The History of Guernsey; with occasional notices of Jersey, Alderney, and Sark, and biographical sketches

Front matter

HISTORY OF GUERNSEY. THE HISTORY OF GUERNSEY; WITH OCCASIONAL NOTICES OF JERSEY, ALDERNEY, AND SARK, AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. BY JONATHAN DUNCAN, ESQ., B. A., AUTHOR OF " THE DUKES OF NORMANDY," " THE RELIGIONS OF PROFANE ANTIQUITY," " THE RELIGIOUS WARS OF FRANCE," &c, &c. LONDON. LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS, N PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1841. Hcntcreti at Stationers' ?£all. H. Brouabd, Printer, Guernsey. TO DENIS LE MARCHANT, ESQ., Secretary of her Majesty's Treasury, Whitehall. Sir, It is with peculiar satisfaction that I inscribe this volume to you. The antiquity of your family, and the public offices they have long held in the island, have induced me to solicit your acceptance of this dedication of the history of your father-land. Among your progenitors are included six chief magistrates, the first of whom filled the presidential chair at the remote date of the year 1304.

From that early period to the present time, the name of Le Marchant has held an uninterrupted and honoured rank in the annals of the bailiwick ; and your lamented father, who so nobly fell at Salamanca, added fresh and unfading laurels to your ancestral escutcheon, as did, in a minor degree, your gallant brother, who died of a wound received at the close of the peninsular war. May I venture to hope that your influence will be actively exerted in bringing before her majesty's VI DEDICATION. government the Guernsey system of landed tenure, which I have fully explained in the chapter on "Agriculture," and which, I am convinced, would greatly promote the prosperity and the tranquillity of Ireland, if introduced into that country. Indeed, I have long thought that no remedial measure better deserves the careful attention of the legislature, and it would prove to yourself a source of laudable pride if the land of your forefathers served as a model for the regeneration of a high-minded but suffering people.

I have the honour to remain, Sir j Your most obedient servant, Jonathan Duncan. Guernsey. 1841. PREEACE. When this work was announced for publication, the prospectus stated that its principal materials would be derived from orders in council, acts of parliament, and ordinances of the royal court ; and that subsidiary information would be sought in authentic manuscripts and family documents. I confidently hope that an impartial examination of the volume will justify me in saying that those pledges have been faithfully redeemed. In order to render this History as complete as pos sible, application for assistance was made to every quarter from whence useful hints or suggestions seemed likely to be received ; and it is now my pleasing duty to acknowledge the valuable aid rendered to me by some of the most enlightened gentlemen in the island.

Preface

. The venerable and truly noble-minded bailiff, Mr. Daniel De Lisle Brock, has also laid me under heavy obligations : the experience of his long and useful life has often directed my erring judgment into the right channel, and he most liberally placed at my disposal a large collection of manuscripts and printed documents, replete with interest and instruction. The lieut. -bailiff, Mr. John Guille, of St. George, entrusted me with the papers of his ancient and re spected family, together with those of the late Air. Thomas Le Marchant, a gentleman of great literary acquirements, who left behind him, in MS., an unfi nished history of his native island. I am also indebted to Sir William CoUings, jurat of the royal court, for the loan of his valuable collection of manuscripts, and many judicious communications.

Nor can I omit the name of Mr. Charles De Jersey, the learned attorney-general of the bailiwick, from whose library and estimable counsels I have reaped a rich harvest of legal information. In the chapter on the " Constitution of Guernsey," Mr. James Barbet, Jun., tendered me most valuable assistance, and his name is a sufficient guarantee for the accuracy of all that relates to insular jurispru dence and legislation. The chapter on "Ecclesiastical Architecture" was contributed by the Rev. William CoUings Lukis, B.A., of Trinity college, Cambridge ; that on " Climate and Diseases," by Frederick CoUings Lukis, M.D.; those on " Antiquities," and " Natural History," were written by Mr. Frederick Corbin Lukis, the talented father of those gentlemen. Mr. Hilary Ollivier Carre, a highly esteemed jurat

PREFACE.

