Manx nationalists will gather at Hango Hill near Castletown today (Tuesday) for the annual Illiam Dhone commemoration.

Organised by Mec Vannin and the Celtic League (Mannin branch), the event remembers the death of Illiam Dhone - or William Christian - on January 2, 1663.

Dhone is hailed a patriotic martyr by Manx nationalists for his part in protecting the island during the English Civil War, but others have argued he was a traitor for selling out the island to Parliamentary forces.

Vocal criticism of government policy has been a feature of the Hango Hill commemoration in previous years but less so more recently.

The comemmoration takes place at 2pm.

The speakers will be Peter Crellin who will be giving the oration in Manx on the subject of Mannin’s potential to be a seat of Celticism.

Dr John Callow will give the oration in English which will provide a historical take on Illiam Dhone and the events surrounding the Manx Uprising. The orations will be followed by a wreath laying by Eddie Power of Ballasalla.

Illiam Dhone is a controversial figure in Manx history.

He was executed at Hango Hill in 1663 on a charge of treason brought by Charles, 8th Earl of Derby.

Many believe that this was an unjust charge, especially as King Charles II had introduced an Act of Indemnity relating to all acts committed during the English Civil War.