61-646: The Channel Islands are an archipelago in the English Channel , off the French coast of Normandy . They are divided into two Crown Dependencies : the Bailiwick of Jersey , which is the largest of the islands; and the Bailiwick of Guernsey , consisting of Guernsey , Alderney , Sark , Herm and some smaller islands. Historically, they are the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy . Although they are not part of
122-584: A Free Company in the service of the French Crown, attacked Jersey and Guernsey in 1372, and in 1373 Bertrand du Guesclin besieged Mont Orgueil . The young King Richard II of England reconfirmed in 1378 the Charter rights granted by his grandfather, followed in 1394 with a second Charter granting, because of great loyalty shown to the Crown, exemption forever, from English tolls, customs and duties. Jersey
183-408: A GDP of £3.2 billion and with a stable population of around 66,000 has had a steadily rising GDP, and a GVA per head of population which in 2018 surpassed £52,000. Archipelago An archipelago ( / ˌ ɑːr k ə ˈ p ɛ l ə ɡ oʊ / AR -kə- PEL -ə-goh ), sometimes called an island group or island chain , is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands , or sometimes
244-701: A few pan-island institutions (such as the Channel Islands Brussels Office, the Director of Civil Aviation and the Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman, which are actually joint ventures between the bailiwicks), these tend to be established structurally as equal projects between Guernsey and Jersey. Otherwise, entities whose names imply membership of both Guernsey and Jersey might in fact be from one bailiwick only. For instance, The International Stock Exchange
305-694: A sea containing a small number of scattered islands. Archipelagos are sometimes defined by political boundaries. For example, while they are geopolitically divided, the San Juan Islands and Gulf Islands geologically form part of a larger Gulf Archipelago. The word archipelago is derived from the Ancient Greek ἄρχι-( arkhi- , "chief") and πέλαγος ( pélagos , "sea") through the Italian arcipelago . In antiquity , "Archipelago" (from Medieval Greek * ἀρχιπέλαγος and Latin archipelagus )
366-717: A situation of a crown dependency under the sovereignty of neither Great Britain nor France but of the British crown directly. Sark in the 16th century was uninhabited until colonised from Jersey in the 1560s. The grant of seigneurship from Elizabeth I of England in 1565 forms the basis of Sark's constitution today. During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms , Jersey held out strongly for the Royalist cause, providing refuge for Charles, Prince of Wales in 1646 and 1649–1650, while
427-431: Is a bird sanctuary , so landing there is banned from March 15 to August 1. The island's wildlife includes a colony of puffins (declining in numbers) and many rabbits . It has no landing stage as such, but visitors use a small inlet. In rough weather it may be impossible to land. The Guernsey botanist E. D. Marquand called it, "the most desolate and lonely of all the islands in our archipelago." He once had to spend
488-514: Is a geographical term, not a political unit. The two bailiwicks have been administered separately since the late 13th century. Each has its own independent laws, elections, and representative bodies (although in modern times, politicians from the islands' legislatures are in regular contact). Any institution common to both is the exception rather than the rule. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is divided into three jurisdictions – Guernsey, Alderney and Sark – each with its own legislature . Although there are
549-599: Is a part of the United Kingdom. They have been parts of the Duchy of Normandy since the 10th century, and Queen Elizabeth II was often referred to by her traditional and conventional title of Duke of Normandy . However, pursuant to the Treaty of Paris (1259) , she governed in her right as The Queen (the "Crown in right of Jersey", and the "Crown in right of the république of the Bailiwick of Guernsey"), and not as
610-702: Is a vast difference between the meanings of the word 'bailiff' in Great Britain and in the Channel Islands; a bailiff in Britain is a court-appointed private debt-collector authorised to collect judgment debts, in the Channel Islands, the Bailiff in each bailiwick is the civil head, presiding officer of the States, and also head of the judiciary , and thus the most important citizen in the bailiwick. In
671-896: Is in Saint Peter Port and therefore is in Guernsey. The term "Channel Islands" began to be used around 1830, possibly first by the Royal Navy as a collective name for the islands. The term refers only to the archipelago to the west of the Cotentin Peninsula . Other populated islands located in the English Channel, and close to the coast of Britain, such as the Isle of Wight , Hayling Island and Portsea Island , are not regarded as "Channel Islands". The two major islands are Jersey and Guernsey. They make up 99% of
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#1732758113995732-575: Is the English Channel (sea level). The earliest evidence of human occupation of the Channel Islands has been dated to 250,000 years ago when they were attached to the landmass of continental Europe. The islands became detached by rising sea levels in the Mesolithic period. The numerous dolmens and other archaeological sites extant and recorded in history demonstrate the existence of a population large enough and organised enough to undertake constructions of considerable size and sophistication, such as
