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List of governors of Guernsey facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British crown dependency located near the coast of France. For many centuries, important people called Governors were in charge of Guernsey. They were like the main leaders or representatives of the King or Queen in Guernsey.

This article lists the people who held the important job of Governor of Guernsey. The role of Governor was eventually changed in 1835. After that, a different kind of leader, called a Lieutenant-Governor, took over. You can find more about them in the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey article.

A special list of all the Governors and Lieutenant Governors, from 1198 until today, is proudly displayed at Government House in Guernsey.

What Was a Governor?

A Governor was a high-ranking official who represented the ruler of England (and later Britain) in Guernsey. They were responsible for the island's defense, law, and order. This was a very important job, especially because Guernsey is an island close to France, and its control was often contested throughout history.

A Look at Guernsey's Governors Through History

Here is a list of the people who served as Governors of Guernsey, organized by the century they served.

12th Century Leaders

  • Julian de la Plaque (1111)
  • Walter Duncker (1154)
  • Peter Cornet (1167)
  • John, Count of Mortain (1198)
  • Sir William Orseth (1199)

13th Century Leaders

  • George Ballizon (Gregory Balizon) (1203)
  • Peter de Preaux (1206)
  • Geoffrey de Lucy (1225-6)
  • Richard Grey (1226)
  • William de St John (1227)
  • Arnauldus de St Amand and Philip de Carteret (1232)
  • Philip de Albimar and William St John
  • Prince Edward, in appanage (1271)
  • Steven Wallard (Stephen Waller) (1284)
  • Otton de Grandson (1290)
  • Henry de Cobham (1299)

14th Century Leaders

  • Sir Peter Cornet (who began to build Castle Cornet) (1312)
  • Sir William Oethfinde
  • Edmund Rose
  • Otton de Grandson (1323)
  • John de Roches (1330)
  • William de Montagou and Henry de Ferrure (1335)
  • Thomas de Ferrariis (1339)
  • Thomas Hampton (1342)
  • John Mantaners (1350)
  • Thomas Holland (1356)
  • Sir Edmund de Chene (1360)
  • Walter Huet (1372)
  • Edmund Rose and Hugh Calvilegh (1374)
  • John Golafre (1388)
  • Edmund, Earl of Rutland (1397)

15th Century Leaders

  • Edward, 2nd Duke of York (also known as Edward of Norwich), in appanage (1415)
  • John, 1st Duke of Bedford (1430)
  • Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (1435)
  • The 1st Duke of Warwick (1446)
  • William Bertram and Nicholas Hault (1447)
  • John Nanfan (1453)
  • Geffrey Wallifly (1470)
  • Sir John Tichefilde (1482)
  • Duarte Brandão (1482–1485)
  • Edward Weston (1486–1509)
  • John Avril (1488)
  • Sir William Weston

16th Century Leaders

  • Sir Richard Weston (1509–1541)
  • Sir Francis Weston (1533–1536) (co-governor with his father, Sir Richard Weston)
  • Sir Richard Weston, reverted to sole governor until his death (1536–1541)
  • Sir Richard Long (1541–1545)
  • Sir Peter Mewtis (1545–1553)
  • Sir Leonard Chamberlain (1553–1561)
  • Sir Francis Chamberlain (1561–1570)
  • Sir Thomas Leighton (1570–1609)

17th Century Leaders

18th Century Leaders

19th Century Leaders

See also

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