The tale of St Piran.
You will obviously be well-acquainted with the striking design of the Cornish flag, but did you know that the iconic layout was inspired by what a saint found in his fire? The patron saint of Cornwall has had many a tale told about him, and although most seem to revolve around his penchant for a couple of ales, his origin story is something to behold.
Although known for good deeds and his abilities to heal, Piran managed to annoy the Irish who decided it was time for him to go. They chose an atmospherically stormy night, tied him to a mill stone and heaved him over the edge of a cliff into a stormy sea, which you would think would be the end of it. A huge flash of lightening and clap of thunder ensued, then the sun appeared, and the seas became eerily calm. As the clouds parted, the angry Irish crowds were greeted with the sight of Piran perched peacefully atop his millstone, floating towards Cornwall.
Miraculously, he navigated the Celtic Sea and arrived on Cornish shores, docking his millstone at Perranzabuloe. Here, he established himself as a hermit and dedicated his life to converting the Cornish heathens to Christianity. This is where sources really start to differ, as some say he was loved for his sanctity and austerity, whilst others portray him as the hardest drinking, hardest living holy man ever. Whichever is true, everyone seems to agree that his first disciples were a badger, a fox and a boar, and together they built an oratory in the dunes above Perranporth.
By happy accident, St Piran is also credited with discovering how to smelt tin. He noticed that when lighting a fire in his hearth, a black stone was leaking a white liquid. This liquid ran into the shape of a cross, which looked jolly impressive against the black of the stone, and this became the design for the Cornish flag, also known as the Baner San Peren, or Flag of St Piran.
Lore suggests that St Piran lived to be over 200 years old and met his end falling down a well when drunk. He is remembered as the patron saint of tin miners, is celebrated across Cornwall on March 5th and is also lucky enough to have a hermit crab named in his honour. What a guy!
📸 Photo credits: BBC, Cornish Heritage Trust