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Reports of My Death Have
Been Greatly Exaggerated!
A Few Notes on Gamaliel Slanning
by Mike Brown, Dartmoor Press
To paraphrase a famous remark - “reports of my death
have been greatly exaggerated”! A comment which could
equally apply to Gamaliel Slanning. Some early writers contended
that it was Gamaliel Slanning of Bickleigh who had been killed -
some say murdered - by the irascible John Fitz of Tavistock in
1599. A suggestion which has been perpetuated by some modern
authors. The story is so well known that it does not bear reciting
here. Except to observe that the suggestion that John Fitz had
killed a Slanning in that year is indeed ‘historical
fact’. It is the exact identity of the victim which
has so vexed former researchers, and that the Slanning pedigree for
this particular period is so perplexed and incomplete has merely
heightened the confusion.
A long time ago I challenged the suggestion that the victim had
been Gamaliel Slanning. Further research has now uncovered absolute
proof of this - which at the time was based on a solitary
documentary reference. Only three deeds have as yet been found
which provide supporting evidence, but these are sufficient, for
they can hardly be disputed. A deed of 1607 identifies Gamaliel
Slanning as being the heir of Nicholas Slanning and, moreover,
states that in this year he became lord of the manor - which was in
fact the entire Maristow Estate - upon attaining his majority. Which
provides further important dating evidence for family historians. A
deed issued in 1608 bears Gamaliel Slanning's signature. Which is
proof enough that he had not been killed nine years earlier! A deed
of 1638 refers to Gamaliel Slanning as ‘lately deceased’,
also naming his heir as Nicholas Slanning, named after Gamaliel's
own father.
All of which is proof positive that “reports of my death
have been greatly exaggerated”!
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Letter from the Committee in Cornwall
House of Lord's Journal Volume 5: 9 August 1642
A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by
Mr. George Butler:
That they have received a Letter from the County of
Cornwall, which they communicate to their Lordships, with
some Votes which they have made; as,
That Sir Nic. Slanning is disabled from sitting this
Parliament in the House of Commons, and sent for as a Delinquent.
That Sir Bevile Greenvile and Mr. Arrundle are
summoned.
That Mr. Hatch, the Minister that preached the Sermon,
be sent for as a Delinquent.
That the High Sheriff of the County of Cornwaile is sent
for as a Delinquent.
SIR,
In Obedience to your Commands, we ended our long Journey before
the Affizes of Cornwall began, where we found my Lord
Moone and the greatest Number of Commissioners of the
Array, who openly began their Work on the Fast Day, the
Wednesday before, at Losiothell; but several
private Meetings at my Lord Mohun's and Sir Nicholas
Slanning's Castle, as we are informed: The Names as we learned
of the Commissioners of Array, the now Justices, and the Names of
these put out, we have placed in the Foot of this Letter. The first
Proceed we made, was to Judge Foster, and delivered him the
Commands, and required his Performance. He told us, he would do his
Duty. From thence we went to the Church, where one Mr. Nicholas
Hatch, whose Devotions were out, praying for Charles
Lord Mohun, his Patron, and our worthy Sheriff, who are Two
Commissioners of Array, in his Sermon did declare, That the Militia
was in the King, with some rotten Stories that are too troublesome
to write or hear. From thence we went to the Bench, to hear the
Judge's Discharge, which made a little Noise, of these Commands; and
we had as little Respect as we did expect. But, when my Lord came to
declare His Majesty's Directions, he had Vigour, Voice and Rhetoric,
to act that Home. Thence we went abroad, to understand how our
Country was possessed; and certainly our Journey hither was of high
Advantage, to hinder their Proceedings, and to gain an Obedience to
the Parliament, and a Benefit to this much-abused County. Sir
Nicholas Slanning was told by us, That the House had sent
for him, and did require his Presence there: But he answered with a
Politic Silence; and he is One of the Commission of Array, and is
diligent at the Meetings. The County may spare him, if you require
him. The Sheriff's Answer was, That he is His Majesty's Servant, a
Commissioner of the Array, and would execute His Majesty's
Commands. We presented your Commands to Mr. Cayton, who is
a Commissioner, and a Promoter of the Array; and, as he was a
Justice of Peace, we required him to assist us in the Militia, and
to oppose the Array; but a shifting Answer was all we could obtain
from him. Most of the new Justices are of the Commission of Array,
and they go opposite to our Way.
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We have waited Three Days here,
labouring a right Understanding of the Power of Parliament, and to
undeceive the People, and to make them know there can be no
Happiness in Division, and that we are for King and Parliament.
Though it be difficult to take off First Impressions, yet Labour and
Industry will obtain such an Obedience, that this County will not
movè out of itself; and a good Number, we hope, are right. As we
are now writing, this Hour, at Ten of the Clock, at the Ending of
the Assizes, the Sheriff, my Lord Mohun, Sir Nicholas
Slanning, Sir Bevill Grevill, Mr. John
Arundell, Members of the House of Commons, accompanied with Sir
Peter Courtney, Mr. Coryton, old
Mr. Arundell, Mr. Langdon, Mr. Bassett,
Sir William Courtney, Mr. Coswarth, with a great
Number of their Followers, and the Sheriff's Guard, they read His
Majesty's Proclamation and Resolution against Hull, the
Proclamations against the Militia, the Commission of Array, the
Warrants to the Sheriffs for their Proceeds; and they have appointed
the Execution of it, at the Times and Places accordingly in
this inclosed Note. We came forth upon the First Intelligence,
required their Obedience to the Parliament, not to proceed to
deliver their Commission; but, notwithstanding, they did proceed;
and the Sheriff us, and we them, silence; and the Sheriff's Clerk
read the Commission. We required the Reading of the Parliament's
Commands. The Sheriff denied it; and a Servant of ours read it. We
declared publicly the Illegality of it. We are resolved to hinder
their Proceeds what we possibly can, and to send out to every
particular Parish, not to appear; and we will in Person be at their
Meetings, and require them to desist. The Sheriff carries himself
with Opposition to your Commands, and required the Committee to go
with him; but we answered him with a Smile. This is all we can
present you at this Time; we shall welcome your further Commands. In
Haste, we rest,
Lanceston, the 5th of Aug. 1642.
Your most humble and faithful Servants,
Rich. Buller,
Carew,
Richard Erises,
Tho. Arundell, |
Fran. Buller,
Fran. Godolphin |
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