82-688: In the Bailiwick of Guernsey (red) Guernsey ( / ˈ ɡ ɜːr n z i / GURN -zee ; Guernésiais : Guernési ; French : Guernesey ) is the second-largest island in the Channel Islands , located 27 miles (43 km) west of the Cotentin Peninsula , Normandy . It is the largest island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey , which includes five other inhabited islands – Alderney , Herm , Jethou , Lihou and Sark – and many small islets and rocks. The bailiwick has
164-549: A tidal island . Le Braye du Valle was 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) of St 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 the bridge that formerly linked
246-528: A 30-year bond in December 2015 for £330m, its first bond in 80 years. The island has been given a credit rating of AA-/A-1+ with a stable outlook from Standard & Poor's . Bailiwick of Guernsey in the English Channel (red) The Bailiwick of Guernsey ( French : Bailliage de Guernesey ; Guernésiais : Bailliage dé Guernési ) is a self-governing British Crown Dependency off
328-401: A complex geological evolution (especially the rocks of the southern complex) with multiple phases of intrusion and deformation recognisable. Guernsey is composed of nine main rock types; two of these are granites and the rest gneiss . Guernsey is a parliamentary representative democracy and a British Crown Dependency . The Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey is the "representative of
410-499: A judge appointed, with similar judicial powers to a bailiff, but on 1 January 1949, the island adopted a new constitution, giving up some independence, moving closer to Guernsey, and confirming that it is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The island of Guernsey has a population of around 63,000 in 62 km (24 square miles) and forms the legal and administrative centre of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The parliament of Guernsey and
492-580: A parish church dating from the 11th century, with strong religious control exercised initially by the French Catholic church and for the last 500 years by the English church. Over the years, the religious aspect of the administration of each parish has been reduced in favour of democratically elected douzeniers. Each jurisdiction has inhabited and uninhabited islands and its own elected government. All three legal jurisdictions need royal assent from
574-481: A political split from the mainland. Around 1290, the Channel Islands' Governor, Otto de Grandson , split the archipelago into two bailiwicks , establishing those parts other than Jersey as a single Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Bailiwick is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy , comprising three separate jurisdictions: Alderney , Guernsey (incorporating Herm ), and Sark . The Lieutenant Governor
656-411: A popular offshore finance centre for private-equity funds . Guernsey does not have a Central Bank and it issues its own sterling coinage and banknotes . UK coinage and (English, Scottish and Northern Irish-faced) banknotes also circulate freely and interchangeably. Total island investment funds, used to fund pensions and future island costs, amount to £2.7billion as at June 2016. The island issued
738-458: A population of 63,950, the vast majority of whom live on Guernsey, and the island has a land area of 24 square miles (62 km). Guernsey was part of the Duchy of Normandy until 1204, when the Channel Islands remained loyal to the English crown, splitting from mainland Normandy. In 1290, the Channel Islands were divided administratively and Guernsey became part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. During
820-420: A tidal range of 10 metres (33 feet) and fast currents of up to 12 knots , this makes sailing in local waters dangerous. The very large tidal variation provides an environmentally rich inter-tidal zone around the islands, and some sites have received Ramsar Convention designation. The tidal flows in the area are remarkable, owing to the flatness of the ground for nearly 32 km (20 mi) westward. Guernsey
902-403: A total area of 78 km (30 sq mi) and coastlines of about 50 km (31 mi). Elevation varies from sea level to 114 m (374 ft) at Le Moulin on Sark. There are many smaller islands, islets, rocks and reefs in the Bailiwick. Combined with a tidal range of 10 m (33 ft) and fast currents of up to 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h), sailing in local waters
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#1732765681354984-950: Is a large upright stone , emplaced in the ground by humans, typically dating from the European middle Bronze Age . They can be found individually as monoliths , or as part of a group of similar stones. Menhirs' size can vary considerably, but they often taper toward the top. Menhirs are found across Europe, Africa, and Asia, with a concentration in Western Europe , notably in Ireland , Great Britain , and Brittany . Theories concerning their purpose remain speculative, with hypotheses ranging from druidic rituals to territorial markers or elements of an ideological system. Some menhirs feature engravings , including anthropomorphic figures and symbols, and are often associated with ancient religious ceremonies and burial chambers . The word menhir
