Pelynt
is a pretty village in a sheltered part of the Looe River valley, an
area of outstanding natural beauty. Just 2½ miles from Looe and 4 miles from Polperro.
The name is derived from the Cornish Plyw-Nynt meaning Parish of
Saint Non and the village is mentioned in the 11th century Domesday
Book. It is recorded as paying 40 times the taxes of nearby Looe.,
how times have changed!
Pelynt's most famous son is Bishop Johnathon Trelawny who was
imprisoned in the Tower of London for the religious stand he and 7
other bishops took aginst King James II. Over a century after his
death R.S. Hawker wrote The Song of the Western Men in his honour -
usually referred to as just Trelawny, this song is recognised as the
unofficial anthem of Cornwall. The original Trelawne House, home of
the Trelawney family, was built in the 13th century.
The 14th century church in Pelynt is dedicated to St Non ( Nun,
Nent,Nonna), reputedly the mother of St David of Wales.
Pelynt is in an Area of Great Landscape Value and near an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Parish contains a number of
archaeological sites including Pelynt Barrow.