Cornwall is renowned for its smuggling … so a-smuggling shall
we go …
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| Grublin Games Publishing Penzance - a Kickstarter company ... I just appropriately found |
In England smuggling first became a recognised problem in the
13th century, following the creation of a national customs
collection system by Edward 1 (Edward Longshanks) 1239 – 1307.
From this period onwards taxes were required to fund extremely
expensive wars with France and then with the United States …
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| iphone photo of a postcard on Cornish highlights from a David Hobbs illustration |
Medieval smuggling knowledge has been based on official
sources – which as a researcher commented ‘the
trouble with these is they only detail the activities of those dumb enough to
get caught’; wool, hide, grain were smuggled out avoiding tax …
The high rates of duty levied on tea, wine and spirits, and
other luxury goods coming in from Europe, Asia and the Americas made the clandestine import of such
goods and the evasion of duty a highly profitable venture … and for a while
unrecorded …
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| "The Harbour, Polperro" by Edward Frederick Ertz |
… the smuggling industry was more economically significant
than legal activities such as farming and fishing.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Kidnapped”
commented: “Few places on the British
coast did not claim to be the haunts of wreckers or mooncussers”.
Cornwall suited the trend … its long rocky coast, with tiny
coves, creeks, inlets, wide bays and beaches all ideal for thwarting any
revenue men who might be around …
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| A postcard |
However early on smuggling involved the local gentry, who
might turn a blind eye, or get fully involved and reap the benefits. Cargoes were landed on shore … goods were
dispersed … tea, brandy, gin, rum, tobacco and even pepper … spice being a
highly valued commodity.
Ships would drop anchor off-shore and sell china, silk and
cotton goods free of local tax to the local seafarers …
After 1800 the Revenue became more organised, which is when
the tactics changed … smuggled goods were dropped off at remote locations and
picked up again when the coast was clear.
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| Smugglers needs - a barrel, a buoy for finding the floating contraband, a flagon, a candle holder |
Tunnels and passages were dug out of the rocks to expedite the
dispersal of the contraband … much of which went up country … a rough journey
in the days before tarmac.
Jamaica Inn is one of the staging posts well known today as
the setting on Bodmin Moor for Daphne du Maurier’s novel … where perhaps the
bleak setting, the grey thick mists hanging heavy, the lure of the wind
whistling across the bruised and craggy landscape … added to the myth and truth
about the smugglers – innocent fishermen, or villainous smugglers, thugs or
chancers …
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| The Pub sign |
The risks were high ... transportation to the colonies, or worse:
hanging, or hanging and left as an example to others …
There are some horrendous stories of famous smugglers and
their families … some so cruel it almost beggars belief: the exertion of power
and control.
Smugglers’ beaches are a-plenty … on the north coast .. is
Pepper Cove … Hell’s Mouth … as long as there was a landing space, a beach to
unload, a way up the cliffs … where they were unsighted from land or sea …
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| Smuggling characters form the Grublin Games |
Trencrom Hill, Lelant … had a granite cottage, which was used
as a 19th century kiddlewink
(a beer shop): smugglers excavated a cave alongside for the concealment of
contraband.
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| I found the photo .. now cannot find the beer ah well!! |
A smuggler drove a cart load of silk up to the Angel Inn pub,
but the landlady warned him of a party of searchers awaiting his arrival. The smuggler’s son was sent off with the
cart, while the smuggler walked into the bar and bought the revenue a round of
drinks to keep them talking … his son
meanwhile went off and hid the silk, so when the cart was searched the
provisions were all legal.
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| Another Museum for you: Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing |
Wreckers ensnared ships to the coast by tricking them with the
use of beacon lights, which were purposely installed … once the ships foundered
they were looted by the wreckers, with the contraband being quickly dispersed
along the bridleways and lanes of inner and coastal Cornwall.
Numerous type of hideaways were used, cliff caves, dug-outs, mine
shafts, secret tunnels, safe houses, pirates’ dens … the wreckers operated
along the Cornish coasts … with Cornwall being very aptly described as the “haven of smugglers” in view of its
topographical features of “rocky coves,
sheltered bays, tumultuous waves and wild and untenanted landscapes”.
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| Some of the towns and areas I've mentioned in the posts |
Smuggling villages, settlements ready for some smuggled
contraband ….
That is S for Seasoned and wizened, Sozzled and Soaked, Salted
Smugglers who Seized and Sneaked Supplies from unSuspecting vessels to Seek
fair trade with oft-Starving Sufferers in the Settlements abounding the Shores
of Cornwall … from Aspects of British Cornish …
A website about Cornish Smuggling
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Inspirational Stories
49 comments:
Is it strange that I found your post slightly romantic? I'm thinking of clandestine meetings, secret caves, silks and spices... I realize the truth was more the opposite!
