Bailiwick of Guernsey: Difference between revisions

{{About|the whole territory of the Bailiwick of Guernsey|the island|Guernsey (island)}}

{{Infobox country

|conventional_long_name = Bailiwick of Guernsey

|native_name = ''Bailliage de Guernesey''

|common_name = Guernsey

|image_map = Uk map guernsey.png

|map_caption = <div style="line-height:0.9em;">{{map caption |location_color=Bailiwick of Guernsey within circle}}</div>

<!--

|image_flag = Flag of Guernsey.svg

|image_coat = Coat of arms of Guernsey.svg

|image_map =

|map_caption =

|national_motto =

|national_anthem = {{raise|0.2em|''[[Sarnia Cherie]]''{{nbsp|2}}{{small|(official)}}&nbsp;^a}}

-->

| status = [[British crown]] [[Crown Dependencies|dependency]]

|official_languages = {{unbulleted list |[[English language|English]]^b}}

|ethnic_groups = {{nowrap|[[North Europe]]an {{small|(predominant)}}}}

|regional_languages = {{unbulleted list |[[Guernésiais]] |[[Sercquiais]] |''[[Auregnais]]''&nbsp;^c}}

|capital = {{nowrap|[[Saint Peter Port|St. Peter Port]] {{small|(St. Pierre Port)}}}}

|latd=49 |latm=27 |latNS=N |longd=2 |longm=36 |longEW=W

|government_type = [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary]] [[non-partisan democracy]]<!--masculine gender, even when holder is female-->

|leader_name1 = [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]

|leader_title2 = {{nowrap|[[Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey|Lieutenant Governor]]}}

|leader_name2 = ''Vacant''

|leader_title3 = [[Chief Minister of Guernsey|Chief Minister]]

|leader_name3 = [[Jonathan Le Tocq]]

|sovereignty_type = part of a [[Crown dependencies|British Crown dependency]]

|established_event1 = Administrative separation from mainland [[Normandy]]

|established_date1 = <br />1204

|established_event2 = [[Liberation Day|Liberation]]<br />from [[Nazi Germany]]

|established_date2 = <br />9 May 1945

|area_rank = 223rd

|area_magnitude = 1 E7

|area_km2 = 78

|area_sq_mi = 30.1 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

|percent_water = 0

|population_estimate = 65,849

|population_estimate_rank = 206th

|population_estimate_year = 2014

|population_census = |population_census_year =

|population_density_km2 = 844

|population_density_sq_mi = 2,170.9 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

|population_density_rank = 14th

|GDP_PPP = $2.1&nbsp;billion^c

|GDP_PPP_rank = 176th

|GDP_PPP_year = 2003

|GDP_PPP_per_capita = £33,123^c

|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 10th

|Gini_year = |Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |Gini = <!--number only--> |Gini_ref = |Gini_rank

|HDI_year = 2008

|HDI_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->

|HDI = 0.975 <!--number only-->

|HDI_ref = <ref>[http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/workingpaper/wp_09_02.pdf Filling Gaps in the Human Development Index], United Nations ESCAP, February 2009</ref>

|HDI_rank = 9th

|currency = [[Guernsey Pound]], [[Pound sterling]]^d

|currency_code = GGP, GBP

|country_code = GG

|time_zone = [[GMT]]

|utc_offset = |time_zone_DST =

|utc_offset_DST = +1

|drives_on = [[Right- and left-hand traffic|left]]

|calling_code = [[+44]]^e

|cctld = [[.gg]]

|footnote_a = For occasions when regional distinguishing anthem required.

|footnote_b = English is the only official language. [[French language|French]] sometimes used for legislative purposes.

|footnote_c = Now [[Extinct language|extinct]].<big><ref>F. Le Maistre, ''The Language of Auregny'', Jersey/Alderney 1982.</ref>

|footnote_d = The [[States of Guernsey]] issue their own [[Pound sterling|sterling]] coins and banknotes (see [[Guernsey pound]]).

|footnote_e = {{unbulleted list |+44 1481 (landline) |+44 7781 (Sure Guernsey Ltd) |{{nowrap|+44 7839 (Guernsey Airtel)}} |{{nowrap|+44 7911 (Jersey Telecom / 24 Seven Communications Ltd)}}}}

<!--ORPHANED: footnote1 = Official estimates converted using 2011 UK PPP conversion factor.-->

}}

The '''Bailiwick of Guernsey''' ({{lang-fr|Bailliage de Guernesey}}), created over 700 years ago, comprises a number of islands in the [[English Channel]] which fall into three separate jurisdictions: [[Jurisdiction of Guernsey|Guernsey]], [[Alderney]] and [[Sark]].

