Jerbourg Point
Encyclopedia
Jerbourg Point or the Jerbourg Peninsula is the southeastern point of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
in the English Channel
off the coast of Normandy
, lying within St Martin Parish. It marks the end of the east coast cliffs and beginning of the south coast cliffs. It provides scenic views of the Little Russel and many other islands.
times and further during the Bronze age
and Medieval age. It thus has a long history of habitation and defence system establishment, in the form of mounds and ditches, given its strategic location. Pottery has been found in various parts of Jerbourg Point. Stone instruments, flint knives and arrow-heads, have been discovered in the earthworks, which extend from Bay Portelet on the west to La Bate des Murs near Le Bee du Nez. During medieval times, defence on the point was strengthened to fend off raids from the French
.
A bomb-proof and gas-proof bunker was built during World War II
by the Germans
to control the large gun positions erected in the vicinity. During the war, the Doyle Monument
, which existed here, was demolished and was replaced by a smaller version only after the war. The original column erected at this point was in honour of Sir John Doyle
, former Governor of the Island, in recognition of his contribution to building a road network and creating other facilities. The point today is home to the Hotel Jerbourg.
, the last person to convert to Christianity. Druid was not willing to convert to Christianity when all his fellow people had already done so. He, therefore, decided to retire to a secluded cave in the cliff of Jerbourg Point. From this point, as was his regular habit to watch the sea during severe storm, he saw a ship at a distance approaching, heaving heavily towards the rocks of the peninsula to its utter doom. Druid, frightened by this scene, offered prayers to his pagan gods
to save the ship and its passengers. As the gale did not abate and the crash became imminent, he prayed to the Christian God with a vow that if the ship was saved he would convert to Christianity
and would build a chapel
for the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. As providence would have it, the storm abated and the disaster of ship wrecking against the Jerbourg Peninsula was averted.
The point is approachable by the main road from Sausmarez Manor
, leading to La Moye Lane which ends on the cliff tops. Mouilliere Rock, a dangerous rock for navigating ships is located offshore as are Les Grunes de Jerbourg, "very dangerous cluster of rocks a full half mile from the shore". The Encyclopedia of the World's Landforms describes the point as "a jumble of rocky tors and buttresses on a Head-mantled slope undercut by rugged cliffs, descending to the Pea Stacks. Ribs of harder rock run out across the shore, and there is a shingle beach at high tide at Vaux Beres." Along the coast between Jerbourg Point and Icart Point
to the west there are said to be "a number of delightful bays and coves — Petit Port, with its lovely sands; Moulin Huet, with the Cradle Rock and the Dog and Lion Rocks a short distance offshore". Moulin Huet Bay lies on the western side of the point towards Petit Port. At Moulin Huet Bay, which is slightly to the north of Jerbourg Point, relics of circular walls are seen embedded into rock walls in a precipitous state. A 10-mile footpath traverses the whole length of the south coast between Jerbourg Point and Portelet Harbour in the southwest. Geological formations seen here are of Gneiss
ic rocks, as in the rest of the bay areas near Guernsey. The cliffs of Jerbourg consist of intersected mixed rocks which extend up to the Castle Point. The stratification is irregular with dips tending south.
Along the narrowest part of Jerbourg promontory's isthmus
, there are earthworks fashioned as a defensible camp or fort.
According to Gustave Jules Dupont in Histoire du Cotentin et de ses îles (1870), "they begin on the west side at the summit of the cliff at the head of the path from Petit Port... " Of the three embankments, the outer ones are the deepest, measuring approximately 8 feet (2.4 m). The embankments extend towards Doyle's Monument. Three ramparts are located on the east slope with the two northern ones being close together. Flint-chipping debris, arrowheads, Celtic pottery, stone axes, mullers, and an unfinished double-headed stone hammer have been found. The Guille-Allès Museum houses a flint arrowhead from this location.
flavicans at Jerbourg. Jerbourg is an important breeding ground for several species of gull
s.
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
in the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
off the coast of Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, lying within St Martin Parish. It marks the end of the east coast cliffs and beginning of the south coast cliffs. It provides scenic views of the Little Russel and many other islands.
History
People have lived on this point since NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
times and further during the Bronze age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Medieval age. It thus has a long history of habitation and defence system establishment, in the form of mounds and ditches, given its strategic location. Pottery has been found in various parts of Jerbourg Point. Stone instruments, flint knives and arrow-heads, have been discovered in the earthworks, which extend from Bay Portelet on the west to La Bate des Murs near Le Bee du Nez. During medieval times, defence on the point was strengthened to fend off raids from the French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
.
A bomb-proof and gas-proof bunker was built during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to control the large gun positions erected in the vicinity. During the war, the Doyle Monument
Doyle Monument
The Doyle Monument is located in Jerbourg Point in the southeastern point of the Bailiwick of Guernsey within St Martin Parish. It was built to honor Sir John Doyle , Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey 1803-1816, by the people of the island. The original monument, built in 1820, had the simple...
