History of Brixham                                                           home page  

Devon History affecting Brixham

400,000 bc. Acheulean hand axes deposited in Kent's Cavern
250,000 bc. Hand axes deposited in Axe Valley
60,000 bc. Middle Palaeolithic deposits in Kent's Cavern
38-27,000 bc. Upper Plaeolithic deposits in Kent's Cavern
10,000 bce. End of Devensian glaciation - last ice age
9,500-8,500 bc. Early Mesolithic deposits in Devon
8,500-5,500 bc. Later Mesolithic deposits in Devon
5,500-3,500 bc. Early Neolithic cultures in Devon
3,500-2,500 bc. Late Neolithic cultures in Devon
2,500-1,600 bc. Early Bronze Age cultures in Devon
1,600-1,200 bc. Middle Bronze Age cultures in Devon
1,200-600 bc Late Bronze Age cultures in Devon
600 bc. Iron Age cultures arrive in Devon
45. Roman conquest of Exeter area (approximate date)
75. Roman legions leave Exeter, civil settlement of Isca Dumnoniorum established (approximate date)
150. Exeter fortified with rampart (approximate date)
410. Roman legions withdraw from Britain
450. Inscribed memorial stones erected by Dumnonians from about 450 to 650
550. Constantine ruling in Dumnonia
675. Exeter area becomes part of kingdom of Wessex (approximate date)
680. St Boniface born in Crediton (approximate date)
682. Centwine of Wessex drives Britons in flight as far as the sea
722. Saxons defeated at the battle of Hehil, probably near Jacobstowe
739. Minster founded at Crediton
780. Saxons reach the Tamar (approximate date)
851. Devonshire first recorded as Defnascir in Anglo Saxon Chronicle when Danes defeated at Wicganbeorg
876. Danes occupy Exeter
893. Danes attack Exeter and north Devon
974. Benedictine abbey of Tavistock founded
1003. Exeter sacked by the Danes
1030. Benedictine abbey of Buckfast founded (approximate date)
1050. Bishop's see of Crediton transferred to Exeter
1068. Exeter besieged by the Normans, Rougemont Castle built
1086. Exon Domesday compiled. About 20,000 persons out of a total Devon popultion of some 70,000 accounted for
1136. Exeter besieged by King Stephen
1147. Second crusade left Dartmouth
1156. Earliest recorded reference to tin mining in Devon
1190. Third crusade left Dartmouth
1196. Torre Abbey founded
1205. First mayor of Exeter recorded - second only to Winchester in provincial cities
1211. Plymouth first mentioned in records
1303. First recorded mayor of Barnstaple
1346. Devon ports provide 88 ships for Crecy and Calais campaign
1348. Black Death reaches Devon, about one third of population died
1403. Plymouth burned by Breton raiders
1460. Stone bridge built at Bideford (approximate date)
1496. Devon rebellion against taxation
1497. Perkin Warbeck besieges Exeter
1525. Boethius Consolation of philosophy printed at Tavistock, the first recorded Devon printing
1536. Dissolution of the monasteries begins in Devon with priories in Barnstaple, Cornworthy, Exeter, Frithelstock and Pilton
1549 Jun 9. The introduction of the new prayer book opposed in Sampford Courtenay starting the Prayerbook Rebellion
1564. Exeter ship canal begun, the first canal with locks in England
1575. The first county map of Devon produced by Christopher Saxton
1580 Sep 26. The Golden Hinde sailed into Plymouth after Sir Francis Drake's three year voyage round the world.
1587. The first engraved plan of Exeter produced by Remigius Hogenberg after John Hooker
1588 Jul 20. The Spanish Armada was sighted off Plymouth.
1599. Tiverton clother Peter Blundell founds Blundell's School
1620 Sep 6. The Mayflower left for New England from Plymouth, where the Pilgrims had been
1628. Sir Ferdinando Gorges establishes colony of New Plymouth
1629. The poet Robert Herrick presnted to the living of Dean Prior
1643 Sep 5. Articles of surrender were signed and the Royalists took control of Exeter after a siege
1645. Exeter besieged by Parliamentarians
1646 Jan. John Fairfax captures Dartmouth
1682 Aug 14. Three Bideford women tried for witchcraft at Exeter convicted and sentenced to death
1685. Devonshire Regiment raised
1685 Sep 14. Monmouth rebels tried at Exeter
1688 Nov 11. Prince William of Orange entered Exeter with swords drawn, colours flying and drums beating
