Troyls — A night of traditional Cornish folk music and dance — sometimes with traditional dress, including kilts, even. Troyls sometimes mark the end of the successful fishing season. Julianne hasn't attended one, and struggles to imagine exactly what it looks like, even with helpful hints from Gemma and Pippa. (A Wedding in Cornwall)
Cornish heath — a rugged, native plant that is now protected in Cornwall, it resembles the heaths native to other parts of England and Scotland, blooming small flowers on delicate stems marked with needle-like leaves. It is resilient, and still found in its native environment thanks to preservation efforts. (A Wedding in Cornwall)
Mousehole — one of the many Cornish villages along the coast. The spelling for its name prompts Julianne to think of her own home town in the U.S., one with the imaginative name of Molehill! (A Wedding in Cornwall)
The Mud Maiden — a beautiful garden sculpture of earth and plants created in one of Cornwall's historic gardens. The famous 'Mud Maiden' can be found in lots of online pictures, on postcards, and in plenty of Pinterest albums devoted to fantasy and fairytale garden sculptures, too! Her equally-famous counterpart is the Giant's Head. (A Wedding in Cornwall)
Lowarth Helygen — Translating from Cornish as Willow Tree Garden, Lowarth is one of Cornwall's most beautiful historic sites. Carefully restored and lovingly preserved, it features many of the plants and trees mentioned during Matt and Julianne's visit. (A Wedding in Cornwall)
Fish Wife — the name for the traditional Cornish dress for women, it includes a head kerchief, dress, and apron, and is commonly worn as part of traditional festivals or celebrations. (A Wedding in Cornwall)
the 'Cornish Riviera' — the name for the south coast of Cornwall, known for shopping and dining as a weekend and holiday getaway. This chic district attracted the attention of snobbish Petal and her footballer fiance, who relocated there from the weekend spot/Cornish surfer's hot spot of Newquay in the north. (A Wedding in Cornwall)
Quiz nights — popular evening entertainment in Cornwall includes quiz nights, held at local hangouts. Grab your mates and form a team to answer questions on everything from history to cinema! (A Christmas in Cornwall)
The 'Lizard' peninsula — this rugged site in South Cornwall is filled with rare and unique plants which are protected for conservation. It's home to one of Cornwall's lighthouses, and attracts a number of tourists every year ... and although there's no definitive evidence on the name, as Matt tells Julianne, it's definitely not named for any little reptiles scampering across its rocks. (A Christmas in Cornwall)
Storm watching — Cornish natives — and visitors — love watching the waves rise high and crash onshore during one of the region's winter storms ... while keeping a safe distance, of course. It's similar to the American version of storm watching (or maybe tornado chasing, if you're not being careful!) (A Christmas in Cornwall)
St Austell — the 'racing capitol' of Cornwall, it's home to a successful racetrack, speed sports, and hosted the Cornish racing team the 'Trelawny Tigers'. (A Christmas in Cornwall)
Daffodils — although it's the official flower of Wales, it's also used in many Cornish festivals in the spring, and is a common site in decorative spring gardens in the county, as Julianne learns. (A Cottage in Cornwall)
Pencarrow — A beautiful historic estate in Cornwall, featuring elegant gardens. Pencarrow was actually the inspiration for Cliffs House, although the two are located in different parts of Cornwall, and Cliffs House is (obviously) a manor by the sea. (A Manor in Cornwall)
Cornish vs. Welsh — Although Cornish and Welsh cultures share some unique ties the two cultures were parted long ago when Cornwall began to distance itself politically and socially from any influence perceived as too 'English.' Traces of their ancient ties, however, still exist in many traditions, in folklore, and in the root of their respective languages. (A Manor in Cornwall)
Red-billed chough — Despite endangered status due to a changing habitat and unscrupulous nest robbers, the Red-billed chough is a rare and beautiful site for bird watchers along the Cornish coasts as it nests in the crevices of the cliffs to raise its young, and you don't have to be as bird-obsessed as a certain Ceffylgwyn native to appreciate a glimpse of it. (A Manor in Cornwall).
