The castle ruins at Grosnez on the north-west corner of Jersey
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Jersey has always been in a vulnerable position as a small island, much prized over the centuries by neighbouring powers in England and in France. Protecting the Island has meant building castles, forts and coastal towers, and also building roads to make it possible to move the militia easily from one to another.
The Island's history reveals invasions and attempted invasions down through the centuries, many of which have been due to animosity, real or perceived, between England and France.
The most enigmatic castle is Grosnez. Little is known about it, and speculation has given few real clues. The castle was built on a remote headland and dates from the 14th century. It is possible to trace old walls and get a feel for the size of the castle.
Mont Orgueil Castle is probably the best known landmark in Jersey. Originally known as Gorey Castle, building started in about 1200, with a continuing programme of improvement. The castle was considered impregnable, and certainly the French army failed to gain entry on several occasions. However they eventually gained access to the castle in 1461, and once there, held it for seven years. The usefulness of Gorey Castle ceased when cannon were invented, as any invading force had only to put a cannon on the neighbouring hill, and the castle could easily be bombarded. It was time for a new castle.
Elizabeth Castle was built at the end of the sixteenth century, on the site of a former priory. Originally known as the New Castle, it was named (and extended) by Sir Walter Raleigh, Governor of Jersey, for his famous queen. Its island site was an important part of its defences. The Castle occupies quite a large area, and it is completely cut off by the tide twice a day.It was most recently used for military purposes by the German occupying force during the Second World War.
The common practice, once a new castle had been built, would have been to destroy the old castle at Gorey. However it has remained, due in part at least to Sir Walter's intervention. It remains a significant landmark in the Island, and one of very few remaining castles of its kind in Europe.
St Aubin’s Fort predates Elizabeth Castle and together they provided protection to the broad sweep of St Aubin’s Bay, and to the harbours at St Aubin and later St Helier. The Fort was built in the 1540s, to protect the harbour at St Aubin, which was the safest harbour in the island at the time. It was used extensively by merchants, who then built their fine houses nearby.
Fort Henry and Prince William’s Redoubt along Grouville Bay were included by Conway in his strategy to protect the bay and were numbered in the General’s military manner of listing the coastal towers.
Other forts surround the coast, interspersed with the coastal towers.