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{{Infobox Country |
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|native_name = Sèr <br> Sercq<br> Sark |
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|conventional_long_name = |
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|common_name = Sark |
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|image_flag = Flag of Sark.svg |
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|image_coat = Escudo_de_Sark.svg |
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|image_map = LocationGuernsey.png |
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|map_caption = The location of the [[Channel Islands]] in [[Europe]] |
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|national_motto = |
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|national_anthem = |
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|official_languages = [[English language|English]], [[French language| French]] |
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|regional_languages = [[Sercquiais]] |
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|capital = La Seigneurie<sup>1</sup><!-- enables coordinates --> |
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|latd=49 |latm=26.4 |latNS=N |longd=2 |longm=21.7 |longEW=W |
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|government_type = |
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|leader_title1 = [[List of Seigneurs of Sark|Seigneur of Sark]] |
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|leader_name1 = {{nowrap|[[John Michael Beaumont]]}} |
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|sovereignty_type = Part of the [[Guernsey|Bailiwick of Guernsey]]<br />{{nobold|<small>([[Crown dependency]] of the British Crown)</small>}} |
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|established_event1 = [[Elizabeth I of England]] granted the fief to [[Hellier de Carteret]] |
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|established_date1 = 1565<!-- year of grant--> |
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|area_rank = |
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|area_magnitude = |
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|area_km2 = 5.45 |
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|area_sq_mi = {{#expr:5.45*0.39round2}} |
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|percent_water = |
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|population_estimate = 600 |
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|population_estimate_rank = |
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|population_estimate_year = |
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|population_census = |
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|population_census_year = |
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|population_density_km2 = {{#expr:600/5.45round2}} |
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|population_density_sq_mi = |
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|population_density_rank = |
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|currency = [[Pound sterling]]<sup>2</sup> |
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|currency_code = GBP |
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|time_zone = [[GMT]] |
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|utc_offset = |
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|time_zone_DST = |
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|utc_offset_DST = +1 |
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|cctld = [[.gg]]{{spaces|2}}<small>(Guernsey)</small> |
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|calling_code = 44 |
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|calling_code_note = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom#Crown dependencies|(0)1481]] |
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|image_map2 = Sark-aerial.jpg |
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|map_caption2 = Aerial view of Sark; North is to the left, Little Sark in the upper right and Brecqhou below it. |
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|footnote1 = Head of government. Sark has no capital |
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|footnote2 = See [[Guernsey pound]], notes and coins generally not legal tender outside Guernsey |
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}} |
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'''Sark''' ({{lang-fr|Sercq}}; [[Sercquiais]]: '''Sèr''') is a small island in the southwestern [[English Channel]]. It is one of the [[Channel Islands]], and is part of the [[Bailiwick]] of [[Guernsey]]. It has a population of about 600 (610 as of 2002). The [[island]] is a [[car-free zone]] where the only vehicles allowed are [[Carriage|horse-drawn vehicles]], [[bicycle]]s, [[tractor]]s, and battery-powered buggies or [[motorised bicycle]]s for elderly or disabled people. Passengers and goods arriving by ferry from Guernsey are transported from the wharf by tractor-pulled vehicles. Sark's main industries are [[tourism]], crafts and finance. Sark has an area of two square miles. |
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==Geography== |