1688 Nov 5. Prince William of Orange lands at Brixham
1690. French ships bombard Teignmouth
1698. Samuel Darker sets up first permanent printing press in Exeter
1698. Thomas Newcomen of Dartmouth invents atmospheric steam pumping engine
1723. The painter Sir Joshua Reynolds born in Plympton
1731. Great fire in Tiverton
1741 Aug 27. Foundation stone of Devon and Exeter Hospital laid
1743 Aug 14. Fire destroys 460 houses in Crediton
1753. The first Devon turnpike trusts set up, for Exeter, Honiton and Axminster
1755. Carpet manufacture begun in Axminster by Thomas Whitty
1759. John Smeaton completes the third lighthouse on Eddystone Rock
1761. A nonconformist academy set up in Exeter
1769. William Cookworthy set up the first British porcelain factory in Plymouth
1782 Jul 29. Rebecca Downing burned at Exeter for poisoning her master
1792. Fashionable houses built on the beacon in Exmouth
1793 Jan 11. The radical Tom Paine burned in effigy in Exeter
1801. The population of Devon recorded as 340,308 in the first national census
1803. Landscaping of the Lawn at Dawlish begins
1806. Dartmoor Prison constructed at Princetown for French prisoners of war
1812. Plymouth bnreakwater begun by Rennie
1814. The Devon prophetess Joanna Southcott claims to be pregnant with Shiloh, the 2^nd Messiah
1815. Napoleon moored off Plymouth before tranportation to Saint Helena
1816. John Heathcoat set up lace manufactory in Tiverton
1820. Heytor Granite Railway opened
1823 Jul 19. The first cholera case reported in Exeter in an epidemic in which 440 were to die
1824 Jan 1. Plymouth Dock renamed Devonport
1839 Dec 25. 8,000,000 tons of soil slipped into the sea near Axmouth
1844 May 1. The first steam locomotive reaches Exeter
1848. The railway reaches Torquay
1849 Apr 2. The South Devon Railway completed to Plymouth
1855. Charles Kingsley's novel Westward Ho! Published
1855 Oct 20. The North Devon Railway opened from Bideford to Barnstaple
1859. Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge carries the railway over the Tamar to Cornwall
1860 Jan 3. First issue of Western Morning News, Devon's first daily newspaper
1862. Devonshire Association holds its first meeting
1863. 41,513 tons of copper ore produced in Devon, the peak year of production
1869 May 6. Public Libraries Act adopted at a public meeting in Exeter
1872. Devon County Agricultural Association formed
1884. John Babbacombe Lee unsuccessfully hanged three times for the murder of Mrs Keyes
1887 Sep 5. Theatre Royal, Exeter, destroyed by fire with loss of 160 lives
1889 Jan 24. Meeting of the provisional Devon County Council
1892 May 20. The final broad gauge railways in Devon converted to standard gauge over this weekend
1892 Aug 15. Torquay granted royal charter for incorporation as a municipal borough
1904. Motor cars first registered in Exeter
1905. The Royal Naval College built at Dartmouth
1914. The three towns amalgamated into Plymouth
1922. University College of the South West of England established
1925. The Elmhirsts acquire the Dartington Estate
1941 Mar 20. The Plymouth blitz at its worst. 336 civilians killed on 20 and 21 March
1942 May 4. 10,000 incendiary bombs dropped on Exeter
1943. Evacuation of the South Hams for invasion exercises
1944 Jun 6. American and British troops leave Devon ports for D-Day landings on Normady
1951 Oct 30. Dartmoor designated a national park
1952 Aug 16. River Lyn floods and drowns 31 people in Lynmouth
1955. University of Exeter receives royal charter
1961. Tamar Bridge opened to traffic
1974. Local government reorganisation abolishes county boroughs in Devon
1977. M5 motorway reaches Exeter
1987. North Devon link road opened
1992. University of Plymouth receives charter
1996. The first cybercafe in the south west opens in Exeter
1998. Local government reorganisation. Plymouth and Torbay become unitary authorities
2001. Foot and mouth epidemic in Devon

HISTORY of  BRIXHAM   en-brief

Brixham is a very old and historic town.  It is full of legends and ghosts.  We warmly welcome our visitors and our new inhabitants, but beware, you cannot call yourself a Brixhamite until you have at least three generations of your ancestors buried in the churchyard here. 

