Saint Peter Port

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Anatol
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Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:13 pm

Saint Peter Port

Post by Anatol » Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:24 pm

Saint Peter Port, French Saint-Pierre-Port, chief town, resort, parish, and capital of Guernsey, Channel Islands, located on the east coast of the island of Guernsey where a narrow valley reaches the sea between moderately high cliffs. Early in the 13th century, Castle Cornet was built on an offshore tidal islet, reinforced later with La Tour Beauregard on the main shore to protect the roadstead.
Castle Cornet was built in the 13th century, and has since been under the control of England, France, Germany and even besieged by Guernsey itself, before being handed over as a gift to the islanders from King George VI after the Second World War.
The Anglo-Gascon wine trade was then developing, and the existence of well-protected anchorage, together with Guernsey’s position on the English Channel near the route of medieval shipping, meant that St. Peter Port was used increasingly as a refuge and port of call. Late in the 13th century a quay was built, and in 1309 the island’s chief market was moved to St. Peter Port. The quay was extended in the 16th century, a second arm was built in the 18th, and the present harbour was constructed between 1853 and 1874. A charter (c. 1048) refers to St. Peter’s, the town’s ancient church, which preserves a variety of 13th-century styles. Other notable buildings are the Royal Court House (1799), the Markets (1822), Elizabeth College (1826; founded 1563), the Constables’ Office, and the Priaulx Library. Hauteville House, former residence (1856–70) of Victor Hugo, now belongs to the city of Paris, France. Pop. (2001) 16,488.
The earliest evidence of shipping was the discovery of a sunken ship in the port of St. Peter, which was named "Asterix". It is believed to be a 3rd-century Roman freighter that was probably anchored or stranded when the fire broke out.
Occasionally Channel Island ships were required to transport men and material across the channel when English kings wished to attack France. This era was an age of piracy during times of peace, with French ships during times of war attacking all maritime trade.
There was never a base for the Royal Navy in the Islands although they deployed ships into the area in times of war to defend the Islands, normally based in the anchorage off Guernsey.
The waters around the Channel Islands are very dangerous. Tidal movements of up to twelve knots during equinoctial tides with a rise/fall of 12 metres, a multitude of rocks and reefs have resulted in over 1,000 shipwrecks over the centuries.
Lighthouses were built on Les Casquets 1724, Les Hanois, 1862,  La Corbière 1874, leading lights and other lighthouses were then built where necessary.
Guernsey 2020; MS(50p;68p;70p;85p;95p;1,02f ).
Sources: https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Peter-Port. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_ ... el_Islands
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