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234:, was tasked with improving the Island defences. He became concerned with the possibility of French troops landing in the north of the Island and British troops, the militia and artillery being unable to cross the Braye to contest the landing. Not knowing whether he would fight the French as an Admiral or General, as it would depend on the state of the tide.
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for leave to do so. The King gave “all those our lands overflowed by sea in our Island of
Guernsey situated and lying from the church of the Valle there as far as the great bridge along that side which is the north east side: from the said bridge all along Saint Sampson, which is the south west side,
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The Braye was open to the sea and the shoreline moves with the waves and the tides. Gravel and sand are deposited onshore, only to be swept back offshore. Storms batter the coast, and tides flood areas on a daily basis. The premier forces that shapes the coastal landscape, however, are waves. Beaches
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There were two small connected bridges at the Vale Church, the Pont St Michel and the Pont
Allaire crossing two streams. These bridges were made of large stones with stone slabs resting on top. The structures were underwater at high tide, and the stones would have been covered with seaweed. They are
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On the northern side of the Braye, a length of sea wall made of boulders with rings to tie boats up to can still be found. It is now a listed monument and a path has been made along it to link Braye Road with Folie Lane, a green lane. A plaque was unveiled on 15 July 2006, on the 200th anniversary,
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on 1 March 1806 inviting tenders for the construction of two dams,. The work should be done in a solid and permanent manner with the contractor responsible for repairs for the first seven years following completion. The contract would be paid in installments and in the event of failure to meet the
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The owners of the reclaimed land were given an obligation to keep the Great Bridge, sluices and douits (ditches) maintained, although this obligation ended in 1872. The area of land in
Guernsey materially increased with the tidal channel being turned into profitable meadows. In 1872 the States of
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Major-General Doyle’s proposal was to dam the extremities of the Braye at the bridge and near the Vale Church, so enclosing around 300 acres. Approval was granted and work began in 1806, being paid for by the
British Government. The Government having to pay people with rights to the foreshore and
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At the eastern end an iron age fort, later to become the castle of Saint
Michael where in 1117 there was a large ceremony to celebrate the finalisation of major works. Granite walls and gate were added in the 15th century, barracks in the 18th century, and the name "Vale Castle" is now the common
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1204 is the date mentioned for a bridge. It had to be maintained in good condition. The bridge was requested in a petition by parish residents dated 4 October 1204 following the loss of a causeway to sea damage. There is mention of the bridge being destroyed in 1299, with the perpetrators being
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By 1708 the Braye was owned by Henry de
Sausmarez who reclaimed some of the land to construct the salt-pans, the export of salt from Guernsey to England being duty free. In 1730 the Braye was sold to a syndicate of five men for ÂŁ125. And it was this syndicate that sold the Braye to the British
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A leper hospice founded to care for returning crusaders in the 12th century, who had contracted the disease was located at
Maladerie Road in St Sampsons, with the cemetery on the edge of Braye du Valle, now covered by L'Islet road. It closed when the disease faded away in the 16th century.
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The Braye covered around 350 acres of sand, gravel, clay and bog. Water channels one or two feet deep ran its entire length. Salterns and marshy meadows that flooded at high tide formed the sides. Saltpans operated on the southern side. 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) long, up to 750 metres
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Sluices were created at both ends to allow surface water to drain at low tide. The whole of the work being undertaken using men, with horse and carts to transport the materials. The work was completed in 1808 and on completion, Mr Henry was presented with a sword by
Lieutenant-General
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business that would be damaged for loss of earnings. Along the southern shores of the Braye du Valle had been salt pans, their owners receiving compensation for their loss. The saltpan businesses receiving ÂŁ1,750, with the other owners being paid ÂŁ1,500. In total ÂŁ3,250 was paid out.
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The ÂŁ5,375 raised from the sale, less the cost, was put towards the ÂŁ8,773 cost of improving two roads from St Peter Port to
Rocquaine and to Vazon and the construction of a new road across the Braye, which became known as “Route Militaire”, running from Les Banques to
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The original reason for the separation of the north of the Island of
Guernsey may relate to seismic disturbances or changes in the sea level. The rise and fall of the tide in Guernsey is over 10 metres (33 ft) which creates energy to move loose materials.
