On entering St. Stephen’s, the attention of the traveller is immediately arrested by the handsome appearance of its Church, which is embellished with a handsome Gothic Tower, of great height. This edifice was rebuilt in the sixteenth century, and before the Conquest, was made collegiate; but suppressed through the influence of William Warlewast, Bishop of Exeter, who founded a Priory of Austin Monks in the adjoining parish of St. Thomas. This continued until the dissolution of religious houses in the reign of Henry VIII., when its annual revenues were valued at 354£. 0s. 11½d.; yet not a vestige of it has been in existence for many years.
A most interesting view of Launceston presents itself from the bridge of Newport, and the Keep of its venerable castle rises with awful dignity over the surrounding houses. The accompanying view is taken from the position alluded to.
Newport Church, generally called St. Thomas, is a small fabric of a very antient appearance, and here are several decayed houses, which exhibit the nature of domestic architecture a few centuries past.[[39]]
After ascending a steep hill, and passing through the north gate, stands Launceston, one of the most antient towns in the county, on the great western road to the Land’s End, distant 214 miles from London. This town ranks as one of the principal in the county, and from the influence it formerly possessed, from being fortified with a noble castle and embattled walls, it has enjoyed in early reigns, many privileges and immunities; but was not, however, incorporated until the reign of Queen Mary, in the year 1555. It has returned members to Parliament, however, since the reign of Edward I. The right of election is in the Corporation and free Burgesses.
The assizes for the county were formerly held wholly in this town; but an act was passed in the first of George I. to empower the proper authorities to hold the summer assizes at Bodmin.
The magnificent ruins of the Castle are still highly interesting to the antiquary, and few subjects are better calculated for the pencil of the artist; their form being highly picturesque, and which are highly pleasing from being richly over-grown with ivy. The accompanying view exhibits the remains of the principal entrance, with the majestic and venerable keep rising above, together with the walls now fast falling to decay.
Regarding the origin of this antient fortress, little is known that may be deemed authentic; but, according to historians, it is said to have been in existence long prior to the conquest, which opinion is materially strengthened, from this neighbourhood having been the scene of many severe contests with the antient Britons and Saxons. After the conquest, it was given to the Earl of Morteyne, to whom no less than 288 manors in this county were also granted by William the Conqueror.
The remains chiefly consist of a Gateway, a small Tower at the south-east angle, some decayed walls and the keep. The latter is 93 feet in diameter, and the height of the parapet from the base of the conical rocky mount on which the keep stands, is upwards of 100 feet. The ascent to it is on the south side, but the steps are mostly wanting, and to get its summit is now become even dangerous. It consists of three wards, each surrounded by a circular wall; the outer one, or parapet wall, is not more than three feet thick; the second wall is about six feet from the former, near four times as thick, and considerably higher; but between these two, a staircase leads to the top of the ramparts. The inner wall is 10 feet thick, and 38 feet high, and the diameter of the inclosed area is about 18 feet. This is said to have been divided into two apartments, and the lower one, having no light, is supposed originally to have been a dungeon, but the whole pile has become so extremely ruinous, that it is impossible to state exactly how, and for what purpose it was originally constructed. The doorways of the keep are chiefly composed of round arches, and a curious Saxon doorway, now forming the entrance to the White Hart Inn, is supposed to have belonged formerly to the castle. Lysons, however, concludes that it came from the antient priory at St. Thomas, above alluded to.
This fortress, like most others in the county, had in former reigns a governor; but the mode in which buildings of this kind are in general constructed, render them ill calculated as places of residence. It appears that Launceston Castle was in ruins as early as the reign of Edward III., although it was a post of much consequence during the civil wars in after times. At the Restoration it was granted to Sir Hugh Pyper, Knt. (who lies buried in the church here,) and was in the possession of his grandson, till the year 1754. It now belongs to his Grace, the Duke of Northumberland.
The Church is a large handsome structure, composed of square blocks of granite, each of which is enriched with carved ornaments. The porch on the south side is particularly beautiful, and has a very striking appearance from the street adjoining. At the eastern end, also highly sculptured, is a curious figure of a Magdalene, in a recumbent posture. The interior contains several monuments, but none meriting particular observation. On the north side of the church is a very pleasant promenade sheltered by an avenue of trees, which is enlivened by a very extensive and beautiful prospect of the distant country.