The War That Lasted 335 Years—Without a Single Shot Fired

Wars throughout history have been defined by bloodshed, destruction, and political turmoil. But what if I told you there was a war that lasted for 335 years—without a single battle, casualty, or even an exchange of fire? It sounds unbelievable, yet this bizarre and largely forgotten conflict between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly is one of history’s strangest diplomatic oddities.

How did it start? Why did it last so long? And how was it finally resolved? Buckle up for an incredible journey into one of history’s most unusual “wars.”

The Beginning of an Accidental War

To understand how this conflict began, we must go back to the mid-17th century—a time when Europe was in chaos. The English Civil War (1642–1651) was raging, a brutal struggle between Royalists, who supported King Charles I, and Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell.

As battles raged across England, the Royalist forces suffered heavy defeats. By 1648, most of England had fallen to the Parliamentarians, forcing the remaining Royalist supporters to retreat to the farthest reaches of England—one of those places being the Isles of Scilly.

The Isles of Scilly, a small archipelago off the southwestern coast of England, became a last-stand stronghold for the Royalists, particularly their navy. The Royalist fleet stationed there took to piracy, attacking Dutch merchant ships. This posed a huge problem for the Netherlands, which at the time was one of the world's leading naval and trading powers.

Enraged by the attacks on their ships, the Dutch government, led by Admiral Maarten Tromp, demanded compensation. The Royalists refused. Frustrated, Tromp declared war on the Isles of Scilly in 1651. It was an official act of war—but what happened next is what makes this conflict so strange.

The War That Everyone Forgot

Just months after the Dutch declared war, the English Civil War ended with the Parliamentarians defeating the Royalists. The Royalist forces surrendered, and Oliver Cromwell’s forces took control of the Isles of Scilly. The Dutch fleet, seeing that the Royalists were defeated, simply left without firing a single shot.

And then...everyone forgot about the war.

The Dutch never sent troops or ships to attack the Isles of Scilly. There were no battles, no negotiations—just silence. No one in England or the Netherlands ever officially declared peace. For the next few centuries, the so-called "war" remained in a legal limbo, existing only on paper but having no real impact on either side.

For 335 years, the war remained technically active, unnoticed by the world. Generations lived and died without knowing that their country was at war with a tiny cluster of islands off the English coast.

The Discovery of a Forgotten War

The "war" might have remained lost in the annals of history forever if not for an inquisitive historian in the 20th century.

In the early 1980s, a historian researching the Dutch archives stumbled upon the war declaration against the Isles of Scilly. To his shock, there was no record of a peace treaty ever being signed. That meant, technically, the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly were still at war!

Word of this bizarre discovery quickly spread, making headlines and amusing historians worldwide. It seemed impossible—a war that had lasted for centuries without a single shot being fired.

The Peace Treaty That Ended the War

Realizing the absurdity of the situation, diplomatic efforts were made to finally bring an end to the forgotten war. In 1986, Dutch diplomat Rein Huydecoper traveled to the Isles of Scilly to formally sign a peace treaty.

The treaty was signed on April 17, 1986, officially ending what had become the longest "war" in human history. The ceremony was filled with humor, as both sides laughed about the strange situation.

The Dutch ambassador jokingly stated, "It must have been horrifying to the Scillonians to know we could have attacked at any moment!"

The people of the Isles of Scilly, who had been unknowingly “at war” for over three centuries, celebrated the occasion with joy and amusement.

The Legacy of the 335-Year War

This unique war remains one of history’s greatest anomalies. It serves as a reminder that not all conflicts are fought with bloodshed—sometimes, wars exist purely on paper.

Today, the Isles of Scilly embrace their peculiar war history, using it as a fun and unusual fact to attract visitors. Tourists who visit the islands can hear the tale of the "war" that lasted longer than any other in history—without a single shot fired.

It’s a testament to the strange, sometimes hilarious twists that history can take. And it makes us wonder—how many other forgotten wars might still be technically active somewhere in the world?