04-19-2007, 10:30 PM
In 1651, the Dutch Estates General declared war upon the pirates living on the Isles of Scilly. Admiral Maarten Tromp (this is a nice stone tablet from Amsterdam) was sent out with a substantial navy. Before it arrived, however, the English navy intervened, and admiral Robert Blake promised to solve the problem.
However, next year, the First Anglo-Dutch War broke out, which lasted until 1654. When the Peace of Westminster was signed, it was forgotten that the Dutch Republic was still at war with the Isles of Scilly. This was discovered in 1985; on 17 April 1986, the Peace of London was concluded between the Kingdom of the Netherlands (successor of the Republic) and the United Kingdom (in which the Isles of Scilly are now included).
Thus ended the longest war in history. During 335 years, not a single shot has been fired.
However, next year, the First Anglo-Dutch War broke out, which lasted until 1654. When the Peace of Westminster was signed, it was forgotten that the Dutch Republic was still at war with the Isles of Scilly. This was discovered in 1985; on 17 April 1986, the Peace of London was concluded between the Kingdom of the Netherlands (successor of the Republic) and the United Kingdom (in which the Isles of Scilly are now included).
Thus ended the longest war in history. During 335 years, not a single shot has been fired.
