If you are looking for a place to explore the history, legends, and beauty of Cornwall, you might want to visit Roche Rock, a striking granite outcrop that rises 20 metres above the moorland near St Austell. On top of this rock, you will find the ruins of a 15th century chapel, dedicated to St Michael, that has a fascinating and mysterious past.
Roche Rock (or An Garrek in Cornish) is a geological wonder that attracts many visitors and researchers. It is composed of quartz schorl, a type of granite that is rich in black tourmaline crystals. The rock is believed to have formed close to the roof of the St Austell granite intrusion, which is one of the five main apophyses of the Hercynian batholith of Southwest England. The rock also contains pegmatites, which are coarse-grained rocks with miarolitic cavities that host minerals such as quartz, tourmaline, zinnwaldite, and topaz. Roche Rock is considered to be of prime importance for future research and was notified by English Nature as a geological SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) in 1991.
But Roche Rock is not only interesting for its geology. It also has a rich and mysterious history that involves legends, myths, and folklore. The chapel that stands on the summit of the rock is said to have been the home of a leper or a monk, who sought isolation and solitude from the world. Some sources suggest that the chapel was used by the Tregarnick family, local landowners, whose father had contracted leprosy and wanted to protect his loved ones from the disease. His daughter, St Gundred, tended to him at the chapel.
Another legend associated with Roche Rock is that of Jan Tregeagle, a 17th century magistrate who was notorious for his cruelty and corruption. After his death, he was condemned to eternal torment by the Devil and his demons. He tried to escape his fate by seeking sanctuary in the chapel, but he only managed to get his head through the east window, where he became stuck with his body dangling outside. The local priest heard his cries and freed him, but he was then sent to another task: spinning a rope from the sand at Gwenver beach near Land’s End.
Roche Rock also features in one of the most famous love stories of all time: that of Tristan and Iseult. According to some versions of the tale, Tristan brought Iseult from Ireland to Cornwall to marry his uncle, King Mark. However, on their way, they drank a love potion that made them fall madly in love with each other. They had a secret affair that lasted for years, until they were discovered by Mark. Tristan fled to Brittany, where he married another woman named Iseult of the White Hands. But he never forgot his true love and longed to see her again. He sent a message to Iseult of Ireland, asking her to come to him before he died. He told her to sail with a white sail if she agreed, and a black sail if she refused. Iseult agreed and set sail with a white sail. However, Iseult of the White Hands was jealous and lied to Tristan, telling him that she saw a black sail. Tristan died of grief, thinking that Iseult had rejected him. Iseult arrived too late and found him dead. She died beside him of a broken heart.
Some say that Roche Rock was one of their secret meeting places, where they hid from King Mark’s spies. Others say that it was here that Tristan killed Morholt, Iseult’s uncle and an Irish warrior who demanded tribute from Cornwall. Either way, Roche Rock is a place where romance and tragedy are intertwined.
Roche Rock is a place that will captivate you with its beauty and mystery. It is a place where you can admire the natural wonders of Cornwall and immerse yourself in its rich and fascinating history. If you are looking for an adventure, you might want to climb up the rock and explore the chapel ruins. But be careful: some say that Roche Rock is haunted by the ghosts of Tregeagle, Tristan, Iseult, and others who have left their mark on this remarkable landmark.