More information : The remains of a Medieval lighthouse lantern stand
on the SW corner of the parapet on the top of the crossing tower
of St Michael's Church (church centred SW 51452984, see SW 52
NW 3). It consists of a cresset with 3ins deep hollow to
contain the oil and a small hole at the centre, presumably for
the end of the rope wick. Three small square holes surround the
central hole which were probably to hold the leg of a cast iron
tripod. This would have supported the wick at a level to make
it visible above the cill of the lantern.
Enough survives to make possible a restored drawing of the
pentagonal stone lantern, see illustration, which gave 200
degrees coverage toward the SW approaches.
This is probably the light referred to in the 1433 will of Sir
John Arundell. There was a second bequest to the light in 1515
but there appears to be no later record.
The lantern remains are popularly known as 'St Michael's Chair'
with an attached tradition that it would give mastery to the
first of a married couple to sit in it. Fletcher notes that
the title chair was probably transferred from a rock chair
known as 'St Keyne's Chair', which juts out on the W side of
the Mount.
See photograph. (1-4)
Grade 1 (5)
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