Cornish Stannary Parliament

[1][3] The stannaries are said to have first been acknowledged by the Crown in 1198,[4] but formal recognition came with a 1201 charter from King John which affirmed the ancient rights tinners (those involved in mining tin) enjoyed.

[1] Tinners were also protected from being called up to provide labour to local lords of the manor while they were working in the tin industry.

[6] The suspension of the Stannary Parliament and curtailing of tinners' tax exemption rights in 1496 is seen to be one of the factors in the 1497 Cornish rebellion.

[9] The 24 stannators, six from each of the four Cornish stannaries (Tywarnhaile, Blackmoor, Foweymoore and Penwith),[14] had the power to pass laws which had effect over the whole of Cornwall in the same way as an Act of Parliament.

At the opening of the Parliament the Lord Warden would make a speech, oversee the election of a speaker, and then be excluded.