The Dutch Capture The Scilly Isles 1651

What If The Dutch Occupied Scilly in 1651?



During the English Civil War The Dutch supported the Parliamentarian side of the conflict. The Royalist fleet based itself partially in Scilly and harassed both merchant and military ships with some losses. Admiral HarpertszoonTromp arrived on the Isles demanding reparations for lost merchandise and ships on behalf of the Dutch Navy and Government in early April 1651. These demands were ignored and war was declared on the Scilly Islands specifically. There was never a shot fired as the Royalist surrendered their fleet to Parliamentarian forces in June 1651 and the Declaration of War quickly forgotten.



My question is what if The Dutch Navy had managed to land troops and take the Scilly Isles before Parliamentarian action made that impossible. What would the significance be of this intervention and loss of territory? I can't imagine the Dutch would hold onto the islands very long why turn a friend into an enemy now that you have what you want. What territory or concessions could the Dutch Government trade Scilly for though? I can just imagine them meeting with Cromwell and saying sure you can have Scilly back but we want.......?



So what do the Dutch negotiate for land, money, just the basic reparations? Would love to hear thoughts and opinion on this as I'm no expert on the subject.


Fun Fact: A peace treaty between The Netherlands and Scilly was not signed until April 17th 1986. Meaning that the two were in a bloodless war without hostilities of any kind for 335 years. Guess both countries had better things to do lol.
 
I can imagine the Dutch might try to develop the islands a bit more for navy/piracy stuff for a bit and when the civil war is over, England would want them back.
I doubt England would trade for them as they have no real value. The population in 2016 was roughly 3000 and out of 145 islands only 5 are currently inhabited. I can imagine that once England got its own house in order, they would just starve the Dutch out as I doubt they would be able to grow much food there. Especially since in total they only cover about 6.3 square miles
The other outcome is that we wouldn't care, since we have no real use for them.
The Dutch would probably have more use for them since they could be used a stop point on the way out of Europe.
 

HJ Tulp

Donor
As you said, the Dutch are not going to occupy territory of a regime that has a lot of potential as an ally. Now if the situation was the other way around (Parliament remnants occupying the islands) there is a lot more potential. A bast on that side of the Channel would be very valuable. Is there a good natural harbour on the islands?
 
I think their are a few suitable harbors natural or man made available for use as the Royalists were using it as a naval and pirate base, Tulp. Some UK friends have said St Mary's harbor is probably the most suitable followed by the Harbor on St. Agnes.

The biggest question for me after doing a little more research though is can the Dutch Government trade the islands back to the Commonwealth in a bargain where Cromwell will not enact the Navigation Acts. This would avoid the first Anglo-Dutch war a year later or at least push it back some. Alternatively if this isn't possible and war still breaks out how does Dutch possession of the Scilly Isles change how the war is conducted and the outcome? I can't imagine any harbor in Southeast England and potentially all of Southern England, Wales, and Southern Ireland will be safe from raids or bombardment. Commerce raiders could wreak havoc on the Trans-Atlantic trade going between Britain and American Colonies. Exploited correctly a small change like this could set some butterflies to flight.
 
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