François or Francis Le Clerc (died 1563), also known as "Jambe de Bois" ("Peg Leg"), was a 16th-century French privateer , originally from Normandy . He is credited as the first pirate in the modern era to have a " peg leg ".
79-553: He was often the first to board an enemy vessel during an attack or raid. It was this brazen style that eventually caused him to suffer the loss of a leg and severe damage to one arm while fighting the English at Guernsey in 1549. Although many pirates would have had their careers ended by such an injury, Le Clerc refused to retire and instead expanded the scope of his piracy by financing the voyages and attacks of other pirates as well. Despite his wounds, Le Clerc led major raids against
158-558: A Genoese carrack . He and his crew of 330 men were the first Europeans to settle the island of Saint Lucia , and used the nearby Pigeon Island to target Spanish treasure galleons. In 1560, while awaiting a Spanish treasure fleet carrying a cargo of bullion, he caused a great deal of damage to settlements along the coast of Panama . In April 1562, Protestants in several Norman cities rebelled against their Roman Catholic king. Queen Elizabeth I of England dispatched British troops to occupy Le Havre until June 1563. Le Clerc joined
237-455: 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 the pound sterling and the status of English as the primary native language. Norman and French culture also have an impact, such as
316-804: A 2010 Commons Justice Committee, they are independent from the UK and from each other and their relationship is with the Crown. The UK's responsibilities derive from that fact. All "insular" legislation has to receive the approval of the "King in Council", in effect, the Privy Council in London. Certain types of domestic legislation in the Isle of Man and the Bailiwick of Guernsey, however, may be signed into law by
395-677: 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 . Crown Dependencies The Crown Dependencies are three offshore island territories in the British Islands that are self-governing possessions of the British Crown : the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey , both located in
474-403: 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
553-622: 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 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 ,
632-644: 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 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
711-722: 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 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
790-413: 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
869-471: A status if deemed to be deserving such as a borough or as a more prestigious city by the monarch. Many cities were designated over several centuries, and as Anglican dioceses began to be created the process of city creation became aligned to that used in England, being linked to the presence of a cathedral . Despite this, St Patrick's Isle adjoining the Isle of Man, which had a medieval cathedral ,
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#1732782751303948-554: 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 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
1027-508: 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
1106-509: 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, 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
1185-446: 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
1264-539: 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, 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
1343-684: 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 )
1422-607: 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
1501-722: 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 the Duke of Normandy. Although no document explicitly defines the Head of State as
1580-634: Is the States Assembly , the first known mention of which is in a document of 1497. The States of Jersey Law 2005 introduced the post of Chief Minister of Jersey , abolished the Bailiff's power of dissent to a resolution of the States and the Lieutenant Governor's power of veto over a resolution of the States, and established that any Order in Council or Act of the United Kingdom proposed to apply to Jersey must be referred to
1659-540: 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 a population of 63,950, the vast majority of whom live on Guernsey, and
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#17327827513031738-678: Is today used irrespective of the gender of the person who holds it. The Channel Islands are part of the territory annexed by the Duchy of Normandy in 933 from the Duchy of Brittany . This territory was added to the grant of land given in settlement by the King of France in 911 to the Viking raiders who had sailed up the Seine almost to the walls of Paris. William the Conqueror , Duke of Normandy, claimed
1817-490: 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, the sunniest month with 253 hours recorded sunshine; December
1896-684: The Commonwealth of Nations . However, they do have relationships with the Commonwealth and other international organisations, and are members of the British–Irish Council . They have their own teams in the Commonwealth Games . Each island's political development has been largely independent from, though often parallel with, that of the UK, and they are akin to "miniature states with wide powers of self-government". As
1975-521: The English Channel and together known as the Channel Islands , and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland . They are closely related to the countries of United Kingdom (UK), although they are not part of them. They have the status of "territories for which the United Kingdom is responsible", rather than sovereign states . As a result, they are not member states of
2054-612: The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II , with Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories being allowed to take part for the first time. In the Dependencies, the only applicants were Douglas and Peel, both on the Isle of Man, and Douglas was granted the honour, making it the first formal city. According to the 1973 Kilbrandon Report , the Crown Dependencies are "like miniature states". According to
2133-418: The States of Alderney . The three parliaments together can also approve joint Bailiwick-wide legislation that applies in those parts of the Bailiwick whose parliaments approve it. There are no political parties in any of the parliaments; candidates stand for election as independents . The Bailiwick of Jersey consists of the island of Jersey and a number of surrounding uninhabited islands. The parliament