793-768: The European Union , and thus were not a party to the 2016 referendum on the EU membership, but were part of the Customs Territory of the European Community by virtue of Protocol Three to the Treaty on European Union . In September 2010, a Channel Islands Brussels Office was set up jointly by the two Bailiwicks to develop the Channel Islands' influence with the EU, to advise the Channel Islands' governments on European matters, and to promote economic links with
854-580: The French Revolution sought residency in the islands. Many of the town domiciles existing today were built in that time. In Saint Peter Port , a large part of the harbour had been built by 1865. The islands were occupied by the German Army during World War II . The British Government demilitarised the islands in June 1940, and the lieutenant-governors were withdrawn on 21 June, leaving
915-525: The Glorious Revolution in Great Britain. Various attempts to transfer the islands from the diocese of Coutances (to Nantes (1400), Salisbury (1496), and Winchester (1499)) had little effect until an Order in Council of 1569 brought the islands formally into the diocese of Winchester . Control by the bishop of Winchester was ineffectual as the islands had turned overwhelmingly Calvinist and
976-658: The Norman suffix -hou , meaning a small island, from the Old Norse holmr . According to Dr. S.K. Kellet-Smith, "bur" refers to a storehouse – "Burhou is just the place where a fisherman would place a depository for his gear". However, signs of human occupation/visitation are much older. Flint flakes have been found on the island, and one is currently in the Alderney Museum . In 1847, F. C. Lukis found two standing stones , but these have since been lost, according to
1037-551: The Peutinger Table . The traditional Latin names used for the islands (Caesarea for Jersey, Sarnia for Guernsey, Riduna for Alderney) derive (possibly mistakenly) from the Antonine Itinerary . Gallo-Roman culture was adopted to an unknown extent in the islands. In the sixth century, Christian missionaries visited the islands. Samson of Dol , Helier , Marculf and Magloire are among saints associated with
1098-705: The Treaty of Paris , officially surrendered his claim and title to the Duchy of Normandy, while retaining the Channel Islands, as peer of France and feudal vassal of the King of France. Since then, the Channel Islands have been governed as two separate bailiwicks and were never absorbed into the Kingdom of England nor its successor kingdoms of Great Britain or the United Kingdom . During the Hundred Years' War ,
1159-693: The United Kingdom , the UK is responsible for the defence and international relations of the islands as it is for the other Crown Dependency, the Isle of Man , and the British Overseas Territories . The Crown Dependencies are neither members of the Commonwealth of Nations , nor part of the European Union . They have a total population of about 171,916, and the bailiwicks' capitals , Saint Helier and Saint Peter Port , have populations of 33,500 and 18,207 respectively. "Channel Islands"
1220-578: The episcopacy was not restored until 1620 in Jersey and 1663 in Guernsey. After the loss of Calais in 1558, the Channel Islands were the last remaining English holdings in France and the only French territory that was controlled by the English kings as Kings of France. This situation lasted until the English kings dropped their title and claims to the French throne in 1801, confirming the Channel Islands in
1281-689: The 1640s, Charles II gave George Carteret , Bailiff and governor, a large grant of land in the American colonies, which he promptly named New Jersey , now part of the United States of America. Sir Edmund Andros , bailiff of Guernsey, was an early colonial governor in North America, and head of the short-lived Dominion of New England . In the late 18th century, the islands were dubbed "the French Isles". Wealthy French émigrés fleeing
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#17327581139951342-444: The 1960s, become major offshore financial centres . Historically Guernsey's horticultural and greenhouse activities have been more significant than in Jersey, and Guernsey has maintained light industry as a higher proportion of its economy than Jersey. In Jersey, potatoes are an important export crop, shipped mostly to the UK. Jersey is heavily reliant on financial services, with 39.4% of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2018 contributed by
1403-487: The 1960s. The islands decided not to join the European Economic Community when the UK joined. Since the 1990s, declining profitability of agriculture and tourism has challenged the governments of the islands. The Channel Islands fall into two separate self-governing bailiwicks , the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey . Each of these is a British Crown Dependency , and neither
1464-451: The Channel Islands said that puffins had been plentiful for over a century. The Birds of Guernsey (1878) by Cecil Smith states likewise. The puffins have had to compete with gulls, and in 1949, hundreds died from red mite infestation. The rabbit holes on the island make good nesting for them. Amongst the plants noted here are sea spurry , forget-me-nots , scarlet pimpernel , field bugloss , bracken and nettles . E. D. Marquand noted
