The Ending of The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years’ War

Overview

On April 17, 1986, a peace treaty was signed in London, officially ending the Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years’ War between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly. This war is noted for being one of the longest conflicts in history due to its protracted duration rather than active hostilities.

Historical Background

The origins of this conflict trace back to the English Civil War in the mid-17th century. The war involved a series of complex political and military exchanges, primarily between Royalists and Parliamentarians in England. After the Royalist forces took refuge in the Isles of Scilly—an archipelago off the southwestern coast of England—tensions escalated with the Dutch, who were allies of the Parliamentarians.

Declaration of War

In 1651, Admiral Maarten Tromp of the Dutch Navy, supporting the Parliamentarians, declared war on the Isles of Scilly. However, this war declaration was somewhat informal and not followed by any actual combat, mainly due to the geographical seclusion and the changing political landscape in England.

Neglected Peace

Over the ensuing centuries, the lack of active conflict led the declaration to be largely forgotten by both parties. There were no military engagements or political efforts to resolve this forgotten war until its formal cessation over three centuries later.

The Signing of the Peace Treaty

In an almost ceremonial gesture, Dutch diplomat Jonkheer Rein Huydecoper and the council chairman of the Isles of Scilly, Roy Duncan, formally signed a peace treaty in 1986. This event was more symbolic, ensuring closure to a long-standing technical state of war that had never involved actual hostilities.

Historical Significance

The conclusion of this “war” highlights intriguing aspects of diplomatic history, raising discussions about how overlooked declarations can still have historical interest centuries afterward. It stands as a reminder of the complex web of alliances and enmities that characterized Europe, particularly in the era of the English Civil War.

Aftermath

Since the treaty signing, the Isles of Scilly remains a peaceful and picturesque region, popular with tourists and devoid of any warfare connections in the modern age. The event has been etched into local folklore, offering a peculiar chapter in the annals of historical conflicts.