Trespassers Forgiven

Within three decades of the end of the Second World War, the British Empire had been dismantled leaving only a few residual spots of red on the world map. This was the age of decolonisation and Independence. "Trespassers Forgiven" offers a personal glimpse into the history of British Honduras (Belize) at this crucial period in British history. C.H. Godden examines the long road Belize travelled to eventual independence in 1981 after more than a century as a British colony. He demonstrates the very real difficulties the new government faced and how the country's progression to independence was considerably delayed by Guatemala's territorial claim and the many international complications and obstacles that followed in its wake. Drawing on the author's personal experiences at the Colonial Office in the region at this decisive time, "Trespassers Forgiven" illuminates the colony's unique history and draws attention to the neglected and almost forgotten story of Britain's involvement in Central America.

Charles H. Godden led a long and interesting career in the Colonial Office and HM Diplomatic Service, beginning in 1950 following his military service in the Second World War. During that time he served abroad in Belize (formerly British Honduras) twice. He was also Secretary to a United Nations Mission to the High Commission Territories of Southern Africa, Private Secretary to FCO Ministers of State and held positions in Finland, Jamaica, Haiti and Anguilla, from which territory he retired as Governor in 1984. He was made CBE in 1981.

Acknowledgements
Map of British Settlements 18th century
Map of British Honduras
Extract from Aldous Huxley's Beyond The Mexique Bay
Prologue
1 En Route
2 The Bung
3 Baron Bliss
4 Its Clean
5 The Mosquito Shore and Other Imperial Links
6 806
7 1931 Hurricane
8 Loaves and Fishes
9 Characters (18th and 19th centuries)
10 Characters (20th century)
11 Cricket Lovely Cricket
12 'Hattie' (1)
13 'Hattie' (2)
14 'Hattie' (3)
15 The Boy(s') Stood on The Burning Deck
16 Incursion
17 The Mark of Cain
18 The Scorpio Club
19 Toledo
20 Mennonites
21 Among My Souvenirs
22 Cops And Robbers
23 The Cockscombs 24 'HT'
25 A Soldier's Tale
26 I, Too, Have Nothing to Say
27 'BH' Re-visited
28 Tikal
29 Ya Da Fu We Belize
Bibliography
Notes 557