1525-624: The Channel Islands are deemed to be part of the British Islands, not to be confused with the British Isles . For the purposes of the British Nationality Act 1981 , the "British Islands" include the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man , taken together, unless the context otherwise requires. Tourism is still important. However, Jersey and Guernsey have, since
1586-572: The Channel Islands but are occasionally described in English as 'French Channel Islands' in view of their French jurisdiction. They were historically linked to the Duchy of Normandy, but they are part of the French territory along with continental Normandy, and not part of the British Isles or of the Channel Islands in a political sense. They are an incorporated part of the commune of Granville ( Manche ). While they are popular with visitors from France, Channel Islanders can only visit them by private or charter boats as there are no direct transport links from
1647-587: The Channel Islands were part of the French territory recognizing the claims of the English kings to the French throne . The islands were invaded by the French in 1338, who held some territory until 1345. Edward III of England granted a Charter in July 1341 to Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney, confirming their customs and laws to secure allegiance to the English Crown. Owain Lawgoch , a mercenary leader of
1708-537: The Duke. This notwithstanding, it is a matter of local pride for monarchists to treat the situation otherwise: the Loyal toast at formal dinners was to 'The Queen, our Duke', rather than to 'Her Majesty, The Queen' as in the UK. The Queen died in 2022 and her son Charles III became the King. A bailiwick is a territory administered by a bailiff. Although the words derive from a common root ('bail' = 'to give charge of') there
1769-526: The EU. Both bailiwicks are members of the British–Irish Council , and Jèrriais and Guernésiais are recognised regional languages of the islands. The legal courts are separate; separate courts of appeal have been in place since 1961. Among the legal heritage from Norman law is the Clameur de haro . The basis of the legal systems of both Bailiwicks is Norman customary law ( Coutume ) rather than
1830-479: The English Common Law , although elements of the latter have become established over time. Islanders are full British citizens, but were not classed as European citizens unless by descent from a UK national. Any British citizen who applies for a passport in Jersey or Guernsey receives a passport bearing the words " British Islands , Bailiwick of Jersey" or "British Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey". Under
1891-560: The King of Western Francia , and annexed to the Duchy of Normandy . In 1066, William II of Normandy invaded and conquered England, becoming William I of England, also known as William the Conqueror. In the period 1204–1214, King John lost the Angevin lands in northern France, including mainland Normandy, to King Philip II of France , but managed to retain control of the Channel Islands. In 1259, his successor, Henry III of England , by
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1952-534: The archaeologist David Johnston. According to the Assize Roll of the 14th century, Burhou was a rabbit warren, and a refuge for fishermen. As Victor Coysh deduces, this would have meant that there would have been some kind of shelter there, as it would be difficult for the fishermen to take refuge without it. A hut was built on the island in 1820 as a shelter for fishermen and sailors at the instigation of John Le Mesurier (hereditary governor of Alderney ), but
2013-463: The burial mound at La Hougue Bie in Jersey or the statue menhirs of Guernsey. Hoards of Armorican coins have been excavated, providing evidence of trade and contact in the Iron Age period. Evidence for Roman settlement is sparse, although evidently the islands were visited by Roman officials and traders. The Roman name for the Channel Islands was I. Lenuri (Lenur Islands) and is included in
2074-497: The early 21st century, the existence of governmental offices such as the bailiffs' with multiple roles straddling the different branches of government came under increased scrutiny for their apparent contravention of the doctrine of separation of powers—most notably in the Guernsey case of McGonnell -v- United Kingdom (2000) 30 EHRR 289. That case, following final judgement at the European Court of Human Rights, became part of
2135-423: The evacuees who returned home had difficulty reconnecting with their families after five years of separation. Following the liberation of 1945, reconstruction led to a transformation of the economies of the islands, attracting immigration and developing tourism. The legislatures were reformed and non-party governments embarked on social programmes, aided by the incomes from offshore finance , which grew rapidly from
2196-698: The impetus for much recent constitutional change, particularly the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (2005 c.4) in the UK, including the separation of the roles of the Lord Chancellor, the abolition of the House of Lords' judicial role, and its replacement by the UK Supreme Court . The islands' bailiffs, however, still retain their historic roles. The systems of government in the islands date from Norman times, which accounts for
2257-656: The insular administrations to continue government as best they could under impending military occupation. Before German troops landed, between 30 June and 4 July 1940, evacuation took place. Many young men had already left to join the Allied armed forces, as volunteers. 6,600 out of 50,000 left Jersey while 17,000 out of 42,000 left Guernsey. Thousands of children were evacuated with their schools to England and Scotland . The population of Sark largely remained where they were; but in Alderney , all but six people left. In Alderney,
