'George Arundell was another recusant (20 June, 34 Eliz., 1591), and paid a similar fine.
'From a letter in the State Paper Office, dated 21 Oct., 1642, by a Parliamentarian, I make the following extract:
'"Mr. Arundell hath the greatest forces here, and is able to raise more than half the gentlemen in Cornwall, and he alone was the first that began the rebellion there. There hath lately been landed at some creek in that county ten or more seminary priests, which are newly come out of Flanders, and harboured in Mr. Arundell's house.[29] They are merciless creatures, and there is a great way laid for the apprehension of them."
'This gentleman had to suffer the sequestration of his estates for many years, and it cost him nearly £3,000 to get off at last.'
And the continued attachment of the Arundells to their ancient faith is exemplified in an interesting manner, as we shall see further on, by the conventual establishment still existing at Lanherne.
A few words will perhaps be expected as to the church, and the adjacent former residence of the Arundells of Lanherne. The sylvan beauty of the situation and its surroundings has already been adverted to, and the church and churchyard, at least, are still worthy of their site; but little remains of the once noble old mansion, of which Carew wrote: 'This said house of Lanherne is apportioned with a large scope of land, which, while the owners there lived, was employed to frank hospitality.'
At Mawgan Church the fragments of the screen which separates the nave and south aisle are carved with the arms of Arundell quartering Carminow, and on the south side of the chancel are brass shields on which the same arms are quartered with Archdekne, Arches, Carminow, Denham, Durnford, Grenville, etc. At the east end of the aisle on the screen are seven brass plates, 'chiefly inscribed with English and Latin verses, admonitory to the reader and eulogistic of the Arundells,' e.g.:
'What favour FORTUNE him affords, his landes and livings tell;
Of brethren five, though youngst he were, to lyve yet had he well.
His worthie house him worshipp gave, so famous ys that race;
The familie of ARUNDELLS, well knowne in every place.
And GRACE that woulde not be o'ercome gave him a godlye ende;
A gyft wherebi his soule ys sure to glory to ascende.
Where unto GRACE & GOD he yealds the price and prayse for aye;
What FORTUNE or dame NATURE gave, DEATH having tane away.'
The transept, or Arundell chapel, was once used as a burial-place for the nuns of the adjoining nunnery; it has a hagioscopic communication with the chancel.
The following inscription on a brass, the chief portion of which is now missing, has also been preserved: