Channel Islands History

Channel Islands

History
The Channel Island are situated off the north-west coast of France and are the only portions of the 'Duchy of Normandy' now belonging to the Crown of England, to which they have been attached since the Conquest. They consist of Jersey, Guernsey and the dependencies of Guernsey - Alderney, Brechou, Great Sark, Little Sark, Herm, Jethou and Lihou.

In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hasting, thus becoming William I, King of England. Normandy, with the Channel Islands, were incorporated in the British Crown.

From 1066 to 1204, the Channel Islands enjoyed a long period of peace during which it assimilated Norman culture and customs. After 1204, when King John lost the Duchy, the Channel Islands remained loyal to the English Crown, retaining their own rights and privileges. The King of England was represented in both Islands till 1470 by a Warden.

The Channel Islands were a bone of contention to the French Monarchs. Many attempts were made over the following centuries to capture the Channel Islands.

The Germans occupied the Islands from 1940 to 1945 (the 20th time that Jersey had been invaded since 1204) during the Second World War.

Population Statistics
Year, Population 1821 49,427 1831 62,710 1841 76,065 1851 90,739 1861 90,978 1871 90,596 1881 87,703 1891 92,234 1951 102,770 1981 129,413 1991 145,629