The Isle of Man is one of the most attractive places for lovers of fast driving due to the absence of speed limit signs on it. Therefore, racers from all over the world race to test themselves. Readers of Top Gear magazine are also well aware of the existence of this place on the planet. It is here expanse for all sports cars. Here they are compared, tested in the "field conditions". However, these are far from all the interesting facts that the seemingly unprepossessing land hides.
Where is the Isle of Man
First you need to figure out its location. Look for it in the Irish Sea between Ireland and Great Britain. Its dimensions are far from impressive: it is 51 km long, and even less wide: somewhere 13 km, and where all 25, but against the background of the neighboring Isles of Man it looks like a giant, over 80,000 people live compactly on its area who speak English and Manx.
Celts on the island
According to scientists, the Isle of Man arose due to the melting of glaciers during the Mesolithic era over 80,000 years ago. It is assumed that the isthmus connecting this land withGreat Britain, was sunk. This is how the island was formed.
Judging by the megaliths, people appeared here in the Neolithic era. One of the first written references to this place can be considered the work of Julius Caesar "Notes on the Gallic War". He calls the modern Isle of Man Mopa. However, the Romans did not attach serious importance to this territory. But the British tried to penetrate here and subjugate everything to their power. Nothing good came of this venture.
But the Irish missionaries succeeded more. Christianity came to this land with them.
Scandinavian period
The ferocious Vikings became the next masters of the Isle of Man. Approximately 800 AD. e. they completely subordinated him to their power. Having founded their settlements, they settled here for a long time and in earnest. Although the island was formally recognized as a vassal of Norway, in practice, the Norwegian kings already had enough worries. The conquerors did not make any efforts to assimilate the local population, so the Celtic language and culture were preserved.
Yes, and the natives themselves were distinguished by valor and love of freedom. The famous son of the Norwegian king Imar 3, who went down in history as Gudred Crovan, was able to subdue the Isle of Man in 1079 only on the third attempt, having gathered a huge number of warriors by those standards.
The Scots were able to drive the Scandinavians out of these places only in the second half of the 13th century. It is with them that the mysterious triskelion, flaunting on the coat of arms (and not only) of the island, is associated.
To the question oftriskelion
Very often in the photo of the Isle of Man you can see the triskele, a symbol known to many Indo-European peoples since ancient times. The fact is that the number 3 was given a magical sacred meaning. This sign is a point from the center of which three legs emanate, bent at the knee. It is very similar to the triskel of Sicily and is found everywhere.
This similarity with the Sicilian version has given rise to several assumptions related to its appearance. The most popular of them are two: the first is associated with the pre-Indo-European roots of the symbol, and the second believes that this three-legged sign was brought to the Isle of Man by Viking vagrants, who undoubtedly had contacts with Sicily. Nevertheless, a careful study of the history of Scotland in the Middle Ages proves that it was the Scottish king Alexander 3 who introduced this three-legged sign in the kingdom of Maine after an unsuccessful military campaign in Sicily undertaken by the English king Henry 3.
Under the iron heel of Great Britain
The Scots and the British fought fierce battles for this territory. Maine constantly moved from one state to another, changed its rulers. The final establishment of the British on this land occurred only after their victory at Neville's Cross.
In the capital of the Isle of Man, Douglas, was the residence of hereditary governors who bore the title of king on this land. They ruled happily until the famous upheavals known in historiography as the English Bourgeois Revolution. This Stanley dynasty kept allegianceKing Charles 1 and supported his son Charles 2 in the struggle for power.
Revolutionaries executed the former governor and king of the island. However, after some time, his descendants returned their possessions.
All the land on the island belonged to the lord, and in order to sell his allotment, the peasant had to pay a predatory fee. Such orders, plus a convenient geographical location, prompted the natives to engage in smuggling. They were so successful in this field that the English Parliament did not spare the huge amount of 70,000 pounds sterling to buy these lands from the lord. Thus, the British government got more opportunities to deal with the local criminal element.
Conclusion
The country of the Isle of Man is a crown possession of the British Crown, is its dependent territory, but is not part of it. The island does not have the status of a colony. The local population speaks English, although recently there has been increasing interest in learning the Manx language.
The talented islanders are doing their best to attract tourists. They have something to see and experience new sensations. You can, for example, take a ride on a horse-drawn tram or ride on a 19th-century steam locomotive. This is a great opportunity to plunge into the era of the 19th century.
Myths, urban legends and slightly eccentric traditions of local people lie in wait at every turn. Although the cuisine is not distinguished by special delights, the dishes are very nutritious. When you start to get acquainted with her, it is better to orderat first, one serving for two - since they are very large. Everyone will find their own in this wonderful magical land.
