THE WAY WE WERE

 

Extracts from GUIDE TO FALMOUTH By R N Worth, published 1891

 

How Penryn Actors Foiled Spanish Invaders 

 

Before Pendennis and St Mawes (castles) were built, the whole coast lay open to the enemy and “Gosson’s School Of Abuse” records an amusing incident said to have occurred at Penryn about the middle of the 16^thCentury. 

 

Certain Spaniards landed unexpected and undiscovered, with intent to take the town, spoil and burn it. Certain actors were presenting a miracle play – that of “Sampson,” it is said – in a barn.

 

As the Spaniards landed, Sampson was let loose on the Philistines with a loud alarum of drums and trumpets.

 

The enemy, fearing they were discovered, fired a few shots in bravado, and in a hurly-burly fled disorderly to their boats, pursued to the sea by the now ready townsfolk. 

 

‘Impudent’ Friends Built Their Own House In Falmouth

 

The Society of Friends has been represented in Falmouth for upwards of 200 years. A paper in the Public Record Office states that in 1667 they had grown so impudent at Falmouth that that they were actually building a house to meet in; and this, although many of their brethren had been sent to gaol for daring to assemble for worship. 

 

The meeting at Falmouth is, and has long been, the largest in the county, and many of the most prominent and useful Falmouthians are, or have been, connected with this body. The present meeting house, in Gyllyng Street, is a new and neat edifice.