Channel Islands
The Channel Islands sit in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They form an archipelago divided into two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Bailiwick of Guernsey includes Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, and some smaller islands. These islands make up 99% of the population and 92% of the area of the entire group. The very large tidal variation provides an environmentally rich inter-tidal zone around the islands. Some islands such as Burhou, the Écréhous, and the Minquiers have been designated Ramsar sites. The highest point in the islands is Les Platons in Jersey at 143 metres above sea level. The lowest point is the English Channel itself at sea level. The waters around the islands include specific named areas like Le Raz Blanchard, or Race of Alderney, between Alderney and the Cotentin. Other waterways include La Déroute between Jersey and Sark, and the Great Russel between Sark, Jéthou and Herm.
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. Numerous dolmens and other archaeological sites demonstrate the existence of a population large enough to undertake constructions of considerable size. Examples include 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. In the sixth century, Christian missionaries visited the islands. Samson of Dol, Helier, Marculf and Magloire are among saints associated with the islands. 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. In 933, the islands were granted to William I Longsword by Raoul, 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.
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 the Treaty of Paris, officially surrendered his claim and title to the Duchy of Normandy, while retaining the Channel Islands. Since around 1290, Otto de Grandson split the Channel Islands into two separate bailiwicks which were never absorbed into the Kingdom of England nor its successor kingdoms. 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 a Free Company in the service of the French Crown, attacked Jersey and Guernsey in 1372. Bertrand du Guesclin besieged Mont Orgueil in 1373. The young King Richard II of England reconfirmed in 1378 the Charter rights granted by his grandfather. After the loss of Calais in 1558, the Channel Islands were the last remaining English holdings in France. This situation lasted until the English kings dropped their title and claims to the French throne in 1801.
The British Government demilitarised the islands in June 1940, and the lieutenant-governors were withdrawn on the 21st of June. Before German troops landed, between the 30th of June and the 4th of 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, the occupying Germans built four prison camps which housed approximately 6,000 people, of whom over 700 died. 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. Over 2,000 islanders were deported by the Germans, and some Jews were sent to concentration camps. Many land mines were laid, with 65,718 land mines laid in Jersey alone. The end of the occupation came after VE-Day on the 8th of May 1945, with Jersey and Guernsey being liberated on the 9th of May.
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 is a part of the United Kingdom. A bailiwick is a territory administered by a bailiff. In the Channel Islands, the Bailiff in each bailiwick is the civil head, presiding officer of the States, and also head of the judiciary. The systems of government in the islands date from Norman times, which accounts for the names of the legislatures, the States, derived from the Norman 'États' or 'estates'. The States have evolved over the centuries into democratic parliaments. 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 UK Parliament has power to legislate for the islands, but Acts of Parliament do not extend to the islands automatically. Laws passed by the States are given royal assent by the King-in-Council, to whom the islands' governments are responsible. The legal courts are separate; separate courts of appeal have been in place since 1961.
Jersey and Guernsey have, since the 1960s, become major offshore financial centres. Historically Guernsey's horticultural and greenhouse activities have been more significant than in 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 the sector. Rental income comes second at 15.1% with other business activities at 11.2%. Tourism contributes 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. Despite having only 250,000 residents, the Channel islands combined with the Isle of Man are the second-biggest source of foreign direct investment in the United Kingdom. Jersey has had a steadily rising population, increasing from below 90,000 in 2000 to over 105,000 in 2018. In 2018, Guernsey had a GDP of £3.2 billion and with a stable population of around 66,000 has had a steadily rising GDP.
The Norman language predominated in the islands until the nineteenth century, when increasing influence from English-speaking settlers led to Anglicisation. There are four main dialects/languages of Norman in the islands: Auregnais (Alderney), Dgèrnésiais (Guernsey), Jèrriais (Jersey) and Sercquiais (Sark). The main islanders have traditional animal nicknames. Guernsey people are known as les ânes or donkeys because the steepness of St Peter Port streets required beasts of burden. Jersey people are traditionally called les crapauds or toads because Jersey has toads and snakes which Guernsey lacks. Sark is home to les corbins or crows that could be seen from the sea on the island's coast. Alderney is noted for its warrens and its people are called les lapins or rabbits. Victor Hugo spent many years in exile, first in Jersey and then in Guernsey, where he finished Les Misérables. The annual Muratti inter-island football match is considered the sporting event of the year. Cricket is popular in the Channel Islands with teams playing each other since 1957.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
Where are the Channel Islands located?
The Channel Islands sit in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They form an archipelago divided into two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
When did human occupation begin in the Channel Islands?
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.
What happened to the Channel Islands during World War II?
German troops landed between the 30th of June and the 4th of July 1940 after British Government demilitarisation in June 1940. The end of the occupation came after VE-Day on the 8th of May 1945, with Jersey and Guernsey being liberated on the 9th of May.
How many people died in Alderney prison camps during German occupation?
In Alderney, the occupying Germans built four prison camps which housed approximately 6,000 people, of whom over 700 died. 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.
Are the Channel Islands part of the United Kingdom?
Each of these is a British Crown Dependency, and neither is a part of the United Kingdom. A bailiwick is a territory administered by a bailiff, and the legal courts are separate with separate courts of appeal having been in place since 1961.