Guernsey Chronology

Contents 1 Guernsey Timeline 2 BC 3 AD to 1000 4 11th Century 5 12th Century 6 13th Century 7 14th Century 8 15th Century 9 16th Century 10 17th Century 11 18th Century 12 19th Century 13 20th Century 14 21st Century

Guernsey Timeline

This timeline outlines some of the main events in Guernsey's history. We are very grateful to Dr Darryl Ogier of the Island Archives Service for his major contribution to getting this started.

BC

Year	Event
c. 8,000	Changes in sea levels separate Guernsey from the European mainland.
c. 6,500	Evidence of hunting and fishing in Guernsey.
c. 4,500	Evidence of settlements and farming.
c. 2000	Earliest defence earthworks at Jerbourg.

AD to 1000

Year	Event
c 150	Evidence of Roman settlement in Guernsey.
c 525	St Sampson visits Guernsey.
867	The Channel Islands become part of Breton kingdom.
c 911	Franks surrender part of Normandy to its first duke, by the so-called 'Treaty of St-Clair-sur-Epte'.
933	Further territories, 'the land of the Bretons on the seashore', perhaps including the Channel Islands, ceded to Normans.

11th Century

Year	Event
c 1020	Grant of fiefs in Guernsey, each comprising about one half of the island, by Richard II, Duke of Normandy, to the Vicomtes of the Bessin and Cotentin respectively.
1027/35	Duke Robert I grants half of Guernsey, confiscated from Ranulf son of Anschitil, Vicomte of the Bessin, to the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.
1035	William the Conqueror becomes Duke of Normandy.
1035/48	William the Conqueror grants Mont-Saint-Michel Alderney and Sark in exchange for its half of Guernsey, which he regrants to Ranulf son of Anschitil, Vicomte of the Bessin.
1047	Battle of Val-Šs-Dunes: Cotentin fief forfeited.
Mid 11th C	Integration of Channel Islands into the diocese of Coutances.
c 1052/58	William grants six Guernsey churches, previously held by Nigel, Vicomte of the Cotentin, to the Abbey of Marmoutier. Nigel confirms the gift. (An original charter of confirmation is in Candie Museum).
c 1054	Archbishop Malger of Rouen exiled to Guernsey.
1066	Norman victory at the Battle of Hastings.
25 Dec 1066	English coronation of William the Conqueror.
9 Sep 1087	Death of William the Conqueror. His sons William Rufus and Robert Curthose succeed to his rule in England and Normandy respectively.
1096	Robert Curthose pawns Normandy to William Rufus.

12th Century

Year	Event
2 Aug 1100	Death of William Rufus, Henry I succeeds to English throne
July 1101	Robert Curthose invades England. He is bought off.
1106	Henry I conquers Normandy.
1120	Ranulf II, Vicomte of the Bessin, acquires Earldom of Chester, causing his Guernsey estate to be called Fief le Comte.
1128	Empress Matilda marries Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou.
1135	Stephen succeeds to English throne.
1139-53	Civil war in England.
c 1142	Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, annexes Channel Islands in the course of his conquest of Normandy (1141-45).
1150	Henry of Anjou (later Henry II of England) succeeds his father on Norman throne.
1152	Henry of Anjou marries Eleanor of Aquitaine.
1154	Henry II succeeds to English throne.
1156	Robert of Torigny, Abbot of Mont St Michel, visits Guernsey.
1179	First known reference to Guernsey's Royal Court.
1180, 1195, 1198	References to Guernsey in the great Rolls of the Norman Exchequer.
1189	Richard I succeeds to English throne and Dukedom of Normandy.
1195/98-1200	John, Count of Mortain, Lord of the Isles.
1195-99	Records of Vital de Biele, of Gascony, leasing fish-drying rights in Guernsey.
1199	John, Count of Mortain, succeeds to English throne and Dukedom of Normandy.

