Braye du Valle, Guernsey
The original reason for the separation of the north of the Island of Guernsey may relate to seismic disturbances or changes in the sea level.
[1] The rise and fall of the tide in Guernsey is over 10 metres (33 ft) which creates energy to move loose materials.
[2] At the eastern end an iron age fort, later to become the castle of Saint Michael where in 1117 there was a large ceremony to celebrate the finalisation of major works.
[4] In 1204 it is reported that the Royal Court of Guernsey visited the Braye du Valle to replace boundary markers that had been washed away.
[1] The bridge was requested in a petition by parish residents dated 4 October 1204 following the loss of a causeway to sea damage.
[1] The bridge has, for as long as records exist, been wide enough for pedestrians and wagons, constructed of stone with a nearby sluice or “nocq”.
[4] By 1708 the Braye was owned by Henry de Sausmarez who reclaimed some of the land to construct the salt-pans, the export of salt from Guernsey to England being duty free.
[4] Sir Henry de Vic considered reclaiming the Braye and petitioned Charles II for leave to do so.
[7]: 299 The Duke of Richmond as Master-General of the Ordnance, commissioned a military survey map of Guernsey, the Braye is well marked as a channel.
[8] In 1803, the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, Major-General John Doyle, was tasked with improving the Island defences.
During the eight years of the American Revolutionary War Guernsey ships carrying letter of marque had captured French and American vessels to the value of £900,000 and continued to operate during the Napoleonic Wars[4] The proposal was opposed by the States of Guernsey who would have preferred the Braye to be dredged and straightened to enable larger ships to sail along the channel with quarried stone.
[9]: 40 Major-General Doyle’s proposal was to dam the extremities of the Braye at the bridge and near the Vale Church, so enclosing around 300 acres.
Along the southern shores of the Braye du Valle had been salt pans, their owners receiving compensation for their loss.
[4] The contract was awarded to Thomas Henry, from Les Mielles in Clos du Valle, and work began on 12 July 1806.
[9]: 41 An embankment or dyke was built at Grande Havre, to the west of the Vale Church out of large stones with a brick wall to retain the sand and gravel that was piled up on the landward side.
Quarries in the area were given permission to dump ship ballast and stone waste against the embankment to improve the defences.
[1][5] The area of land in Guernsey materially increased with the tidal channel being turned into profitable meadows.
[1] In 1872 the States of Guernsey agreed to take over the cost of maintaining the roads and embankments from the Braye land owners upon payment of £114.