Saffron: a traditional spice in Cornwall which is popular for its famous buns, and Dinah's choice for her special biscuits — although not for the Grand Baking Extravaganza! It's as much a part of Cornish cooking as their famous pasties (which, of course, were featured on the real-life Great British Baking Show in 2010). (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Bicarbonate — to American bakers, this is baking soda, one of the all-important rising agents which British bakers call by its more scientific title. Dinah would definitely hate to leave it out of her bake for one of Cliffs House's important events. (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Treacle — the English word for the sweet-but-slightly-bitter sticky syrup known as 'molasses' or 'sorghum' in America. It appears in recipes for gingerbread cookies and cakes in lieu of honey, and as biscuit-topping syrup in the South (but those biscuits are more like British scones!). (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Minack Theater: Located in Porthcurno (near Penzance) this theater on the cliffs looks ancient enough to be the 'theater of the gods' as Nathan proclaims it in A Bakeoff in Cornwall, but was actually constructed in 1931 by Rowena Cade, resident of Minack House, who believed the view of the coast from its garden was perfect for an outdoor theater for local players wanting to perform The Tempest. Visiting days to enjoy the spectacular cliffside view are only when shows aren't being performed ... and, sadly, we're pretty sure they won't let you stick around afterwards as long as Nathan and Kitty do!And, yes, The Tempest is still a popular choice by its players. (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Aval: the Cornish word for 'apple' — and a brand of cider produced by a vineyard in the English county, near Penzance. Believe it or not, there's actually an award-winning wine label produced by the same vineyard, defying the odds every bit as much as the fictitious 'orchard by the sea' referenced in A Castle in Cornwall.
Penzance — more than just a place in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, a stunning view of the sea, architectural marvels from the nearby 12th-century castle to the elegant Egyptian House, and the beautiful Minack Theater located nearby are only a few of the things that make Penzance special. Located in southern Cornwall on the English Channel, it's part of the Cornish Riviera, too. Much bigger than fictional Ceffylgwyn, it has an art gallery, several schools, and even hosted its own special Proms! (A Castle in Cornwall)
St. Michael's Mount — a breathtaking landmark in Cornwall near Mount's Bay (outside of Penzance), this 12th-century island castle smacks of Arthurian mystique, and became the inspiration for the novel's Azure Castle. Known for its steep walkways, subtropical garden, and the village which shares its island, it attracts plenty of tourists and English visitors to its shores. (A Castle in Cornwall)
The Pavilion — the original name of the grand entertainment center built in the early 1900's, which stands in the Penzance Promenade. Most recently, it played host to a family-friendly arcade complex, which appears in A Castle in Cornwall, but over the years it has been home to concerts, restaurants, and even a Wild West bar! (A Castle in Cornwall)
Stargazy Pie — A traditional dish from December's Bawcock's Eve, this fish pie is baked with the heads peeking out from the crust's edges to 'stargaze', making it a most unusual dish by American standards. It is traditionally served only as part of the Bawcock celebration (with legendary ties to Mousehole, no less!), with Julianne and Matt's farewell party being an exception to the rule. (A Castle in Cornwall)
'Droll Teller' — the Cornish title for a storyteller, particularly one who share folk tales during events like Troyls. In A Romance in Cornwall, however, a variation on the title is given to Rowena St. James's wise and pluckish storytelling pixie.