13th Century

Year	Event
1200-04	Pierre de Préaux, Lord of the Isles by John's appointment.
22 May 1200	Treaty of Le Goulet between John and Philip Augustus, King of France.
1200	Marriage of John to Isabelle, daughter of Count Aymer of Anjoulême, by which her betrothal to Hugh Le Brun, Lord of Lusignan, is breached.
1202	John fails to appear before Philip Augustus to account for his conflict with Lusignan, and war results.
August 1203	Last reference before the loss of Normandy to the Channel Islands being under John's control. French occupation ensues.
1204	King John driven out of Normandy, but Channel Islands remain loyal to the English crown
6 Mar 1204	Fall of Château Gaillard.
24 June 1204	Surrender of Normandy's capital, Rouen.
September 1205	Evidence that Channel Islands had been recovered from the French by this time by forces under Eustace the Monk. The Islands were recaptured shortly afterwards.
1206	Large English expedition to recover Channel Islands. Guernsey had reverted to English control by July. Supply of bretasches (temporary wooden field fortifications) to island suggests the commencement of Castle Cornet.
August 1207	Philip d'Aubigny appointed warden of Guernsey.
c 1212	Eustace the Monk falls out with King John and occupies Sark.
1213	Channel Islands used as base for English attack on France.
December 1214	Philip d'Aubigny drives Eustace from Sark.
1215	Eustace the Monk again rebels against John.
1215-16	Civil War in England. Eustace the Monk's brothers occupy Channel Islands.
24 August 1216	Eustace the Monk beheaded after a sea battle off Sandwich; the English forces being led by Philip d'Aubigny.
28 October 1216	Henry III succeeds to English throne.
1217	Treaty of Kingston. Channel Islands to be returned to the English Crown. Eustace's brothers capitulate.
1232	Channel Islands used as base for English attack on France. First record of a Constable of Castle Cornet.
1234-39	Henri de Trubleville appointed Lord of the Isles.
1232	Record of merchants visiting Guernsey to buy corn.
1235/58	Compilation of the Grand Coutumier de Normandie, a fundamental text of island law.
1242	Channel Islands used as base for English attack on France.
1244	The warden ordered to repair wall, and to build barbican etc. of Castle Cornet.
1248	Extente of the Crown's rights and revenues in Guernsey.
1252	The warden ordered to repair Castle Cornet, damaged by wind.
1254-75	The Lord Edward (later Edward I) appointed Lord of the Isles. Channel Islands permanently annexed to the Crown.
1259	Treaty of Paris. Channel Islands confirmed to be French territories for which the English King will do homage. He abandons title 'Duke of Normandy'.
1272	Edward I succeeds to English throne.
1274	Extente of the Crown's rights and revenues in Guernsey.
1275	Royal command to build a defensive wall at St Peter Port; grant of quayage to do so. Grand Custom, levied on foreign ships visiting St Peter Port, totals 220 livres tournois.
1275-77	Otto de Grandison appointed Warden of the Isles.
1277-94	Otto de Grandison appointed Lord of the Isles.
1279	Edward I grants a seal for use by Royal Court.
1288	Charter of Edward I to Guernsey's fishermen.
1295	Devastating French raid on Guernsey. Record of Nicolas Meriene being Dean.
c 1295	Petition to renew quayage after French attack.
1299	Assizes held.

14th Century

Year	Event
1304	Assizes held. The Abbot of Marmoutier is actioned to find a third of cost of repairs to certain churches.
1305	Quayage regranted for 5 years.
1307	Edward II succeeds to English throne.
1309	Assizes held. Royal permission granted for market to move to St Peter Port.
1323	Assizes held.
1327	Edward III succeeds to English throne.
c 1328	Petitions to King for repairs of defences, destroyed in late wars.
c 1331	Inquisition into John de Roches' administration of Castle Cornet and king's mills in Guernsey
1331	Last assizes held. Extente of the Crown's rights and revenues in Guernsey.
1337	Hundred Years War begins.
1338-40	Guernsey occupied by French (Castle Cornet until 1345).
10 July 1341	Charter of Edward III to Guernsey.
1348	The Black Death decimates Guernsey's population.
1351	Foundation of chapel of St Julien de Bosc, St Peter Port, by Pierre de St Pierre
1357	A fort, the Tour de Beauregard, St Peter Port, is under construction. Jean Le Marchant becomes Bailiff of Guernsey, replacing Jean de la Lande.
1372	La Descente des Aragousais - invasion of the island by Owen de Galles
1377	Richard II succeeds to English throne.
10 Nov 1378	Charter of Richard II to Guernsey.
1384	Jean Nicolas becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
1387	Gervaise de Clermont becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
1392, 1394	Permissions granted to Nicolas Henry to found chantry chapel of Ste Apolline, St Saviour.
14 July 1394	Royal appointment of Peter Gyon as macebearer in Guernsey.
28 July 1394	Second charter of Richard II to Guernsey.
1396-1415	Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Rutland, warden.
1396	English-French treaty.
1399	Henry IV succeeds to English throne.
Late 14th century	Insular possessions of the 'alien priories', including those of Mont-Saint-Michel, confiscated to the Crown.