1066-540: Is administered by a Douzaine, made up of twelve members or more, known as Douzeniers. Douzeniers are elected for a four-year mandate, three, four or five Douzeniers being elected by parishioners at a parish meeting each year. The senior Douzenier is known as the Doyen (Dean). Two elected Constables ( Connétables ) carry out the decisions of the Douzaine, serving for between one and three years. The longer serving Constable
1148-770: Is also a source of Guernsey law for those matters which are reserved to the UK, namely defence and foreign affairs. The head of the bailiwick judiciary in Guernsey is the Bailiff, who, as well as performing the judicial functions of a Chief Justice, is also the head of the States of Guernsey and has certain civic, ceremonial and executive functions. The Bailiff's functions may be exercised by the Deputy Bailiff. The posts of Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff are Crown appointments. Sixteen Jurats, who need no specific legal training, are elected by
1230-509: Is also unknown. It is known, however, that they buried their dead and had the skills to grow crops, farm and make pottery, stone tools and jewelry. Identifying the purpose or use of menhirs remains speculative. Until recently, standing stones were associated with the Beaker people , who inhabited Europe during the European late Neolithic and early Bronze Age —later third millennium BC, c. 2800 –1800 BC. However, recent research into
1312-445: Is called the States of Deliberation ( États de Délibération ) and consists of 38 People's Deputies, elected on an islandwide basis every four years. There are also two representatives from Alderney , a semi-autonomous dependency of the Bailiwick, but Sark sends no representative since it has its own legislature. The Bailiff or Deputy Bailiff preside in the assembly. There are also two non-voting members: H.M. Procureur (analogous to
1394-519: Is dangerous. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a separate jurisdiction in itself and is, in turn, also three separate sub-jurisdictions. It does not form part of, and is separate from (but is not independent of, or from) the United Kingdom . The two Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey together make up the Channel Islands . The islanders have never had formal representation in the House of Commons of
1476-896: Is known as the Senior Constable and his or her colleague as the Junior Constable. The Douzaines levy an Occupiers Rate on properties to provide funding for running of the administration. Guernsey's Church of England parishes fall under the See of Canterbury , having split from the Bishopric of Winchester in 2014. The biggest parish is Castel, while the most populated is St Peter Port. Financial services, such as banking, fund management , and insurance, account for about 37% of GDP. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, especially freesias , have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey
1558-615: Is not part of the United Kingdom , although defence and most foreign relations are handled by the British Government. The entire jurisdiction lies within the Common Travel Area of the British Islands and the Republic of Ireland . Taken together with the separate jurisdictions of Alderney and Sark it forms the Bailiwick of Guernsey . The deliberative assembly of the States of Guernsey ( États de Guernesey )
1640-606: Is responsible for Guernsey's constitutional and external affairs, developing strategic and corporate policy and coordinating States business. It also examines proposals and Reports placed before Guernsey's Parliament (the States of Deliberation) by Departments and Non States Bodies. The President of the committee is the de facto head of government of Guernsey. Guernsey's legal system originates in Norman Customary Law, overlaid with principles taken from English common law and Equity as well as from statute law enacted by
1722-488: Is self-governing and not part of the United Kingdom . Its defence and international representation — as well as certain policy areas, such as nationality law — are the responsibility of the UK Government , but the Bailiwick still has a separate international identity. The history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey goes back to 933, when the islands came under the control of William Longsword , having been annexed from
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#17327656813541804-662: Is the Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and, being the personal representative of the British monarch, has usually had a distinguished military service. Originally, the local courts in Guernsey were " fiefs " with the lord of the manor presiding. Before 1066, a superior court was introduced above the fiefs and below the Eschequier Court in Rouen and comprised the bailiff and four knights;
1886-532: Is the Old Norse for "island", while the original root, "guern(s)", is of uncertain origin and meaning, possibly deriving from either a personal name such as Grani or Warinn, or from gron , meaning pine tree. Previous names for the Channel Islands vary over history, but include the Lenur islands, and Sarnia ; Sarnia for Guernsey, or Lisia (Guernsey) and Angia (Jersey). Around 6000 BC, rising seas created
1968-535: Is the representative of the British monarch , who remains the head of state . The States of Guernsey is the parliament and government of the whole Bailiwick, though several matters are decided locally by the States of Alderney and by Sark's Chief Pleas. The Bailiff of Guernsey is the civil head of the Bailiwick, and is also president of the States of Guernsey and head of the Bailiwick's judiciary . The Bailiwick
