Guernsey's Oldest Charter discovered at Exeter

A documant from when Guernsey had a Vicomte, and was still part of the Duchy of Normandy. From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 4 January 1922

'Since very early ages Exeter has held place great importance in the country, and in consequence interesting finds are from time to time discovered among the city's ancient documents. In the Record Room of the Guernsey Greffe is an oak frame containing photographic enlargement of the oldest charter relating the Royal Court of Guernsey. The photograph was from the original charter which was discovered among the treasures in the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral. The document is in Latin and the translation is as follows:

Confirmation by Peter Vivier to the Abbey Mont Saint-Michel in Guernsey of land granted to it by Godfray Vivier, 1179 A.D. Be it known now and hereafter, I, Peter Vivier, have conceded and by this my chapter have confirmed to God and the Abbey Mont Saint-Michel, and the monks therein serving God, the land which is in the fee of Baldwin Vac in Guernsey (Guenerrio), which Godfray Vivier gave to the said abbey in perpetual alms, with the consent of the said Baldwin Vac and of Payn Vivier and my heirs, namely, five acres of land at Herlinroche, with the messuage of Richard de la Rue (de Rua), which the said Godfray held by hereditary right, and for the holding the covenant he gave the said abbey, with the document of my heirs, 6o shillings Anjou by the hand of Richard Huiville. This is done in the Court of the Lord the King of Guernsey before Gilbert de la Hougue (de Hoga) then Vicomte, and because I had not a seal, with the advice and consent of my friends I have ordered this charter to be sealed with the seal of Gilbert de la Hougue, the Vicomte. In the year of the Incarnation of the Lord, 1179. Witnesses: Richard de Huiville, prior of the Vale (de Vale), Peter of the Vale and Richard Malesarz, priests, Master Marcherius, William Vivier, Peter de Beauvoir (de Belveir), clarks, William the Chamberlain (Camerarius) of Baldwin Vac, Richard the Monk, Hugh de Granteis (Grancesiis), Gislebert des Rouveys (des Rouueis), Robert de Harvelant, William de la Hougue, Olivier de Barneville, William the prevost, Gislebert the prevost (Espiart Degat Legatve), William Viteclin, Robert Mauxmarquis (Malmarchie), Gislebert Rosel, Gislebert son of Robert, Richard and Jordan Vivier, Richard Vivier, and many others.

It will be noticed that Gilbert de la Hougue, the president of the Court in 1179, is styled the Vicomte. This is an important discovery for the history of Guernsey, for it shows that previous to the constitutional changes introduced by King John after the loss of Normandy, the institution of its 12 Jurats and other privileges of self-government, Guernsey was a vicomté, similar to those into which the duchy was divided for administrative purposes in 12th century. Another point of interest is that this document is the earliest known which makes mention the Guernsey Court as Royal Court (Curia Regis).'