THE annual Illiam Dhone commemorations will again take place at Hango Hill in Castletown tomorrow (Wednesday) where speakers will discuss the current economic situation and the future of the island.
The wreath-laying service will honour the 350th anniversary of the death of the man many believe helped preserve the island’s independence in politically turbulent times.
Organised by the Celtic League and nationalist party Mec Vannin, the service’s venue is the site credited as where the famous Manx politician was executed on, January 2 1663, on charges of misappropriating money.
Chairman of the Celtic League’s Manx branch Mark Kermode will address the gathering in English, before guest speaker Christopher Lewin delivers the traditional Manx Gaelic oration.
Mr Kermode said: ‘We don’t like to give too much away before the event, as it lessens the impact, but I will discuss the governments reaction to the economic situation, and the parallels with Ireland. The situation is desperate.’
Referring to this year’s government cuts, Mr Kermode added: ‘I will also discuss the lack of cohesion, with any given government department spending needlessly, while others cause social discontent over savings of a few hundred thousand pounds.’
The address in Manx Gaelic will come from Christopher Lewin, a student in his third year studying Celtic studies at Edinburgh University. Mr Lewin has been an ambassador for the language since his teens, having already produced a number of original and translated short stories and novels in Manx.
Mr Kermode explained Chris’s oration will explore Illiam Dhone’s own actions and sacrifices, and what he believes the people of the island should be aspiring to as a nation.
The service, will begin at 2pm at Hango Hill, along the bay between Derbyhaven and Castletown.
It will be followed by a service at Malew Church, while there will also be a gathering at The Ship in Castletown for a live music session.
‘We don’t send invitations, anyone is more than welcome,’ said Mr Kermode. ‘It would be nice to see a few more politicians there, in recognition that they partly owe their existence to the actions of Illiam Dhone.’
The legacy of one of history’s most famous Manxmen remains the topic of debate.
William Christian of Ronaldsway, known as Illiam Dhone – brown haired William in Manx – rose to become one of the most trusted employees of the feudal rulers of Mann, the Earls of Derby, and was appointed treasurer of the island.
On one side is the patriot, who during the English Civil War led a militia to prevent the island being handed over to Parliamentarians as part of the ransom for James Stanley, the English Lord of Mann who had been taken prisoner at the Battle of Worcester.
On the other side is the man painted as a self-interested traitor, who eventually surrendered the island to Oliver Cromwell.
Either way, allegations of embezzlement, plotting a coup and even impregnating his own illegitimate daughter dogged him into exile, before he was arrested in London and eventually brought back to the island.
In front of a packed House of Keys, Christian refused to plead and was sentenced to death, a fate seen as an act of revenge by the new Earl of Derby, Charels Stanley. The hurried execution, as well as cementing Christian’s place in the Manx memory, incurred the wrath of King Charles II; the trial’s deemsters were punished and the Christian family received some reparation.
Jennifer Kewley Draskau, a descendent of the Christians, is the author of Illiam Dhone, Patriot or Traitor?
‘I think Illiam Dhone was motivated by the same things that motivate modern politicians,’ she said.
‘However there is no doubt he was executed unjustly. Whatever he was guilty of, it didn’t warrant the death penalty.
‘His death wasn’t a blow for the independence of the Isle of Man, he changed one set of masters for the other, though the effect of his actions were quite good. Without him there would have been more bloodshed.’