2050-532: Is the westernmost of the Channel Islands , and the jurisdiction is at the greatest distance from the coast of Normandy than any of the other islands. Guernsey's climate is temperate with mild winters and mild, sunny summers. It is classified as an oceanic climate , with a dry-summer trend, although marginally wetter than Mediterranean summers. The warmest months are July and August, when temperatures are generally around 20 °C (68 °F) with some days occasionally going above 24 °C (75 °F). On average,
2132-425: Is used, with peul meaning "stake" or "post" and van which is a soft mutation of the word maen which means "stone". In Germany and Scandinavia the word Bauta is used (e.g., de:Bautastein and no:bautastein ) and this occasionally makes its way into English with the term "bauta stone". Almost nothing is known of the social organization or religious beliefs of the people who erected the menhirs. Their language
2214-540: The Lager Lindele (Lindele Camp) near Biberach an der Riß and to Oflag VII-C in Laufen . Guernsey was very heavily fortified during World War II , out of all proportion to the island's strategic value. German defences and alterations remain visible, particularly to Castle Cornet and around the northern coast of the island. Guernsey and Jersey were both liberated on 9 May 1945, now celebrated as Liberation Day on
2296-780: The Commonwealth Games . In 1969, Royal Mail relinquished control of postal services in the Bailiwick, with Guernsey then being recognised by the Universal Postal Union . Since 1999, the Bailiwick of Guernsey has been a member of the British–Irish Council , currently represented by the Chief Minister of Guernsey . Menhir A menhir ( / ˈ m ɛ n h ɪər / ; from Brittonic languages : maen or men , "stone" and hir or hîr , "long" ), standing stone , orthostat , or lith
2378-461: The Duchy of Brittany by the Duchy of Normandy . The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands formed part of the lands of William the Conqueror . In 1204, France conquered mainland Normandy – but not the offshore islands of the bailiwick . The islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy. Initially, there was one governor, or co-governors working together, of
2460-456: The English Channel and separated the Norman promontories that became the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey from continental Europe . Neolithic farmers then settled on its coast and built the dolmens and menhirs found in the islands today, providing evidence of human presence dating back to around 5000 BC. Evidence of Roman settlements on the island, and the discovery of amphorae from
2542-591: The Herculaneum area and Spain, show evidence of an intricate trading network with regional and long-distance trade. Buildings found in La Plaiderie, St. Peter Port dating from 100 to 400 AD appear to be warehouses. The earliest evidence of shipping was the discovery of a wreck of a ship in St Peter Port harbour , which has been named Asterix . It is thought to be a 3rd-century Roman cargo vessel and
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2624-596: The Monarch on its primary legislation, but as of February 29, 2024, certain domestic primary legislation need only the Lieutenant-Governor's assent. Each jurisdiction raises its own taxation, although in 1949 Alderney transferred its rights to Guernsey. With a population of around 2,200 in 7.8 km (3 square miles), Alderney has its own parliament, the States of Alderney , which has ten elected members and an elected president. From 1612, Alderney had
2706-588: The Parliamentarians . The allegiance was not total, however; there were a few Royalist uprisings in the southwest of the island, while Castle Cornet was occupied by the Governor, Sir Peter Osborne , and Royalist troops. In December 1651, with full honours of war, Castle Cornet surrendered—the last Royalist outpost anywhere in the British Isles to surrender. Wars against France and Spain during
2788-564: The Second World War , Guernsey was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany . After five years of occupation, the island was liberated on 9 May 1945, that date being celebrated annually as Liberation Day . Guernsey is administered as part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a self-governing dependency of the British Crown . The island is thus not part of the United Kingdom , although the UK government has certain responsibilities for
2870-613: The Second World War , the Channel Islands were occupied by German troops . Seventeen thousand people from Guernsey's total population of 41,000 were evacuated to England before the German occupation. The evacuees included 80 per cent of Guernsey children who lived with relatives or strangers in Great Britain during the war. Most children returned home after the war ended in 1945. The occupying German forces deported over 1,000 Guernsey residents to camps in southern Germany, notably to
2952-474: The States of Election from among Islanders. They act as a jury, as judges in civil and criminal cases and fix the sentence in criminal cases. First mentioned in 1179, there is a list of Jurats who have served since 1299. The oldest Courts of Guernsey can be traced back to the 9th century. The principal court is the Royal Court and exercises both civil and criminal jurisdiction. Additional courts, such as
