and south aisles. Plan: Church rebuilt in early 12th century with remains surviving in lower stage of tower and possibly east wall of chancel. Church considerably rebuilt in 15th century when 7 bay north and south aisles were added and the west tower was raised to 3 stages. South porch rebuilt in 19th century reusing circa 15th century dressed stone. In 1888-9 the chancel was restored.
More information : (SW 91427548) St Petrock's Monastery (NR) (site of) (1)

The Celtic Monastery of Lanwethinoc or Lanuthinoc was founded
by Bishop Wethinoc who was supplanted by St Petroc who came over
from Wales probably in the 6th century. The Monastery became
known as Petroc-stow (or Padstow) ie Petroc's Church, but the old
name Lanwethnoc (or Languinhenoc) remained long enough to give
name to the Manor of Padstow in Domesday Book, 1085. "There
can be little doubt that the Church of St Petrock at Padstow
(SW 91577541) occupies the site".

The date of the removal of the shrine and Monastery of
St Petroc to Bodmin is a matter of conjecture but it is unlikely
to have been before 981 when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records
that St Petroc's-stowe was ravaged by the Danes. There is no
mention of Bodmin as the site of the shrine until about 1050.
(No authority could be found to support the OS siting, but see
SW 97 NW19) (2)

It would seem likely that the OS siting is erroneous as no
information can be found to support it. (3)

Pearce details historical sources for St. Petroc and the
monastery.

The present church of St. Petroc is a large, mainly 15th
century building having a 13th century tower.

(See SW 97 NW 12 for pottery possibly associated with the early
monastic settlement). (4,5)

15th century church with 12th century remains in the tower and chancel. Restored c.1855 and 1888-9 by SD Sedding. Grade I. (6)

Listed. (7)

A Mediaeval Lantern cross has been discovered in the church. The discovery has yet to be published. (8)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 25" 1907
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : "St Petroc" (Cornish Saints Series II) 1938 51-3 (G H Doble & C G Henderson).
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : F1 ANK 02-FEB-72
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : Kingdom of Dumnonia 1978 76 82-3 181 190-2 (S M Pearce)
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : E Trollope
Page(s) : 97-102
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 11, 1891-3
Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details : DOE (HHR) North Cornwall, May 1988 17
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 7
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 479
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 8
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 272
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : C6-981
Monument End Date : 981
Monument Start Date : 500
Monument Type : Monastery
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Cross
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : C12 AND 13
Monument End Date : 1299
Monument Start Date : 1100
Monument Type : Parish Church
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Altered C15
Monument End Date : 1499
Monument Start Date : 1400
Monument Type : Parish Church
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : restored 1855
Monument End Date : 1855
Monument Start Date : 1855
Monument Type : Parish Church
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : restored 1888-9
Monument End Date : 1889
Monument Start Date : 1888
Monument Type : Parish Church
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Unified Designation System UID
External Cross Reference Number : 1289931
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 396124
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SW 97 NW 11
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1972-02-02
End Date : 1972-02-02