Warbstow, in the hundred of Lesnewith, hath to the west Otterham, to
the north Jacobstow, to the east part of Devonshire and Tremain, to
the south Davidstow and Trenegles.
The true name of this parish is St. Warbury-stow, St. Warbury’s Place,
from St. Warbury alias Warburg. She was the daughter of Wolpher King
of Mercia, son to the famous Penda. The church celebrates her memory
the 21st of June, a holy virgin, to whom Leofrick dedicated a church
in Chester, which Hugh Lupus, the first earl of Chester of the Norman
blood, repaired and granted to the monks, and it is now the cathedral
there. [N. B. a Saxon Saint in Cornwall, introduced by the Saxons on
their early settlement on this eastern and detached part of Cornwall.]
This [church] is now attached to Treneglos, and passes in the same
presentation; the present incumbent being Mr. Charles Porter.
In this parish is a noble fortification, which perhaps might give
occasion of dedicating it to such a Saint as carried it with it such a
warlike sound [or, as the fact assuredly is, the fortification was
called Warborough, and the parish from it, Warborough-stow or
Warbstow. W.] I measured, and took a more particular view of it than I
had formerly done, this present year 1731.