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Article: Channel Islands: a rare blend of medieval, modern.
- Article from:
- U.S. News & World Report
- Article date:
- October 8, 1984
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1984 All rights reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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"We are now approaching Guernsey," the voice of the pilot crackles over the airplane's intercom. "Please set your watches back 300 years."
That's a joke. Or is it?
Here on this little island withing sight of the French coast, there is almost no crime or pollution or unemployment. There are no political parties. Taxes are low.
And against any threat of injustice to person or property, citizens of Guernsey still can invoke the medieval right of clameur de haro--throwing themselves to their kneew in front of witnesses and reciting in old Norman French a plea to their feudal lord for help and protection.
Yet a stranger might decide ...