Minquiers

The etymology of the name is disputed, and could either come from the Breton language minihi meaning a sanctuary, or from minkier meaning a seller of fish.[6]

The most significant islands in the group are:

• Maîtresse Île / Maîtr' Île
• Les Maisons;

Others include:

• Le Niêsant
• Les Faucheurs
• La Haute Grune.

Thousands of years ago, around the time of the last glacial period, when sea level was lower, the Channel Islands were high ground on the plain connecting the European Continent and southern England.

In 933 AD, the Duchy of Normandy annexed the islets, along with the other Channel Islands and the Cotentin Peninsula. After William, Duke of Normandy conquered England in 1066, the islands remained united to the Duchy until Philip Augustus conquered mainland Normandy in 1204. In 1259 Henry III did homage to the French king for the Channel Islands. Edward III, in the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny, waived his claims to the crown of France and to Normandy, but reserved various other territories to England, including the Channel Islands.[7]

The 1911 Britannica says that Maîtresse Île "affords a landing and shelter for fishermen."

In 1950 Britain and France went to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for friendly discussions to decide to which country the Minquiers and Ecrehos belonged.[2] The French fished in the waters, but Jersey exercised various administrative rights. The ICJ considered the historical evidence, and in its judgment of 17 November 1953 awarded the islands to Jersey (as represented by the United Kingdom).[7]

In 1998 some French 'invaded' the Minquiers on behalf of the 'King of Patagonia' in 'retaliation' for the British occupation of the Falkland Islands.[2] The Union Jack was restored the next day.

Notably, The Minquiers are mentioned at length by Victor Hugo in his novel Ninety-Three, about the French Revolution. He mentions how treacherous they are, and says that their combined area is bigger than mainland Jersey itself. Hugo lived in both Guernsey and Jersey at various points in his life, and so was familiar with local lore.

The British/French dispute over Les Minquiers is a plot element in Nancy Mitford's novel Don't Tell Alfred, as an occasional cause for dispute between the 'two old ladies' - France and Britain.

The Minquiers feature in the seafaring adventure novel The Wreck of the Mary Deare, by Hammond Innes, and its 1959 film adaptation.

The Minquiers are designated protected under the Ramsar convention.[9]

• Félix Gaillard#Death

• 
  Minquiers from the North Jersey.
• 
  Minquiers looking at inner basin from the South.
• 
  Minquiers looking at inner basin from the South. This is of the transit looking east.
• 
  Minquiers looking at inner basin from the South. This is of the transit looking east.
• 
  Minquiers looking at inner basin from the South. This is of the transit looking east.
• 
  Minquiers looking at inner basin from the South as the SE passage in taken towards Chaussey. This is of the transit looking east.

• Files on the ICJ case can be found in the National Archives, mostly in the FO 371 sequence.
• Les Minquiers: article published in hidden europe magazine, 2006, Issue 6, pp. 38–39 (ISSN 1860-6318)
• Histoire des Minquiers et des Ecréhous. Robert Sinsoilliez. Editions l'Ancre de Marine.
• Channel Islets - Victor Coysh

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Minquiers.

• International Court of Justice: Case files
• (in French), Accord commercial sur la pêche entre la France et Jersey