Bodmin

Bodmin, a market town and municipal borough, which has now superseded Truro as capital of the county of Cornwall. It formerly sent a member to Parliament, but the representation is now merged in the E. division of the county to which it gives its name. It is situated on the Great Western Railway, 30 miles beyond Plymouth, and is important as an agricultural centre, but possesses no manufactures save that of shoes. The town is said to have sprung up around a monastery in the 10th century, and the church of St, Petrock (1472) belonged to the same establishment. The town hall, too, occupies the site of a convent of Grey Friars. The religious feeling of the population led to their taking up arms against the reforms of Edward VI. Several large fairs for cattle, horses, and sheep are annually held here.