Talskiddy was once an ancient manor belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall. Previous to the formation of the Duchy, it was one of 17 manors belonging to the Earl of Cornwall. 1] It is recorded that Richard, Earl of Cornwall purchased three Cornish acres at Talskiddy. These seventeen 'ancient manors' were known collectively as the Antiqua maneria. The manorial custom of "Free Bench" was practised here. It was once a centre for the woolcombing industry. Many of the older houses in the village are built of cob.