History of Guernsey

Thehistory of Guernseystretches back with evidence of Neolithic occupation, followed by Roman occupation. Christianity was brought to Guernsey by St Sampson.
The islands were annexed by the Duchy of Normandy and were ruled separately byWilliam the Conqueroreven after becoming King of England. Over the centuries the islands experienced trade benefits and restrictions with attacks by pirates and naval forces leading to improvements in fortifications and the establishment of theGuernsey militia. Guernsey has remained loyal to the English Crown for over 1,000 years.
During theEnglish Civil War, Guernsey supported the Parliamentarians, whilstCastle Cornetsided with the Royalists. The Napoleonic Wars brought prosperity throughprivateeringand maritime trade, with a later rise of the stone industry, quarrying, horticulture, and tourism. The language in common use began to change fromGuernésiaisto English.
The islands wereoccupied by German troopsin World War II, with the Islanders later rebuilding their lives through tourism, agriculture, trade and more recently, the finance industry.
Around 6000 BC, the rising sea created theEnglish Channeland separated theNormanpromontoriesthat became the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey fromcontinental Europe.Neolithicfarmers then settled on its coast and built thedolmensandmenhirsfound on the islands today. The island of Guernsey contains twosculpted menhirsof great archaeological interest, while the dolmen known asL'Autel du Dehuscontains adolmen deityknown asLe Gardien du Tombeau.
The Roman occupation of western Europe induced people to flee, including to the Channel Islands where a number of hoards have been found, including theGrouville Hoard. It later brought trade and Roman settlements. A 3rd-century Gallo-Roman ship wreck was found inSt Peter Port harbour.Trade was by ship down the west coast of Europe, silver from England, Breton pottery, wine amphorae, as discovered in the Kings Road excavation inSt Peter Port.The Nunnery in Alderney, was a 5th-century Roman signal station fort.
During their migration toBrittany,Britonsoccupied theLenurislands (the former name of the Channel Islands) includingSarniaorLisia(Guernsey) andAngia(Jersey). It was formerly thought that the island's original name wasSarnia, but recent research indicates that this might have been theLatinname forSark.(Sarnianonetheless remains the island's traditional designation.) Travelling from theKingdom of Gwent, SaintSampson, later the abbot ofDolin Brittany, is credited with the introduction of Christianity to Guernsey.
A chapel, dedicated to St Magloire, stood in the Vale. StMagloirewas a nephew of St Samson of Dol, and was born about the year 535. The chapel in his name was mentioned in a bull of Pope Adrian IV as being in the patronage ofMont Saint-Michel, in Normandy; all traces of the chapel have gone. While the chapel would probably be of a much later date, St Magloire, the Britishmissionary, may well have set up a centre of Christian worship before A.D. 600.
Somewhere around A.D. 968, from the Benedictine monastery ofMont Saint-Michel, came to Guernsey to establish a community in the North of the Island. The Priory of Mont Saint-Michel was a dependency of the famous Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel
The history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey goes back to 933 when the islands came under the control ofWilliam Longsword, son ofRollothe first Duke of Normandy, having been annexed from theDuchy of Brittanyby theDuchy of Normandy. The island of Guernsey and the other island in theChannel Islandsrepresent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy.In the islands,Elizabeth II's traditional title ashead of statewasDuke of Normandy.(The masculine nomenclature "Duke" is retained even when the monarch is female.)
In 1020,Duke Richard IIsplit Guernsey in half, between the viscounts of the Cotentin and the viscounts of Bessin. However, when one of the former's ancestor died heirless in around 1137, the fief reverted to the Duke, hence why it is namedFief le Roi(the King's fief).
According to tradition,Robert I, Duke of Normandy(the father ofWilliam the Conqueror) was journeying to England in 1032, to help Edward the Confessor. He was obliged to take shelter in Guernsey and gave land, now known as theClos du Valle, to the monks. Furthermore, in 1061, when pirates attacked and pillaged the Island, a complaint was made to Duke William. He sent over Sampson D'Anneville, who succeeded, with the aid of the monks, in driving the pirates out. For this service, Sampson D' Anneville and the monks were rewarded with a grant of half the Island between them. The portion that went to the monastery was known asLe Fief St Michel, and included the parishes ofSt Saviour,St Pierre du Bois,Ste. Marie du Catel, and the Vale. The part of Sampson was called fief of Anneville.
