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Stories of the Castle

I name this Castle

The famous Elizabethan adventurer, Sir Walter Ralegh was appointed Governor of Jersey in 1600. It was Raleigh who is generally credited with having brought tobacco and potatoes to England.

Although he was governor for three years he only visited the island for thirteen weeks. In that time he managed to persuaded Queen Elizabeth not to dismantle the old castle at Mont Orgueil, he encouraged the islanders to continue to take part in the growing Newfoundland fisheries and also to trade with the English colonies in the New World.

He was the first Governor to live in the newly built castle and even though it had just been completed he had an extension built in front of the decorated Queen Elizabeth Gate. This was to become known as Ralegh's Yard and the Iron Gate. He also named the castle in honour of his queen Isabella Bellisima - Elizabeth the most beautiful. However, for years most islanders simply referred to it as the New Castle.

When Elizabeth died her nephew James VI of Scotland became King of England. Ralegh fell out of favour and was very quickly replaced as Governor.

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