Wherever you go in Brixham, there are reminders of the old days.  In summer, you will be invited to Cowtown carnival, but you won’t find this address on the street map.  Its name is a reminder of times long ago when Brixham was two separate communities, with only a marshy lane to connect them.  Cowtown was where the farmers lived, at the top of the hill, while, about a mile away, the seamen made their homes near the harbour in Fishtown.  To-day, the ancient rivalries have (mostly) been  forgotten, but old Brixham is still there, and, if you keep your eyes open, you can find it.

FISHING

In the Middle Ages, Brixham was the largest fishing port in the South-West, and at one time it was the greatest in England.  Known as the "Mother of Deep-Sea Fisheries", its boats sailed all round the coats and helped to establish the fishing industries of Hull, Grimsby and Lowestoft.  In the 1890s there were about 300 trawling vessels here, each owned by one man who was often the skipper of his own boat.  There is still a big fishing fleet, and you can seen them coming in and out of the harbour, followed by flocks of seagulls.  The fish market is open to the public on two special days in the summer, when the finer points of catching and cooking fish will be explained to you.  The modern boats are diesel-driven, but several of the old sailing trawlers have been preserved and are being brought back to life.  It is not uncommon to see them under sail in Torbay, and you may be able to take a trip yourself. 

There was once an important boat building industry here, as well as all the associated trades such as rope walks, anchorsmiths, iron founders, tinsmiths, coppersmiths, sawyers, chandlers, coopers, riggers, sail lofts and so on.  Walk around the narrow streets behind the Tourist Office and see something of the area long ago, or visit Brixham Heritage Museum to look at the tools used in building the ships, models and pictures of them and a reconstruction of a fisherman's cottage living room.

STORMS AT SEA

People who live by the sea know how dangerous it can be.  It may look calm and peaceful from on shore, but storms can come out of nowhere.  Hundreds of ships have been wrecked on the rocks here.  Brixham men always have known the dangers but even they were taken by surprise by the terrible storm that blew up on the night of January 10th, 1866.  The fishing boats only had sails then and could not get back into harbour because gale force winds and the high waves were against them.  To make things worse, the beacon on the breakwater was swept away, and in the black darkness they did not know where they were.  According to local legend, their wives brought everything they could carry, including furniture and bedding, to make a big bonfire on the quayside to guide their men home.  If their husbands and sons perished, there was no future for the rest of the family so what did it matter if they burnt all their poor possessions.  Fifty vessels perished and more than one hundred lives were lost in the storm;  when dawn broke the wreckage stretched for nearly three miles up the coast. 

Hearing of this tragedy, the citizens of Exeter gave money to set up what became the RNLI's Torbay lifeboat, which has rescued hundreds of people.  You can visit the boathouse and look at all the memorials to the brave deeds;  on special occasions you can go on board, see how survivors are cared for, and wonder at all the high-tech equipment.  You may perhaps, one day or one night, hear two maroons fired.  That is the signal for the lifeboat to be launched and within a few minutes you will see the crew, rushing from their jobs or their beds, ready to save the lives of strangers with no thought of any danger to themselves, as they have done for the last 130 years. 

At one time, every port had a unique design for the knitting of its fishermen's jumpers. This was so that if a corpse was found, people know where he was from and could inform the sorrowing family.

BRIXHAM SMUGGLERS

There have always been smugglers at Brixham.  It was more profitable than fishing, but if the men were caught, they were hanged.  There are many legends about the local gangs and how they evaded the Revenue men.  One humourous poem describes how a notorious local character, Bob Elliott, could not run away because he had gout and was hidden in a coffin, but later that same night the coastguards were frightened by meeting what they thought was his ghost.  .  Another old villain was caught in possession but evaded capture by pretending to be the Devil, rising out of the morning mists.  On another occasion when there was a cholera epidemic, some Brixham smugglers drove their cargo up from the beach in a hearse, accompanied by a bevy of supposed mourners following the cortege drawn by horses with funereal muffled hooves. 

