Island Studies Journal (Nov 2014)
Defining the island city: ancient right versus modern metropolis, as considered at Peel, Isle of Man
Abstract
This paper explores the term ‘city’ per se, and the right to city status in the British Isles. It addresses the nature of modest insular proto-cities, those on small islands and archipelagos that have no great significance outside their own insular sphere, by looking at Peel on the Isle of Man, which claims city status on the basis of its cathedrals, ancient and modern, ruined and working. Whilst not meeting the current United Kingdom’s criteria for city status, Peel’s claim can be validated on two fronts, ancient right and Manx independence from the Crown, or asserted in confident maintenance of the status quo. The latter embodies the independence and otherness of islands and their cities – and their determined self-belief.
