Guernsey is the second largest of the Islands and is the largest of a group known as the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The other Islands in the Bailiwick include, Alderney, Sark, Herm and Jethou.

 

Guernsey is run by the States of Guernsey, one of the oldest Governing bodies in the world, it first met in 1481. The Island as a Crown Dependency owes its allegiance to H.M. the Queen as opposed to the UK government. In fact Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom but is part of Great Britain. Guernsey is also not part of Europe though we have certain concessions like the free movement of goods and people.

 

The Island's history goes back to before 1066 when Guernsey was part of the Duchy of Normandy. When William the Conqueror beat Harold and united England with his territories in Northern France Guernsey became part of his lands and ultimately part of Great Britain.

 

When King John lost the Normandy territory to King Philip II of France in 1215, the Islanders were given the choice. English or French. They chose to swear their allegiance to the English monarch. As a result of this loyalty the Islands were given the right to create their own laws.

 

For several hundreds of years the Islands then became contested territory as during the numerous wars with France the French tried to retake the Islands. However despite occupation and heavy losses of life, the Islands always retained their allegaince to the Brtish monarch. As a reward for their loyalty the Island's retained the right to create their own laws. This "right" has led to the current success of the Islands as we have been able to adapt our laws to attract the businesses that are based here today. 

 

This battle strewn past and our unique location between England and France led to the creation of heavy coastal defences and the Islands have many fine forts and Castles with long and fascinating histories of their own.

 

In more modern times the Islands were occupied by the Germans from June 1940 until the end of the second world war. May 9th is still celebrated as Liberation Day in the Islands.