FEUDALISM IN GUERNSEY.* 



BY LIEUT.-COLONEL T. W. M. I)E GUERIN. 



The history of feudalism in Guernsey begins early in the 

 11th century, at which date we find the island divided into 

 two great fiefs ; one held by Nigel, Vicomte du Cotentin, 

 comprising the parishes of St. Peter-Port, St. Sampson's, St. 

 Martin's, the Forest, St. Andrew's and Torteval ; and the 

 other consisting of the parishes of the Vale, the Castel, St. 

 Saviour's and St. Peter-in-the-Wood, held by Anchetil, 

 Vicomte du Bessin. 



For some cause unknown to us Duke Robert of Nor- 

 mandy deprived the Vicomte du Bessin of his lands in 

 Guernsey, and gave them, along with certain dues called 

 " melagia," on the other portion of the island, held by Nigel, 

 Vicomte du Cotentin, to the famous Abbey of Mont Saint 

 Michel by charter sometime between the years 1028 and 

 1034.f These lands did not long remaiu in the possession of 

 the Abbey at this period, for William the Conqueror by a 

 charter of about the year 1042 J restored them to Ranulph, 

 Vicomte du Bessin, son of Anchetil, and gave the Abbey the 

 islands of Alderney and Serk in exchange. Sometime later 

 Mont Saint Michel again became possessed of one-half of the 

 Guernsey fief of the Vicomtes du Bessin, but no record exists 

 to show how this came about. 



Nigel II., Vicomte du Cotentin, son of the above men- 

 tioned Nigel, was one of the chiefs of the conspiracy against 

 William the Conqueror, which was crushed at the famous 

 battle of Val es Dunes, He escaped from the battle field, 

 and took refuge in Brittany, and his fief in -ruernsey was 

 forfeited, and the advowsons of his six parishes, and two 

 carucates of land, were given by the Conqueror to the great 

 Abbey of Marmoutier, near Tours. Nigel received pardon 

 some years later, and by several charters he and his children 

 confirmed to the Abbey the gifts made by Duke William. 



* Lecture delivered in the Ladies' College, February 25th, 1909. 



t Calendar of Documents in France. H. Round, p. 251. 



i Calendar of Documents in France. H. Round, p. 281. 

 [1909.] 