2212-584: 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 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
2291-539: 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 the stake for their Protestant beliefs, along with the infant son of one of
2370-655: The 9th century. The principal court is the Royal Court and exercises both civil and criminal jurisdiction. Additional courts, such as 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
2449-524: The Bailiwicks have had separate courts of appeal , but generally, the Bailiff of each Bailiwick has been appointed to serve on the panel of appellate judges for the other Bailiwick. The Bailiwick of Guernsey comprises three separate jurisdictions: The parliament of Guernsey is the States of Deliberation , the parliament of Sark is called the Chief Pleas , and the parliament of Alderney is called
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2528-426: The Channel Islands as successive monarchs have confirmed the liberties and privileges of the Bailiwicks , 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 Bailiwicks have generally tried to avoid testing the limits of the unwritten constitution by avoiding conflict with British governments. Following
2607-432: The Channel Islands have been governed as: Each Bailiwick is a Crown dependency and each is headed by a Bailiff , with a Lieutenant Governor representing the Crown in each Bailiwick. Each Bailiwick has its own legal and healthcare systems and its own separate immigration policy, with "local status" in one Bailiwick having no validity in the other. The two Bailiwicks exercise bilateral double taxation treaties . Since 1961,
2686-607: 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
2765-567: 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 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
2844-437: 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
2923-489: The Crown Dependencies are not sovereign states, the power to pass legislation affecting the islands ultimately rests with the King-in-Council (though this power is rarely exercised without the consent of the dependencies , and the right to do so is disputed). However, they each have their own legislative assembly , with power to legislate on many local matters with the assent of the Crown (the Privy Council , or, in
3002-419: The Crown by a panel in each respective Crown dependency; this replaced the previous system of the appointments being made by the Crown on the recommendation of UK ministers. In 2005, it was decided in the Isle of Man to replace the Lieutenant Governor with a Crown Commissioner , but this decision was reversed before it was implemented. "The Crown" is defined differently in each Crown Dependency. Legislation of
3081-496: The Deputy Bailiff. The posts of Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff are Crown appointments. Sixteen Jurats, who need no specific legal training, are elected by 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
3160-546: The English invaders and ravaged French shipping. In March 1563, he asked for a large pension as a reward for his actions. Wounded in his pride when Elizabeth turned down his request, he sailed for the Azores Islands. He was killed there in 1563, while hunting down Spanish treasure ships. Guernsey in the Bailiwick of Guernsey (red) Guernsey ( / ˈ ɡ ɜːr n z i / GURN -zee ; Guernésiais : Guernési ; French : Guernesey )
3239-656: 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 the Lager Lindele (Lindele Camp) near Biberach an der Riß and to Oflag VII-C in Laufen . Guernsey
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3318-519: The Isle of Man defines the "Crown in right of the Isle of Man" as being separate from the "Crown in right of the United Kingdom". In the Isle of Man the British monarch is styled Lord of Mann , a title variously held by Norse , Scottish and English kings and nobles (the English nobles in fealty to the English Crown) until it was revested into the British monarchy in 1765. The title "Lord"
3397-495: The Keys as independents, rather than being selected by political parties . There is a Council of Ministers headed by a chief minister . Unlike the other Crown Dependencies, the Isle of Man has a Common Purse Agreement with the United Kingdom. As overseas territories were added to the land conquered by the British, a number of towns and villages began to request formal recognition to validate their importance, and would be accorded
3476-542: The Lieutenant Governor, using delegated powers, without having to pass through the Privy Council. In Jersey, provisional legislation of an administrative nature may be adopted by means of triennial regulations (renewable after three years), without requiring the assent of the Privy Council. Much legislation, in practice, is effected by means of secondary legislation under the authority of prior laws or Orders in Council. A unique constitutional position has arisen in
3555-583: 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
3634-637: The Spanish, who nicknamed him "Pata de Palo" ("Peg Leg"). In 1553, he assumed overall command of seven pirate craft and three royal vessels, the latter commanded by himself, Jacques de Sores and Robert Blundel. This same year he attacked the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma , in the Canary Islands , which he looted and set on fire, destroying a large number of buildings. This strong fleet raided San Germán in Puerto Rico and methodically looted
3713-665: The States so that the States can express their views on it. There are few political parties , as candidates generally stand for election as independents. The Isle of Man's Tynwald claims to be the world's oldest parliament in continuous existence, dating back to 979. (However, it does not claim to be the oldest parliament, as Iceland 's Althing dates back to 930.) It consists of a popularly elected House of Keys and an indirectly elected Legislative Council . These two branches may sit separately or jointly to consider pieces of legislation, which, when passed into law, are known as " Acts of Tynwald ". Candidates mostly stand for election to
3792-599: 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
3871-519: 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 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
