CONDOROV, William

Few details have been discovered about Condorov, but it is probable that he came from the ancient Cornish family that took its name from Condurrow in western Cornwall,1 CAD, iv. A10053; v. A10882. and may well have been related to Nicholas Condorov*, who was to represent Lostwithiel in the 1442 Parliament, although no proof of their relationship has been found. If William held any property in the borough of Truro, as required by statute, it was probably not extensive, for in 1451 he was not recorded among the taxpayers thought to command an annual income of 40s. or more.2 E179/87/92.

Like many of his neighbours, Condorov had maritime interests, but – also as in the case of other Cornishmen – these were not restricted to legitimate trade. Thus, in February 1454 a high-powered commission of inquiry headed by John Arundell of Lanherne was appointed on complaint that Condorov and a group of men from Penzance had captured a Plymouth vessel on its way from Spain and spoiled it of its cargo of woad, iron, wine and cloth.3 CPR, 1452-61, p. 168.