Devonshire June July 16

Tor Bay
Interesting Facts:
1. Roman soldiers are known to have visited Torquay at some
point in 43AD, leaving offerings at Kents Cavern.
2. When the construction began on the Belgrave Hotel in 1840,
workmen discovered evidence of a large road between 15 and
20 feet wide which required gunpowder to break it up. It was
mentioned in medieval sources and was possibly Roman.
3. Torre ('tor') means hill or craggy peak. It was a Saxon hamlet.
Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 as a Premonstratensian
Monastery by William Briwere, a powerful baron. The
monastery owned much of the land and was the richest
monastery of its order in England. The monks are credited
with building the first quay, hence Torquay.
4. Torre Abbey was bought by Sir George Cary in 1662 and it
remained in the family until 1929. They also owned Cockington
village.
5. When George Waymouth had explored the coastline of Maine,
he caused a sensation after returning to Plymouth with a group
of Native Americans.
6. Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey gained its name after the failed
Spanish Armada of 1588, it was used to house 397 Spanish
prisoners of war.
7. Torquay owes much to Napoleon, who appeared in the bay
after his capture. The Napoleonic Wars meant the rich weren't
able to visit continental Europe, so much investment was
ploughed into the area. See our www.devonshiremagazine.
co.uk/napoleons-farewell-to-devon/
Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey, where 397 Spanish prisoners
of war were housed in 1588 from the failed Armada
Questions for the Reader:
1. At Berry Head it says 'Ruins of Danish Castle' - possibly poetic
license as they generally didn't build castles as we know
them - was it actually Norman?
2. Does anyone know the derivation of the name Brixham?
3. Who was St Petrock and how did he gain his sainthood (see
St Petrock by Dartmouth on map)?
Market and Borough Towns in Capitals as Tiverton
Annexed to a Town denotes it a Borough which retains its
Privilege of sending Representativesl to Parliament.
Villages.
Churches; but in the Plan of a Town where the Elevation
cannot be conveniently shewn, thus
Seats or Noted Houses.
Farms or Cottages.
Copper or Tin mines.
Roman or Danish Forts or Encampments.
Parks.
Turnpike Roads or intended to be made such.
Inclosed Roads.
EXPLANATION
Open Roads over Commons or Downs.
Distance (example Exeter to Topsham, 3 Miles, 3 Furlongs & 20 Poles)
The Butterwalk at Dartmouth
Drake's Golden Hind (replica) moored at Brixham
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