2318-451: The island, ensuring high soil salinity. The island has no fresh water supply for much of the year, and has to rely on shipments, or formerly tanks. The island's animals are mainly birds, although rabbits are long established here. The island has many puffins and some storm petrels . Although the latter have declined, they used to nest in the cottage's storm loft. Roderick Dobson in Birds of
2379-469: The islands as a whole. The very large tidal variation provides an environmentally rich inter-tidal zone around the islands, and some islands such as Burhou , the Écréhous , and the Minquiers have been designated Ramsar sites . The waters around the islands include the following: The highest point in the islands is Les Platons in Jersey at 143 metres (469 ft) above sea level. The lowest point
2440-500: The islands continued to be ruled by the king of the Franks and its church remained part of the diocese of Coutances . From the beginning of the ninth century, Norse raiders appeared on the coasts. Norse settlement eventually succeeded initial attacks, and it is from this period that many place names of Norse origin appear, including the modern names of the islands. In 933, the islands were granted to William I Longsword by Raoul ,
2501-644: The islands from time to time, particularly following the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944. There was considerable hunger and privation during the five years of German occupation, particularly in the final months when the population was close to starvation. Intense negotiations resulted in some humanitarian aid being sent via the Red Cross , leading to the arrival of Red Cross parcels in the supply ship SS Vega in December 1944. The German occupation of 1940–45
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2562-596: The islands. In the sixth century, they were already included in the diocese of Coutances where they remained until the Reformation. There were probably some Celtic Britons who settled on the Islands in the 5th and 6th centuries AD (the indigenous Celts of Great Britain , and the ancestors of the modern Welsh , Cornish , and Bretons ) who had emigrated from Great Britain in the face of invading Anglo-Saxons . But there were not enough of them to leave any trace, and
2623-550: The more strongly Presbyterian Guernsey more generally favoured the parliamentary cause (although Castle Cornet was held by Royalists and did not surrender until October 1651). The islands acquired commercial and political interests in the North American colonies. Islanders became involved with the Newfoundland fisheries in the 17th century. In recognition for all the help given to him during his exile in Jersey in
2684-671: The most part the islands legislate for themselves. Each island has its own primary legislature, known as the States of Guernsey and the States of Jersey , with Chief Pleas in Sark and the States of Alderney . The Channel Islands are not represented in the UK Parliament . Laws passed by the States are given royal assent by the King-in-Council , to whom the islands' governments are responsible. The islands have never been part of
2745-508: The names of the legislatures, the States, derived from the Norman 'États' or ' estates ' (i.e. the Crown, the Church, and the people). The States have evolved over the centuries into democratic parliaments. The UK Parliament has power to legislate for the islands, but Acts of Parliament do not extend to the islands automatically. Usually, an Act gives power to extend its application to the islands by an Order in Council , after consultation. For
2806-568: The night there, as his return journey was delayed by fog. The 1906 book, The Channel Pilot states – Between Ortac , Verte Tête and Burhou Island, are scattered many dangerous rocks, and ledges among which the streams run with great velocity. Despite being isolated, and inhabited briefly and infrequently, Burhou has a long history. Formerly, like the rest of the English Channel , it would have been linked to both modern-day England and France by dry land many thousands of years ago. Burhou, like many other Channel Islands (e.g. Lihou , Jethou ), has
2867-418: The occupying Germans built four prison camps which housed approximately 6,000 people, of whom over 700 died. Due to the destruction of documents, it is impossible to state how many forced workers died in the other islands. Some have claimed that Alderney had the only Nazi concentration camps on British soil. Others have pointed out that, technically, Alderney was not British soil. The Royal Navy blockaded
2928-465: The other islands. In official Jersey Standard French , the Channel Islands are called 'Îles de la Manche', while in France, the term 'Îles Anglo-normandes' (Anglo-Norman Isles) is used to refer to the British 'Channel Islands' in contrast to other islands in the Channel. Chausey is referred to as an 'Île normande' (as opposed to Anglo-normande ). 'Îles Normandes' and 'Archipel Normand' have also, historically, been used in Channel Island French to refer to
2989-415: The population and 92% of the area. These lie off Alderney: These lie off Guernsey: The names of the larger islands in the archipelago in general have the -ey suffix, whilst those of the smaller ones have the -hou suffix. These are believed to be from the Old Norse ey (island) and holmr (islet). The Chausey Islands south of Jersey are not generally included in the geographical definition of
