Between Perranuthnoe and Prussia Cove is a rugged headland jutting out into the sea. This is Cudden Point.
A truly beautiful stretch of coast which commands stunning views across Mounts Bay towards Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole.
I often enjoy a walk here because of the quiet, the dramatic views of St. Michael’s Mount and the chance of seeing the choughs that nest near by. But there is a bizarre legend associated with this place that tells a very different story. A story of dark deeds and sunken treasure.
Hunting for Treasure
During the 19th century it is said that children would come here from miles around in order to search the sands below the headland. It was only at spring tides that the seabed exposed enough to offer the chance of finding the treasure meant to be buried there. Apparently the children would dig through the sands, between the rocks and amongst the seaweed in the hope of finding riches beyond their wildest dreams.
“Off Cudden Point there lies buried in the sea treasure. Enough to make anyone who finds it one of the wealthiest person in the whole County”
Mabel Quiller Couch
The writers who have recorded this story before me tell tales of a wonderous bounty lying on the seabed, just waiting to be discovered!
But they say that beside the gold coins, jewellery and silver goblets said to have been found off Cudden Point there is one object in particular that all the treasure hunters seek. A huge table made of solid silver!
So, how did all this treasure find its way to the bottom of the sea off Cudden Point? In a land full of strange legends the story of the Silver Table is an odd one.
The Tale of the Silver Table
“Many many years ago there lived in those parts a very wealthy man. He was also a very wicked one. Indeed it was said that he was none other than the Lord of Pengerswick. . . It is rather difficult to say for certain for the wicked old man being an Enchanter could go about in all kinds of disguises. So that only those that had the gift of second sight could discover him.”
Pengerswick Castle is just a couple of miles from the headland and the castle is said to be one of the most haunted places in Cornwall.
The Pengerswick family seem to have had a rather dark history starting with Henry Pengerswick who was excommunicated for murdering a monk, was said to worship the devil and drove his poor wife to madness. Which Lord the legend refers to however isn’t clear.
So according to the story, one hot summer’s day this wicked and wildly wealthy man invited a party of his equally wicked and thoughtless friends to sail with him on his elegant ship around Mounts Bay. As the afternoon lengthened they dropped anchor near Cudden Point to enjoy the last of the sun. They feasted on all kinds of delights, drank and made merry seated at a table made of silver, while the boat lolled lazily on the tide.
Suddenly, and for no discernible reason, the boat sank into the calm and transparent waters. Sucked down into the depths, the lord and his guests and all the opulent treasures that they had on board disappeared.
For a long time after the strange event local fishermen would tell of strange sounds coming from beneath the sea at Cudden Point. They supposedly reported hearing the sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses coming up from the watery depths. And some even said that when the sea was calm enough they could see the unfortunate guests still seated around that silver table on the seabed, continuing their party, amongst the fishes.
Futher reading
Who was Pirate John ‘Eyebrows’ Thomas?
Armorica – The Mass Migration from Cornwall to Brittany
Langarrow: Cornwall’s Sodom & Gomorrah
I would like to go snorkeling under those waters and see what lies beneath.
Love the old Cornish sea tales .
Me too. I love snorkelling but the thought of maybe finding some hidden treasures on the sea bed would be amazing. I’m sure there are some other treasures to be found on the sea bed as well, so much history in Cornwall after all.
why is it called cudden point??, its my mothers surname.
Like so many other children I grew up with tales of finding buried or hidden treasure and now many years later I’m still fascinated bt the idea. I would love to go down there at low tide, maybe after a storm, looking for treasure.
I’m the same Tony, dreamed of being an archaeologist! The idea of buried treasure is too tempting isn’t it!
Heard this one before, a great tale from long ago, know that stretch of coast very well as I live in MZ and my boats in Port and a few years ago when we had a punt based out of Prussia with a lot less range used to pot around the cudden. Heres to one day hopefully hauling up the silver table out in mounts Bay! 😊🤣👍🏽