History of Jersey

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands and has been an island for around 6,000 years. Early people left signs of their lives in stone monuments and treasures. In the 10th century, Jersey became part of Normandy. Even when the Normans took over England, Jersey stayed connected to the Duchy of Normandy. But when Normandy and England separated in the 13th century, Jersey chose to stay loyal to the English Crown, becoming its own special place called a Crown Dependency.

During the time when England and France were often at war, Jersey found itself in the middle of these conflicts. In the 1600s, after England broke away from the Roman Church, many people from France came to Jersey because of their religious beliefs, shaping the island's culture. In 1617, leaders made a big change by separating the jobs of the Governor and Bailiff, giving the Bailiff control over the island's laws and daily life.

In 1781, soldiers from France tried to take over Jersey but were stopped by a brave leader named Major Francis Peirson in the Battle of Jersey. After a long peace began in 1815, Jersey grew closer to the United Kingdom and its culture changed to feel more British. During the Second World War, Jersey was one of the few places in the British Isles that was taken over by enemy forces, but it was freed in 1945 and celebrated this day as the island's national day. Today, Jersey is known for its tourism and as an important place for financial services.

Name of the island

Jersey may have been known by different names in the past. Some think the Romans called it Caesarea, but others believe that name belonged to islands closer to England. Another old name for the island might have been Andium. Over time, the name changed and evolved. The ending "‑ey" in Jersey comes from a Norse word meaning "island," while "Jer-" may be linked to the name Caesar.

Many place names on Jersey have Norse origins, like L'Etacq, which comes from a word meaning "high rock."

Prehistory

See also: Archaeology of the Channel Islands and Jersey Dolmens

The earliest signs of people in Jersey go back about 250,000 years ago, long before it became an island. Groups of ancient hunters used caves as a base for finding food like mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses.

Today, Jersey has been an island for around 6,000 years due to rising sea levels. During a very cold time called the Ice Age, people lived there and left behind drawings that are more than 12,000 years old. We also know that during a time called the Neolithic period, people built special stone sites called dolmens for rituals. Building these needed teamwork over a wide area. There is also proof that people traded with nearby places during this time.

See also: List of hoards in the Channel Islands

Archaeologists have found special treasures that show people lived there and had wealth. For example, workers building a house found a heavy gold piece of jewelry. In 1976, someone found many old tools made of bronze, like spears and swords. In 2012, two people using metal detectors found a huge group of very old coins from a time long ago. Another find in the same year included more bronze items from even earlier times.

Early history

Although there is no proof that Romans lived on Jersey, many historians think it is possible they did. Some Roman items, like coins, have been found on the island. There are also places on Jersey linked to Roman times, such as Caesar's fort at Mont Orgeuil.

When the ruler Augustus Caesar divided a large area into parts, Jersey was included in one part led from Lyons. Roman influence helped shape Jersey's culture, bringing a language that later developed into Jèrriais and also influenced English.

During a time when people moved from Britain to a place called Brittany, the Channel Islands, including Jersey, were likely settled by these people. This may have brought Christianity to the island. Tradition says that Saint Helier brought Christianity to Jersey in the 6th century.

From 873, Jersey became affected by events in nearby France as the Normans took control of the western coast. In around 933, a Norman leader named Duke William I took control of Jersey. The island adopted Norman laws and ways of life, which still affect Jersey today. During this time, the island recovered from attacks by Viking people and grew its farming.

A key part of Jersey's early government was the "fief" system, where land was owned by local leaders called Seigneurs. People who farmed the land had to follow rules set by these leaders. Though life was hard for many, Jersey's small size meant people kept some freedom.

In 1066, a Norman leader named William the Conqueror became king of England, but he still ruled Jersey separately. Later, after some changes in leadership, Jersey became part of the English king's lands, though it still had ties to Normandy and France.

By 1180, Jersey was divided into three areas for managing things: de Gorroic, de Groceio, and de Crapoudoit. These areas included different groups of parishes on the island. This was a time when many churches were built or made bigger in a style common in Normandy.

13th century

It is said that Jersey's special rights come from old rules made by King John, but this is not certain. English kings gave Jersey special permissions to keep the island loyal, as it was important because it was close to Europe.

Because Jersey was near France and England, it became important. In 1217, a pirate named Eustace the Monk attacked the island. To protect it, a castle called Mont Orgueil was built.

In 1259, the Treaty of Paris let Jersey keep its special ways. The island was no longer part of Normandy but kept its own laws and government. Leaders called Wardens and later Governors helped protect the island, while Bailiffs handled the law. This separation of roles helped Jersey keep its independence.

The 13th century was also a time of growth for Jersey. The island became a busy stop for ships carrying goods, especially wine, which helped the economy and the population grow. However, in 1294, during a conflict between France and England, Jersey was attacked. Many homes and farms were destroyed, and many people sadly lost their lives.

14th and 15th centuries

Plague and Hundred Year's War (1337–1455)

In 1336, the king of Scots attacked the Channel Islands, causing damage and fear. Because of this, the people of the islands formed a militia in 1337, which lasted for many years. In 1337, King Edward III of England began a long war with France called the Hundred Year's War.