3950-617: The case of the Isle of Man, in certain circumstances the lieutenant-governor or, in the case of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Lieutenant-Governor). In Jersey and the Isle of Man, the head of government is called the chief minister . In Guernsey, the head representative of the committee-based government is the President of the Policy and Resources Committee . The term 'Crown Dependencies' has been disputed by Gavin St Pier , former Chief Minister of Guernsey . He argues that
4029-491: The castle of St. Michael and to erect such other forts as were deemed necessary. Around the middle of the eleventh century, Guernsey 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
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#17327827513034108-490: 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
4187-476: 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 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
4266-426: 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 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
4345-446: 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 the Second World War , Guernsey was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany . After five years of occupation,
4424-412: 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 the Bailiwick. The British monarch is the head of state and the head of government
4503-452: 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 ", is the Old Norse for "island", while the original root, "guern(s)", is of uncertain origin and meaning, possibly deriving from either
4582-457: 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 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
4661-444: 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 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
4740-408: The islands, were placed by the French King Ranulf under the control of William I . The island of Guernsey and 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
4819-423: 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
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#17327827513034898-609: 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 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
4977-421: 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 the neutrality. The French attempted to invade Jersey a year later in 1549 but were defeated by
5056-466: The ports of Hispaniola and Cuba from south to north, stealing hides and cannon as they traveled. They sacked Santiago de Cuba in 1554, occupied it for a month, and left with 80,000 pesos in treasure. So completely devastated was Cuba's first capital that it was soon completely eclipsed by Havana and never recovered its former prosperity. Richer booty was taken on the return voyage as the corsairs plundered Las Palmas on Grand Canary Island and captured
5135-421: The restoration of King Charles II , who had spent part of his exile in Jersey, the Channel Islands were given the right to set their own customs duties, referred to by the Jersey Legal French term as impôts . The monarch is represented by a Lieutenant Governor in each Crown dependency, but this post is largely ceremonial. Since 2010 the Lieutenant Governors of each Crown dependency have been recommended to
5214-423: 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, 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
5293-503: 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
5372-533: 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 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
5451-667: The term was an administrative invention of Whitehall , which incorrectly implies that the islands are dependent upon the Crown, and advocates instead the use of the term 'Crown Dominion'. King Charles III [REDACTED] William, Prince of Wales [REDACTED] Charles III ( King-in-Council ) [REDACTED] Starmer ministry ( L ) Keir Starmer ( L ) Angela Rayner ( L ) ( King-in-Parliament ) [REDACTED] Charles III [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The Lord Reed The Lord Hodge Andrew Bailey Monetary Policy Committee Since 1290,
5530-494: The title King of England in 1066, following the death of Edward the Confessor , and secured the claim through the Norman conquest of England . Subsequent marriages between Kings of England and French nobles meant that Kings of England had title to more French lands than the King of France. When the King of France asserted his feudal right of patronage , the then-King of England, King John , fearing he would be imprisoned should he attend, failed to fulfill his obligation. In 1204,
5609-460: The title and lands of the Duchy of Normandy and his other French possessions were stripped from King John of England by the King of France. The Channel Islands remained in the possession of the King of England, who ruled them as Duke of Normandy until the Treaty of Paris in 1259. John's son, Henry III , renounced the title of Duke of Normandy by that treaty, and none of his successors ever revived it. The Channel Islands continued to be governed by
5688-431: 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 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
5767-557: 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 the Parliamentarians . The allegiance was not total, however; there were a few Royalist uprisings in
5846-568: 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 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
5925-516: 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 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
6004-862: 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 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
6083-622: Was never granted privileges of a city. What is now Peel Cathedral was later built nearby, but only raised to the status of a cathedral in the 1980s. The Channel Islands were at first part of a mainland French diocese , and then came under the Bishop of Winchester after the English Reformation . These islands had no cathedral. Since the year 2000, the UK government has arranged competitions to grant city status to settlements. In 2021, submissions for city status were invited to mark
6162-622: 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 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
6241-424: 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 the two islands. During the late 1940s, the island repaired the damage caused to its buildings during
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