Warfare between the Cornish and the Expanding Wessex Kingdom continued until the Cornish Kings finally submitted to Athelstan(A.D.925-939) and excepted him as tsuzerian ruler. It was Athelstan who finaly fixed the fluctuating border as the Tamar. In a charter of .A.D 944 Edmund of England styled himself "king of the English and ruler of this British provence." After the Norman invasion the native rulers of Cornwall were known as eorls or earls. At this time time the earl of Cador,(sometimes given as Condor),Who was a descendent of the Cornish Kings was deposed by Willioam of Normandy. But Cador's son, Cadoc, was later restored as "earl of Cornwall." His daughter Avice married Reginald Fitz Henry, son of Henry 1, who held the earldom by right of inheritance through his wife.
In 1337 Cornwall was created a duchy with the eldest son of the monarch as the incumbent. Until Tudor times laws had to be enacted "in Anglia et Cornubia," showing that Cornwall was not considered part of England. With Tudor centralisation, the Cornish rose up in arms against English rule no less than three times. In 1497 came the famous An Gof and Flamank insurrection, with a Cornish army marching to Blackheath in Kent and threatening London before being defeated. Then came a short-lived insurrection led by Perkin Warbeck. In 1549 came the "Prayer Book" rebellion, with the English language being forced on the Cornish in religious services. In their declaration, preceding the uprising, it was stated, "we, the Cornishmen, whereof certain of us understand no English, utterly refuse this new English."

It took several centuries, however, before the Cornish language died out as a generally spoken community language (see Cornish). Cornwall, since the suppression of the last Cornish uprising, has become a generally accepted part of England and from 1889 has been regarded as an "English county" so far as political administration is concerned. Yet there are still questions about its legal position within the United Kingdom. One such contention is that of the Cornish Stannaries Parliament.

King John in A.D. 1201 granted the first charter to the Stannaries and allowed it to be the government of a state within a state, able to raise its own taxes and make its own laws. They were even granted a power of veto over the London Westminster Parliament in A.D. 1508. The Stannaries Parliament survived the repression after the uprisings, and as late as 1753 this power of veto was recognised by London. Throughout the nineteenth century, the Stannaries did not meet but were reconvened in 1974 by enthusiasts, acting in accordance with Stannary law. Meeting regularly since 1974, the first time the Stannary Parliament challenged the United Kingdom government in law was over the Community Charge or Poll Tax brought in by the Conservative Government, for Scotland in 1989 and for England and Wales in 1990. Tim Saunders, charged before Cardiff magistrates for nonpayment of the Community Charge, defended himself by stating that he was subject to the Stannary Parliament and that England had no right in law to tax him. "You have no jurisdiction in law concerning the force and effect of Cornish Law. As Cornish Stannary Law is a separate body of law, English courts are not competent to decide what is correct or incorrect according to that law." [A Tinner's Case, Kernow, june/july 1991.] After listening to the arguments, the case was adjourned sine die. [See also "The Cornish Stannary Parliament," by Paul Laity, Carn, No.66, Summer 1989.] In the perception of many, Cornwall is still a Celtic country.

Cors. [W] "Of the Hundred Claws." A warrior of Arthur's asked to accompany Culhwch.

Creiddylad. [W] Daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint. She was to marry Gwythyr, son of Greidawl (Ardent). However, Gwyn ap Nudd carried her off by force. Arthur set out after her and demanded that Gwyn set her free. A peace was made that Gwyn and Gwythyr were to meet each year on May Day in combat. The annual combat would go on until doomsday and whoever was the victor on doomsday would have Creiddylad.

Creirwy. [W] "Dear one." Daughter of Ceridwen and Tegid FoeL

Cromm Cruach. [I] A golden idol worshipped by Tigernmas (Lord of Death) on Magh Slecht (Plain of Adoration), where human sacrifices were offered.

Crow. Also raven. In Celtic mythology the crow or raven is always associated with the goddesses of death and battles. The birds hover over the battlefield. It is a favourite guise of the Morrigan. The name of Badb, the triune goddess, means "crow" or "raven."

Cruachan, Cave of.[I] A famous entrance to the Otherworld, sometimes called the "Gate of Hell" by Christian scribes.

Cruithne. [I] The progenitor of the Tuatha Cruithne or the Picts. See Pict.

Cuchulainn. [I] Originally named Setanta, he became known as the Hound of Culann. His mother was Dechtire, daughter of the druid Cathbad, while his father was Lugh Lamhfada. He features in numerous tales of the Red Branch Cycle but is chiefly famous for his single-handed defence of Ulster during the war of the Tain, when Ailill and Medb of Connacht invaded the country to secure the Brown Bull of Cuailgne. His is a tragic tale for though he is constantly in love with women, he is forced to kill his own son, lose several of the women he loves, and slay his best friend. Ferdia Although he is armed with magical weapons and adventures with impunity into the Otherworld, he arouses the wrath of the goddess of death and battles, the Morrigan, by rejecting her love. His doom at the Pillar Stone is ordained, and when he dies the goddess, in the form of a raven, perches on his shoulder while an otter drinks his blood. His faithful companion through most of the sagas is his charioteer, Laeg, and among his mystical weapons are his sword, Caladin, and his spear, the Gael-Bolg. Although he knows many women, including the goddess Fand, the Pearl of Beauty, wife to the sea god Manannan Mac Lir, he constantly returns to Emer, the daughter of Fogall the Wily, who entreats him piteously not to go forth on his last battle foray.

Culann. [I] The smith who forged Conchobhar's weapons and who is regarded as Manannan Mac Lir in human form. When young Setanta killed his hound, Culann was angry until Setanta offered to be his hound until he found a new one. Thenceforth Setanta was known as Cuchulainn, the Hound of Culann.

Culhwch. [W] Son of Cilydd and Goleuddydd. When his mother died and his father remarried, his stepmother so hated him for refusing to marry her daughter that she pronounced a curse for his destiny. He could only marry Olwen, daughter of the giant Yspaddaden Pencawr. He set off to Arthur's court to learn how to fight and how and where he might find her. Cei, sutly as usual, did not wish to allow him entrance (in some versions it is Glewlwyd of the Mighty Grasp who refuses to open the gate). Eventually he sees Arthur, who grants him help. He is joined by several heroes and they set off in search of Olwen. After many adventures they come to Yspaddaden's land. The sister of Goleuddydd, Culhwch's mother, is married to Custennin (we are told he is Yspaddaden's brother), and they arrange a meeting with Olwen and Culhwch. The two fall in love, but first Culhwch must overcome her fearsome father. He is then given a long series of tasks that he eventually fulfils with the help of his companions. The giant acknowledges defeat and Goreu, son of Custennin, cuts off his head. Olwen and Culhwch marry and the warriors of Arthur disperse.

Cumal. [I] Son of Trenmor, chief of Clan Bascna, and leader of the Fianna. He fell in love with Murna of the White Neck but her father, Tadhg, a druid, objected. They eloped. Tadhg ordered Goll Mac Morna to kill Cumal, which he does, but not before Murna becomes pregnant and gives birth to Cumal's son Fionn Mac Cumhail. It is interesting to note that Cumal signifies "sky." It seems cognate with the British name Camulos, who was also known among the Gauls as a god of war. Camulodunum, the fort of Camulos, was the Celtic name for Colchester. Camulosessa was the name for Almonbury, Yorkshire. The name might be the origin for Arthur's mythical court of Camelot.