15th Century

Year	Event
8 May 1400	Charter of Henry IV to Guernsey.
1412	James Coquerel becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
1413	Henry V succeeds to English throne.
14 Feb 1414	Charter of Henry V to Guernsey.
1415-35	John, Duke of Bedford, Lord of the Islands.
1417-20	English conquest of Normandy. Treaty of Troyes (1420).
1422	Henry VI succeeds to English throne.
c 1429	Mention of an island assembly resembling the States of Guernsey.
1433	Thomas de la Cour becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
1437-47	Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Lord of the Islands.
1439	Judgement of Royal Court sets down custom followed at chevauch‚es du Roi.
10 February 1441	Charter of Henry VI to Guernsey.
30 September 1441	Publication by Guernsey's Royal Court of the Pr‚cepte d'Assize.
24 November 1445	Grant of reversion of Lordship of the Islands to Henry, Duke of Warwick (d. 1446).
1446-47	Jean Henry Bailiff of Guernsey.
1447	Guillaume Cartier becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
24 February 1447	Governors appointed during minority of Anne de Beauchamp, Warwick's heir.
1449-50	French reoccupy Normandy.
3 January 1449	Death of Anne de Beauchamp.
12 July 1449	Licence to Anne's family to divide Warwick inheritance.
2 March 1450	Richard Neville and Anne de Beauchamp (senior) his wife created Earl and Countess of Warwick. The Earl of Warwick ('the Kingmaker') assumes Lordship of the Islands.
1454	Sea battle near Guernsey and Jersey in which islanders reputedly slay some 500 French.
October 1459	Warwick, with Edward, Earl of March (later Edward IV) flees to France, via Guernsey, after the rout of Ludford Bridge. Warwick attainted and his Lordship of the Islands forfeited.
12 May 1460	John Nanfan is last warden to be named jointly for Guernsey and Jersey.
1461	Battle of Towton (29 March): Henry VI flees England. Edward IV assumes English throne.
15 May 1461	Report of French attack on Guernsey and siege of Castle Cornet.
29 March 1465	Charter of Edward IV to Guernsey.
1467	Thomas de la Cour becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
28 February 1469	Second charter of Edward IV to Guernsey.
1470	Pierre Beauvoir becomes Bailiff of Guernsey. Grant of commercial privileges in England to certain Guernsey merchants following Guernsey's role in the relief of Mont Orgueil (1468).
14 April 1471	Death of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, at the Battle of Barnet.
1480-81	Edmond de Cheney Bailiff of Guernsey.
1481	Mention of an island assembly resembling the States of Guernsey.
27 February 1481	Pope Sixtus IV publishes a Bull against piracy. This and associated legislation have the effect until 1689 of making Guernsey neutral in wartime.
1481-82	Nicolas Fouaschin Bailiff.
1482	Jean Blondel becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
1483	Edward V; Richard III succeed to English throne.
15 December 1483	Charter of Richard III to Guernsey.
1485	Henry VII succeeds to English throne.
28 November 1485	Appointment of Edmund Weston and Thomas de St Martin as joint governors of Guernsey.
10 February 1486	Charter of Henry VII to Guernsey.
8 March 1486	Appointment of Edmund Weston as sole governor of Guernsey.
13 December 1487	Anne, Countess of Warwick, renounces her Lordship of the Islands.
1494-1506	James Havyland, of a Guernsey family, mayor of Poole at times between these dates.
28 October 1496	Papal Bull purports to transfer Channel Islands to Diocese of Salisbury. It is ineffective.
1499	Jean Martin becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.