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[[Image:Trident VI à Maseline Harbour (Sercq).jpg|thumb|left|Trident VI at Maseline Harbour]] |
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Sark consists of two main parts, Greater Sark and Little Sark to the south. They are connected by a narrow [[isthmus]] called La Coupée which is just nine feet (3 m) wide with a drop of {{convert|300|ft|m}} either side. Protective [[railing]]s were erected in 1900; before then, children would crawl across on their hands and knees to avoid being blown over the edge. There is a narrow concrete road covering the entirety of the isthmus, built in 1945 by [[Germany|German]] [[prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] under the direction of the [[Royal Engineers]]. |
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The highest point on Sark is {{convert|374|ft|m}} above sea-level. A windmill, dated 1571 is found here, the sails of which were removed by the Germans during their occupation in World War II. This location is also the highest point in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Little Sark had a number of mines; as well as a source of [[galena]],<ref>[http://www.mindat.org/locentry-5464.html]</ref> at Port Gorey, the ruins of silver mines<ref>[http://www.uk-fusion.com/content/view/917/48/ Sark (Channel Islands]</ref> can still be seen. Just off the south end of Little Sark is the "Venus Pool", a natural swimming pool, and the "Adonis Pool". |
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The island of [[Brecqhou]] is also under the jurisdiction of Sark, only a few hundred feet west of Greater Sark. It is a [[private island]] that is not open to visitors. Since 1993 the tenement of Brecqhou has been owned by David Barclay, one of the [[Barclay brothers]], identical twins, who are better known as co-owners of [[The Daily Telegraph]]. They contest Sark's control over the island. |
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==Politics==<!-- This section is linked from [[List of Seigneurs of Sark]] --> |
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Sark was previously considered the last [[feudalism|feudal state]] in [[Europe]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/theme/islands/islands_sark.htm|title=www.lonelyplanet.com/theme/islands/islands_sark.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> as [[fiefdom]] existed until April 2008. Fiefdom was abolished by the amending of electoral laws to grant universal suffrage and fully elected governance. |
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===Seigneur=== |
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[[Image:Seigneurie - Sark.JPG|thumb|left|The Seigneurie]] |
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The [[List of Seigneurs of Sark|Seigneur of Sark]] was, prior to the constitutional reforms of 2008, the head of the feudal government of the Isle of Sark (in the case of a woman, the title was ''Dame''). |
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From 1980 [[John Michael Beaumont]] has been the twenty-second Seigneur of Sark. Many of the laws, particularly those related to inheritance and the rule of the Seigneur, changed little since they were enacted in 1565 under Queen [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]]. The Seigneur retained the sole right on the island to keep pigeons and was the only person allowed to keep an unspayed female dog.<ref name="sarklaw">Sark Government{{ref|sarkgovlaw|Law and Custom}}</ref><ref name="ind"/> |
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===Tenants=== |
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In Sark, the word ''tenant'' is used (and often pronounced, as in French) in the sense of ''feudal landholder'' rather than the common English meaning of ''lessee''. The landholdings of Sark are held by 40 tenants representing the parcels of the 40 families who colonised Sark. As explained on the Sark government website: "There is no true freehold, all land being held on perpetual lease (fief) from the Seigneur, and the 40 properties (Tenements) into which the Island is divided (as well as a few other holdings in perpetual fief) can only pass by strict rules of inheritance or by sale. The Island was originally divided into forty landholdings known as Tenements and the owner or Tenant has, by right, a seat in Chief Pleas. Over the years further Seigneurial land has been leased in small parcels in perpetuity in similar manner to the Tenements but usually without the obligation to hold arms (La Fregondée is one exception) and without a seat in Chief Pleas. These properties are frequently but erroneously referred to as "freeholds" to distinguish them from the Tenements."<ref name="sarklaw"/> |
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===Chief Pleas=== |
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[[Image:Sark_La_Coupee.jpg|thumb|right|La Coupée is the narrow isthmus which links Greater and Little Sark]] |
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Chief Pleas (French: ''Chefs Plaids''; Sercquiais: ''Cheurs Pliaids'') is the parliament of Sark. Today Chief Pleas consists of the 40 Tenants plus 12 Deputies of the People (elected by universal adult suffrage for a mandate of three years). |