You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
My husband has the game you mention! Smugglers and secrets, great 'S' post, Hilary.
Smuggling seems to be a subject novels could be written about for years to come.
There are some really great books written with a smuggling Cornish theme, I'm thinking dark Gothic here.
Not just Jamaica Inn, some of du Maurier's other novels also use this aspect of the Cornish coastline, explicitly or implicitly. Swashbuckling...though reality is more Shocking. Great S-post.
Best,
Nila
Smuggling in those days almost sounds like fun. Now it has just become downright dangerous. Smuggling in drugs that kill people, smuggling in people who get drowned and so it continues.... Keep well Diane
When you over tax something or ban something smuggling is always profitable. Funny how smugglers seems romantic and wreckers totally not and they were prevalent in the same areas.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Smuggling, quite romantic, but in reality probably pretty grim. Even so, one can't help liking the tales of smuggling in days of yore. I'd be surprised if the rugged coastline of Cornwall and Devon was not still used for smuggling, but probably not brandy and fine wine.
A hard life to beat taxes
I agree with Mark...seems very romantic, but the reality was probably anything but! But still, the idea of hideaways on the cliffs, caves, secret landings...all a lot of fun to read about.
For some reason, I think it would have been fun to be a mooncusser :)
Smuggling must have been, at the very least, a hairy and interesting career choice in those days!
Smuggling is criminal--unless you think of a suave, rugged but handsome pirate who gives you chills and things.
That's a good smuggler.
Love YOUR post. Have I ever told you that the word Smuggler makes me giggle? I have no idea why.
Makes me think of Dr. Syn, did you read those books Hilary. Smuggling was not really the romantic occupation most people thing it was. Lots of deaths and during the Napoleonic Wars, for instance, it was treasonous, aiding the enemy with British gold ending up in Napoleon's coffers. Still makes a great background for novels though. There was lots of smuggling in Kent where I lived as well as Sussex (where I also lived for a few years). Fascinating history - had never heard of mooncussers before nor kiddlewinks, I particularly like that one.
Love the idea of smuggling! I think of pirates and ships loaded with smuggled goods. Makes for great stories:)
Must have been a difficult life. I read Jamaica Inn years ago. I didn't know it was based on a real place. Makes it even more exciting.
O M Word! So dark and dangerous a history! Probably won't be able to snuggle into my bed tonight imagining .. of course it's a highly profitable trade these days. So much damage ... I think I'll take a sleeping draught tonight. Thanks Hilary, this post has got me all a'jangly. (maybe it's the A-Z though).
They really went to extremes to sell goods illegally. I wonder if there are still caves filled with goods along the coast?
I didn’t know Cornwall was renowned for its smuggling. Good to know. Neat history lesson into all of this too.
Smuggling, at least in the 'olden days'. seemed so romantic - and yet clearly it was less romantic than fraught with danger and hardship.
@ Clarabelle – well that’s good … I was worried about it … smuggling was not an easy ‘sport’ … and if the post comes across as romantic (even slightly) that’s good @ Suzanne – you didn’t say if the game is fun?! Lots of smuggling secrets in the west!
@ J – exactly lots of smuggling stories – novels, short stories … and for years to come ..
@ Rosie – I’m sure there are dark gothic books about smuggling in Cornwall – but I will have to have a look for those …
@ Nila - du Maurier knew the area well … Swashbuckling – I could have used that S word … missed one! And reality would have been much worse … though a sign of the times and accepted as such in those days …
@ Diane – the way we interpret smuggling does sound like fun doesn’t it .. but now it is appalling how things have really changed and gone so evil …
@ Tasha – yes .. sadly that’s the way … the baddies win for a while til they’re caught. Interesting point about the smugglers being romantic, while the wreckers definitely weren’t …
@ Mark – I suspect it was very grim. But as you say we have some good stories, and lore to draw on from those days of yore … well certainly smuggling is still going on – so I’m sure it’s happening around Cornwall … but probably not something in a breakable bottle
@ OOTP – yes … I’m sure many were caught … transported or hanged …
@ Elizabeth – great story telling can be gleaned from the smugglers … but I think it would be an awful life … still the locals were friendly and helpful as they were from the same stock …
@ Mark – I loved the word Mooncusser – presumably RLS’ description … and I don’t think there’d have been a choice – it was a necessity … to live and provide for the village …
@ Teresa – I did have thoughts about a sauve, handsome do gooder of a pirate as I wrote this … but think I’ll stick in the 21st century – life is easier!
