Isle of Wight stag weekend information

Some of the first recorded settlements on the island are of the Beaker people (so called for their characteristic pottery), who arrived c1900 BC, naming the Island Wiht meaning 'what rises over the sea'. Four hundred years of peaceful Roman rule followed, from 43 AD; although this was succeeded by a period of strife, brought about by the Saxons, culminating eventually in the introduction of Christianity by the West Saxon King in 686 AD. The island then remained peaceful for two centuries, before the rampaging Danes entered on the scene, beginning several decades of persecution.

At the time of the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror was granted overlordship of the Isle of Wight. This title was then passed down to the De Redvers family in 1101, until the last in line finally sold the Island to Edward I in 1293 for 6000 marks. In 1444 one of the Lords of the Island was actually granted the title of King of the Isle of Wight by Henry VI. The strategic importance of the island was enhanced considerably by the development of Portsmouth as a permanent naval base. In the nineteenth century, Queen Victoria took advantage of the island's new accessibility by rail, using it as her retreat. When the island gained full County status under the Local Government Act in 1972, Earl Mountbatten was appointed first Lord Lieutenant.

Isle of Wight pub trivia

famous for: sailing, Cowes Week, that Hendrix concert
famous sons and residents: Jeremy Irons, Level 42, Tennyson
interesting fact: the island is 23 miles at its widest point