The Mousehole Cat — Rowena St. James's The Lightkeeper's Dog has a real-life, four-footed inspiration of greater fame. The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber has charmed readers young and old alike with its version of Tom Bawcock's legend from the perspective of the fisherman's cat, who becomes the real hero behind the celebrated famine-ending Stargazy Pie. (A Romance in Cornwall)
Cornish giants — not just a literary device in Rowena's tale, giants have roots in Cornish folklore. In fact, the tale of Jack the Giant Killer was supposedly inspired by the legend of Corineus (the 'founder' of Cornwall) wrestling Goemagot the giant into the sea. (A Romance in Cornwall)
Romeo and Juliet—the most famous (and romantic) of Shakespeare's tragedies has been performed many times on the Minack Theater's stage, albeit in its traditional romantic language. And, of course, a true actor would never choose Romeo over a meaty role like Mercutio, full of wit, sarcasm, and charm in Shakespeare's distinct fashion! While Shakespeare theater is popular for Cornish open air theaters, so are Passion Plays: the religious dramas which are among the earliest, most influential, and best preserved examples of traditional Cornish theater. (A Star in Cornwall)
Caravans—in the U.S., it's a car, or a train of vehicles or conveyances in motion; in the U.K. and Ireland, however, the term is identified more readily with 'houses on wheels' — campers, R.V.'s or travel trailers — or types of vehicles which are housing accommodations designed to be towed to a campsite. (A Star in Cornwall)
Glendurgen Gardens — a beautiful tourist destination located on the banks of the Helford river in Falmouth, known for the stunning hedge maze and gazebo where Matt was taking a 'tea break' when Julianne arrives, among its other sophisticated landscape features. Visitors can purchase plants at the garden's own nursery — although foreign travelers probably won't have an easy time convincing airport customs to let them fly home with one! (A Star in Cornwall)
Patchwork — not just an American craze, quilting has a global circle of designers, hobbyists, and admirers. Among the simplest patches are four patch and nine patch (simple square blocks made up of smaller squares sewn together in rows), but skilled artisans and hobbyists create plenty of simple and complex patterns that combine traditional blocks and unique techniques, with creative titles similar to the 'Tempest in a Teapot' pattern named in the book (among a few are 'Stars Around the Galaxy,' 'Lost Ships,' and 'Anniversary Trip'). (A Sewing Circle in Cornwall)
Fete — in America, you have the county or state fair; in England, you have the village fete. A traditional or modern celebration held in the open air, it is typically organized by a committee on behalf of a community or church, sometimes in honor of a special event or a charitable cause. It features stalls of food, popular carnival-type games (including 'whack the rat'), and often features cultural entertainment. In Ceffylgwyn's case, theirs is a modern variation combing multiple elements — a heritage festival organized for a charitable cause, bringing together multiple local organizations, including the local garden club. (A Sewing Circle in Cornwall).
Old Cornish vs. True Cornish — like English, Welsh, and the language of Breton, modern Cornish is a refined version of a past language — one which was closely associated with Old Welsh for some years, and shared ties with the aforementioned tongue of Breton also. Over time, as the cultures distanced themselves from each other and developed, the languages refined themselves to be more distinctive, belonging more exclusively to the people with whom they were associated: hence, why 'modern Cornish' is different from 'old Cornish' in the sense that modern English and the English spoken by Chaucer's grandfather are very different beasts. (A Sewing Circle in Cornwall)
Cornish folk music: best associated with the oft-mentioned traditional dances known as Troyls, these traditional tunes are associated with Cornish culture, language, and, most importantly, community gatherings. Its closest relatives, like that of the Ceilidh to Troyls, would include the music played by contra bands for contra dances, and the music of other traditional Celtic cultures; but, like them, it possesses its own distinctive regional hallmarks and history. (A Talent Show in Cornwall)
The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent — two of England's most popular reality shows making ordinary people into stars (and helping make Simon Cowell a household name before American Idol, too). Like their U.S. counterparts, including the pioneering Star Search, these shows cruised for vocal talent among dreamers and eager amateur performers, and showcased a panel of industry professionals as judges. Vocal sensation Susan Boyle became an international star after her discovery on Britain's Got Talent — if you hadn't heard of the show before, you definitely had by then! (A Talent Show in Cornwall)
Bodmin — an inland town in east Cornwall, its name supposedly derived from an archaic or Old Cornish word 'bod' meaning dwelling. It features the beautiful Shire Hall and the curious ruins known as Berry Tower, among other sites of interest; and it was once the county seat of Cornwall, prior to the Crown Courts' move to the city of Truro. Bodmin Moor is located close by, its distinctive terrain suggested by its name (it's home to the legendary Beast of Bodmin which stalks the moors, incidentally — one of the inspirations for St. Petroc's own nighttime phantom).
