There is always something extraordinary about the people who inhabit an island, even one located relatively close to the coast of southern England such as the Isle of Wight. The coastline offers cliff walks, sandy beaches, dramatic white chalk landmarks, and harbours and coves for pleasure boats today, but fishing craft and smugglers' vessels in the past. Both Charles I and Queen Victoria sought refuge on the island, at different times, for different reasons, and with very different outcomes. This afternoon session will place the island in the context of English history, and search for the unique identity of the Isle of Wight.