Corn Riots

Corn Riots
St Helier in 1809, 40 years after the Corn Riots
DateSeptember 28, 1769 (1769-09-28)
Also known asThe Jersey Revolution
TargetLieut-Bailiff Charles Lemprière The Royal Court
OutcomeCode of Laws 1771

The Corn Riots, also known as the Jersey Revolution, was a revolt which took place in Jersey on 28 September 1769. In an example of direct action against government oppression, under the government of Lieutenant Bailiff Charles Lemprière, hundreds of Jerseymen marched from the north of the island to the south and occupied the Royal Court.[1] The revolt is a significant point in Jersey political history, as the powers of legislation were removed from the Royal Court and placed in the States Assembly.[2]

The causes of the revolt were centred around the balance of power between the island's parliament, the States, and the Royal Court, both of which had powers to create legislation. An anti-Seigneurial sentiment – opposition to the feudal economic system – also contributed to the popular revolt. The spark for the riots was a corn shortage, in part caused by decisions of the ruling classes, which turned the urban population against the States.[2]

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