A bailiwick is a territory administered by a Bailiff. The [[Bailiff (Channel Islands)|Bailiff]] of Guernsey is the civil head, and presiding officer of the [[States of Guernsey]], but not of Alderney or Sark. He is the head of the [[judiciary]] of the Bailiwick.

[[File:guernsey sm02.png|thumb|upright=1.35|The Bailiwick of Guernsey.]]

== History ==

{{see|History of Guernsey|Alderney#History|Sark#History}}

The history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey goes back to 933 when the islands, came under the control of [[William I Longsword|William Longsword]], having been annexed from the [[Duchy of Brittany]] by the [[Duchy of Normandy]]. The island of Guernsey and the other [[Channel Island]]s formed part of the lands of [[William the Conqueror]]. In 1204 France conquered mainland Normandy. The islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy<ref name=HoG>Marr, J., ''The History of Guernsey – the Bailiwick's story'', Guernsey Press (2001).</ref>

Initially there was one governor, or co-governors working together, of the islands making up the [[Channel Islands]]. The title "Governor" has changed over the centuries. "Warden", "Keeper" and "Captain" have previously been used.<ref>{{cite book |first=William |last=Berry |title=The History of the Island of Guernsey |publisher=Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1815 |page=213}}</ref> The Bailiff stands in for the Governor, or more recently the Lieutenant Governor, if the latter is absent, for a short term or for longer, for instance during the five years of the [[German occupation of the Channel Islands]]. The [[Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey]] is the Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and being the personal representative of Her Majesty<ref name="MOJ">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/about/moj/our-responsibilities/Background_Briefing_on_the_Crown_Dependencies2.pdf |title=Background briefing on the Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man |publisher=Ministry of Justice}}</ref> has normally had a distinguished military service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guernseyroyalcourt.gg/article/1942/Lieutenant-Governors |title=Lieutenant Governors |publisher=Guernsey Royal Court}}</ref>

Originally the local courts in Guernsey were "''[[fief]]s''" with the lord of the manor presiding. Before 1066, a superior court was introduced above the ''fiefs'' and below the ''Eschequier'' Court in [[Rouen]] and comprised the Bailiff and four Knights; the court heard appeals and tried criminal cases.<ref>{{cite book |first=William |last=Berry |title=The History of the Island of Guernsey |publisher=Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1815 |page=186}}</ref>

[[Otton de Grandson]], then the Governor of the Islands, delegated the civil powers to two separate bailiffs for Guernsey and Jersey before he went on the [[Second Crusade]] to the [[Holy Land]] in 1290.<ref name="TCI">{{cite book |first=Henry |last=Wimbush |title=The Channel Islands |publisher=A&C Black 1924}}</ref>{{rp|21}} This can be called the date of the creation of the two Bailiwicks.

== Geography ==

{{see also|Guernsey#Geography}}

Situated around {{coord|49|35|N|2|20|W|}}, Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands together have a total area of {{convert|78|km²|sqmi}} and coastlines of about {{convert|50|km|mi}}. Elevation varies from sea level to {{convert|114|m|ft|abbr=on}} at [[Le Moulin]] on Sark.

There are many smaller [[List of islands of the Bailiwick of Guernsey|islands, islets, rocks and reefs]] in the Bailiwick. Combined with a tidal range of 10m and fast currents of up to 12 knots, this makes sailing in local waters dangerous.

== Loyalty ==

Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State of the Bailiwick, ruling "by right of the Crown in right of the république of the Bailiwick of Guernsey"<ref>{{cite web

|url=http://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/R%20Guernsey%20LOs%20Submission%2020100330%20HR%20v1.pdf

|title=Review of the Roles of the Jersey Crown Officers

|format=PDF

|publisher=States of Jersey

|date=30 March 2010

|accessdate=27 November 2010}}</ref>

The British monarchy apparently relinquished claims to continental mainland Normandy, and other French claims including the ducal title, in the [[Treaty of Paris (1259)]], although monarchs (including female monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth II) have often been referred to, informally, by the title [[Duke of Normandy]].

The 1259 Treaty confirmed that the Islands were held by the King of England in fief to the King of France, owing homage to France. In 1360 this changed when the King of France abandoned this right of suzerainty.<ref name=TCI/>{{rp|21-22}}

Owing loyalty to the British Crown, not the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament at Westminster]], the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a [[Crown dependencies|Crown Dependency]].<ref name="GG">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=82478&p=0 |title=BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY |publisher=Guernsey gov}}</ref>

== Independence ==

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is not a jurisdiction in itself, but a collection of three jurisdictions. It does not form part of, and is independent of, the United Kingdom.<ref name=GG/>

The [[Bailiwick of Jersey]] is a separate jurisdiction, and the two Bailiwicks together make up the [[Channel Islands]].

