Royale et loyale is a sentence that is not only a key part of the towns coat of arms, but augments the philosophy of the towns support to the royal cause over the centuries. Even during the English civil war that support never truly waivered even when the royalist were defeated. In 1643, the Parliamentarian forces under the command of Major General James Chudleigh advanced in an attempt to capture Launceston from the Royalists. The Royalist commander, Ralph Hopton, 1st Baron Hopton, stationed his forces on the summit of Beacon Hill, a steep hill which overlooks the town. The Parliamentarians captured the foot of the hill, but were unable to dislodge the Royalist forces from the top. Hopton led a counterattack down the hill and, despite fierce fighting and the arrival of Parliamentary reinforcements, forced Chudleigh’s troops to retreat.
In 1645 it is said that Madford House paid host to the then Prince of Wales, later Charles II when he was resident in Cornwall before his exile to France although Richard and Otho Peter state that he possibly lodged at the Assizes hall within the castle grounds.
Cornish & Devon Post 12 June 1909
It was to be another 250 years before another Royal visit but with the re-introduction of the then Duke of Cornwall and just a year later, George V, these visits increased (seen below left with the Royal car passing along a decorated Exeter Street, and below right with his wife at the Castle entrance).
Centuries-old tradition dictates that the eldest son of a monarch is made Duke of Cornwall and can receive his ‘feudal dues’ at Launceston Castle. Tradition has it, that the Duke is greeted at Polson and given a grey cloak, he is then led to the Castle where he is presented with a pair of white gloves, gilt spurs, a pound of pepper and cumin, and a hunting bow, on top of the other gifts.
His son, Edward VIII, who was then Duke of Cornwall, was the next Royal to visit in 1921, this time in a dual ceremony, with the first being to receive the feudal dues, and the second in laying the foundation stone for the new war memorial in Launceston’s Square.
The tradition of paying the feudal dues was broken on December 6th, 1937, when King George VI received the payment in lieu of there being no sitting Duke of Cornwall. British Pathe filmed a documentary on King George’s visit in 1937. The short film features the Town Clerk Stuart Peter reading out the proclamation and the Mayor Sidney Fitze presenting the King with a pound of pepper.
The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, was the next Royal visitor in 1949 where she was met by the then Mayor Thomas Fulford (below). She followed up this visit in 1956 when she was the Queen.
Mayor Cecil Robins greets the Queen on her visit to Launceston in May 1956
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Launceston May 1956
The Queen outside the Guildhall at Launceston May 1956
The Queen signs the Launceston Guestbook.
The Queen signs the Launceston Guestbook.
The Duke of Edinburgh signs the Launceston Guestbook.
The Queen accepts a bouquet from Louise Hore.
The Queen chats with Launceston Mayor Cecil Robins.
Launceston Mayor Cecil Robins walks the Queen around the crowd May 1956
Launceston Mayor Cecil Robins introduces the Queen to Alderman Fitze on her 1956 visit
The Queen greets school children
Launceston Mayor Cecil Robins and the Queen inspect the A.C.T. May 1956
The Queen at Launceston Railway Station in May 1956.
The Queen at Launceston Station where she is about to embark onto the Royal Train in 1956
The Queen alights the Royal Train at Launceston in 1956
The Queen alights the Royal Train at Launceston in 1956
A civic photograph at the time of the 1956 Royal visit.
Mayor Cecil Robins and his Mayoress Gwendoline Robins pose for a civic photo at the time of the Royal visit in 1956.
Mayor Cecil Robins and his Mayoress Gwendoline Robins pose for a civic photo at the time of the Royal visit in 1956.
Mayoress Gwendoline Robins greets a delegate at the civic reception for the Royal visit in 1956.
Mayor Cecil Robins at the civic reception at the time of the Royal visit in 1956.
Mayor Cecil Robins at the civic reception at the time of the Royal visit in 1956.
Prince Charles was the next Royal to visit paying a visit to the town in 1972 (below left). He followed up this visit in 1973 when he received the feudal dues in a special ceremony at Launceston Castle (below right).
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Launceston in 2006 . On that visit Prince Charles also took the chance to pay a visit to Pennygillam Industrial Estate where he looked in on one of the Duchies businesses ‘Duchy Originals.’
Prince Charles at Duchy Originals in 2011.
The Royal Gallery
Waiting for Prince Edward at the 1921 feudal dues ceremony.
Prince Edward being presented with a brace of Greyhounds at the 1921 Feudal Dues ceremony.
Town Clerk Stuart Peter reads the proclamation of King Edward VIII at Newport January 23rd, 1935
Spot and Nimble the two greyhounds presented to King George VI in 1937 seen here with their owners son Kenneth Hodge then aged 2
Payers of the Feudal Dues await the arrival of King George VI in December 1937.
Payers of the Feudal Dues await the arrival of King George VI in December 1937.
Mr. Stanley Langford with the salmon spear and carraige of wood for the 1937 feudal due ceremony
Mr. Stanley Langford with the salmon spear and carraige of wood for the 1937 feudal due ceremony.
King George VI arrives outside the Town Hall for his 1937 visit.
King George VI arrives outside the Castle Entrance in December 1937.
The Castle Green set for the visit of King George VI in 1937.
King George's visit in 1937. Photo courtesy of Maggie Bruce.
1937 visit of King George to Launceston. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Town Clerk Stuart Peter reads the proclamation greeting King George VI on December 6th, 1937.
The representative of Swannacott and Week St. Mary kneels before King George VI in 1937.
King George VI is led out of Launceston Castle in 1937
King George VI inspects cattle at his farm near Stoke Climsland in 1937.
Queen being introduced to WW1 veterans in 1956. Photo courtesy of Tim Pearson.
The Queen outside the town hall on her 1956 visit
The Queen on her 1956 visit greeting the Brownie's. Beryl Parish is standing in the front row by the side of the little boy. Valerie Gerry is there, also in the front row, in the St John Ambulance Cadets. Photo courtesy of Beryl Parish.
Prince Charles exits the Castle after the feudal dues ceremony in 1973.
Centuries-old tradition dictates that the eldest son of a monarch is made Duke of Cornwall and can receive his ‘feudal dues’ at Launceston Castle. Tradition has it, that the Duke is greeted at Polson and given a grey cloak, he is then led to the Castle where he is presented with a pair of white gloves, gilt spurs, a pound of pepper and cumin, and a hunting bow, on top of the other gifts.