. IX of the royal court, is the author of the useful chap ters on "Horticulture" and "Meteorology." Other casual assistance is acknowledged in the text and notes. It has been well observed, that biography is the handmaid of history, and that she is frequently a more agreeable companion than her mistress. The reader who is of this opinion will be interested by a perusal of the "Biographical Sketches" in the Appen dix. Guernsey has reason to be proud of many of her sons, and I have felt much pleasure in inserting their memoirs, although necessarily brief, — as the materials with which several are composed would, probably, in a few years, otherwise have been lost. As a few living characters are introduced in this por tion of the work, a cursory reader may be surprised at not finding a memoir of Daniel De Lisle Brock.

But the insular history of the last forty years is so closely identified with the patriotic services of that eminent functionary, that I thought his life would best be read iu the record of those public acts wdiich have conferred so much benefit on the island. I now submit the work to public criticism. The matter is almost wholly original, and the narrative is strictly a History of Guernsey, with incidental allu sions to the other channel islands. I have carefully avoided swelling out the narrative by blending the annals of the bailiwick with those of England. Jonathan Duncan. Esplanade, Guernsey, TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I POLITICAL HISTORY. — (Page 1.)

Guernsey known at a remote period. — The Sarrazins possess a castle in Guernsey. — Island ceded to Rollo by King of France, in 912. — Robert the Devil. — Castles of the Marais and Jerbourg. — William the Conqueror. — Fiefs of Anne ville and Saumarez. — Channel Islands independent of England during the reign of Stephen. — Cornet Castle. — Beauregard tower. — Inhabitants exempted from taxation and service out of the island. — King John. — His forfeiture of Normandy. — Guernsey remains faithful to him. — Edward the Fust. — Commission of inquiry. — Bailiffs and jurats authorised to levy a duty on ships and boats, to erect a wall to protect harbour. — Public seal granted to Guernsey and Jersey. — Invasion of Guernsey. — Otho De Grandison. — Edward the Second. — Precepte d' Assize. — Edward the Third. — Invasion and capture of Guernsey by Philip De Valois. — The island recovered. — Refutation of the statement that Guernsey was recovered by the people of Jersey. — Normandy ceded to France, but the Channel Islands retained by England. — Guernsey again attacked by Charles the Fifth of France. — Guernseymen defeated at Vazon bay. — Retreat to Castle Cornet. — Gallant defence. — Enemy repulsed, and island evacuated. — Richard the Second. — Confederacy between France and Spain to ravage the Channel Islands. — Charters of Guernsey confirmed by Henry the Fourth. — Channel Islandsplundered by the French. — Henry the Sixth. — Confirmation of charters. — Collectors of customs at Plymouth, Poole, and Southampton, forbidden to exact toll or custom from the inhabitants of Guern sey. — Guernseymen assist in the recapture of Mont Orgueil castle, Jersey, from the French.— Edward the Fourth. — Privilege of neutrality granted to Guernsey. — Edward the Sixth. — Sark seized by the French. — Attack on Guernsey repulsed. — Mary. — Sark recovered by stratagem. — Inhabitants of Guernsey allowed to import provisions from England, duty free. — Popery. — Elizabeth. - — Confirmation of char ters and neutrality. — Toll for completing harbour. — Court reprimanded for mis applying harbour revenue. — Sark ceded to Helier De Carteret. — Endowment of CONTENTS. grammar school in Guernsey. — College. — Carey family. — Arbitrary conduct of .governors. — Sir Thomas Leighton. — James the First. — Privileges confirmed. — Icpyal commissioners appointed. — Charles the First. — Guernsey sides with the parliament. — Sir Peter Osborne holds out Castle Cornet against the parliament. — Provisional government of Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark, vested in Peter De Beauvoir, and the other jurats. — Order to seize Sir Peter Osborne and the castle. attempts. — Letter from the king. — Peter De Beauvoir, James De Havilland, and Peter Carey, entrapped and confined in Castle Cornet ; their escape ; secret conspiracies in the town ; ringleaders seized and sent to England. — Lord Warwick appointed governor of Guernsey and Jersey. — Letter of Prince Charles to Mr.

