26th March 1642

Campaign for the governor’s arrest

The 1640s were a time of great political conflict in Jersey, with the most powerful men on the island fighting each other for influence. In 1642, Sir Philippe de Carteret II was both Governor and Bailiff, and found himself the subject of a petition, signed by several Jurats and the Dean of Jersey, David Bandinel, accusing him of mis-government.

A petition is sent

The petition was submitted to the British Parliament, which issued a warrant for de Carteret’s arrest. De Carteret refused to recognise it, claiming that Jersey wasn’t subject to Parliament’s rulings; only the king’s. He was forced to take refuge in Elizabeth Castle, which came under attack from the jurats and their supporters while Mont Orgueil, where de Carteret’s wife, Anne, and one of his sons had taken refuge, suffered bombardment.

De Carteret died before regaining his liberty, but he did at least get to see his wife and son briefly before he expired. He insisted that he not be buried until the king had been returned to power. Thus, while his heart was removed and buried in the church in Elizabeth Castle, his body was embalmed and stored until 1644 when Jersey was taken by the royaltists and he could be buried in St Ouen’s church.