3034-454: The pound sterling and the status of English as the primary native language. Norman and French culture also have an impact, such as the island's traditional language, Guernésiais . In addition, French writer Victor Hugo spent fifteen years in exile in Guernsey, where he wrote some of his best-known works. The island's name, "Guernsey", like that of neighbouring " Jersey ", is of Old Norse origin. The second element of each word, " -ey ",
3116-638: The "lamping technique" to ground ships close to the island. This intensified during the Hundred Years War , when, starting in 1339 , the island was occupied by the Capetians on several occasions. The Guernsey Militia was first mentioned as operational in 1331 and would help defend the island for a further 600 years. In 1372, the island was invaded by Aragonese mercenaries under the command of Owain Lawgoch (remembered as Yvon de Galles ), who
3198-584: The 17th and 18th centuries allowed Guernsey shipowners and sea captains to exploit the island's proximity to mainland Europe by applying for letters of marque and turning their cargo ships into privateering vessels . By the beginning of the 18th century, Guernsey's residents were starting to settle in North America, in particular founding Guernsey County in Ohio in 1810. The threat of invasion by Napoleon prompted many defensive structures to be built at
3280-680: The Bailiwick established in 2010 an office in Brussels to develop the Channel Islands' influence with the EU, to advise the Channel Islands' governments on European matters, and to promote economic links with the EU. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is in the Commonwealth (Commonwealth of Nations) , although not as a member , in its own right . The Bailiwick is also a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation and competes in
3362-569: The Bailiwick. The British monarch is the head of state and the head of government is the President of the Policy and Resources Committee . The jurisdiction's parliament and government is the States of Guernsey . The island is divided into ten parishes . It has one town, called Saint Peter Port . The government variously defines the position of the King of England as "Head of State" or "successor to
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3444-824: The British Parliament, nor the European Parliament. Those islanders who were not somehow qualified and eligible in their own right to register to vote and to vote in the United Kingdom under the Representation of the People Acts as "overseas voters", were excluded from the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum . Guernsey has an unwritten constitution arising from the Treaty of Paris (1259) . When Henry III and
3526-473: The Channel Islands. In 1304, separate seals were provided to Jersey and Guernsey. The provision of different seals is one of the earliest indications of the individual identity and personality of the two Bailiwicks. The seal comprised three leopards (or lions), a symbol taken from the original arms of the Duchy of Normandy. The United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are responsible for
3608-658: The Climate Change Policy & Action Plan adopted in August 2020. Guernsey has a geological history stretching further back into the past than most of Europe. It forms part of the geological province of France known as the Armorican Massif . There is a broad geological division between the north and south of the island. The Southern Metamorphic Complex is elevated above the geologically younger, lower-lying Northern Igneous Complex. Guernsey has experienced
3690-487: The Crown in right of the république of the Bailiwick of Guernsey". The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor is Government House. Since 2022 the incumbent has been Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell CB , CBE , CStJ . The post was created in 1835 as a result of the abolition of the office of Governor. Since that point, the Lieutenant Governor has always resided locally. The jurisdiction
3772-502: The Duke of Normandy. Although no document explicitly defines the Head of State as a "monarch", or the islands as a monarchy, all documents refer to the king by royal titles. Guernsey's largest industry is financial services , followed by tourism and agriculture. The island is particularly well known for its cattle . Guernsey's culture is strongly influenced by Britain , evident in its use of
3854-561: The King of France came to terms over the Duchy of Normandy, the Norman mainland fell under the suzerainty of the king of France. The Channel Islands, however, remained loyal to the English crown due to the loyalties of its Seigneurs . However, they were never absorbed into the Kingdom of England by any Act of Union, but exist as "peculiars of the Crown". A unique constitutional position has arisen as successive British monarchs have confirmed
3936-635: The Magistrate's Court, which deals with minor criminal matters, and the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from the Royal Court, have been added to the Island's legal system over the years. Several European countries have a consular presence within the jurisdiction. The French Consulate is based at Victor Hugo 's former residence at Hauteville House . While the jurisdiction of Guernsey has complete autonomy over internal affairs and certain external matters,
