Tag: Scilly

Those in peril on the sea: mariners in Victorian Cornwall

A region bordered on three sides by the sea might be expected to be home to a fair number of men described as mariners, seamen, sailors or Royal Navy personnel. In fact, in 1861 there were more of this description than there were fishermen, at least 2,514. ‘At least’ because we would expect a proportion … Continue reading Those in peril on the sea: mariners in Victorian Cornwall →

Marriage horizons on Scilly

In Cornwall in the Victorian period people tended to find their marriage partners within a six to ten mile radius, a distance largely unchanged since medieval times. But when most of that six to ten miles is water and the choice heavily skewed towards fish and seals, what did people do? What were the marriage … Continue reading Marriage horizons on Scilly →