Julius Caesar and Jersey
By Philip Ahier
Former Historians of Jersey commenced their narratives by reproducing the several traditions handed down respecting the conqueror of the Gauls, but could Julius Caesar truly say regarding Jersey:—" Veni, Vidi, Vici ?"
The Rev. Philippe Falle, writing his "History of Jersey" (pp. 1 & 2 of the 1732 edition), said:—
"Caesar himself relates how he brought under subjection the Unelli, the Lexobii and other nations adjoining the maritime tract (De Bello Gallico, Lib. iii & vii). And accordingly we want not proofs of the Romans if not Caesar himself, coming amongst us?"
The Reverend gentlemen advanced several reasons why the Romans had occupied Jersey, but left the question of a personal visit by Julius Caesar to the Island severely alone.
John Patriarche Ahier, writing in 1852, commences his "Tableaux Historiques de Jersey," thus:—
"Jusqu'a ce jour tous les auteurs qui ont ecrit sur Jersey ne sont fort peu preoccupes de savoir quels etaient les premiers habitants de l'isle. Une legende qui ne repose sur aucune preuve historique est le point de depart que chacun adopte, mais pour un travail serieux it faut des bases plus solides."
["Until this day, all the authors who have written about Jersey have been very little concerned with knowing who the first inhabitants of the island were. A legend that is based on no historical evidence is the starting point that everyone adopts, but for serious work, more solid foundations are needed."]
However, J. P. Ahier related the legend in the footnote:—"A lieutenant of Julius Caesar was supposed to have conquered Jersey in an osier boat lined with copper."
Then, on page 10, J. P. Ahier, when talking about the migration of the Gauls, says:—
"Animated by this instinct which always attracted them to the west, and continually seeing our Island before them, from the top of their neighbouring cliffs, it is quite possible that they crossed over in their rickety skiffs to spy out the land."
"The legend of the willow boat in which Caesar's lieutenant came to occupy the Island might very well be true and the tradition is not nullified except on a matter of dates."
But, as J. P. Ahier himself, in a footnote says, there were authorities, who, in 1852, maintained that Jersey, at the time of Caesar's conquest of Gaul, up till the eighth century, was part and parcel of the Continent!
Major J. H. L'Amy, in his "Folklore of Jersey," (p. 60), said that:—
"The Roman occupation was only temporary and the story told by ancient chroniclers that Caesar gave the Island to twelve of his Generals who divided it into the same number of curiae or parishes is nothing more than interesting legend."
“The story of Caesar's visit to Jersey is absolute legend, he himself gives an account of his campaigns against the Gauls in those four books so well known to schoolboys in classical forms, but there is no mention whatever therein that he came to the Island.”
“Former writers and chroniclers liked to think that Julius Caesar had visited Jersey, basing, as Falle did, their statement upon the existence of place-names containing Caesar or Cesaree.”
The story of the division of the Island into twelve parishes as originating from Caesar's General is, as Major L'Amy says, "an interesting legend."
However, J. P. Ahier related the legend in the footnote:—"A lieutenant of Julius Caesar was supposed to have conquered Jersey in an osier boat lined with copper."
Then, on page 10, J. P. Ahier, when talking about the migration of the Gauls, says:—
"Animated by this instinct which always attracted them to the west, and continually seeing our Island before them, from the top of their neighbouring cliffs, it is quite possible that they crossed over in their rickety skiffs to spy out the land."
"The legend of the willow boat in which Caesar's lieutenant came to occupy the Island might very well be true and the tradition is not nullified except on a matter of dates."
But, as J. P. Ahier himself, in a footnote says, there were authorities, who, in 1852, maintained that Jersey, at the time of Caesar's conquest of Gaul, up till the eighth century, was part and parcel of the Continent!
Major J. H. L'Amy, in his "Folklore of Jersey," (p. 60), said that:—
"The Roman occupation was only temporary and the story told by ancient chroniclers that Caesar gave the Island to twelve of his Generals who divided it into the same number of curiae or parishes is nothing more than interesting legend."
“The story of Caesar's visit to Jersey is absolute legend, he himself gives an account of his campaigns against the Gauls in those four books so well known to schoolboys in classical forms, but there is no mention whatever therein that he came to the Island.”
“Former writers and chroniclers liked to think that Julius Caesar had visited Jersey, basing, as Falle did, their statement upon the existence of place-names containing Caesar or Cesaree.”
The story of the division of the Island into twelve parishes as originating from Caesar's General is, as Major L'Amy says, "an interesting legend."
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