J ■
Ili- ■ ■ I ’ fif : M . '
m
I
if j «
1i I
1; <
li :
W ■ -i i -
244
sceptre, it became necessary for tlie owners of estates
under different dominions, to make a selection. This
selection was of course determined by the relative
value of the estates; most proprietors naturally preferring
to abandon the property which was the least
valuable: and thus, many properties in Jersey, were
confiscated. I proceed with my sketch.
From this time, until the reign of Edward L, there
is nothing to record; but in the time of that prince,
an attempt v^as made by the French, to recover possession
of these islands: it is certain, however, that
the attempt was unsuccessful; and so stout was the
defence offered by the natives, and so pleasing to the
English monarch, that we have it on record, that
rewards w^ere conferred upon those who had distinguished
themselves, and provision was made for the
families of such as had fallen.
During the reign of Henry II., Jersey and Guernsey,
although undisturbed by foreign invasion—the
connexion of the king with the royal family of France
forbidding this,—were subjected to all the evils which
were incident to the government of a weak and tyrannical
prince. The constitutions of the islands were
violated, in many of their most important features;
and many were the private as well as public grievances
of which the inhabitants had to complain. But on
the accession of Edward III., the people availed themselves
of the valuable right of laying their complaints
at the foot of the throne, by petition ; and immediate
redress was obtained from the wiser government of
tbe new king.
But in the reign of Edward H I., the disputes
r
which arose between England and France, involved
the islands also; and although in this, as in the
preceding reigns, the attempts of France were finally
frustrated, yet, they were the occasion of many of the
calamities which were inseparable from war. A powerful
fieet was equipt and sent to sea by the orders of
Philip de Valois, and Jersey and Guernsey were successively
attacked. The attack on the former island,
was however, unsuccessful; the enemy suffering a
decided repulse before Mont Orgueil Castle—though
—as asserted by Falle, proving successful in subjugating
Guernsey.
Here, I am aware, I touch upon a tender point:
since the authority of Falle in this matter, is not
recognized in Guernsey. It is certain however, that
Falle has justly the reputation of having been a pains
taking and laborious inquirer; and from the numerous
references appended to his volume, appears to have
spared no trouble, in order that he might found his
history upon authentic documents. The general
authenticity of Falle, is therefore an important corroboration
of the truth of his assertion ; though it must
at the same time be conceded, that his authority for
the fact in question, is neither Froissart,—nor Sir
Robert Cotton,—nor Walsingham,—nor any of those
come-atable documents, upon which his facts are
generally based,—but is simply stated to be “ Ex
MSS.” With this qualification therefore, I state tbe
facts as given by Falle.
But Falle proceeds to relate, not only how Guernsey
remained three years in the possession of the
French, but details also, the manner of its recapture.