1497 Cornish uprising remembered

A number of organisations throughout Kernow were involved in commemoration the 1497 uprising at Bodmin, Camborne and St Kevern. Including Agan Tavas, Mebyon Kernow- the Party for Cornwall, Kernow Rydh,  Federation of Old Cornwall Societies members and others, as well as many members of the public.  Kernow Rydh pointed out in a post the need for a Curriculum Kernewek to better educate young Cornish people about Kernow history. This is something Kowethas Ertach Kernow has been promoting for some time in its weekly newspaper articles as well as with Celtic Nation Kernow.

For a number of years now two leaders of the 1497 Cornish uprising against the unfair double tax of Henry VII have been remembered each year on 27th June. Michael Joseph An Gof at St Keverne and Thomas Flamank at Bodmin. For the second year now,  in addition to these two, a leader from Camborne, John Rosewarne is being remembered. The commemoration will involve a march by the children of the town starting at St Meriadoc Middle School at 11.00am. The march will end at the Parish Church where speeches will be made by a number of dignitaries followed by refreshments in the church hall for the children.

During and after the march the children will be singing a song in Cornish which they have learnt, a marching song written and composed by the late Richard Gendall. 

There were a number of named leaders involved in the 1497 uprising and it is hoped that in the future other towns will embrace their local oneKernow remembers some of its countless men and women who died especially Michael Joseph An Gof (St Kevern) and Thomas Flamank (Bodmin) who were hung drawn and quartered on this day in 1497, for leading a Cornish rebellion. Others remembered as well with Kammbronn commemorating their hero John Rosewarne. The parade begins at 11:00pm and ends at the Parish Church. Organized by Agan Tavas, Kernow Goth Old Cornwall Societies as well as supported by Celtic Nation Kernow.

Deputy Mayor of Camborne, Cllr Reece Weatherburn attended a commemoration in Camborne this morning with other councillors, he had this to say.

"It is an honour to be here today, representing Camborne Town Council and the people of Camborne on the 2nd commemoration of the 1497 rebellion to be held in this town.

On this day - 27th June - we commemorate the rebels who gave their lives in that rebellion against the economic injustice imposed on the Cornish people by the then King of England - Henry VII. Those who have commemorated the rebellion for many years, will be very familiar with the names Michael Joseph an Gof of St Keverne and Thomas Flamank of Bodmin, many may be less familiar with the name John de Rosewarne - of Camborne - and hence we gather here in his hometown to celebrate his contribution to that struggle for economic justice on behalf of the people of this town and our nation - Kernow.

It is a significant fact that one of the grievances held by the Cornish rebels was Henry VII's suspension of the Stannary Parliament in 1496, which until that point had jurisdiction over tin mining in Kernow, an industry that of course would be integral to Camborne's economy and identity. The Stannary Parliament was re-convened in 1508, and it continued to exercise its powers until the late 18th to 19th centuries under increasing centralisation of the UK state.

In the present day, we are hopeful of the return of mining industry to our town and its contribution to our local economy. We should not be complacent of course, and if we are to honour the name of John de Rosewarne, Michael an Gof and Thomas Flamank, then we elected representatives and the wider community must do all we can to ensure that our community reaps the benefits of the return of that industry.

I would like to thank the organisations that have come together to make this commemoration possible - Agan Tavas, Camborne Old Cornwall Society, the Saints Martin & Meriadoc Church, and the school, each one has put in the work to contribute to the preservation of our cultural heritage, our language - Kernewek, our history and our unique identity. Long may this continue.

Kernow Bys Vyken!"

MK - Camborne