If you explore the picturesque narrow streets, you will see how the smugglers could dodge the preventive men, by running up the steps, going through the old courts and alleys, slipping from house to house, in at the front door and climbing out of a back window.  The town might all have been specially designed for the purpose.

SHIPS IN TORBAY

Warships have been seen in Torbay from the days of the Vikings up until 1944 when part of the D-Day fleet sailed from here.  In 1588 Brixham watched Sir Francis Drake attacking the Spanish Armarda after he had finished his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe, and we saw, anchored in Torbay, the enormous galleon, “Nostra Senora del Rosario” that he had captured.  Today in Brixham harbour there is a full-sized replica of the ship, the “Golden Hind”, in which Drake circumnavigated the globe, and you can go aboard to see how his sailors lived. 

For centuries, ships going down the English Channel have come into Torbay to seek refuge from the storms and to get food supplies.  Sometimes these were merchants, taking cargoes to far away places and bringing back exotic goods and rare spices;  sometimes they were carrying pilgrims, or gentlemen on the Grand Tour.

  During the long series of wars against the French that began in 1689 and lasted until 1815, the Navy often came into Brixham to get supplies of fresh vegetables, beef and water.   There might have been twenty or so of the big men-o'-war lying at anchor in Torbay, recovering from exploits of the sort described in the books about Hornblower, Bolitho or Jack Aubrey.  As you walk along the harbourside towards the marina you pass a grey stone building on your right which today is the Coastguard headquarters;  then, it was the King's Quay where His Majesty's vessels were provisioned.  Local farmers brought vegetables to ward off survey, and a great number of cattle were slaughtered and their meat packed into barrels.  The water came from a big reservoir situated near the crossroads in the middle of town;  from there a pipeline carried it under the streets and under the harbour to the King's Quay. 

Many of the well-known Admirals of the day were here.  Not only Nelson, but also Lord St. Vincent, Cornwallis, Hood, Rodney and Hawke.  There was also Earl Howe, who earned the nickname of Lord Torbay because he spent so much time ashore in Brixham.  Our most notorious visitor at that time was Napoleon Bonapart himself, who, as a prisoner on HMS “Bellerophon”, spent several days off Brixham waiting to be taken to exile on St. Helena.

BERRY HEAD

Ever since the days of Henry VIII Brixham has played a part in the defence of the Nation.  The beautiful headland known as Berry Head is now a National Nature Reserve, but it is also a famous military site where guns were once positioned to defend the naval ships that were re-victualling at Brixham.  Twelve guns were put there during the War of American Independence, but were removed when peace came in 1783.  Just ten years later, when we were at war with France, guns were again deployed around the town.  The major position was at Berry Head, but this time fortifications were built to defend the gun positions.  These can still be seen, and are now some of the best preserved Napoleonic forts in the country. 

During the summer, conducted tours of the forts are carried out every Wednesday afternoon by the Berry Head Master Gunner.  For further information about the forts or to arrange tours at other times, ring 01803 654416.

QUARRYING AND MINING

Apart from fishing, most of the other local industries were connected with our rocks.  Limestone was once quarried extensively.  It was used to build the breakwater, for houses and roads, and was sent to Dagenham to make steel for Ford cars.  It was also burnt in limekilns to reduce it to a powder which was spread on the land in other parts of Devon as an agricultural fertiliser.  You will see the old quarries and the limekilns as you walk around the town. 

Another mineral found in Brixham is ochre.  This gave the old fishing boats their "red sails in the sunset", but the purpose was to protect the canvas from seawater, not to be picturesque. It was boiled in great caldrons, together with tar, tallow and oak bark, the last ingredient giving the name of barking yards to the places where the hot mixture was painted on to the sails, which were then hung up to dry.  

The ochre was also used to make a very special paint.  This was invented in Brixham in about 1845 and was the first substance in the world that would stop cast iron from rusting.  None of the well-known scientists of the day could find a way of doing this, and, when the paint began to be made here, it sold all round the globe.  Other types of paint were made here as well, and the works were in existence until 1961. 

