Guernsey Cans - History

History of Guernsey and the Can

		The Island of Guernsey
		Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands situated in the Gulf of St. Malo about 30 miles from the Normandy coast of France and 80 miles from the south coast of England. It has a land area of approx. 24 square miles with a coast line of 45 miles. English is the official language, although a Norman-French patois is still spoken by some of the older population. Originally part of the French Duchy of Normandy, the Channel Islands became linked to the English Crown with the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy in 1066 AD. Today the islands are considered to be part of the British Isles but not of the United Kingdom. They are internally self-governing, making their own laws and establishing their own taxes.
		The Guernsey Can
		The Guernsey Can, the last surviving relic of Guernsey's Norman ancestry with a pedigree of nearly one thousand years, is the pride of every true Guernsey home, whether granite cottage, farmhouse, or manor of a feudal fief. It came over from Normandy in France with the original cattle in 980 AD. These cattle were the founders of the world-famous Guernsey Golden breed. The 'Froment du Leon' is the most prominent ancestor of the Guernsey Cow, and can still be seen in Brittany. According to the Norman chronicles, the Duke of Normandy sent monks from Mont St. Michel to Guernsey, and they brought the cattle with them. The can's shape permits the least loss by "slopping" of the precious milk, so rich in cream and colour. Guernsey's wedding gift to H.M. the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, and Prince Philip, now Duke of Edinburgh, comprised a set of six, ranging from half-pint to three pints. They bore the seal of the Bailiwick of Guernsey which dates back to reign of Edward 1. Guernsey's wedding gift to the late Princess Margaret was a Gold Miniature Can. Illustrious visitors to Guernsey such as the late Princess Marina and Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery received these cans as gifts from the States of Guernsey and its people.
		Sausmarez Manor
		The Edwardian Tin, Copper & Silverworks are sited within the 'Tudor Barn' at Sausmarez Manor, Guernsey. This building is a place of historical interest. It was built in 1587 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603) by John Andros whose grandson, Sir Edmund Andros (1637-1714) who, after a short period as Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, became the first American Colonial Governor for the State of New York. The Tudor Barn was first used for the storage of produce which supplied the Manor House and housed a large Cider Press. The vertical pillars of the press can still be seen today whist the chute supplying the press is still in existence, as is the roof space used by the estate workers as accommodation. Within the Shop can be seen original oak wood beams over the windows and within the workshop area - these came off a ship of the period . Today the Barn is used by Guernsey Cans (Coppersmiths) as a retail outlet for Copper, Brass & Silverware and has an Edwardian theme workshop which is in keeping with its long past.

Renovations/Design