4018-699: The Royal Sanction at regular meetings of the Privy Council in London, after which they are returned to the islands for formal registration at the Royal Court . The States also make delegated legislation known as Ordinances ( Ordonnances ) and Orders ( ordres ) which do not require the Royal Assent . Commencement orders are usually in the form of ordinances. The Policy and Resources Committee
4100-608: The UK are largely unaffected by Brexit . Situated in Mont Saint-Michel Bay at around 49°35′N 2°20′W / 49.583°N 2.333°W / 49.583; -2.333 , Guernsey, Herm and some other smaller islands together have a total area of 71 square kilometres (27 sq mi) and coastlines of about 46 kilometres (29 mi). Elevation varies from sea level to 110 m (360 ft) at Hautnez on Guernsey. There are many smaller islands, islets, rocks and reefs in Guernsey waters. Combined with
4182-682: The age of megaliths in Brittany strongly suggests a far older origin, perhaps back to six to seven thousand years ago. During the European Middle Ages, standing stones were believed to have been built by the giants who lived before the biblical flood . Many of the megaliths were destroyed or defaced by early Christians; it is estimated that some 50,000 megaliths once stood in Northern Europe, where almost 10,000 now remain. Menhirs have also been found in many other parts of
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#17327656813544264-547: The benefit of islanders. Until the 19th century, the Bailiwick was generally exempt from the harsher parts of Westminster legislation while being included in favourable policies, such as protectionist economic policies. England, and later the United Kingdom, passively exploited the strategic benefits of the Channel Islands. For example, the islands were a convenient stop-off point for trade to Gascony . The bailiwick comprises twelve parishes : Alderney, Sark, and ten on mainland Guernsey (one of which includes Herm). Each parish has
4346-950: The centuries, they have variously been thought to have been used by druids for human sacrifice, used as territorial markers, or elements of a complex ideological system, used as mnemonic systems for oral cultures, or functioning as early calendars. Until the nineteenth century, antiquarians did not have substantial knowledge of prehistory, and their only reference points were provided by classical literature. The developments of radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology have significantly advanced scientific knowledge in this area. Menhirs are widely distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia, but are most numerous in Western Europe; particularly in Ireland, Great Britain, and Brittany , where there are about 50,000 examples, and northwestern France, where there are some 1,200 further examples. Standing stones are usually difficult to date. They were constructed during many different periods across prehistory as part of
4428-421: The civil order of the island was fully regulated even before the Norman conquest of England. In 1204, when King John lost the continental portion of the Duchy to Philip II of France , the islands remained part of the Kingdom of England. The islands were then recognised by the 1259 Treaty of Paris as part of Henry III 's territories. During the Middle Ages , the island was a haven for pirates that would use
4510-426: The coast of Normandy , France, comprising several of the Channel Islands . It has a total land area of 78 square kilometres (30 sq mi) and an estimated total population of 67,334. The Channel Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy , whose dukes became kings of England from 1066. In 1204, as a consequence of the Treaty of Le Goulet , insular Normandy alone remained loyal to the English Crown, leading to
4592-558: The coldest month is February with an average air temperature of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F). Average air temperature reaches 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in August. Snow rarely falls and is unlikely to settle, but is most likely to fall in February. The temperature rarely drops below freezing, although strong wind-chill from Arctic winds can sometimes make it feel like it. The rainiest months are December (average 119 mm (4.7 in)), November (average 107 mm (4.2 in)) and January (average 92 mm (3.6 in)). July is, on average,
4674-426: The competent legislature(s) – usually, but not always, the States of Guernsey. Guernsey has almost complete autonomy over internal affairs and certain external matters. However, the Crown – that is to say, the UK Government – retains an ill-defined reserved power to intervene in the domestic affairs of any of the three Crown Dependencies within the British Islands "in the interests of good government". The UK Parliament
4756-498: The court heard appeals and tried criminal cases. Otton de Grandson , then the governor of the Islands, delegated the civil powers to two separate bailiffs for Guernsey and Jersey before he went on crusade to the Holy Land in 1290. This can be assessed as the date of first creation of the two bailiwicks. Situated around 49°24′N 2°36′W / 49.4°N 2.6°W / 49.4; -2.6 , Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands together have
