Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
people. This clearly was to have a major impact over 800 years later as the islands deve-
loped as major financial centres.
French armies have tried to invade Jersey on a number of occasions since the islands swore
their allegiance to the British Crown. One attempt, which was almost successful, was the
invasion of the island by Bertrand du Guesclin, a Breton fighter. In 1373 he invaded jersey,
quickly over running large parts of the island, including capturing Grosnez Castle.
Mont Orgueil or Gorey Castle was a different proposition. Well fortified it was built on
solid rock, creating an almost impregnable castle. Du Guesclin and Sir William Asthorpe
(who was Warden of the Channel Islands at the time) struck an agreement saying that the
castle would be surrendered to the French forces, if help didn't arrive in two months. For-
tunately English ships arrived in time, so du Guesclin had to withdraw and over 600 years
later we still speak English!
During the English Civil War, in the 17
th
Century, Elizabeth Castle, which had been built
in the final years of the 16
th
Century, twice provided refuge to Charles II. One of the first
residents of the Castle was Sir Walter Raleigh, who was the Islands Governor from 1600 to
1603, before being imprisoned in the Tower of London by James II. A visit to the Castle is
advised for both residents and visitors, if time allows.
On the 6
th
January 1781, a French force under the command of Baron de Roullecourt,
landed at la Rocque, on the southeast corner of the Island. They marched into St Helier
where they were confronted by troops under the command of Major Francis Peirson, with
the Battle of Jersey being fought in the Royal Square. It resulted in the deaths of the lead-
ers of both armies but the British were the victors.
Due to concerns about possible French invasions plans had already been drawn up to build
a number of towers around the Island. One of the earliest is in the car park at Greve de
Lecq. In total 31 towers were built around Jersey, of which 24 can still be seen, although
a couple, Seymour and Icho are offshore. The Jersey Round Towers are an integral part of
the coastal landscape with modern uses including residential, holiday lets, a lighthouse etc.