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The Seigneur and the [[Seneschal]] (who presides) are also members of Chief Pleas. The [[Prévôt]], the [[Greffier]], and the [[Treasurer]] also attend but are not members; the Treasurer may address Chief Pleas on matters of taxation and finance. |
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The executive officers on the island are |
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*The Seneschal (President of Chief Pleas and Chief Judge) and the Deputy Seneschal |
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*The Prevôt (Sheriff of the Court and of Chief Pleas) and the Deputy Prevôt |
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*The Greffier (Clerk) and the Deputy Greffier |
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*The Treasurer (Finances) |
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*The [[Constable]] (the senior policeman and administration) and the [[Vingtenier]] (the junior policeman) |
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Seneschal, Prevôt, Greffier and Treasurer are chosen by the Seigneur, Constable and Vingtenier are elected by Chief Pleas. |
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Since 2000, Chief Pleas has been working on its own reform, responding to internal and international pressures. On [[8 March]] [[2006]] by a vote of 25–15 Chief Pleas voted for a new legislature of the Seigneur, the Seneschal, 14 elected landowners and 14 elected non-landowners.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sark.info/downloads/government/0603minutes.pdf| title=Minutes EXTRAORDINARY MEETING of the Chief Pleas held on the 8th day of March, 2006| format=pdf| pages=8| quote=Proposition 1| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> Not everyone favoured the changes: many people wanted to keep feudalism completely.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}<!-- following is deadlink and not in archive.org:<ref name="The Guardian">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,329430189-103639,00.html Article from] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> --> But it was made plain that this option was not on the table. Offered two options for reform involving a fully elected legislature, one with three, and one with a single class of seats, 56% of the inhabitants expressed a preference in an opinion poll for the simpler option.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}<!-- following is insufficient for either poll, precise cites needed:<ref name="Sark Website Opinion Polls">First opinion poll mentioned in the minutes (see above){{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}} the results of the second one [http://www.sark.gov.gg/static/ers_opinionresults.pdf see here].</ref> --><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sark.info/downloads/government/0609ers_opinionresults.pdf| title=ISLAND OF SARK – TEST OF OPINION ON COMPOSITION OF THE CHIEF PLEAS| format=pdf| quote=for 28 Open Seats...234 ... for 12 Seats for Deputies, 8 Seats for Tenants, 8 Open Seats...184| date=2006-09-07| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> Following the poll, Chief Pleas voted on [[4 October]] [[2006]] to replace the 12 Deputies and 40 Tenants in Chief Pleas by 28 ''Conseillers'' elected by universal adult suffrage.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sark.info/downloads/government/0610minutes.pdf| title=Minutes of the meeting held in the Assembly Room, Sark on 4 October 2006| format=pdf| pages=3| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> This decision was suspended in January 2007 when it was pointed out to Chief Pleas that the 56% versus 44% majority achieved in the opinion poll did not achieve the 20% majority required for the constitutional change. The decision was replaced by the proposal that Chief Pleas should consist of 16 Tenants and 12 Conseillers both elected by universal adult suffrage from 2008-2012 and that a binding referendum should then decide whether this composition should be kept or replaced by 28 Conseillers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sark.info/downloads/government/0704minutes.pdf| title=MINUTES of the EASTER MEETING of CHIEF PLEAS Held in the Assembly Room, Sark on 11–12 April 2007| format=pdf| pages=4,7,13| accessdate=2008-02-21|quote=}}</ref> This proposal was rejected by the Privy Council and the 28 Conseiller option was reinstated in February 2008. |
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In 2003, Chief Pleas voted to vary the longstanding [[ban (law)|ban]] on [[divorce]] in the island by extending to the Royal Court of Guernsey power to grant divorces.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
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==History== |
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[[Image:Carriage - Sark.jpg|thumb|right|A horse-drawn carriage on Sark]] |
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[[Image:Thumbnail Sark.svg|thumb|right|Sark in relation to the other [[Channel Islands]], and [[France]]]] |