16th Century

Year	Event
20 January 1500	A Papal Bull of doubtful authenticity purports to transfer Channel Islands to Diocese of Winchester. It is ineffective.
1505	Thomas Devyck, and William Mesurer, both of Guernsey families, mayors of Southampton and Poole respectively.
1509	Henry VIII succeeds to English throne.
22 May 1509	Sir Richard Weston appointed Governor of Guernsey.
5 March 1510	Charter of Henry VIII to Guernsey.
1511	James Guille becomes Bailiff of Guernsey.
1512	English war with France and Scotland.
27 March 1513	Foundation of school at St Peter Port.
1515	Guernsey merchants arrange reduced tolls at Southampton.
1522-25	English war with France.
1531	Establishment of the eminent fraternity de la Charit‚, based in a chapel in St Peter Port churchyard.
1533	Order that vessels from Jersey and Normandy, suspected of bringing plague, should be turned away.
1535	Valor Ecclesiasticus extends to Guernsey.
1536	Friary in St Peter Port closed on the orders of Thomas Cromwell.
1538	Thomas Compton becomes Bailiff of Guernsey (first term).
24 February 1538	First reference to States of Guernsey by name.
3 November 1539	Sir Richard Long granted reversion of Governorship of Guernsey, whereupon he appears to have taken up office from the aged Weston.
1542	Bishop of Coutances tries unsuccessfully to assert financial interests in Guernsey.
1543	English war with France. Guernsey's Royal Court excludes military equipment from seizure in debt actions.
1544	Flemish ships raid St Peter Port harbour.
1545	Jean Herivel appointed Bailiff. Thomas Fouaschin, of a Guernsey family, mayor of Southampton.
March 1545	Sir Peter Mewtas appointed Governor, following Long's resignation.
1546	Order addressed to parish captains indicates existence of a militia in Guernsey.
1546-47	Plague years in Guernsey.
28 January 1547	Edward VI succeeds to English throne.
1547	English Chantries Act extends to Guernsey. Its terms are avoided.
1549	English Act of Uniformity extends to Guernsey, leading to Protestant innovation.
6 March 1549	Charter of Edward VI to Guernsey.
12 October 1549	Helier Gosselin appointed Bailiff.
1549-50	War with France.
1550	Privy Council endorses financial rights in the Channel Islands of the Bishop of Coutances.
1552	Second English Act of Uniformity extends to Guernsey.
1553	Publication of French translation of Cranmer's Prayer Book.
6-19 July 1553	Reign of Lady Jane Grey. Mewtas supports her party.
19 July 1553	Mary I succeeds to English throne.
25 September 1553	Sir Leonard Chamberlain appointed Governor in replacement of Mewtas.
6 December 1553	Charter of Mary I to Guernsey.
1554	Denis Le Vair, one-time Protestant evangelist in Guernsey, burned at the stake at Rouen.
1555	Revival of heresy laws in England.
1556	Revival of Royal Court's recognition of sanctuary (previously abolished c. 1531).
17 July 1556	Burning of Protestant Catherine Cauches, her two daughters and a baby following Witch Trial ('the Cauches Martyrdom')
16 December 1556	Guillaume Beauvoir of Guernsey elected a deacon of the English Church at Geneva.
17 November 1558	Elizabeth I succeeds to English throne.
29 July 1559	Charter of Elizabeth I to Guernsey.
December 1559	Nicolas Baudouin sent by John Calvin to serve as minister in St Peter Port.
15 March 1560	Second charter of Elizabeth I to Guernsey.
1561-62	A succession of Royal Commissions appointed to investigate Guernsey's affairs. They make little or no progress.
1562-64	War with France in support of Huguenots.
1563	A plague year in Guernsey. Commencement of period of witch trials and executions by burning.
1563	Elizabeth College founded by Elizabeth I
17 May 1563	Establishment of Presbyterian consistory at St Peter Port.
25 May 1563	A further Royal Commission is appointed to investigate Guernsey's affairs, and succeeds in secularising certain church revenues, investigating the Cauches Martyrdom, granting harbour revenues to the Royal Court, founding Elizabeth College etc.
October 1563	Helier Gosselin dismissed as Bailiff. He is succeeded by Thomas Compton (second term).
28 June 1564	First Channel Island synod.
1565	Seven Jurats of the Royal Court dismissed and replaced with men of Protestant credentials.
1565	Helier De Carteret granted a charter to colonise Sark
18 February 1566	Pardon issued to Gosselin and others concerning the Cauches Martyrdom.
1567	Royal Commissioners investigate Guernsey's defences, laws etc.
1568-69	Channel Islands removed from ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Coutances and attached to the Diocese of Winchester.
14 April 1570	Sir Thomas Leighton appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1572	Guillaume Beauvoir appointed Bailiff.
23 August 1572	Massacre of St Bartholomew in France. Refugees, including the Comte de Montgomery, flee to Guernsey.
1576	Publication of a Discipline Eccl‚siastique for the Channel Islands.
1579-89	Repeated disputes between islanders and the Governor.
1581	Thomas Wigmore appointed Bailiff.
27 October 1583	Privy Council approves a statement of Guernsey's laws: the Approbation des Loix.
1584-96	Schism between the Presbyterian churches of Guernsey and Jersey.
1585	Numerous Huguenot pastors flee France and are established in Guernsey livings. War with Spain.
1588	Louis Devyck appointed Bailiff. Defeat of Spanish Armada.
1595-1601	Thomas Cartwright, the eminent Puritan, chaplain at Castle Cornet.
1597	Publication of a revised Discipline Eccl‚siastique for the Channel Islands. Renewed disputes with Governor.

