Philip Rashleigh settled in Fowey, in the 16th century, as a trader. His son’s marriage to Alice Lanyon resulted in the acquisition of Cornish properties and soon they became prolific merchants and ship owners.
In time they would own property at nearby Menabilly as well as a new townhouse in Fowey (now the Ship Inn.)
According to research they benefited from the dissolution of the monasteries by scrupulously buying land and re-selling at a profit. By marrying into wealthy Cornish families the Rashleighs became huge landowners with significant influence across the county. Many became MPs and it was Menabilly, on the Gribben Peninsula, that provided the family home.
Alice was born abt. 1520 and died 20th Aug 1591 at Fowey, Cornwall. She married John Rashleigh abt. 1540. They had twelve children, eleven girls and one boy. Only six of their daughters survived. Her son John, placed a brass commemoration plaque in Fowey church and it’s still there over 400 years later!
The brass plaque is not the only portrait of Alice.
Nicholas Hilliard also painted their portrait.
This portrait is the first Lanyon portrait!
Alice and John’s descendants lived at Menabilly, Fowey. The house was later leased to Daphne Du Maurier and became the inspiration for Manderley in the book ‘Rebecca’.
Alice and John’s town house in Fowey is still there today, it’s now called The Ship Inn.
The Lanyons 