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The fortunes of King Charles II and the island of Jersey became entwined during the English Civil War. Charles, the then Prince of Wales, sought refuge in Elizabeth Castle during the summer months of 1646. During the civil war most islanders were sympathetic to the Parliamentarian cause. The de Carteret family was a notable exception, as it was they who controlled the island on behalf of the king. After the execution of Charles I in 1649, Jersey was the first place to proclaim his son king, Later that year Charles II again visited the island but being in exile he was very short of money and his stay was a heavy financial burden on the island. It was another eleven years before Charles II was crowned king of England in 1660. An English Parliamentarian force invaded the island in 1651 and forced George Carteret, Jersey's Royalist Governor and Bailiff, to surrender after bombarding Elizabeth Castle from the town. |
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In 1663 Charles II rewarded the de Carterets for their loyalty during the Civil War. George Carteret was given a large tract of land in North America and this came to be known as New Jersey. Documents bearing the King's signature including letters patent (decrees) to the States of Jersey can be viewed at the Jersey Archive. The story of Jersey's involvement in the English Civil War and objects and documents from Charles II, can be found in The Story of Jersey exhibition at the Jersey Museum. |
 Map of "New Jersey" |
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