(An American in Cornwall)
Berry Tower — the inspiration for fictional St. Petroc's 'Monk's Tower' this beautiful stone tower has the charm of the Irish 'Puck's Castle' and is a worthy site for Rapunzel herself to lower her braids. It is all that remains on the grounds of the church of the Holy Rood in the historic town, which is one of the oldest in all of Cornwall. (An American in Cornwall)
St. Petroc — a historic church in Bodmin honors this saint, who supposedly occupied its monastery following the departure of St. Guron. The alternate name for Bodmin was 'Petrockstow' — which helped inspire the fictional name for the town of St. Petroc in An American in Cornwall. (An American in Cornwall)
Bicarbonate — to American bakers, this is baking soda, one of the all-important rising agents which British bakers call by its more scientific title. Dinah would definitely hate to leave it out of her bake for one of Cliffs House's important events. (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Treacle — the English word for the sweet-but-slightly-bitter sticky syrup known as 'molasses' or 'sorghum' in America. It appears in recipes for gingerbread cookies and cakes in lieu of honey, and as biscuit-topping syrup in the South (but those biscuits are more like British scones!). (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Minack Theater: Located in Porthcurno (near Penzance) this theater on the cliffs looks ancient enough to be the 'theater of the gods' as Nathan proclaims it in A Bakeoff in Cornwall, but was actually constructed in 1931 by Rowena Cade, resident of Minack House, who believed the view of the coast from its garden was perfect for an outdoor theater for local players wanting to perform The Tempest. Visiting days to enjoy the spectacular cliffside view are only when shows aren't being performed ... and, sadly, we're pretty sure they won't let you stick around afterwards as long as Nathan and Kitty do!And, yes, The Tempest is still a popular choice by its players. (A Bake Off in Cornwall)
Aval: the Cornish word for 'apple' — and a brand of cider produced by a vineyard in the English county, near Penzance. Believe it or not, there's actually an award-winning wine label produced by the same vineyard, defying the odds every bit as much as the fictitious 'orchard by the sea' referenced in A Castle in Cornwall.
Penzance — more than just a place in Gilbert and Sullivan's opera, a stunning view of the sea, architectural marvels from the nearby 12th-century castle to the elegant Egyptian House, and the beautiful Minack Theater located nearby are only a few of the things that make Penzance special. Located in southern Cornwall on the English Channel, it's part of the Cornish Riviera, too. Much bigger than fictional Ceffylgwyn, it has an art gallery, several schools, and even hosted its own special Proms! (A Castle in Cornwall)
St. Michael's Mount — a breathtaking landmark in Cornwall near Mount's Bay (outside of Penzance), this 12th-century island castle smacks of Arthurian mystique, and became the inspiration for the novel's Azure Castle. Known for its steep walkways, subtropical garden, and the village which shares its island, it attracts plenty of tourists and English visitors to its shores. (A Castle in Cornwall)
The Pavilion — the original name of the grand entertainment center built in the early 1900's, which stands in the Penzance Promenade. Most recently, it played host to a family-friendly arcade complex, which appears in A Castle in Cornwall, but over the years it has been home to concerts, restaurants, and even a Wild West bar! (A Castle in Cornwall)
Stargazy Pie — A traditional dish from December's Bawcock's Eve, this fish pie is baked with the heads peeking out from the crust's edges to 'stargaze', making it a most unusual dish by American standards. It is traditionally served only as part of the Bawcock celebration (with legendary ties to Mousehole, no less!), with Julianne and Matt's farewell party being an exception to the rule. (A Castle in Cornwall)
'Droll Teller' — the Cornish title for a storyteller, particularly one who share folk tales during events like Troyls. In A Romance in Cornwall, however, a variation on the title is given to Rowena St. James's wise and pluckish storytelling pixie.
