30th January Meeting

Atlantic outpost: the Isles of Scilly under the Tudors and Stuarts – Julian Humphrys

By the middle of the 16th century there was a growing realisation that Scilly’s location at the western approaches of the English Channel was so strategically important that it was vital to defend the islands – not just against the ships of opportunistic raiders but also against the fleets of rival foreign powers. 

Sir Francis Godolphin, the governor of Scilly during much of the reign of Elizabeth, would sum up the islands’ value when he wrote ‘there are good roads (anchorages) and convenient harbours, and it would be mischievous for the enemy to take them.’ In short there was a real risk that in the wrong hands Scilly could become a base from which an enemy power could harass English shipping or, worse still, launch an invasion of the mainland. 

As a result the next three hundred years would see sporadic bursts of fortification building on the islands, normally in response to the political and military situation at the time. In this illustrated talk Julian Humphrys will take a look at the development of the defences of Scilly in the Tudor and Stuart period and discuss the one time that they were seriously put to the test, ironically by the islanders’ compatriots at the end of the British Civil Wars.

Julian Humphrys is a well known battlefield guide and expert who has authored numerous books and articles on a wide range of military subjects. He is also a Trustee of the Battlefields Trust.

NB This is a change to our previously advertised speaker, Matt Lewis. Julian very kindly stepped in when asked to take his place.

Tickets are now available on the Society’s Ticket Source page: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/northantsbattles . These are free to Northamptonshire Battlefields Society members, £5 to non-members. Talks are held at Delapre Abbey. Doors open about 7pm, with the meeting starting at 7:30pm. There is ample free parking on site. Entry is through the Orangerie Restaurant.

These tickets are for personal attendance at Delapre Abbey ONLY. Members joining in by Zoom do not need to book a ticket.