St Ouen’s Manor, Jersey. Credit: Courtesy of Jersey Evening Post Photo Archive.
Swansea University has received a major research grant of £215,843 to lead a new study into Jersey’s historic feudal system, exploring how centuries-old traditions of land and law have shaped the island’s identity.
In Jersey, the ownership of land revolved around a hierarchy of the Crown, landowners, and tenants. Lords known as seigneurs held land parcels called fiefs, and although their financial rights were abolished in 1966, many customs, titles, and legal traditions remain—manor properties are still a familiar feature of Jersey’s landscape, and seigneurs continue to attend the annual Royal Court hearing, Assise d’Heritage.
The two-year study, The Fiefs and Seigneurs of Jersey: History and Significance, will be led by Professor Daniel Power from Swansea’s Department of History, Heritage and Classics. It will trace the evolution of these institutions from the 11th century—when Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy—up to the English Civil War in the mid-17th century.
Findings will be shared at a public seminar in Jersey in 2027, with a full publication to follow.
Professor Power said: “The history of law and landholding in Jersey and the other Channel Islands provides a fascinating link between the medieval and early modern past, and today.
“The islands were culturally Norman yet politically separated from mainland Normandy from 1204 onwards, allowing their institutions and legal culture to evolve in a distinctive way. The archival material is rich, and the potential for discovery is immense.”
The research forms part of a wider £250,000 project, funded by private donations and supported by Jersey Heritage, the Société Jersiaise, and the Government of Jersey. It will contribute to Millenium 2027, European Year of the Normans, a commemorative programme marking 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror.
John de Veulle, former Chair of Jersey Heritage, said: “Our thanks go to everyone who is contributing to and supporting this major research project into an important aspect of Jersey’s history.
“The Island’s feudal system dates back hundreds of years and still has an impact on Jersey today. It has not yet been thoroughly studied, and it will be fascinating to see what the new research uncovers.”
A postdoctoral researcher will be appointed to join Professor Power’s team from April 2026 to March 2028.
This study reflects Swansea University’s commitment to historical research and international collaboration—offering a rare opportunity to explore how medieval institutions continue to shape modern life.
Learn more about the Department of History, Heritage and Classics.