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Gautier de la Salle: a "most notorious" henchman |
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A moment of power
Under Otto's rule the practice of holding a General Eyre developed – a 
This peaceful island of Lihou was where the saga started
© Courtesy of the Guernsey Tourist Board |
combination of the assizes and inquiry commissions, it helped Otto to extract even more money from the islanders. After a while the Eyre employed English justices, and so an essentially foreign institution was imposed on Guernsey.
Gaultier de la Salle's execution took place during a brief moment of respite from this "foreign" rule. In 1320 the Fourth General Eyre took place, and was staffed by local magnates following a petition of complaint to the king. A number of the Warden's officials were fined, and Guernsey's ancient "laws and customs" were championed.
But this turn of events was short-lived, as the next Eyre overturned many of its predecessor's judgements, and it was not until 
The splendour of Castle Cornet hid the grizzly goings on
© Courtesy of the Guernsey Tourist Board |
1341 that Edward III finally abandoned all attempts to subject Guernsey to centralised control.
Could the popularity of this legend in Guernsey be related to the fact that it refers to a time when British rulers were trying to control the island, acting as a warning for future generations of the perils of loosing control? Or is it simply that we all like the story of the common man succeeding against the pernicious overlord?
Whatever the reason, it still teaches a valuable lesson - that even the most fantastical of legends can provide a useful insight into popular mentalities, when taken with a pinch of salt.
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