description of this antiquity was given to me by a friend, who measured it in my presence. 1

The stone forming the cover of the Druid's Altar, situated at the north-east part of the island called Norman's Point, is composed of a blueish grey granite, standing on seven upright stones of the same nature. This stone forms one among many others which were evidently arranged in a circle, and measures 15 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 3 feet in thickness; which when calculated by 187 lb. 7 oz. to the cubic foot, as given by the late bishop Watson, amounts to rather more than 20 tons. But Mr. Isemonger, the harbour-master of St. Sampson's, and owner of several of the neighbouring quarries, states that he has been accustomed to allow 30 cubic feet to the ton, which, by a calculation from the same data, would make the weight 27 tons, 2 cwt., 1 quarter, 6 lb.

There is also a smaller Druid's altar in the Vale Churchyard, which is almost hidden in the ground.

In a field bordering the high road, and not more than half a mile from the church of St. Peter du Bois, is a large block of granite, placed erect, Jeremie says, in height about 12 feet, in width about 5 feet; this is beyond doubt the most perfect monument we have of Celtic antiquity. The very spot, continues he, on which the present relic of Celtic superstition is placed, proves the purposes for which it was erected. We were last in the parish of the Forest, and are now in St. Peter's in the Wood, names alone designating with marked accuracy the ancient state of circumjacent country. 2 The many Celtic remains still seen at the Vale, and in several other parishes, prove that Guernsey was peopled at

1 Mr. J. Beard, an architect of Bath.—Mr. Berry says this stone is supposed to weigh 54 tons; a wide difference this from Mr. Beard's calculation.

2 Jeremie, p. 165-170.

an early period. No Roman coins, as yet found, bear a date later than Valerian, Probus, and Aurelian.1 "

In most parts of Great Britain, there are to be found some relics of antiquity, some remains of dilapidated abbeys, monasteries, or nunneries; but in Guernsey, though the Benedictine monks were established and founded an abbey in the year 966,2 in that part of the island called Clos du Valle, close to the Vale Church, yet there now appears to be no remnant of its former state; nor would the spot be known, were it not for the Manor Court of St. Michael being kept there. These monks either fled or were driven by Richard, duke of Normandy, from the abbey of Mount St. Michael, called then St. Michael de Monta Tomba, or St. Michael in Periculo Maris.

Guernsey was then in a rude state of nature, and the inhabitants subsisted chiefly on fish and by fishing. The fugitive priests, after fixing their dwelling, encouraged the inhabitants to set about clearing their lands, which had not been cultivated; before this period, they were supplied with some of the other necessaries of life from Bretagne and the coast of Normandy, which they purchased with the produce of their fishery.

Small chapels were also erected near the harbours round the island.

1 Ibid. p. 1st and 2d. Valerian Emperor, A.D, 253, Probus, A.D. 275, Aurelian, A.D. 270. In the Review of Britton's Beauties of Wiltshire, see Gentleman's Magazine, for December, 1825, p. 523, when speaking of these upright stones, he says, "they are called 'druidical,' but were, much more probably, sepulchral cippi of a chieftain and those whom he had killed in battle. See Encyclopædia of Antiquities, ii, 514.”

2 Warburton, p. 23, says, "996, in the time of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. Now Richard I died in this year, and therefore 966, as most writers have it, is nearer the truth, or probably 996 is an error of the press."

66

'If the Benedictines were driven, as was supposed, from Mount St. Michael, for their irregularities, they certainly made most rapid progress in the reformation of their manners; they soon became, by their piety and zeal, examples of every virtue to the unpolished inhabitants, and their report of their religious lives reached not only the Continent but England. They were visited by devout persons from Normandy, France, and Britain; so that Guernsey acquired the name of the Holy Island, by which it was designated not only in the Pope's Bulls, but the Norman and British Monarchs, in their Charters and other Acts, gave it that Appellation.1

Should the pensive philosopher, or the keen-eyed antiquary, be unable to find in Guernsey

The long-drawn aisle and fretted vault of falling abbey,

yet each may indulge his natural taste on beholding the ancient Castles of the Island, where both parties may reflect on the cause of their erection, as also on the

Dark windows that exclude the light,

And passages that lead to nothing.

Gray.

It is said in history, that towards the 10th century, the Danes and other piratical nations of Scandinavia and other northern parts, who had long been quiet, began again their depredations.2

And although they were at peace with Richard I. Duke of Normandy, the new settlement of the Benedictines did not escape their cruelty, but was greatly injured by them.

They frequently visited the Island, and, according to the insular manuscripts, plundered the defenceless inhabitants,

1 Berry, p. 55. Warburton, p. 24.

2 History of England, anno 982.

carrying off their corn and cattle, and every thing valuable they could lay their hands on. To protect themselves they built a castle in the vale called St. Michael's Castle, or Castle of the Archangel, now known by the name of the Vale Castle. Its ruins yet declare its strength and utility, in the early age, before powder and ball were in use.

In case of alarm from pirates approaching the coast, this Castle was calculated to receive not only the inhabitants but their cattle and effects.

non.

Little more than the outer wall of the old building now remains; during the late revolutionary war, the interior was converted into a barrack, and the ramparts fortified with canIts elevated situation commanding the approach to the island from the north through the little Russel, is well calculated to defend the mouth of St. Sampson's harbour, where vessels of heavy burthen are securely sheltered. On this Castle is placed a Telegraph or signal station, which is served by two invalided artillery-men, who take notice of every vessel passing or approaching the island, and make their signals accordingly.

I

It appears that in 1029, Robert I. then Duke of Normandy, intending to land on the coast of Sussex, was forced down the channel as far as Guernsey, where he landed, through the assistance of the fishermen, at a bay on the north side of the vale now called l'Ancresse, or place of anchorage (a drawing of which is here given). He was lodged and well received by the Abbot of St. Michael, whom he rewarded by giving him all the lands within the close of the vale, in fee to him and his successors, Abbots of St. Michael, for ever; by the title of the Fief or Manor of St Michael, with leave to extend the same, without the close of the vale towards the north-west part of the island, whenever the abbot or his suc

1 For which the author is indebted to Mrs. Saumarez.

"