Falk, the historian of Jersey, observes, that there are " yet remaining in this island some old monuments of paga nism. We call ?hem fioquelays: they are great flat stones, of vast bigness and weight, some oval, some quad rangular, raised three or four feet from the ground, and supported by others of a less size. At ten or twelve feet distant is a smaller stone set up on end, in manner of a desk, where it is supposed the priest kneeled, and performed some ceremonies while the sacrifice was burning on the altar." The monuments here alluded to are cromlechs, which the author, from the quantity of ashes found around them, and their position on eminences near the sea, sup poses were altars dedicated to its divinities. Only four of a decided character now remain, one of which is broken down. Jersey had formerly tin abbey, dedicated to St. Denier, four priories, above twenty chapels, and twelve parish churches. All the last, which were consecrated be tween 1111 and 1341, arc still preserved, and some of the chapels.
Jersey is supposed to be the island mentioned under the name of Cxsarea, in the itinerary of Antoninus, and to have thence derived its present name. It is said to have been afterwards called Angia, in a grant by Childebert king of France in the sixth century. About the year 857, it is affirmed that a certain St. Helier suffered martyrdom here, but how, or for what cause, or wherein his sanctity consisted, we are not informed. Indeed, these early notices are ex tremely obscure and indefinite. Having belonged to Nor mandy of old, Jersey became an appendage of the British isles, when William the Conqueror subdued England ; and it was annexed to the crown, along with those in the neigh bourhood, by Henry I. However, the French made fre quent endeavours to recover what they conceived pertained more naturally to their kingdom, from geographical posi tion, and in the course of the civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, they reduced about one half of the island. In the year 1518, it was visited by the plague,
which became so destructive in the town of St. Helier, as to occasion the removal of the courts of justice and the market. About this time the superficies was partitioned among a numb( of petty owners, whose oppressions and dissensions were such, that Henry VII. instead of himself applying the sword of justice, which might have produced extermination, obtained a papal hull, excommunicating those guilty of intestine commotions. In the reign of Queen Mary, the island was surprised by a company of Flemings, who probably did not retain it long ; and it par ticipated deeply in the civil wars of Charles I. and his son. From that period Jersey seems to have enjoyed profound repose until 1779, when an unsuccessful attempt to take it was made by a body of French troops. In January 1781, the Baron De Rullecourt endeavoured to capture it by a coup-de-main, with 1200 men. But part of his force being wrecked, only 700 gained the shore, who surprised the town of St. Helier, took the lieutenant governour prisoner, and compelled him to sign articles of capitulation, and like wise to direct the troops and fortresses to surrender. But the officers who held the forti'esses, having learned that these orders were given by the lieutenant governor while under restraint, refused obedience ; and a body of military', having collected under Major Pierson, speedily expelled the enemy, though with the loss of their own brave com mander. Distant 17 miles from Carteret and Bail on the coast of Normandy; 21 from Guernsey; 75 from Weymouth; and 120 from Southampton. Lat. of St. Aubin 49° 12' 59" N. Long. 2° 10' 44" W. (c)