Another versionsays that Sampson followed Duke William and fought Neel de Saint SaveurNigel de Saint-Sauveur, who held the fief of de Bessin in Guernsey. The rebels were eventually defeated at the decisiveBattle of Val-ès-Dunes(1047) and on this occasion Nèel, Viscount of Cotentin, fled to Brittany and forfeited his fief in Guernsey. This battle is described by Wace in his poem "Roman du Rou". In any case, in this version too, Sampson d'Anneville stands at the beginning of the actual feudal settlement of the island. Sampson built a manor house called Manor d'Anneville and had two sons. The founding of the Seigneurie and fief d'Anneville in one quarter of the island, followed by the settlement of various Norman lords, means that feudal settlement and organisation of the island had already taken place before the Conquest. This tradition, of course, underlines the special character of Guernsey. It is echoed by many historians.Other historians, such as James Marr, suggest that this second phase of development was longer and continued after the death of William in 1087 and the rise of Geoffrey of Anjou.
In 1066, the DukeWilliam the ConquerordefeatedHarold GodwinsonatHastingsto become theKing of England; however, he continued to rule his French possessions, including Guernsey, as a separate entity,asfealtywas owed to the King of France. This initial association of Guernsey with England did not last long, as William split his possessions between his sons:Robert Curthosebecame Duke of Normandy andWilliam Rufusgained the English Crown. William Rufus' brotherHenry Irecaptured Normandy for England in 1106.The island was then part of the English King's realm (though still part of Normandy and France). Around 1142, it is recorded that Guernsey was under the control of theCount of Anjou, who administered Normandy for the Duke.
The loss of Normandy byKing Johnin 1204 isolated the Channel Islands from mainland Europe. Each time England and France went to war over the coming centuries, trade to and from the Channel Islands was restricted or banned and even when not officially at war, the island was repeatedly attacked by continental pirates and naval forces.
Fortifications were improved in the Channel Islands, manned by professional soldiers and theGuernsey militiawho would help to defend the Island for the next 600 years. Service was compulsory in the militia for every man in the Island. Raids on Guernsey in 1336 and 1337 by exiledDavid Bruce,came at the start of theHundred Years War, they were followed bySarkbeing captured and using this as a base, the next year when,starting in 1339, Guernsey was occupied by theCapetians, holding the Island for two years andCastle Cornetfor seven.The attacks would recur on several occasions.
It was 1348 when theBlack Deathreached the Island, ravaging the population. In 1372, the island was invaded byAragonesemercenaries under the command ofOwain Lawgoch(remembered asYvon de Galles), who was in the pay of the French king. Lawgoch and his dark-haired mercenaries were later absorbed into Guernsey legend as an invasion byfairiesfrom across the sea.
In 1394Richard II of Englandgranted a newCharterto the islands. Because of great loyalty shown to the Crown, they were exempted for ever from English tolls, customs and duties.
Shipbuilding skills improved and trade to and from Guernsey increased with a growing number of ports, sometimes using trading treaties and sometimes avoiding paying duties. Guernsey ships in the 14th century were small. 12-80 tons with crews of 8-20 men.In times of war, ships could be seized as prizes, the practice continuing in times of peace, against all nationalities, as piracy.
In 1441, Guernsey's liberties, customs and usages were set out inLe Précepte d'Assise.
In the mid-16th century, the island was influenced byCalvinistreformers from Normandy. During theMarian persecutions, three local women, theGuernsey Martyrs, wereburned at the stakein 1556 for theirProtestantbeliefs.Two years laterElizabeth Icame to the throne and Catholicism faded in Guernsey.
The French and piracy were problems to trade with Guernsey in the 16th century, requiring English naval ships to keep them at bay. Guernsey and Jersey were given certain privileges as the English crown needed the Islands to be loyal, not least of which was the Islands neutrality, allowing trade to be pursued with France and England, even when these were at war.The trade creating revenue from taxes to pay for the Island garrisons.
During theEnglish Civil War, Guernsey sided with theParliamentarians, while Jersey remainedRoyalist.Guernsey's decision was mainly related to the higher proportion of Calvinists and other Reformed churches, as well asCharles I's refusal to invest in the defences of the island.The allegiance was not total, however; there were a few Royalist uprisings in the southwest of the island, whileCastle Cornetwas occupied by the Governor,Sir Peter Osborne, and Royalist troops. Castle Cornet, which had been built to protect Guernsey, was turned on by the town of St. Peter Port, who constantly bombarded it. It was the penultimate Royalist stronghold to capitulate (in 1651)
The Newfoundland cod trade was important to Guernsey until around 1700 when the small Guernsey ships found that the smuggling trade could prove more profitable, with Island businesses established to buy in goods for sale to smugglers until smuggling declined at the end of the 18th century,when legal privateering took over as the most profitable business.
Wars against France and Spain during the 17th and 18th centuries gave Guernsey shipowners and sea captains the opportunity to exploit the island's proximity to mainland Europe by applying forLetters of Marqueand turning theirmerchantmeninto licensedprivateers. It was very profitable. In the first ten years of 18th century, theWar of the Spanish Succession, 608 prizes were taken by Guernsey privateers.there was however a downside with about 50 ships being lost. To spread the risk, people would buy a share in a ship, (1⁄8for instance) receiving a portion of prize monies after costs, if successful. Many Islanders became rich without ever setting foot on a sailing vessel. Ships became larger, with more crew and were better armed as more money was invested. Late in the 18th century, during theAmerican Revolutionary Warwhich lasted for 8 years, Guernsey and Alderney privateers took 221 prizes worth £981,300(in today's terms, about £100m). The Islands and Guernsey in particular provided an important element to the blockading of enemies of Britain.