The Mousehole Cat — Rowena St. James's The Lightkeeper's Dog has a real-life, four-footed inspiration of greater fame. The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber has charmed readers young and old alike with its version of Tom Bawcock's legend from the perspective of the fisherman's cat, who becomes the real hero behind the celebrated famine-ending Stargazy Pie. (A Romance in Cornwall)
Cornish giants — not just a literary device in Rowena's tale, giants have roots in Cornish folklore. In fact, the tale of Jack the Giant Killer was supposedly inspired by the legend of Corineus (the 'founder' of Cornwall) wrestling Goemagot the giant into the sea. (A Romance in Cornwall)
Romeo and Juliet—the most famous (and romantic) of Shakespeare's tragedies has been performed many times on the Minack Theater's stage, albeit in its traditional romantic language. And, of course, a true actor would never choose Romeo over a meaty role like Mercutio, full of wit, sarcasm, and charm in Shakespeare's distinct fashion! While Shakespeare theater is popular for Cornish open air theaters, so are Passion Plays: the religious dramas which are among the earliest, most influential, and best preserved examples of traditional Cornish theater. (A Star in Cornwall)
Caravans—in the U.S., it's a car, or a train of vehicles or conveyances in motion; in the U.K. and Ireland, however, the term is identified more readily with 'houses on wheels' — campers, R.V.'s or travel trailers — or types of vehicles which are housing accommodations designed to be towed to a campsite. (A Star in Cornwall)
Glendurgen Gardens — a beautiful tourist destination located on the banks of the Helford river in Falmouth, known for the stunning hedge maze and gazebo where Matt was taking a 'tea break' when Julianne arrives, among its other sophisticated landscape features. Visitors can purchase plants at the garden's own nursery — although foreign travelers probably won't have an easy time convincing airport customs to let them fly home with one! (A Star in Cornwall)
Patchwork — not just an American craze, quilting has a global circle of designers, hobbyists, and admirers. Among the simplest patches are four patch and nine patch (simple square blocks made up of smaller squares sewn together in rows), but skilled artisans and hobbyists create plenty of simple and complex patterns that combine traditional blocks and unique techniques, with creative titles similar to the 'Tempest in a Teapot' pattern named in the book (among a few are 'Stars Around the Galaxy,' 'Lost Ships,' and 'Anniversary Trip'). (A Sewing Circle in Cornwall)
Fete — in America, you have the county or state fair; in England, you have the village fete. A traditional or modern celebration held in the open air, it is typically organized by a committee on behalf of a community or church, sometimes in honor of a special event or a charitable cause. It features stalls of food, popular carnival-type games (including 'whack the rat'), and often features cultural entertainment. In Ceffylgwyn's case, theirs is a modern variation combing multiple elements — a heritage festival organized for a charitable cause, bringing together multiple local organizations, including the local garden club. (A Sewing Circle in Cornwall).