4838-403: The defence and also for formal international, intergovernmental, and consular representation of, and the foreign affairs generally, of the Bailiwick. While never a member of the European Union or its predecessors, before Brexit the Bailiwick had a special relationship with the EU under Protocol 3 of the UK's Treaty of Accession 1972 to the European Community. Pooling resources with Jersey,
4920-445: The end of that century. The early 19th century saw a dramatic increase in the prosperity of the island, due to its success in the global maritime trade , and the rise of the stone industry. Maritime trade suffered a major decline with the move away from sailing craft as materials such as iron and steel were not available on the island. Le Braye du Valle was a tidal channel that made the northern extremity of Guernsey, Le Clos du Valle,
5002-420: The estates of Sausmarez, Les Bruniaux de St. Martin, Mauxmarquis, Rohais, etc. Most of Guernsey was soon cultivated, and around this time the island was divided into ten parishes. Each free fief had a manorial court to hear disputes between tenants, and the Abbot of St. Michael and the Seigneur d'Anneville had the right of high jurisdiction and the privilege of trying and executing criminals, respectively, so that
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#17327656813545084-416: The island free of pirates and that at least forty men occupied it to defend it. Despite most families coming from Jersey, Sark remained within the Bailiwick of Guernsey. There is no flag or coat of arms for the Bailiwick of Guernsey. In historic times, the governor would have used his personal symbols before a generic flag was created for use by the governor. In 1279, Edward I granted a Seal for use in
5166-421: The islands making up the Channel Islands . The title "governor" has changed over the centuries. "Warden", "keeper", and "captain" have previously been used. The bailiff stands in for the Governor, or more recently the Lieutenant Governor, if the latter is absent, for a short term or for longer: for instance during the five years of the German occupation of the Channel Islands . The Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey
5248-408: The lands within the Close of the Vale to the abbot forever as fief of St. Michael, with permission to extend this to the northwestern part of the island as soon as settlers could be found to clear and cultivate the land; and he gave them engineers and workmen to complete the castle of St. Michael and to erect such other forts as were deemed necessary. Around the middle of the eleventh century, Guernsey
5330-399: The larger megalithic cultures in Europe and near areas. Some menhirs stand next to buildings that have an early or current religious significance. One example is the South Zeal Menhir in Devon, which formed the basis for a 12th-century monastery built by lay monks. The monastery later became the Oxenham Arms hotel, at South Zeal, and the standing stone remains in place in the snug bar at
5412-409: The liberties and privileges of the Bailiwick, often referring to the so-called Constitutions of King John , a legendary document supposed to have been granted by King John in the aftermath of 1204. Governments of the Bailiwick have generally tried to avoid testing the limits of the unwritten constitution by avoiding conflict with British governments. This peculiar political position has often been to
5494-510: The nearby inhabited islands of Herm , Jethou and Lihou is the States of Guernsey . Sark has a population of around 600 who live in 5.2 km (2 square miles). Its parliament (together with the inhabited island of Brecqhou ) is the Chief Pleas of Sark, with 18 elected members. In 1565, Helier de Carteret , Seigneur of St. Ouen in Jersey , was granted the fief of Sark by Queen Elizabeth I . He received letters patent granting him Sark in perpetuity on condition that he kept
5576-436: The neutrality. The French attempted to invade Jersey a year later in 1549 but were defeated by the militia . The neutrality lasted another century, until William III of England abolished the privilege due to privateering activity against Dutch ships. In the mid-16th century, the island was influenced by Calvinist reformers from Normandy. During the Marian persecutions , three women, the Guernsey Martyrs , were burned at
5658-431: The other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy . About the year 1030, the fleet of Robert, Duke of Normandy , which was to support the claim of his cousins Alfred and Edward to the English crown against Canute , was scattered by a storm, and was driven down the Channel to Guernsey. The Duke was taken to St. Michael's Abbey. In gratitude for the abbot's hospitality, he gave all
5740-501: The previous pictures. It is not known if this re-use was deliberate or if the passage grave builders just saw menhirs as a convenient source of stone. Where menhirs appear in groups, often in a circular, oval, henge , or horseshoe formation, they are sometimes called megalithic monuments. These are sites of ancient religious ceremonies, sometimes containing burial chambers. The exact function of menhirs has provoked more debate than practically any other issue in European prehistory . Over
5822-502: The role of Attorney General ) and H.M. Comptroller (analogous to Solicitor General ), both appointed by the Crown and collectively known as the Law Officers of the Crown. A projet de loi is the equivalent of a UK bill or a French projet de loi , and a law is the equivalent of a UK act of parliament or a French loi . A draft law passed by the States can have no legal effect until formally approved by His Majesty in Council and promulgated by means of an order in council . Laws are given