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In the thirteenth century, Sark was used as a base of operations by the French [[pirate]] [[Eustace the Monk]] after he served [[John of England|King John of England]]. Although populated by [[monasticism|monastic]] communities in the mediaeval period, Sark was uninhabited in the 16th century and used as a refuge and raiding base by [[English Channel|Channel]] pirates. [[Helier de Carteret]], Seigneur of [[Saint Ouen, Jersey|St. Ouen]] in [[Jersey]], received a charter from [[Queen Elizabeth I]] to colonise Sark with 40 families from [[Saint Ouen, Jersey|St. Ouen]] on condition that he maintain the island free of pirates. |
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An attempt by the newly settled families to endow themselves with a constitution under a [[Bailiff (Channel Islands)|bailiff]], as in Jersey, was put down by the authorities of Guernsey who resented any attempt to wrest Sark from their bailiwick.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}<!-- exact cite needed --> |
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During [[World War II]], the island was [[Occupation of the Channel Islands|occupied by the Germans]] from 1940–1945, as were the other [[Channel Islands]], and was the site of [[Operation Basalt]]. |
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===Recent history=== |
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====One-man invasion attempt==== |
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In 1991 an unemployed [[France|French]] [[nuclear physicist]] named [[André Gardes]] attempted a singlehanded invasion of Sark, armed with a [[semi-automatic weapon]]. He was arrested by the Island's police officer (who at the time was Little Sark farmer Philip Perrée Junior) while sitting on a bench, changing the gun's magazine.<ref name="ind">{{cite web| url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article1928079.ece| title=Lost world: the last days of feudal Sark| date=2006-10-26| publisher=[[The Independent]]| accessdate=2008-02-22}}</ref> |
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====Transition to democracy==== |
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On [[4 July]] [[2007]] Sark began to dismantle its [[feudal system]] to comply with the [[European Convention on Human Rights]]. The majority of the island's [[legislature]] could be elected by 2009.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9482912&CFID=1790521&CFTOKEN=53694926 Democratic Revolution], ''[[The Economist]]'', [[July 14]] – [[July 20]], [[2007]]</ref> On [[January 16]], [[2008]] and [[February 21]], [[2008]], the Chief Pleas approved a law which introduces a 30-member chamber, with 28 elected members and retaining only two unelected members. On [[9 April]] [[2008]], the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] approved the Sark law reforms,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/guernsey/7339172.stm Sark democracy plans are approved], ''[[BBC News Online]]'', [[9 April]] [[2008]]</ref> and the first [[elections]] under the new law will be held in December 2008 and the new chamber will first convene in January 2009.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1704703,00.html A Revolution Not Televised], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time.com]]'', [[January 17]], [[2008]]</ref><ref>[http://podcast.timesonline.co.uk/serve.php/1503/thebugle13.mp3 After 443 years, Sark gets democracy], ''[[The Bugle]]'', Episode 13, January 2008. The Bugle is a satirical podcast of the [[Times Online|''Times'' Online]].</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/guernsey/7258214.stm Sark agrees switch to democracy], ''[[BBC News Online]]'', [[22 February]] [[2008]]</ref> |
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==Sercquiais== |
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[[Sercquiais]] (''Sarkese'', or sometimes called ''Sark-French'') is a dialect of the [[Norman language]] still spoken by older inhabitants of the island.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/multilingual/jerriais.shtml#A| title=BBC - Voices - Multilingual Nation / Jèrriais and Sercquiais today| author=Dr Mari C Jones| quote=1998 it was estimated that, at that time, fewer than 20 out of the Island's 600 permanent inhabitants (3.3%) were still able to speak Sercquiais| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> Its use has declined in recent years due to a large influx of people who have moved to Sark,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/multilingual/jerriais_history.shtml#A| title=BBC - Voices - Multilingual Nation| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> and the ongoing anglicisation of the island. |
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==Education== |
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Sark has one school, the Sark School, which takes residents from the ages of 5 to 15.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sark.info/index.cfm?fuseaction=gov.content&cmid=552| title=Sark Tourism - Isle of Sark, Channel Islands / General Information| accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> |
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Pupils wishing to obtain a [[GCSE]] or A level qualification usually finish their education in [[Guernsey]] or [[Jersey]]. Students may also enroll in [[United Kingdom]] boarding schools. |
