Plantations by Land and Sea: North Channel Communities of the Atlantic Archipelago c.1550-1625

This book explores the development and implementation of plantation policy in the North Channel region from the mid-sixteenth to the early seventeenth century, focusing on why it emerged in this area and its impact on communities and individuals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 23 December 2021
Publisher: Peter Lang International Academic Publishers

This comprehensive book delves into the historical trajectory of plantation, encompassing its development and subsequent implementation from the mid-sixteenth to the early seventeenth century, with a specific focus on the North Channel context. Through an in-depth examination of the factors that led to plantation emerging as a policy in the north of Ireland, its implementation in the western Highlands and Isles of Scotland, and the profound consequences of this policy, the book engages in a critical exploration of plantation as a component of a "civilizing" policy. By examining the ways in which plantation impacted communities and individuals brought together by the waters of the North Channel, the book challenges the notion of plantation as a top-down tool of state formation imposed on the periphery. Instead, it emphasizes that plantation was the outcome of an ongoing dialogue and negotiation between various individuals and communities, responding to the specific events and circumstances of the periphery.

In the case of plantation in the northern province of Ireland, for instance, it emerged as a crucial component of James VI and I's "British" project. However, the way in which this policy unfolded was distinct, shaped by the unique historical, social, and economic dynamics of the region. The book explores these nuances, highlighting the diverse experiences and perspectives of those involved in plantation, from the planters themselves to the indigenous communities they sought to colonize.

Moreover, the book extends its analysis beyond the North Channel context, examining plantation in other parts of Britain and Ireland and its broader implications for the British Empire. It explores the ways in which plantation shaped political, economic, and cultural landscapes, and the complex relationships that emerged between colonizers and colonized.

Through its rich and nuanced analysis, this book offers valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted history of plantation, shedding light on its origins, evolution, and enduring impact on societies and individuals across the British Isles.

Weight: 688g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789973785
Edition number: New ed