There were iron mines at Brixham, and for a while they produced very high quality ore but the last one closed in 1925.  Most of the sites have been built over and there are now no remains of this once important industry.

CHURCHES

As you look into Brixham from the harbour, you see the tower of All Saints' Church standing guard over the town.  It was founded in 1815, and its most famous vicar was the Rev. Francis Lyte, composer of "Abide with me".  He lived at Berry Head House, now a hotel, and when he was a very sick man, near to dying, he looked out from his garden as dusk fell over Torbay, and the words of that beautiful hymn came into his mind as the evening of the day and of his life approached. 

The main church in the town is St. Mary's, about a mile from the sea, it is the third to have been on the site, which was an ancient Celtic burial ground.  The original wooden Saxon church was replaced by a stone Norman one that was in its turn built over in about 1360.  Many of the old Brixham worthies are buried in the churchyard, but, remember, it is very unlucky indeed to walk widershins, or anti-clockwise, around the church. 

Apart from St. Mary's and a small Victorian chapel, all the other Brixham churches and chapels - and once there were seven of them - were built near the harbour.  Perhaps because this was the area of greatest population growth, or perhaps because those who earned their living from the sea felt a great need of Divine protection.

LOOK OUT FOR

The coffin house reflects Brixham humour: it is coffin-shaped and when a father was asked for the hand in marriage of his daughter, he said he would 'see her in a coffin, before she wed'. The son in- law to be bought the coffin-shaped property, called it the Coffin House and went back to the father and said 'your wishes will be met, you will see your daughter in a coffin, the Coffin House'. Amazed by this, the father gave his blessing."

The street names tell you about the history.  Pump street is where the village pump stood. Monksbridge was a bridge built by the monks of Totnes Priory.  Lichfield Drive reminds us that this was the route that the dead (from the Anglo-Saxon ‘lich’ meaning a corpse) were taken for burial at St Mary’s churchyard.  Salutation Mews, near that church, dates from when England was Catholic, and the salutation was to the Virgin Mary.  Similarly, Laywell Road recalls Our Lady’s well.  The first building that you see when you come into Brixham from Paignton is the old white-boarded Toll House where all travellers had to pay a fee to come into the town and to keep the roads repaired.  Just what the government is thinking about introducing today.  What’s new ?  The past is all around us, especially in Brixham.

thanks to Bridget Howard for contributing this history section

King William III Prince of Orange

 William was born on November 4th 1650 at 8.30pm. His father William II Prince of     Orange died on October 27th in the year 1650 and his mother was Mary Stuart, daughter of Charles I. William was brought up in the Protestant Faith and he spoke English, French, Dutch, German, Latin and Spanish. His first visit to England was in 1670 and at the invitation of Charles II, he stayed for four months. In 1667 Louis XIV of France had attacked the Netherlands and by 1672 occupied large areas of the Lowlands. By the end of 1673 William had driven the French from Dutch soil. On 14th November 1677 William married Mary although she was only 15 years old and he was 27. The wedding was very popular in England at the time.

    In 1683, Louis XIV invaded and looted the Province of Orange and persecuted the Protestants. This led to William's undying hatred of Louis XIV. On February 6th 1685 Charles II died and his brother James II was proclaimed King of England. James II became obsessed with the idea of a Roman catholic England, having at first gained the Parliament, brought it to heel and greatly increased the powers of the Monarchy. His naiveté of the true feelings of the English people against Popery were to bring him down just as quickly as he had risen to power. Recent history had taught the English people of the impieties and superstitions of Popery and of the persecution of Protestants during the reign of 'Bloody' Mary. Charles I's link with Popery precipitated the English Civil War and Louis XIV's intensive persecution of his Protestant subjects reminded English people of the dangers of allowing Popery it's head. So by his own stupidity, James rendered unusable the most compliant Parliament of the century. He could not repeal the Penal Laws of the Test Act without them and they were not prepared to do so.

