Speightstown

Over 350 years old, Speightstown is one of the four major towns in Barbados, the northern most and 2nd largest town on the island. In terms of cultural significance and importance, Speightstown is the second most important town in Barbados. The town was settled in 1630 and was named after William Speight, the owner of the land where Speightstown is situated.

In the 17th century, the town was a major seaport, commercial and trading hub in Barbados. The port conducted what was an especially productive trade with Bristol in England, the “mother country”. Due to the productivity of this trade, Speightstown was also affectionately known as “Little Bristol”. It was also due to this reason that Barbados rapidly arose as one of the wealthiest colonies in the entire world.

Speightstown was the site of numerous attacks between 1651 and 1654 by Admiral Sir George Ayscue, sent to Barbados by Oliver Cromwell to quell the uprising in Barbados against Cromwell. After King Charles I was executed by Cromwell’s Protectorate, many of King Charles’ followers, known as Cavaliers, emigrated to Barbados and forced out the existing government. However, the attacks on Speightstown by Sir George were repelled by the numerous small forts along the shore that protected the town. These forts included the Orange Fort, which was located in the town centre where the fish market currently lies, the Coconut and Denmark Forts, which were located near to the Orange Fort, where the Speightstown Esplanade is currently located, Dover Fort or Dover Castle, which overlooked the cliff to the East and Heywoods Battery, situated just north of the town. Sir George was therefore only able to land Barbados via Oistins Town.(4)