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Knill ceremony, Knills Monument, St Ives, Cornwall. 25th July 1981
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Knill ceremony, Knills Monument, St Ives, Cornwall. 25th July 1981
The Mayor at the Knill ceremony with spectators in the foreground. John Knill was born in Callington on 1st January 1733 and worked as a collector of Customs in St Ives between 1762 and 1782, where he also became mayor in 1767. He was regarded as being slightly eccentric. In that same year, 1767, he decided to build a 50 foot, three sided, pyramid style granite structure on Worvas Hill just to the south of St Ives, to be known as Knills Steeple. It was erected as his intended burial place. The monument bears on one side the painted coat of arms of Knill, with the Latin " Resurgam" (I shall arise) and, in English, " I know that my redeemer liveth". He left detailed instructions in his will for ceremonies to be carried out in his memory every five years on St James Day, July 25th, at the Steeple. This included dancing for fifteen minutes to the tune of " All people that on earth due dwell" by ten young girls under the age of 10, dressed in white and who traditionally have to be daughters of either fishermen, tinners or seamen. They are accompanied by two widows, the Mayor, the Customs Officer and a Master of Ceremonies. In his will, Knill left money for the upkeep of the monument and for celebrations to take place. The first ceremony, in which Knill participated, took place in 1801. He died in his chambers on 29th July 1811 in Grays Inn Square London and is buried in St Andrews Church, Holborn. Photographer: Charles Woolf
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : IVSkn.16a
Media ID 14753181
© RIC, photographer Charles Woolf
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the Knill ceremony at Knills Monument in St Ives, Cornwall on July 25th, 1981. In the foreground, spectators eagerly gather to witness this unique event. The Mayor stands proudly amidst the crowd, embodying the rich history and tradition of this annual ceremony. The origins of this remarkable spectacle can be traced back to John Knill, a man known for his eccentricity and service as a collector of Customs in St Ives during the late 18th century. In 1767, he constructed a magnificent granite pyramid structure called Knills Steeple on Worvas Hill as his intended burial place. Knill's will outlined specific instructions for ceremonies to be held every five years on St James Day in memory of him. These festivities included a fifteen-minute dance performed by ten young girls under ten years old dressed in white. These girls had to be daughters of fishermen, tinners or seamen - an important tradition that has been upheld throughout the years. Accompanied by two widows, the Mayor, Customs Officer and Master of Ceremonies, these young dancers bring life and vibrancy to an event steeped in history and reverence. John Knill's legacy lives on through both his monument and these cherished celebrations. His dedication is evident not only through his detailed will but also through funds allocated for maintenance purposes. This photograph serves as a testament to Cornwall's rich cultural heritage and reminds us all of our responsibility to preserve such traditions for generations to come.
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