Saint Peter Parish, Barbados

Saint Peter
Parish
A scenic shot of St. Peter
Map of Barbados showing the Saint Peter parish
Coordinates: 13°15′N 59°37′W / 13.250°N 59.617°W / 13.250; -59.617Coordinates: 13°15′N 59°37′W / 13.250°N 59.617°W / 13.250; -59.617
Country	Barbados
Largest city	Speightstown
Government
• Type	Parliamentary democracy
• Parliamentry seats	1
Area
• Total	34 km2 (13 sq mi)
Population (2010 census)
• Total	11,300
• Density	330/km2 (860/sq mi)

The Parish of Saint Peter ("St. Peter") is one of eleven parishes in the Caribbean island country of Barbados. It is named after the Christian Apostle and patron saint, Saint Peter. It is located in the north of Barbados, and is the only parish besides Saint Lucy that extends from the east coast to the west.

The Barbados "Platinum Coast," which extends through Saint Peter from the parish of Saint James just to the south, has helped to make Saint Peter a tourist hot spot. The parish is surrounded with white sand beaches, including those along Mullins Bay. Its topography includes rolling hills and terraces, some of which are still covered by sugar cane, which was the island's chief cash crop during its colonial period. Within Saint Peter are also large tourist sites such as the Port St. Charles and Port Ferdinand marinas. Other lavish resorts include Schooner Bay, St. Peter's Bay and The Palazzate.

The area of Speightstown was the first major port and commercial centre of Barbados. The city is named after William Speight, a member of Barbados' first Assembly during the colonial years, and the former owner of the land on which the city arose. It has a long and colorful history reaching back to the 17th century when it served as one of the main ports connecting the island with the “mother country,” England. Back then Speightstown was sometimes called “Little Bristol” because of these trading connections with Bristol in England. This little village was the port that Admiral Ayscue could not take when he was dispatched by Cromwell to quell the insurrection in Barbados in 1649. The Barbadians were loyal to Charles I, and would not accept Oliver Cromwell as their protector. For six months Ayscue was unable to land in Barbados, and concentrated attacks on Speightstown were repelled by the small forts along the shore. The tiny island was landed only with the help of a defector who led Ayscue and his men to land at Oistins where they met with representatives of the island and signed what has become known as the Charter of Barbados. Signed in 1652, the agreement gave Barbados rights and privileges unheard of on any other island. In particular it guaranteed that Barbados could not be taxed without the consent of a Barbados General Assembly. Many historic buildings dating from colonial times, including Arlington House, still remain standing in the town and can be seen mostly along Queen Street, Church Street and Orange Street. Speightstown saw a lot of activity during the reign of the sugar industry and the day of the slave trade. Many slaves would have passed through this town, even if they were to be shipped on further to other islands or America.