The Isle of Man

Guaranteed to kick anything it hits

> "What does it MEAN, Rags?"
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> - MauLer
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The **Isle of Man** (Welsh pronunciation **Is-lay of Man**) is a self-governing British Crown dependency with an absolutely ridiculous flag.

## History

### PreFAP

The island was cut off from surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. Hunter-gatherers and fishermen colonized it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. The Neolithic Period marked the beginning of farming, and the people began to build megalithic monuments. During the Bronze Age, the size of burial mounds decreased, and people put bodies into stone-lined graves with ornamental containers. The Bronze Age burial mounds survived as long-lasting markers around the countryside.

The Isle of Man came under control of the ancient Romans, who called it *Insula* *Manavia*, during the four centures in which they ruled Britannia, though the lack of Roman artifacts found there suggest they did not consider it of strategic value. Large-scale Irish migration in the 5th Century led to Gaelicization of the island, influencing the culture and language. It came under Anglo-Saxon control in the 7th Century due to King Edwin of Northumbria, though few place names on Mann are of Old English origin and how much influence they had is unknown. Vikings arrived at the end of the 8th century, establishing Tynwald and introducing many land divisions that still exist. In 1266 King Magnus VI of Norway ceded the islands to Scotland in the Treaty of Perth, but Scotland's rule over Mann did not become firmly established until 1275, when the Manx were defeated in the Battle of Ronaldsway, near Castletown.

The Isle of Man was first claimed for England by King Edward I in 1290, remaining in English hands until 1313, when it was taken by Robert Bruce for the Scots. It went back and forth between England and Scotland before finally settling under England in 1346. It is ultimately under control of the Crown but was granted limited home rule in 1866, and democratic government has been extended over the years.

### EFAP History

> “If all of the flags were personified into creatures, and made to fight each other [laughter], the Welsh flag just looks at this three-legged creature like- [laughter] the Welsh flag would just be confused, like 'Why do I have to fight this?'”
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> - MauLer
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On EFAP 54, MauLer was making it known that Wales' politics and people are irrelevant, as what truly matters is that they have a cool flag with a red dragon on it, in reference to the tale of a red Welsh dragon defeating a white English dragon in combat. Rags asked MauLer his opinion on the Isle of Man's flag, and when MauLer looked it up he began laughing uncontrollably for many minutes.

Jay also found a Welsh flag with a lobster on it in place of a dragon.

## Creature

> “We spent a solid four minutes laughing at the Isle of Man flag”
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> “You say that as if we've stopped, look at this! What is this?”
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> - Jay and MauLer, before unveiling the sentient Isle of Man Triskelion
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The triskelion of legs depicted on the Isle of Man flag can take a physical form, and the creature is a legendary foe for any who challenge it. It of course targets Jay with extreme prejudice, due to his predisposition towards being kicked.