BODMIN both enterprises; yet it was ready, in 1549, to play an active part in a general revolt of the West against the Protestant religion. The Cornish insurgents encamped near Bodmin, and were assisted by its mayor, Boyer. But at Exeter the rebellion was crushed by Lord Russell, and Sir Anthony Kingston was de- spatched to Cornwall to inflict punishment. He sent word to Boyer that he would dine with him, and should expect to find ready a gallows for the execution of certain rebels. The un- suspecting mayor caused a sumptuous banquet to be prepared ; and when this had been dis- cussed word came that the gallows was finished. "Then let us go and see if it is sufficiently strong," said Kingston. " Most assuredly it is," said Boyer. "Up with thee, then," said his guest ; " the gallows is for thee, for thou hast been a busy rebel." Bodmin also played some part in the Civil War. The church, the largest in Cornwall, is a fine specimen of Perp., dating from about 1470, with the exception of tower and part of chancel which are earlier. A spire, con- sidered the best in the West of England, was destroyed by lightning in 1699. The monu- ment to Prior Vyvyan (1533) bears the sculptured bishop with mitre and crozier ; below are niches with statues of saints. Font and bench-ends are specially worthy of notice, and there is a fine peal of bells. Bodmin Moors, like Dartmoor, are a swelling mass of granite, less lofty, but with even more E 65