During the late 17th century the grant byCharles II of Englandof an island toGeorge Carteretthe Bailiff of Jersey, which was renamedNew Jersey, combined with the Channel Island trading ships visiting New England saw Islanders setting up businesses and settling overseas. By the beginning of the 18th century, Guernsey's residents were starting to settle in North America.Guernsey Countywas founded in Ohio in 1810.
Ordinary trade continued, fishing had always been an important business. Knitting was an important home industry, overseas shipping carrying such diverse goods as wood, sugar, rum, coal, tobacco, salt, textiles, finished goods, glass, emigrants and wine. Trading mainly with Europe, the West Indies and the Americas.
Privateering during theNapoleonic Warsgenerated more profits, rolling on from theFrench Revolutionary Wars. London issued 5,632 letters of Marque of which Guernsey captains received 602, amongst around 70 ships varying in size from 5 to 500 ton.The Letter of Marque would set out which countries' ships could be taken, by which ship, owned by which people. Ships also became stronger and better armed. The war saw the introduction of a series of UK Privateer Acts, to set out rules of valuation of prizes to reduce disputes in Court.
Fort Georgewas a former garrison for theBritish Army. Construction started in 1780, and was completed in 1812. It was built to accommodate the increase in the number of troops stationed in the island in anticipation of a French invasion during theNapoleonic Wars.Le Braye du Vallewas a tidal channel that made the northern extremity of Guernsey, Le Clos du Valle, atidal island.Le Braye du Vallewas drained and reclaimed in 1806 by the British Government as a defence measure. The eastern end of the former channel became the town and harbour (from 1820) ofSt. Sampson's, now the second biggest port in Guernsey. The western end of La Braye is now Le Grand Havre. The roadway called "The Bridge" across the end of the harbour at St. Sampson's recalls thebridgethat formerly linked the two parts of Guernsey at high tide. New roads were built and main roads metalled for ease of use by the military.
In 1813, the States requested to the Privy Council permission to issue Guernsey coinage. The Council agreed on the condition it was struck at theRoyal Mint. However, when the first coins were issued in 1830, they had not been minted at the Royal Mint, but by R. Boulton & Co. of Birmingham. It is likely for this reason that coins of theGuernsey pounddid not traditionally feature the sovereign. French currency remained legal tender in Guernsey until 1921.Guernseycreated moneydebt-free for building roads in 1815.
In 1821, the population of Guernsey was 20,302, 11,173 of whom were living in St. Peter Port. By 1901, the island population had doubled.
The 19th century saw a dramatic increase in prosperity of the island, due to its success in the global maritime trade, and the rise of thestone industry. Ships were travelling further to trade, one notable Guernseyman,William Le Lacheur, established theCosta Ricancoffee trade with Europe and the Corbet Family who created the Fruit Export CompanyShipbuilding also increased in the 1840-70 era, declining when iron ships were demanded.
The quarrying industry was an important employer in the 19th century, Guernsey granite was highly prized, with London Bridge and many important London roads being repaved in Guernsey granite, resulting in hundreds of quarries appearing in the northern parishes.Horticulture developed from the use of glasshouses for growing grapes to the growing of tomatoes, becoming a very important industry from the 1860s. Tourism during the Victorian era and the use of Guernsey as a refuge or retirement location brought money to the Island,Victor Hugobeing one of the most distinguished refugees.
Light industry businesses would regularly appear and after a few decades would move on, such as the Dundee firm James Keiller, who set up in Guernsey in 1857 and lasting until 1879 to avoid the high taxes on sugar in the UK, with marmalade manufactured in Guernsey exported all over the world.
It was normal for the island to deport vagrants, criminals and anyone who had fallen on hard times who were not "local". Between 1842 and 1880, 10,000 people were deported.This included local-born widows and local-born children of "foreign" men and people who, whilst not born in Guernsey, had resided in Guernsey for over 50 years. This reduced the burden on the parish requirement to look after their poor and discouraged France, England and Ireland encouraging their poor to emigrate to Guernsey.
At the end of the century, long resisted, the time had arrived for change, to schools, where English would be taught as a language,to the government, including the use of English as a language in Court together with voting reform,and some changes to the unfair treatment of non-locals as regards their deportation if unwanted and their summary arrest and detention for petty debt offences, it being almost impossible for an immigrant to ever be recognised as a local, irrespective of their wealth and the number of decades residing in Guernsey.
