Channel Islands

The Channel Islands (or Channel Isles) are a group of islands off the coast of Normandy, France, in the English Channel.

Politically, they are divided between the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey, both of which are British crown dependencies, but not part of the United Kingdom. They are officially part of the Duchy of Normandy and as such, Queen Elizabeth II is also Duke of Normandy. The islands's Government is responsible to The Queen in Council (where she is advised by the Home Secretary). They are not responsible to Parliament. They are conventionally considered part of the British Isles, although the reasons for this are more political than geographical.

The inhabited islands of the Channel Isles are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou (Brechou) and Lihou. All of these except Jersey are in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

They were originally part of the lands in France owned by the Duke of Normandy. In 1066 the Duke William the Conqueror invaded and conquered England, becoming the English monarch. Over the years, the rest of the monarch's lands in France were lost and now only the Channel Isles remain.

During the Second World War they were occupied by Germany.