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Guernsey agreed to take over the cost of maintaining the roads and embankments from the Braye land owners upon payment of ÂŁ114. Following the creation of the tomato industry in Guernsey in 1841, the growing industry expanded and areas of the Braye had
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In 1811, once the land had had time to drain, the majority of the recovered land was sold to six buyers, Pierre Yves Bardel, Henry Giffard, Daniel Mollet, Isaac Carre and Jean Allez. Part of the land being retained to provide a military drill ground.
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The proposal was opposed by the States of Guernsey who would have preferred the Braye to be dredged and straightened to enable larger ships to sail along the channel with quarried stone. This opposition was defeated by the eloquence of Doyle.
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At the St Sampson’s end a different approach was undertaken. A stone wall was built parallel to the bridge, it was reinforced with clay to provide waterproofing. This created a wide roadway connecting the two Islands above high water level.
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terms of the contract, the builder would forfeit the amount paid. The contract was awarded to Thomas Henry, from Les Mielles in Clos du Valle, and work began on 12 July 1806. Soldiers were provided to assist with the labour at a cost of 10
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In 1812 damage was found to have been caused to the Vale church embankment from storms. Quarries in the area were given permission to dump ship ballast and stone waste against the embankment to improve the defences.
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F.C. Lucas, mentions a stone bridge called “Le Pont du Valle” built of heavy rock with an open bridge to allow the water to pass underneath, at the “Bouche du Valle” near the Vale church.
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346:(21 feet) of road frontage was levied. Carved granite mile stones, 60 in total in the whole Island, were installed on the main roads in 1823. The distances being measured from the
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Fishermen petitioned Doyle on the basis that they had lost their mooring facilities. They were successful and a pier was built at Les Amarreurs at a cost of ÂŁ60 for their use.
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as Master-General of the Ordnance, commissioned a military survey map of Guernsey, the Braye is well marked as a channel. It was undertaken by William Gardner before 1787.
100:, before the sea broke through. In 1204 it is reported that the Royal Court of Guernsey visited the Braye du Valle to replace boundary markers that had been washed away.
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was built at Grande Havre, to the west of the Vale Church out of large stones with a brick wall to retain the sand and gravel that was piled up on the landward side.
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in 1666. The bridge has, for as long as records exist, been wide enough for pedestrians and wagons, constructed of stone with a nearby sluice or “nocq”.
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if they refused to stand guard north of the Braye du Valle, some soldiers complaining that they were afraid of drowning when crossing the Braye.
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as far as that part which is right against the said church of the Valle…” to Sir Vic. The area was surveyed, but no work was undertaken.
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Three causeways were identified, one being destroyed in 1708. The 1787 map records a low water crossing point west of the great bridge.
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in consideration of long service to the Crown. The registration of the title was delayed 25 years because of the
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The Vale pond, next to the Vale church, is the only remnant of the original waterway. Now a nature reserve.
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had captured French and American vessels to the value of ÂŁ900,000 and continued to operate during the
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A ferry existed near the Vale Church, which must have assisted worshippers attending the Vale Church.
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A Companion to the Island of Guernsey ... compiled from the best authors ... With a map of the island
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for a sergeant. The embankments being sufficient by late 1806 to stop the tides entering the Braye.
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104:(2,460 ft) wide and 3 metres (9.8 ft) to 9 metres (30 ft) deep at high water.
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It is likely that at one time a land bridge connected the two sections next to the
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Annals of some of the British Norman isles constituting the bailiwick of Guernsey
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By 1835 a great deal of sand had accumulated against the Vale church embankment.
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who had settled in Guernsey around 968 A.D. The bridges still existed in 1715.
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The history of Guernsey from the remotest period of antiquity to the year 1814
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189:. This also resulted in the boundaries being formally defined and recorded.
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Biographical Sketch of the Honourable Lieutenant-General Sir John Doyle
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Sir Henry de Vic considered reclaiming the Braye and petitioned
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business undertaken by Guernsey. During the eight years of the
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gave the Braye du Valle, together with other flooded lands, to
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In 1803, the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey,
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The concern about an invasion was because of the successful
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There is an area still called the “Saltpans” in the Braye.
