h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The earliest written record of Pasties suggest that they may have actually originated in Devon rather than Cornwall.

Archivists have found the mention of a pasty in city records dating back to 1509 and 1510.

The reference to a "10d" pasty is included in an audited civic account book for Plymouth.

Historian Dr Todd Gray said the earliest record of a "Cornish" pasty was in a Devon recipe in 1746.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6144460.stm

Whether or not the Devon Pasty was the original or not, this certainly proves that Devon pasties are no recent imitation!!

I have heard it said, albeit some years ago, that a Cornish pasty has the crimp along the side whereas a Devon pasty has it along the top. Having lived and eaten the things in both counties I think there could once have been a tendency towards this, but I'm not sure if there is now.

PenRecca,

I have also heard the same story on the difference on crimping between a Devon and Cornish Pasty..

Ginsters (owners) agree

http://www.samworthbrothers.co.uk/ourcompany_sub.asp?WID=4&sub_nav=company

Incidentally, here is another source of the 'great pasty debate' - this time from the Gruaniad.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,,1946491,00.html

...and one from the Independent

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/food_and_drink/features/article1963564.ece

The only top crimped pasties I have come across in Devon have been those nationally produced abominations. The Devon made pasties (such as Ivor Dewdney's in Plymouth) are side crimped. Incidentally, Dewdney's pasties outdate Ginsters by a long way.

..and here is a link to the WMN.

Apparently it made the front page

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141507&command=displayContent&sourceNode=201813&home=yes&more_nodeId1=201752&contentPK=15913360

This is an interesting extract

"But Ann Muller, who runs the award-winning Lizard Pasty Shop, said of the historic discovery: "I am delighted to hear this, as it links us more with our ancient tribal brothers."

Just to confuse this very important issue...

Although Dewdney's pasties are side-crimped, they do seem to have been originally advertised as Cornish, but were certainly made in Devon (and, of course, still are).

http://www.ivordewdney.co.uk/

Where does that leave us?

I must admit I was one of those who thought Devonian pasties were crimped over the top as well, and that Cornish ones were traditionally the "half and half" as eaten by the Tin Miners.

But to find out the earliest written evidence is from our side of the Tamar fills this Devonian with pride.

Why argue? They're really fun to make:

http://www.cornish-links.co.uk/pasty.htm