The Community Assembly of Kernow is situated in the country of Kernow which is part of Dumnonia. Apart from a brief spell between 1497 and 1508, Kernow has always been an independent country within the British Isles. 

The tin industry had been very important in the land now referred to as Cornwall long before the Romans came to Britain in 43AD. As the industry was so important, it developed its own customs and traditions, and Tinners had the right to search for tin on anyone’s land. Tinners would gather together to organise their industry and maintain their customs.

In 1496 the folk of Kernow had had enough of Henry VII and his overbearing son, the then Duke of Cornwall (the future Henry VIII). Due to the growing unrest, Henry VII suspended the Stannary Parliament (now operating as the Kernow Assemblies) and increased taxation which was the last straw for the people of Kernow. They attacked England but eventually lost the battle and ended up as a country under occupation. Kernow then had to raise £1000 in war reparations to free themselves from the crown.

In 1508, when the money was eventually paid, Henry VII gave Kernow back to the people and the function of the Kernow Assemblies was instated. All laws prior to that date imposed on Kernow were rescinded and all future attempts to impose laws on Kernow from the Crown and Westminster were approved by 24 members of the Stannary Parliament or Kernow Assemblies.

In 1977, a Welsh Member of Parliament called Daffyd Wigley asked the government if the Charter of Pardon of 1508 had ever been withdrawn. The government said that there was no record of the Charter being withdrawn. This meant that the charter was still law and that the Stannary Parliament was still the only body in Kernow that could approve legislation and pass laws. 

Kernow remains an independent country to this day.

Founding Facilitators