Talk:Guernsey/draft

The Bailiwick of Guernsey, created over 700 years ago, comprises a number of islands that fall into three separate jurisdictions, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. A bailiwick is a territory administered by a Bailiff. The Bailiff of Guernsey is the civil head, presiding officer of the States of Guernsey, but not of Alderney or Sark. He is the head of the judiciary of the bailiwick.

History
The history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey goes back to 933 when the islands, formerly under the control of William I, then Duchy of Brittany were annexed by the Duchy of Normandy. The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands 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

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. The governor is normally a skilled military commander and is the personal representative of Her Majesty. The Bailiff standing in for the Governor if the latter is absent, for short terms 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.

Originally the local courts in Guernsey were “Fiefs” 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 to hear appeals and to try criminals.

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 a second Crusade to the Holy Land in 1290. This can be called the date of the creation of the two bailiwicks.

Geography
Situated around 49.58333°N, -2.33333°W, Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands have a total area of 78 km² and coastlines of about 50 km. Elevation varies across the bailiwick from sea level to 114 m at Le Moulin on Sark.

There are many smaller islands, islets, rocks and reefs in the bailiwick which combined with a tidal range of 10m and fast currents of up to 12 knots, makes sailing in bailiwick 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

The British monarchy apparently relinquished claims to continental mainland Normandy and other French claims including the ducal title in 1259 (Treaty of Paris), although monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II is often referred to, informally, under the title Duke of Normandy notwithstanding the fact that she is a woman.

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.

Owing loyalty to the British Crown, not the Parliament, the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a Crown Dependency.

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.

The Bailiwick of Jersey is a separate jurisdiction and when the two bailiwicks are referred to together, they comprise the collective name Channel Islands.

Neither the Bailiwick of Guernsey nor the people in its jurisdictions have ever had a vote in the UK Parliament or in the European Parliament.

Jurisdictions
Each jurisdiction has inhabited and uninhabited islands and its own elected government. All three legal jurisdictions need Royal Assent from the Privy Council on its primary legislation. Each jurisdiction raises its own taxation, although in 1949 Alderney transferred its rights to Guernsey.

Guernsey
The island of Guernsey has a population of around 63,000 in 24 sqmi and forms the legal and administrative centre of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The States of Guernsey. It also included the inhabited islands of Herm, Jethou and Lihou.

Alderney
With a population of around 1,900 in 3 sqmi, Alderney has its own parliament, the States of Alderney which has ten elected members and an elected president.

From 1612 Alderney had a Judge appointed, with similar judicial powers to a Bailiff until on 1 January 1949 the island formally adopted a new constitution, giving up some independence, moving closer to Guernsey and confirming it was part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Sark
Sark has a population of around 600 who live in 2 sqmi. The Parliament, Chief Pleas of Sark with 28 elected members. It also includes the inhabited island of Brecqhou.

In 1565, Helier de Carteret, Seigneur of St. Ouen in Jersey, was granted by Queen Elizabeth I the fief of Sark. 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 the Island. Despite most families coming from Jersey, Sark remained within the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Recognition
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 granted a 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 3 leopards (or lions) and were from the original arms of the Duchy of Normandy.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is represented by the United Kingdom at the United Nations as the United Kingdom is responsible for the defence of the Bailiwick.

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 the EU, provided by Protocol 3 of the UK’s Treaty of Accession 1972 to the European Community. Pooling resources with Jersey, the Bailiwick established in 2010 a Channel Islands Brussels Office to develop the Channel Islands' influence with the EU, to advise the Channel Islands' governments on European matters, and to promote economic links with the EU.

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

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