People in the Bailiwick of Guernsey have never been represented in the UK Parliament,<ref name=MOJ/> nor in the European Parliament.<ref name=GG/>

== Jurisdictions ==

Each jurisdiction has inhabited and uninhabited islands and its own elected government. All three legal jurisdictions need [[Royal assent|Royal Assent]] from the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] on its primary legislation. Each jurisdiction raises its own taxation,<ref name=MOJ/> although in 1949 Alderney transferred its rights to Guernsey.

=== Guernsey ===

The island of [[Guernsey]] has a population of around 63,000 in {{convert|24|sqmi|km2}} and forms the legal and administrative centre of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The parliament of Guernsey and of the nearby inhabited islands of [[Herm]], [[Jethou]] and [[Lihou]]<ref name=MOJ/> is the [[States of Guernsey]].<ref name="CIBO">{{cite web |url=http://www.channelislands.eu/about-channel-islands/about-bailiwick-of-guernsey/ |title=About the Bailiwick of Guernsey |publisher=Channel Islands Brussels Office}}</ref>

=== Alderney ===

With a population of around 1,900 in {{convert|3|sqmi|km2}}, [[Alderney]] has its own parliament, the [[States of Alderney]], which has ten elected members and an elected president.<ref name=CIBO/>

From 1612 Alderney had a Judge appointed, with similar judicial powers to a Bailiff; but on 1 January 1949 the island adopted a new constitution, giving up some independence, moving closer to Guernsey and confirming that it is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Channel Islands |publisher=PediaPress}}</ref>

=== Sark ===

[[Sark]] has a population of around 600 who live in {{convert|2|sqmi|km2}}. Its parliament (together with the inhabited island of [[Brecqhou]])<ref name=MOJ/> is the [[Chief Pleas]] of Sark, with 28 elected members.<ref name=CIBO/>

In 1565, [[Helier de Carteret]], [[Seigneur]] of [[Saint Ouen, Jersey|St. Ouen]] in [[Jersey]], was granted the [[fief]] of Sark by [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]]. He received [[letters patent]] granting him Sark in perpetuity, on condition that he kept the island free of pirates and that the island was occupied by at least forty men to defend it. Despite most families coming from Jersey, Sark remained within the Bailiwick of Guernsey.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sepacstamps.eu/jersey-post-celebrates-the-island-of-sark/ |title=Jersey Post celebrates the island of Sark |publisher=Sepac}}</ref>

== Recognition ==

[[File:Three Leopards Shield.jpg|thumb|Duchy of Normandy three leopards symbol]]

There is no flag or coat of arms for the Bailiwick of Guernsey. In historic times, the governor would have used his personal symbols before a generic flag for use by the governor was created.

In 1279 [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] granted a [[Seal (emblem)|Seal]] for use in the Channel Islands. In 1304 separate seals were provided to Jersey and Guernsey. The provision of separate seals is one of the earliest indications of the separate identity and personality of the two Bailiwicks. The seal comprised three leopards (or lions), a symbol taken from the original arms of the Duchy of Normandy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guernseyroyalcourt.gg/article/1924/Bailiwick-Seal |title=Bailiwick Seal |publisher=Guernsey Royal Court}}</ref>

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is represented at the [[United Nations]] by the United Kingdom, which is responsible for the defence of the Bailiwick.<ref name=MOJ/> The United Kingdom provides the Bailiwick of Guernsey with international representation. Whilst not a member of the European Union, the Bailiwick has a special relationship with it, under Protocol 3 of the UK's [[Treaty of Accession 1972]] to the European Community.<ref name=MOJ/> Pooling resources with Jersey, the Bailiwick established in 2010 an office in [[Brussels]] to develop the Channel Islands' influence with the EU,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channelislands.eu/ |title=Channel Islands Brussels Office}}</ref> to advise the Channel Islands' governments on European matters, and to promote economic links with the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/ID%20InternationalInsight%2020101118%20JN.pdf |title=Guernsey and Jersey begin recruiting for senior Brussels positions |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=4 October 2012}}</ref>

Whilst not a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation and competes in the [[Commonwealth Games]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=GGY |title=Guernsey |publisher=Commonwealth Games Federation}}</ref>

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a member of the [[British–Irish Council]], represented by the [[Chief Minister of Guernsey]].

==See also==

{{portal|Channel Islands|Normandy}}

* [[Alderney]]

* [[Guernsey]]

* [[Sark]]

== References ==

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Channel Islands}}

{{Guernsey topics |state=collapsed}}

{{British dependencies}}

{{coord|49|35|N|2|20|W|display=title}}

[[Category:Crown dependencies]]

[[Category:States and territories established in 1204]]

[[Category:Special territories of the European Union]]