History of Jersey
History of Jersey
Jersey is a small island with a fascinating history, which has included an influence throughout the world totally out of proportion to its size. Follow the links below to the biggest history of Jersey available on the Web, and possibly the most comprehensive ever published. This history is growing all the time and Jerripedia users are encouraged to add their own tales of the island's past. Just follow the instructions in the box below and become a Jerripedia contributor
Main subjects
- When did Jersey become an island?
- How Jersey got its name
- St Helier and Viking raiders
- Century by century
- Norman times
- 1204 and all that
- The Civil War
- Invasions and defences
- The Great War
- German Occupation
- Development of Government
- Population growth
- Royal visits and celebrations
- Museums and historical collections
- Witchcraft
- Historians
- Maps
Contribute to Jerripedia history pages
You can make your own contribution to Jerripedia's history pages. Although they already contain one of the most comprehensive histories of the island yet assembled, there is a wealth of information yet to be unearthed, researched and added. Are you a specialist in a particular area of Jersey history which is not yet covered? Have you already written books, articles, essays and other material which you think deserves a place here? Then visit the Community portal to register and find out how to go about amending and creating pages. Good luck.
A timeline of the past
Our Jersey Chronology is a brief history of the island from the arrival of Neanderthal Man in 100,000BC (or thereabouts) to the present day. From the martyrdom of St Helier to the split with Normandy; from the construction of Mont Orgueil Castle to its capture by French invaders; from the establishment of the States to the arrival of Huguenot refugees; from the colonisation of Sark to currency devaluation and riots; from the Battle of Jersey to the opening of Jersey Airport, German occupation and a law permitting divorce - read a potted history of a fascinating island.
- Century by century, the highlights of Jersey's history from the 13th to the 20th century
- A summary of Jersey history in four articles
Feature article
The Battle of Jersey
Since King John lost England's French territories in 1204 and the Channel Islands split with Normandy, the French have made several attempts to reconquer them, the last in 1781 when a brief battle, which became known as The Battle of Jersey was fought in St Helier's Royal Square, the defenders emerging triumphant. Read about the battle and associated events.
Recent additions
Jerripedia's history pages are being added to all the time. Here are links to some of the most recent additions:
- Discovery of Iron Age coin hoard worth millions
- Charles II's visits to the island
- How Jerseyman brought a new industry to a stretch of the Canadian coastline
- Riots follow an 18th century currency devaluation
- The Jersey politician who had to fight in Court to serve as Constable of St Helier and then Jurat
