Timeline of Guernsey

Chronology

15 events spanning the history of Guernsey. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1642

   English Civil War starts. Guernsey’s Royal Court is dissolved by Parliament.

   English Civil War starts. Guernsey’s Royal Court is dissolved by Parliament. Guernsey backs Parliamentarians but Royalist forces hold out in Castle Cornet.

2. 1700

   A lot of building work in Guernsey as defensive, domestic and public structures began to spring up.

   The start of the 1700s saw a lot of building work in Guernsey as defensive, domestic and public structures began to spring up. The islands were in the front line again as war errupted throughout the mainland of Europe.

3. 1736

   Alderney’s Braye Harbor is established.

   Alderney’s Braye Harbor is established.

4. 1780

   Construction of Fort George begins. It is built to replace Castle Cornet as a garrison fort.

   Construction of Fort George begins. It is built to replace Castle Cornet as a garrison fort.

5. 1787

   Duke of Richmond commissions a survey of the Island and a map is produced.

   Duke of Richmond commissions a survey of the Island and a map is produced.

6. 1789

   Martello towers start appearing on Guernsey’s coast under the threat of attack by Napoleon.

   Martello towers (as called locally but are actually loophole towers) start appearing on Guernsey’s coast under the threat of attack by Napoleon.

7. 1803

   Sir John Doyle arrives. He develops new roads and fortified towers against the French.

   Sir John Doyle arrives. He develops new roads and fortified towers against the French.

8. 1810

   Guernsey exporting granite becomes a major industry.

   Guernsey exporting granite becomes a major industry.

9. 1815

   Shipbuilding grows as a major industry with shipyards along the eastern coast of the Island.

   Shipbuilding grows as a major industry with shipyards along the eastern coast of the Island.

10. 1830

    Local coins known as doubles are introduced.

    Local coins known as doubles are introduced.