17th Century

Year	Event
1601	Amice de Carteret appointed Bailiff.
1603	Accession of James I.
1604	Peace with Spain.
18 December 1604	Charter of James I to Guernsey.
1605	Revival of the States of Guernsey.
15 June 1605	Second Charter of James I to Guernsey.
1607	Creation of States of Election.
1607-08	A Royal Commission investigates islanders' complaints, and the Privy Council acts thereon.
1610	Lord Carew of Clopton becomes Governor of Guernsey
1613	Death of Nicolas Baudouin, minister at St Peter Port since 1559.
1615	Record of 347 houses in St Peter Port; 1008 in the other parishes.
November 1616	James I privately endorses Guernsey's Presbyterian regime.
25 August 1621	Henry Danvers, on appointment as Governor of Guernsey, visits the Royal Court to present his credentials.
1624-30	War with Spain.
1625	Accession of Charles I.
1626-29	War with France.
1626	Henry Danvers, Governor of Guernsey, created Earl of Danby.
1627	Charter of Charles I to Guernsey.
1629	Visit to Guernsey of the Earl of Danby, Governor. The Rev. Peter Heylyn, his chaplain, writes an account of the island (published 1656). Jerbourg Castle and other defences repaired.
1631	Jean de Quetteville becomes Bailiff.
1636	Visit to Guernsey of the Earl of Danby, Governor.
1637	The Earl of Danby, Governor, sets out reasons for Archbishop Laud why Guernsey should maintain its Presbyterian system.
1637-40	Henry Burton, Puritan, imprisoned in Castle Cornet.
July 1642	Jean de Quetteville suspended from office as Bailiff by commissioners.
1643	Sir Peter Osborne appointed Royalist Governor of Guernsey.
March 1643	Guernsey declares for Parliament. Siege of Castle Cornet, held for the Royalists, begins.
3 December 1643	Escape of three Guernsey commissioners from prison in Castle Cornet.
1644	The Earl of Warwick appointed Parliamentarian Governor of Guernsey.
1644-45	Uprisings against Robert Russell, Guernsey's Parliamentary Lieutenant-Governor.
1646	Presbyterian Church introduced in England. Sir Baldwin Wake appointed Royalist Governor of Guernsey.
1649	Execution of Charles I. England declared a republic. Col. Roger Burgess appointed Royalist Governor of Guernsey.
22 October 1649	Col. Alban Coxe appointed Parliamentarian Governor of Guernsey.
1650	Col. John Bingham appointed Parliamentarian Governor of Guernsey.
15 December 1651	Surrender of Castle Cornet to Parliamentary forces.
1652-54	First Dutch War.
1653-56	Jurats hold office of Bailiff monthly, in rotation.
16 December 1653	Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector.
1655-60	War with Spain.
1656	Pierre de Beauvoir becomes Bailiff.
3 September 1658	Death of Oliver Cromwell.
1660	Major Henry Wanseye appointed Parliamentarian Governor of Guernsey.
5 May 1660	Charles II proclaimed king.
December 1660	Sir Hugh Pollard appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1661	Amias Andros appointed Bailiff.
1661-70	Imprisonment of Col. John Lambert in Castle Cornet.
1662	Enforcement of Anglicanism in Guernsey. Five ministers resign. Ecclesiastical Court revived.
May 1662	Lord Hatton appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1665-67	Second Dutch War.
1665	Hatton suspended from Governorship.
1666	Capture and subsequent loss off Guernsey of the Vierge de Bonport, 300 tons, a richly-laden French East-indiaman.
11 February 1668	Charter of Charles II to Guernsey.
1670	Christopher, Second Lord Hatton, appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1672-74	Third Dutch War.
1674	Sir Edmund Andros appointed Bailiff.
1682	Lord Hatton created a Viscount.
6 February 1685	Accession of James II.
12 Dec 1688 - 12 Feb 1689	Interregnum.
13 February 1689	Accession of William and Mary.
1689	Neutrality effectively abolished, allowing for development of privateering enterprises.
1694	Accession of William III.
1699	Large numbers of fusiliers battalioned in Guernsey.