    In 1687, James suspended the Penal Laws and Test Acts pending their repeal by Parliament. This was intended to encourage conversions to the Roman catholic faith and to win over dissenters without whom the repeal could not be achieved. His main aim now was, by hook or by crook, to secure a Parliament that would do as he wished. He now used the powers that the Crown had over Parliament to put out the Tories who had been installed from 1681-1685 and to put in dissenters. James mounted an intensive campaign to achieve his aim and when this failed, he resorted to trickery and intimidation. He was far more reckless and radical than Charles I in his attempts to secure Absolutism and Roman Catholicism. This obsession with Roman Catholicism could only mean one thing - he was about to alter the Succession in favour of a Roman Catholic. Since all else was aimed at putting Roman Catholics into privileged positions, why not achieve the ultimate ?

    James kept up a barrage of correspondence with William and Mary trying to win them over to his aims of repeal and in September 1686, he urged William to invade England at once stating that there would be no opposition. William replied that he would be prepared to act only if James tried to alter the Succession or if he threatened the nation's religion. Late in 1687, Mary of Modena - James's wife - announced that she was pregnant. Roman Catholic courtiers were jubilant but Protestants were extremely alarmed because if a son were born, he would be raised a Roman Catholic and a Roman Catholic dynasty would ensue. The Roman Catholic confidence that a son was to be born led Protestants to believe that even if no son were born the priests would produce a baby boy and pass him off as James's son.

    At the end of April 1688 William decided to invade, precipitated by his concern for James's campaign to Pack Parliament, an action which William believed might have caused Civil War in England. On June 10th 1688 Mary of Modena gave birth to a son. This child was felt to be spurious by both Mary and Anne -the boys step sisters and will always be known as the Pretender. Around this time James had Seven Anglican bishops put into jail and on June 30th had them tried for seditious libel. However they were acquitted that same evening. William was asked to deliver England from the tyranny of James II but he demanded an invitation before he would help. The famous Edward Russel showed Prince William that it would be dangerous to entrust the secrets of this invitation to many persons. William agreed and said he desired only the signatures of a few influential and representative men. A paper was drawn up and signed in cypher by seven important men - 'the immortal seven', as they have been called. The men were Lords Shrewsbury, Devonshire, Dunby, Lumley, Compton (Bishop of London), Edward Russel and Henry Sidney. The famous paper, which was in the handwriting of Henry Sidney, formally invited the Prince to England, with as little delay as possible. If he would appear at the head of some troops, tens of thousands would flock to his banner. They pledged their life and honour that they would join him.

    William's invasion was a mixture of good luck and brilliant strategy. It was not the done thing to sail with an army at the start of winter. At the end of September, James realised the danger and hurriedly revised his Roman Catholicising programme and abandoned his campaign to Pack Parliament. It was too little, too late. The Protestant Armada set sail on October 20th 1688 but a violent storm forced him back into port until November 1st , when a favourable wind allowed him to make a second venture. The contrary wind had been noted with anxiety in England, when the Dutch deliverer was impatiently expected. "Crowds stood in Cheapside," says Macaulay, "gazing intently at the weather-cock on the graceful steeple of the Bow Church, and praying for a Protestant wind." Great was their joy when it blew the right way at last.

    William was at last advancing before a Protestant wind, his flag unfurled, displaying he arms of Nassau quartered with those of England, and embellished with a motto embroidered in letters three feet long : "The liberties of England and the Protestant religion I will maintain." Gallantly the Protestant Armada rode before the gale, the "Brill" with the prince on board leading the way. A hundred years earlier a Popish Armada had set sail for the destruction of Protestantism in England - now a Protestant fleet is speeding to the same shore, having for it's object the subversion of Popery. The former suffered shipwreck, the latter enjoyed the special protection and guidance of Divine Providence.

    About six hundred vessels, with canvas fully spread, reached the Straits of Dover at midday on November 3rd ; the shores of Calais and the white cliffs of Dover could be seen by those on board, and the fortresses of each were saluted at the same time by the Men-of-war on the extremes left and right. Both coasts were densely thronged with spectators. On November 5th 1688 William landed at Brixham, Devon and to this day William's motto "I Will Maintain" remains the motto of Brixham.

