Discovered by the Portuguese in 1502 and fought over by the English, French, Dutch and Portuguese before its annexation by the East India Company in 1659, this book reviews the strategic importance of St Helena arising from its location as a vital refuelling stop for ships returning to Europe from India and the East. With no indigenous population the East India Company established a society from scratch and the author explores the themes of law and morality, gender, slavery, resistance and defence on the island set against the context of trade and imperialism. The appendices include tables relating to imports, migration and population, criminal offences, jury service, taxation, slavery and also list those condemned after the 1684 rebellion.