, which existed here, was demolished and was replaced by a smaller version only after the war. The original column erected at this point was in honour of Sir John Doyle
John Doyle (British Army officer)
General Sir John Doyle, Bt, GCB, KCH was an officer in the British Army, which he joined in March 1771. He served with distinction in the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars....
, former Governor of the Island, in recognition of his contribution to building a road network and creating other facilities. The point today is home to the Hotel Jerbourg.
Legend
A folk legend that is narrated in Le Petit Bon Homme Andriou in Guersney is about the ArchdruidArchdruid
The Archdruid is the title used by the presiding official of the Gorsedd.The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard. From 1932 only former winners of the...
, the last person to convert to Christianity. Druid was not willing to convert to Christianity when all his fellow people had already done so. He, therefore, decided to retire to a secluded cave in the cliff of Jerbourg Point. From this point, as was his regular habit to watch the sea during severe storm, he saw a ship at a distance approaching, heaving heavily towards the rocks of the peninsula to its utter doom. Druid, frightened by this scene, offered prayers to his pagan gods
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
to save the ship and its passengers. As the gale did not abate and the crash became imminent, he prayed to the Christian God with a vow that if the ship was saved he would convert to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and would build a chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
for the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. As providence would have it, the storm abated and the disaster of ship wrecking against the Jerbourg Peninsula was averted.
Geography
The point marks the southeastern coast of the island of Guernsey. At 0.75 miles (1.2 km) in length, it is edged by steep cliffs which are 200 feet (61 m) in height. At the top of the plateau, the surface area can be as much as 300 feet (91.4 m) above sea level. The width of this landform at its northern and southern ends is a little more than 0.5 mile (0.80467 km). However, its mid section is narrowed by the eastern corner of Moulin Huet Bay which is known as Petit Port; here, the promontory's width is only about 1500 feet (457.2 m).The point is approachable by the main road from Sausmarez Manor
Sausmarez Manor
Sausmarez Manor is a historic house in Saint Martin's, Guernsey.- The Original Manor House :The first mention of the de Sausmarez family in Guernsey is at the consecration of the Vale church in 1115 followed by a letter dated 1254 in which Prince Edward, Lord of the Isles, afterwards King Edward I,...
, leading to La Moye Lane which ends on the cliff tops. Mouilliere Rock, a dangerous rock for navigating ships is located offshore as are Les Grunes de Jerbourg, "very dangerous cluster of rocks a full half mile from the shore". The Encyclopedia of the World's Landforms describes the point as "a jumble of rocky tors and buttresses on a Head-mantled slope undercut by rugged cliffs, descending to the Pea Stacks. Ribs of harder rock run out across the shore, and there is a shingle beach at high tide at Vaux Beres." Along the coast between Jerbourg Point and Icart Point
Icart Point
Icart Point is a point of southern Guernsey, located west of Jerbourg Point and east of Petit Port, Moulin Huet and Saint's Bay.It contains a guardhouse.To the west is La Moye Point, separated from Icart Point by Icart Bay. It contains Saints Bay Hotel....
to the west there are said to be "a number of delightful bays and coves — Petit Port, with its lovely sands; Moulin Huet, with the Cradle Rock and the Dog and Lion Rocks a short distance offshore". Moulin Huet Bay lies on the western side of the point towards Petit Port. At Moulin Huet Bay, which is slightly to the north of Jerbourg Point, relics of circular walls are seen embedded into rock walls in a precipitous state. A 10-mile footpath traverses the whole length of the south coast between Jerbourg Point and Portelet Harbour in the southwest. Geological formations seen here are of Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss is a common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from pre-existing formations that were originally either igneous or sedimentary rocks.-Etymology:...
ic rocks, as in the rest of the bay areas near Guernsey. The cliffs of Jerbourg consist of intersected mixed rocks which extend up to the Castle Point. The stratification is irregular with dips tending south.
Archaeology
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.Canals are often built through isthmuses where they may be particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation...
, there are earthworks fashioned as a defensible camp or fort.
According to Gustave Jules Dupont in Histoire du Cotentin et de ses îles (1870), "they begin on the west side at the summit of the cliff at the head of the path from Petit Port... " Of the three embankments, the outer ones are the deepest, measuring approximately 8 feet (2.4 m). The embankments extend towards Doyle's Monument. Three ramparts are located on the east slope with the two northern ones being close together. Flint-chipping debris, arrowheads, Celtic pottery, stone axes, mullers, and an unfinished double-headed stone hammer have been found. The Guille-Allès Museum houses a flint arrowhead from this location.
Wildlife
During the season flowers grow in profusion in the area giving a colourful carpet-like appearance to the terrain. Along the approach path to the Jorgen point many pine trees are also seen. Bridget Ozanne (1953–2007), a botanist, discovered the modern record of lichenized fungi species TeloschistesTeloschistes
Teloschistes is a genus of lichenized fungi in the family Teloschistaceae.-External links:*...
flavicans at Jerbourg. Jerbourg is an important breeding ground for several species of gull
Gull
Gulls are birds in the family Laridae. They are most closely related to the terns and only distantly related to auks, skimmers, and more distantly to the waders...
s.