Launceston (Cornish: Lannstefan; the English name being pronounced "Lanson", "Larnson" or "Lawnson" by the Cornish, but "Lawnston" by most other people) is a town in the north of Cornwall, England, with a population of approximately 7,000. It is situated about four miles from the border with Devon at the River Tamar, and is known as the "gateway to Cornwall".

The town is built on the side of a large hill, so is almost immune to flooding, unlike the suburb of Newport , situated at the bottom of the hill, which is susceptible to flooding by the River Kensey .

The Norman castle which dominates the town is of motte-and-bailey design, and was built by Robert de Mortain , half-brother of William I, in 1087 to dominate the surrounding area.

During the reign of Henry III, a mint was established in Launceston. The fine Tudor church of St Mary Magdalene was built circa 1511 by Sir Henry Trecarrell as a memorial to his infant son who died whilst being bathed. The fine ornate carvings have withstood the test of time. The tower of the church dates from the 14th century, an earlier church and graveyard having previously occupied the site.

During the Civil War in the 1640s, Launceston was known to be Royale et Loyale to King Charles I, hence its coat of arms. His son, the Prince of Wales, stayed in the town for a couple of days en route to the Royalist army based further down into Cornwall.

In 1643, however, the Parliamentarian forces under the command of Oliver Cromwell advanced in an attempt to capture Launceston from the Royalists. The Royalist army stationed their forces on the summit of Windmill Hill, the steep hill which overlooks the town. The Parliamentarians captured the town, but were unable to dislodge the Royalist forces from Windmill Hill.

Sir Ralph Hopton, commander of the Royalist army, organised a cavalry charge down the hill, and despite fierce fighting, managed to force Cromwell's divisions back across the Tamar. Launceston eventually fell to Cromwell in 1645.

Launceston was once the capital of Cornwall (before this title passed to Bodmin), and in 1973 the Prince of Wales visited to receive his feudal dues from the Duchy of Cornwall.

During the Second World War, there was a well-known gun duel which between negro and white American soldiers in the town centre of Launceston, which ended in punishment for both sides. This is commonly known as the "Battle of Launceston ". In this and other less violent conflicts the Launceston police shocked white Americans by frequently siding with the black soldiers.

The much-loved poet Charles Causley was a native and long-standing resident of the town. He was at one time contender for Poet Laureate and died in 2003, aged 86.

Launceston has recently undergone rapid business and retail development and has two large industrial estates, each with both local and national businesses.

External links

• http://www.launceston-town.co.uk
• Launceston (DMOZ.org)