Cornwall (or Kernow, in Cornish) is located in the far west of Great Britain on a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic ocean. Almost completely surrounded by the sea, it hosts a magnificent coastline that wraps around almost 300 miles. Cornwall is also the location of mainland Great Britain's most southerly promontory, The Lizard, and one of the UK's most westerly points, Land's End, while a few miles off shore and even further west is an archipelago of tiny islands that make up the Isles of Scilly.

The history of Cornwall begins with the pre-Roman inhabitants, who spoke a Celtic language that would develop into Brythonic Cornish. The Cornish language is one of the Celtic languages, closer to Breton and Welsh than to Irish, Manx and Scottish. In fact, the name "Cornwall" comes from these early languages: Cornovii (hill dwellers), and Waelas (strangers).

Around 2500BC a trade started growing in tin and copper, with foreign traders exchanging bronze tools and gold ornaments for the minerals. By 1000BC mining and working with metals were big business. This includes tin, copper, bronze and iron...all used in crafting tools, weapons and more. This was the early age of Celtic living in Cornwall.

Surprisingly the Roman occupation of Britain had little impact on Cornwall, which was in part due to geography and very fortified Celtic settlements. Their culture evolved from both Celtic and Saxon influences for centuries. After the Norman conquest, the integration of Cornwall into Britain started to increase. Cornwall was given to Roberts, William's half-brother, who made his headquarters at Launceston, where he built the castle to enforce his rule. The peninsula was then ruled by a succession of relatives of the Norman and Plantagenet kings. Cornwall continues this union today, as a ceremonial county of England.

Cornwall is now known as a prime foodie destination, with Rick Stein, Jamie Oliver, Nathan Outlaw and Paul Ainsworth among the many top chefs championing the county's abundant seafood and fresh produce. The recipes and traditions have been heavily influenced by the geography of the county as well as its social history. Being a peninsula, fish has always been a staple here. The area is just as known, however, for its meat pies, pastries and cakes. Dairy has also become a leading export, the perfect climate for rich dairy products like clotted cream, ice creams and cheeses. 

The area is perhaps best known though for its Cornish pasties, a savory baked dish made from pastry. Today's pasties usually contain a filling of beef steak, onion, potato and swede with salt and white pepper, but historically pasties had a variety of different fillings (including vegetables and sweets).

Although various parts of Britain lay claim to the legends of Arthur, the strongest case seems to be that he came from Cornwall. While the English tribes were conquering more and more of Britain, the Celts were driven further westwards. There was a great Celtic leader called Arthur, who united the various tribes as they fought the invaders. According to Cornish legend he was mortally wounded at Slaughter Bridge, just outside Camelford, at a spot called Arthur's grave. There is a place called King Arthur's hall on Bodmin Moor, and there is a large hill fort at Kellybury, near Wadebridge that was Arthur's Cornish home.

Truth and legend become intermingled, some say Camelot took its name from the River Camel, some legends say he was buried in the Isles of Scilly. The present day legend of Arthur seems to come from the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth, who had heard about Arthur, and invented the stories of the Round Table. He also placed Arthur in Tintagel more out of romanticism than fact. The tales of Arthur and the Round Table are set some 600 years after he had really lived. Nevertheless Arthur represents the Celtic spirit of Cornwall, and reminds people of their Celtic past. One story says that Arthur will return one day to restore Cornwall to Celtic independence, and that he still lives in the disguise of a Cornish chough (a bird in the crow family).

Red Hot Chilli Pipers - Smoke on the water/Thunderstruck/The Fourth Floor

Get ready to learn more than you thought possible about Wales...and prepare to join in their celebrations and customs!

February 8th at 8pm

3 Symphony Circle

Buffalo, NY 14201