In 1338, French forces tried to capture Jersey but could not take a key castle. They came back in 1339 with many soldiers but still could not capture the castle. In 1341, King Edward III said that Jersey people could keep their old rights and privileges.

In 1348, a terrible disease called the Black Death spread across Europe. Coastal France was badly affected, and it is thought that many people in Jersey died, though exact numbers are not known.

In 1373, another French leader tried to take Jersey but was stopped by English help. In 1378, Jersey had a tricky situation because it followed French church rules but was ruled by England. This caused some tension between the leaders and the church.

In the 1390s, King Richard II of England wanted peace with France and almost made Jersey part of Normandy. But when a new king, Henry IV, took over in 1399, he confirmed Jersey's special rights. In 1406, French soldiers attacked Jersey but were defeated.

War of the Roses (1455–1487)

Even though the French tried to capture Jersey during the Hundred Year's War, they failed. But during a later conflict called the War of the Roses, French forces did capture a key castle in Jersey in 1461. They held it until 1468 when local forces and English supporters took it back.

King Edward IV then made Jersey and Guernsey separate in their rules. From 1469, each island had its own special permissions, and from 1478, they were led by different captains, though they shared one main captain.

Tudors and Reformation (1485–1603)

When Henry VII became king in 1485, it marked the final separation of the Channel Islands from Normandy. In 1496, he moved the islands' church leadership from France to England, though it took many years for this to fully happen.

During the 1500s, new ideas about the church spread, and Jersey moved from following the old Catholic ways to Protestant ways under King Henry VIII. Later, during Queen Elizabeth I's time, many French people who followed a strict Protestant religion called Calvinism moved to Jersey. This made life very strict, with strong rules and better schools. The island also built new defenses, including a new castle named after the queen.

Jersey's role in early colonialism

During Queen Elizabeth I's time, Europeans began exploring and settling in places like the Americas. People from Jersey also took part in this. Jersey was an important trading place between England, France, and the Netherlands. Some Jersey people became traders and settlers in places like Newfoundland. By 1591, Jersey men were sailing to Newfoundland in small boats each spring and returning in the fall. In 1611, a church in Jersey was allowed to hold early services so sailors could attend before leaving.

Jersey also traded wool with England, and the making of knitwear became very important, though laws were made to make sure the island could still grow its own food.

17th century

James VI of Scotland became King of England, and therefore of Jersey, in 1603 after Queen Elizabeth I passed away. The Governor at the time, Sir John Peyton, did not like a certain religious belief called Presbyterianism and tried to stop it on the island. There were disagreements about who should appoint the leader of the island, known as the Bailiff. Eventually, it was decided that the King could appoint the Bailiff, and the Bailiff would handle justice and civil matters, while the Governor would take care of the military.

During the 1640s, a big conflict called the War of the Three Kingdoms happened in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Jersey was also affected. Some people on the island supported the King, while others supported Parliament. After some time, forces loyal to Parliament took control of Jersey.

When King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, he rewarded Jersey for supporting him. He gave a large piece of land in America to a leader from Jersey, naming it New Jersey. He also gave the island a special symbol called a royal mace.

In the late 1600s, Jersey faced some challenges. There were worries about building too many houses on land needed for farming. The island also dealt with issues of smuggling, as some people traded illegally with France despite the King's ban on such trade. Despite these troubles, many people from Jersey moved to America and built successful businesses there.

18th century

Public unrest in the early century

In the 1720s, a problem with money values between Jersey and France caused trouble. Jersey decided to change the value of its money, but this led to protests, so the change was stopped.

In the 1730s, some people became angry about certain taxes and showed their anger in a few places on the island.

Corn Riots

Main article: Corn Riots

In 1769, people on Jersey became very upset because there wasn’t enough food and some leaders were being unfair. On September 28, 1769, people from the north of the island marched to the town and caused trouble. They wanted lower food prices and fairer rules. As a result, new laws were made in 1771 to organize the island’s government better.

Politics and religion in the 18th century

The Chamber of Commerce was created on February 24, 1768, making it the oldest one in the English-speaking world.

Around this time, some people began to form groups with different ideas about how the island should be run. Jean Dumaresq was one of these people who wanted more democratic ways to choose leaders.

Methodism, a new religious group, arrived in Jersey in 1774. Some people disagreed with the local leaders about this, but the king supported people’s freedom to practice their religion. The first Methodist minister arrived in 1783, and a famous preacher visited in 1789.

Battle of Jersey

Main article: Battle of Jersey

During the wars between Britain and France, Jersey was often prepared for possible attacks. In 1779, an invasion was stopped at St Ouen’s Bay. In 1781, another invasion captured St Helier, but was stopped by British soldiers in the Battle of Jersey. After these wars ended, Jersey began trading more with places like Canada and Newfoundland. The first printing press arrived in Jersey in 1784.

People continued to want fairer rules, and in 1785, they wrote down their ideas for changes in the way things were run on the island.

