Anniversary of our independence

Treaty of Paris 750th anniversary

For more than 750 years Guernsey (and the other Channel Islands) have been associated with English rule.

The Treaty of Paris which confirmed this was signed in 1259 by King Henry III of England and Louis IX of France.

The treaty handed control of Normandy to France while giving England possession of the Channel Islands.

Island archivist Dr Daryl Ogier said: "We wouldn't have turned out like we have if the treaty hadn't been signed at that time."

Dr Ogier went on to say that the signing of the treaty ushered in a period of peace which saw the development of local institutions from which grew the modern constitutions of the Channel Islands.

The front of the treaty showed two crests

To mark the 750th anniversary of the signing Guernsey held two days of events seeing discussion, debate and research taking place on the islands' connection with Norman law.

Bailiff of Guernsey, Geoffrey Rowland, said: "It's an opportunity for people to come together from Guernsey, England, Jersey and Caen to research and report on the fact that out law system is grounded in the law of Normandy and our constitution evolved out of our connection with Normandy."

While this more than 700-year-old event may sound like something which would bare no relevance today advocate Alison Ozanne said: "Norman law is still fundamentally relevant in the practice of today's law."

She went on to explain that it is important to recognise the treaty and our connection with Normandy as it demonstrates the independence of Guernsey's laws from those of England.

As well as a series of lectures and meetings the 750th anniversary was marked by a procession of the Royal Court from the Royal Court building to St James accompanied by the Bailiff of Jersey, representatives from Caen and members of the Guernsey bar.