William Mayow

Who was William Mayow?

William Mayow, of Gluvian, was Mayor of St. Columb Major in Cornwall in the early 16th century.

Following the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 the King's forces were sent down to Cornwall. The Provost Marshal at the time was Anthony Kingston and his job was to punish the leaders of the uprising.

Mayow was hung outside a tavern in St Columb. William Mayow's crime was not capital and "therefore his wife was advised by her friends to hasten to the town after the Marshal and his men, who had custody, and beg for his life. Which she accordingly prepared to do and to render herself a more amiable petitioner before the Marshal's eyes, this dame spent much time in attiring herself and putting on her French hood, then in fashion, that her husband was put to death before her arrival. Intending to plead for her husband's life, spent so long a time in making herself look smart, that before she reached the presence of the stern judge, Master Mayow was hanged.

Others hanged by Kingston and his men included Richard Bennett, Vicar of St Veep and the Mayor of Bodmin.