Guernsey
Guernsey is a crown dependency. It is an archipelago of islands; together with Jersey they are the Channel Islands. Note that the largest island is also named Guernsey.
Contents
History
The islands were a component of the duchy of Normandy. Through William the Conqueror, it effectively became an English subject.
By Philip's reign, England had passed into the Plantagenet dynasty. He seized the duchy back but struggled to consolidate control over the Channel Islands.
Government
The civil and religious administrative districts of the islands are parishes. Local names are given in one of Guernésiais, Auregnais, or Sercquiais.
Parish |
French name |
Local name |
Islands |
Castel |
Sainte-Marie-du-Câtel |
Lé Casté |
Guernsey |
Forest |
La Forêt |
La Fouarêt |
Guernsey |
St Andrew |
Saint-André-de-la-Pommeraye |
Saint Andri |
Guernsey |
St Martin |
Saint-Martin-de-la-Bellouse |
Saint Martins |
Guernsey |
St Peter Port |
Saint-Pierre Port |
St Pierre Port |
Guernsey, Herm, and Jethou |
St Peter |
Saint-Pierre-du-Bois |
Saint Pierre |
Guernsey and Lihou |
St Sampson |
Saint-Samson |
Saint Samsaon |
Guernsey |
St Saviour |
Saint-Sauveur |
Saint Sauveux |
Guernsey |
Torteval |
|
Tortévas |
Guernsey |
Vale |
Le Valle |
Lé Vale |
Guernsey |
Alderney |
Aurigny |
Aoeur'gny |
Alderney |
Sark |
Sercq |
Sèr, Cerq |
Sark, Brecqhou |
The island of Guernsey specifically is governed by a parliament, the States of Guernsey (États de Guernesey). It is composed of 38 people's deputies elected annually.
Alderney is, for all intents and purposes, administered by the States of Guernsey.
The parish of Sark is irrelevant as the island has a distinct government. Legally, Brecqhou is a tenement of Sark.
Sark
Until 2008, Sark was a fief ruled by a seigneur (or dame), a direct vassal of the British crown. With approval from the lieutenant-governor of Guernsey, they had total control over public affairs. The parliament, officially named the Chief Pleas, was only partially elected.
- 40 owners of the tenements
- 12 elected deputies
Presided over by a non-voting seneschal, appointed by the seigneur.
- The seigneur has a veto and a right to speak in the chamber.
- Overriding his veto only requires a simple majority.
In 2006 a referendum was held, and sweeping constitutional changes followed. In 2008 the Chief Pleas was reduced to 28 seats, all elected, and the seneschal became a lifetime appointment. Furthermore, in 2010 the role of seneschal was split; the legislature is now led by a president elected among the members, and the seneschal only presides over this presidential election. Note however that the seigneur remains a feudal lord.