15th December 1651
Elizabeth Castle is bombed into submission
After Charles I’s execution, the Prince of Wales, Charles II, sought refuge in Jersey, and the island proclaimed him king in Royal Square in 1649. Two years later, Parliamentary forces landed at St Ouen’s Bay and made such rapid progress across the island that most of the forces loyal to the king quickly surrendered.
The exception was the forces holed up in Elizabeth Castle, who managed to hold out for almost two months under heavy bombardment. Sir George Carteret, sheltering there, realised that his position was hopeless and surrendered to Parliamentary forces on 15 December on the agreement that he would leave the island. Charles II awarded him territory in America in recognition of his loyalty and the state of New Jersey was born.
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Other events that occured in December
Jersey Airways is founded
- Jersey Airways flew its first commercial flight between Jersey and Portsmouth on 18 December 1933, just nine days after it was founded.
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St Helier brought to a standstill by 600 mourners
- Artist Ralph Elliott died in 2009, aged 47. His funeral in December attended hundreds of mourners who brought St Helier to a standstill.
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Jersey elects first woman to States Assembly
- In 1948, Ivy Foster became the first woman elected to serve in Jersey's States Assembly, although she was not the first to try.
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An earthquake shakes the Channel Islands
- Jersey and its neighbouring Channel Islands were struck by an earthquake in December 1843, followed by several aftershocks.
- Read more…
