JERSEY HISTORY

Colonisation of Sark

During the sixteenth century 'privateering' activities grew. Privateering was the practice of capturing enemy ships and commandeering all property. Pirating was also heavily in evidence, with ships crews made up of several nationalities, gathered from Channel coast ports such as St. Malo and Dunkirk. Shipping was constantly disrupted by these activities and the island of Sark had become a base for the pirates. Helier de Carteret, the Seigneur of St. Ouen at that time, suggested the colonisation of the little island and a band of strong islanders was sent to set up home on Sark, their reward being the offer of smallholdings.

Execution of Charles I. Charles II is recognised as King in Jersey

(1649)

In 1627, Sir Philippe de Carteret, Seigneur of St. Ouens Manor was also Bailiff and Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. When Charles I entered into Civil War with Parliament in 1642, Sir George de Carteret (Philippe's nephew), was given the task by Royalists of supplying munitions from France. Although the English Civil War probably had little relevance to the Jersey people, Sir George's arrival in Jersey to commandeer ammunition sparked a mini civil war within the island. Parliamentarians operated from St. Helier, while Royalists (led by Sir Philippe) held Mont Orgueil. Sir Philippe died during the siege on Elizabeth Castle and his nephew, Sir George de Carteret launched an attack on Mont Orgueil, capturing it, and recovering the island for the King.

Carteret had to find funds in order to maintain the island for the Royalists and his naval experience gave him the answer. Using his own funds, he purchased a ship with cannon in St. Malo and set about privateering. Each enemy vessel captured had its cargo sold and the ship then joined a rapidly growing privateering fleet. Of course 'enemy shipping' in this instance also included vessels serving the English parliament, and as privateering required a licence (letters of marque) from the Admiralty, Carteret's activities were actually those of pirate, rather than privateer.

To legitimise Carteret's actions, the King made Carteret Vice Admiral of the Channel Islands. An Admiralty Court opened in Jersey, issuing the required letters of marque, and Carteret's captured vessels were incorporated into the Royal Navy.

During this period of upheaval the young Prince of Wales had been in extended exile firstly in the Isles of Scilly and then France, and in 1646 he arrived in Jersey with 300 retainers to stay for 10 weeks in Elizabeth Castle. The young prince proved to be popular with the islanders (although causing Carteret and the other Seigneurs considerable expense) and loyalty to the Crown was renewed.

In 1649 Charles I was beheaded and Jersey immediately proclaimed his son, Charles II, the new King - the first place to do so.

Chamber of Commerce founded

(1768)