A taste of Scilly History
Here on Scilly the past is a
part of the present. In many places, the view will not have changed
in hundreds of years, and because of the unchanging landscape,
the past is almost palpable; as one visitor said, ''I feel if
I just reach out my hand, I will touch it''.
The Lost Land of Lyonesse
Legend has it that between
Scilly and Lands End was a land of 'handsome maids and strong
men; of rich pastures and fertile meadows' which was engulfed
by the sea. Ruled over by King Arthur from his castle at Tintagel,
Lyonesse contained the beautiful city of Lions and a turreted
castle stood on what is now the Sevenstones Reef. In addition
there were 140 villages, each with its own church. It is said
that on a calm day you can just hear the mournful tolling of
the bells in their steeples. It is certainly true that the main
islands with the exception of St. Agnes formed one land mass
and evidence of submerged fields and houses can be seen at low
tide.
Ancient times
There is evidence of
occupation on Scilly dating back over 3,000 years. Bant's Carn,
an entrance grave (one of 80 recorded on Scilly) contained shards
of neolithic pottery (4000 BC- 2500 BC). Halangy Down Ancient
Village, situated just below Bant’s Carn, is an excavated
example of an Iron Age settlement of round houses. 140 round
houses have been identified on Scilly and many can be dated to
the Bronze Age (2500 BC - 700 BC). There are also 8 surviving
menhirs, or standing stones, which are considered late neolithic
or early Bronze Age.
On the uninhabited island of
St. Helen's are the remains of St. Elidius' Hermitage which contains
an 8th century Christian chapel. Alongside is the old Pest House,
built in 1764 to house sailors returning to England with unacceptable
diseases.
Old Town was the main settlement
of mediaeval Scilly, dominated by Ennor Castle, of which little
remains, but the mediaeval quay can be seen at low tide in Old
Town Bay.
Star Castle
Star Castle was begun
in 1593 and was strengthened during the Civil War (1642-46) when
the batteries and breastwork were constructed. This was rebuilt
and extended during the first half of the 18th century and became
known as The Garrison. Further construction and development took
place in 1896 and during both World Wars. For many years a hotel,
Star Castle is still being extended and developed - subject to
conservation regulations, of course!
Augustus Smith
Augustus Smith took over
the lease of Scilly in 1834. His manifesto was 'education, education,
education', and parents were charged 1 penny a day for each child
to attend school - and 2 pence a day if they didn't! He provided
much employment, reallotted land to create viable farms and introduced
the law of primogeniture - the succession of the eldest son.
Younger sons were drafted into the navy, surplus daughters were
sent to the mainland as domestics and shop assistants. He built
roads, a new church, schools, and extended the quay on St. Mary's,
as well as building the Abbey on Tresco and founding the famous
Gardens there. His rule was probably the saving of Scilly but
he was undoubtedly very unpopular at times