 On 9th November William entered Exeter (The Orange Association was founded here at this time) and waited for his promised support to arrive. It wasn't until 17th November that a certain Edward Seymour, the richest and most influential man in the South West of England arrived and swore allegiance, quickly followed by the Earl of Bath. James by this time had reversed all his policies in a vain attempt at regaining his country's support, but his Protestant subjects were by now rightly suspicious of the Popish King and many of his Generals were switching allegiance to William. James's army was situated in Salisbury and on the 21st November, William struck out eastwards from Exeter. On the 23rd James withdrew and decided to negotiate with William. By now, William had reached Hungerford and on December 7th, James's commissioners were received. The next day, December 8th, William stated his terms. They included the dismissal of all Roman Catholic officers, the revocation of all proclamations against William and his adherents and James was to pay William's army. James and William and their armies were to remain at an equal distance from London and both men were to attend the next session of Parliament.

    These terms, not being unreasonable, prove beyond doubt that William was prepared to allow James to remain on the throne albeit with greatly reduced powers. James refused these terms and tried to flee to France but was captured and sent back to London. On December 22nd James was escorted to Rochester where every means was taken to facilitate his escape which he did.

    William ordered free elections in early January 1689 and the elected met on January 22nd. After lengthy legal debate, wrangling and intrigue, it was eventually decided to offer William and Mary the throne jointly. Although both Parliament Houses believed James had repeatedly violated the system, trying to impose Popery and Absolution, the Constitution did not provide for a king who broke the law and this was the reason for the delay in proclaiming for William and Mary, with Mary's sister Anne to succeed them.

    On February 13th William and Mary heard the Declaration of Rights read to them and were asked to accept the Crown. William replied "We thankfully accept what you have offered us and promise to rule according to law and be guided by Parliament".

    Having given freedom and rights to all, the country was not kind to William, with-holding any form of payment to him by way of income or money to further his campaign. William also granted a free and unfettered Press. April 11th 1689 saw the coronation of William and Mary. The Toleration Act of 1689 was the first statutory grant of religious toleration in England and extended religious liberties to Roman Catholic and Protestant alike, ending the Church of England's monopoly of the nation's religious life. High Anglicans resented this and subsequently grew to dislike William, which perhaps explains a lot of today's intransigence to the Orange Order.

    In the spring of 1689, James landed in Ireland, at Kinsale where he took command of some 50,000 men who had rallied to Tyrconnel's (known as Lying Dick Talbot) standard. Tyrconnel had made every preparation ready for this day including disbanding the Army of its Protestant soldiers decreeing that only Papists could be in the Army. Protestant Mayors, Judges and Sheriffs were all replaced by Papists. Many Protestants in the south fled the country, but those in the north drew together at Londonderry and Enniskillen. James sent some 25,000 soldiers north to subdue the Protestants at Londonderry. The Siege of Londonderry then followed.

    Following their defeat at Londonderry the army of James II fell back to Dublin, Where James had instituted a Popish Parliament, and was creating havoc among the Protestants. Clergy were evicted from their parishes and Protestants were thrown out of Trinity College. Three thousand Protestants of name and fortune were deprived of Civil Rights, and of the right to inherit or transmit their property due to the Bill of Attainment passed by this Parliament. The ruin of all Protestants in Ireland was the object of James and his cronies in this Parliament. He was financing his affairs by robbing the Protestants. King William's presence was required in Ireland to subdue this insurrection in Ireland and so in June 1690 he set sail for Ireland. William landed at Carrickfergus and then travelled to the river Boyne to do battle with the forces of James II

    On that sunny day in July 1690 two great armies were converging James, with 26,000 men arrived at the River Boyne first and set up his great tents and canons and he waited. King William Prince of Orange with 30,000 men arrived and prepared to do battle. On seeing the opposing army William exclaimed with delight "Ah, I am glad to see you, gentlemen; if you escape me now, the fault will be mine!" On July 1st at 8.0'clock the battle started and continued throughout the day until 4.0'clock in the afternoon, 1500 men were killed that day. James was defeated and fled to Kinsale and then on to France, followed by the scorn of even his own followers. Other battles took place, but the struggle in Ireland was short and William was victorious. The Battle of the Boyne established the throne of William Prince of Orange.

