History of Jersey

The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey has been settled for thousands of years, as evidenced by the Neolithic tomb, La Hougue Bie. But it was the Normans who had the greatest impact on Jersey, paving the way for the Channel Islands to become part of England. Jerseys volatile past has included pirates, smugglers and struggles with France, and the mixture of languages on the island reflects this history. Today, Jersey has been developed for tourism, but thankfully has not neglected to preserve its abundance of natural beauty and scenic attractions.

Neolithic beginnings

Some of the earliest evidence of mankind on Jersey dates back to 4,000 BC, when several tribes moved to the Channel Islands from mainland Europe. Although most traces of these first inhabitants are long gone, one amazing Neolithic site remains at La Hougue Bie. This early pre-Celtic race was later followed by fair-haired Gauls.

From Romans to Vikings

The Romans occupied Jersey, which they called Caesarea, for nearly 500 years beginning in 56 AD. The islands were not important outposts, however, so they could enjoy a fair amount of independence. After the Roman Empire collapsed, the Dark Ages fell over Europe and Britain. Jersey stayed out of the chaos for the most part, enjoying relatively peaceful times until the arrival of the Vikings.

The Normans arrive

The next major event happened in 933, when the islands were added to the dukedom of Normandy. Ever since that time, the inhabitants of Jersey have answered only to the British crown. Even when King John lost the territory to France, Jersey remained loyal to the Crown. In return for their loyalty, King John granted the Channel Islands special rights in 1215 allowing them to essentially govern themselves. Being so close to France, however, Jersey was invaded several times over the next few centuries by the French. Possession of the island changed back and forth between England and France.

Pirates and privateers

The 1600s brought a rise in privateering, which was basically legalised piracy. The English Crown allowed certain captains to seize foreign ships passing through their waters, and the Channel Islands were ideally situated to take full advantage of this. As a result, Jersey saw considerable wealth start to build up on its island. The 1800s brought a wave of wealthy French families fleeing the Revolution. They set up many of the lovely townhouses on the island which can still be seen today.

Modern times

During WWII, the islands were occupied by German forces who used Jersey as part of Hitlers Atlantic Wall. By 1944, most of Jerseys residents were near starvation, and their liberation on May 9th, 1945, was a momentous occasion which is still celebrated today. In recent decades, the Channel Islands have become popular as offshore banking centres. This has helped bring even more wealth to Jersey, and with the arrival of e-commerce, the islands financial future looks secure. Tourism also makes up a large part of Jerseys economy, and the government has taken great measures to protect the rare beauty which permeates the island.