The Centenary of the Unveiling of the Victor Hugo Statue
July 7th 2014 was the centenary of one of the most iconic statues in Guernsey today – The Victor Hugo Statue in the grounds of Candie Gardens. It was a gift to the island from the French Goverment in gratitude for the hospitality shown to Hugo during is exile. It was a spectacular event in the islands history.
Scandal & Heresy in the Priory of Notre Dame de Lihou ?
Archaeological excavations of the Priory on Lihou island have unearthed, quite literally, some intriguing details about who lived there and has raised some serious question questions about what they might have been up too !
St Magloire – Patron Saint of Sark
October 24th is the feast day of a local Saint you may never have heard of, Saint Magloire. He’s credited with introducing Christianity to Sark and as such has been adopted as the patron saint of the island.
The Bayeux Tapestry – The Missing Ending
The Bayeux Tapestry is a beautiful historical artefact that never fails to impress. However this thousand years old embroidery, has a secret. It’s ending is missing! That is until the residents of Alderney crafted a new ending for this iconic artefact.
When ‘The Prince of Wales’ brought Slaughter and Mayhem to Guernsey
From the loss of Normandy by King John in 1204 until the Papal Bull of Pope Sixtus IV in 1480 granting the Channel Islands neutrality, Guernsey suffered frequent attacks, sieges and invasions at the hands of the French. One of the bloodiest and best recorded was an invasion which was immortalised in the Guernsey folk ballad La Déscente des Aragousais or The Ballad of Yvon de Galles.
Guernsey Legends – The Sorcerer of Les Landes
There are many Guernsey legends but few as strange as the “The Sorcerer of Les Landes”
Guernsey Icons – The Guernsey Milk-Can
Today the Guernsey milk-can has almost disappeared. We still see them of course, but we see little silver ones in jewellers’ shops and bigger ones in copper in old houses and in antique shops. However there are still some people who make them in the old way.
Pan Fried Ormers in Beurre Marie and White Wine Sauce
Here’s a mouthwatering local treat for you … Pan Fried Ormers in Beurre Marie and White Wine Sauce … exquisite !
Les Misérables – The Guernsey Connection
Les Miserables. based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, is the world’s longest running musical, now in its 28th year. The film adaptation of the stage show has brought this timeless story to a new audience. Although set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Victor Hugo finished writing his epic tale in Guernsey, an island he loved and upon which he has left an indelible mark. Although raised as a Royalist....
The Battle of Jersey
Guernsey and Jersey, along with the other Channel Islands lived, for hundreds of years right on the front line of conflict between Britain and France. Islanders had to train and be ready to fight to defend their homes at a moments notice. On 6th January 1781 this threat went from ‘potential’ to ‘actual’ when a French force landed undetected in Jersey. The ensuing conflict became known as “The Battle of Jersey”.
Guernsey Legends – The Guernsey Lily
The legend of how Guernsey’s flower got its name is an intriguing whimsical tale. In this article we look at the legend as well as the probable ways it came to island.
Guernsey and the English Civil War
A brief look at what happend in Guernsey during this pivotal moment in British History
Guernsey Patois – A Language Apart
Guernsey Patois is a very ancient tongue indeed. A descecdant of old Norman French and developed in splendid isolation within the island it has become a true ‘language apart’.
Castel Cornet’s most famous prisoner – General Lambert
Choosing sides in the English Civil War was never easy. Guernsey sided with Parliament whilst Guernsey’s Governor, Sir Peter Osbourne, chose the King. He fled to Castle Cornet and thus began a 9 year siege between Castle and island. Even after the war was over and the Monarchy restored Castle Cornet’s part in this great upheaval was not over as we see in this article.
Guernsey Whiting Pie
You can’t beat a good piece of local fish. Try out this local lovely … Guernsey Whiting pie.