18th Century

Year	Event
1701-13	War of Spanish Succession.
1702	Accession of Queen Anne.
1706	Gen. Charles Churchill appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1714	Accession of George I. Jean de Sausmarez appointed Bailiff.
1715	Lieut.-Gen. Daniel Harvey appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1725	First edition of James Douglas' Description of the Guernsey Lily.
1727	Guernsey's population estimated at 10,500, of whom some 4,500 live in the town. Accession of George II.
1728	Joshua Le Marchant appointed Bailiff.
1732	Earl of Cholmondeley appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1733	Maj.-Gen. Richard Sutton appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1737	Fee farm leases of Crown wastes enabled by Order in Council.
1738	The Marquis de Montandre appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1742	Duke of Somerset appointed Governor of Guernsey. Town Hospital built.
1750	Sir John Ligonier appointed Governor of Guernsey.
1751	Country Hospital founded. Publication of Thomas Dicey's History of Guernsey.
1752	Lord de la Warr appointed Governor of Guernsey. Eleazar Le Marchant appointed Bailiff.
1756-63	Seven Years War. Guernsey privateers active.
1758	Samuel Bonamy appointed Bailiff.
1760	Accession of George III.
1761	Lord de la Warr created Earl de la Warr.
1765	Duke of Gloucester visits Guernsey.
1766	Sir Richard Littleton appointed Governor.
1770	Sir Jeffrey Amherst appointed Governor.
1771	William Le Marchant appointed Bailiff.
1777	An American privateer harasses St Peter Port.
1778	First regular packet service between Guernsey and England established.
1780	Construction of Fort George commenced.
1782	Assembly Rooms founded. Quakers first organise in Guernsey.
24 March 1783	Mutiny at Fort George.
1786	Visit of Dr Adam Clarke, Methodist missionary.
1787	Publication of William Gardner's Map of Guernsey, surveyed by order of the Duke of Richmond.
Aug - Sep 1787	Visit of the Rev. John Wesley.
1789	Holy Trinity Church built
1791	La Gazette de Guernesey, Guernsey's first French-language newspaper published.
1793-1802	War with France.
1794	Regular post office packet service between Guernsey and Southampton established.
1797	The Earl Grey appointed Governor.
1799	Two divisions of Russian troops quartered in Guernsey.

