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Nurturing Green Shoots from Jersey's Roots?

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Nurturing Green Shoots from Jersey's Roots? THINK TANK THINK TANK Islands remained loyal to the Duke of Normandy, King John of England. Mont Orgueil in Gorey was built at that time to defend the island from France who would attack and interfere with Jersey’s shipping and fishing activities. Jersey men served as militia for centuries to defend the Education, population, poverty, tax…getting views on topics like island from regular French attacks. The Channel Islands were ruled as a personal those in Jersey isn’t the difficult part – but have you ever noticed possession of the English Crown but how many people sound eminently credible when talking about permitted to retain their Norman French them, even though they may actually be basing their views on customs and traditions. A Warden of conjecture, false facts and blind guesswork? the Isles was appointed to govern until Henry VII became king in 1485 when the There is a real danger in making the ‘facts’ fit the opinion, rather than the other way Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey became around – which is exactly the point at which someone with an eye on the latest two separate political jurisdictions, each buzzwords will smugly insert the phrase ‘post-truth’ into the conversation, imagining with their own Bailiffs, Governors and its actually helpful. parliaments. Following the Reformation So, we’ve asked the Jersey Policy Forum to add some robust material to those and establishment of the Church of crucial local debates – the point is not to provoke agreement or acquiescence; England, the Channel Islands were it is to provide reliable material on which others can build their views. transferred to the diocese of Winchester in 1569 and islanders followed the French Source: http://www.internationalschoolhistory.net/skills/source_types/cartoons.htm Calvinist form of Protestantism with the ready availability of French bibles, prayer elected members would be expected are curious and seeking to understand the books and French-speaking preachers to serve on at least one of four scrutiny cause of thorny challenges with a view to up until the 1620’s when the English panels. finding potential solutions. Perhaps it can Crown imposed Anglicanism. Fishermen be more usefully described as the study The official language of Jersey and for all returning to Jersey from Newfoundland of change over time and provides insights statutes was French up until 1948. English (part of Canada) introduced Methodism about what happened, what worked, what became the standard language taught in in the late 18th century. Catholicism was didn’t and why. The evolution, growth Jersey schools from the 1870’s onward illegal in Jersey after the Reformation and success of Jersey’s finance sector, and education became compulsory in but the arrival of Roman Catholic French for example, reflects in part how Jersey 1899 with curricula and exams following refugees in the 1790’s and Irish workers has been a safe refuge (for treasure, English patterns. A large number of British in the 1830’s to 40’s along with teaching royalty, etc.) and also been successful in Army officers retired to Jersey on half and nursing orders from France (De La pursuing economic arbitrage activities pay after the Napoleonic wars and largely Salle brothers, Jesuits, Little Sisters of the like privateering and balancing interests Poor) fleeing persecution in the following settled in St. Helier where housing started between the UK and France over the Nurturing green shoots decades have established a Catholic to take on English characteristics. More centuries. The study of Jersey’s history presence. English-speaking workers immigrated, provides important information about many from Ireland, to work on the large context, culture, risk appetite, identity and A comprehensive review of Jersey’s building projects like the Esplanade and place. By Gailina Liew, Executive Director, Jersey Policy Forum from Jersey’s roots? constitution was undertaken during the the harbours in town and St. Catherine’s. time of the Corn Riots and resulted in the More immigrants from Brittany came to So, does this whirlwind tour through Code of 1771 that largely separated law- work the fields and then Italian, Portuguese Jersey’s history provide any additional making powers (granted to the States and Madeiran immigrants came to work insights into some of the challenges we’re I’ve been reading about the history of St. Malo area of France and were most imposed his authority over the Channel Assembly) from the judiciary although the facing and the many opportunities we in the tourist sector followed in more Jersey and thought it might be interesting likely part of the Coriosolites tribe. The Islands by including them in the diocese Bailiff continues to preside over the States might pursue here today? What else would recent years by immigrants from Poland, to share some of what I’ve learned as we Romans arrived around 2,000 years ago of Coutances in Normandy. The second Assembly and also acts as chief judge of you like to know about the island’s journey Romania and Kenya. Jersey had used a reflect on a course to chart for the future. and the island was then called “Andium”or Duke of Normandy, William Longsword the Royal Court. By the 18th century, there (there’s a lot more!) through the ages? Are Roman system of weights and measures Turns out that Jersey only became an “Angia”. (the son of a Viking adventurer) annexed were two main political parties in Jersey the kids in school here learning about the island a mere 7,000 years ago when the the Channel Islands in AD933 and a dialect up until 1919 when the English system Christianity was likely brought to the – the Charlot (conservative) and Magot history of Jersey? Do they understand melting Arctic ice caps flooded the plains of western Normandy, Jerriais, became was adopted but land area in Jersey is island by a missionary named St. Marculf (liberal) parties who were later known as how the political system works here and that the nomadic Palaeolithic hunters the island’s language. In 1066, the 7th still measured in vergees (1 vergee = 0.44 around AD538, soon to be followed by St. the Laurel and Rose parties. Interest in how they can engage in shaping the future used to travel across as they followed the Duke of Normandy defeated King Harold acres). Helier and the establishment of monastic party politics waned with the introduction for themselves and the community? Lots herds of mammoth that roamed between of England in the Battle at Hastings and communities in the 7th and 8th centuries. of the secret ballot in 1891 – today, there Why might it be important to know about of opportunities and trade-offs to consider here and France. Farmers settled here became King William I of England. This was By the beginning of the 9th century, is only one registered political party in Jersey’s history? The teaching of history as well as bold thinking and tough and built tombs that are now called the foundation of Jersey’s constitutional Vikings from Norway and Denmark were Jersey. In 2005, the States Assembly can often seem like an endless list of dates decisions to make as Jersey embarks on dolmens with a great example being La link with England. raiding northern Europe and the island. of Jersey decided to adopt a ministerial and events that one needs to memorise for the next phase of its journey. Might be Hougue Bie. The people on the island Some settled in Brittany and named the In 1204, King Philippe II of France won form of government with a Chief Minister purposes of passing an exam but it can worthwhile to have a look at the history mainly interacted with people living in the island “Jersoi”. Charlemagne in France control of Normandy but the Channel and Council of Ministers. The remaining actually offer so much more to people who books as a refresher! 36 | CONNECT CONNECT | 37.
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