Lesnewith is in the hundred of the same name, and hath to the west
Trevalgar, to the north Tintagell and Minster, to the east Otterham,
to the south Davidstow.
I have always imagined, whether rightly or not I am not certain, that
this place, instead of giving name to the hundred, changed its own,
when this was divided into two hundreds, Strathan and Lesnewith;
having been formerly but one hundred, called Trigg Major, as they
still continue in respect to ecclesiastical affairs; and if so, then
the name signifies the New Court.
This is a rectory valued in the King’s book at £8, the incumbent Mr.
Crewys.
This church, in 1291, by the taxation of Pope Nicholas, was valued at
£4. 6_s._ 8_d._ never having been appropriated.
I shall begin with the principal estate in this parish, the manor of
Lesnewith.
In the third year of Henry IV. Henry de la Pomeroy held here and in
Trevygham half a knight’s fee.
I fancy this to be the same which is called in Domesday Book by the
name of Lisniwen. And if so, it was one of the manors which William
the Conqueror gave to his half-brother the Earl of Morton, with the
earldom of Cornwall.