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==Religion== |
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[[Image:Church - Sark.jpg|thumb|right|St. Peter's Anglican church]] |
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Sark has an [[Anglican]] church (St. Peter's, built 1820) and a [[Methodist]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci-methodist.org.uk/Sark/index.htm|title=Sark Methodist Church<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> church. [[John Wesley]] first proposed a mission to Sark in 1787. Jean de Quetteville of Jersey subsequently began preaching there, initially in a cottage at Le Clos à Geon and then at various houses around Sark. Preachers from Guernsey visited regularly, and in 1796, land was donated by Jean Vaudin, leader of the Methodist community in Sark, for the construction of a chapel, which Jean de Quetteville dedicated in 1797.<ref>''Methodism in the Channel Islands'', Moore, London, 1952</ref> In the mid-1800s there was a small [[Plymouth Brethren]] assembly. Its most notable member was the classicist [[William Kelly (Guernsey and Blackheath)|William Kelly]] (1821-1906). Kelly was then the tutor to the Seigneur's children. |
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Supported by the evidence of the names of the ''tenements'' of La Moinerie and La Moinerie de Haut, it is believed<ref>''Channel island Churches'', McCormack, 1986 ISBN 0850335418</ref> that the Seigneurie was constructed on the site of the [[monastery]] of Saint [[Magloire]]. Magloire had been [[Samson of Dol]]'s successor as [[bishop]] of [[Dol]], but retired and founded a monastery in Sark where he died in the late 6th century. According to the ''vita'' of Magloire, the monastery housed 62 [[monk]]s and a school for the instruction of the sons of noble families from the [[Cotentin]]. Magloire's [[relic]]s were venerated at the monastery until the mid-9th century when [[Viking]] raids rendered Sark unsafe and the monks departed for Jersey, taking the relics with them. |
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==Clameur de Haro== |
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Among the old laws of the Channel Islands is the old [[Normans|Norman]] custom of the [[Clameur de haro|Clameur de Haro]]. Using this legal device, a person can obtain immediate cessation of any action he considers to be an infringement of his rights. At the scene, he must, in front of witnesses, recite the [[Lord's Prayer]] in [[French language|French]] and cry out ''"Haro, Haro, Haro! À mon aide mon Prince, on me fait tort!"''<ref name="sarklaw"/> (''"Haro, Haro, Haro! To my aid, my Prince! One does me wrong!"'') It should then be registered with the Greffe Office within 24 hours. All actions against the person must then cease until the matter is heard by the Court. The last ''Clameur'' recorded on Sark was raised in June 1970 to prevent the construction of a garden wall.<ref name="ind"/> |
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==Notes and references== |
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{{reflist}} |
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*{{note|sarkgovlaw|Law and Custom}} {{cite web| url=http://www.sark.info/index.cfm?fuseaction=gov.content&cmid=555| title=Isle of Sark, Channel Islands / Government| publisher=sark.info| accessdate=2008-02-21}} |
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*[[John Sack]]. Report from Practically Nowhere, 1959 ISBN 0-595-08918-6 |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of Seigneurs of Sark]] |
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*[[Sark national football team]] |
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==External links== |
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{{commonscat|Sark}} |
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*[http://www.sark.info/index.cfm?fuseaction=gov.index Official government site] |
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*[http://www.sark.info/index.cfm Official Sark tourism site] |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/guernsey/5405268.stm BBC – Feudal island brings in democracy] |
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*[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca08458e-a50d-11dc-a93b-0000779fd2ac.html Sark fears threat of Barclays fiefdom], [[Financial Times]], 7 December 2007 |
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*[http://www.zuidenwind.nl/films/index.php?taal=en&type=1&id=25 Documentary about Sark] |
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*[http://www.cipostcard.co.nz/sark/skcoupee.htm Pictures of La Coupée] |
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{{coord|49|25|59|N|2|21|39|W|display=title}} |
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{{Channel Islands}} |
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[[Category:Sark|Sark]] |
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[[Category:Geography of the Channel Islands]] |
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[[be:Сарк]] |
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