Amias Andros. — Disturbances, and hostilities between Mr. Russell, lieut. - governor, and the inhabitants. — Threatened invasion. — Factions in Guernsey. — Commissioners appointed by parliament to settle disputes and regulate the affairs of the bailiwick. — Sorcery. — Form of homage by a seigneur of the island to the king. — Capitulation of Castle Cornet. — Affairs of Jersey. — Cromwell. — Poverty of Guernsey. — Petition for relief. — Richard Cromwell. — Charles the Second. — The authorities acknowledge the hereditary title of the Stuarts. — Commissioners appointed to report on the affairs of the bailiwick. — Order of council thereon. — The names of Oliver and Richard Cromwell erased from the public records. — William De Beauvoir and Peter Carey fined by council. — Charge against Lord Hatton, governor ; his recal. — Menaced invasion ; a French spy executed. — Charter confirming privileges. — Explosion at Castle Cornet, and destruction of Lord Hatton's family. — Appointment of bailiff, procureur, controle, and dean, declared to belong to the crown. — Order in council respecting duties, &c, of bailiff, jurats, and advocates. — Election of sheriff confirmed to the states.- — Castle Cornet transferred to the board of ordnance. — Grants made by the king to Guernsey. — Provisions of navigation act extended to Channel Islands. — Guernsey more English than Jersey. — James the Second. — Attempt to restore popery. — Civil jurisdiction of the court in regard to soldiers confirmed. — Importation of wool from Southampton permitted. — Movement in favour of William the Third. — Roman catholics forced to lay down their arms. — Invasion again menaced. — Islands put in state of defence. — John Tupper. — Battle of La Hogue. — The quartering of soldiers, &c. — Charters of neutrality withdrawn. — Address to the king. — Anne. — Dispute between bailiff and jurats respecting passing contracts for the sale of land. — Sir Edmund Andros appointed bailiff for life, with power to nominate a lieutenant-bailiff. — This prerogative contested and confirmed. — Recusation of magistrates. — Impressment of sailors not inhabitants of Channel Islands. — Hanoverian dynasty. — Proclamation of George the First. — Confirmation of commercial privileges. — George the Second. — Standard of weights. — Acts of parliament to be registered and published. — Estates in England not taxable. — Herm, Jethou, Lihou, and Grande Mare leased out. — Crown officers allowed to appoint deputies. — The Victory wrecked. — Militia.— Attacks on Chausey, St. Malo, and Cherbourg. — Definition of powers of lieutenant-governor and court. — The court reprimanded. — No Guernsey vessel to clear without showing bills of lading to proper officer. — ■ George the Third. — Complaint of delays in clearing vessels. — Remedy granted. — Duties to be paid to the governor fixed. — Disputes between bailiff, jurats, and greffier ' respecting registration of contracts. — French repulsed at Jersey. — CONTENTS.

XIII Descent on Jersey. — Death of Major Pierson. — Fort George commenced. — Dis pute between inhabitants and court respecting equipment of militia ; accoutrements sent from England. — Mutiny at Fort George. — Privateers. — Sir James Saumarez. — Crescent. — John Breton. — Distinguished characters. — New prison ; its regulations, &c, &c. — Lord Moira's expedition. — Russian troops. — Barracks erected. — Sir John Doyle. — Coast defences. — Braye du Valle. — New roads. — Currency of the island. — Salaries of public officers increased. — Horn-street case ; attempt of court to raise money without cqnsent of states, defeated. — Introduc tion of indirect taxation, — College. — Public improvements ; opposition thereto. — Attempt to impose a tax on French shipping. — Taxation. — Appeal to council thereon. — Captain Dobree and three natives drowned. — Greek brig-of-war Cimoni. — The militia made " royal." — Cholera. — Attempt to extend habeas corpus act to Guernsey. — Corn question.

