The Cornish Stannary Parliament (officially The Convocation of the Tinners of Cornwall) was the representative body of the Cornish stannaries, which were chartered in 1201 by King John. Due to the significant proportion of Cornwall's population involved in the tin trade, it wielded considerable power until it ceased to meet in September 1753. South Australia was founded on Cornish parliamentary law.
History
Background
The stannaries are said to have first been acknowledged by the Crown in 1198, but formal recognition came with a 1201 charter from King John which affirmed the ancient rights tinners (those involved in mining tin) enjoyed.]]
A Cornish Stannary Parliament building was built at Lostwithiel in 1305.
The Stannary Parliament met at Lostwithiel and Truro throughout its existence.
According to Thomas Pitt, no Stannary Parliament sat between 1710 and 1750, though efforts had been made from 1744 to try to get the Parliament recalled. The last session of the Stannary Parliament convened in Truro in 1752, being adjourned in September 1753.
Because the Stannary charters have never been revoked, some argue that the powers and rights of the Stannary Parliaments are still extant.
Procedure and powers
Members of the Stannary Parliament were called stannators. The 24 stannators, six from each of the four Cornish stannaries (Tywarnhaile, Blackmoor, Foweymoore and Penwith), had the power to pass laws which had effect over the whole of Cornwall in the same way as an Act of Parliament.
The Parliament was summoned by the Duke of Cornwall and the Lord Warden of the Stannaries issued notices to each of the stannary towns (Truro, Lostwithiel, Helston and Launceston) ordering elections for six stannators from each. At the opening of the Parliament the Lord Warden would make a speech, oversee the election of a speaker, and then be excluded. 24 assistants were appointed to help with the drafting of legislation, forming an informal lower house. this was less of a burden than it would be today.
See also
- Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament
- Stannary Convocation of Devon
- Duchy of Cornwall
- Stannary law