5904-466: The stake for their Protestant beliefs, along with the infant son of one of the women. The burning of the infant was ordered by Bailiff Hellier Gosselin, with the advice of priests nearby who said the boy should burn due to having inherited moral stain from his mother. Later on, Hellier Gosselin fled the island to escape widespread outrage. During the English Civil War , Guernsey sided with
5986-539: The sunniest month with 253 hours recorded sunshine; December the least with 58 hours recorded sunshine. Sea temperatures have been rising and now vary between 8 °C (46 °F) in February to 20 °C (68 °F) in August. Average wind speeds vary between 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph) and 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph) with gusts over 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph) every 4–5 years. Guernsey plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, according to
6068-504: The topic of complete independence from the British Crown has been discussed widely and frequently, with ideas ranging from Guernsey obtaining independence as a Dominion to the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey uniting and forming an independent Federal State within the Commonwealth, whereby both islands retain their independence with regards to domestic affairs but internationally, the islands would be regarded as one state. Although it
6150-460: The two islands. During the late 1940s, the island repaired the damage caused to its buildings during the occupation. The tomato industry started up again and thrived until the 1970s when the significant increase in world oil prices led to a sharp, terminal decline. Tourism has remained important. Finance businesses grew in the 1970s and expanded in the next two decades and are important employers. Guernsey's constitutional and trading relationships with
6232-752: The two parts of Guernsey at high tide. New roads were built and main roads were metalled for ease of use by the military. Infrastructure was funded by creating money debt-free starting in 1815. During the First World War , about 3,000 island men served in the British Expeditionary Force . Of these, about 1,000 served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry regiment formed from the Royal Guernsey Militia in 1916. From 30 June 1940, during
6314-537: The world. Many menhirs are engraved with megalithic art , some with anthropomorphic features. Other common carvings are identified as images of stone axes , ploughs, shepherds' crooks, and yokes; and are named after these motifs. However, these identifications are not secure except for those of the stone axe images, and the names used to describe them are largely a matter of convenience. Some menhirs were broken up and incorporated into later passage graves , where they had new megalithic art carved with little regard for
6396-459: Was adopted from French by 19th-century archaeologists. The introduction of the word into general archaeological usage has been attributed to the 18th-century French military officer Théophile Corret de la Tour d'Auvergne . It is a combination of two words of the Breton language: maen and hir . In modern Welsh , they are described as maen hir , or "long stone". In modern Breton, the word peulvan
6478-585: Was beset by a new breed of pirates who built a castle called Le Château des Sarrasins in the centre of the island near the present church of Catel; Duke William of Normandy (later the Conqueror) commissioned his Esquire Sampson d'Anneville to fight them. As a reward, in 1061 he received half of the western part of the island under the title of Fief d'Anneville. Sampson attracted many emigrants from Normandy to settle on his feudal estate, and Duke William distributed lands in Guernsey to other Norman landowners, such as
6560-602: Was in the pay of the French king. Owain and his dark-haired mercenaries were later absorbed into Guernsey legend as invading fairies from across the sea. As part of the peace between England and France, Pope Sixtus IV issued in 1483 a papal bull granting the "Privilege of Neutrality'", by which "the Islands, their harbours and seas, as far as the eye can see," were considered neutral territory. Anyone molesting Islanders would be excommunicated. A royal charter in 1548 confirmed
6642-665: Was not a member of the European Union , it had a special relationship with it until Brexit . It had been treated as part of the European Community with access to the single market for the purposes of the free trade in goods. From 2021 with free travel to the continent ceasing, additional bureaucratic procedures come into force, including the need for international driving licences and green cards for vehicle insurance. Guernsey has ten parishes , which act as civil administration districts with limited powers. Each parish
6724-531: Was probably at anchor or grounded when a fire broke out. Travelling from the Kingdom of Gwent , Saint Sampson , later the abbot of Dol in Brittany , is credited with the introduction of Christianity to Guernsey. In 933, the Cotentin Peninsula , including Avranchin , which included the islands, were placed by the French King Ranulf under the control of William I . The island of Guernsey and
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