Isle of Mann

On 5 July the citizens of the Isle of Mann celebrate Tynwald Day: on this day the High Court of Tynwald (or Ard-whaiyl Tinvaal in Manx) sit, while laws are promulgated and special petitions are received. Tynwald is said to be the oldest parliament in continual existence in the world (apparently this is arguable)—it was established in 979, so I suppose it’s perfectly in keeping to celebrate it. Meanwhile, the Isle of Mann remains a self-governing Crown dependency of the United Kingdom. While it is not part of the UK proper, the United Kingdom is responsible for its defense—as well as its foreign relations and good-governance.

Human history—or the traces of human presence—on the Isle of Mann go back to the Middle Stone Age, long before Viking settlement began in the 8th century, and before it officially came under Norse rule in the 11th century. In 1266 the Isles were ceded to Scotland, before passing to English control in the 14th century. It was 1866 before greater autonomy came to the Isle of Mann, and these days it’s a tax haven (always popular) as well as a tourist centre. (Who knew? I want to go to the Isle of Mann.)

And I have to say the demonym Manx is very cool. So's the flag. The triskele that is featured on the Manx flag is also pretty cool.

When looking at Manx poetry, I was really pleased to come across the work of the 19th century Manx poet Thomas Edward Brown. There is a large collection of his poems online here. I’ve chosen a short lyric because—well—I like it.

Dante and Ariosto

If Dante breathes on me his awful breath,

I rise and go ; but I am sad as death —

I go ; but, turning, who is that I see ?

I whisper:— “Ariosto, wait for me”

—Thomas Edward Brown