The Story of Guernsey: The Island & its People by Jason Monaghan

The Story of Guernsey: The Island & its People

by Jason Monaghan Guernsey Museums c/o The Guernsey Press Shop

This is the story of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and its people. How the islands were formed, how they have been affected by the tides of history and what explains the many monuments that dot the island and the collections of art and objects in its museums.

It comprises Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou and Brecqhou. With an area of just 24 square miles; in the year 2000 had a gross population of around 62,000. Guernsey is not part of UK, has its own government and laws however it is a Crown Dependency with the Queen being Head of State. Guernsey did not join the EU when the UK joined and enjoys a special status under Protocol 3 of the British Treaty of Accession. English only became the official language in 1920, replacing the Normandy (Guernsey) French.

Some 400 generations of people have lived in the Bailiwick since they became habitable. By exploiting the accidents of history and geography, it has become wealthy. Castles and fortifications point to a turbulent past but modern Guernsey is a peaceful and secure island, attracting not only tourists but many international banks and finance companies and how this came to be is the subject of this book.