The Isle of Man History

History

There are two main divisions in the study of human development, the prehistoric and the historic, the difference between them being that the evidence for the historic period is based primarily on written material whereas in the prehistoric period written material did not exist. In Britain the start of the historic period is usually considered to be 55 BC with the arrival of Julius Caesar. While the Romans definitely knew of the Isle of Man, and Ireland, there is no evidence that they ever settled in either place. In Ireland the historic period is generally considered to begin around 450 AD, the start of the great early christian expansion initiated by St. Patrick. The Isle of Man came under the same influences and the same date may be conveniently assumed as the start of the historic period for Man.

The Island has a long prehistoric age of several thousand years up to 450 AD. This was followed by the Early Christian period extending to about 800 AD and corresponding to the age of the Celtic Saints. It seems likely that the Island served as a major centre of Celtic learning based at Peel Castle. Professor Norma Goodrich has shown that the kingdom of King Arthur was based on Carlisle and that the "mist covered lake" of the Arthurian tales is most likely the Irish Sea and that Avalon was the Isle of Man. Peel Castle was a centre of Celtic learning, both secular and spiritual. It is likely that royal children from all parts of the Celtic world were sent there for their education.

Next follows a very important period in the history of Man, the Viking period, when the Island was conquered and colonized by the Vikings. What began as a period of plunder and destruction with a partial return to paganism, resulted in an infusion of a virile people who proved to be able organizers and administrators. This period ended in 1266, three years after the defeat of the Norwegians by King Alexander III of Scotland. Then followed a somewhat confused period when the Island was ruled from Scotland and England, until finally in 1405 it came into the hands of the Stanley family (later Earls of Derby). The Stanleys, with their connections the Dukes of Atholl, ruled the Island until 1765 when they sold their rights to the English Crown. Since that time the Isle of Man has come directly under the English Crown while retaining its ancient constitution and right to make its own laws.