Lelant is in the hundred of Penwith, and hath to the west Towednack,
to the north St. Ives, to the east the river Hayle and St. Ives Bay,
to the south St. Earth and Ludgvan.
I take Lelant to be compounded of Le, a place, and Lan, a church, so
as to signify the church place. It is dedicated to St. Uny, and
therefore hath the adjunct of Uny Lelant mostly used in writings. But
Leland calls it Lannant; and if that be the right name, it is a church
in a valley. In the Taxatio Ecclesiastica of Pope Nicholas, Lanvanta
or Laventa is rated at 15_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._
It is a vicarage valued in the King’s book together with St. Ives and
Tewednack, which pass in the same presentation, at 22_l._ 11_s._
10_d._ The patronage in the Bishop of Exeter. The sheaf and tithe of
fish in Lord Hobart, as heir to Sir John Maynard, who got possession
of them from Edward Noseworthy, Esq.
St. Uny, to whom not only this church, but also that of Redruth, and a
ruined chapel in St. Wendrone, are dedicated, is by Leland called St.
Unine.