Isles of Scilly and the 335 Years War

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Jan 29, 2025

Delve into the quirky tale of the Isles of Scilly and their bizarre 335-Year War, primarily fueled by stubborn paperwork. Discover odd customs, like paying rent with puffins, and the scandalous life of Thomas Seymour, whose ambitions led to his downfall. Explore the Isles' strategic importance during the English Civil War and how Charles I's missteps shaped history. Unravel the absurdity of a conflict that involved no significant battles and examine the intriguing transformation of these islands into a tourist haven.

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ANECDOTE

The 335 Years War

The Isles of Scilly were involved in a war lasting centuries.
This "war" stemmed from paperwork delays, not actual fighting.

ANECDOTE

Isles of Scilly Geography

The Isles of Scilly, southwest of Cornwall, have a mild climate and granite terrain.
Once a single island, they separated over 12,000 years ago due to rising sea levels.

ANECDOTE

Shifting Ownership and Puffic Rent

The islands' ownership shifted between church and secular leaders over centuries.
One unique rent payment involved giving puffins, not money.

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The Isles of Scilly were part of one of the longest wars in human history, but the main reason for the length of the very mild conflict was lagging paperwork.

Research:

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Young-Brown, Fiona. “The World’s Longest War Only Ended in 1986.” Atlas Obscura. Jan. 19, 2016. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-worlds-longest-war-only-ended-in-1985

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