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During the last invasion of this country hundreds of French troops landed on the foreshore nearby. This armed incursion was bloodily defeated and repulsed by local militia. 21st July 1545.
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Thus reads the text of a plaque, situated on the seafront at Seaview, Isle of Wight.
As a piece of fantasy, the information on this plaque is faultless. However, as a meaningful and accurate information board, issue can be taken on several points.
1. "the last invasion"
Several areas of the country will happily argue with this one, pointing out that foreign troops, both Spanish and French, landed on these shores at a later date.
2. "hundreds of French troops"
The number of French troops, or whether they were indeed French rather than foreign mercenaries, is very uncertain. There is no evidence mentioned in the primary accounts saying how many landed.
3. "This armed incursion was bloodily defeated and repulsed..."
No, it wasn't. The French and/or mercenaries successfully detroyed the small fort and attacked and burned the only settlement in the area - Nettlestone. Nettlestone Manor was severely burned. It must be remembered that the whole purpose of landing troops on the Island was to cause maximum visible damage in an attempt to force Henry VIII to commit his fleet to a sea battle in the open. It was at Bonchurch where the French troops were repulsed.
4. "by local militia"
The population of the Seaview area was miniscule right up until the 19th century. The site of Seaview was fields. There were two or three houses at East Common, where Sophie Watson Gardens are today. Nettlestone was no more than a manorial hamlet. Island militia may have been stationed in the area but, equally, evidence points to companies of Mainland militia being assigned to this area. Mainland companies had been ferried over fairly promptly to reinforce the Island militia.
What actually happened?
Here are two accounts. One is written by a Frenchman at the time. The other is written by Sir John Oglander some 90 years later, probably based on first-hand accounts.
Account by Martin du Bellay, published in Paris, 1582.
"...To keep the enemy's forces separated, a simultaneous descent was made in three different places. On one side the Seigneur Pierre Strosse was bidden to land below a liitle fort where the enemy had mounted some guns with which they assailed our galleys in flank, and within which a number of Island infantry had retired. These, seeing the boldness of our men, abandoned the fort and fled southward to the shelter of a copse. Our men pursued and killed some of them, and burned the surrounding habitations..."
Account by Sir John Oglander from his manuscripts.
"...They landed at three several places all at one time, purposely, to divide our forces. Pierre Strosse landed at St. Helens, where there was a little fort, and beat our men, being divided from the fort, into the woods. Le Seigneur de Tais, General of the Foot, landed at Bonchurch, where there was a hot skirmish between them and us, and on either part many were slain..."
The image of plucky Seaview people defending their property by ambushing professional French troops with a shower of arrows is a myth and it is imperative that it is banished from any future history, if historical accuracy and veracity is to be promoted. If local pride requires a fantasy, then it will no doubt continue to muddy the historical waters with hearsay stories such as that told on the plaque. But if people even slightly care about discovering the true history of this Island, then they really need to check their facts before going into print, whether in a book, on the internet or, more importantly, on a plaque! A plaque is permanent and is perceived as having historical authority... a dangerous perception if the authors haven't done their research well!
Often the historical truth is not as exciting as one wished, and in this situation, local antiquarian obsessives, who lack the necessary historical skills, will tend to get into bed with Wishful Thinking and its illegitimate child, Selective Distortion. Shun the Posturing of the creature called Wishful Thinking, for it will lead you to seek the false god, History Sensation, who will encourage you to worship distortion in the Temple of Heritage.
Beware of Plaques bearing Parochial Pride.
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