Chapter II. Commercial History

— (Page 223.) Commerce of Guernsey cannot be traced higher than the close of the sixteenth century. — Agriculture and fishing chief occupation of the inhabitants.— Privilege of neutrality. — William the Third. — Suspension of neutrality. — Success of pri vateers. — Packet service. — Smugglers resort to Guernsey for spirits, tobacco, &c. — Wines imported and matured.— Wine trade destroyed by bonding system. — Dicey's character of Guernsey merchants. —^Custom-house established (1767). — Commercial privileges infringed.— Trade driven to Roscoff. — Revival of smug gUng ; its suppression. — Violation of privileges. — Internal trade prosperous owing to garrison and naval force. — Success of privateers. — Brazil trade. — License trade. — Peace, 1815. — Depression of trade. — Removal of garrison. — Communication with England. — Steam navigation, 1824. — Wealth of Guernsey. — Corn bill. — Project for introducing English currency. — Rum and tobacco allowed to be ex ported in small quantities. — Present trade and manufactures of Guernsey.

Chapter III. Agriculture

— (Page 284.) Extent of Guernsey. — Tenure of property. — Sea-weed used as fuel and manure. — Rotation of crops. — Great productiveness of land. — Homed cattle. — Butter. — Advantage of small farms. — Value of land. — Moral effects of system of tenure ; its applicability to Ireland.

Chapter IV. Ecclesiastical History

— (Page 314.) Evidences of pagan worship still extant. — Druidical altars. — Sampson, bishop of St. David's, introduces Christianity into the Channel Islands in the sixth century. CONTENTS.

XIV — St. Maglorius founds a monastery in Sark. — Channel Islands separated from see of Dol, and annexed to that of Coutances. — Vale church and abbey. — Vale castle. — Revenue of the prior of the Vale. — Dates of consecration of churches. — Revenue of abbot of Cherbourg. — Presentation to benefices. — Confiscations. — Claims of bishops of Coutances. — Religious houses suppressed by Henry the Fifth. — Division of confiscated tithes. — Champarts and deserts. — Henry the Eighth. — Reformation. — Confiscation completed. — School of St. Peter. — Liturgy of Church of England used in churches. — Mary. — Three women burnt for heresy. — Elizabeth. — Catholics persecuted. — Elizabeth college. — Bishop of Coutances obtains order in council for payment of dues. — Channel Islands transferred to see of Winchester. — Presbyterianism introduced by French refugees. — Elders, dea cons, and consistory. — Bailiff and jurats members.. — Tithes on calves, colts, and lambs. — Presbyterianism continues through the reigns of James the First and Charles the First. — Three fellowships established at Oxford for Channel Islands. — Charles the Second. — Act of conformity introduced. — Non-conformity continues. — Scholarships at Oxford. — James the Second. — Unsuccessful attempt to restore popery. — Ecclesiastical canons for Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney. — Discipline of Church of England gradually introduced. — 1753, civil power required to enforce reading of litany. — Surplice not used in churches. — Seat of clergy in states. — Right of dean to sit in states. — First visit of a protestant bishop, in 1818. — Small tithes. — Methodism introduced, 1783 ; disturbances ; Mr. Wesley visits Guernsey, and preaches at Assembly-rooms. — Methodists persecuted for refusing to perform military duty on Sundays. — Progress of methodism. — New connexion. — Indepen dents, and other sects. — Enumeration of different denominations. — Places of worship. — Schools. — Religious and charitable institutions. — List of deans. — List of clergy, 1840.

Chapter V. Antiquities

— (Page 370.) Druidic.aL remains hi Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm ; the cromlech, the kistvaen, and the menhir, the most conspicuous. — Cromlechs used as catacombs by Celtic tribes. — Jerbourg castle. — Tumuli in Alderney. — Mounds or watch stations.