DuringWorld War I, approximately 3,000 island men served in theBritish Expeditionary Force. Of these, about 1,000 served in theRoyal Guernsey Light Infantryregiment formed from theRoyal Guernsey Militiain 1916.In August 1917, Guernsey hosted an anti submarine French flying boat squadron, erecting hangars near Castle Cornet. The base is credited with having destroyed 25 German submarines.The Guernsey Roll of Honour includes 1,343 who were Bailiwick of Guernsey individuals or who served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.
The economic depression in the 1930s also affected Guernsey. Unemployed labourers being given jobs such as building sea defences and constructing roads, including Le Val des Terres, opened in 1935 byLe Prince de Galles.
For most ofWorld War II, the Bailiwick wasoccupied by German troops. Before the occupation, many Guernsey children had been evacuated toEnglandto live with relatives or strangers during the war. Some children were never reunited with their families.
The occupying German forces deported some of the Bailiwick's residents to camps in the southwest of Germany, notably to theLager Lindele(Lindele Camp) nearBiberach an der Riß. Among those deported was Ambrose (later Sir Ambrose) Sherwill, who, as the President of the States Controlling Committee, wasde factohead of the civilian population. Sir Ambrose, who was Guernsey-born, had served in theBritish Armyduring theFirst World Warand later becameBailiff of Guernsey. Three islanders of Jewish descent were deported to France and from there toAuschwitzwhere they were killed inThe Holocaust.InAlderney, four camps were built to house forced labourers, mostly from Eastern Europe, two were handed for theSSto run. They were the only concentration camps run on British soil and are commemorated on memorials under Alderney's French nameAurigny.
Occupation laws were enforced by the German garrison. For example, rewards were offered to informants who reported anyone for painting"V-for Victory" signson walls and buildings; a practice that had become popular among islanders wishing to express their loyalty to Britain.
Guernsey was very heavily fortified during World War II out of all proportion to the island's strategic value, for example four captured vintage Russian305mm naval gunswere installed atBatterie Mirus.German defences and alterations remain visible, including additions made toCastle Cornetand awindmill.Hitlerhad become obsessed with the idea that theAllieswould try to regain the islands at any price, so over 20 per cent of the materials used to construct the "Atlantic Wall" (the Nazi attempt to defend continental Europe from seaborne invasion) was committed to the Channel Islands, including 47,000cu mof concrete used for gun bases.Most of the German fortifications remain intact and although the majority of them stand on private property, several are open to the public.
Starvation threatened the Island in late 1944 after the German forces were cut off and supplies could not be brought in from France. TheSSVega, chartered by theRed Cross, broughtRed Cross food parcelsand other essential supplies into the Island.
The Island was liberated on 9 May 1945.
After 1945 the Islanders had to rebuild their lives, the return of evacuees, especially children who could hardly remember their relatives. Many properties had been damaged through wood being stripped from them for fuel, the island had an enormous debt, tourism was destroyed and the growing industry was damaged. The amount of scrap metal collected is now regretted. Rationing continued as in the UK, until the mid-1950s.
Many traditional businesses, such as fishing and quarrying, would not return. So the Islanders looked to other opportunities, the physical import/export of goods was difficult as the harbours were too small and freight cost too expensive, so control of trade was looked at, the right to supplyMateus Roséto the UK was controlled by a Guernsey business and it became the top selling wine in the world.
By the 1960s the island had recovered, tourism was important again, thehorticulture industrywas booming, 500 million tomatoes being exported annually, then came the crash. Cheap North Sea fuel allowed the Netherlands to provide cheap heating to their growers, the Guernsey industry was undercut on price, which combined with rising fuel prices saw the complete demise of the tomato industry after 100 years by the end of the 1970s.Restrictions were introduced to make it harder and more expensive for people to move to the island as there was a fear of a massive population increase.
During the 1970s and 1980s the island began to boom in the finance industry. Not an easy transition for people from the growing industry to an office environment. Profits and salaries were good and the Island had revenues to support long term capital expenditure plans. Continuing through the 1990s with divergence to related industries, such as captive insurance and fund management have managed to keep unemployment low. Tourism declined in the 1980s when the price of a holiday in Spain became much cheaper than coming to Guernsey, leaving the island aiming to attract the higher end of the market.
Light industry businesses had continued to appear and operate for a few decades in Guernsey including electronic (Tektronixfrom 1957 to the 1980s) and the currentSpecsaverswhich was established in 1984.
Mawson, Gillian (2012)Guernsey Evacuees: Forgotten Evacuees of the Second World War, History Press
Mawson, Gillian (2016)Britain's Wartime Evacuees, Frontline Books
Johnston, Peter (2014),A Short History of Guernsey, 6th edition, Guernsey Society,ISBN978-0992886004
Sarnia, novel by guernesiais writer G.B. Edwards (life on Guernsey from 1900 until 1970).