 The history of Lihou is closely linked to the history of Guernsey in particular and the Channel Islands in general. The earliest evidence of habitation are Mesolithic era objects recovered from archaeological digs of the 1990s, along with Neolithic era tombs on the nearby mainland. The recorded history of Lihou began in 933 AD when the Channel Islands were seized from Brittany by the ruler of Normandy. Lihou and the nearby Neolithic tombs were traditionally believed to have been meeting places for local witches, and fairies. This led to conflict with church authorities, especially when a priory was established on Lihou, dedicated to St. Mary (known locally as Our Lady of Lihou). A number of dates have been suggested for the establishment of the priory, with estimates ranging from as early as 1114, to as late as 1156. Records suggest that the priory was an arriére-fief of the Benedictine abbey of Mont St. Michel under whose authority it operated. Ownership of the island was granted to the abbey by Robert I, Duke of Normandy, in the early part of the eleventh century. The priory is thought to have been constructed with contributions from the islanders, who appear to have been fairly affluent at the time.
