John Callow on Hango Hill, site of Illiam Dhone's execution
John Callow, acclaimed historian, writer and screenwriter specialising in 17th century politics and popular culture, gives an insight into Illam Dhone's motivation for the Manx Rebellion.
The backdrop of the English civil war gave Illiam Dhone the insight into what could happen to a native Gaelic society when it was visited by English invasion. John Callow talks of the tales of refugees from Ireland at the time of the massacres of 1640 and the Cromwellian Conquest of 1649 that would have informed Illiam Dhone of the consequences of allowing his homeland to be invaded by a foreign force. In order to avoid this, Illiam Dhone played a crucial role in preventing invasion and sustaining Manx cultural, social and political identity. John Callow points out that Illiam Dhone remains relevant today because his actions preserved the House of Keys (the Manx parliament) and the traditions and customs of the Manx government and spared the island from the ravages of a protracted conflict. In doing so, he was prepared to take the consequences of his actions and die bravely for his beliefs.
Read the interview at: http://www.transceltic.com/
Learn more about Illam Dhone at: http://www.transceltic.com/
For John Callow's biography visit: http://www.transceltic.com/
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
