the netherlands took st helena from 1645 to 1659. in 1657, the english east india company was given a permit to govern st helena by oliver cromwell, and the following year the company decided to colonise the island with farmers. the first governor, captain john dutton, arrived in 1659, and it is from this date that st helena claims to be britain’s second oldest (remaining) colony (after bermuda). a fort was completed and a number of houses were built. after the restoration of the english monarchy in 1660, the east india company received a royal permit to start a colony in the island. the fort was named "james fort" and the town "jamestown", in honour of the duke of york, later king james ii of england.