19th Century

Year	Event
1800	Robert Porret Le Marchant appointed Bailiff.
1803-15	War with France.
1803	Sir John Doyle appointed Lieutenant-Governor, and launches major programme to improve the island's defences.
1806	The Braye du Valle, a tidal channel that had divided Guernsey, reclaimed from the sea.
1807	The Earl of Pembroke appointed Governor. British Smuggling Act applied to the islands despite protest.
28 Nov 1807	H.M.S. Boreas lost on the Hanois rocks, with seventy-seven lives.
1809	Duke of Brunswick Oels and his troops stationed in Guernsey.
1810	Commencement of major road-building programme. (Sir) Peter de Havilland appointed Bailiff. Start of Granite exports
1811	Les Vardes dolmen, L'Ancresse, discovered. Start of export trade for Guernsey cattle.
1812	Deaths in action of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, in North America, and Maj-Gen John Gaspard Le Marchant at Salamanca.
1813	Publication of The Star, Guernsey's first English-language newspaper.
1815	Guernsey Prison completed. Start of Shipbuilding Industry.
1816	First issue of local currency notes to finance the construction of the new Meat Market.
1817	Duke of Gloucester visits Guernsey. Foundation of the Society of Agriculture. States buy existing Meat Market (French Halles).
1818	Rebuilding of Torteval Church First visit to the island by an Anglican Bishop, Bishop of Salisbury. Consecration of St James the Less.
1820	Accession of George IV.
1821	Daniel de Lisle Brock appointed Bailiff.
1822	Opening of the new Meat Market
1823	Arrival of the Medina, first steamship to travel to Channel Islands.
1825	Sir John Colborne appointed Lieutenant-Governor. John Le Mesurier surrenders Alderney to the Crown.
1827	Sir William Keppel appointed Governor. Guernsey Banking Company established. Mail first brought by steamship.
1828	Maj.-Gen. John Ross appointed Lieutenant-Governor. Central Hall built to house National School at Clifton Steps, St Peter Port.
1829	First visit to the Bailiwick by Bishop of Winchester. Completion of new Elizabeth College main building. Notre Dame du Rosaire opened as Guernsey's first Roman Catholic church.
1830	Accession of William IV. Introduction of the Guernsey double coins
1831	Island militia is granted the status Royal.
1832	103 die during Cholera outbreak in St Peter Port. Foundation of Mechanics Institute. Publication of Cochrane's Map of Guernsey
1834	Publication of first tourist guide book, The Channel Islands by Henry Inglis.
11 Dec 1834	Death of General Sir William Keppel, the last Governor of Guernsey to be appointed.
1835	Office of Governor of Guernsey abolished, Lieutenant Governor becomes the direct representative of the Crown in the islands.
1836	Death of Admiral James Saumarez, Lord de Sausmarez. Erection of St John the Evangelist Church.
1837	Accession of Queen Victoria. Sir James Douglas appointed Lieutenant-Governor. Horse bus service established.
1838	Emigration to USA of George Le Boutillier bankrupted by the excavation of States Arcade.
1839	National School founded at St Johns, St Peter Port.
1840	Civil Registration of births and deaths start, recorded at the Greffe. Official boundaries of Town extended.
1841	Electoral franchise extended to include all taxpayers and property owners.
1842	Maj.-Gen. William Napier appointed Lieutenant-Governor.
1843	John Guille appointed Bailiff. British & Foreign School founded, St Peter Port. William Le Lacheur brings first direct shipment of coffee from Costa Rica to Europe aboard the Monarch An earthquake occurs on 22 December
1843-45	Disputes with Lieutenant-Governor Napier.
1844	Douzaine representatives replace Constables as States members. Cantonal Douzaines established in St Peter Port. Sir William Napier lands forces to quell insurrection.
1845	(Sir) Peter Stafford Carey appointed Bailiff.
1846	Consecration of Holy Trinity Church by the Bishop of Winchester
16 May 1846	Appointment of Royal Commission to investigate criminal law in the Channel Islands (reported 1848).
23-24 Aug 1846	Visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Guernsey.
1846-48	Construction of Victoria Tower.
1847	Construction of naval base and forts started in Alderney.
1848	Maj.-Gen. John Bell appointed Lieutenant-Governor. Railway company shipping services started.
1849	Cholera epidemic kills many.
1850	Parochial education reorganised. St Peter Port Arsenal built.
1 Apr 1853	An earthquake occurs.
1853	Laying of the foundation stone of the new harbour
1854	St Matthew's Church, Cobo opened.
1854-56	Crimean War.
1854	Maj.-Gen. William Thomas Knollys appointed Lieutenant-Governor.
1855	Maj.-Gen. George Judd Harding appointed Lieutenant-Governor.
1855	Victor Hugo exiled to Guernsey by French Government
1859	Maj.-Gen. John Marcus Slade appointed Lieutenant-Governor.
14 Aug 1859	Second visit of Queen Victoria to Guernsey.
9 Sep 1859	Submarine telegraph cable first operates.
1860-62	Construction of Les Hanois Lighthouse.
1862-65	Construction of St Stephens Church.
1862-70	Telegraph services suspended.
Sep 1862	Visit of Duke of Cambridge to Guernsey.
1864	Maj.-Gen. Charles Rochfort Scott appointed Lieutenant-Governor.
1869	Lieut.-Gen. Edward Frome appointed Lieutenant-Governor.
12 Sep 1869	Severe storm.
1870	Publication of George Métivier's Dictionnaire Franco-Normand. Grange Club opens.
Apr 1873	St Julian's Avenue opens.
1874	Maj.-Gen. Hon. St George G. Foley appointed Lieutenant-Governor. St Barnabas Church opened.
1882	Guille-Allès Library founded. La Société Guernesiaise established
1883	Jean de Havilland Utermarck appointed Bailiff.
1884	(Sir) Edgar MacCulloch appointed Bailiff.
1895	(Sir) Thomas Godfrey Carey appointed Bailiff.
1897	Guernsey Telephone Council established. Guernsey Evening Press established.
1899-1902	Second Anglo-Boer War.

