Devon
The county of Devon straddles a peninsula, creating a unique geographical situation among English counties. It possesses two separate coastlines: one facing the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea to the north, and another facing the English Channel to the south. This dual coastline allows for diverse weather patterns and ecological zones within a single administrative area. The longest river in the county is the Tamar, which rises in the northwest hills and forms most of the border with Cornwall. Dartmoor and Exmoor serve as upland moors that act as the source for many rivers including the Taw, Dart, and Exe. The southeast coast features tall cliffs that reveal Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous geology, forming part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. In 1974, the county became ranked fourth by area amongst ceremonial counties due to the creation of Cumbria. Before this reorganisation, it was the third largest county by area and the largest not divided into ridings or parts. The island of Lundy and the reef of Eddystone are also located within the boundaries of Devon.
Kents Cavern in Torquay has produced human remains dating back between 30 and 40 thousand years ago. Dartmoor is thought to have been occupied by Mesolithic hunter-gatherer peoples from approximately 6000 BC. During the Iron Age, Roman, and Sub-Roman periods, the region served as home to the Dumnonii Celtic Britons. The Romans held the area under military occupation for around 350 years before withdrawing formally in AD 410. Saxon incursions began around 600 AD with small bands settling along the coasts of Lyme Bay and southern estuaries. By the mid ninth century, the region had largely been absorbed into Wessex. King Aethelstan set the western boundary at the Tamar on its east bank in 936 AD. Danish raids occurred sporadically along many coastal parts between 800 AD and just before the Norman conquest. These attacks included a silver mint at Hlidaforda Lydford in 997 and Taintona on the Teign estuary in 1001. A genetic study by Oxford University and UCL found separate genetic groups in Cornwall and Devon, suggesting limited Anglo-Saxon migration rather than mass movement.
Devon hosted several anticlerical movements during the Later Middle Ages. The Order of Brothelyngham was a fake monastic order established in 1348 that regularly rode through Exeter. This group kidnapped religious men and laymen while extorting money from them as ransom. The county featured prominently in most civil conflicts since the Norman conquest including the Wars of the Roses. Perkin Warbeck launched his rising in 1497 which caused significant unrest across the region. The Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 resulted in thousands of deaths among people from both Devon and Cornwall. Zealous Protestantism became entrenched in some parts of Devon while other districts remained conservative. These divisions split the county apart during the English Civil War of 1642 to 1646 along religious lines. William of Orange arrived at Brixham to launch the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Methodism proved very popular with working classes in the 19th century when John Wesley introduced it. Methodist chapels became important social centres featuring male voice choirs and church-affiliated groups playing central roles in daily life.
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and Sir Richard Grenville were famous mariners born in Devon. Henry Every stands out as the most notorious pirate of the late 17th century and was probably born in Newton Ferrers village. Thomas Morton built a New England fur-trading plantation called Ma-Re Mount around a West Country-style Maypole. Robert Falcon Scott led the unfortunate Terra Nova Expedition to reach the geographical South Pole. The coat of arms granted on the 11th of October 1926 displays an ancient ship on waves representing seafaring traditions. The crest features a Dartmoor Pony rising from a Naval Crown formed from sails and sterns associated with the Royal Navy. In 1998, Plymouth and Torbay became unitary authorities separate from the remainder administered by Devon County Council. The county has more mileage of road than any other county in England. The Met Office moved its headquarters to Exeter in 2003 serving as the UK's national weather service. Devon's economy followed declining trends of British seaside resorts since the mid-20th century but saw recent revival focused on surfing, cycling, sailing, and heritage tourism.
Devon's total economic output reached over £26 billion in 2019 exceeding that of Manchester or Edinburgh. Health, retail, and tourism accounted for 43.1% of employment according to a 2021 report. Agriculture remained important since the 19th century until the foot and mouth crisis harmed farming communities severely in 2001. The county council estimated 1,200 jobs would be lost in agriculture and ancillary rural industries during that period. An August 2021 report stated immediate economic impacts of COVID-19 were as severe as any in living memory. Between 2014 and 2016 new industries not heavily dependent upon geographical location began arriving. Dartmoor saw significant rises in inhabitants involved in digital and financial services sectors. In 2019 visitor spend reached almost £2.5 billion. The average income is bolstered by a high proportion of affluent retired people while some areas experience severe deprivation with earnings among lowest in UK. Torbay conurbation includes largest town in Devon capital of Torquay alongside Paignton and Brixham. West Devon has fewest residents having only 63,839 at time of census.
The Devonshire cream tea involves scones jam and clotted cream thought to have originated in Devon though claims exist for neighbouring counties. A pasty first record comes from Plymouth in 1509 suggesting possible origin there rather than Cornwall. In October 2008 Devon received Fairtrade County status from the Fairtrade Foundation. Traditional orchard-visiting Wassail occurs every the 17th of January in Whimple. People running through Ottery St Mary village with flaming tar barrels on their backs celebrate Bonfire Night. Berry Pomeroy still celebrates Queene's Day for Elizabeth I. Devon wrestling resembles Cornish wrestling in some ways while another sport called outhurling was played until 20th century. Dartmoor step dancing and Crying The Neck survive as ancient customs. Three professional football teams compete including Plymouth Argyle F.C. and Exeter City F.C. in EFL League One. Exeter Chiefs won Aviva Premiership title in 2017 after beating Wasps RFC 23-20. Over forty rugby clubs operate under banner of Devon Rugby Football Union. The flag dedicated to Saint Petroc was adopted in 2003 after competition run by BBC Radio Devon winning 49% votes cast.
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Common questions
What is the geographical situation of Devon county?
Devon straddles a peninsula creating two separate coastlines facing the Bristol Channel and Celtic Sea to the north and the English Channel to the south. This dual coastline allows for diverse weather patterns and ecological zones within a single administrative area.
When did King Aethelstan set the western boundary at the Tamar in 936 AD?
King Aethelstan set the western boundary at the Tamar on its east bank in 936 AD during the mid ninth century when the region had largely been absorbed into Wessex. The longest river in the county rises in the northwest hills and forms most of the border with Cornwall.
Who were the famous mariners born in Devon including Sir Francis Drake?
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and Sir Richard Grenville were famous mariners born in Devon while Henry Every stands out as the most notorious pirate of the late 17th century. Robert Falcon Scott led the unfortunate Terra Nova Expedition to reach the geographical South Pole from this region.
How much economic output did Devon generate in 2019?
Devon's total economic output reached over £26 billion in 2019 exceeding that of Manchester or Edinburgh. Health retail and tourism accounted for 43.1% of employment according to a 2021 report.
What traditional customs occur in Whimple and Ottery St Mary?
Traditional orchard-visiting Wassail occurs every the 17th of January in Whimple while people running through Ottery St Mary village celebrate Bonfire Night with flaming tar barrels on their backs. Berry Pomeroy still celebrates Queene's Day for Elizabeth I alongside Dartmoor step dancing and Crying The Neck.