Old Cornish vs. True Cornish — like English, Welsh, and the language of Breton, modern Cornish is a refined version of a past language — one which was closely associated with Old Welsh for some years, and shared ties with the aforementioned tongue of Breton also. Over time, as the cultures distanced themselves from each other and developed, the languages refined themselves to be more distinctive, belonging more exclusively to the people with whom they were associated: hence, why 'modern Cornish' is different from 'old Cornish' in the sense that modern English and the English spoken by Chaucer's grandfather are very different beasts. (A Sewing Circle in Cornwall)
Cornish folk music: best associated with the oft-mentioned traditional dances known as Troyls, these traditional tunes are associated with Cornish culture, language, and, most importantly, community gatherings. Its closest relatives, like that of the Ceilidh to Troyls, would include the music played by contra bands for contra dances, and the music of other traditional Celtic cultures; but, like them, it possesses its own distinctive regional hallmarks and history. (A Talent Show in Cornwall)
The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent — two of England's most popular reality shows making ordinary people into stars (and helping make Simon Cowell a household name before American Idol, too). Like their U.S. counterparts, including the pioneering Star Search, these shows cruised for vocal talent among dreamers and eager amateur performers, and showcased a panel of industry professionals as judges. Vocal sensation Susan Boyle became an international star after her discovery on Britain's Got Talent — if you hadn't heard of the show before, you definitely had by then! (A Talent Show in Cornwall)
Bodmin — an inland town in east Cornwall, its name supposedly derived from an archaic or Old Cornish word 'bod' meaning dwelling. It features the beautiful Shire Hall and the curious ruins known as Berry Tower, among other sites of interest; and it was once the county seat of Cornwall, prior to the Crown Courts' move to the city of Truro. Bodmin Moor is located close by, its distinctive terrain suggested by its name (it's home to the legendary Beast of Bodmin which stalks the moors, incidentally — one of the inspirations for St. Petroc's own nighttime phantom).
(An American in Cornwall)
St. Petroc — a historic church in Bodmin honors this saint, who supposedly occupied its monastery following the departure of St. Guron. The alternate name for Bodmin was 'Petrockstow' — which helped inspire the fictional name for the town of St. Petroc in An American in Cornwall. (An American in Cornwall)
Hen Nights — although the term is fairly antiquated in America, in England it's the well-known nickname for a 'girls' night out' on the town. Elaborate events like the ones Teagen plans aren't really so far-fetched — mystery nights, limo rides, exclusive club experiences, and 'entertainers' of the handsome masculine sort are widely advertised for hen nights in Newquay.
(An American in Cornwall)
Tremenheere Sculpture Garden — located near Penzance, this beautiful garden features both artistic sculptures and breathtaking landscaping equally fascinating as the fictional one Matthew is helping to create. Visitors can admire the view of St. Michael's Mount from certain seats in the garden's restaurant as well. (An American in Cornwall)
Brideshead Revisited — the celebrated novel about love, class distinction, and the gradual fall of a wealthy British family beneath a changing social and economic climate ends with the eponymous manor of Brideshead reduced to a convalescence hospital, its days of wealth and greatness far behind it. The inspiration for the fate of Penwill Hall in A Garden in Cornwall was the fate of several great houses in Britain following the world wars and difficult economic conditions, as the wealthy and privileged struggled to maintain the lifestyle to which they were accustomed, and maintain their vast country houses financially also. (A Garden in Cornwall)
Penlee House — an estate and art museum located near Penzance in Cornwall, its site was partly the inspiration for Penwill Hall in the fictitious village of Littleton. Built for the wealthy Branwell family in 1865, it became the property of the Penzance Borough following World War II, with its adjacent park serving as a war memorial. It is famous both for its art collection and for the granite "Penlee Cross" monument on display there, dating from the eleventh century. (A Garden in Cornwall)
Falmouth Art Gallery — located in the aforementioned town, the gallery houses a fine collection of art — including its most famous canvas, as mentioned in the book — along with several other masterpieces, contemporary art, and art photography on display. Its archives of childrens' illustrations are considered one of the finest collections in all of England. (A Garden in Cornwall)
The Lady of Shalott — Waterhouse's famous canvas is certainly the draw for many a visitor to the Falmouth Art Gallery. It depicts the tragic, legendary heroine of Arthurian lore (best known from Tennyson's poem of the same title) seated in her boat upon the water. (A Garden in Cornwall)