Channel Islands

:Alternative meaning: Channel Islands of California

Culture

Main article: Culture of Jersey

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Culturally, the Norman language predominated in the Islands until the 19th century, when increasing influence from English-speaking settlers and easier transport links led to anglicisation.

Related Topics:
Norman language - 19th century

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Victor Hugo spent many years in exile, first in Jersey and then in Guernsey where he wrote Les Misérables. Guernsey is also the setting of Hugo's later novel, Les travailleurs de la mer (The Toilers of the Sea).

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The annual Muratti, the inter-Island football match, is considered the sporting event of the year - although, thanks to broadcast coverage, it no longer attracts the crowds of spectators travelling between the islands that occurred during the 20th century.

Related Topics:
Football - 20th century

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Channel Island sportsmen and women compete in the Commonwealth Games for their respective Islands, and the Islands have been enthusiastic supporters of the Island Games. Shooting is a popular sport - islanders have won Commonwealth medals in this discipline.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth Games - Island Games

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Guernsey's traditional colour for sporting and other purposes is green, and Jersey's is red.

Related Topics:
Green - Red

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The main islanders have traditional animal nicknames:

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• Guernsey: donkeys - The steepness of St. Peter Port streets required beasts of burden, but Guernsey people also claim it is a symbol of their strength of character.
• Jersey: crapauds ("toads" in French and Jèrriais) - Jersey has toads and snakes that Guernsey lacks.
• Sark: corbins ("crows" in Sercquiais, Dgèrnésiais and Jèrriais) - Crows could be seen from sea on the island's coasts.
• Alderney: lapins ("rabbits") - The island is noted for its warrens.

Christianity was brought to the islands around the 6th century; according to tradition, Jersey was evangelized by Saint Helier, Guernsey by Saint Samson of Dol and other smaller islands were occupied at various times by monastic communities representing strands of Celtic Christianity. At the Reformation, the islands turned Calvinist under the influence of an influx of French-language pamphlets published in Geneva. Anglicanism was imposed in the 17th century, but the non-conformist tendency re-emerged with a strong adoption of Methodism. The presence of long-term Catholic communities from France and seasonal workers from Brittany and Normandy added to the mix of denominations among the population.

Related Topics:
Christianity - 6th century - Helier - Samson of Dol - Celtic Christianity - Reformation - Calvinist - Anglicanism - 17th century - Methodism - Catholic

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See also Music of the Channel Islands

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