Tuesday 23 February 2016

ABC Wednesday, G for Guernsey






 
Outside our unit in Quernsey






In May 2006, my sister, her husband and I went to spend a week's holiday on Guernsey.We walked a lot and spoke to many islanders, who told us interesting facts about Guernsey. The island is small but has a long and eventful history.

 





Walking in the forest we enjoyed the sight of the blue bells

 


Although Guernsey is geographically closer to the Normandy coast than to the south coast of England it is a dependency of the British Crown.

So why does Guernsey remain loyal to Britain, rather than France her closest neighbour?

It all began in 933 AD when the Channel Islands became part of the Norman Realm. In 1066, the Duke of Normandy landed his army in Sussex and became William I of England. The Channel Islands, however, remained part of the Duchy of Normandy and continued to be governed as such.

When Continental Normandy was lost in 1204 the Channel Islands remained loyal to the King of England as the King promised to rule the islands as though he was the Duke of Normandy (i.e. observing the Duchy’s laws, customs and liberties). This arrangement has been confirmed in charters of successive sovereigns that have secured for the islands their own judiciaries and freedom from the process of the English Courts. Indeed the Islands are independent in all matters with the exception of international representation and defence for which the United Kingdom is responsible.

 








The islands were the focal point of strife between England and France for many years due to their allegiance to England. At times, the French raided the islands and gained temporary footholds and, as a consequence, there are castles and fortresses around Guernsey that were originally built as a protection against invaders.

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with G.

21 comments:

Leslie: said...

How pretty it seems! I've always wished I could visit the Channel Islands one day and you never know, maybe I will. It does have a fascinating history and I love the look of the trails with bluebells abundant there! Great post, Wil,

Leslie
abcw team

Cloudia said...

Charming!, Wil

MelodyK said...

Alhoewel het (GodZijDank) niet een eigenschap van mij is... wordt ik hier toch wel een ietsiepietsieieniemienie jaloers hoor ;-) Zo'n reisje wil ik ook wel. Nou ben ik topografisch niet bepaald goed onderlegd, maar waar ligt het ongeveer?

Lieve groet, ♫ Mel☺dy ♫

Anonymous said...

nature walk is of most beautiful experience.

Anonymous said...

What a poetic and beautiful island, Wil! Love the "klimop" in the first pic (I don't know the English word for that - have to look it up!) And all the flowers blooming, quite pleasant:)

photowannabe said...

Oh how lovely and very quaint.
I would love to visit there.

carol l mckenna said...

What a beautiful place to visit and photography is marvelous and wonderfully informative post about Guernsy ~

Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

Nonnie said...

oh, my, what a beautiful and exquisite island Guernsey is! thanks for sharing with us.

Photo Cache said...

What a beautiful place. All the bluebells on the ground and the wisteria on the wall.

My ABC WEDNESDAY

Hildred said...

What a beautiful spot, and thank you for the history as well, Wil. Whenever I think of Guernsey I think of the novel I read that had Guernsey Pie in the title, and I have forgotten the exact name:(

uberrhund said...

Gurnesy has indeed been in the direct path of much history!
I read the same book Hildred mentioned, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
It was very good and I also now associate the island with the book.

Ann said...

Oh I am in love with this beautiful place. The colors of purple is so vivid, would love to see it in person.
Ann

Deepa said...

Lovely pictures

Roger Owen Green said...

This is all quite lovely and tranquil.
ROG, ABCW

Carin Diaz said...

Interesting and cozy looking places.

Shooting Parrots said...

I have never been to Guernsey, but your photos make me wish I could :)

Trubes said...

Guernsey is indeed a delightful island Wil and your photographs depict it perfectly.
Although I haven't visited, my sister visited frequently when she lived in Dinan Brittany.
It does look terribly British, don't you think, with shale and tree bark pathways, also the ubiquitous Blue Bells?
I really enjoyed looking at your lovely snapshots and accompanying comments.
Trusting your health continues to improve and thank you so much for your kind
words on my post for the letter 'F'.

Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Bluebells! That's one flower I have yet to see in person. Have you ever read the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"? Oh, I see someone mentioned it. I had no idea Guernsey existed until I read that novel. I knew about Guernsey cows, but until I read the novel I thought they were an American breed. Silly me. :-)

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I like a walk in your forest, such beautiful blue flowers, We have a mountain here that we sometimes walk.

Mountains here in Auckland is not really a mountain, just a hill. But they call them mountains.

Beloo Mehra said...

Those are some great pictures. Loved the vastness of the vistas. And thanks for the bit of historical information as well.

Anita Sabat said...

Interesting. Famous personality & home!
Thanks for sharing, Wil.