JERSEY 1981

BATTLE OF JERSEY

On 7th January 1781, a contingent of French soldiers invaded Jersey and were defeated in a brief but bloody battle in the Royal Square (or Le Vier Marchi as it was then known) outside the Royal Court. The commander of the British forces, Major Peirson was killed in battle, but the French were defeated.

John Singleton Copley's painting entitled "The Death of Major Peirson" was unveiled in London in 1784. The painting was an overnight sensation.