The Lost History of St. Michaels Mount England

St. Michaels Mount, nestled off the coast of Cornwall, England, is an island steeped in centuries of history, legends, and mystery. This stunning tidal island, accessible by a cobbled causeway at low tide, has captivated visitors for generations, drawing them in with its storied past and architectural beauty. The roots of St. Michaels Mount’s significance reach back to the 5th century, leaving behind a historical tapestry that reflects the shifts and influences across hundreds of years. From monks to merchants, the mount has been a beacon, both literal and symbolic, for Cornwall and beyond.

The Origins of St. Michaels Mount

St. Michaels Mount ancient pathways

The earliest recorded history of St. Michaels Mount reveals its establishment as a Christian pilgrimage site. Monks built a priory on the island in the 8th century, following a legendary visit by the archangel Michael. Legend claims that Michael appeared to a group of Cornish fishermen here, marking the mount as a holy site. By the 12th century, the island became a dependency of the famous Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, solidifying its ties with Christian worship across both regions. Pilgrims visited in droves, drawn by tales of miracles and the mount’s serene beauty.

Medieval Fortification and Strategic Significance

St. Michaels Mount castle walls

In the medieval period, St. Michaels Mount evolved beyond a place of worship into a site of military importance. As Cornwall’s strategic coastal position made it vulnerable to attack, a fortress was built to safeguard the mount. By the 15th century, it was equipped with defensive walls, towers, and garrison quarters, transforming it into a castle capable of withstanding sieges. The mount played a pivotal role in the War of the Roses, with both Lancastrian and Yorkist forces vying for control. It changed hands several times throughout this turbulent period, symbolizing the island’s strategic significance as much as its spiritual allure.

The St. Aubyn Family Legacy

St. Michaels Mount interior

In the 17th century, the mount pᴀssed into the hands of the St. Aubyn family, who still reside on the island today. The family transformed the fortress into a private residence, yet they carefully preserved much of its medieval architecture and atmosphere. Visitors today can explore the castle’s grand rooms filled with artifacts that tell tales of both the family and the historical periods the mount has survived. Artifacts in the family’s collection, such as suits of armor and historical manuscripts, offer a glimpse into the mount’s past, while the gardens surrounding the mount provide a picturesque contrast to its imposing structure.

Related Posts

Making the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Speak: Scientists Plan to Recreate the Voice of Otzi the Iceman

Italian scientists are attempting to give Ötzi the Iceman a voice. By using CT scans of his throat and the tissue around his voice box, the researchers…

2,500-Year-Old Tattooed Ice Princess Wears Fur to Go on Public Display at Next New Moon

By The Siberian Times reporter An ancient mummy preserved by permafrost is dressed up for her debut 21st century appearance despite calls for solemn reburial from native peoples….

Boris Johnson’s Mummified Ancestor Died from Pathogen, Not the STD Syphilis

New research reveals Boris Johnson’s mummified Swiss ancestor did not die of syphilis, as has long been believed, but of an unknown pathogen. In 1787, at 68 years…

New Tomb Discovered in Turkey! (Video)

This amazing discovery would be incredible and historic enough just by virtue of the fact of its being located in Turkey and suggesting that Queen Neferтιтi fled…

Scientists Solve the Mystery of the Alpine Mummy

For centuries, the unusually well-preserved body of an 18th-century clergyman has been the subject of local legends, speculation, and mystery. According to local lore, the body of…

Incan ‘princess’ mummy aged 8 ‘STOLEN from tomb’ 200 years ago finally laid to rest – but experts can’t crack mystery of her true idenтιтy

A RARE well-preserved mummy of a young Incan girl is being returned to its native homeland of Bolivia. The 500-year-old mummy nicknamed ‘Princess’ is notable for having…