Cornwall is quintessentially a maritime region. Almost an island, nowhere in it is further than 25 miles from the sea. Cornwall's often distinctive history has been moulded by this omnipresent maritime environment, while its strategic position at the western approaches-jutting out into the Atlantic-has given this history a global impact. It is perhaps surprising then, that, despite the central place of the sea in Cornwall's history, there has not yet been a full maritime history of Cornwall.