Local Background Information: Government
The Channel Islands are possessions of the Crown of England and their people consider themselves British, however they do not form part of the United Kingdom . Since 933 the Islands formed part of the Duchy of Normandy but they became dependencies of the British Crown in 1066, when the Duke of Normandy became King of England.
When continental Normandy was overrun by the King of France in 1204, the Islands remained in the hands of the King of England, who continued to govern them in his capacity as the Duke of Normandy until he surrendered the title in 1259. Thereafter, the British Sovereign continued to rule the Islands as though he was the Duke of Normandy, observing their laws, customs and liberties. These were later confirmed by the Charters of successive Sovereigns and secured for the Islands their own judiciaries, freedom from the process of English Courts and certain other privileges. The United Kingdom Government is responsible for the foreign relations and external defence of the Channel Islands, however, in domestic affairs the Islands have for over eight hundred years, virtually formed independent democracies, although insular legislation still depends finally for its validity upon orders made by the Sovereign in Council (Privy Council).