A giggling Teresa – over the smuggling word .. I can haunt you with that …..?
@ Jo – having had a quick glance at the Dr Syn books – no I never read them … they’re based in your old haunting ground – Kent and Sussex, and where I am now .. Sussex. There’s lots of smuggling references down here too … thanks for telling me about Dr Syn …
@ Jennifer – yes it sounds ‘fun’ doesn’t it … pirates, and lots of loot .. and they do make for good stories …
@ Bish – dreadful life I suspect – always at risk of being fleeced of your booty. Yes – du Maurier stayed there for a while I believe … but I’ll reconfirm that ..
@ Susan – the coast of Cornwall must have been riven with smugglers and loot … I hope you can snuggle up tonight! Today’s smuggling of people and drugs .. is too horrible to think about .. Sorry about the a’jangly feel …
@ Alex – necessity to live … poverty was everywhere … I doubt if there’s a cave left with goods – but who knows … could well be – and that’d be a good starting point for a book …
@ Chrys – most of England in fact … but the Cornish coast is really prevalent for it … and thanks re the history bit ..
@ Janice – good to see you … and smuggling in those days to us appears to be romantic .. but I’ll stick with my easier 21st century life … much easier than the danger, let alone the hardship …
Thanks everyone – so lovely to have you here … I’ll be catching up shortly .. cheers Hilary
@ Suzanne .. bother I replied .. but it went AWOL ..
I asked what your husband thought of the game?
Smugglers and Secrets couldn't go wrong for and S day .. cheers Hilary
Super S words. Love sozzled - that just makes it. I realize smuggle is a "bad thing" but it does have a whiff of romanticism with ships, mists, and coves.
I certainly understand the desire to get around crippling taxes. Smuggling appears in so many historic novels set in the British Isles.
I get a History lesson every time I visit you, thanks Hilary
So enjoyed ...
I would have been upset if you had not included Jamaica Inn.
Seriously suffered shock seeing such sufficient smuggling stories.
Love all your wonderful stories. Bet some of these smuggling locations are great for novels!!! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on the paintings!!!
Smugglers in those day seem romantic and adventurous, no doubt because of the romantic/adventure stories written about them. Now, we hear smuggling and think of illegal drugs. Nothing could be less romantic.
When my dad was researching his family tree, I asked him to find a pirate in the family. He has not, so far, and I'm slightly disappointed :-(
Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep
With so many ways in, it's almost like there were more smuggled goods than legitimately imported ones.
In our part of the country, we have more folk history about poachers than smugglers :) Although a bit further away, where I grew up down near the Romney Marsh, Dr Syn the Scarecrow was a famous smuggler.
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
FB3X
Wittegen Press
Another fabulous and intriguing post about Cornwall. I love your research and insights into the history and also fiction.
Interesting facts, I think you just added more depth to my WIP :) thank you very much!
"Haneen/I Will Never Give you Up (302)"
Your detailed smuggling history is quite interesting, Hilary. As I read through your post, I couldn't help but think of current smuggling situations here in the United States, mainly from Mexico. As much as it has changed over the years, smuggling is still a very dangerous and unlawful act affecting so many people, and creating havoc in our societies.
It seems so much worse now. I think the novels written in past years about smuggling make it a bit adventurous and dashing almost.
Such fantastic history--swashbuckling smugglers. Romanticized in fiction with daring rogues, but I imagine the truth was much more gruesome. Quite fascinating, all the same.
I sounds like smuggling was a family business handed down from father to sons.
@ Joanne – thanks .. yes lots of sozzled smugglers! The stories always add to the mystery ..
@ Susan – yes and particularly in the countryside, where they really were scratching to make a living … smuggling lends itself to novel and historical writing ..
@ Margie – so glad you enjoyed the read through ..
@ Bob – I wasn’t sure what to include .. there’s so much about smuggling ..
@ Jeffrey – thank you for all your Sess’s .. lovely comment ..
@ Monti – I think Cornwall inspired the cultural set … art and literature … your art is a pleasure to visit ..
@ LD – yes didn’t they seem romantic and adventurous … and I’m sure remembered through the lore, rhymes and stories and then the books written about them. Now it’s just dreadful ..
@ Annalisa – oh how unfortunate .. well you never know he might still find you a pirate .. ?! A Dad cannot disappoint his daughter – surely?!
@ Nick – there are loads of nooks and crannies for some unsavoury business going on – and I’m sure you’re right .. more smuggled goods than legitimate ones ..
