William the Conqueror's 1,000th birthday to be celebrated across his territories - Jersey Evening Post
by Megan Davies · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
William the Conqueror’s 1,000th birthday to be celebrated across his territories
by Megan Davies 8 July 20268 July 2026
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MEDIEVAL festivals, a giant community tapestry and even a Playmobil Battle of Hastings are among more than 80 events planned across the Channel Islands to mark the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth next year, it has been announced.
The celebrations will form part of an international programme led by the Normandy Region, with events taking place across France, the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Flanders, southern Italy, Norway and Denmark.
Jersey’s Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Charlotte Howe, outlined the Island’s plans while attending the launch of the celebrations in Normandy last week.
Under the title MILLENIUM, the region will be joined in its celebrations by the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Flanders, southern Italy, Norway and Denmark.
Jersey’s Norman heritage remains deeply woven into everyday island life, Ms Howe explained.
“In the UK, one date that everyone knows from childhood is the Battle of Hastings, 1066. It’s so ingrained in peoples memories,” she said.
“What’s interesting for Jersey is that we have a very unique position in all of that story. Things like Norman customary law that underpins our legal system is there in the background. It is very much there in the present.”
Jèrriais being used by organisations like Jersey Heritage and even Jersey Skin, as well as being found in place names, shows that Norman history “is all around us”, she said.
In Jersey, she anticipates ballet performances with a live Norman orchestra, Société Jersiaise’s Norman coin collection on display, murals, a community tapestry, a Playmobil enactment of the Battle of Hastings, and a special Medieval edition of the French Festival. Jersey’s Story Beast would be performing Wace.
With tourists anticipated in Normandy to mark the year, Ms Howe said Visit Jersey hoped to use the celebrations as a “hook” to get them to come to Jersey and Guernsey during their trip.
Last week’s launch across the water was an opportunity to build the profile of the celebrations and meet counterparts across Europe, she said, adding: “We have had lots, lots, lots of exciting conversations.”
She said she met musicians looking at Norman music as well as academics – some of whom had been working on Jersey history for years
The Normans’ influence extended far beyond France and the UK, she said.
“It’s quite amazing. When you look at the map, it’s quite impressive just how far their reach extended.”
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