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Cornwall, giant, Land's End, mermaids, saint, sea, St Michael's Mount
The Cornish island St Michael’s Mount has a unique and entertaining history, giving its ‘parent’ Mont Saint-Michel more than a run for its money. Venture here and you will discover tales of a saint, mermaids, a giant and a remarkable family dynasty. It has been a priory, a fort and then a long time family home.
At low tide, the ancient cobbled pathway from the town of Marazion in Cornwall emerges from the sea enabling one to reach the Mount in a matter of minutes by foot, following in the footsteps of pilgrims and, legend says, a giant.
Yesterday when we arrive the tide is in so we are taken across the rather blustery sea by one of the regular boatmen.
Then it’s time to explore the winding pathways, the history and the legends.
There is the legend of Jack the Giant Killer, a young boy from Marazion, who bravely killed a number of Giants, including the terrible Cormoran who lived on the Mount and terrorised the land, stealing cattle.
And for centuries going back there are stories of seamen being running aground on the rocks following mermaids, or in contrast being led to safety by an apparition of St Michael, the patron saint of fishermen. The latter story has brought pilgrims to the island ever since.
As a result of the Norman conquest in 1066, St Michael’s Mount came into the hands of the monks of Mont St Michel in Normandy. These monks built the church and priory that still remain the heart of the castle today.
Over the years the Mount saw many turbulent times and battles and has been the home of 12 generations of the St Aubyn family since the 17th century. The third Sir John Aubyn retired there and rebuilt the harbour. His grandson, the 5th Sir John, had a colourful private life, siring 15 illegitimate children.
The third Lord St Levan gave St Michael’s Mount to the National Trust, under the arrangement that the family has a 999 year lease to live there and runs the visitor business, employing paid staff.
From the Mount to Land’s End
Back on shore after a renown Cornish crab sandwich, we decide to drive a little further to see Land’s End and its wild coast with rocky cliffs and nearby rock islands.
The weather is very blustery but I read that is not unusual due to its location and latitude. We take a walk around the cliff tops, deciding against a stop at the ‘First and Last Inn’ as it’s time to head back to our base at Charlestown Harbour.