History of the Jersey Corn Riots

In 1767, people protested about the export of grain from the Island. Anonymous threats were made against shipowners and a law was passed the following year to keep corn in Jersey. In August 1769 the States of Jersey repealed this law, claiming that crops in the Island were plentiful. Though there was no known loss of life, many came armed with sticks and clubs, and an usher was thrown over the court railing during the disturbance. The event paved the way for major political reform on the island. In the reform, known as the Code of 1771, the Royal Court was stripped of its legislative powers, meaning that from 1771, only the States Assembly could create laws.

The power of protest

At the exhibit we got to see examples of signs and objects people used to protest, it was create to learn about the history of the corn riots and how these riots impacted peoples lives hundreds of years ago. Acts of resistance started taking place. A corn ship about to export goods was raided by a group of women who demanded that the sailors unload their cargo and set about selling it on the Harbour, giving the proceeds to the owner of the vessel. Other disturbances took place, leading to the events of 28 September 1769.

Affects of the Corn Riots at the time

The Lempriere family were exporting corn over what they needed which meant that the people of Jersey were going hungry. The price of corn was increased and the price of rent was increased the monopoly of the Lempriere family was in full force. People came to riot at the royal square and they ordered that their demands be written in the Court book of the time. The Greffier obliged and their orders included demanding a fair price for food and living.  Lempriere family decided they didn’t want to make any of these changes, so they went to London to present the rioters problems to the King. This was done albeit not exactly truthfully, so the King said that all the demands should be erased from the Court records. Locals were obviously furious. But £100 was offered to any rioters who turned another in so many people now changed sides. For Jersey the Corn Riots were the beginning of making the Law fairer for the people of Jersey.

Black history month

Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement protesting against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against black people.

October is black history month, this is especially significant following the unfortunate death of George Floyd last year, which triggered a much vaster way of supporters as his death was spread worldwide through the news and social media. Even through this event was terrible, it expanded the BLM movement and we even held a gathering in Jersey at People’s Park. The BLM movement originally was formed in July 2013 with the use of the #BlackLivesMatter on social media, which went viral on apps such as TikTok.