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 Speightstown
was the first major port and commercial centre of Barbados.
Falling into disrepair and neglected over the years it
has now been revived and is the home of a brand new luxury
marina development - Port St. Charles - and a number of
exciting initiatives. There
are excellent hotels and restaurants in the area as well
as an art gallery, and some fine examples of original Barbados
architecture.
This little
village was the port that Ayscue could not take, when
dispatched by Cromwell to quell the insurrection in Barbados
in 1649. The Barbadians were loyal to Charles 1, and
would not accept Cromwell as their protector. For 6
months Ayscue was unable to land in Barbados, and concentrated
attacks on Speightstown were repelled by the small forts along
the shore. The tiny Island was landed only with the help of
a defector who led Ayscue and his men to land at Oistins
Town where they met with representatives of the island and signed
what has become known as the "Charter of Barbados". Signed
in 1652, the agreement gave Barbados rights and privileges
unheard of in any other Island. In particular it guaranteed
that Barbados could not be taxed without the consent of
a Barbados General Assembly.
To see this
beautiful location and others, take
an island tour!
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