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Shirwell: a Saxon settlement and the birthplace of a saint and martyr

St Peter’s church, which is at the centre of the village, is mostly 15th century with some 12th century elements. Here on 20th March 1544 the young Cuthbert Mayne was baptised into the established church. 33 years later, after he had been ordained as a Catholic priest in France in 1575, returned undercover to minister to Catholics in Cornwall, he had been caught, imprisoned at Launceston and executed there. Elements of his story can be seen at SW9246 : The Manor House, Golden - scene of St Cuthbert's arrest and SW8765 : The Manor House, St Mawgan (Lanherne) and its history and SW8865 : The Vale of Lanherne: St Cuthbert’s route to St Mawgan. Full story at Link
The churchyard boasts of a yew tree which is over a thousand years old. Not far from it is the grave of Sir Francis Chichester, the famous 20th century yachtsman. Other details of Shirwell at Link