Jersey

Map of Jersey and Guernsey off the coast of Normandy

Jersey is a British Overseas Crown Dependency, one of the Channel Islands, off the northwest coast of France. The State of New Jersey is named after this British island.^[1]

History[edit]

The earliest written records relating to the island of Jersey describe the annexation of the island by William of Normandy (great-great-great grandfather of William the Conqueror) in AD 933. It has remained a possession of the English and subsequently British Crown up to the present day.

Charles II, King of England, spent part of the years of his exile (during the English Interregnum of AD 1649-1660) on the island of Jersey, thanks to the support of Sir George Carteret, bailiff and governor of Jersey. After his return to the throne, in AD 1665, Charles acknowledged Carteret's loyalty by granting him lands in the British Colonies on the east coast of America. Carteret gave the name New Jersey to his lands, and they are now part of the USA.^[2]

Jersey was invaded and occupied by the German Nazis during the Second World War from AD 1940–1945. A number of shipwrecks dating from that era pose a hazard to shipping, including the frigate HMS Troughtbridge, which was sunk by a German U-boat whilst on a mission to protect a food convoy on the Atlantic passage.

Economy[edit]

Jersey's main economic activity is finance. This is encouraged by Jersey's modest tax rates. There is also a significant tourist industry on the island, as well as agriculture, most notably dairy products and potatoes.

Origins of Name[edit]

The origins of the name 'Jersey' relate to the thick woolen garments worn by the Viking raiders who terrorized the island from around AD 700 until its annexation by the Normans in 933. It is often known colloquially as 'the Sweater's Isle'.

Famous People from Jersey[edit]

Famous people from Jersey include the playwright Frederick Lonsdale (b.1881 d.1954), the actress and infamous mistress of King Edward VII Lillie Langtry (b.1853 d.1929).

See also[edit]

• Countries of the world - Gross Domestic Product per capita

References[edit]