    William and Louis XIV signed a treaty - The Peace Treaty of Ryswick in 1697 in which Louis XIV pledged to never again make any attempt to subvert the existing government of England. But four years later Louis broke his word and violated his pledge. In the meantime the Queen of England died of small-pox, and was buried with due pomp and ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The Heir apparent to the throne (the son of Princess Anne) died some five or six years later. This necessitated the settlement of the succession. In 1701 the famous Act of Settlement was passed, which determined that if either William or Anne had no children, the Princess Sophia, Duchess Dowager of Hanover, should succeed to the English Throne on the death of the latter (Princess Anne), who was a daughter of James II, and wife of Prince George of Denmark, thus excluding the Popish Prince of Wales.

    Sophia was the daughter of James I of England and was mother to George I. This Act perpetuated the Protestant succession to the throne, and enjoined that only a member of the Church of England should wear the English Crown. Thus were all Papists excluded from the English Throne, forever.

    When William met his Parliament, he spoke these memorable words : "Let there be no other distinctions heard amongst us for the future, but of those who are for the Protestant religion and the present establishment, and of those who mean a Popish prince and a French government. I will only add this, if you do in good earnest desire to see England hold the balance of Europe, and to be indeed at the head of the Protestant interest, it will appear by your right improving the present opportunity" (Stoughton)

In 1702 William, while recovering from ill health, broke his collarbone when his horse stumbled over a molehill in Richmond park. Jacobites later toasted the little gentleman in a black velvet suit - the mole. On March 4th William was very weak and had great difficulty eating. By the 7th he had a fever and was in great pain, but he accepted death in the same fearless manner in which he had lived.

Early on the 8th March 1702 he received the sacrament and he died shortly after 8.00am. Around his neck was a necklace, attached to which were a lock of Mary's hair and her wedding ring.     

Thus ended the life of King William III Prince of Orange, the first Monarch who loved and upheld a constitutional system of religious liberty. Under his tolerant and wise policy Protestantism was firmly established on a sure, and let us hope , an immovable basis.

Thanks to the Orange Order South of England Branch for this report

Brixham Harbour

Latitude: 50º 23'N
Longitude: 03º 30'W
Country: England

Ownership: Torbay District Council
Type: Municipal
Usage: Leisure, Fishing
Address: Brixham Harbour Master's Office, New Fish Quay, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8AJ
Telephone no: 01803 851854
 

About Brixham Harbour

For centuries the port of Brixham has made its living from the sea. It was in the Middle Ages that Brixham established itself as a major fishing port and by 1850 it was said to be the largest fishery in England. Its narrow street with rows of fisherman's cottages, back alleys and caves also made the haven for smugglers.

In 1688 Prince William of Orange landed at the port and marched through the street on his way to claim the throne as King William III. And so Brixham was the cradle of the bloodless English Revolution.

Brixham Harbour is located on the southern aspect of Tor Bay and boasts one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK, plus a thriving fish market to support it.

Over 100 fishing boats land and sell their catch at the local Fish Market on the quayside. A visitor viewing platform is strategically placed so visitors can watch the busy comings and goings of the fishing fleet, made up of large beam trawlers and the smaller day boats. Some of the smaller day boats can actually been seen working at various vantage points around Tor Bay i.e. Berry Head, Fishcombe and Hopes Nose.

Approached from the sea the view of Brixham with its many colourful houses cascading down on either side of the harbour is one of the prettiest along the South Devon coast. Brixham personifies the classic English fishing port, mixing tradition with a modern vibrant industry.

There is currently a huge regeneration project being considered for the future of the town and harbour, involving the possibility of a northern arm breakwater, development of reclaimed land, revitilising the central area and a review of the transport system.

There are two slipways in Brixham harbour that are used for launching and recovery. One can be found at the southern end of Oxen Cove car park and the other facility is located adjacent to the Breakwater Hard which is located at the south eastern corner of the harbour, which is overlooked by Devoncourt Holiday Flats.

The moorings in the outer harbour comprise of mainly swinging moorings divided along the centre by the Fairway there are also a few outhaul moorings.

The inner harbour at Brixham is tidal and therefore, boat movement is restricted at low tide. and the moorings dry.

Beaches near to Devoncourt

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