20th Century

Year	Event
1901	Accession of Edward VII.
1902	(Sir) Henry Alexander Giffard appointed Bailiff.
1905	Muratti Vase, inter-island football competition started
1908	(Sir) William Carey appointed Bailiff.
1914	Last Witchcraft trial in Guernsey Outbreak of World War I
1915	(Sir) Edward Chepmell Ozanne appointed Bailiff.
1916	Royal Guernsey Light Infantry formed to join British Expeditionary Force in France
1917	Royal Guernsey Light Infantry fights in Battle of Cambrai
1922	Sir Havilland Walter de Sausmarez, bart., appointed Bailiff.
1922	Introduction of Income Tax
1929	Arthur William Bell appointed Bailiff.
1935	Victor Gosselin Carey (later knighted) appointed Bailiff.
1939	Opening of Guernsey Airport at La Villiaze, Forest
1940	Evacuation of schoolchildren and other islanders. Start of German Occupation
1942	2,000 islanders deported to Prison Camps by German authorities
1943	Guernsey Society founded in London to improve representation of Guernsey interests to British Government
1944	First visit of the Red Cross ship Vega to feed starving islanders
9 May 1945	End of German Occupation
1946	Ambrose Sherwill (later knighted) appointed Bailiff.
1948	Major reform of States of Guernsey
1949	Princess Elizabeth Hospital opened at Le Vauquiédor, St Andrews
1951	Tomato Marketing Board established
1954	Préciput abolished
1957	Visit of Queen Elizabeth II
1958	Tektronix establishes European HQ and manufacturing facility in Guernsey
1959	Formation of Investment Trust of Guernsey - birth of the Finance Industry
1960	William Henry Arnold (later knighted) appointed Bailiff.
1962	Channel Television wins ITV Franchise for the Channel Islands
1963	The Beatles play at Candie Gardens on 8 August
1964	The Rolling Stones play at the New Theatre Ballroom, 18-20 August
1965	Social Security system established in Guernsey
1966	Re-enactment of La Chevauchée de St Michel to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Norman Conquest
1967	Fort George sold to a developer to become luxury housing estate
1969	Bailiwick becomes independent postal authority, Guernsey Post Office established and issues first Guernsey postage stamps
1970	Beaucette Marina opened
1971	States of Guernsey agree terms for membership of the European Economic Community
1973	John Henry Loveridge (later knighted) appointed Bailiff.
1974	Roll-on/ Roll-off terminal established in St Peter Port Harbour
1975	Maritime Museum opened at Fort Grey
1976	Beau Sejour Leisure Centre opened States vote to abolish congé
1977
1978	Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery opened at Candie Gardens Visit of Queen Elizabeth II Guernsey cheese launched
1979
1980
1981
1982	Charles Keith Frossard (later knighted) appointed Bailiff. BBC Radio Guernsey starts broadcasting
1983
1984
1985	New Guernsey Flag introduced Gallo-Roman shipwreck (Asterix) discovered in mouth of St Peter Port Harbour
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990	Matthew Le Tissier wins Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year
1992	Graham Martyn Dorey (later knighted) appointed Bailiff. Island FM, the island's first commercial radio station, starts broadcasting
1999	de Vic Graham Carey (later knighted) appointed Bailiff.

21st Century

Year	Event
2005	Geoffrey Rowland (later knighted) appointed Bailiff