3050-474: The population of military age had already joined the British Army. The end of the occupation came after VE-Day on 8 May 1945, with Jersey and Guernsey being liberated on 9 May. The German garrison in Alderney was left until 16 May, and it was one of the last of the Nazi German remnants to surrender. The first evacuees returned on the first sailing from Great Britain on 23 June, but the people of Alderney were unable to start returning until December 1945. Many of
3111-431: The provisions of Protocol Three, Channel Islanders who do not have a close connection with the UK (no parent or grandparent from the UK, and have never been resident in the UK for a five-year period) did not automatically benefit from the EU provisions on free movement within the EU, and their passports received an endorsement to that effect. This affected only a minority of islanders. Under the UK Interpretation Act 1978 ,
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#17327581139953172-411: The result of erosion , deposition , and land elevation . Depending on their geological origin, islands forming archipelagos can be referred to as oceanic islands , continental fragments , or continental islands . Oceanic islands are mainly of volcanic origin, and widely separated from any adjacent continent. The Hawaiian Islands and Galapagos Islands in the Pacific , and Mascarene Islands in
3233-491: The sector. Rental income comes second at 15.1% with other business activities at 11.2%. Tourism 4.5% with agriculture contributing just 1.2% and manufacturing even lower at 1.1%. GVA has fluctuated between £4.5 and £5 billion for 20 years. Jersey has had a steadily rising population, increasing from below 90,000 in 2000 to over 105,000 in 2018 which combined with a flat GVA has resulted in GVA per head of population falling from £57,000 to £44,000 per person. In 2018, Guernsey had
3294-467: The shelf. The islands of the Inside Passage off the coast of British Columbia and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are examples. Artificial archipelagos have been created in various countries for different purposes. Palm Islands and The World Islands off Dubai were or are being created for leisure and tourism purposes. Marker Wadden in the Netherlands is being built as a conservation area for birds and other wildlife. The largest archipelago in
3355-432: The south Indian Ocean are examples. Continental fragments correspond to land masses that have separated from a continental mass due to tectonic displacement. The Farallon Islands off the coast of California are an example. Sets of islands formed close to the coast of a continent are considered continental archipelagos when they form part of the same continental shelf, when those islands are above-water extensions of
3416-435: The world by number of islands is the Archipelago Sea , which is part of Finland . There are approximately 40,000 islands, mostly uninhabited. The largest archipelagic state in the world by area, and by population, is Indonesia . Burhou Burhou (pronounced ber-ROO ) is a small island about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) northwest of Alderney that is part of the Channel Islands . It has no permanent residents, and
3477-408: Was destroyed during the German occupation of the Channel Islands (the Wehrmacht used it for target practice during WWII ). The hut was replaced in 1953, with basic accommodation which is rented out to visitors by Alderney Harbour Office. Attempts have been periodically made to raise sheep there. In 1900, a French couple lived there for a year. The soil is thin, and spray frequently goes right over
3538-479: Was harsh: over 2,000 islanders were deported by the Germans, and some Jews were sent to concentration camps ; partisan resistance and retribution, accusations of collaboration , and slave labour also occurred. Many Spaniards, initially refugees from the Spanish Civil War , were brought to the islands to build fortifications . Later, Russians and Central Europeans continued the work. Many land mines were laid, with 65,718 land mines laid in Jersey alone. There
3599-417: Was no resistance movement in the Channel Islands on the scale of that in mainland France . This has been ascribed to a range of factors including the physical separation of the islands, the density of troops (up to one German for every two Islanders), the small size of the islands precluding any hiding places for resistance groups, and the absence of the Gestapo from the occupying forces. Moreover, much of
3660-437: Was occupied by the French in 1461 as part of an exchange for helping the Lancastrians fight against the Yorkists during The War of the Roses . It was retaken by the Yorkists in 1468. In 1483 a Papal bull decreed that the islands would be neutral during time of war. This privilege of neutrality enabled islanders to trade with both France and England and was respected until 1689 when it was abolished by Order in Council following
3721-474: Was the proper name for the Aegean Sea . Later, usage shifted to refer to the Aegean Islands (since the sea has a large number of islands). Archipelagos may be found isolated in large amounts of water or neighbouring a large land mass. For example, Scotland has more than 700 islands surrounding its mainland, which form an archipelago. Archipelagos are often volcanic, forming along island arcs generated by subduction zones or hotspots , but may also be
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