Chapter VI. Ecclesiastical Architecture

— (Page 385.) Chapel of St. Apolline. — St. Sampson's church. — Priory and chapel of Lihou. — Vale church. — Torteval church.— St. Saviour's church. — Forest church. — Church of St. Peter-in-the-Wood.— St. Martin's church. — Church of St. Mary De Castro. — St. Andrew's church. — Church of St. Peter-Port. — Review of general character of churches. — Religious houses. — Ancient houses in the town. — St, James' and St. John's churches. CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VII. Military Government

— (Page 405.) Ancient titles of governors. — Governor has precedency over all other public functionaries. — Peter Le Marchant, both lieutenant-governor and bailiff. — Respect and obedience due to governor (Elizabeth, 1568). — Governor ex-officio admiral in the island. — Jurisprudence of governor (James the First, 1607). — Governor appoints militia officers. — Guernsey militia protected from impressment. — Stat4£s cannot be assembled without consent of governor. — Salary, he, of governor. — Lieutenant-governor. — Militia aide-de-camp to the sovereign.

Chapter VIII. Constitution Of Guernsey

— (Page 421.) Section 1 : Legislative authority. — Section 2 : Royal court. — Section 3 : Admi nistration of justice. — Section 4 : "Parochial administration. CHaVPTER IX. NATURAL HISTORY.— (Page 503.) Geoi.ogv. — Lichens. — Springs and fountains.— Scenery. — Enumeration of rock? and minerals. — Submarine beds of peat. — Flora. — Entomology. — Fish. — Zoology —Ornithology.—Sea-weed. — Crustacea. — Conchology.

Chapter X. Cllmate And Diseases

— (Fage 526.) Climate resembles that of neighbouring shores of England and France ; subject to frequent changes.— Prevailing winds. — Natives strong and healthy. — Mode of living. — Sanatory regulations. — Guernsey less damp than west of England. — Ague no longer exists in Guernsey.— Prevalent diseases.

Chapter XI. Meteorology

— (Page 537.) Mildness of climate. — Extremes of temperature little felt. — Meteorological tables.— Winds. — Rain. — Fogs. — Thunder. — Frost.

Chapter XII. Horticulture

— (Page 548.) General taste for gardening. — Abundance and excellence of garden productions. CONTENTS. XVI —Climate favourable to growth of plants.— Useful and ornamental plants found in gardens.— Floriculture, favourite pursuit.— Guernsey lilies.— Culture of plants under glass assisted by climate.— Gardening may be improved by science and art. TABLE OF BEARINGS AND DISTANCES.— (Page 560.)

Appendix

.— (Page 563.) Invasion of Channel Islands. — Descent of Sarrazins. — Charles the Second. — Dukes of Normandy. — Fief Le Cointe. — Itinerant justices. — Sorcery, witchcraft, and torture. — General Lambert. — Mr. John Jeremie, knighted and appointed governor of Sierra Leone. — Braye du Valle. — Deportation of criminals, &c. — South pier. — Printing presses. — United States bank. — Ecclesiastical history. — Sunday drilling of militia. — Antiquities. — Militia. — Additional ordinances of the royal court. — Ormers. — Population. — List of bailiffs and jurats. — Laws of inherit ance. — Marriage and registration bill. — Extracts from Rymer's Fœdera. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.— (Page 588.) Sir Edmund Andros. — Dr. John De Saumarez. — Henry De Saumarez. — Capt. Philip Saumarez. — Captain Thomas Saumarez. — Lieut. Carre Tupper. — Colonel Sir George Smith. — Major-General Le Marchant. — Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. — Lieut. Peter Le Mesurier. — Captain Carey Le Marchant. — Major- General Havilland Smith. — Major-General Thomas Carey. — Peter Carey Tupper.

Rev. Peter Paul Dobree. — Lieut. E. W. Tupper. — Colonel W. De Vie Tupper. — Dr. John MacCulloch. — Captain William Le Mesurier Tupper. — Thomas De Sausmarez. — Lord De Saumarez. — Sir John Jeremie. — Sir Thomas Saumarez. — Vice-Admiral Thomas Le Marchant Gosselin. — Sir Thomas Mansell. — Deputy- Commissary-General Tupper Carey. CENSUS OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS IN 1841.— (Page 655.) ERRATA.— (Page G56.) _.n r _*