Saint Lucia History

Caribbean Saint Lucia

Attempts by the British to colonize the island occurred in 1605 and 1638. The French then settled on the island in 1650. After a number of military incursions, St. Lucia was ceded to Britain in 1814. St. Lucia achieved independence in 1979.

Temporary settlements: English privateers 1550s, Netherlands 1600, English shipwreck 1605, France claimed St. Lucia in 1635, and England 1639. The first permanent settlements were from France in 1643, then England 1664, and France took over again in 1666. During the 1700s ownership changes or neutrality occurred 12 times but St. Lucia basically remained loyal to France. Great Britain gained control in 1803, and St. Lucia became independent in 1979.