Welcome to the Isle of Man, a rocky outcrop in the Irish Sea and home to around 80,000 Manx. The island's location, harsh landscape, and blend of cultural heritages - Celtic, Nordic, English - creates the unique Manx culture. The name Man or Mann comes from the Manx language, Ellan Mannin (The Isle of Man). Vannin is also used due to an unusual first letter change in the nominative case.
Populated in the Mesolithic Era, the island has enjoyed eight milennia of inhabitants. More than 160 burial mounds from the Neolithic Era and the Bronze Age can be found around the Isle of Man. When the Romans moved into the Isles, it appears they left the Manx well alone - no Roman buildings are known on Man and only a handful of artifacts have been unearthed - either indicative of trade or raiding.
By the 5th century, Irish migration and influence began on the Isle of Man. An Ogham inscription (an early alphabet for the Irish language) was unearthed from this period in the 19th century. The language, Manx Gaelic or Gailck Vannin, is closely related to other Goidelic Celtish languages - Irish Gaelic and Scots Gaelic. The language nearly went extinct, but has been revived with over 2,000 speakers today and the opportunity for all Manx students to learn in schools.
Christianity also arrived from the Irish. By the end of the 6th century, the island was dotted with tiny congregations. The patron saint of the isle was an Irishman named Maughold. He was baptised by St. Patrick himself and set out, adrift, to establish a hermitage as penance for past wrongs. He set up on Maughold Head to the south of Ramsey and eventually was elected Bishop of Man. Several spots around the island are named for him including Kirk Maughold Church, thought to be the oldest church on Man.
In the later half of the first millenia, Vikings arrived on Manx shores, but predominantly for plundering. Nordic rule and relative peace didn't begin until the end of the 10th century. The Earls of Orkney expanded south, taking the Hebrides and the Isle of Man and incurring into Ireland. The new Kingdom of Isles contained Man and the Hebrides. It was also known as Sodor to distinguish it from the Nodor (Orkney and Shetland Islands). The capital was established at Peel Castle on the north side of the Isle.
In the 13th century, Norwegian suzerainty began to crumble as the Scottish and English kingdoms vied for power. One king even performed homage for King John of England, but the Scots won out when Alexander III went to war with Norway to expand Scottish authority. In 1266, the Treaty of Perth was signed ceding Sodor to Scotland. However, the Manx fought again Scottish rule and Alexander didn't control the Isle until the Manx defeat at the Battle of Ronaldsway in 1275.
Edward I seized Man fifteen years later in 1290 while he was crushing Wales. Robert the Bruce seiged Rushen castle in 1313 returning Man to Scottish rule. Power struggles between England and Scotland lasted until 1346 when King David of Scotland was captured in battle and England finally had the upperhand.
The Manx Flag By 1300, the iconic triskelion heraldy appeared with three armored spurred legs running counterclockwise. The origins are uncertain at best. The three legs are an ancient symbol first appearing in Sicily (although barelegged) in the 5th century BC. Other three legged emblems called triquetra were found across Northern Africa, Europe and into Scandinavia in simpler forms. The Raven Banner Penny from the tenth century shows a simpler three legged device. It was produced during the reign of Norse king, Olaf Sihtricson, who ruled Jorvik and later Man, and Dublin. It is possible he introduced the triquetra to Man. The Sicilian device also made its way north through the Holy Roman Emperor. Frederick con. As the rulers warred with the papacy, the Kingdom of Sicily was eventually declared forfeit. England's king, Henry III, eagerly snapped up the throne for his second son, Edmund Crouchback. But he couldn't get the funding together resulting in Sicily going to his brother in law, Charles of Anjou. This caused political upheaval in England due to significant financial investments made to try to take Siciliy. At the time, England were overlords to Man although Scotland would wrest the Hebrides and Man away from Norway shortly after. King Alexander III of Scotland's wife was Margaret of England, Henry III's daughter and Edmund's sister so the device could have come through this source. The origin Sword of State made around 1300 featured the three armored legs and the tradition has continued since.
In the 14th century, Man was appointed to a series of English nobles who each in turn lost their heads to treason. Henry IV finally settled the Isle irrevocably on the Stanleys. Except for a brief period during the English Civil War, the Stanleys and their descendants were Lords of Man until the Isle of Man Purchase Act of 1765 when the lordship was purchased by Parliament. These four centuries of relative stability were a net win for the Manx. Improvements were made to land access and ownership. The 1704 Act of Settlement was an agreement between the Lord of Man and the Manx to reduce inheritance and sellers fines and reinstated many lands to the Manx. Some regard it as the Isle's Magna Carta as it set limits between the lord and the lay people. This act was reinstated again in 1777 after the Purchase Act and is considered foundational to the Isle's constitution.
In 1866, the Isle of Man received home rule and made good use of their independence. In January 1881, the Isle of Man gave women property owners the right to vote with universal suffrage following in 1919. The Isle housed internment camps during both world wars. Structures were mainly temporary and little can be seen now.
Today, the Isle of Man is a self-governing British crown dependency. It's citizens are British, but they are not a part of the UK (don't make this mistake with the Manx!). The country uses the Manx pound and accepts the British pound as well. The Manx economy benefits from low tax rates and a bustling off-shore financial sector. Tourism also plays an important part.
The Isle of Man TT started in 1907. This motorcycle race is run in a time-trial format on public roads with average speeds topping 135 miles per hour. The race is incredibly dangerous - Since 1907, 269 competitors have died during the race or run up events. Changes have been made to improve safety and there were no fatalies in 2024. The race pumps over £35 million into the local economy.
Visitors can enjoy beautiful hikes and beaches, enjoy a ride on one of several heritage trains, or visit heritage sites run by Manx National Heritage. You can purchase a visitors pass, but there are many reciprocities* so don't forget your local heritage membership cards!
*Reciprocal organizations include: National Trust; English Heritage; National Trust for Scotland; Historic Scotland; Cadw; York Archaeological Trust; Office of Public Works (OPW) Republic of Ireland; the National Trust for Jersey and Jersey Heritage; and also the Trusts of Australia, New Zealand, The Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Malta (Din l-art Helwa and Heritage Malta)
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