Local History

Where did the name come from?

Hou means a mound, small hill or anything which is detached. So Lihou simply means the island.

This is also part of a lot of other island names like Jethou, Brecqhou, Brehou, Hougue, Houmet and Hougette.

Lihou isn't always an island!

At low spring tides the water goes so far out Lihou is part of Guernsey's west coast.

Throughout the rest of the year access to the island is possible via an ancient stone causeway but only when the tide is low.

The times that the causeway is open are available from the States of Guernsey website.

The area is flat and the water rises very quickly and it is dangerous to attempt to cross once the tide has turned.

Lihou is about 20 hectares in area, about 500 metres in length and the western end rises 30 metres above sea level.

History

The island had a long association with Mont St Michel and there was a Priory on the island.

It then passed through the hands of different tenants until the States of Guernsey purchased the island.

Timeline

1114

The Priory is consecrated according to Dédicace des Eglises.

1115

According to Papal records the priory is listed under Lishou as a possession of the Abbey of Mont St Michel.

1270

Pierre Bernard made Prior of Lihou.

1309

Baldwin Wake gives 7 quarters of wheat, partly to burn a lamp at night, partly for repair of the church.

1347

Letter to King Edward III by Raoul de Hermesthorp concerning the Prior's low salary of £20 a year.

1448

The Prior of Lihou was summoned by the Vicar of the Abbey of Mont St Michel, Jean Courratier, to come to the Abbey within a month to do penance for certain irregularities that had appeared. The Prior was replaced by Guillaume Michel.

1477

Another change of Prior as Pierre Sauson takes over.

1500

Custody for life of the Priory was granted to Ralph Leonard.

1519

The Guernsey Town Church rental records shows the Priors living in Fountain Street.

1560

Sire Thomas de Baugy may have been the last Prior of Lihou. The Roman Catholic influence faded and the Priory fell into decay.

1656

Dr Heylyn describes the Priory as a ruin in his survey of the Estate of Guernsey and Jersey.

1737

Certain small islands under Guernsey rule were let out on fee farm leases only valid for the term of office of each Governor.

1759

Guernsey's Governor ordered the tearing down of the Priory Chapel so the French could not occupy it.

1798

The Upper Farmhouse built.

1815

Eleazor Le Marchant, holder of the lease of Lihou and Guernsey's Lieutenant Bailiff started legal proceeding to stop locals from drying vraic on the island.

1821

Royal Court decided that islanders living in St Peters and St Saviours were allowed to cut vraic on Lihou.

1863

Island passed in will to James Priaulx who ignoring the Royal Court decision continued the legal wrangling. He built the Lower Farmhouse.

1883

Arthur Clayfield from Ireland succeeds to the estate on Priaulx's death.

1906

The island passes as a gift to Colonel Hubert de Lancey Walters. The lease included the area known as the Slough in St Peters.

1922

A large whale was stranded on Lihou.

1927

Mr Duquemin and Mr Clarke bought the island and sublet it to Mr Best who farmed the land and started an iodine factory.

1940-1945

During the German Occupation the island was used as an artillery range. The farmhouse and walls were destroyed by the shelling.

1954

Island purchased by Mr & Mrs Conniff and Mr & Mrs Hudson for a hotel project, which did not happen.

1961

Lihou purchased by Colonel Patrick Wootton who hoped to rebuild the island.

1962

The ruins of the farmhouse were cleared and plans were approved for a new farmhouse on the same plot.

1963

Rebuilding of the perimeter wall begun and several outbuilding were started.

1995

The States of Guernsey purchased Lihou from the British Crown.