CELEBRATION 800

2004 was the 800th anniversary of the fall of Rouen, an event which effectively marked the loss by the English King John of all his former Norman lands on the French mainland. The Channel Islands, also part of those former Norman lands, then elected to stay loyal to the English crown - a decision which caused considerable turmoil at various times and helped produce the islands' unique cultural heritage.

Guernsey celebrated the anniversary in many ways which can be explored on the main 1204 website. The museum service held several exhibitions, some of which looked towards our French antecedents and neighbours and some celebrated our links with the English crown. Throughout the year there was a programme of costumed Living History presentations, inaugurated over the Easter weekend by a Festival of performances telescoping 800 years of history into three days.

Here on the museum website we continue to develop a series of pages, which highlight various facets of Guernsey history and heritage. Our focus is on items relating to the museum collections, the related information we hold and the historic sites which we manage.