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In 1758 a law was passed fining militia soldiers 14 sols
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Certain modern day reminders of the Braye still exist.
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are not fixed features, they are dynamic environments.
731:"Reclaiming the Braye du Valle - 200th Anniversary"
133:The “great bridge” is mentioned in a response from
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193:Government in 1805 to enable it to be reclaimed.
1503:
569:"Braye channel was not filled in - just drained"
338:To maintain the new roads, an annual charge of 2
125:The Great bridge also known as the Pont du Valle
530:The Reclamation of the Braye du Valle 1806-2006
177:Originally owned by the Crown, on 27 July 1640
67:Guernsey and Alderney with Island of Sark 1748
1097:Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre
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120:Vale Church from Braye du Valle, at low water
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661:. T Greenslade, Guernsey. 1 November 1806.
449:A short history of the town of St. Sampson
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1512:1806 establishments in the British Empire
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149:reputed to have been built by monks from
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52:is the area between the main Island of
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373:as well as the engineering skills.
56:and Le Clos du Valle, which was a
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376:Nocq Road is the location of the
1517:Infrastructure completed in 1806
1204:Policy & Resources Committee
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930:German fortification of Guernsey
707:. Visit Guernsey. Archived from
586:. Phillimore & Co Ltd 1886.
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571:. Guernsey Press. 11 July 2006.
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814:Royal Guernsey Light Infantry
675:. Collins, 1835. p. 125.
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369:to commemorate the vision of
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272:a day for a private and a
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693:. Oxford University 1830.
245:Guernsey ships carrying
584:Channel Island Churches
404:Saint Sampson, Guernsey
311:19th and 20th centuries
197:17th and 18th centuries
819:Royal Guernsey Militia
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1522:Geography of Guernsey
1422:Chapel of St Apolline
771:Bailiwick of Guernsey
119:
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1532:Coastal construction
1216:Politics of Guernsey
1123:Blanchelande College
619:. Ink Limited 2005.
465:. Science clarified.
451:. Toucan Press 1985.
217:The Duke of Richmond
1308:Emergency Services
1199:Lieutenant Governor
1157:Bailiff of Guernsey
1133:The Ladies' College
1116:Independent schools
1102:La Mare de Carteret
280:Construction method
265:Gazette de Guernsey
130:charged and fined.
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1107:St Sampson's High
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1048:St Pierre du Bois
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630:Bennett, Amanda.
582:McCormack, John.
463:"Coast and Shore"
284:An embankment or
187:English Civil War
151:Mont Saint-Michel
144:Low water bridges
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711:on 23 July 2017
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799:Archaeology
705:"Vale Pond"
348:Town Church
333:greenhouses
223:Reclamation
98:Vale church
37: /
1506:Categories
1441:Television
1434:Rugby club
1058:St Saviour
1053:St Sampson
905:Resistance
900:Evacuation
892:Occupation
715:8 November
593:0850335418
410:References
322:L'Ancresse
232:John Doyle
203:Charles II
135:Charles II
22:49°29′13″N
1375:Languages
1312:Ambulance
1282:Transport
1209:President
1179:Elections
1082:Education
1038:St Martin
1033:St Andrew
958:Geography
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829:Windmills
239:Privateer
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173:Ownership
112:Crossings
25:2°32′06″W
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1363:Bean Jar
1322:Lifeboat
1184:Greffier
1146:Politics
1063:Torteval
1015:Parishes
985:Guernsey
980:Brecqhou
975:Alderney
394:Guernsey
388:See also
274:shilling
211:tournois
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1451:Symbols
1358:Cuisine
1342:Culture
1302:Harbour
1292:Aurigny
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1239:Economy
967:Islands
792:History
783:Geology
354:Current
80:Origins
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1327:Police
1028:Forest
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157:Ferry
1469:Flag
1317:Fire
1297:Rail
1189:Laws
1162:list
1068:Vale
1005:Sark
990:Herm
717:2015
636:ISBN
588:ISBN
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286:dyke
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