St Columb Green Book is a very rare 16th century handwritten manuscript, bound in green leather detailing the parish records of St Columb Major, Cornwall. It was kept with a few intermissions from 1585 onwards. Article in the Journal of the Royal Institute of Cornwall by R N Worth (page 110) It gives a rare glimpse in day-to-day life in 16th-century Cornwall. The original is very fragile and is now kept at the Kresen Kernow. A reprint of selected passages was published in 1912 by Thurstan Peter, in a Supplement to the Journal of Royal Institution of Cornwall, vol. 19.
The book, dating back to Elizabethan times, covers only the Parish of St Columb Major. It is important as it contains one of the earliest references to Morris dancing in the United Kingdom. Another entry gives the earliest written reference to the ancient sport of Cornish Hurling Also contained is an early reference to Robin Hood plays that existed in Cornwall.
Extracts of note 1585: (Early evidence of Morris dancing) coats for dancers, a friars coat, 24 dancing bells, a streamer of red mocaddo and lockram, 6 yards of white woolen cloth 1588 (In the year of the Armada) - Stock of money for the trayned (sic) soldiers 1589 Rec. for the lont of Robbyn Hood clothes 1593 Parish Carriage available for hire. Built by Remfray Rowse and Harry Hawke 1595 'sylver ball gylt' (earliest record of the Hurling game at St Columb which still exists) 1678: ffor ye burying of Peter the son of Sir John SeyntAubyn 13s 4d 1715: Pd Mr Robert Creeper in full for transcribing the Kings Letter £2 10s
References
Further reading The St Columb Green Book', Supplement to the Journal of the Royal Institute of Cornwall, 19 (1912) Covers period 1585 to 1687.
External links Description of the Green Book held by Cornwall Council Morris and Guize Dance traditions in Cornwall from the 'An Daras' webpage Includes a mention of the Green Book