Vice-Regal Saint: The Founding of Britain's Overseas Empire
The British Empire turns 425 this year ("First British Empire", 1583-1783)
Above Plaque in St. John's, Newfoundland, commemorating Sir Humphrey Gilbert's founding of the British Empire.
On arriving at the port of St. John's, Gilbert found himself temporarily blockaded by the fishing fleet under the organisation of the port admiral (an Englishman) on account of piracy committed against a Portuguese vessel in 1582 by one of Gilbert's commanders. Once this resistance was overcome, Gilbert waved his letters patent about and, in a formal ceremony, took possession of Newfoundland (including the lands 200 leagues to the north and south) for the English crown on August 5, 1583. This involved the cutting of turf to symbolize the transfer of possession of the soil, according to the common law of England. He claimed authority over the fish stations at St. John's and proceeded to levy a tax on the fisherman from several countries who worked this popular area near the Grand Banks.
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5 comments:
To the greatest, most powerful empire the world has ever seen!
Here's to the British Empire, the loyal sons who forged it, and the proud sons who defend it!
Cheers!
Though it was in 1583, of course, the English Empire!
True, but John Dee, adviser to Elizabeth I, was the first to coin it as the British Empire.
Not to quibble, but the most powerful post-gunpowder empire the world has ever seen.
I missed out on seeing the British Empire by forty years, yet sometimes I miss it.
"Pax Americana: the poor mans Pax Britannia"
To the mighty British Empire; Yaaaaaaaay!
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