Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/71



have already translated (see page 9) the earliest notice which we have found of this place.

In 1274 Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, conferred certain privileges upon "the men of La Niweport" and of the Priory and Convent of Lanceueton. These men dwelt on the two banks of the little Kensey, and were naturally associated' in temporal rights. Newport was the New Gate, the new suburb, of the then modern Conventual buildings. In the year 1474 (see page 19) Newport held 76 burgesses, of whom one was keeper of the store of the Blessed Mary, and two were chaplains of the Priory.

We have, in our history of the Priory, stated substantially all that is known respecting Newport down to the year 1529.

In 1529 Henry VIII., who, as Duke of Cornwall, was in possession of the revenues of Newport, first summoned that Borough, under the name Launceston, to send two members to his parliament. The gentlemen selected were Symon de Mountford and William Harries, and they were probably present at the trial, then pending in London, concerning the validity of the King's marriage, 20 years before, with Catherine of Arragon.

Just before the dissolution of the Priory, Newport and Launceston were jointly estimated as of the yearly value of £101 6s. 8d. (see page 30), and the King was then receiving 8s. per annum from the assize of bread and ale in Newport.