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Corn Riots
The Corn Riots, also known as the Jersey Revolution, was an uprising which took place in Jersey on 28 September 1771. Angered by the administration of Lieutenant Bailiff Charles Lemprière, hundreds of Jerseymen marched from the north of the island to the south and occupied the Royal Court. The uprising was a significant point in Jersey political history, as the powers of legislation were removed from the Royal Court and placed in the States Assembly.
The causes of the uprising were centred around the balance of power between the island's parliament, the States, and the Royal Court, both of which had powers to create legislation. An anti-Seigneurial sentiment – opposition to the feudal economic system – also contributed to the uprising. The spark for the uprising was a corn shortage, in part caused by decisions of the ruling classes, which turned the urban population against the States.
By the 1720s, a discrepancy in coinage values between Jersey and France was threatening economic stability. The States of Jersey therefore resolved to devalue the liard to six to the sou. The legislation to that effect implemented in 1729 caused popular riots that shook the establishment. The devaluation was therefore cancelled.
In the 1730s, there was sporadic violence against the collectors of Crown tithes, especially in St Ouen, St Brelade and Trinity.
The feudal economic mode was still in practice, with the island divided into hundreds of fiefs and the tithe system still in practice. Islanders were still required to pay rentes to their Seigneurs, which themselves were corrupted by the Seigneurs and miller and biker allies.
The Bailiffship of Jersey was a position that had de facto become hereditary in the de Carteret family by 1750. Earl Granville held the position at that time, but neither he nor his son ever visited the island. Instead, the Lieutenant Bailiff, Charles Lemprière, who was appointed in 1750 and served until 1781, effectively had full control over the island during this time. Lemprière was a Parliamentarian, but was known for his autocratic temperament. His family held a number of high-ranking positions on the island and he had the power to issue ordinances and suppress protests through the Royal Court.:195In the political system of Jersey at this time, only wealthy men were able to vote for Connétables, and these men tended to appoint their own relatives to these positions. There was a lack of democratic representation in the island's political system.
Nicholas Fiott, a merchant settled in Jersey, had a number of personal squabbles with Lemprière which soon morphed into public disunity. During the Seven Years' War, a number of prisoners were kept on the island and suffered "disgraceful" mistreatment. Fiott himself was imprisoned for objecting to being tried by Jurats with whom he had personal quarrels. A petition was sent to the Privy Council demanding his release by principaux (men with the right to attend Parish Assemblies) and he was released.:195-7
In the period between 1767 and 1771, there were food shortages on the island due to corruption among the ruling classes, which ultimately led to the Jersey Revolution. The shortages were caused by a shortage of wheat in England and France in 1768. The Lemprières exacerbated the problem by removing wheat from storage and re-diverting ships to France to sell wheat at a high price. In June 1769, hundreds of women descended on St Helier's harbour to directly prevent ships carrying wheat from sailing.
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Corn Riots
The Corn Riots, also known as the Jersey Revolution, was an uprising which took place in Jersey on 28 September 1771. Angered by the administration of Lieutenant Bailiff Charles Lemprière, hundreds of Jerseymen marched from the north of the island to the south and occupied the Royal Court. The uprising was a significant point in Jersey political history, as the powers of legislation were removed from the Royal Court and placed in the States Assembly.
The causes of the uprising were centred around the balance of power between the island's parliament, the States, and the Royal Court, both of which had powers to create legislation. An anti-Seigneurial sentiment – opposition to the feudal economic system – also contributed to the uprising. The spark for the uprising was a corn shortage, in part caused by decisions of the ruling classes, which turned the urban population against the States.
By the 1720s, a discrepancy in coinage values between Jersey and France was threatening economic stability. The States of Jersey therefore resolved to devalue the liard to six to the sou. The legislation to that effect implemented in 1729 caused popular riots that shook the establishment. The devaluation was therefore cancelled.
In the 1730s, there was sporadic violence against the collectors of Crown tithes, especially in St Ouen, St Brelade and Trinity.
The feudal economic mode was still in practice, with the island divided into hundreds of fiefs and the tithe system still in practice. Islanders were still required to pay rentes to their Seigneurs, which themselves were corrupted by the Seigneurs and miller and biker allies.
The Bailiffship of Jersey was a position that had de facto become hereditary in the de Carteret family by 1750. Earl Granville held the position at that time, but neither he nor his son ever visited the island. Instead, the Lieutenant Bailiff, Charles Lemprière, who was appointed in 1750 and served until 1781, effectively had full control over the island during this time. Lemprière was a Parliamentarian, but was known for his autocratic temperament. His family held a number of high-ranking positions on the island and he had the power to issue ordinances and suppress protests through the Royal Court.:195In the political system of Jersey at this time, only wealthy men were able to vote for Connétables, and these men tended to appoint their own relatives to these positions. There was a lack of democratic representation in the island's political system.
Nicholas Fiott, a merchant settled in Jersey, had a number of personal squabbles with Lemprière which soon morphed into public disunity. During the Seven Years' War, a number of prisoners were kept on the island and suffered "disgraceful" mistreatment. Fiott himself was imprisoned for objecting to being tried by Jurats with whom he had personal quarrels. A petition was sent to the Privy Council demanding his release by principaux (men with the right to attend Parish Assemblies) and he was released.:195-7
In the period between 1767 and 1771, there were food shortages on the island due to corruption among the ruling classes, which ultimately led to the Jersey Revolution. The shortages were caused by a shortage of wheat in England and France in 1768. The Lemprières exacerbated the problem by removing wheat from storage and re-diverting ships to France to sell wheat at a high price. In June 1769, hundreds of women descended on St Helier's harbour to directly prevent ships carrying wheat from sailing.