Tallanus
Encyclopedia
Saint Tallanus is thought to have been a Cornish
saint. It is claimed that he was a religious hermit in the 5th century and lived at Talland
between Polperro
and Looe
. The church
of Talland, which is believed to be a 5th-century foundation, is consecrated in his honour – the only one in Britain – and one explanation of the word 'Talland' is that it is a derivation of his name. However, the name St Tallanus first appears in documents in the 15th century and there is some evidence to suggest that he was an invention of that period.
The first recorded reference to the church now dedicated to Saint Tallanus (the latinised version of tallan) is in 1205 "the church at Tallan". Tal and Lan are Cornish. Tal = "brow of the hill" and Lan = "holy place" (or church). Together they perfectly describe the church that the Augustine monks of Launceston established at Tallan (between 1086–1205), and as with other Cornish churches all that seems to have happened is that "saint" has been put in front of a Cornish place name so as to tie that parish to a saint.
There is no recorded reference to a Tallanus prior to 1452 and certainly no evidence that he or she was a saint.
Cornish people
The Cornish are a people associated with Cornwall, a county and Duchy in the south-west of the United Kingdom that is seen in some respects as distinct from England, having more in common with the other Celtic parts of the United Kingdom such as Wales, as well as with other Celtic nations in Europe...
saint. It is claimed that he was a religious hermit in the 5th century and lived at Talland
Talland
Talland is a hamlet and ecclesiastical parish situated between Looe and Polperro on the south coast of Cornwall...
between Polperro
Polperro
Polperro is a village and fishing harbour on the south-east Cornwall coast in South West England, UK, within the civil parish of Lansallos. Situated on the River Pol, 4 miles west of the neighbouring town of Looe and west of the major city and naval port of Plymouth, it is well-known for...
and Looe
Looe
Looe is a small coastal town, fishing port and civil parish in the former Caradon district of south-east Cornwall, England, with a population of 5,280 . Looe is divided in two by the River Looe, East Looe and West Looe being connected by a bridge...
. The church
Talland Parish Church
Talland Parish Church is dramatically located on the cliff-top at Talland near Looe in Cornwall, is dedicated to St Tallanus and as such is unique in Britain. St Tallanus is said to be a hermit who made his home here sometime in the fifth century AD and certainly the site has been a sacred place...
of Talland, which is believed to be a 5th-century foundation, is consecrated in his honour – the only one in Britain – and one explanation of the word 'Talland' is that it is a derivation of his name. However, the name St Tallanus first appears in documents in the 15th century and there is some evidence to suggest that he was an invention of that period.
The first recorded reference to the church now dedicated to Saint Tallanus (the latinised version of tallan) is in 1205 "the church at Tallan". Tal and Lan are Cornish. Tal = "brow of the hill" and Lan = "holy place" (or church). Together they perfectly describe the church that the Augustine monks of Launceston established at Tallan (between 1086–1205), and as with other Cornish churches all that seems to have happened is that "saint" has been put in front of a Cornish place name so as to tie that parish to a saint.
There is no recorded reference to a Tallanus prior to 1452 and certainly no evidence that he or she was a saint.