800 years of history on new roll of honour
VISITORS to Government House can now trace the line of sovereigns' representatives in the Bailiwick back more than 800 years, with the installation of an engraved roll of honour.
The newly-created board replaces an earlier roll of honour, which had become difficult to read.
Major Marco Ciotti, chief of staff and ADC to the Lt-Governor, said: 'Visitors to the house were always very interested in the original roll of honour, which dated back to the reign of William I.
'It was a fascinating record but, unfortunately, the names of previous Captains, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors had faded over the past 30 years. Some were almost illegible, so we decided to make a new board that would be easier to read.'
The new roll of honour, created by Smith Signs, features fewer entries in larger text, with only those personally appointed by the King or Queen of the time now listed.
It now has 121 entries, compared with 252 on the original board.
Major Ciotti said: 'The position of Governor was abolished during the first half of the 19th century, so all Sub Wardens and Lt-Governors listed before that were subordinate to the Captain, Warden or Governor of the day.
'The new roll of honour lists only those individuals who were personally appointed by their sovereign to be their representative. Many of those never actually lived in Guernsey, so they appointed deputies to act locally on their behalf.'
