In 1620 two ships set sail for the New World. Had providence seen fit for them both to land we might now be celebrating 400 years of a double voyage. As it is, the smaller Speedwell sprang a leak while the Mayflower sailed into history alone, but only after a couple of unscheduled stops...
The ships set sail from Southampton, a thriving sea port. After a brutal pirate raid in 1338, the town had been rebuilt, walled and fortified. It was an ideal place to start the voyage, thanks to established transatlantic trading links, an experienced pool of local sailors, and the
availability of goods required both for the voyage and for the community that was to be set up thereafter.
The Speedwell, which had ferried the group from the Netherlands to Southampton, was already leaking. The ships lay at anchor for almost two weeks while it was repaired, some of the Pilgrims having to sell their belongings and precious supplies bought for the voyage to pay port fees.
We don’t know exactly how much of Southampton the Pilgrims would have known. “They would have bought supplies in the town,” says tour guide Jack Wilson, “and there was at least one local man on board. John Alden was hired as a cooper, an important job when all supplies were in barrels.” A network of around 50 vaulted, medieval cellars have been discovered, 12 of which may be explored by the public if accompanied by a key-holder such as Jack.
Southampton repays guided tours. Small and gridlike, the old town is easy to navigate but surprisingly hard to interpret. Jack also holds keys to Southampton’s famous Bar Gate, otherwise closed to the public. The views from the building’s roof are filled with history, ancient and modern.
Bu hikaye The Official Magazine Britain dergisinin March - April 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Official Magazine Britain dergisinin March - April 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Take The High Road
The North Coast 500 is an epic route that takes you past some of the country’s most spellbinding scenery
Where To Stay In 2021
Whether it’s a country house escape, a rustic bolthole or a sophisticated city stay, you’ll find your perfect getaway on these pages
The EMPEROR'S ISLE
Tresco was once a treeless and windswept island, the haunt of smugglers. Dramatically transformed by one man’s vision, it is now one of Britain’s most beautiful spots
Hidden Cornwall
Discover the beautiful, beguiling and rugged land of West Penwith in the far reaches of Cornwall
Wonders of Wales
With its wild cliffs, pretty coves and puffins galore, St Brides Bay holds the best of Pembrokeshire
Yorkshire's MOORS & SHORES
Equal parts mystical moor and secluded seashore, the Yorkshire coast beats some of Britain’s more traditional summer destinations hands down
PEAK PERFORMANCE
From heathery moors to rolling hills and underground caverns, the Peak District is home to some of the most majestic landscapes in the country
Culture CAPITAL
After a year of stop-start openings, London's museums are welcoming visitors back in 2021 with an array of blockbuster exhibitions
HISTORIC NORFOLK
Spend time exploring this peaceful county, whose stately homes are a grand counterpoint to its unadorned rural landscapes
1066 COUNTRY
England’s sunny south coast has a rich heritage, harbouring ancient castles and evocative landscapes that tell the story of the Battle of Hastings and beyond