On This Day Guernsey – Friday 18 July

On This Day Guernsey – Friday, 18 July

🔥 Historical Events

• 1556: Three Protestant women—Catherine Cauchés, Guillemine Gilbert, and Perotine Massey—were executed by burning in Saint Peter Port during the Marian persecutions, becoming known as the Guernsey Martyrs.
• 1944: Guernsey’s population was under strict rationing during German occupation. On this day, local reports mentioned a complete shortage of fuel for civilian use.
• 1810: Early landscaping work began for what would become Candie Gardens, later opened to the public as one of Guernsey’s most tranquil green spaces.
• 1965: A preservation project was initiated on Castle Cornet to restore fortifications damaged in World War II.

🎂 Notable Births & Deaths

• Charles Lemprière (born 1882) – Local watercolourist and illustrator known for capturing Guernsey’s rural life and coastlines.
• Alfred I. Le Patourel (died 1944) – Community leader and sailing advocate whose legacy lives on in Guernsey’s maritime circles.

🧙 Local Legends & Folklore

Local lore tells of ghostly whispers near the Guernsey Martyrs Memorial on 18 July each year, said to be the voices of the three women reciting prayers as they faced martyrdom.

📰 Archive Quotes & Old News

“Fuel reserves for domestic use have now been fully depleted, with families urged to share candles and avoid all unnecessary lighting.” – Guernsey Underground News Sheet, 18 July 1944

🎉 Cultural Events & Festivals

The Guernsey Literary Festival traditionally holds mid-July events. On this day, local authors host readings near the Market Square, honouring Guernsey’s oral storytelling tradition.

🌦️ Weather Highlights

• Warmest: 32.6 °C (2016)
• Coldest: 10.4 °C (1965)
• Wettest: 3.79 cm rainfall (1994)

🌿 Places to Reflect

• Guernsey Martyrs Memorial, a site of solemn remembrance in Saint Peter Port.
• Priaulx Library’s religious history archives, including primary documents from the 1500s.
• Candie Gardens – once a symbol of Victorian peace, now a sanctuary for quiet reflection.

✒️ Why It Matters

July 18 reminds us that Guernsey’s history is shaped not just by battles and laws, but by the personal courage of ordinary people. The legacy of the Guernsey Martyrs still inspires conversations about freedom of belief and justice today.

💡 Did You Know?

Perotine Massey, one of the Guernsey Martyrs, was burned at the stake while pregnant. According to chroniclers, her child was born during the execution—making the story one of the most shocking in Protestant martyrdom accounts.

📚 Recommended Reading

“Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” – A primary source detailing Protestant persecution across Europe, including the harrowing story of the Guernsey Martyrs.

🎶 Poetry & Folk Snippet

“Their flame is ours to carry on,
Though centuries have passed and gone.
Beneath the tower and island sky,
Their truth still walks as time goes by.”

📅 Current Year Events

Today, a remembrance service will be held at the Guernsey Martyrs Memorial at 6:00 PM, featuring readings, music, and a silent reflection. All are welcome to attend.

Posted by your local historian · “History lives through those who remember it.”