St Michael’s Mount is a small tidal island in Cornwall’s Mount’s Bay. It is linked to the town of Marazion by a man-made causeway only passable at mid or low tide. The monastery was gifted by King Edward the Confessor to the Benedictine order of Mont Saint-Michel in the 11th century. The history of the islands inhabitents goes back to Neolitic times some 4,000 years ago.

Although not a true castle, this fascinating site has been fortified, defended and fought over throughout its history.

~ History ~

1193 ~ The Mount is captured on behalf of Prince John by Sir Henry de la Pomeroy during the reign of prince John's elder brother King Richard I. The leader of the previous occupants 'died of fright' upon learning rumours of King Richard's release from captivity.

1275 ~ An earthquake destroys the original priory church on the island.

1424 ~ The chapel is given to the Abbess and Convent of Syon ending the island's connection with the French Benedictines.

1444 ~ The Mount is granted by the Lancastrian King Henry VI to King's College Cambridge.

1462 ~ The Yorkist King Edward IV returns The Mount to the Syon Abbey.

1473 ~ During the War of the Roses, the Lancastrian John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford, seizes The Mount and holds it during a siege lasting 23 weeks against 6,000 Yorkist troops for King Edward IV.

1497 ~ The island is occupied by Perkin Warbeck, a young man pretending to be one of the Princes in the Tower claiming the English throne, challenging King Henry VII’s reign.

1549 ~ Sir Humphrey Arundell, Governor of St Michael's Mount, leads the Prayer Book Rebellion.

1646 ~ Sir Arthur Bassatt holds St Michael's against Parliamentary forces before finally surrendering in July of that year.

1659 ~ The Mount is sold toColonel John St Aubyn who retain the island to this day.

1727 ~ After improvements to the harbour St Michael’s Mount becomes a flourishing sea port and home to fishermen.