19th century

The 19th century brought big changes to Jersey. Many people from England moved to the island, making it more connected than ever before. This brought new ideas and a wish for changes in how the island was governed. During this time, the government changed to better represent the people, and Jersey's culture became more like England's, with less focus on its older traditions.

The island also grew in size and wealth. Towns, especially St Helier, expanded with new roads, houses, and public transport. This growth helped people travel and trade more easily. Farms could now send their goods quickly to markets in London and Paris, helping the island's economy.

Pre-Victoria

The roads before the 19th century were a mix of old paths and lanes, often described as poor quality. In the early 1800s, new military roads were built to connect coastal forts with the main town harbour. These roads were expensive and faced a lot of opposition, but they helped people travel between different parts of the island. This also helped farmers sell their crops faster.

Trade grew in the early 1800s, especially after the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815. The island no longer had as much military importance, but it still needed money. An English customs house was set up in 1810. Steamships changed travel, making it faster and more reliable. The first steamship to visit Jersey was the Medina in 1823, and soon after, new shipping companies started regular services to England.

This brought many new people to Jersey. By 1840, there were 5,000 English residents, and the island began to speak more English than the local language. New houses in the English style were built, and the town of St Helier grew quickly with new streets and services like street lighting.

A new island politics

After the Napoleonic Wars, Jersey faced political changes. In 1821, a fight broke out during an election, showing the tension between old and new ideas. The government's system was still old-fashioned, and power shifted from the country areas to St Helier, where many English residents lived.

There were disagreements about how the island should be governed. Some new residents from England wanted Jersey to follow English laws and systems. One man, Abraham Le Cras, argued strongly that Jersey should be fully part of England. He even won a court case that challenged Jersey's right to make its own laws. These debates led to changes, like adding elected deputies to the government in 1856.

Nonconformism and reform

Different religious groups challenged the old ways of Jersey. While most people were tolerant, these groups sometimes felt left out of important community roles. The main church had to change to allow more religious freedom.

Anglicisation

At the start of the 19th century, Jersey felt more British than French or Norman. As more people from England arrived and ties with Britain grew, the island became more like England. The local language, Jèrriais, was spoken less, especially in towns where English became the main language. This change was supported by the British government and local leaders who believed it would bring prosperity.

Schools began teaching only in English, and new English newspapers like the Jersey Times were started. Over time, Jersey's culture shifted away from its older Norman roots toward British traditions.

Victorian Era (1837–1901)

Queen Victoria was declared Queen of Jersey in 1837. One big change was switching the island's money from the livre tournois to the British pound. In 1841, Jersey started making its own coins.

Public transport began with omnibuses, and two railways opened in 1870 and 1874, connecting different parts of the island. Jersey was also a big shipbuilding area, though this declined with new technologies. Farmers found success with Jersey cattle and Jersey Royal potatoes.

Tourism grew as travel became easier, becoming an important part of the island's economy.

20th century

Elementary education became obligatory in 1899 and free in 1907. Queen Victoria died in 1901, and Edward VII was proclaimed as King. The first Battle of Flowers celebration took place in 1902. The first aeroplanes arrived in Jersey in 1912.

When the First World War began in 1914, the British garrison left, and Jersey men joined the British and French armed forces. German prisoners of war were held on the island. An influenza epidemic in 1918 added to the difficulties of the war years.

After the war, Jersey made changes to its voting system and education. In 1919, women over 30 were allowed to vote, and old school funds were used to support Victoria College. In 1921, King George V visited Jersey, which led to the creation of parish crests.

The first motor car arrived in 1899, and buses began operating in the 1920s. By the 1930s, motor buses made the railways unprofitable, and they closed in 1935. Jersey Airport opened in 1937, replacing the beach as an airstrip.

English was allowed in government meetings starting in 1901, and the first law mainly written in English was passed in 1928.

Occupation 1940–1945

Following the withdrawal of British defences and German attacks, Jersey was occupied by German troops from 1940 to 1945. This was the only time British land was occupied by German forces in World War II. Many islanders were evacuated, and some were sent to camps in Germany. The island faced severe food shortages in the winter of 1944–45 but were helped by a Red Cross supply ship in December 1944. Liberation Day on May 9 is still celebrated as a public holiday.

Post-Liberation

After the war, Jersey worked to rebuild. Exiled islanders suggested improvements like better education, economic development, and land management. The island received help to clear mines and repair damage.

Jersey made big changes to its government. Voting rights were extended to all British adults, and big reforms were made in 1948. Jersey started free secondary education and created a social security system. New schools opened, and housing was improved to meet the needs of a growing population. Tourism grew, and old military buildings were turned into museums and homes.

21st century

Jersey has sometimes been in the news because of its role in global finance. In 2017, secret documents showed that a big company used Jersey for tax purposes.

In 2008, an investigation at a home for children found records of harmful actions going back many years. Some people were held responsible.

Today, Jersey Heritage is asking local people to help choose special natural and historical places. These could become part of a group of important sites around the world.