@ Sophie – Poachers too – a good point and I expect poaching occurred down in Cornwall. Smuggling too up here in Sussex and Kent .. and I’ve never heard of Dr Syn til now … or his nickname .. how interesting .. I shall need to find out more ..
@ Marcy – thanks for stopping by … appreciate your comment ..
@ Haneen – well if I’ve helped your WIP that’s great – good luck with it ..
@ MJ – I hardly touched our smuggling smugglers – too, too many! But now it’s really sad .. we have people escaping the wars in the Middle East and Africa and they’re escaping via the Mediterranean with devastating effects … drug smuggling is so dreadful to think about …
@ Nat – I think you might be right … it is really bad now …
@ Sara – I think you would be right .. reality was gruesome … but it’s interesting to know about – that I agree …
@ Manzanita – I expect there was a lot of that too .. father to son … heading up the gang of looters ..
Thanks everyone – so wonderful to have your comments – cheers Hilary
Hilary, what an informative and interesting post about mining. Interesting about the location where Heathrow Airport is now. Also, about arsenic use!
a dangerous way to make a living, for sure!
Brought Daphne to mind again... My daughter had never heard of "Rebecca" and in a conversation with her day before yesterday, I recommended she try it. Cornwall, in my opinion is one of the most romantic sounding places on the island. I'm sure, though, that you could introduce me to a lot more! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
I'm sorry that I got here so late, but I'm glad that I didn't miss your sensational smuggling story! Not only does this have a supreme succession of "S,'s" but it reads like a spy caper! Simply superb, Hilary!
Julie
There's a game? That's awesome.
Funny how taxes were also a big reason the war with the States started, lol.
The ale looks interesting.
Somehow these stories of smugglers are far more romantic, Hilary, than those of drug cartels today.
"Jamaica Inn" -- one of my favorite Daphne Du Maurier novels. I see it's once again been made into a movie -- 2014, with Jessica Brown Findlay ("Downton Abbey"). I will check that out. Hopefully, it's filmed on location.
Samantha Mozart
http://thescheherazadechronicles.org
I would have never associated Cornwall with smuggling. I always thought it's a quiet place with nice beaches.
Obviously I need to visit Cornwall one day and I will refer to your posts to get an idea of what it was like in the olden days.
Thank for the all the really interesting snippets of information.
@ Monti – thanks for the mining comment here in smuggling – but I’m just glad you enjoyed it … and taking in the fact about Heathrow …
@ Theresa – yes, but about the only way to make something of a living for your family …
@ Lisa – I’m glad you’ve opened your daughter’s eyes to “Rebecca” – it’s a great story by one of our excellent authors. We all have childhood memory banks … some went to Wales, some to Scotland, we went to Cornwall – so are very home from home there. Ireland is special too …
@ Julie – no worries, I’m even later responding to your comment … delighted you enjoyed all the Ssssssses!
@ J – yes someone in Cornwall was creative enough to bring a smuggling game out. Yes you could say the tea tax escalated a few problems in the 1770s between England and the States – no representation in the English Parliament didn’t help at all.
We have lots of micro breweries springing up – so I imagine the ale tastes good ..
@ Samantha – well it looks like they had lives … no doubt totally romanticised by us – but the drug cartels of today just invoke horrorific thoughts …
The “Jamaica Inn” film has had poor reviews … the sound was very poor and it was very very dark, so difficult to see … it came out in April 2014 – and I think I just thought this is impossible to watch … especially with the A-Z going on. It was filmed on location in Cornwall, Yorkshire and Cumbria … perhaps they’ll lighten it up and improve the sound and reissue …
@ Shalijay – yes it’s remembering back through the centuries life without roads, poverty, insufficient food or goods to trade with … we are very lucky in today’s age. I think I’ve portrayed Cornwall as it was, and as it is now … but realising what life was like centuries ago is quite hard …
Thanks everyone so much … I’m so late in getting to reply to these comments … and I’m so pleased you enjoyed the smuggling lore .. cheers Hilary
So this is probably my last round of lurking...
"… the smuggling industry was more economically significant than legal activities such as farming and fishing." And I wonder how much has really changed. You know what they say - the more things change, the more they stay the same...
The word "smuggling" has now been replaced by "trafficking" and we all know how lucrative that industry has become... and the trafficking of "human contraband" is the saddest of all!
Hi Michelle - this was a long smuggling post to lurk around - thank you!
Yes - life doesn't change much does it .. just its spots and way things are done - though now we seem to have reached the appalling zenith of what humanity will do to each other, or the terribleness of seeing humanity at its lowest and most desperate try to reach Europe ... in the hope of a better life - some will get it .. many will need to struggle on ... so so sad and so difficult for so many - Hilary
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